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Baglamukhi – Pitambara Peeth at Datia

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Baglamukhi at Datia in Madhya Pradesh consists of a Hindu temple and an Ashram. It is also called as ‘Tapasthali’ as there are many mythological and real people who have considered this to be a supreme place for meditation.

The power of Shakti of Mother Goddess is worshiped here and it is an important place of worship. The Shivalinga of Shree Vankhandeswar Shiva is inspected and approved by the Archaeological Survey of India to be of the same age as that of the Mahabharata.

Baglamukhi History

Goddess Baglamukhi is also known as Pitambara Maa. Once upon a time, there was a huge storm that erupted over the Earth. As it threatened to destroy the entire creation, all the Gods assembled in the Saurashtra region. Goddess Baglamukhi emerged from the ‘Haridra Sarovara’, and appeased by the prayers of the gods, calmed down the storm.

Another popular legend surrounding this temple states that there was a demon named Madan who underwent penance and won the boon of vak siddhi, according to which whatever he said, happened the exact way. Starting to take his boon as a point to torture innocent people, the heavenly livings were severely enraged, thereby worshipping Baglamukhi.

The Goddess stopped the demon`s rampage by gripping his tongue and silencing his speech forever. However, before she could kill him, he requested her that he is worshiped alongside the goddess, and she yielded. That is why Madan (the demon) is shown with her together.

Shri Pitambara Peetha is counted by the devotees among the most famous temples of Baglamukhi which was established by Bramhaleen Pujyapaad RashtraGuru Anant Shree Swami Ji Maharajin 1920s. He also established the temple of goddess Dhumavati within the ashram. Dhumavati and Baglamukhi are the two of the ten Mahavidyas.

Pujyapaad was also referred as ‘Swamiji’or ‘Maharaj’ by the devotees. There is no individual who had any information about either his identity or his place of origin. Moreover, he too did not disclose any such facts to anyone. However, he was a Parivrajakachrya Dandi Swami, who stayed on in Datia for a long period of time. He was and still is a spiritual icon for many who visit the Peeth or have been associated with him directly or indirectly.

During the Indo-China war, A Rashtra Anushtan Yagya was started in this temple which later was completed successfully. Maharaj Ji then thought of establishing the Dhumavati temple and also penned down the literature for the same.

In the year 1965 or 1971, Sri Datiya Pitambara Peeth has replied with vigor and established a spiritual attack by Tantrik Anushthanam to thwart the enemy’s efforts. The retreat of the enemy’s forces took place with the completion of the anusthanam. The same was organized during the Pakistani invasion on the Kargil front.

Significance of Baglamukhi Temple

Shri Pitambara Peetha is one of the most famous Shakti Peetha of Baglamukhi Devi at Datia in Madhya Pradesh. It is situated at a distance of approximately 75 km from Gwalior and approximately 30 km from Jhansi.

Pujyapaad Swamiji was a strong devotee of the Goddess Pitambara. He had a natural inclination towards the Sanskrit language but also possessed sufficient knowledge of Urdu, Persian and Arabic, English, Pali, and Prakrit languages. In addition, he was fond of classical music and various great classical musicians of that time used to visit the ashram.

Pujyapaad had led innumerable gatherings and associations for the protection and welfare of both the humanity and the country in large. Living legend who knows about Swamiji is Pt Shri Gaya Prasad Nayak Ji (Babuji) of Garhi Malehara. Pujya Swamiji Maharaj and Babuji’s Guruji were Gurubhai.

Some of the musicians who visited the ashram comprise of Pundit Gundai Maharaj, Siyaram Tiwari, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Dagar Bandhu etc. One of the greatest classical musicians Acharya Brihaspati was the follower of Pujyapaad.

Moreover, one can also find many temples of Parshuram, Hanuman, Kal Bhairav and other god and goddess stretched across the large area of Ashram.

The Peeth is currently maintained by a trust.

The Ashram also maintains the Sanskrit library which was established by the Pujyapaad. One can get sufficient information that explains the history of the Ashram and the secret Mantras of various kinds of Sadhanas and tantras.

The blessings of Guruji helped Ustad Aadil Khan to recover his lost voice and from then on he became a disciple of Shri Maharaj-Ji.

One of the distinct specialties of the Ashram can be referred to the approach to spread the light of Sanskrit language to young children, free of cost. The Ashram also conducts Sanskrit debates across the years.

A devotee can see the Haridra Lake located in front of the main temple and at the back; there are an office and other buildings.

No individual is allowed to carry leather items in the form of a waist belt, wallet, purse etc inside the temple premises even after removing your footwear.

Devotees are encouraged to wear garments in yellow color during Sadhana.

Baglamukhi Temple Timings

  • Baglamukhi temple opens at 7 AM and closes at 9 PM.
  • The temple remains unavailable for a visit from 12 P.M. to 2 P.M.

Baglamukhi Temple Food Timings

  • The temple provides Prasad to the devotees after 12 PM.
  • One can also offer food to the deity in the form of fruits and coconuts.
  • Generally, people offer salted prasadam to the Goddess in this temple.

Festivals celebrated at the Baglamukhi Temple

  • The major festivals that are celebrated in this temple with great pomp include Navaratri, Guru Purnima, and Maha Nirvana Din or the death anniversary of Maharaj-Ji. As per the Shakti system; Navaratri is a perfect and auspicious day to start a Sadhana. A community hawan is organized on the Ninth day of Navaratri. The markings of the Lotus feet of Guru are also worshiped on the day of Guru Purnima.
  • Vasant Panchami is celebrated with much joy.
  • Every morning Saraswati Puja is performed.
  • Evenings see the Ashram immersed in sounds of India classical music.

Baglamukhi Temple Poojas and Rituals

  • There are four arati that take place in this temple. The Morning Arati takes place at 7 A.M. and the Evening Arati happens at 7 P.M. The Shringar Arati is performed at 8:30 P.M. and the Badi Arati is completed at 9 P.M.
  • It is interesting to note that the Baglamukhi Mantra is one of the most powerful mantras to attain powers to control over enmity feeling of your opponents, be it human or animals. But one needs to practice it after passing a qualifying eligibility test and under the guidance of a Guru or a Qualified Sadhak who is authorized by the Peeth. There is a set of discipline to be observed by the practicing Sadhak both in terms of self-discipline and one need to also correctly pronounce the complete Mantra. One has to be strong enough to hold the power of the Mantra. It is strongly suggested not to venture under the influence of any novice Sadhak.

 How to Reach Baglamukhi

  • By Air – Gwalior has its own particular airplane terminal that is situated at a distance of 8 km from the primary city. Gwalior is associated via air from Mumbai, Bhopal, Indore, and Delhi. Datia, on the other hand, is 75 km far from Gwalior.
  • By Train – Pitambara Peeth is located at the entrance of Datia city. The Datia railway station is located at only 3 km from the Pitambara and Bus stand is located at the distance of 1 km. There are many autos that are available from the railway station and bus stand to reach the auspicious shrine. This route is well connected by Rail from all parts of India.
  • By Road – A traveler can visit this temple by road as well. There are a lot of states and private buses that ply regularly from all major cities. Overnight A/C tourist buses are available from Delhi (321 km), Indore (486 km), Agra (118 km) and Jaipur (350 km).

Baglamukhi Accommodation

There are many hotels and lodging facilities available for people to stay at Datia in Madhya Pradesh. At a distance of only 1-2 km from the Pitambara Peeth, there are many Dharamshala that offer good accommodation at competitive prices. For an individual visiting alone, putting up at dormitories is also a good alternative. For people looking for luxury, there are many hotels that provide pickup and drop services to airports and railway stations for its clients. In addition to that, these fine places of accommodation also come with its own exclusive restaurants. In order to avoid any confusion, it is better to book the rooms in advance.

Where to eat

Madhya Pradesh also called as the ‘heart of Incredible India’ is famous for its variety of food. From vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes, there are a plethora of options to suit the appetite of every traveler. If you want to enjoy a complete meal then, the Thali is a good choice. It is a balanced diet that contains all the essential ingredients. Additionally, there are many breakfast options, for example, poha, jalebi, samosa etc. This state is also famous for its sweets which are made of milk and has a unique taste. A tourist visiting this place makes it a point to taste some of the namkeens that are widely popular in this region. There are many local eating joints that provide food at a reasonable price.

For people looking for fine dining, there are many high-end restaurants that provide exotic dishes and sea food as well. Although the charges are comparatively high, they provide international cuisine and live music for the audience. Moreover, one can also customize any requirement in food and there are chefs who provide services as per the requirement of the client. So, it is sure that every person is bound to enjoy some wonderful delicacies with their loved ones and make memories that are worth cherishing in one’s lifetime.

Nearby Temples

  • Balaji Dham Unnav- One can travel 17 km from here and will reach Ichha Purti temple. Unnav is seventeen kilometers from Datia Headquarters. Balaji Temple is very old temple is said to be a specimen from the Pre-Historic times. People from very distant places flock to the Balaji Sun Temple on pilgrimage.
  • Sonagiri temples- It is a very popular pilgrimage destination for the Jains, who visit the shrine in large numbers annually to worship at these beautiful temples. There are more than one hundred temples that attract visitors and tourists from distant places. Sonagir is located at 15 Km from Datia and is connected by road and train.
  • Pancham Kavi ki Toriya- It is a beautiful and natural place that is situated at a distance of 4 Km from Datia. Pilgrims visit this shrine in large numbers which are also famous for ‘Bhairav Temple’.

Amba Bhavani

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Bhawani Amba Temple

Ambala is located in Haryana. Ambala is a small city and a municipal corporation in Haryana. Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment are politically and geographically divided which is only 3 km from here. Ambala city and Indus river separates two river networks. In the north, it is adjacent to the river and to the south Tangdi Ghaggar river. It is believed that the name of city Ambala has been derived from the name of Goddess Amba, whose temple is situated in the city. It is a temple of the ancient period and has been there since a very long time. The Amba Bhavani Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. Like every state in India, the state of Haryana is also a land of numerous temples. The temples and the other religious buildings like gurudwaras, mosques and churches speak volume of the culture and the background of the place. The Haryana temples are beautiful and they serve as ideal tourist spots. Among the numerous legendary temples in the state of Haryana, the Amba Bhavani Temple is a prominent one. It is situated in the city of Ambala. The temple of Amba Bhavani is considered a very sacred temple. It is a temple of the ancient era and has been there since a very long time. The Amba Bhavani Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. There is a popular belief that the city of Ambala has been named after Devi Amba. In and around the city of Ambala, there are many holy places and shrines. Some of these places of worship need a mention. Apart from the Amba Bhavani Temple, the other places of interest are the Kali Mata Mandir, the Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, the Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurd-wara and the Manji Sahib Gurdwara. The Bhawani Amba Temple, which is situated in the city of Ambala, is an ancient temple and it has been the witness to the city’s history since Ambala’s birth. All the temples are unique in their own ways and each of the temples has different history and leg-ends associated to them. The stories behind the temples are very interesting and are informative at the same time. The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala is listed amongst the most sacred religious places in Haryana. The temple is one of the leading tourist attraction in Ambala. It is name after the presiding Goddess of the temple called Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. Thousands of devotees visit this temple for offering prayers and be a part of the rituals that are followed at this place. The beautifully carved out pillars and the intrinsic carvings on the walls of the temple speaks volume about the rich artistry.

History and Legend of Amba Bhavani

  • It is believed that the origin of the name Ambala is done from this Devi Amba’s Temple. In ancient times this temple was considered an important pilgrim destination.
  • The temples in Haryana are mostly of the ancient era. These primitive temples are not just places of worship. Most of these are architectural masterpieces and are treasuries of erudition and ethnicity.
  • The temples in Haryana envelop the atmosphere of the place with a divine air. There are plenty of famous temples in the state of Haryana.
  • The Amba Bhavani Temple, the Kali Mata Mandir in Ambala, the Shiv Temple in Gurgaon, the Bishnoi Mandir and the Sheetala Devi Temple are to name just a few of the temples.
  • The Sheetla Devi Temple in Haryana is a prime pilgrimage point. The place is also known as Shakti Peeth because Sheetla Devi or the Goddess of Shakti is the presiding deity here.

Significance of Amba Bhavani

• Among the numerous legendary temples in the state of Haryana, the Bhawani Amba Temple is a   prominent one. It is situated in the city of Ambala. The temple of Bhawani Amba is considered a very sacred temple. It is a temple of the ancient era and has been there since a very long time.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. There is a popular belief that the city of Ambala has been named after Devi Amba.
• In and around the city of Ambala, there are many holy places and shrines. Some of these places of worship need a mention. Apart from the Bhawani Amba Temple, the other places of interest are the Kali Mata Mandir, the Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, the Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurd-wara and the Manji Sahib Gurdwara.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple, which is situated in the city of Ambala, is an ancient temple and it has been the witness to the city’s history since Ambala’s birth.
• All the temples are unique in their own ways and each of the temples has different history and leg-ends associated to them. The stories behind the temples are very interesting and are informative at the same time.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala is listed amongst the most sacred religious places in Haryana. The temple is one of the leading tourist attraction in Ambala. It is name after the presiding Goddess of the temple called Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi.
• Thousands of devotees visit this temple for offering prayers and be a part of the rituals that are followed at this place. The beautifully carved out pillars and the intrinsic carvings on the walls of the temple speaks volume about the rich artistry.

Timings of Amba Bhavani Temple

Darshan in Bhawani Amba Temple starts from 6am to 12pm and then 1pm to 9pm. The temple trust gives Naivedyam to the Goddess from 12pm to 1pm. During this time the devotees are not allowed to enter the temple. During summer, Arti begins from 8am to 6pm whereas during winter season it begins from 8am to 8pm.

Food Timing of Amba Bhavani Temple

The offerings which devotees give to the Gods and Goddesses are touched to the Gods and Goddesses and then sent back to the devotees which are known as Prasads. Devotees are also provided by the Temple. These foods are sold by the Temple.

Places to stay

There are various dharamshala facility provided fo the devotees. The Temple Trust has themselves made dharamshalas for the devotees as well as tourists. Apart from dharamashalas, there are many hotels as well as private organizations that provide dwelling facilities to the people. The hotels have nominal charge keeping the need and budget of the devotees and the tourists. The hotels provide clean and hygiene environment to the tourists as well has good and hygienic food. Many hotels provide wifi facilities to the tourists so that they keep themselves connected to the whole world.

Place to eat

Amba Bhavani Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main course and are given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust. Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.
There are a lot of dishes which are given to the devotees. There are one-time free prasads served to the devotees. There are many other dishes that are served to the devotees for which they need to spend money. The food is prepared in a very hygienic conditions. All the eatables are taken good care while preparing food. Foods are prepared in a very hygienic atmosphere.

Apart from the food we get in the temple, there are many other hotels and places where one can have food. In Ambala, we can find food stalls everywhere. There are hotels and cafes like Cafe Coffee Day, Pind Balluchi and many more. There are many other hotels which have nominal charges keeping the taste of the consumer in mind. They prepare food in a very clean and hygienic environment.

How to Reach- Road, Rail and Air

• Air– The nearest airport to Bhawani Amba Temple is chandigarh air force base airport , morni which is 3 km away from Bhawani Amba Temple .
• Rail- The nearest railway station to bhawani amba temple is Ambala Cant Jn Train Station which is 6 km away from Bhawani Amba Temple.

Festivals celebrated at the Amba Bhavani Temple

• Bhavani Festival- This festival is celebrated for four days and four nights. Devotees pray and worships Goddess throughout the festival. Bhavani festival is celebrated twice in a year. This festival includes rituals like Sasthi, Bhavani Ashthami. On Bhavani Ashthami, the devotees fast until they offer flowers to the deity. On the next day, girls who have not reached puberty yet are fed and offered presents. These girls are represented as the young form of the Goddess. The last of this festival is known as Vijaydashmi. On this day the Goddess is carried to the river and immersed in the water. There is a distribution of sweets and the devotees enjoy that this festival will again be celebrated next year. This festival is known as Durga Puja in West Bengal and is celebrated almost same. This festival symbolizes win of good over evils. This festival is also known as Navratri.
• Ganesh Chaturthi- Ganesh Chaurthi is another very important and famous festival. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in the town of Ambala. This festival is held in the months of August and September. This festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chatirthi is traditionally celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi in the months of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calender.
• Diwali- Diwali is one of the important festivals of Hindus. This festival is celebrated in the months of October and November and is also known as “Festival of Lights”. People of Ambala celebrate this festival with great pomp and show. During this festival Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.
• Holi- Holi is another imporatnt festival for the natives of Ambala. This is a “Festival of Colors”. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in India. This festivals charges the atmosphere. Holi celebration is started by Holika Dahan where people gather and sing and dance.
Places to visit in Ambala
• St. Paul’s Church- St Paul’s church is one of the oldest church in Ambala Cantt which was built on January 4, 1857. It was bombed during the 1965 Indo-Pak war which destroyed its splendid and what left was only the tower. Since then, a portion of the parsonage has been dedicated for church operations.
• Badshahi Bagh Gurudwara– This Gurudwara is located on Ambala – Hisar road. This is related to Sri Guru Gobind Sahib Ji. The Gurudwara is heavily crowded on festive season and Sundays. The ambience is simply super. This Gurudwara is historic related to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. The place is simply awesome and very peaceful. Visit the Gurudwara on Sundays.
• Gurudwara Manjhi Sahib- Situated on the NH-1 in Ambala, few KM from Ambala city, actually its inside the city only. This is the place where the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji has stayed over night and has placed his cot (MANJI)to take rest.That’s why it is known as Manji sahib. Inside the Gurudwara you feel calmness, inner peace and peace of mind.

Naina Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Naina Devi Temple is located in Himachal Pradesh and is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The temple has presiding deities belonging to both Hindu as well as the Sikh community. Naina Devi was named after the famous mythological story about Goddess Sati. As the temple is one of the Shaktipeeths, it signifies the place of strength i.e Shakti in Hindi.

Naina Devi Temple is located on a triangular-shaped hill also known as Naina Dhar hill, which is 3535 feet above the sea level. The temple attracts a large number of worshippers as the place is believed to be the famous shrine of Goddess Sati. One of the popular hill resort located in Himachal Pradesh known by the name of Nainital has been named after the famous Naina Devi temple. This one of the places where the devotees can have a completely spiritual experience, with breathtaking views on the way and at the temple. People from every part of the country come here to seek blessings of Naina Devi Maa. It is situated 20 km from Anandpur Sahib and is surrounded by famous landmarks of Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib, and Govind Sagar Lake.

History of Naina Devi Temple

  • Naina Devi Temple is based on many mythological stories and one of the interesting stories is of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati.
  • Goddess Sati, also known as Goddess Parvati was the wife of Lord Shiva. Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in yagna(sacrificial bonfire) which distressed Lord Shiva.
  • Lord Shiva, therefore, took the corpse of his wife Sati on his shoulder and started his Tandav dance, carrying the corpse across the country,
  • This angered all the deities in heaven. Lord Vishnu, on seeing this, decided to take action about the ongoing situation, as it would lead to the holocaust, Therefore, Lord Vishnu unleashed his Chakra onto Sati’s body that cut her body into 51 pieces. These pieces fell on different parts of the country and the place where these pieces fell are now known as Shaktipeeths, and that’s why there are in total 51 Shaktipeeths across the entire country. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where the eyes of Goddess Sati fell down.
  • Another story related to this temple is of a Gujjar boy named Naina. Once, he was grazing his cattle where he saw that a cow was showering milk from her udders on a stone. This continued for a few days. One night when he was sleeping, Goddess came in his dreams and told him that the stone is her Pindi. Naina told about the entire situation and his dream to Raja Bir Chand. When Raja saw this happening for real, he built a temple on that spot and named after Naina’s name.
  • Shri Naina Devi temple is also known as Mahishapeeth temple because of the defeat of demon Mahishasur by the Goddess. According To legends, Mahishasur was immortal by power acquired in him given by Lord Brahma but had one condition that only an unmarried woman would defeat him. Due to this boon, he started spreading terror on Earth and Gods. To cope with the demon, all Gods combined their power an created a Devi (Goddess) to defeat him. When Mahishasur got mesmerized by the immense beauty of Devi, he proposed to marry her. Devi told him that she would marry him if only he overpowers her in a battle. And that’s when Devi defeated demon by taking out both his eyes. As “Naina” means eyes in Hindi, the temple was thus given the name as “Naina Devi”.

One more famous tale is associated with the temple is of the great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. when he left for his military campaign against Mughals in1756, he performed a sacrificial yagna to seek blessings of the Goddess. After getting the blessings, he eventually defeated the Mughals in the battle and that’s why the place is called the “Temple of Strength”

Significance of Naina Devi Temple

  • The temple is situated on a triangular hill which offers a great view of the foothills near Naina Dhar hill and also offers the view of beautiful Gobind Sagar lake which was created Bhakra Nangal dam.
  • The temple is dedicated to Goddess Naina, the legend says its a spot where Goddess Sati’s eyes fell and hence the name. It is situated at the end of the Naini Lake and also its surrounding areas is really serene, positive and peaceful,a perfect place to have a getaway with your spiritual side, The moment you enter the vicinity of this temple, a calming aura of the place that takes over your senses and certain lightness and calmness is experienced. Also, the temple compound provides an unobstructed view of the Nainital lake.
  • The best part of this temple is there are no “holy men” distracting you, no beggars, a very serene environment conducive to meditation and prayer.

Naina Devi Temple Timings

  • Naina Devi Temple gates remain open all days of the week. The visiting hours of this temple are between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm.
  • The first-morning aarti is known as the “Mangal aarti” which happens around 4:00 am in the morning when the priests open the temple gates and ring the bell to wake up the deities which are a part of the daily tradition.
  • The next aarti happens around 6:00 am which is known as the “Shringaar aarti”.
  • All the rituals and poojas, shanas are done in front of devotees and by the priests who present themselves in the premises without fail every day.
  • This is then followed by the afternoon aarti which is performed by everyone in the chorus which occurs around 12:00 pm. This aarti is known as the “Madyaanh aarti”
  • Evening aarti is the best to attend as the surroundings and weather become serene and the worshippers get a spiritual experience and also the temple gets beautifully decorated and lit up during evening and night. There are two bells which are rang by the devotees where the sound of those big bells mesmerizes everyone. The evening aarti occurs around 6:30 pm and is the final aarti of the entire day.

Festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple

  • Navratras: Navratri denotes a 9-day & night festival and gives the opportunity to worship Divine Goddess. Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses. Different forms of Goddess Durga are as following:
  • Shailputri
  • Brahmacharini
  • Chandraghanta
  • Kushmanda
  • Skandamata
  • Katyayni
  • Kaalratri
  • Mahagauri
  • Siddhidatri

Makar Sakranti: Makar Sakranti is celebrated in almost all states of the country in different cultural forms. People take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Makar Sakranti is celebrated as Pongal is South India, Maghi in Punjab Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam. The festival falls in January.

Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasant Panchami spreads the yellow color all around. The goddess is dress in yellow and worshipped with Puja and Yajna. People wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives. The festival falls in February.

Maha Shivratri: Also known as Great Night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this day while others celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess. The festival falls in February.

Holi: The festival of Holi is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in the fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued. The festival falls in March.

Ram Navami: This festival celebrates the birth of Seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu; Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana. The festival falls in April.

Raksha Bandhan: The festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes and further strengthens the bond of brother and sister. Still celebrated in a traditional manner, a sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. The festival falls in August.

Shri Krishna Janamashtami: Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami, this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna. The festival falls in August.

Ganesh Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord. The festival falls in September.

Dussehra: Also known as Vijaya Dashmi, Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day. The festival falls in October.

Karva Chauth Vrat:On Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Nowadays, young girls also observe this fast to get good life-partner. The festival is celebrated mostly by North Indians and falls in October.

Diwali: Diwali or Deepawali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhaya. The night of Deepawali is celebrated by lights and fireworks. The festival falls in November .

New Year Eve: Every year, the New Year Eve is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire complex is decorated combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji.

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport is the Chandigarh International airport which is about 100 km from Naina Devi temple.Domestic flights are available from the main cities i.e Bangalore,Delhi,Mumbai,Bhubaneshwar,Ahmedabad, Hyderabad,Kochi,Shrinagar and Chennai.One can hire taxis directly to Naina Devi Temple or can take trains running between Chandigarh railway station and Anandpur sahib by coming to chandigarh railway station from airport which is 16 kms from the airport.

By Train: Anandpur railway station is at a distance of 30 km which is the nearest railway station to Naina Devi.Devotees can hire taxis from there to reach Naina Devi bus stand where one can take Palkis to reach the destination.

By Road:The temple is connected with national Highway-21.Transport bus services are provided by the government of Punjab and Haryana from all important cities.One can also take bus from delhi which is located about 350 km from the temple.

Delhi to Naina Devi temple

By Air: Connecting flights are available from Delhi where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there hire taxis directly to the temple.

By Train:There are trains available between Delhi and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.One can hire taxis from Anandpur station which is situated at a distance of 30 km from the temple

By Road:Naina Devi Temple is located on the National Highway,thats why becomes easy for the worshippers coming by road.Delhi is at a distance of 350 km from the temple and transport buses are available to and fro from Naina Devi and Delhi.

Mumbai to Naina Devi Temple

By Air:Connecting flights are available from Mumbai where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there, hire taxis directly to the temple.You can take IndiGo (flight) from Mumbai to Chandigarh then take Uhl Janshatabdi(train) from Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib

By Train:There are no direct trains available between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminas (Mumbai) and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.There is no direct train between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. The cheapest way to reach Anandpur Sahib from Mumbai is to take Swaraj Express (train)from Mumbai to Ambala Cantt then take Koaa Nldm Exp(train) from Ambala Cantt to Anandpur Sahib.

By Road:There is no direct bus between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. You can take Paschim Express(train) from Mumbai to Jalandhar then take State Transport Bus from Jalandhar to Anandpur Sahib

Hotels to stay

Free stay maintained by temple trustees:Trust has constructed the Patiala Dharamshala, langar and another motel near langar area that provides free staying facility to 1,000 devotees.

Paid stay maintained by temple trustees:Temple Trust has also constructed Matri Aanchal,Matri Chahya and Matri Sharan  staying shelters with a capacity of 45 rooms and 14 dormitories. The cost of staying at these places is very nominal and affordable.

Also,there are lot of Private hotels and lodges available which are at a close proximity to Naina Devi temple.Good rated hotels are available where one can accomodate.

Cuisine

  • Trust is running the shop no. 1 in the temple complex since 01-03-1994. This shop provides pure ghee sweets to the visitors that include Halwa, Besan Laddoo, Jalebi and Barfi. This shop is running on a no-profit and no-loss basis & also provides other things like coconut, hara meva and dhoop, etc.
  • There are many restaurants near Naina Devi temple where the food and ambience is good.One can explore visit these restaurants after taking the tour of Naina Devi temple.

Nearby Attractions

  • Located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, Naina Devi wildlife sanctuary is one of the most visited sanctuaries by the tourists coming to Himachal. Located at an altitude of around 500-1100 meters above sea level, the sanctuary is situated in the inner hills of Shivaliks harboring a wide variety of flora and fauna.
  • Bhakra Dam: Bhakra Dam, is situated at a height of 226 m above sea level, stuns the visitor with its sheer height. The 90 km long dam is spread over an area of 168 sq km and is a combination of the Bhakra dam and Nangal dam. Bhakra Dam is 13 km upstream from Nangal city and the Nangal dam, on the other hand, is 13 km down-stream.
  • Gobind Sagar Lake: Gobind Sagar Lake over the Sutlej River is a huge reservoir and is the result of Bhakra Nangal, the world’s second-highest gravity dam. It is a major landmark of the Bilaspur District. It covers an area of 170 sq km and its length extends up to 90 km. The lake is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of Sikhs.

Chaturshringi Temple

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Chaturshringi Temple is one of the most visited temples in Pune. It is not only gigantic as the very name suggests but it is also considered to be one of the most visited sacred places of Maharashtra.

The term Chatur stands for four and Chaturshringi literally signifies “mountain with four peaks.” The temple is gigantic and it stands at 90 feet high and 125 feet wide. The temple depicts  “power and faith.” The Chaturshringi temple is located on the gradient of a hill on Senapati Bapat Road.

The supervising deity of Chaturshringi temple is Goddess Chaturshringi who is also known as Goddess Ambareshwari. It is said that one has to climb 100 steps of Chaturshringi temple to reach out to the shrine of Goddess Chaturshringi. Apart from the presiding deity Goddess Chaturshringi’s temple, the premises also include temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha respectively and this includes eight diminutive idols of Ashtavinayaka. However, these respective temples are located on the four detached mounds. It also includes the temple of Vetal Maharaj at the baner pashan end.

Chaturshringi Temple

History and Legend of Chaturshringi Temple

Chaturshringi Temple is one of the oldest temples of Maharashtra and is said to have been constructed during the time in power of the Maratha king Shivaji and the temple is taken care of by Chaturshringi Devasthan trustees.

The Chaturshringi temple is considered to be a symbol of power and faith. Numbers of devotees from all over the world often come to visit the temple with love and devotion for the presiding deity every year on a daily basis. The temple has abundant of beauty and importance that even the aged people coup their intricacy and climb 100 steps to reach out to the holy memorial of Goddess Chaturshringi.

It is also believed that the primary purpose for the creation of the temple was the utmost devotion and worship towards the supervising deity Goddess Chaturshringi.

The legend of Chaturshringi Temple follows the story of a rich merchant named Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan. This man was very rich and religious and was also a passionate devotee of Saptashringi Mata. It is also said that he used to travel all the way from Pune to Vani only for the sake of worshipping the presiding Goddess of the temple every year on the full moon day of Chaitra.

However, as he grew older his age somewhat hindered him to travel and visit the temple. Following this, because of his true devotion the supervising Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to bring to light her idol from a mountain in the northwestern region of Pune so that she can stay near her devotee.

Following the command of his beloved Goddess, he went there and mapped out that place and in due course experienced miracle when he found an ordinary statue of his beloved Goddess. He then settled on to construct the temple at that place and the entire event led to the foundation of the Chaturshringi Mandir and since then it has been renovated several times.

Significance of Chaturshringi Temple

The Chaturshringi Temple is of immense significance and is also the centre of attraction for the people and this is why thousands of pilgrims and visitors appear in large numbers everyday for the sake of offering their prayers to the presiding deity. The temple is significant for the following reasons:

  • Maa Chaturshringi temple is devoted to Goddess Chaturshringi who is also known as Goddess Ambareshwari, Mahalakshmee, Mahakalee, Mahasaraswatee. This is also considered to be one of the most popular temples in Pune along with Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai temple. This temple is also one of the oldest temples and is believed to be 250-300 years old.
  • Goddess Chaturshringi and Lord Ganapati are considered to be the benefactor deities of Pune.
  • Chaturshringi Temple is positioned at the slope of a hill on Senapati Bapat Road in aundh, Pune.
  • This temple is preserved and maintained by the Chaturshringi Devasthan Trust. The temple has been maintained in such a manner that each and every bit and piece of the temple appears as new and as fresh as the first time.
  • At the very first visit, the temple offers spiritual and positive vibes to each and every visitor and lures all the visitors with its beauty.
  • The most fascinating feature of the temple is that the Chaturshringi Temple consists of a diminutive scale model of its intact premises exhibited at the entrance.

Chaturshringi Temple Timings

  • Chaturshringi Temple is open for visitors and pilgrims on all days from 6:00AM to 9:00 PM.
  • On Tuesdays the temple closes at 12:00 PM. This is so because Tuesdays and Fridays are considered to be the days of Goddesses and maximum number of devotees visit the temple on these days for worship.

Festivals celebrated at Chaturshringi Temple

  • The most important festival of the Chaturshringi temple is the celebration of Navratri. This festival is filled with vibrance, energy, enjoyment and dedication. This festival is celebrated for nine days where devotees from across the country and world come to offer prayers and homage to the presiding Goddess. This occasion is one of the most auspicious celebrations of Chaturshringi Temple. During this festival, thousands of devotees have the propensity to wait in line for hours till they derive the opportunity to offer their prayers and adorn the Goddess in the main hall.
  • Chaturshringi Temple is embellished in the traditional style enlightened with lights and it literally enthrals the worshippers and visitors.
  • Apart from the traditional rituals, the celebration is also accompanied with a fair that takes place throughout the night at the peak and also adds on to the spirit of the festival.
  • Apart from the mega celebration of Navaratri, festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi are also celebrated every year here.
  • Another important festival celebrated in the Chaturshringi Temple is the “Vat Purnima” during which many women visit the temple and offer prayers to the banyan tree.

How To Reach: Road, Rail, Air

By Road : Buses are available everyday from Mumbai and also from nearby areas. Buses are also available from Satara, Raigad and Ahmednagar.

By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Sivajinagar railway station, Khadki railway station, Dapodi railway station.

By Air: The nearest airports to Chaturshringi Temple are Lohegaon Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Gandhinagar Airport, Kolhapur Airport.

Where to stay

There are many hotels and lodges nearby Chaturshringi Temple which are quite reasonable and avails all the facilities.

Nearby Temples

  • Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangham : This temple is one of the most visited and popular temples in Pune. Thsi temple is located on the peak of the towering hillocks. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The place where the temple is positioned is also termed as “Sastha Hills” This temple is considered to be one of the most consecrated temples of Maharashtra.
  • Kanifnath Temple : Talking about all the famous and most visited temples in Pune, Kanifnath temple cannot be missed out. The famous temple of Shri Kanifnath Maharaj is positioned around a beautiful fort and this is the reason that the temple is a centre of attraction for all the visitors.
  • Parvati Hill Temple : The Parvati Hill Temple is said to be the highest point of Pune city. One has to climb 100 steps to reach the place of pilgrimage. This temple was built by the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao alias Nana Saheb in 1749 and clearly depicts the traditional form of Maratha style of temple architecture. The place also consists of temles dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Bhavani, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya.
  • Bhuleshwar Temple : This is a hindu temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Like some of the temples in Pune, this temple is also positioned on a hill and was constructed on the 13th The most significant feature of th temple is that it has classical carvings on the wall and the temple has also been declared as a confined monument. The temple is mostly popular because of the famous folk-tale associated with it. It is believed that when a bowl of sweet pedhas is offered to Shiva Ling, one or more of the sweets tend to disappear. The temple was constructed in 1230 AD during the period of Yadava Rulers by King Krishnadevray and the fort on which the temple is located on Daulatmala Fort which is also referred to as Mangalgad. This fort was built by Murar Jagdev in 1629. The temple also consist of an idol of Lord Ganesha uin a feminine attire and the idol is known as Ganeshwari, Ganeshyani or Lambodari.
  • Ghorwadeshwar Cave Temple : This temple is positioned around 40km from Pune and contain statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. It is believed that the caves were sculpted out of a single rock formation around the 3rd and 4th century CE. The temples consists of nine rooms for meditation along with the Griha. An inscription on one of the walls in Brahmi script says that Chhaityagriha is devoted with affection by Buddha and Sagha- the daughters of Dhapar who was a disciple of Bhadantsingh. A large cave contains a Shiva Linga that is most visited during the time of Mahashivratri.

Durga Temple Aihole Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Durga Temple Aihole is a landmark of the religious life of Karnataka. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Durga Temple Aihole is also at the pending list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Durga Temple Aihole is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu and exhibits a blend of Dravidian and Nagara architectural style. Durga Temple Aihole complex is well maintained and hence is neat and clean.

Aihole is considered to be the ‘cradle of Hindu rock architecture’ due to its beautiful temples. It is also mythologically an important place as it is believed that Parashurama washed his axe here after killing the Kshatriyas.

Durga Temple Aihole

History and Legend of Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple Aihole has several historical events surrounding it.

  • Durga Temple was built between the 7th and 8th century by the Chalukya dynasty.
  • Though the temple is mistaken to be a Durga Temple, it is actually not so. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Shiva and is named as Durga Temple to mean that it is the temple of the fortress; Durga here actually means, ‘Durg,’ that is, the fortress.
  • The Durga Temple is a part of the fortification of the Marathas.

Significance of the Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple is one of the architectural wonders of Aihole.

  • The Durga Temple Aihole is quadrilateral in shape. The contour of the temple exhibits the Gajaprasta style, that is, the backside of an elephant.
  • Durga Temple is impressive with numerous pillar reliefs which exhibit the unique Chalukya architectural style.
  • Also known as the fortress temple, the Durga Temple Aihole depicts a Buddhist chaitya and is adorned with exquisite carvings.
  • One of the most beautiful sculptures of the Durga Temple Aihole is that of Goddess Durga.
  • The seven headed serpent carved at the ceiling of the Durga Temple of Aihole is another impressive work by the artisans.
  • All the walls of the Durga Temple are decorated with sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses.
  • The temple also comes with a porch and an entrance to the epistle. Through the porch you can enter the rooms of the temple.
  • There are several rooms within the Durga Temple along with a Garba Griha. This is the main part of the shrine where the spirit of the shrine is located.
  • There are two main pillars of the temple, namely, the Mukha Mantapa and the Sabha Mantapa.
  • The elevated plinth, the high galleries and the moulded adisthana are the other characteristics of the Durga Temple.
  • The fine sculptures of Lord Narashima, Goddess Chamundi and Lord Shiva are the other attractions of the Durga Temple.

Durga Temple Aihole Timings

The Durga Temple in Aihole is a heritage of the country. Tourists come to visit the marvelous architecture of the temple. These temples are no more in use and hence regular rituals and worship are not performed at this shrine. Hence you can enter the temple premises from morning till dusk.

Durga Temple Food Timings

The Durga Temple is just a heritage site for visit and hence the tradition of distributing the ‘prasada’ after worship is no more practised.

Dress Code for Durga Temple Aihole

There is no specific dress code to be followed by the tourists to visit the temple. But as the climate is hot and humid, light coloured clothes are suggested.

Festivals celebrated at the Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple is one of the tourist hotspots of Aihole due to its rich history and architectural features. Festivals are not celebrated here.

Poojas and Rituals at Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple Aihole is no more used for worship.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to the Durga Temple of Aihole is the Belgaum aiport. It is located approximately at 189 kms from Aihole. The city is directly connected to Mumbai by Vayudoot flights.

By Road: Aihole easily accessible from the major cities of Karnataka. It is located at 17 kms from Pattadakal, 44 kms from Badami and 490 kms from Bangalore. The roads are good and tourists can hire cabs to the temple. There are ample buses plying to and fro from Aihole.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to the Durga Temple of Aihole is the Hubli- Sholapur meter gauge line. It is located approximately at 34 kms from the city. There is ample number of transport facilities available at the railway station that takes you directly to the Durga Temple.

Hotels in Aihole: Where to stay

One of the famous sites of Aihole, the Durga Temple has several hotels around it. The Laxmi Vilas hotel is nearest to the temple. The hotel comes with both affordable and premium accommodations. There is ample supply of water at the hotel, besides the basic amenities. The Krishna Cottage and the Hotel Badami court are the luxury accommodations at Aihole. Besides car parking, you get quality food and convenient staying facilities here. Among the budget accommodations, the Heritage Resort and the Clarks Inn Badami are well known. Tourists can also opt to stay at Badami, which is just at 40 kms from Aihole.

Where to eat

From cafes to dhabas, there are numerous eat outs at Aihole. Durga Temple being a tourist hotspot has several hotels near it. These restaurants generally serve pure vegetarian food, namely, dosa, bisi bele bhath, akki roti, jolada roti, idli, vada, sambar and Mysore pak as desert. The hotels are hygienic and bottled drinking water is available. The Udipi restaurant, Amba Sagar restaurant, Banashree, Raaga fast food, Savaji non vegetarian hotel, College canteen, Hotel Vijaya Restaurant are some of the well known restaurants near the Durga Temple of Aihole.

Nearby Temples

There are almost 125 temples at Aihole, the ancient capital of the Chalukya dynasty. Temple architecture of Aihole can be divided into two phases; one is the 4th and 5th century and the other is the 12th century. Numerous temples were built during this time span and every temple is unique in itself. Artisans experimented with the styles and created gems out of rock. Some of the famous temples near the Durga Temple are:

  • Lad Khan Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the oldest Hindu temples of India. Located to the south of the Durga Temple, this rock cut temple is exquisite with floral patterns and delicate lattice work on its floor and walls.
  • Ambigera Gudi Temple: Situated just opposite to the Durga Temple, it is a complex of three temples. The Ambigera Gudi Temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and Lord Vishnu and exhibits a beautifully engraved lotus at its ceiling. This 10th century construction reflects the Nagara style of architecture with shikaras, mandapas and sanctums.
  • Mallikarjuna Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is located at the small town of Basaralu. Reflecting the Hoysala style of architecture, this shrine comes with a trikuta, which means three shrines are connected with a common hall. Built over a platform, this temple comes with a decorative pot, known as kalasa, a Hoysala crest, that is, the emblem of a Hoysala warrior and decorative walls.
  • Chikki Temple: This is a Jain temple built in 1204 AD. The temple pillars are engraved with Kannada inscriptions which narrate the era of Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and Sevuna Yadava Krishna.
  • Eniyar Temple: A group of eight temples, this temple complex is located at the western outskirts of the Aihole village. While the first two temples do not have images, the third temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other temples are adorned with the images of Gajalakshmi, Ganapati and Karthikeya.
  • Hucchimalli Temple: One of the oldest temples of Aihole, the Hucchimalli Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple comes with a large hall and engraved with beautiful works.
  • Jain temple, Meguti temple: This Jain temple is located at a hilltop, just at 16 kms from Aihole. The temple is built with mortar and comes with a 16 columned porch and hall extensions.
  • Ravana Phadi rock-cut temple: This is a sandstone temple of Aihole, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a wonderful sculpture of Nandi, the Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. The temple also comes with numerous small pillars.

Hence visit Durga Temple of Aihole to unravel a glamorous facet of temple architecture of India.

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