Myoksha Travels

Powered by The Temple Girl

Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

Vadakkunnathan Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 1 Comment Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With:

Vadakkunnathan Temple is located in Thrissur and is one of the oldest shrines of Kerala. It is also a national building. The temple is spread over a large area of 9 acres. It has a paved walkway. The shrine also has a lot of greenery. The vast area outside the temple is Tekkinkadu. This word means teak woods.

The temple is over a hill lock. Tourists can get a beautiful view of the complete Thrissur town. Locals also call the temple as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam. The temple won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award. It got the award in the Cultural Heritage conservation category in 2015.

Vadakkunathan Temple

History and Legend of Vadakkunnathan Temple

The temple is associated with the golden days of Kerala.

  • As per myth, Saint Parasurama built this shrine. After creating Kerala, the saint went to Lord Shiva. He requested Lord Shiva to make Kerala his home. Therefore, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Subramanya and other Ganas came to Kerala. But Lord Shiva suddenly vanished after reaching Thrissur. Saint Parasurama saw the self-manifested Shiva Lingum under a banyan tree. Therefore, people call this place Sri Mula Sthana. Years after this incident, the Thrissur king built a temple to place this lingam. This beautiful temple is the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
  • The locals also believe that the Adi Sankaracharya birth history started here. His mother used to walk From Kalady to Thrissur distance to the temple to beget a son from Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Shiva blessed her with a baby boy. The boy name is Adi Sankaracharya.

Significance of the Vadakkunnathan Temple

The Vadakkunnathan Temple has Kerala architectural style. The different features of the temple are:

  • Besides Lord Shiva, there are other deities here; Goddess Parvati, Lord Sankaranarayana, Lord Ganapati, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.
  • The temple is protected by a large stone wall. Also, there are four gopurams within the temple complex. Gopurams are gateways and have amazing carvings. The gateway base is granite. These gateways are at all four sides of the temple. They are at north, south, east and west.
  • The main temple and the gateways have wooden carvings and sculptures. The gopurams are like pyramids. They also have many roofs.
  • The Shiva temple is circular while the tower has one-tier. There are many pillars which are arranged in a unique way.
  • The Shankaranarayana Temple is also called the Harihara temple. This is just beside the Shiva temple. This shrine has two tiers.
  • There are three temples within the temple premises. One is for Lord Shiva, the other two for Sankaranarayana and Rama. There is also a separate temple for the Goddess. The temples have a square base.
  • The temple is beautiful with mural paintings. These paintings tell the stories from Indian religious books. It also shows stories from Puranas. The temple wall paintings show scenes from Mahabharata. It also has paintings of Lord Shiva in Tandava dance pose.
  • The temple also has a large theatre. People call it as Koothambalam. Enter the temple from the western gate to view this theatre. This building has a tilted roof, which is made from copper plates. The hall shows magnificent wooden carvings. It also has bracket figures. Chakyar Kuttu drama performance takes place here. This is a special drama that shows the rich culture of Kerala. This art started in the 9th century at Kerala.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Timings

  • The temple opens at 4.00 am and is open till 10.00 am.
  • It again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Food Timings

Devotees can have prasadam after worship. Moreover, the prasadam is free at the Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Dress Code at Vadakkunnathan Temple

There is a specific dress code at the temple.

  • Men have to be in white pancha and dhoti.
  • Short dresses are not allowed within the temple complex.
  • Furthermore, men need to remove shirts before entering the shrine.
  • Women have to be in a sari. Punjabi dress and churidar with a dupatta or half sari will also do.

Guidelines

  • You cannot bring children below 1 year within the temple complex.
  • You have to deposit footwear before entering the temple. There is also a free cloakroom here. People can also park cars.
  • Devotees can bring in mobiles but cannot do photography within the temple premises.

Festivals celebrated at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Thrissur is popular for its religious festivals and the largest festival takes place in the vast area outside the Vadakkunathan Temple.

  • Thrissur Pooram: This festival takes place during April or May. The festival started in 1750 AD to 1805 AD. Prince Rama Varma introduced this festival. Many devotees, almost in lakhs, visit the temple during this time. The unique part of this festival is that Vadakkunnathan Temple does not take part in the rituals or procession of the festival. There are other two temples that do the festival. One is the Paramekkavi Devi and the other is the Goddess residing in Tiruvambadi. At present many other temples also take part in the celebration. The fireworks during the festival are spectacular. Elephants are painted and decorated for the grand procession. Nettupattam is clothing sewn with almost six thousand gold plated metal pieces. Devotees place this at the forehead of the elephant. The elephant carries three people on it. While one person holds the silken parasol, the other two stand on the back. Music plays for two hours before the procession. The festival starts early morning. It goes on throughout the night and ends the next morning.
  • Shivaratri: Vadakkunnathan Temple celebrates Shivaratri with great pomp and show. This festival takes place during February or March. Devotees need to come in white dhoti to worship Lord Shiva. Tailored clothes are not allowed at this time.
  • Anayoottu: This festival takes place every year on the 1st day of the Malayalam month, Karkkidakam. It is in July. In this festival, people worship elephants and feed them.

Poojas and Rituals at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Vadakkunnathan Temple has some special customs.

  • There is also a defined process of worship at this temple. It is known as Pradakshina.
  • As you enter the temple you can hear the continuous chanting of ‘Samb Sadashiva.’
  • Every day priests offer 18.5 kilos of rice to Lord Shiva. This offering is Nivedyam.
  • Abhishekam takes place every day. Ghee is used to performing Abhishekam, lighting hundreds of oil lamps around the Shiva Lingum. This ritual is taking place for hundreds of years and this has led to a solid ghee mound encircling the Shiva Lingum. Devotees get a scrap of this mound as Prasada. Locals believe this ghee has medicinal and herbal properties.
  • Trippuka is the last ritual of the day. It takes place at 8 pm.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

The temple is just at the heart of Thrissur and hence easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport. It is at Nedumbassery and approximately 53 km from the shrine.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Thrissur. It is at 3 km from the temple. All trains to Kerala pass through the place.

By Road: Thrissur is easily reachable through roads as well. You can drive from all parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Hotels in Thrissur: Where to stay

KTDC Tamarind Thrissur is a hotel sponsored by the Kerala tourism department. It is just within 2 km from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The Joys Palace, KTDC Nandanam Guruvayoor, Mayura Residency, Hare Krishna Inn and Hotel Kanoos Residency are the other options for the tourists at Thrissur. These hotels offer clean rooms and basic amenities. The rent at these hotels is also less.

Where to eat

Due to thousands of visitors every year at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, various eat outs are found near the shrine. Reach Us Hotel, Hotel Bharat, Ming Palace Chinese Restaurant, Pathans and Hotel Elite International are within 0.5 km. Ela adai, pazha payasam, appam, puttuand kadalai curry are some special Kerala dishes that you can enjoy here. Thrissivaperror Kaapi Club serves awesome coffee while Fruitage is popular for fresh fruit juice.

Nearby Temples

Thrissur is a pilgrimage with various temples in and around it. It is also the cultural capital of Kerala.

  • Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple: It is at 27 kms from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Every night numerous oil lamps are lit. It is also famous for Krishnattom dance form, which takes place every evening. The temple also features a unique ritual, Thulabharam offering.
  • Irinjalakuda Koodal Manickam Temple: This is just 21 km away. The presiding deity is Bharat. He was Lord Rama’s brother as per the Indian epic, Ramayana. This is a 9th-century temple. The temple celebrates Medam. It takes place for 10 days in April or May. Visitors also witness various Kerala art forms in this festival.
  • Paramekkavu Kshetram: This temple is at the foothill of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. This temple also participates in the Thrissur Pooram festival.
  • Kodungallur Bhagavathi Temple: This temple is behind the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The deity also has other names, like Kannagi and Bhadrakali. Bharani is the main festival here. The celebration takes place in March or April.
  • Thiruvembadi Temple: This temple is in the middle of the Thrissur city. The shrine is for Lord Krishna. This temple also celebrates Navaratri and Sree Krishna Jayanti.
  • Peringottukara Somashekhara Temple: This temple worships Lord Shiva. It is at 22 km from the main Thrissur town. Also at this temple, Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
  • Arattupuzha Temple: This temple is 16 km away. Lord Dharma Sastha is the main deity. Moreover, 41 temples participate in the temple festival. A gorgeous procession takes place in the festival. Decked up elephants carry the deities round the temple during the procession.
  • Shree Rama Festival: Lord Rama is in the form of Chaturbhuja in this shrine. Locals call the deity as Trimurthy. Furthermore, it is a combination of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
  • Urakam Amma Thiuvadi Temple: This temple is 12 km from Thrissur. It is the oldest temple of the place. There is a custom of cleaning the idol with peacock feathers at this temple. Moreover, locals believe that the Goddess can protect the place from disasters.

Besides worshipping at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, tourists can also check out the cultural life of Kerala at the Cheruthuruthy dance school. This is just at 30 km from the temple.

Valley of Flowers

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Blog, Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Valley of flowers is an Indian National Park in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is rich in flora and fauna that includes endangered and rare species of plants as well as animals. This diversity is a representative of a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of Zanskar and Great Himalaya.

Valley of Flowers – Overview

Opening Timings of the Valley8 am – 5 pm
Time required to see the valley4 – 5 hours
Best Time To VisitMid of July to August
Entry Fee20 rupees per person
Nearest AirportJolly Grant Airport
LocationChamoli, Uttarakhand

Furthermore, the valley lies 20 km northwest of Nanda Devi National Park. Moreover, the valley is open for visitors beginning of June till the start of October.

The Uttarakhand State Forestry Department, the national Ministry of Environment and Forests, India are responsible to administer the valley.

What is the significance of Valley of flowers?

This picturesque valley is significantly popular as an amalgamation of 600 different species of flora. Moreover, 62 species of Asteraceae dominate the valley. However, 45 species from the valley are used for medicinal purposes by the villagers. Also, it is home to endangered fauna such as red fox, snow leopard, musk deer, etc.

Moreover, it provides aesthetic pleasure to visitors because of a rich variance of flora growing here. Moreover, on the religious front, it is a popular destination where yogis visit for meditation since ages. Also, locals believe that Gods and fairies inhabited the valley.

Significance of Valley of Flowers
This temple is worshipped across the valley of flowers.

Nanda Devi, the regional peak is worshipped throughout the valley as an epitome of the goddess who is believed to be one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga.

What are the timings of Valley of Flowers?

TimingsFrom
Open8 am
Close5 pm

What is the history of Valley of flowers?

The history of this valley traces back to 1931, prior to which it existed in seclusion. Hence, In 1931, three British mountaineers namely, Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton and R.L. Holdsworth lost their way while coming back from Mount Kamet. Fortunately, they came across the place which was full of flowers. Hence, they named it ‘Valley of flowers’.

History of Valley of Flowers
He is one of the mountaineers who discovered the Valley of Flowers.

In 1980, the Government of India declared Valley of Flowers as a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, for the conservation of its flora and fauna.

The valley also is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How to reach Valley of flowers?

Here’s how to reach the place:

  • Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. It is 284.6 km away from Govindghat.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. It is at a distance of 273 km from Govindghat.
  • Road: Buses to Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate. From there, one can avail buses or taxis to Govindghat. One has to complete a trek of 16 km from there to this divine valley.
Reaching Valley of Flowers
After Govindghat, one has to trek to reach this beautiful valley covered in flowers.

Where to stay near Valley of flowers?

Some of the places where one can stay near Valley of flowers are:

  • Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers all the modern facilities to its guests. Moreover, backed by a team of skilled professionals, the property ensures that all needs of guests are fulfilled timely.
  • Hotel Sudarshan Palace: This Hotel provides all luxurious to its guests. Moreover, both interiors, as well as the exteriors of the place, are a complete charm. Also, it is quite budget-friendly.
  • Shri Krishna Palace Hotel: This accommodation in Chamoli features a total of 36 well-maintained and spacious rooms. Additionally, this hotel in Chamoli provides a hygienic and comfortable stay.

What are some places to visit near Valley of flowers?

Some of the places one can visit near Valley of flowers is:

  • Hemkund Sahib: Hemkund Sahib (Formerly Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji) is a Sikh place of worship in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The place is dedicated to the tenth Guru of Sikhism- Shri Guru Gobind Singh.
  • Badrinath Temple: Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Devotees believe that the statue of the Deity Lord Vishnu placed inside the temple is self-manifested. Also, it is a part of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
  • Narsingh Temple, Joshimath: It is an ancient temple for Lord Narsimha, the fourth incarnation of Vishnu. Since the temple is a part of ‘Sapt Badri’, it is also popular as Narsingh Badri Temple.

Kalpeshwar Temple

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: ,

Kalpeshwar Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples in honour of Lord Shiva, present in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Also, it comes last, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. One must visit Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple.

Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. Also, it is a small temple and devotees have to pass through a cave passage in order to reach it. The temple is in the Urgam valley, where the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Kalpganga is also present.

According to beliefs, Shri Adi Shankaracharya designed the poojas and rituals of the Panch Kedar temples. He was also the one who appointed the priests in these temples. It is a part of the  4 Dham Yatra Package within Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Kalpeshwar Temple?

According to the history, Pandavas established the Kalpeshwar temple. Pandavas slew their kin Kauravas during the Mahabharata. Hence, Rishi Vyas advised them to go to Lord Shiva, because only he could absolve them of their sins. However, Shiva kept hiding from them and took the form of a bull.

Then, he went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi. Later, Lord Shiva’s body parts as a bull rematerialised at five locations. The Pandavas then built Shiva temples in these five places, popular as ‘Panch Kedar’ (Find out more about the Char Dham Yatra). Kalpeshwar Temple is the place where the Jata (Tress) of Lord Shiva appeared.

What is the significance of Kalpeshwar Temple?

The significance of Kalpeshwar temple is that the priests of the temple are Dasnamis and Gossains, who are disciples of Adi Shankaracharya. Devotees also believe that worship here at the temple is capable of absolving one of his/her sins. This is because as per mythology, Saint Durvasa cursed Lord Indra for his sins.

Indra, then came to Kalpeshwar temple and performed penance to please Lord Shiva. Later, Shiva blessed him and helped him gain his throne back. Kalpeshwar temples is also the only temple among the Panch Kedar temples to be accessible throught the year.

What are the timings of Kalpeshwar Temple?

Here are the timings of Kalpeshwar Temple:

Timings From
Open 6 AM
Close 7 PM
Morning Aarti 6 AM
Evening Aarti 6:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Kalpeshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Kalpeshwar Temple are:

  • Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition.  It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
  • Dussehra: This is an important Hindu festival which is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is celebrated as the day when Lord Ram killed Ravana and established peace and prosperity. As a ritual, devotees burn an effigy of Ravana.

How to reach Kalpeshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Kalpeshwar Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (251 km away).
  • Road: Buses are available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate. From Rishikesh, one can hire a taxi to reach Ugram village. The remaining distance has to be covered through trek.

Where to stay near Kalpeshwar Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Kalpeshwar Temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

  • The Tattva Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, 24-hour room service and Laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include A 24-hour front desk.
  • Monal Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, a 24-hour business centre and Concierge services are available at this resort. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include Dry cleaning, A 24-hour front desk and a garden.
  • Hotel Mandakini: This hotel features a restaurant, a rooftop terrace and 24-hour room service are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a meeting room and A 24-hour front desk are on-site.

What are the other Panch Kedar temples?

The other Panch Kedar temples are:

  • Kedarnath Temple: It is the first, and the most famous temple among the Panch Kedar templs of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is the place where the hump of the bull form of Lord Shiva appeared. The temple remains closed during winters and at that time, devotees bring the idols of the temple to Ukhimath for worship.  Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, which is the historical name of the region.
  • Tungnath Temple: It comes second, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, Tunganath mountains form Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath is the place where the bahu (hands) appeared.
  • Rudranath Temple: It comes third, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. It is followed by Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, the face of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here. Rudranath Temple is the place where the face of Lord Shiva appeared.
  • Madhyamaheshwar Temple: It comes fourth, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples followed by Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the temple.Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the place where the navel of Lord Shiva appeared.

These temples are also a part of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 24 Comments Filed Under: Gujarat Temples Tagged With:

Jalaram Bapa Mandir is a renowned temple which is located at Virpur in Gujarat. This place has become famous owing to the birth of Sri Jalaram Bapa, a much-revered saint. There have been many events that had happened in this saint’s life at Virpur and people from all over come to visit this holy shrine.

a tour of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Facts-

Deity Shree Jalaram Bapa
Location Virpur, Rajkot in Gujarat
Significance The temple has original danda and Jholi which Jalaram Bapa was using
Built-In19th century
Best time to VisitOctober to March
Darshan timings 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM || 4.00 PM to 8:30 PM
ArchitectureHindu Temple Style
Entry FeesNo Entry fee
Aarti Timing 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Photography Not allowed inside the temple, allowed outside the temple
Visit Duration 1 hour
FestivalsJalaram Jayanti
Main Attraction The portrait of Jalaram Bapa and original photo of Jalaram Bapa
Official WebsiteJalaram Bapa Mandir

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Darshan Timings

Here are Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Darshan timings –

Timings FromTo
Morning Darshan07:00 AM12:00 PM
Temple Closing Noon12:00 PM04:00 PM
Evening Darshan04:00 PM08:30 PM
Temple Closing Night08:30 PM07:00 AM

Poojas and Rituals at Jalaram Bapa Mandir

RitualsTimings
Mangla Aarti07:30 AM
Shangar Aarti09:00 AM
Sandhya Aarti7:30 PM
Sundar Kand from Ramayana04:00 PM to 05:30 PM Every Sunday
Sri Satyanarayan Bhagwan’s Katha 08:00 PM only on Purnima
  • Aarti and Bhajan are regularly held in this temple airing both morning and evening.
  • A pilgrim can contribute Rs 251 and host the arrangement of Sri Satyanarayan Bhagwan’s Katha on every Purnima or full moon day.
  • One can hear bhajans that are held after Aarti every month.
  • There are many eminent saints and Kathakars who talk about spiritual lectures and preaching’s during festivals that are commemorated by people in this temple.

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Prasadam Timings

  • This famous pilgrimage destination is popular for charity and feeding the poor and needy people. Food is offered to people after 12 P.M. and around 8 P.M.
  • This temple has seen no visitor returning home without food. Devotees are provided with Prasad twice a day without any cost.
  • Every person in this ‘Darbar of God’ irrespective of him being rich or poor is treated as equal. They are also offered the same Prasad when they sit in the same row.
  • The Prasad comprises ‘Ganthiya’, ‘Bundi’ and ‘Sabji’ in the morning and ‘Khichadi-Kadi’ and ‘Deshi Ghee’ in the evening.
  • The food is served in a traditional dish of leaves.

The symbolism of the deity in Jalaram Bapa Mandir

The Idol of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur
The divine Idol of Baba Jalaram in the temple comparing adorned in all white.
  • The idol of Jalaram Bapa is shown as a smiling man holding a stick.
  • His idol adorns a white Paghadi and white dhoti-kurta.
  • The idols of his patron deities Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman are also mostly found along with his idol.

Significance of Jalaram Bapa Mandir

  • In 1978, the Jalaram Bapa Temple on the Dharmaj-Tarapur highway was built.
  • The auspicious Sri Jalaram Bapa shrine comprises of the actual house complex where this great saint lived during his lifetime.
  • There are many belongings of Jalaram Bapa, most important being the deities of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman that were worshiped by him.
  • The main attraction of this place of worship is the portrait of Jalaram Bapa. Pilgrims can see a black and white picture of Bapa that has been taken one year before his death.
  • The idol of Jalaram Bapa is displayed as a smiling man holding a dandaand wearing often a white turban and a white dhoti-kurta.
  • One of the most distinguishing factors of this temple refers to the fact that it does not accept any offerings from February 9, 2000. This is the world’s first temple to not accept any money.
  • Jalaram Bapa had adopted his daughter i.e. Jamnaben’s grandson, Harirambahi to be his direct descendant. Giridhar Bapa and now his son Jaisukhram Bapa is now in charge of this popular shrine of Gujarat.
  • The ‘Samadhi’ of Sri Jalaram Bapa lies at the feet of Lord Sri Ram Chandra. This had entranced just on the left side of the Big Gate of the ‘Dela’.
  • The “Jholi-Danda” is duly preserved in a transparent cupboard and Sri Hanumanji’s idol is also kept near the ‘Samadhi’ as well.
  • The Temple has two trusts that function on a daily basis. The ‘Jalaram Satsang Seva Mandal’ is responsible for looking out for all aspects relating to the temple like maintenance of the Mandir, Atithi Griha, and Gaushala. The ‘Shree Jalaram Janseva Trust’ on the other hand handles services relating to education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and water plant.
  • Shree Dr. Rasikbhai V. Patel is the President for both the trusts.
  • This temple has three giant copper pots that were given by the Goddess Ganga duly filled with the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. The water from these pots never dries up and there has been no instance of a person getting sick from drinking this water.
  • Additionally, the King of the Dhrangdhra provided a pair of large wheels to Sri Jalaram Bapa for grinding the wheat in the temple.
The dieties of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur
The patron deities of Gods and Goddesses with Baba Jalaram situated in the temple complex.

History of Jalaram Bapa Mandir

  • ‘Jalaram Pradhan Thakar’ or Jalaram Bapa was born in Virpur, near Rajkot in Gujarat on 14th November 1799 to his father Pradhan Thakkar and mother Rajbai Thakkar. His mother was very fond of saints and sadhus and no saint could go from Virpur without receiving the hospitality of Rajbai.
  • Saint Raghuvirdasji had told Bapa’s mother, Rajbai Thakkar that her son would become a famous person preaching the importance of duty, devotion and good actions. Being a very religious lady herself, Bapa learned to respect, patience, self-sacrifice, duty, and grace from his mother.
  • When Bapa was young, a visit from a saint was recognized as from his previous life and little Jalaram was spiritually inspired and started to chant ‘Sita Ram’ rhymes and devoted his life to God.
  • Jalaram married Virbhai, daughter of Thakkar Pragji Somaija at the age of sixteen. Although he was reluctant, his wife extended her support in his work for the poor. At the age of eighteen, he set out for a holy pilgrimage with his wife and had accepted Bhojalaram. Bapa’s guru had started ‘Sadavrat’ which is a place where every poor will be provided with free food. Both of them worked hard on the field to grow grains and one day when they were run out of stock for grains, Virbhai was happy to sell her wedding jewelry in order to provide food for the pilgrims.
  • Haraji was a tailor who was suffering from acute stomach pain and eventually came to Bapa for a cure. The great saint prayed and cured his disease. The tailor was surprised and fell at Bapa’s feet addressing him as ‘Bapa’. It is then that people started calling him as Jalaram Bapa. Devotees irrespective of their religion became his disciples.
  • Lord Rama disguised himself as an old man and appeared before Jalaram Bapa. He complained of his age and wanted someone to look after him. Bapa sent for his wife who gladly accompanied the old man on his journey. The two travelers came to a river and the old man gave a stick and a bag to Virbhai to hold. Soon, Lord Rama disappeared and Jalaram could hear a voice back home saying to him that he can fetch his wife as it was Lord Rama who wanted to test his goodness. This stick and the bag are still on display in the Jalarambapa Ashram in Virpur.
  • Devotee’s belief that the food given by Bapa to the pilgrims reaches the doors of heaven. In fact, until today, there are thousands of visitors who are provided free food in this temple and it never runs out of stock.

Festivals celebrated at the Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Celebration in Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur
The festivals celebrated in Jalaram Bapa Mandir at Virpur.
  1. Jalaram Jayanti: is the most important festival that is observed in this temple. On the 7th day Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika, this celebration is enjoyed by the pilgrims. This festival is celebrated here on the 7th day after Diwali. A huge fair is organized to mark this occasion.
  2. Makar Sankranti: is another huge festival that is celebrated in this temple on 14th January every year.
  3. Pilgrims also gather to pray in this temple on a yearly basis to mark the death anniversary of Sri Jalaram Bapa who died on 23rd February 1881.
  4. Some other festivals that are observed here with much pomp and enthusiasm consist of Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Maha Shivaratri.

How to Reach Jalaram Bapa Mandir: Road, Rail, and Air

  • By Air– Rajkot is the nearest airport that connects Virpur with all the leading cities in India. There are many direct flights available and pilgrims can take an auto-rickshaw from the airport to reach the famous shrine.
  • By Train– The Rajkot Junction is well connected with different towns of Gujarat and cities in India. It is almost 6 km away from the Teen Batti triple gateway and is a junction on the Western Railway Ahmedabad-Hapa broad gauge line. There are many express trains that are available from this station.
  • By Road– It has good transportation system with all the neighboring states. There are many State buses from Rajkot to different parts of Gujarat. The ST bus stand is 2 km, west of Bedi Gate on the other side of Ranmal Lake.

Where to stay near Jalaram Bapa Mandir in Virpur

  • Temple trust provides a nice arrangement for devotees to get free food and free accommodation called ‘Dharamshala’ without any cost.
  • Hotel Madhav is basically located in Virpur close to the temple and is the best choice for rooms that are cheap and at affordable prices.

Where to eat near Jalaram Bapa Mandir in Virpur

  • Virpur offers a lot of options to explore when it comes to fulfilling your appetite. The traditional food is vegetarian in nature and is rich in nutrition. Mostly, the Gujarati Thali comprises rice, roti, dal, sabzi, and sweets.
  • There are many famous restaurants in the city that offer fine dining options at a competitive price range. The local eating joints also offer fantastic delicacies at lesser costs.
  • Some of the must-have dishes that a traveler needs to taste refer to Khaman, Dhokla, Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Farsi Falafel, Khakra, Muthia, and Meethi Kadhi. However, alcohol is banned here and is not served at restaurants.
  • Also, the Morning Tea, Lunch & Dinner are provided free for the Yatris in the Dharmshala run by the temple trust where free food is provided for the devotees staying there.

Nearby Temples in Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur

Apart from the famous Jalaram Bapa Mandir, there are some religious places in Virpur that tourists can pay a visit to. These consist of:

  • Virpara Nath Mandir– Every tourist who visits Jalaram Bapa definitely pays a visit to this shrine too. Sadhus sing Hymes during the evening in this temple premises.
  • Samadhi of Jalaram Bapa– It is a sacred place of worship as devotees come to pay their respect to Jalaram Bapa here. After Bapa passed away, he was laid to rest here.
  • Samadhi of Jetha Bapa– This is another famous shrine that stands close to the Jalaram Bapa Mandir. There are many pilgrims who visit the samadhi and seek blessings from Jetha Bapa.
  • Virbhai Maa Mandir at Triveni Sangam– It is a temple that is dedicated to Virbhai and celebrates the commitment and sacrifice provided by Virbhai.
  • Khodiyar Mandir at Mavatar Vridhdharshram-  Being located in Mavatar Vridhdharshram, this mandir is highly popular and considered sacred among the natives.
  • Gala vada Hanuman– It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and worships his strength and commitment to Lord Ram.

If you have any questions related to Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur, please leave a comment below and we will reply within an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jalaram Bapa Mandir –

Till when does the Jalaram Bapa Mandir remain open?

The temple remains open for all days of the year for devotees, sometimes close due to renovation work.

What is the visit duration for Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

It will take 1 hour to fully explore the Jalaram Bapa Mandir.

What is Jalaram Bapa Mandir famously known in the locality?

It is famously known in the locality as Jay Jaliyaan Mandir.

What is the location of Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

Jalaram Bapa Mandir is located 60 km from Rajkot and 280 km from Ahmedabad in Virpur near Rajkot, Gujarat, India.

What are the temple activities done by the temple trust?

The temple trust does regular activities like Bharatnatyam, Tabla classes and Yoga classes for devotees and interested individuals.

What is the climate temperature at Virpur in Gujarat?

The climate temperature st Virpur in Gujarat stays between 25-31°C.

Is donation allowed at the Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

Yes, devotees can donate as per their facilities to the temple trust through an online portal in Jalaram Bapa Mandir.

Jagannath Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 6 Comments Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With:

Jagannath Temple Delhi is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. He is the God of the universe who symbolizes universal love. The temple is located at Hauz Khas, Delhi. Along with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi are also worshipped on the Ratnabedi or the bejeweled platform.

Jagannath Temple – Facts

Deity Lord Jagannath
Location Bhagwan Jagannath Mg, Hauz Khas Vill- Rd, Hauz Khas, Delhi – 110016
Darshan Timings 5 AM to 10 PM (summer)
6 AM to 9:30 PM (winter)
Entry Fees Free
Dress Code Traditional Wear
Festivals Ratha Yatra and many other Hindu festivals

Sree Neelachala Seva Sangh had established the temple in Hauz Khas in 1969 after acquiring land from the Delhi Development Authority. Orissa Government also donated 1 lakh rupees for the temple.

Jagannath Temple Delhi has been built according to the Odisha style of a temple structure in the same design as of Shri Mandir in Puri. The Deities of many other gods and goddesses like Shri Baraha, Shri Narasimha, and Shri Bamana, etc. have been engraved outside the structure of the main temple. The deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of Margosa wood.

The temple also serves as a center of cultural, religious and spiritual interests of Oriyas in Delhi.

Jagannath Temple Introduction
The Lord’s Yatra began first in 1979 after the Temple was built.

This Mandir is managed by a Society called Shri Jagannath Mandir and Odisha Arts & Cultural  Centre, New Delhi (Regd.) under the Society of Registration Act, 1860 in the year 1968.  The society also runs several charitable organizations. The temple is mostly run by the donations of the devotees.

Jagannath Temple Timings

The timings of the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:-

Pahad Opening Timings After Prasad Vitaran, Pahad reopening Timing Pahad Closing Timings
Summer
Timings 		5:00 AM12:30 PM10:00 PM
Winter Timings6:00 AM1:00 PM9:30 PM

Poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple

The poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple Delhi are listed below:

  1. Mangal Aarti
  2. Abkash
  3. Balya Bhog
  4. Mandir Rosoi Ghar Hawan
  5. Surya Pooja
  6. Dwarpal Hawan
  7. Garud Pooja
  8. Snana, Srinagar and Sohala Upchar Pooja
  9. Gopal Ballabh, Aarti and Pushpanjalee
  10. Gita Paath
  11. Vishnu Sahashranam Paath
  12. Bada Bhog
  13. Aarti
  14. Pana Bhog
  15. Veda Paath
  16. Sri Bhagwat Paath
  17. Strotra Paath
  18. Sainkaleen Pooja
  19. Sandhya Aarti
  20. Bhajan and Kirtan
  21. Shayan Aarti
  22. Bhada Bhog
  23. Geet Govinda Paath

Dress code of Jagannath Temple

Dress Code at Jagannath Temple is:-

  • It is advisable to wear decent pieces of apparel when entering the temple. Ladies should be in the traditional attire of sari, lehenga choli or salwar kameez.
  • Leather items are not allowed inside the temple.
  • People should leave their footwear behind while entering the temple.

What is the significance of the Jagannath Temple?

The significance of the Jagannath Temple Delhi is:-

  • The Jagannath Temple at Hauz Khas was built by the working class Oriya community in replication to the Puri temple.
  • Jagannath, the God of the Universe is believed to be the fulfiller of one’s wishes. It is also said that his blessings can shape or destroy a man.
  • The person who gets to see the Lord’s idol in his life is considered to be lucky or Punyavan.

The Lord’s Yatra began first in 1979 after the Temple was built.

What is the history of Jagannath Temple?

The history of Jagannath Temple states that:-

  • Several legendary accounts found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Oriya works suggest that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Nila Madhava by a Savar king (tribal chief) named Viswavasu.
Jagannath Temple History 1
Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Nila Madhava
  • Hearing about the deity, King Indradyumna sent a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to look for the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. After many failed attempts, he managed to marry Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita.
Jagannath Temple History 2
Viswavasu took his son-in-law blind folded to a cave where Lord Neela Madhava was worshipped.
  • Vidyapati intelligently dropped mustard seeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days, which enabled him to find out the cave later on.
  • On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra Desha (Odisha) on a pilgrimage to see and worship the Deity. But the deity had disappeared in the meantime. The king was extremely disappointed at this failure. The Deity was hidden in the sand.
Jagannath Temple History 3
King Indradyumna proceeded Odisha on a pilgrimage to worship the Deity.
  • The king was determined not to return without having a darshan of the deity an observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, then a celestial voice cried ‘thou shalt see him.’ Afterward, the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificent temple for Lord Vishnu.
  • Sri Narasimha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of the Lord. Also, an astral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it.
Jagannath Temple History 4
King Indradyumna got the vision of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan
  • Accordingly, the king got the image of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made out of the wood of the divine tree and installed them in the temple.

What are the major festivals?

The major festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple are all Hindu festivals and certain festivals specific to the Oriya community. However, the most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

Jagannath Temple Festival 1
The idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed in wooden chariots.

Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with the God Jagannath which is held at the Jagannath Temple every year. It is the replication of the festival which happens at the same time in Puri. This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya (second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month) which coincides with the months of June-July.

Rath Yatra translates into ‘The Chariot Journey’ in English. Over the period, the idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed in wooden chariots that are constructed over a period of time by skilled craftsmen and the chariots are carried across the streets which are strewn with flowers and grains by the devotees.

They carried for a couple of kilometers and they are brought back to their original place after the journey. It’s a visual treat to see thousands of devotees gathering on the streets and helping in sharing the burden of the chariots of the gods.

Jagannath Temple Festival 2
The most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

The other festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:

  1. Maha Vishuba Pana Sankranti / Hanuman Jayanti
  2. Shri Rama Navami
  3. Basantika Dushhara
  4. Ravinarayan Brata
  5. Chaitra Purnima
  6. Akshay Tritiya / Ratha Anukula
  7. Harishayana Ekadashi / Sunabesha
  8. Guru Purnima
  9. Shrikrishna Janmasthami
  10. Ganesh Chaturthi
  11. Navadinatmaka Puja Arambh
  12. Pithe Mahasthami Puja / Maha Navami Puja / Dushahera
  13. Dipawali
  14. Devabhisheka
  15. Makara Sankranti
  16. Saraswati Puja
  17. Holi

How to reach Jagannath Temple?

  • Road:
    • Hauz Khas is one of the busiest suburbs of Delhi NCR.
    • One can also rent a car or auto-rickshaw from anywhere and reach here.
    • Delhi Transport Department has added more buses to its fleet.
    • Several new and old buses are in service which will take you to the Jagannath Temple Terminuses such as Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar are located nearby which leads to various important places in the city.
  • Metro: Hauz Khas Metro station is the nearest station to Jagannath Temple (1.9 k.m.).
  • Rail:
    • Many metro trains in New Delhi passes through the Hauz Khas suburb.
    • Whether one is coming from Noida, Gurgaon, India Gate, and the Airport or from the Delhi University area, they will find ample metro trains to reach the destination.
    • Hauz Khas metro station is the nearest metro station to Jagannath Mandir, Delhi(1.4 k.m.).
  • Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi(12.2 k.m.).

Where to stay near Jagannath Temple?

The temple comes under a non-governmental organization. It is handled by a large association who are appointed as members of the temple. The temple also owns a self-run Dharamshala with up-to-date facilities. Rooms are available only on prior booking. AC/Non-AC rooms are also available for accommodation.

Inmates can even avail the Prasad Sevan facility which is provided at affordable rates. Hauz Khas also have 3 star and 5-star hotels catering to the needs of the visiting devotees.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the rooms.

Where to eat near Jagannath Temple?

Every day Annaprasad is distributed with prior booking. The meals are available at affordable prices both in the daytime and the night. Devotees generally eat at the temple. On a daily basis about 300-400 devotees/visitors take Anna Prasad at the Prasad Hall of the temple. Many restaurants are also available in the contiguity.

What are some temples near Jagannath Temple?

  • Kalkaji Mandir – Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is located in the southern part of Delhi, right opposite to the Nehru Place business center. The belief surrounding the temple is that the image of the Goddess Kalka or Kali, here is a self-manifested one, and also the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga.
  • ISCKON Temple –  ISKCON Delhi temple, is the temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi. It is one of the top tourist places in Delhi to visit.
  • Lotus Temple – The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baha’i House of Worship. The temple is built in the shape of a floating half-open lotus set amidst pools and gardens. It serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jagannath Temple-

What’s the address of Jagannath Temple?

C-Block, Safdarjung Deplopment Area, Bhagwan Jagannath Mg, Hauz Khas Vill- Rd, Hauz Khas, Delhi – 110016.

What’s the average time spent in Jagannath Temple?

The average time spent in Jagannath Temple is 30 min.

What are the metro stations available near Jagannath Temple?

Hauz Khas Metro station is the nearest station to Jagannath Temple (1.9 k.m.).

What’s the dress code for women in the Jagannath Temple?

Women should be in the traditional attire of sari, lehenga choli or salwar kameez.

In which style the Jagannath Temple is built?

Jagannath Temple Delhi has been built according to the Odisha style of a temple structure in the same design as of Shri Mandir in Puri.

Which is the most important festival of Jagannath Temple?

The most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

What are the summer timings of Jagannath Temple?

5:00 AM to 10:00 PM is the summer timings of Jagannath Temple.

What are the winter timings of Jagannath Temple?

6:00 AM to 9:00 PM is the winter timings of Jagannath Temple.