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Mahanandi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mahanandi Temple also known as Mahanandiswara Temple located in the east of Nallamala Hills near Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Mahanandiswary Swamy Temple is positioned right at the foot of the hills of Srisailam forest.

Mahanandi Temple is also deemed as one of the ‘Nava Nandudlu Temples’ which means the ‘nine shrines’ dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Mahanandi temple is also considered to be the living temple that depicts the Hindu way of life. Lord of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle, is also considered to be an important aspect of the agricultural world and is also bequeathed with worship because bull here, is correlated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

Mahanandi Temple is also a center of attraction for visitors and pilgrims all over the country and abroad. This is because Mahanandi is a place of scenic beauty surrounded by thick forest and watered by persistent mineral springs from Pushkaranis. The temple is also famous for the presence of ‘Kalyani’ which is the temple tank and the tank is preserved in such a manner that the depth of water does not exceed beyond five feet.

Mahanandi Temple History

According to Mahanandi Temple history ‘Sthalapurana’, the 7th-century temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Mahanandiswara is one of the ancient temples of India and it dates back over 1,500 years and the inscriptions of the 10th-century tablets portray the fact that this temple has been restored and rebuilt quite a lot of times. The initial structure of the temple was erected by the Chalukyas in the 7th century and, later on, numerous additions were made to the temple in the 10th and 15th centuries.  According to the legend of the temple, the kings of the area who were addressed as Nandas ruled in the 10th century AD and constructed a mammoth of temples and adored their ancestral deity, Nandi.

One of the most momentous features of the Mahananadi temple is the purified holy water of Pushkarani which flows throughout the year. The water is believed to be so gemstone clear that even a particle dropped in the water looks visible. A tower named Gopuram which is placed over the central sanctrum was constructed in the ‘Badami Chalukyan Style’ of architecture and the rest of the temples were built in the ‘Vijayanagara Style.’

There are also several myths associated with this temple. As per the myth, Rasa Siddha is believed to have built a dome over the sanctum which is known as ‘Vimana’ and he also made the workers group sand mounds which he later altered to his wealth. A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya confirms that Mahanandi belongs to one of the most blessed places where Simha, the king’s brother donated precious gifts.

As per the legend, the milk which was used for Abhishekam which means ablution was used to be conveyed on a daily basis from a distance to the temple. A considerable amount of milk was brought from Gopavaram diary and the milk of a black coloured cow was sent to the king on an everyday basis, exclusively. The cow was approved to scuff in the forest but a couple of days later it was discovered that the cow had the propensity to provide less milk after the cow arrived from the forest. Few days later, a cowherd followed the cow and to his surprise, he found out that the cow scuffed around an embankment and allowed her milk to run freely on it.  From this edge emerged Lord Krishna and the cow then returned. The king came to know about the miraculous occurrence and decided to follow the cow the day later to seize a peek of Lord Krishna. As soon as the king proceeded and caught a glimpse of Lord Krishna, the cow became panicky and mistakenly stepped on the mound in fear. With this accident, the child disappeared but the impression of the cleft remained, with this the king realized his mistake and prayed for forgiveness. The Lord then proclaimed that the embankment would dry up and would develop into a ‘Swayambhu Linga’ at Mahanandi, even today the signs of the cow’s cleft are visible on the top of the Linga.

Significance of Mahanandi Temple

The Mahanandi temple is famous for its pools and attracts visitors every year. The architecture of the temple, as well as the pools, reflects the dexterity of the ‘Vishwakarma Brahmins.’

Apart from this, the main temple is enclosed by three pools, one big pool inside the temple itself and two small pools at the entrance. The holy tank is 60 square feet with an outdoor exhibition area known as ‘Mandapa’ in the center. The bay and exit of the tank are organized in such a way that the depth of water does not exceed facilitating the pilgrims to dip in the holy pools. The water source is also unique as it has continuous flow regardless of the change of seasons and the water source initiates at the ‘Garbhagruha’ which is placed below the Swayambhu Linga. The devotees are also able to touch the water near the Shiva Linga.

The most significant aspect of the temple is the fact that it has been reckoned as one of the nine shrines devoted to Lord Shiva. The Nava Nandulu temples are:

  • Prathamanandi Temple also known as Padma Nandi is one the first one as the name suggests and is constructed on an embankment of the earth which is close to the Nandyal Railway station.
  • Naganandi Temple is positioned inside an Ajaneya Temple which means Hanuman Temple to the west of Nandyal.
  • Vinayakananda Temple is positioned to the left which is immediately outside the departure. To be precise, it is outside Gopuram, the northwest of Mahanandi Temple.
  • Garudanandi Temple is situated to the west of Mahanandi Temple and is as exclusive as Garuda, the kite which is attributed as the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
  • Shivanandi Temple is situated in the Kadamala Village. This temple is roughly 13kms from Nandyal closer to the Kadamala Kaluva, a canal which is just next to Thimmavaram Village and the architectural structure is similar to that of the Chalukyas.
  • Vishnunandi Temple also knows as Krishnanandi is located 2 miles prior to Mahanandi Temple and is also one of the most visited temples.
  • Suryanandi Temple is situated 6 miles west from Mahanandi and 4 miles east from Nandyal. From U. Bollavaram village the route to this temple is through a curve raised on two large metal shafts to the right.
  • Somanandi Temple is located towards the east of Nandyal closer to Atmakur where a new temple to the Jagathjanani temple is being constructed.
  • Mahanandi Temple.

The supervising deity here is Lord Shiva who is worshiped by the name of Mahanandiswara Swamy which is in the form of a sanctified Shivalingam. The famous water source is also believed to have been evolved from beneath the self – manifested Shivalingam which is present in the sanctum sanctorum. The incredible trait of the temple is that the sanctified water gushing out of the sanctum sanctum assists in irrigating 2000 acres of fertile land around the village. The village is enclosed by rice fields, vegetables, fruits, flowers and other vegetation.

Apart from this, the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple facing the west is enclosed by a high wall with the temple tower called Gopuram towards the north and south, of the late Vijayanagar era. The presence of Mukhamandapa, the main entrance hall with two subordinate shrines in the north and south. The Vimana which is the dome over sanctum is arched and pyramid shaped with a Shikara, a tower at the top in the Nagari style.

The fresh Koneru which means the water pools also called Pushkarani is a key factor of magnetism for all the visitors. The water is considered to come from five springs which are named ‘Srisailadhara,’ ‘Narasimhadhara,’ ‘Daivodhinidhara,’ ‘Nanditirtha’ and ‘Kailasatirtha’ respectively.

An enormous Nandi sits in front of the shrine providing the temple its name, the Mahanandi Tirtha. Close to the sanctum is a shrine devoted to the Goddess Kameshwari Devi, the companion of Mahanadeeshwara. The Srichkara in front of the deity is said to have been established by Adisankaracharya and the well-liked belief is that when one contemplate upon the Lord, one would receive an appearance which is applicable to the individual’s status ahead of the mother. The Mukhamantapa which is the entrance hall of the Goddess is a topical construction and the shrine of Kameswari Devi was recreated in 1939. In the rear of the main shrine, three small shrines containing a Shivalinga are present.

On the foundation of Mahanandiswara Temple, one can see an arched marble shrine of ‘Lord Kodanda Rama,’ the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu that was supplemented with the compound in 1953. Images of Sri Rama, Sita and Lashkmana are strikingly carved and the devotees find it complicated to progress away from them.

The sociable water of the ‘Rudrakundam’ irrigates 2000 acres of fertile land enclosing the village and the areas enfolding Mahanandiswara Temple are tranquil in nature with fruit, rice fields, flower gardens, vegetables and groves.

Mahanandi Temple Timings

  • Temple opening timings everyday : 5:30 am – 9:00 pm
  • Mangala Vadhyamulu : 4:45 am
  • Suprabhatam : 5:00 am
  • Swamy Vari Sthanika Abhishekam : 5:30 am
  • Mahamangala Harathi : 6:00 am
  • Abhishekam Swamy Variki : 6:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Laghunyasa Abhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Festivals celebrated at Mahanandi Temple

The festival of Maha Sivrathri is one of the most popular events where numerous devotees gather to pay homage and worship Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated for seven long days initiating from ‘Maha Bhula Chaturdasi’ which is the 14th day after full moon in February- March. Around 20,000 devotees from different parts of the country, specifically from Andhra Pradesh, Mysore and Maharashtra visit the temple on an everyday basis. Pilgrims here have the propensity to worship ‘Mallikarjunaswamy’ and then a definite order to visit the other Nandi temples are followed.

Apart  from the Maha Sivarathri, some other remarkable festivals celebrated are:

  • Ugadi: March / April
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi: December/ January
  • Kartika Poornima: November/ December
  • Vijayadashami: October

How to reach: Road, Rail, Air

  • By Air: The nearest airport to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is at Hyderabad, which is about 215km from Kurnool.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is Nandyal railway station.
  • By Road: The APSRTC run bus services to the major cities like Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Kurnool, Vijaywada etc. The buses also pursue to the parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka such as Bellary, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The other route to the temple is the Bangalore-Nandyal route: Bangalore to Gotty to Yaganti to Nandyal to Mahanandiswara Temple.

Where to Stay

Hotels, Lodges as well as government accommodation are always available at Nandyal and such facilities are also available at Kurnool. Some of the places for accommodation include; Devasthanam Temple Choultries, TTD Choultries, Naganandi Sadan, APTDC Haritha Hotel Mahanandi at Kurnool, Hotel Balaji, New Udipi hotel, Sivapriya Lodge and much more lodging facilities are available at the Mahanandi village.

Where to Eat

Mahanandi village and the areas nearby Mahanandi Temple consist of quite a good number of hotels and restaurants with a variety of  delicacies.

Nearby Temples

There are a number of important temples located near by the Mahanandi Temple and visitors from around the country visit these temples as well.

  • Kameswari Devi Temple: Kameswari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is positioned to the south of Mahanandiswara Temple at a distance of less than 1km from Mahanandi Bus Station. The temple was constructed in 1939 and King Nandana and his ancestors were believed to perform Pujas and rituals at this temple.
  • Ahobilam Temple: Located 70km from Nandyal and 150km from Kurnool. Ahobilam temple is considered to be one among the holy sites in the Allagadda mandal in Andhra Pradesh. It has two temple houses, lower Ahobilam, and upper Ahobilam and as per the legend of this temple, Lord Narasimha gave his blessings to Prahlada and slew the demon Hiranyakashipu here.
  • Yaganti Temple: Among the many temples located in Andhra, one of the most magnificent temples is the Sri Uma Maheswara Temple also known as the Yaganti Temple or Yagantiswamy Temple is located at Yaganti which is at Kurnool in the district of Andhra Pradesh. The Uma Maheswara Temple dwells in the idols of Shiva and Parvathi also termed as Ardhanareeswara and is engraved out of a single stone. This temple is almost certainly the only place where Lord Shiva is adorned in the form of an idol and not in the form of a Shiva Linga.
  • Alampur Sri Jogulamba Devi Temple: Positioned in the district of Mahbubnagar in Telangana,  Alampur Temple is located about 90km from Mahbubnagar, 27 km from Kurnool and 200 km from Hyderabad. This temple has also been listed as an architectural and archaeological treasure on the official “List of Monuments”  under the Archaeological survey of India and under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological sites and Remains Act.
  • Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Chakirala: Located at Chakirala, Andhra Pradesh, Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most will know temples of South. The most important aspect of this temple is that devotees visit the temple in order to seek wealth, salvation, relief from disorders and also to gain knowledge.
  • Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Devi Temple: Nandavaram village is mostly popular because of the presence of Chowdeshwari Devi Temple. According to the legend, Chowdeshwari Devi came from Varanasi to Nandavaram through an underground passage within a day. Also, the temple has been constructed in such a manner that the present deity resides exactly above the place where the original deity dwells.
  • Sri Kotilingala Temple: Situated in Kammasandra village in Kolar district, Kotilingala Temple also known as the Lord Kotilingeshwara Temple is about 6km from Kolar Gold Fields also known as KGF. This temple consists of the largest Linga of Asia which stands 108 feet tall and apart from this there are eleven small temples of various deities constructed within the grounds of this temple. Visitors and pilgrims visit these temples every year.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati is located in the industrial town of Bhadravati. This small town is a part of the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Located at the banks of River Bhadra, Bhadravathi is a 13th-century city of the Hoysala kingdom. 

Several architectural gems of Hoysala architecture are present in this city. The city is famous for its couple of tourist destinations, besides the paper mills and iron and steel plant; one is the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and the other is the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.

The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is Lord Narasimha, known as the protector of humankind and destroyer of demons and evil spirits.

Lakshmi Narasimha

History and Legend of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is the bearer of the rich culture and traditions that existed at this ancient town.

  • There is a popular myth related to the formation of the small town of Bhadravathi. It is believed that here, Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Varaha, that is, wild boar, rescued Bhudevi, that is, Goddess Earth. She was held captive under the sea by demon Hirayankasha. As per Holy Scriptures, when Varaha lifted earth with his two tusks, River Tunga and Bhadra were formed. The place was previously known as Benkipura.
  • The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple consists of other images of Hindu gods, namely, Sri Krishna, Lord Purushottama, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Sharadamba.
  • The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is an 800 years old temple. The sculptures of the temple also exhibit the daily lifestyle of the 13th century, along with the images of musicians and dancers.
  • The temple was constructed by Sir M Vishweshwaraiah, the grandson of an eminent Hoysala monarch, Vishnuvardhana.

Significance of the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati

The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is another example of a magnificent Hoysala form of architecture. Some of the basic characteristics of the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi are:

  • The statue of Lord Narasimha is in a relaxed position, protecting his devotee Parhlada.
  • Lakshmi Narasimha  Temple comes in a triple form, known as Vimana. While one of the shrines is south facing, the other two are north and west facing.
  • Soapstone has been used to construct the temple. If you touch the walls there is a soapy feeling and the stone is really tender.
  • There is a flagpole, known as dwajasthambam just in front of the temple.
  • The temple stands on a raised platform, known as jagati. About a metre high, this platform was used by devotees to circumvent (pradakshin) the temple. In the Hoysala form of architecture there is no specified path to paradakshin temple.
  • The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi also has special pillars, known as lathe pillars along with parapets. This type of shiny black pillars defines the architectural style of 11th and 13th century Hoysala architecture. The lathe pillars not only enhance the beauty of the temple but also provide support to the ceiling of the large temple.
  • The inner wall of the temple has been kept plain and simple while the exterior wall is star shaped, nakshatra shaped, providing enough space and scope for decoration.
  • The external wall has two eves. The first eve consists of small towers which exhibit miniature decorations on pilasters, known as aedicule.
  • The second set of eves is followed by a panel engraved with the images of deities and by a set of mouldings.
  • The stellate tower is another special form of Hoysala architecture. The tower has been adorned with processes and recesses throughout the tower. It looks more like a flute from a distance. The tiers of the tower step by step diminish in height to form an umbrella.
  • Some of the important sculptures of the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi are Lord Krishna playing flute and a man with serpent.
  • The central hall of the temple is unique with now windows and is connected with the other sanctums.
  • There is a slab in Kannada inscription at the temple which exhibits the construction details.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati Timings

The temple is open throughout the year. There are no holidays and no such best time to visit.

  • The temple opens early in the morning at 6.00 am to the visitors. The temple is closed at the afternoon.
  • The temple again opens at 6.30 pm at evening and closes at 9 pm.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati Food Timings

Though there is no process of serving food or lunch at the temple, prasada is served after worship.

Guidelines

  • There is no entry fee in the temple. From parking to use of camera, everything is free of cost.
  • As a general guideline at any Indian temple, devotees need to keep their footwear outside the temple.
  • The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Festivals celebrated at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati

Besides the regular rituals, there are annual festivals celebrated here.

  • Dussera: During this festival, the iconic deity of Lord Narasimha is taken round the city in a grand procession. This festival takes place at the Hindu month of Ashvin, which is anytime between September and October.
  • Navaratri Festival: This festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at the temple complex. This festival generally takes place a couple of times a year. Once anytime between March and April and another time between September and October.
  • Vaikunta Ekadesi: This is the 11th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Magh and an auspicious day for the Vaishnavaite cult. Worship attains a different dimension here, on this day. This festival generally takes place anytime between December and January.

Poojas and Rituals at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati

The temple is still functional and hence is visited by numerous devotees throughout the year. There is an important guideline even for the priests to worship at this temple; only celibates are permitted to perform worship at the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi.

  • Some of the sculptures of the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi are worshipped till date. Devotees apply vermilion, turmeric, pour oil and burn camphor for worship.
  • There are different types of prayers that can be performed to pay tribute to Lord Narasimha here, like the Narasimha Pranama, Narasimha Mahamantra and Dasavatara Stotra. Sometimes on the special requests of the devotees, the priests may also perform Divya Prabandham prayer.
  • After the completion of worship, the priest sits at the raised platform of the temple, reading Holy Scriptures.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The Hubli airport is the nearest domestic airport to the temple, while the Bangalore airport is the nearest international airport. The Hubli airport is approximately 170 km from Bhadravathi. Another optional airport for the tourists is the Mangalore airport.

By Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is the Birur- Bhadravathi railway station. The trains that ply between Bangalore and Shimoga have stoppage at the Bhadravathi railway station. Tourists can also opt for train to Birur and then another train or bus from Birur to Bhadravathi. There is also an option to board a train from Mysore to reach Bhadravathi.

By Road: Bhadravathi is located approximately at 255 km from the state capital of Bangalore. It is 20 km from the district headquarters of Shimoga. Tourists can opt for NH-206 to reach Bhadravathi. This highway passes through Tumkur, Tiptur, Arasikere, Kadur, Birur and Tarikere to reach Bhadravathi. There are several public and private buses that regularly ply from Bangalore and Shimoga to Bhadravathi; these buses take almost 6 hours to reach the site. There is another route from Mysore to Bhadravathi. The route of Mysore passes from Channarayapattana, Arasikere, Kadur to reach Bhadravathi. The temple is located at one and half kilometre from the main road. It takes almost an hour to reach Bhadravathi from Birur. You can get round the town in auto rickshaws.

Hotels in Bhadravati: Where to stay

There are some decent hotels located at Bhadravathi. Enjoy a comfortable stay near the temple within your budget. Some of the popular hotels of the city are Pavana Lodge, Chinnappa Hotel, Guruprasad Hotel, Hotel Attigunda, Hotel Basaveshwara, Hotel De Tej, Hotel Ganesh, Hotel Heritage and Hotel Kanchana.

Where to eat

There are no eateries near the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi. Hygienic and vegetarian food is available at the hotels like Pavana Lodge and Hotel Kanchana. Paani poori is one of the popular street food at Bhadravathi.

Nearby Temples

Here are a number of ancient temples located around the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi.

  • Sri Amrutheshwara Temple: This temple is located at the quaint village of Amruthapura, in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. It is almost 30 km from the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi. This temple was also constructed during the Hoysala rule. The walls and pillars of the shrine are sculpted with incidents from the great Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • Sri Chintamani Narasimha Temple: This sacred temple is also located at the banks of River Tunga and Bhadra, in an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Sri. Chintamani Narasimha Temple. This temple is a blend of Shaivaites and Vaishnavaites culture and exhibits Chola style of architecture. This temple houses one of the rarest idols of Lord Chintamani Narasimha, who is seated with his left knee bent and with Chintamani in his palm. The exquisite sculptures opposite the temple also attract multiple historians and tourists. The temple is legendary as it is believed that the deity was installed and worshipped by Prahlada, the ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.
  • Sri Rameshwara Temple: Located at the confluence of River Tunga and Bhadra at the Koodli village of Shimoga district, the Sri Rameshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built by the Hoysala and the Ikkeri kings. This spectacular temple is located amidst sprawling green gardens. Another important factor about this temple is that the snake gods are worshipped here.

Hence if you are passionate to know about the temple architecture of South India, a visit to the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Bhadravathi is a must.

Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor is in Gujarat. Earlier famous for Worship of shiva, it developed into a center for Vaishnavites when Ranchhodraiji, another avatar of Krishna surfaced. It is one of the most ethnically significant temples of Gujarat. State Government recently included Dakor in the pilgrimages under “Yatradham Vikas Board”.

a divine tour of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor Facts –

Deity Lord Vishnu
LocationDakor, Gujarat
SignificancePancha Dwarka of Lord Krishna
Best Time to Visit November to February
Darshan timings 06:45 AM to 12:00 PM || 4:00 PM to 07:30 PM
Bhog and PrasadLaddu and Rasmalai
Entry Fees Free
Dress Code Traditional
Festivals Sharad Purnima, Janmasthami, Holi and Rathyatra, etc
ParkingFree

What are the timings of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here are the Temple timings of Ranchhodraiji Temple:

TimingsFromTo
Mangla Darshan 06:45 AM 8:30 AM
Afternoon Closing 12:00 PM 4:00 PM
Evening Darshan04:00 PM07:30 PM
Temple Closing07:30 PM06:00 AM

Puja and Rituals at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

Darshan TimingsFromTo
Mangalabhog, Balbhog, Srinagarbhog, Gwalbhog Darshan 09:00 AM10:30 AM
Rajbhog Darshan11:30 AM12:00 PM
Uthapan Bhog And Darshan
04:10 PM		04:55 PM
Shyan bhog Darshan 05:25 PM06:00 PM
Shakhdibhog Darshan07:00 PM07:30 PM

Significance of Rituals and Darshan’s of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

The significance of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor among its devotees is very high. The temple authorities help the devotees keeping in mind to their facilities –

  • Darshana timings on Full -Moon days are different and are declared by the temple authorities beforehand.
  • For the convenience of the Vaishnavas desirous to offer additional bhogs to the deity except for the scheduled ones, there is a provision in the Dakor Temple Scheme and accordingly, Mahabhog, Rajbhog, and additional bhogs are offered to the deity.
  • For all such extra Bhogs, the devotees can receive prasad except Rajbhog, through Dakor Sansthan Trust which is the oldest Bhog of the time when the Deity Shree Ranchhodraiji was installed in this temple.

The significance of each Bhog and ritual with Darshans is very important for the temple. Each of it implies a different tradition in the temple-

  • Mangla Darshan – Mangala Darshan is the first darshan of the day at dawn. The emotion of waking Lord Ranchhodraiji with the same affection and love of his mother Yashoda, when at Gokula is represented in this Darshan. The name Mangala underlines the auspiciousness of beginning the day with a glimpse of the Lord.
  • Kesar Snan, Bal Bhog, Shringar Darshan – Shringar Darshan is usually 45 minutes after the Mangala Darshan. His attire depends on the day and the month according to the Lunar Calendar. Ranchhodraiji is adorned with a garland of flowers around his neck. He is offered dry fruits and sweets after which the flute is placed over his shoulder.
  • Gwal Bhog Darshan – After the Shringar Darshan, is a Gwal Darshan during which the Lord takes his mid-morning snack, Curds and light food is offered to him during this darshan. Gwal darshan depicts the time when Lord Ranchhodraiji takes his cows to the pasture and plays with his friends.
  • Rajbhog Darshan – The main meal of the day is offered to Ranchodraiji during this darshan. He is adorned with lotuses, a flower garland, and his flute. Perfume of the season is sprinkled. After this, he retires for three hours representing the siesta he enjoyed in the meadows.
  • Utthapan Darshan – In the Utthapan darshan which is at mid-afternoon, Lord Ranchodraiji is lovingly awakened from his afternoon nap.
  • Shayan Darshan – The Shayan Darshan is the last Darshan of the day when Lord Ranchodraiji finishes a light meal. A fan-made of peacock feathers is waved to avoid the effects of any evil eye cast while he is in full view of the people.

The symbolism of the deity in Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor –

Deity at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor
The divine deity in Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor in the form of Lord Vishnu.
  • Lord Ranchhodrai’s form is of Lord Vishnu with four arms.
  • Lord Vishnu bears the conch, the lotus, the discus and the mace in his hands.
  • The lower right arm is the posture of Abhaya mudra which gives protection to all those who come to him.
  • There is an imprint of a lotus on the hand.
  • His right-hand hold the flute.
  • During festivals, the hands of the Lord are in gloves of gold full of gems.

Legends of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor –

The legends of the Ranchhodraiji Temple relates to a story. Bodana was a worshipper of Lord Krishna in his previous life. The story related to the legend believed by devotees follows as-

  • Bodana lived in Gokulam as a cowherd Vijayanand. One day when all cowherds worshipped Lord Krishna, Vijayanand did not and the Lord came to him asking to perform the puja.
  • Bodana and the Lord engaged in a holy battle of colours. But the Lord fell into a river and Vijayanand went after him.
  • The Lord revealed himself and Vijayanand asked forgiveness. Lord Krishna then granted him a boon that after 4200 years he will appear at Gujarat with his present wife Sudha.
  • Vijayanand would go to Dwarka to worship Lord Krishna once every six months and also took a basil plant (Tulsi) with him until he was 72 years old.
  • Lord Krishna pleased, asked him to bring a bullock-cart with him so that he would accompany him to Dakor.
  • The priest of Dwarka asked why he had brought a bullock-cart. Bodana replied that he had come to take away Lord Krishna. Hence, they closed the Dwarka temple.
  • That night Lord Krishna broke the wall of the Garbha Griha and asked Bodana to take him away.
  • Seeing the missing image of Lord Krishna the priests came to Dakor. Bodana was anxious, so Lord Krishna told him to hide the idol of the deity in the Gomati tank.
  • The Priests got angry and threw spears at him and he died falling down. While hurting Bodana with a spear it also hurt the image of the deity hidden in the Gomti tank and the water turned red with Lord Krishna’s (Ranchhodraiji’s) blood.
  • However, the Lord mercifully directed the Ghulis that they would find, after six months an exact replica of the idol in Sevaradhan Vav at Dwarka.
  • But the Guglis looked for it earlier and found a smaller idol of the Lord.
Legends and History of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor
The unique and interesting stories and myths related to Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor.

History of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor-

  • In times of Mahabharata, the surrounding area of Dakor constituted the ‘Hidamba‘ van (jungle). It was a very dense jungle. It was pleasant and rich with streams and lakes. It had become an attraction for the sages to establish their hermitage for penance.
  • Likewise, Dank Rishi had his hermitage (ashram) in this area. During penance Lord Shiva was pleased with him and asked him to demand something. Thereupon, Dank Rishi requested Lord Shiva to remain permanently in his hermitage.
  • Lord Shiva agreed to his request. He disappeared and left behind him His replica in the form of Ban (Ling), which is known as Danknath Mahadev. Thus in ancient times, Dakor was known as ‘Dankor‘ after the name of Dankanth Mahadev.
  • It was also known as Khakhariya because of many khakhra (Palash) trees in the vicinity.

The architecture of Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor –

  • The present temple was constructed by Shri Gopalrao Jagannath Tambwekar in 1772 A.D. at the cost of rupees one lakh. It was built with brick walls and stone pillars. 
  • It is raised on a high plinth of 168 feet by 151 feet with twelve stone steps on each side and surrounded by a spacious courtyard.
  • It has eight domes and twenty-four turrets, the highest of them being 90 feet making it the tallest temple in the district.
  • The main gate of the temple overlooks the (now crowded) banks of the lake Gomati.
  • Silver gates are protected by the Vedic Gods – Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, etc beautifully carved in high relief. The gate leads into the main courtyard. 
  • On entering the courtyard, one sees two tall structures, used to house the thousands of lamps that are lit during the festive season, on either side.
  • Back at the front gate, marble stairs lead to the main audience chamber of the temple – the Jagmohan – literally the place where the world is charmed by the beauty of the Lord.
  • Multi-storied and multi-tiered, this type of structure is very typical of medieval Gujarati temple architecture. Till recently, the dome was painted with Shri Krishna’s rasa-Lila in the classical Bundi style. It has been replaced by an intricate inlay of mirror work, depicting flowers and trellis in a classical Rajput garden.

Which festivals are celebrated at Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Festivals at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor
Different festivals celebrated at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor.

Approximately 35 festivals are celebrated at Dakor temple. The main ones being the

  1. Kartik
  2. Falgun,
  3. Chaitra and
  4. Ashwin Purnima.

Over 1 lakh devotees visit the shrine. Annakoot is on the first day of the year. At this festival, there are largest amounts of sweets and food preparation offerings to Shri Ranchhodraiji.

Vaishnava festivals celebrated are the

  1. Holi,
  2. Amalaki Ekadashi,
  3. Janmashtami,
  4. Nand Mahotsav,
  5. Rathyatra and
  6. Dashera.

During these festivals, devotees take the idol of Krishna in procession on an elephant. Ardent devotees also play music along with the rhythm. The festivals of Hindola and Palna are also celebrated.

How to reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here’s how to reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor:

  • Air: several domestic airplanes connecting Ahmedabad to Delhi, Bombay, Daman, Pune are available.
  • Rail: It is on the Anand Godhra broad-gauge railway line and so is connected to Nadiad and Godhra by a state highway.
  • Road: State Transport Bus services connect Dakor with Nadiad, Ahmedabad, Kapadwanj, Baroda, Bombay, and others.

Where to stay near Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here’s where one can stay near Ranchodraiji Temple:

  • Hotel Arizona Inn on AnandS road, Opp-S.R.Park, is famous for its luxurious rooms and good accommodation. It is a pure vegetarian hotel.
  • Hotel Relax on the 3rd floor, Haribo Vyapar Bhuvan, GPO road is another place that you may find nice to check-in.

What are some places to visit near Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

You could also visit:

  1. DWARKADHISH TEMPLE – Situated at Dwarka is one of the four major pilgrimages for Hindus in India. The Bhidbhanjan temple is a popular place to visit. It is a divine place to pay your visit to Lord Shiva and also other Gods and Goddesses. It shows architecture made up of Western influences.
  2. MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE – The temple of Mahalakshmi is situated a kilometer far away from the temple in the northern direction of the temple. One has to walk to reach this temple.
  3. HOUSE OF BODANA – Opposite to the temple of Mahalakshmi is the house of Bodana and Ganga Bai. Lord Ranchhodraiji was worshiped in this house before the Deity was moved to the current temple. Inside the house is a place where the Deity was hidden and was worshiped by Bodana’s wife.
  4. GOMTI KUNDA – This sacred pond is situated right opposite to the entrance of Sri Ranchhodraiji temple. The Deity was hidden in this pond by Bodana. It is a very beautiful pond surrounded by twelve ghats. The place where the Deity of Ranchora Rai was hidden is in the middle called Padmachinha.
  5. DANKANATH MAHADEV TEMPLE – This temple which was made by Dankamuni is very old and is near the Eshwar Ovara. The shiva-linga is installed below the Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor –

Does the temple provide prasad?

Yes, the temple provides the bhog prasad where you can have delicious Laddo and Rasmalai.

Can devotees make any offerings in bhog to the temple?

Knowing the Bhog schedule and taking permission from the temple authority, you can request to offer Bhog of your desire to Ranchhodraiji. Later, you will be given prasad by Dakor Sansthan Trust.

What is the specialty of the Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

The temple has a unique culture, where only women are allowed to offer food (Prasad) and flowers to the Lord. It is a part of Pancha Dwarka Temples. You can also explore the Dwarka Somnath Tour Package if you are running short of time.

Why is Lord Krishna called Ranchodraiji?

Ranchor is the name given to Lord Krishna when he fled from the battlefield in Mathura while fighting against Jarasandha.

Where can devotees park their Vehicles in Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Vehicles are not allowed in the temple vicinity. Devotees have to park the vehicle a kilometer away from Dakor and enter the city by walk or the local autos.

How can you reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Dakor can be reached from Ahmedabad by road easily. There are regular government buses from the city bus stand. One can also book a taxi or cab or an auto to reach the temple.

Which is the significant day to visit Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Every year lakhs of people from all over India and Gujarat visit Dakor and especially on every full-moon day (Purnima).

What does Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple signify among the devotees?

The virtues or Punya gained by Visiting Ranchhodraiji temple at Dakor and having a glimpse of Lord Ranchhodrai is considered to be as equal as visiting Char Dhams.

If you have any questions related to Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple, please leave a comment below and we will reply within an hour.

Tulja Bhavani Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 7 Comments Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With:

Tulja Bhavani Temple is a Hindu Temple which is situated in the hills of “Bala Ghat” in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra. Earlier Tuljapur was known as Chinchpur. This temple worships Goddess Bhavani which is a ferocious form of Goddess Parvati. The word Bhavani means “life-giver”. Apart from being a ferocious form of Goddess Parvati, she is also known as Karunaswaroopi which means “filled with mercy”. Tulja Bhavani Temple is located approximately 45km from Solapur which is located in Maharashtra.

There are three Tulja Bhavani Temples located in India. It is said that the first temple was built in Tulja in the 12th century. The second and the third temples were built in 1537-1543 CE in Chittorgarh and Patnakuva Gandhinagar respectively. Tulja Bhavani of Tuljapur stands second among the Shakti Pithas. Lord Tuljabhavani is considered as the family deity of many families like Bhosale Royal Family, the Yadavs and many more belonging to different castes all over India.

Tulja Bhavani Temple – Facts

DeityGoddess Tulja Bhavani (Goddess Durga)
Location Osmanabad, Maharashtra
Entry FeeFree
Timings6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Best Time to VisitJuly to August
Festivals Celebrated Ganesh Chaturti, Navratri, Diwali, Holi
Tulja Bhavani Temple – Video

History and Legend of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

History of Tulja Bhavani Temple
The Entrance of the sacred Tulja Bhavani Temple.

What is the story behind the Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • The history of Tulja Bhavani Temple can be found in the Skand Puran. The story says that there was a knowledgeable man known as Kardabh. After his death, his wife Anubhuti performed penance at the banks of river Mandakini.
  • Anubhuti performed this ritual so that Goddess Bhavani could look after her infant child. While she was performing the ritual, a demon known as Kukur tried disturbing her. Mata Bhavani came to her rescue and killed the demon. Since then Mata Bhavani is known as Tulja Bhavani.

What is the legend of Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • During the 1920s, there were around 5000 people that lived in Tuljapur. The place where this incident took place is now known as Tuljapur. Mata Bhavani’s idol is known as Swayambhu idol.
  • It is believed that Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Kingdom always seek her blessings as a result of which she gave him “the Bhawani Sword” for success in his quest.
  • It is also said that a demon named Matanga created destruction upon devas and humans who went to Brahma for help. On Brahma’s advice, they went to Goddess Shakti after which she took the form of destroyer and killed him bringing back peace in the reign. She was powered by other seven goddesses also known as Sapta Maataas. They included Varaahi, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Kumari, Indraani and Saambhavi.

Significance of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Where is Tulja Bhavani Temple
The revered idol of Goddess Tulja Bhavani.

This Goddess is worshipped in a granite image which is 3 feet high. She has eight arms and each holding weapons and bearing the head of the demon Mahishasura. Her other names are Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita, and Amba.

What is the structure of the Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • Tulja Bhavani Temple’s entrance is known as Sardar Nimbalkar. The next two entrances are named after Shivaji Maharaj’s parents, Raja Shahji and Rajmata Jijaju respectively. Upon entering the main entrance, we can find a temple dedicated to Markandeya Rishi. This temple is found on the right side of the main entrance. After coming down the stairs one can see the main temple, the Tulja Temple.
  • In front of the temple, there is a Holy fire pit located. Raja Shahaji Mahadwar and Rajmata Jijavu Mahadwar have two libraries named Shree Dnyaneshwar Dharmik library and Shree Tukaram Dharmik library.
  • After descending from the stairs one can see “Gomukh Theerth” and “Kalakh” on the right and left side respectively. Kalakh is also known as “Kallol Theerth“. The devotees first take a holy dip in these shallow tanks of holy water known as Theerth.
  • We can find many other temples on the premises like Amruth Kund and Datta Temple. We can also find Siddhi Vinayak Temple on the left side of the main entrance and Aadishakti and Aadimata Matangadevi temple on the right. Goddess Annapurna temple is also located on the premises.

Timings of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

The temple opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning and evening aarti.

Here are the timings of the Tulja Bhavani Temple:

Rituals From To
Darshan 5:00 AM 8:00 PM
Morning Pooja 5:30 AM 6:30 AM
Morning Abhishekam 9:00 AM 9:30 AM
Nevaidyam 9:30 AM 10:00 AM
Afternoon Aarti 12:00 PM 12:30 PM
Evening Pooja 6:00 PM 6:30 PM
Night Nevaidya 7:30 PM 8:00 PM

Poojas and Rituals performed at the Tulja Bhavani Temple

  • Before the morning prayer, a large drum is played loudly to call all the devotees for prayers. This drum is played in the drum house of Tulja Bhavani temple at 5:00 AM The drum is played three times a day.
  • At 5:30 AM the prayer is performed by the Mahant. Tukoji Bua is the present Mahant of Tulja Bhavani Temple. There is a presence of the Karvir Princely state during the Charantirtha Puja.
  • The Mahanta first washes Idol’s mouth and feet from hot water, aromatic oil, dudhkhir, and pan. After which all the devotees sing the holy songs know as Aarti.
  • After Aarti, the Goddess is offered Nevaidya of Bhaji Bhakri. This Nevaidya is offered by the descent representative of the devotee, Uparkar. Later Nevaidya of kheer is offered by the representative of the former princely state Karvir.
  • At 9:00 AM, the Goddess is bathed with Panchamrut and curd. Goddess is also offered honey, sugar, and banana. After this Goddess is bathed in Gomukh water. Devotees also bathe the holy throne of Goddess by mango, sreekhand, and curd. After the bath, a big holy meal known as Mahanevaidya is offered to the Goddess.
  • During noon, the devotees again sing Aarti and light Dhup and Camphor.
  • Post that, at 6:00 PM Goddess is again bathed and pooja is offered. This time, all the arrangements are done by Karvir.
  • Come night time, the holy water from Gomukh and Nevaidya of Ghee and cooked rice is offered. This ritual is known as Prakkshal.
  • Musical instruments like tal, zanj, and dimdi are played in every Aarti.

Festivals celebrated at the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Ganesh Chaturthi Tulja Bhavani Temple
Ganesh Chaturthi is a very important festival that is celebrated every year in all parts of Maharashtra.
  • Tuljapur Bhavani Festival: This festival is celebrated for four days and four nights. Devotees pray and worship Goddess throughout the festival. Tulja Bhavani festival is celebrated twice in a year. This festival includes rituals like Sasthi, Bhavani Ashtami. On Bhavani Ashtami, 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. The festival is also known as Navratri.
  • Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is another very important and famous festival. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in the town of Tuljapur. This festival is held in the months of August and September. This festival is celebrated in the honour of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi in the months of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar.
  • 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 Tuljapur celebrate this festival with great pomp and show. During this festival, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.
  • Holi: Holi is another important festival for the natives of Tuljapur. This is a “Festival of Colors“. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in India. This festival charges the atmosphere. Holi celebration is started by Holika Dahan where people gather and sing and dance.

Routes to the Tulja Bhavani Temple

  • By Air: Tulja Bhavani Temple has its nearest airport in Osmanabad which is approximately 15km away from the temple.
  • By Train: There is no railway station in Tuljapur so the nearest option is Osmanabad.
  • By Bus: One can easily get buses to Tuljapur from various cities in the country.

Mumbai to Tuljapur

  • By Air: There is no direct flight service from Mumbai. The aerial distance from Mumbai to Tuljapur is 354km. To go to Tuljapur from Mumbai you can take a flight from Air India till Hyderabad and then reach Tuljapur by taking Indica.
  • By Train: There is no direct connectivity through the train as well. You can reach Osmanabad from the train and then reach Tuljapur hiring a taxi.
  • By Bus: There is no direct route for Tuljapur from Mumbai but there is nearly 1 or more direct bus service between Mumbai and Tuljapur. They are known as Raja Travels.

Pune to Tuljapur

  • By Air: There is no direct flight service from Pune to Tuljapur.
  • By Train: No trains are available for the same.
  • By Bus: There is a few regular bus service that that help you in reaching Tuljapur. There are services like Sana Travels-Azeem which take passengers from Pune to Tuljapur directly.

Accommodation near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

There are accommodation facilities provided by the Temple Trust for its pilgrims. They have started a Dharamshala for the pilgrims where they can stay free of cost. There are many private organizations who provide accommodation facilities to the pilgrims. They have a very nominal charge. This private organization has many facilities like a hygienic environment, internet facilities, homely food etc.

Food Facilities near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Apart from the food that we get in Tulja Bhavani Temple, there are many restaurants nearly who offer food at a very reasonable rate. They provide food in a very hygienic condition.

Places to visit near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Explore Tuljapur
The Gowmukh Waterfalls are a beautiful site to visit and are considered very sacred.
  • Chintamani: This is a very beautiful stone structured temple situated out the main Tuljabahvani Temple. It is believed that the Goddess Chintamani has guided its devotees to take the right decisions in their life. This temple is surrounded by many shrines like Yamai Devi, Narsimha, Khandoba, and Matangi. This play is mostly visited on Tuesday, Fridays and Sundays. On full moon days, devotees come to Chintamani Temple to take blessings.
  • Kallola Tirth: Kallola is a huge water tank situated in the Prakara Temple. This temple is located in Tuljabhavani Temple. Kallola Tirth is around 40 ft by 20 ft in dimension. It is walled on all the sides. Legends say that the Kallol contains sacred water from river Ganga which flowed from the mountain ranges of Himalayas. It is also said that while merging in the tank, the water made a great noise because of which it was named Kallola Tirth.
  • Vishnu Tirth: This Tirth is situated in the north-eastern part of the main temple. Vishnu Tirth has three entrance. All three entrances are connected through stone steps. It is believed that after taking a dip from this tirth, all the sin done by a person is washed away.
  • Gomukh Tirth: Gomukh is a very famous and sacred waterfall. The water comes out from the stone structure that looks like the mouth of a cow. The holy water from which the Goddess’s idol is bathed comes from Gomukh Tirth.
  • Ghatshila Temple: Ghatshila Temple is situated in Tuljapur. It has a devotional and mythological story behind it. It is said that Lord Ram and Lord Laxman went by ghats and rocks of Tuljapur in search of Sita. Legends also say that Goddess Bhawani stood on the rocks of Lord Rama to guide him to reach Lanka and rescue Sita. Devotees come all way from India to pay an offering to Lord Rama. Pilgrims visit this rock temple which was built in the medieval period.

If you have any questions about The Tulja BhavaniTemple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Hemkund Sahib – Timings, Significance, and History

, 2 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With:

Hemkund Sahib (Formerly Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji) is a Sikh place of worship in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The place is in devotion to the tenth Guru of Sikhism- Shri Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Ji has himself mentioned the place in his work ‘Dasam Granth‘.

Sri Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2019 | Live Darshan | Full of Snow

Hemkund Sahib is an important stop in the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

Hemkund Sahib – Facts

Deity Shri Guru Gobind Singh
Location Chamoli district, Uttarakhand 249401
Best Time to Visit Summers (May – June)
Post Monsoon (September – mid-October)
Darshan Timings 5 AM to 12 PM
2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees Free
Dress Code Traditional Wear
Festivals Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Maghi

The name ‘Hemkund Sahib‘ comes from the words ‘Hem‘ meaning ‘Snow‘ and ‘Kund‘ meaning ‘reservoir or pond‘, hence meaning ‘The reservoir of snow‘. This is because the location of the pilgrimage site is amid the snow-capped Himalayas and the water of the ‘Kund’ in its front is as cold as snow.

It is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, the holiest pilgrimage in India.

Hemkund Sahib, formally known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji.

What are the timings of Hemkund Sahib?

Here are the timings:

TimingsFromTo
Morning5 AM12 PM
Evening2 PM9 PM

What is the significance of Hemkund Sahib?

The significance of the temple is that it is one of the most religiously important Sikh pilgrimage sites. As per beliefs, Lakshaman, the younger brother of Lord Ram meditated near the lake of Hemkund Sahib.

Hemkund Sahib Significance
Lakshaman, the younger brother of Lord Ram meditated near the lake of Hemkund Sahib.

Pilgrims cannot access the site from October to April due to harsh weather conditions. Pilgrims arrive in May and repair the damage of the path to Hemkund Sahib that occurred over the winter, which is traditionally popular as ‘Kar Seva‘ (selfless service), an important concept of Sikhism.

Due to its religious importance, it becomes an important stop in the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Hemkund Sahib?

According to the history of the temple, initially, local inhabitants built it under the name of ‘Lokpal‘ which means ‘the one who sustains people‘. Later, when the famous Sikh historian Bhai Santokh Singh narrated the tale of ‘Dusht Daman‘ and the place of worship or ‘Tapasthan‘.

Hemkund Sahib History 1
Bhai Santokh Singh narrated the tale of ‘Dusht Daman’.

However, Sant Sohan Singh of Tehri Garhwal discovered the present form of the temple. He visited the place with Baba Kartar Singh Bedi in 1934. Also, according to Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, it is one of the places where King Pandu meditated.

Moreover, the Dasam Granth says that God ordered Guru Gobind Singh to take birth while he was in deep meditation at the mount of Hemkund Sahib.

Hemkund Sahib History 2
God ordered Guru Gobind Singh to take birth while he was in deep meditation at the mount of Hemkund Sahib.

Festivals celebrated at Hemkund Sahib

Some of the festivals celebrated are:

  • Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: This is the day on which Guru Gobind Singh was born. Gurudwaras take out processions on this day. Moreover, people sing devotional songs during the procession and share sweets and a cold drink or a sharbat among adults and children.
  • Maghi: This day celebrates the martyrdom of the “Forty Immortals,” forty followers of Guru Gobind Singh who had previously deserted him. They fought bravely against overwhelming Mughal army forces and died. Later Guru Gobind Singh blessed them and said that they had attained ‘Mukti‘ or salvation.
Hemkund Sahib Festivals
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti and Maghi are the festivals celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Hemkund Sahib?

Here’s how to reach:

  • Air: Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun, 268 km from Hemkund Sahib is the nearest airport.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, 189 km away.
  • Road: Buses are available from ISBT Kashmere gate to Rishikesh. From there one can reach Gobind Ghat via road and then trek to Hemkund Sahib.

Where to stay near Hemkund Sahib?

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

  • Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers facilities suchlike parking and telephone. Backed by a team of skilled professionals, the property ensures that all needs of guests are fulfilled timely.
  • Hotel Sudarshan Palace: Amenities such as bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony and attached bathroom with hot/cold running water facility and toiletries are available within all the 14 rooms in this two-floored accommodation.
  • Shri Krishna Palace Hotel: This accommodation in Chamoli features a multi-cuisine restaurant. Guests can avail services like room service, medical assistance, and laundry during their stay at the property.

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

What are some places to visit near Hemkund Sahib?

Some of the places one can visit near-by are:

  • Badrinath Temple: Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The majestic River Alaknanda flows beside the temple. Devotees believe that the statue of the Deity Lord Vishnu is Swayambhu in nature meaning that it is self-manifested.
  • Hanuman Chatti: The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Hanuman, and the temple derives its name from an interesting mythological event involving Hanuman and Bhima. Moreover, it is present at the head of a very popular trekking destination.
  • Narsingh Temple, Joshimath: It is an ancient temple for Lord Narshimna, the fourth incarnation of Vishnu. It is present in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is one of the 108 ‘Divya Deshams’ of Vishnu. Since the temple is a part of ‘Sapt Badri‘, it is also popular as Narsingh Badri Temple. This temple along with the Badrinath temple and Hanuman Chatti is a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.
  • Valley of Flowers: It is an Indian National Park present in the Western Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It is region rich in diversity of flora and fauna including rare and endangered species of plants and animals. This place also finds the reference in Hinduism because yogis are known to have visited the valley for meditation.
Hemkund Sahib Nearby

Frequently Asked Question about Hemkund Sahib

Who found Hemkund Sahib?

It was discovered by a Sikh soldier during a cartographic mission in 1930.

What is the best time to visit Hemkund Sahib?

The best time to go for Hemkund Sahib is in summers (May – June) and Post Monsoon (September – mid-October).

What is the height of Hemkund Sahib?

4,633 m is the height of Hemkund Sahib.

What is the opening date of Hemkund Sahib for 2019?

1st June 2019 is the opening date of Hemkund Sahib for 2019.

What is the closing date of Hemkund Sahib for 2019?

10th October 2019 is the opening date of Hemkund Sahib for 2019.

What is the trek duration for Hemkund Sahib?

3 days is the trek duration for Hemkund Sahib.

From which place the trek for Hemkund Sahib start from?

The place from where the trek for Hemkund Sahib start is Govindghat.

What is the trek distance of Hemkund Sahib?

19 km is the trek distance of Hemkund Sahib.

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