Myoksha Travels

Powered by The Temple Girl

Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

Elephanta Caves

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With:

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta caves is one of the most significant monumental designs of Maharashtra. It not only adds to the beauty and heritage of the state but also contributes to tourism as one of the most famous tourist spots of India.  The famous Elephanta Caves also termed as Gharapurichi Leni or Gharapuri are a set of carved caves situated on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri. The island is positioned on the arm of the Arabian Sea and it consists of two group of caves- the first is a hefty group of five Hindu caves and the second is a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves encloses rock cut stone sculptures demonstrating the Shaiva Hindu sect which is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated back to the period in between the 5th and 8th centuries and the identity of the respective original draughtsmen is still in a state of ambiguity. The caves are carved out of solid basalt rock and all these caves were painted beautifully on the past but as of now only the outlines linger.  The main cave was basically a Hindu place of worship untilbastal rock

the Portuguese rule began in 1534. This war led to relentless damage of the caves but were later refurbished in the 1970s and was also designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the beauty and glory of the caves and at present they are maintained by the Archaeological Survey Of India.

Elephanta Caves

History and Legend of Elephanta Caves

It is believed that no inscriptions on any of the island have been discovered and the ancient history of the island is speculative. As per the legend about the caves, the Pandavas, heroes of the Hindu epic  Mahabharata and Banasura, the demon disciple of Lord Shiva were both ascribed with constructing temples or cut caves to live. It is also a popular belief that according to the local tradition, the caves are not believed to be man made.

The Elephanta Caves do not have a precise date and acknowledgment of their origin. According to Archaeological excavations  few of the Kshatrapa coins date back to the 4th century A.D. According to the historical origin of the caves, the origin of the caves can only be mapped out to the conquer of the Mauryan rulers of Konkan by the Badami Chalukyas emperor Pulakesi II in a sailing battle in 635 A.D.  Following the battle, the Elephanta was then termed as Puri or Purika and was also doled out as the capital of the  Konkan Mauryas.  Some of the historians feature the caves to the Konkan Mauryas and also marked that the caves dated back to the mid-6th century.

The Chalukyas who conquered the Kalachuris as well as the Konkan Mauryas are believed to be the initiator of the main cave by some people in the mid-7th century. The Rashtrakutas are the last pretenders of the main cave which is estimated to the early 7th to late 8th century. It is also believed that the Elephanta Shiva cave to a certain extent bears a resemblance to the 8th century Rashtrakuta rock-temple Kailash at Ellora.

Significance of the Elephanta Caves

  • One of the most significant feature of the Elephanta caves is that the Trimurti of Elephanta portraying the three faces of Shiva is similar to the Trimurti of Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu which was the the royal emblem of the Rashtrakutas.
  • The nataraja and Ardhanarishvara monuments are also featured to the Rashtrakutas.
  • At the entrance, there are four doors with three open doorways and a passageway at the back.
  • An astonishing fact about the Elephanta caves is that each wall consists of large carvings of Shiva which is more than 5 meters in height. The central Shiva relief Trimurti is positioned on the south wall and is edged by Ardhanarisvara on its left and Gangadhara to its right.
  • The rest of the sculptures interrelated to the legend of Lord Shiva are also seen in the main hall at premeditated locations in the restricted cubicles which include Kalyanasundaramurti portraying Lord Shiva’s marriage to the Goddess Parvati, Andhakasuravadamurti or Andhakasuramardana, the slaying of the demon Andhaka by Lord Shiva and Shiva-Parvathi on Mount Kailash which is the abode of Lord Shiva.

Apart from these, the following are the imperative features of the Elephanta Caves:

Main Hall

  • Ravana lifting Kailash
  • Shiva-Parvati on Kailash
  • Ardhanarishvara
  • Trimurti
  • Gangadhara
  • Wedding of Shiva
  • Shiva slaying Andhaka
  • Nataraja
  • Yogishvara
  • Linga

East Wing Shrine

  • Kartikeya
  • Matrikas
  • Ganesha
  • Dvarapala

West Wing Shrine

  • Yogishvara
  • Nataraja

Festivals celebrated at Elephanta Caves

The major festival celebrated at Elephanta Caves is the festival of Music and Dance which is being organised every year by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) ever since 1989. This festival is one of the major attractions of the Elephanta caves which have the propensity to grab the attention of audience worldwide.  The main emphasize of the festival is the elucidated Maheshmurti which is basically the Shiva idol in the main cave of the island.  The festival also includes group of people performing the Folk dance. These folk dances are executed by the local fisher folk and the ethnic local food assortments add an extra tinge to the vibes of the festive fun. Over the years, the festival has successfully become a major tourist magnetism for the people of the country in particular and the world in general for the incoming domestic and foreign tourists.

Elephanta Caves Timings

  • The Elephanta Caves is open on all days of the week except for Monday
  • The opening hours are from 7:00AM in the morning to 7:00PM in the evening
  • The visiting hours vary from 4 to 5 hours
  • The entry fee per person for Indians is Rupees 10
  • The entry fee per person for Foreigners is Rupees 250

How to Reach :  Road , Rail, Air

By Road:  Multiple transportation facilities are available for Elephanta Caves from Mumbai and nearby areas. Boat and Ferry ride facilities are also available from Gateway of India.

By  Rail : Mumbai is one of the major railway junctions and all parts of India are connected with Mumbai. Therefore, trains are always available on everyday basis from Mumbai ,     Bandra or Lokmanya Nagar junctions. Local trains from Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal or Churchgate are also available.

By  Air : The nearest airport to reach Elephanta Caves is the Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Where to Stay

There are numerous hotels and lodging facilities in and around the Elephanta Caves. Some of them are:

  • Hotel Milan International
  • Hotel Parle International
  • Hotel Airlines International
  • Ibis Mumbai Airport
  • Taj  Santacruz
  • Bawa International
  • Hotel Transit

Where to Eat

There are numerous reasonable restaurants in and around Elephanta caves with multiple cuisines. Some of them are : Elephanta Port Restaurant and Bar, Britannia and Company Restaurant, China Bistro, Bistro Grill, Le Cafe, VIG Refreshment, Ladoo Smart, West 1, Fruits and Foods Island, Sindh Pani Puri House, The Korner House, Aroma Garden, Bar-B-Que Corner, Cafe Amar, Veggie’s Delite, Rajkot Farsan Mart, Spice Kitchen, Arkshita, Croissants, Blue Park Restaurant, Hotel Sadanand Restaurant, Spring Onion, Sweet Passions, Hotel Vishnu Restaurant, Toran, Olde Baileys, Ming China, Salt ‘N’ Pepper, Vasant Refreshments, Oceanic, Ribbons and Balloons, Kunjvihar, Hotel Shree Devi Restaurant, Koolers, National Hindu Restaurant, Kaboom.

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.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 1 Comment Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With:

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir or CR Park Mandir is situated in the Bengali-dominated locality, CR park of south Delhi. It was founded in 1973, first as a small temple shrine for God Shiva. It was soon added with Goddess Kali and was later – by late 1980s – developed into what is today’s CR Park Mandir complex that hosts three shrines devoted to God Shiva, Goddess Kali, and Radha-Krishna.

A modern age temple, the architecture, during its expansion in the 1980s, took the form of Bengal terracotta temple art. It has grown into a cultural and traditional hub of Bengalis in Delhi. As Bengalis are synonymous to the grandeur celebrations of Durga pooja, the tradition of celebrating the pooja at this temple began in the late 1970s.

Situated on a small hill top, the mandir is known for its calm and serenity within the hustle – bustle of Delhi. It is surrounded by a vast garden which was declared as the ‘Best Kept Garden’ by Agri-Horticulture Society in 1999. The mandir complex also houses halls for cultural functions and discourses, and spaces crafted to accommodate festivals like Durga Puja, library, tirthashram, homeopathy, naturopathy yoga centres, children’s park, and a musical fountain.

The mandir maintains a Charitable ‘Balanada’ Dharmashala, viz., ‘Yatri Niwas’ – meaning a ‘Traveller’s Home’, and a canteen.  Any visitor to the city is welcome here, and would be accommodated for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price.

CR Park 2

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir History

  • A resolution to build a temple was taken in 1973 by the residents of CR Park, and a steering committee, ‘Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society’ was formed.  A proposal for the construction of a temple within two acres lands on the ‘Rock Garden’ was sent to the government in 1974.
  • On 25th April 1974 on the eve of ‘Akshay Tritiya’, a Shivlinga was installed in a temporary shed.
  • Foundation of Kali Mandir was laid in 1979, and the idol of Goddess Kali was established on 21st February 1985.
  • The Radha-Krishna establishment and temple inauguration was conducted in February 1994.
  • The terracotta ar
  • The Musical Fountain in the mandir complex was inaugurated by Dr. Anita Bose, daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in February 2013.

Significance of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

  • In 1947, during the India – Pakistan partition, the state of Bengal separated into two entities – East Bengal in Pakistan and West Bengal in India. A large group of government employees who was a refugee of East Bengal migrated to Delhi. Forming East Pakistan Displaced Persons (EPDP) Association, they lobbied for a residential colony in 1954.
  • In 1967, the 218-acre barren rocky land was assigned to the applicants with refugee status. 2147 people with the status were given plots in the area now known as Chittaranjan Park or CR Park.
  • The colony was founded with plots going exclusively to migrants from East Bengal; but over time, it attracted general Bengali settlers resulting in demographic diversification.
  • The residents of CR Park founded and established the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir by 1980s.
  • The Kali Mandir soon grew into a traditional hub of all the Bengalis in Delhi with various religious and cultural activities all round the year.
  • Durga pooja is celebrated, during Durgashtami, at the mandir annually; with barrels of Bengal-specific flowers, such as Shuli (night flowering jasmine) and blue-lotus, flown in fresh for pooja everyday, and includes a typical Bengali cuisine, bhog.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Timings

Due to the extreme variation of temperature in Delhi, the mandir timings change according to the season.

Summer (April – October): 4.45am – 12.30pm & 5.00pm – 10.00pm

Winter (November – March): 5.45am – 1.00pm & 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Everyday Arati timings are as follows:

AratiSummerWinter
(April – October)(November – March)
Mangal Arati4.45am – 5.15am5.45am – 6.15am
Puja8.00am8.30am
Bhog Arati11.20am – 11.50am11.20am – 11.50am
Sandhyarati6.30pm – 7.30pm6.00pm – 7.00pm

Musical Fountain Timings

Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00pm – 7.15pm (after Sandhyarati. No show on Mondays)

Poojas and Rituals at Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

Regardless of any particular ritual or pooja, this shrine is an emblem of great fidelity. Various customary Bengali poojas are offered to the Gods on special occasions.

  • Bipattarini Pooja – The Bipattarini Pooja/Vrata is observed by women on the Panchami, fifth day of the Shukla paksha(waxing moon) in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar, in order to overcome troubles. Bipattarini is an avatar of Goddess Durga. Legends established her name, Bipada – Tarini, which literally means ‘deliverer from troubles’.
  • Jagadhatri Pooja – ‘Jagadhatri’ is the ‘Protector of the World’. She is celebrated on Gosthastami. It is also referred to as another Durga Pooja as it also starts on Asthami tithi and ends on Dashami tithi. The date of the pooja is decided by the luni-solar Hindu calendar.
  • Satyanarayan Pooja – It is done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to God Vishnu.
  • Shani Pooja – Shani Pooja is performed to appease planet Saturn; it is sought for mental peace and to get rid of various diseases.
  • Shradh Ceremony – ‘Shraddha’is a Sanskrit word meaning anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith. Shradh Ceremony is a ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ancestors, especially to one’s dead parents.
  • Til Tarpan – It is a specific form of Tarpan (offering made to divine entities) involving libationsoffered to the Pitrs (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame (Til) seeds during a death rite.

The mandir also celebrates Kali Mandir Pratistha Diwas, Shiv Mandir Pratistha Diwas, and Radha Krishna Mandir Pratistha Diwas to commemorate the mandirs’ installations.

Mandir also assists devotees in conducting personal obeisance.

Hari Sabha and Ladies regularly conduct Sankirtan and evening Kirtan (devotional songs), at the three temple shrines.

Festivals Celebrated at CR Park Mandir

  • Durga Pooja – Durga Pooja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Celebrated all over India, it is the biggest festival of the year for Bengali Hindus.
  • Maha Shivratri – It is a festival celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. Shivratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a “jaagaran” – a night-long vigil with worship, as it is believed that God Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance.
  • Ram Navami – It is a festival celebrating the birth of the god Ramato King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.
  • Neel Sashti – It is the day in the Bengali month of Chaitra when Bengalis celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati by offering puja to the Lord.
  • Holi Milan – It is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing the love.

Activities

Apart from the religious activities, CR Park Kali Mandir Society conducts and organizes many sports, cultural, developmental, and social activities throughout the year. They accept donations, whatever amount they may be, and use the amount for the service of God and mankind.

Sports & Cultural Activities

The ‘Chittaranjan Park Mandir Society’ actively promotes cultural and sports events.

  • As a part of cultural events, it celebrates Naba Barsha (Bengali Poila Baisakh/ New Year), birth anniversaries Bengali dignitaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rishi Aurobindo, Thakur Sri Sri Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
  • Arranges exchange of Cultural Artists from different states and region for varieties of the programme.
  • Arranges four days cultural programmes by selected artists during Durga Pooja.
  • Emphases are given more on local talents for their exposure. Similar programmes are also arranged by the prominent artist on other public pooja days.
  • Organises Children’s day in the month of January. The programme is for the children and by the children. A platform is provided for them to expose their hidden talents. The programme is conducted by children themselves.
  • Netaji Subhash hall is set to organise regular religious discourses by different religious and philanthropic organisations.
  • Cultural Division felicitated to Bengali dignitaries, who have excelled in different fields, every year as “Gunijan”
  • Organizes Annual Sports in January every year.

Social Activities

The CR Park Mandir Society exhibits tremendous socio-economic values through their charitable and social events.

  • Running free Homeopathy and Naturopathy Dispensaries
  • Running Free Reading Room and Library. About 5000 books covering all sections are stacked in the library. There is a special section for the children. A good number of Magazines and News Papers are subscribed on a regular basis.
  • Running free Yoga Centre
  • Assisting students from Under-privileged section in meeting their educational expenses
  • Organizes free Bengali Learning Classes every week
  • Assisting the patients from down-trodden sections towards their medical expenses
  • Assisting the senior citizens who are staying alone in the colony, in case, they suddenly fall ill or otherwise.
  • Facilitate the citizens to meet together in the Mandir Prangan everyday for the exchange of views and pleasantries.
  • Making donations to Religious Organization for the pursuit of their religious activities.
  • Organizing “Daridra Narayan Sewa” once a month.

Where to eat

The mandir hosts a canteen, attached to the Dharmashala, which provides both veg & non-veg cuisines at nominal rates.

For the food savvies, Chittaranjan Park area houses a variety of traditional Bengali veg & non-veg cuisine (it is home to one of the city’s main markets for freshwater fish, an important part of Bengali Cuisine).

Where to Stay

The ‘Yatri Niwas’, a charitable Dharmashala, has 30 double bedded rooms with attached bathrooms. Common hot water during winter, and room coolers during summer are provided by the Dharmashala. It accommodates any visitor of the city for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price with a two-month advance booking.

There are also several hotels and lodges in and around CR Park area which provide good accommodation options, with several markets nearby.

How to reach

CR Park is an area in south Delhi which is very well connected with the rest of the city.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi, and is around 15.2km from CR Park Kali Mandir.

By Rail: Delhi Junction Railway station is the major rail station of Delhi. It also has full-fledged metro rail system also operating within the city.

The nearest metro station is Nehru place metro station, 2 km from CR Park guest house.

By Road: Several state government run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to CR Park area.

Nearby Temples

Delhi is a city with rich history housing several monuments and temples with great cultural and political significance. Below are some of the places which are nearby CR Park.

  • Kalkaji Temple – Built in the mid-18th century, Kalkaji temple/Mandir is a renowned temple dedicated to Kalka Devi or Goddess Kali. Certain changes and additions were made to the temple in mid-19th century by Raja Kedarnath, treasurer of Emperor Akbar II. The whole temple is built using white marble and granite. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone that represents Goddess Kali, housed in a 12-sided structure. There are many Dharmashalas (rest houses) in the vicinity of the temple, built with donations from devotees. The temple is open to devotees from 6 am to 10 pm every day.
  • Lotus Temple – Bahá’í Temple, popularly known as the Lotus Temple is a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture which was designed by Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian Bahá’í of Iranian descent. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is the latest among the seven Bahá’í temples across the world. Shaped akin to a half-open lotus, light and water have been used as fundamental elements of design of this house of worship. Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of the grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent floating leaves. The Lotus Temple is conducive to meditation. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals. Religious discrimination does not exist here as its symbol, the lotus, connotes peace, purity and a manifestation of God. It is open to all free of cost from 9 am to 7 pm, six days a week except for Mondays.
  • ISKCON Temple – Built in 1998, ISKCON Temple is one of the 40 temples built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The actual name of the temple is Sri Radha Parthasarthy Temple, popularly known as Hare Krishna Temple. It has three shrines dedicated to Radha–Krishna, Sita–Ram and Guara–Nitai. Decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, the air is thick with spiritual discourses and chants, enhancing the divine atmosphere. Multimedia shows are organized regularly to educate the devotees about the Hindu epics. One can savour a delicious Saatvik (pure vegetarian) meal at ‘Govinda’, the temple cafeteria. It is open daily from 4.30am to 1 pm and from 4.30pm to 9 pm.

Kanjanur

, 1 Comment Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With: ,

Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu. It is associated with Lord Sukran (Planet Venus), the sixth of Navagraha planets. Lord Agneeswarar in this temple is there in the form of a Lingam, an infinite nature of Lord Shiva, which depicts Shukra.

Also, the Thayaar of Agneeswarar Temple is Goddess Karpagambigai (Goddess Parvati). The other deities of the temple are Lord Karpaga Vinayagar, Lord Dhakshinamoorthy, Lord Natarajar as well as Pullunda Nandhi. Moreover, the special feature of this temple is that Lord shiva blessed the sage Parasara Muni with His divine cosmic dance. Also, according to Shaivites, followers of Lord Shiva, Shukra is within the stomach of Lord Shiva.

What is the history of Kanjanur?

According to history of Kanjanur, Sukracharya was the son of Brigu Maharishi.  During a war between devas and asuras, Brigu Maharishi’s wife, was accidentally beheaded by Vishnu’s chakram (discus).  An angry Sukracharya cursed Vishnu.  As a result of the curse, He was born as Sudarsanar to Vasudeva, a Vaishnava Brahmin.  

Sudarsanar was a staunch Shiva devotee and was popular as Haradatta Shivacharyar.  There are stories of the ordeals of Haradatta to prove his devotion for Shiva. Images pertaining to these are there in this temple and also in the Vishnu temple in the village. Haradatta used to spend much of his time meditating before the Dakshinamurthy.

The presiding deity Agneeswarar is the embodiment of Sukran. Sukran was the Guru of asuras. He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances. In the Vamana Avataram of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three footsteps of land from Mahabali, an asura king.

Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukrachariyar assumed the form of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the kamandalam. Vamana picking up a pavithram blinds Sukracharya in one eye while trying to unclog the hole in the kamandalam.

Sukracharyar also has the prowess to bring the dead to living by virtue of his knowledge of Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra. Using this mantra, in the asura war against the devas, he revived the slain asuras. Hence, this helped the asura army swell.

The devas prayed to Lord Siva for help, who swallowed up Sukracharya in a fit of rage. After residing in Lord Siva’s stomach in a siddha state, he emerged from Lord Siva’s stomach.

What is the significance of the Kanjanur Temple?

The significance of the Kanjanur Temple is that Lord Dakshinamurthy (Guru) is always seen with a demon being crushed under his feet. The demon signifies ignorance. It means that Dakshinamurthy leads us from ignorance to the knowledge of self. The image of Haradatta worshipping Dakshinamurthy is a unique feature.

Sukra endows those who pray to him will be blessed with wealth, pleasure, wife, prosperity as well as vehicles. He is alsothe next most beneficial planet after Guru. Moreover, if in a person’s horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then the person will enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame, love, affection, marriage, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern the country/state and hold influential status.

What are the timings of Kanjanur Temple Temple?

Here are the timings of Kanjanur Temple:

Timings From To
Morning Darshan 6 AM 12.00 PM
Evening Darshan 4 PM 9 PM

 

What are the festivals celebrated at the Kanjanur Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Kanjanur Temple are:

Mahasivaratri: Mahashivratri is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva or Shankara. Priests wash the Shivalinga every three hours that day with cow’s milk, curd ,honey , cow ghee ,water. Women pray for the well being of their husbands and children, girls keep fast so that they get good and understanding husband.

Aadi Pooram: Aadi Pooram, also called as ‘Aandal Jayanti’ is a prime festival of Tamilians. This festival is for  Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Pooram is a 10-day festival in all Lord Vishnu temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Of these, the last day (10th day) is ‘Aadi Pooram’ and a grand marriage ceremony of Goddess Andal and Sri Ranganathaswamy takes place.

Arudara Darshan: Arudara Darshan occurs in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January). It is essentially a Shaivite festival and hence celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva in the Nataraja form. Women keep fast for husband’s well being while girls for a good marriage. Also, Ardra darshan is in early morning and devotees decorate the temple with flowers and diyas.

Navaratri: The festival of Navratri is marked by the celebrations of nine days. On each day the worship of one of the nine incarnations of the Goddess Shakti takes place. Chaitra Navratri occurs after Holi and during Chaitra Shukla Paksha. This starts from the first day and ends on the ninth day which is also Ram Navmi. 

What are the poojas and Rituals of Kanjanur?

The poojas and rituals of Kanjanur are:

  • There are six worships for the Lord in Kanjanur. Lord Shukra’s worship usually takes place with white lotus, white cloth, diamond, ‘mochai’ powder and athi to ward off evil effects owing to the malefic planetary effects.
  • By praying to Lord Sukra one can solve these problems. Arts, sculpture, love, vehicles are the beneficial aspects of Sukra.
  • The temple offers Six worship services daily. Fridays are auspicious to pray Lord Sukra. Sukran, the next most beneficial planet after Guru (Brihaspati), bestows his devotees with wealth and prosperity. If in a person’s horoscope, Sukra is in a good position, then the person enjoys better life and wealth.
  • Kanjanur is the temple for performing “Kalathira Dosha Pariharam” for Lord Sukiran. Lord Shiva as Agneeswarar is the presiding deity while his consort is Goddess Karpagambal. Lord Agni one of the “AshtadhikBalakars”  worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Agneeswarar

How to reach Kanjanur?

Here’s how to reach Kanjanur:

  • Air: Nearest airport to Agneeswarar Temple in Thanjavur airport, which is 46 Km away from the temple.
  • Rail: Nearest railway station to Agneeswarar Temple is Mayiladuthurai railway station which is 18 Km away.
  • Road: There are direct local bus services to Agneeswarar Temple from Mayavaram, Aduthurai, Thiruvidaimarudhur and Kumbakonam.

Where to stay in Kanjanur?

Some of the places where one can stay in Kanjanur are:

  • Mantra Veppathur Resort Contact: 536/537A,No.1, Bagavathapuram Main Road Extension, | Srii Sailapathipuram Village, Veppathur,, Kumbakonam 612103, India
  • Sivamurugan Hotels Contact: 60 Feet Main Road | Near New Bus Stand, Kumbakonam 612001, India
  • Sara Regency Contact: 45/1 Chennai Road, Kumbakonam 612002, India
  • Quality Inn VIHA Contact: #2, New Railway Road | Kumbakonam, Tanjore Dist, Kumbakonam 612001, India
  • Hotel Metro Contact: 19/11 Sarangapani Sannithi Street, Kumbakonam 612001, India

Where to eat in Kanjanur?

Some of the places where one can eat in Kanjanur are:

  • Dosa Plaza Kumbakonam Contact: 332 Nageshwaran North Street | Kurinchi Metro Bazz
  • Habibi Restaurant Contact: 29/921 Sarangapani East Street, Kumbakonam
  • Raya’s Restaurant Contact: 18,19 Head Post Office Rd, Kumbakonam 612001
  • Venkataramana Contact: near Municipal office, Kumbakonam, India
  • Sri Mangalambiga Vilas Contact: Adi Kumbeswarar Temple Complex, Kumbakonam

What are some temples near the Kanjanur Temple?

Some of the temples near the Kanjanur Temple are:

Suryanar Koil: Suryanar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples, which houses the Sun God (Surya god). further, to offer worship at Sooriyanar Temple, one has to reach the Rajagopuram (Main Entrance) and more towards North where Pushkarani of temple is present. One can also take bath in the tank or sprinkle holy water in the head as purification. 

Sri Sarabeswarar Temple: Sri Kambaheswarar Temple (or) Sarabeswarar Temple has located at Thirubuvanam village of Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur district. The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva as  Kambaheswarar as well as Goddess Parvathi. The Chola King Kulothunga Chola had built this temple for his victory of North Indian battle. 

Sri Mahalinga Swami Temple: Mahalinga swamy temple has located at Thiruvidaimaruthur, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district.The holy tree Marutham had found in this region like forest. Therefore, this place has known as Maruthur. This Temple was at the middle of the Maruthur so it was popular as Thiruvidaimaruthur. Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnana Sambandhar visited this temple. They sang many songs about Mahalinga Swamy.

Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple: It is believed that unmarried boy or girl will enter into wedlock if they propitiate the presiding deity Kalyanasundarar and his divine consort- Kokilambal. Parvathi Devi performed Tapas in this sthalam to marry Shiva Perumaan and finally married in this sthalam.

[wl_faceted_search]

Mantralayam Temple Timings, History, Sevas and Poojas

, 98 Comments Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples Tagged With:

Mantralayam Temple is dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and treasures the memorial of the famous Vaishnava saint, Sri Raghavendra. It is located in Andhra Pradesh. In this guide you will find out about Mantralayam temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Mantralayam.

Mantralayam Temple – Facts

DeityShri Raghavendra
LocationMantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Entry FeesGeneral Darshan – Free
Best Time to VisitAugust to March
PoojasAnnadanam, Vastra Samarpana
FestivalsMaharathostavam, Aradhanostavam

What are the timings of Mantralayam Temple?

Everyday at 6:00 am the cleansing of Raghavendra Brindavan takes place with holy water. During the Mangala Aarti anointment and adornment with precious jewels and clothes are done. The general timing of the temple is from 6 am to 8 pm. Here are the timings of Mantralayam Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 6:00 am to 2:00 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tirtha Prasada (Food) 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Swamiji Darshan 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Seva Sankalpa 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Mahapooja to Moola Rama, Mukhyaprana and Brindavana is performed at noon.
  • Mantrashakta is performed from 10 am to 11:30 am.

Mantralayam Temple Food Timings

Meals are served at a large dining space at the left of the sanctum. At night, devotees can purchase Prasad (puliogare and pongal) from the mutt counter, which is known as Annadaata.

Tirtha Prasad (Lunch)1 pm to 3 pm
Dinner (Sandhya Bhoga – Occasionally)After 8 pm

Mantralayam Temple History

Sri Raghavendra Swamy | Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Temple of Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who lived during the 16th century

Sri Raghavendra Swamy is considered as an incarnation of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Raghavendra Swamy was a devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukhi Mukhya Prana Devaru. It is believed that the five faced Hanuman gave darshan to the saint while he was performing penance at a place called Panchamukhi.

The teachings of this great saint are based on the Vaishnava cult, Dvaita philosophy and preaching of Madhvacharya.

Before becoming a saint, Sri Raghavendra was a family man with a wife and a son. On the day of his transformation, his wife wished to see him for the last time and hence came running to the mutt. But in her hurry, she felt in an abandoned well and died.

As it was an untimely death of her with the desire unfulfilled, she became a ghost and came to visit the saint in the mutt. Sri Raghavendra Swamy sensed her presence and sprinkled holy water, relieving her from the cycles of birth and death.

Sri Raghavendra is believed to have done many miracles in his lifetime.

Significance of Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple is not only a memorial of the saint but also worships Lord Hari, Vayu and Rayaru.

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple houses three spectacular chariots, made with sandalwood and adorned with fresh and bright flowers.

Every day the deities are placed on the chariots and a wonderful procession round the temple takes place.

Mantralayam Temple Dress Code

As per the Mantralayam temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Mantralayam temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

To maintain the tranquility, devotees are expected to speak in a low voice and walk in queues. Some other guidelines which are followed at this Mantralayam temple are:

  • Devotees are suggested not to wear headgears, cooling glasses.
  • Men are requested to remove their shirt and hold it in their hands while paying the visit to Rayaru, while women are expected to be in traditional wear, like the sari.
  • Outside eatables are not permitted within the temple complex.
  • Last but not the least; devotees are expected to bath in the holy waters of River Tungabhadra (wetting their hair) before offering puja at the temple.

Festivals celebrated at Temple

Mantralayam Temple celebrates various kinds of festivals throughout the year. Devotees can offer various kinds of seva to fulfil the good wishes and for the well-being of the family members.

  • The Maharathostavam, also known as the car festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanostavam is another famous festival of the shrine.
  • The Dhanurmasa month is of great significance at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. Besides regular worship and rituals, special events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangal aarti takes place during this month.
  • Devotees can request for special seva or endowments. There are lifetime seva or endowments which take place on holy days and again every year after the seva; the fund for the seva is raised from the fixed deposit of the seva that the devotee deposits the first time.
  • These special endowment worships are not performed on Ekadasi, Grahana or Eclipse days and on Sri Krishna Janmasthami.
  • Devotees can also offer seva without visiting Mantralayam Temple personally. They can send cheques and drafts for the seva and the same shall be performed on behalf of the devotees.

Mantralayam Sevas and Poojas

Besides the special endowments, there are regular worships done at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.

  • Regular worship of Sri Moola Ramadevara is done if HH Sri Swamiji is present at Mantralayam Temple.
  • Among the daily seva, the Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva refers to the food endowment that a devotee can opt for. He or she can pay a fixed amount and the prasada for the day will be funded with that amount.
  • The Vastra Samarpana Seva refers to the gifting of clothes to the needy.
  • The Sankalpa Seva refers to taking an oath and spending the life as per the oath. Held every day between Sankalpa Seva requires utensils for performing Achamana, a small plate, a whole coconut, a coconut to be offered as a symbol and change as dakshina.
  • Bangaru Pallaki Seva, the Golden Chariot Seva, Kanaka Kavacha Seva, Rajata Rathotsava, Kanak Maha Pooja, Suprabhat Seva, Tulabhara Seva, Archana are some of the other seva that can be performed at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
Mantralayam Temple | Poojas & Rituals

How to reach

  • By Air: The air base at Hyderabad is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 236 kms from Mantralayam. After disembarking the flight, you can rent cabs or board buses to reach the temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is the Mantralayam Road. This railway station is about 12 kms from Mantralaya. Some of the local trains that can take you to the temple are the Dadar Madras Mail and the Bombay Mail. The Udayan Express from Bangalore also stops at Mantralaya. Mantralaya lies on the railway route of Mumbai-Chennai, Delhi-Bangalore, Hyderabad-Tirupathi. It is an hour journey from the station to Mantralayam Temple. There are private cabs, auto rickshaws, buses and vans available at the station which can take the pilgrims directly to the shrine.
  • By Road: There are regular bus service from the major South Indian cities, like Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bellary. Mantralaya is located at 595 kms from Chennai and 690 kms from Mumbai.

Mantralayam Temple Accommodation

The best place to stay at Mantralayam is at the guest houses of the Devasthanam (temple authorities). There are 100 guest rooms, some of which are also air-conditioned. Pilgrims who come for offering sevas can also get accommodations in separate cottages. The guest rooms can be booked at the central booking counter, located at the road junction.

Where to eat

There are several vegetarian food joints available near the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. While the Gulbarga Brothers, Brahmins Tiffin Center and Sri Udipi Krishna serves tasty lunch, the SR Tiffins attracts the fast food lovers. Hotel Pannaga is also well known for its cleanliness and food.

Nearby Temples

After a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple, you may checkout the below-mentioned shrines to deep dive into the glorious past of India.

  • Nava Brindavan is another sanctum of Raghavendra Swamy. Located in the middle of River Tungabhadra, the place is sacred with 9 (Nava) Vrindavans at the same place. The 9 Vrindavans are, Sri Padmanabha Teertharu, Sri Kaveendra Teertharu, Sri Vageesha Teertharu, Sri Jaya Teertharu, Sri Vyasa Teertharu, Sri Srinivasa Teertharu, Sri Rama Teertharu, Sri Govinda Vodeyar and Sri Sudheendra Teertharu.
  • Panchamukhi Temple of Raichur is another famous temple located near Mantralaya. Located at 20 kms from the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple, it is believed that Sri Guru Raghavendra meditated here for 12 years and Lord Panchamukha (five-faced Lord Hanumana) appeared to him here.
  • There is also a unique rock formation found at Raichur. This rock formation is in the form of a helicopter.
  • Bichali, the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mritika Brindavana is located at 22 kms from the temple.
  • Kallaru is the pilgrimage of the sanctum of Sri Mahalakshmi. It is located at 62 kms from the temple.
  • Manvi, the Sri Jagannathadasara Sannidhi is located at 90 kms.
  • Chikalaparvi, the birth place of Sri Vijayadasara is located at 105 kms.
  • Mudumale, the temple of Sri Yadaveendra Teertharu is at 100 kms.
  • Dharoor, the pilgrimage of Sri Parthasarthi Sannidhi is located at 75 kms.
  • Chintraveli, the pilgrimage of Sri Pranadevaru Sannidhi is at 110 kms.
  • Gadwal, dedicated to Sri Chenna keshava Sannidhi is at 90 kms from the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Modalakallu, the Sri Swayabhu Venkateshawara Sannidhi is at 65 kms.
  • Sankapura, dedicated to Sri Gopala dasara Sannidhi is at 50 km distance.
  • Utthanuru, the birth place of Sri Gopala dasarais at 45 km.
  • Venisomapura, deciated to Sri Vyasatatvagna Teerthara Sannidhi is located at 75 km.
  • Alampur, the Nava Brahma temple is at 105 km.

Hence, a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is a journey to the holy land. If you want to participate in the major festivals, August to September is the best time; else August to March is good for praying in solitude. Besides visiting the temple, you can also enjoy a pleasant cruise over the River Tungabhadra in unique boats, known as coracles or putti.

Mantralayam Temple FAQs

Who is the Guru of Raghuvendra Swamy?

Sudhindra Tirtha is the Gurudeva of Raghuvendra Swamy.

What makes Mantralayam special?

Mantralayam  is a pilgrim village located in Kurnool district , Andhra Pradesh, India. Lying on banks of Tungabhadra River on the border of Karnataka state, it is considered to be a sacred place.

Why is Mantralaym so famous?

It is famous for the holy presence of Vrindavana (sacred burial) of Guru Raghavendra Swamy who was a Madhwa saint and follower of Sri Madhwacharya. The town got renamed as Mantralaya because of the beautiful mantras which poured from the holy mind of Raghavendra Swamy.