Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Swaminarayan Temple Mumbai Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Vishnu Temples

Swaminarayan Temple is a popular Hindu temple and is a part of the Swami Narayan Sampraday. Swaminarayan Temple located in the Bhuleshwar area of the Mumbai city of Maharashtra state of India and is dedicated to the Lord Swaminarayan who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and extremely popular among the Vaishnava-ites. The temple is the oldest temple dedicated to Lord Swami Narayan and is known to be about 100 years old.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa had a wish that there should be a grand centre for the divine Karan Satsang which should become a centre of spirituality and charity and everyone should benefit from this Satsang in the important city of Mumbai. Therefore, the temple was built by his divine holiness Acharya Swamishree to fulfill the wishes of Jeevanpran Swamibapa. The temple has been established in the prestigious region of Mahalaxmi in Mumbai and is visited by many devotees.

The temple was built in 1868 on the day of Vaishakh Shukla Ekadashi by Ranchhoddas Pranjeevandas who was the builder of the first ever Shree Swami Narayan temple in the city of Mumbai. He had built the temple by breaking and rebuilding his personal residence. Acharya Maharajshri Bhagwatprasadji Maharaj instated the deities of Hari Krishna Maharaj, Gaulokvihari, and Radhika.

Structure of the Swaminarayan Temple

The Swami Narayan Temple has a tri-spire structure and has the idols of Lord Laxmi Narayan Dev, Hari Krishna Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Gaulokvihari, and Radha. The Shikharband temple comes under the Gadi of Laxmi Narayan Dev (Vadtal). The popular temple along with many others has given rise to the flower market in the Bhuleshwar area as there was a high demand of flowers for offerings to the deity in these temples.

Tri-spire temple: In 1903, the deities of Ghanshyam Maharaj and Lakshmi Narayan Dev were instated in the present tri-spire temple structure on the occasion of Vaishakh Shukla Dwadashi by Acharya Maharajshri Lakshmiprasadji. A devotee of Swami Narayan, Rao Bahadur Sheth Curumsey Damjee had generously contributed towards the reinstatement of this temple with all material, physical and intellectual resources. His associates and friends also donated to this work and his close associate and one of his friends, Shree Mathurdas Vaishnav too had donated Rs. 25,000/- towards this work.

The pious Swaminarayan Temple had been built at Bhuleshwar with an elaborately carved frontage. The grand temple and the frontage are a real visual treat in the otherwise shabby surroundings of the region. Swaminarayan Temple has many different spaces and about twenty-five steps lead the devotees to the audience hall (Sabhamandap). Swaminarayan Temple has many shrines including a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha and one for Lord Hanuman on the left and right of the audience hall. In all, the temple has three main shrines. The shrine that is on the east has the idols of Hari Krishna Maharaj, Gaulokvihari, and Radhika. In the center, there are shrines of the popular Gods Ghanashyam Maharaj, Narayan, and Laxmi, who is the consort of Lord Narayan. The shrines located on the west houses resting place for the deities. The Sabhamandap has a dome which is a visual treat as it has upon it the painted scenes from the Krishnalila (Sports of Krishna). The temple’s dome is supported by fifty-four pillars. The temple has a big audience hall on the first floor and this is the place where religious discourses and sabhas are held regularly. The Swami Narayan Temple holds weekly assemblies at this place and many devotees attend these assemblies in the presence of the holy teachers.

History & Legend of Swaminarayan Temple

Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagavad Gita that “Whenever religion suffers tormented regression I re-create myself to uproot irreligion and reestablish good religion to protect the gentle folk and to destroy the evil ones in every age”. (Geeta 48-49).

Lord Shree Swami Narayan (who is revered as a form of Lord Vishnu) had never actually visited the city of Mumbai but whilst he had given darshan upon this earth, he did send many of his devotees and saints according to several instances to this region. These saints and disciples were sent with the main purpose of preaching about his faith and also to perform various official duties in this region. Thus, various eminent disciples of Lord Swami Narayan had during the time of Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa and whilst Jeevanpran Bapashree and Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa gave darshan, lived in Mumbai to get their company.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa had in his childhood days lived in Kheda with his parents Muljibhai and Ichhaba. His father Muljibhai was a key government official and, therefore, had to travel to Mumbai very frequently. Hence after completing his education in his hometown of Ahmedabad, Jeevanpran Swamibapa went to Mumbai for work. He there attended this temple in the Bhuleshwar region of Mumbai. It was at that time that Jeevanpran Swamibapa met Khimjibhai Darji of Rampara and Jagjeevanbhai of Sayla, and both of them were ardent followers of Jeevanpran Bapashree. So, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was first introduced to Shree Abji Bapashree and Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa in Mumbai. After some years of association, Jeevanpran Swamibapa finally accepted initiation as a saint from Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa and thus became the protector and propagator of the glories of Lord Shree Swami Narayan and started spreading Jeevanpran Bapashree’s sublime principles throughout the world.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa’s and his disciples were sincere devotees and followed the strict disciplines that were decreed by Lord Shree Swami Narayan. They used to travel al lot to Mumbai for official duties and whenever they travelled to or from abroad, they would definitely go to Mumbai. But the lack of facilities made it difficult for them to live in and eat according to the strict requirements of the Swami Narayan Faith. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was also a frequent traveler to Mumbai and whenever he visited, the homes of disciples would need to be emptied so that Swamibapa would live there. Therefore taking all these difficulties into consideration, Jeevanpran Swamibapa finally decided that their organization needed a building of its own for these facilities and after looking for many months, they purchased a bungalow in the Walkeshwar district of Mumbai.

Significance of the Swaminarayan Temple

The Swami Narayan Temple was built about a century ago. The Swami Narayan Sampraday had their Guru in Shri Ramanand Swami who had in the end years of his life moved from Jetpur to Faneni and here in this village, he breathed his last on the 13^th day of the bright half of Magshar of the Hindu Lunar year of Samvat year 1858. After the post-death rituals of Shri Ramanand Swami were over on the 11^th day of dark half of Magshar in the Samvat year 1858, Shri Sahajanand Swami held a large meeting with all the followers who had gathered there to mourn the demise of Shri Ramanand Swami.

At this moment, a pandit from Bihar Shitaldas was also present in the meeting. He had been moving from place to place in search of a Guru and thus had left his home. When he realized that Shri Ramanand Swami was the Guru who he was searching for, who would enable him in the realization of the Supreme God, he had come to Faneni to meet him. But when he reached there he realized that Shri Ramannd had already left his body and was no more in the world. In this meeting, he explained his objective to Shri Sahajanand Swami hence with serene calmness Shri Sahajanand Swami said that he would be easily able to realize his object if he chants with love and faith the word “Swami Narayan”. Consequently, the glory of the Swaminnarayan Sampraday spread far and wide and many people became devotees of Lord Swami Narayan.

In the year 1967, the disciples purchased two adjacent flats in the district of Babulnath. This accommodation was appropriate for a small temple and also for Jeevanpran Swamibapa to live in whenever he was in Mumbai. The place could also be useful for the saints to reside in, and for disciples to stay when they visited the city. After Jeevanpran Swamibapa had the temple established in Mumbai, he immediately asked his disciples and the saints to locate suitable land that could be used to build a grand Shikhar-bandh temple in the city.

Eventually, in the region of Mahalaxmi, a large plot was identified for the main temple on Bhulabhai Desai Road. This became close to one of Mumbai’s most sacred and well-regarded old temples, the Mahalaxmi temples. Before this temple was built, the plot among the large land used to be home to numerous lawless gangs. They had illegally occupied the makeshift dwellings situated there. They would loot and hurt anyone who passed through that side street after sunset. But by creating a new temple, Acharya Swamishree completely transformed the entire region of Mahalaxmi. The local officials in Mumbai hailed this transformation as a miracle and attributed the beneficial revolution of this locality to Acharya Swamishree.

When Shree Divyadarshandasji Swami was clearing the land with his associates and during the building work, he encountered many difficulties but by the divine grace of Lord Swami Narayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree, the troubles were overcome. On 26 February 1984, the ground breaking ceremony was performed by Acharya Swamishree performed. Building work was then commenced under the direction of Sadguru Shree Uttampurushdasji. The sanctification (Vastu) ceremony was performed at the temple on 17 April 1989 was performed at the Temple

Swaminarayan Temple Timings

The temple opens at 7:30 in the morning and closes at 8:15 in the evening. The temple closes for short intervals for the Rajbhog Thal at 11:15am and between 12 noon to 4PM. In the evening, the temple closes for Thal between 6PM to 7 PM. The temple holds Satsang sabha on Sundays between 5PM to 7PM.

Festivals Celebrated At the Swaminarayan Temple

The temple celebrates many major festivities like:

Janmashtami,
Mahashivratri,
Nrisinha Jayanti,
Ram Navami/Swami Narayan Jayanti,
Vaman Jayanti,
Ganesh Chaturthi, etc.

Apart from all these, the festival of Hindola is celebrated here as part of festivities during the month of Shravan in the Indian hindu calendar.

Poojas and Rituals at Swaminarayan Temple

Swaminarayan Temple follows all the rituals and strict disciplines of the Swami Narayan Sampraday. The priests offer the daily offerings to the God and many aartis and rituals are performed here throughout the day. On festivals, many devotees visit the temple and pray to the Lord.

How to Reach By Road, Rail & Air

Mumbai, being a major Metro city is easily accessible through all modes of transport.

By Air: There are regular flights from all the major cities of the country to Mumbai and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport is the major airport.

By Train: Mumbai has many train stations and the major ones are CST and VT. Trains from all major cities stop here.

By Bus: Regular buses cam be caught from Mumbai to a+ll from other major cities of the country and back.

Hotels in Mumbai

Mumbai has many hotels to stay. The major luxury ones are the Taj, Oberoi, and many resorts. The city also has many 3, 4 and 5-star hotels, motels and guest houses.

Temples in Mumbai

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India and has many places to explore along with many major temples. Here are some of them:

Shri Sidhhivinayak Temple: One of the most popular temples of Mumbai as well as of the country, the temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is visited by many common people as well as by many celebrities. The temple is known to be miraculous.
Mumba Devi Temple: Mumba Devi is the presiding deity of Mumbai and the city was named after her. Thus, the temple is popular among the locals.
Mahalakshmi Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi, this temple is a popular temple among the devotees of the Goddess and the region has been named after her.
Prabhadevi Temple: Another popular temple of the city, the temple attracts the followers of Goddess Prabhadevi.

Hence, next, whenever you happen to visit Mumbai, do visit the popular Swami Narayan Temple and enjoy spirituality in its best form.

Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag — Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag — Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the Prayag	Distance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag	263 km
Nandaprayag	193 km
Karnyaprayag	173 km
Rudraprayag	141 km
Devprayag	74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

May 4, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Madhya Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho

Pilgrimage is an important part in a person’s life. With one’s hectic lifestyle, there are many individuals who plan to visit the sacred places of worship with their near and dear ones. Finding solace and peace has become an important aspect of a modern person. For people who want to visit the holy places in India, Madhya Pradesh offers ample opportunities for the tourists. This place is the home to numerous renowned shrines that are visited by devotees throughout the year. Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is a famous and popular destination for both its architecture and history. It is considered to be a sacred pilgrimage destination by people visiting this place. From the ancient times, the city has seen the rise and fall of many empires and their rulers. As such, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is one such auspicious shrine that is an epitome of the medieval history of India. The name refers to ‘the Great God of the Cave’. It is considered to be one of the largest and best examples of the medieval architectural specimen in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is present there in the form of a linga.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple History

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple was built in 1030 by King Vidhyadhara of Chandela dynasty.
Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandelarulers which was a dynasty of the Rajputs who ruled starting from the early 10th century till 1050. But as per to the UNESCO document, this temple which is the largest surviving temple, was built during the reign of King Ganda from 1017-1029 CE.
The UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites lists all the extant temples including this pious shrine were said to be inscribed in 1986 under Criterion III for its artistic creation and under Criterion V for the culture of the Chandelas that was popular till the country was invaded by Muslimsin 1202.
However under the Muslim rule, some temples were desecrated, while the remaining temples were left to rot. In the 1830s, a British surveyor, T.S. Burt, ‘rediscovered’ the temples and put them forward in front of the world.

Significance of the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is built up with an area of 6,500 square feet which rises 117 feet above ground level. It faces the east direction and is built upon a raised platform (known as an adhishsthana) approached by a steep flight of steps.
The conventional complex was made up of 85 temples comprising both Hindu and Jain religions. It is built to a five component design which terminates in a tower which has 84 small replicas or spires. This is believed to depict Mount Kailash, Shiva’s Himalayan Mountain home.
Coming to the architectural plan, it provides for a series of interconnected chambers which are approached by visitors in the following sequence: A rectangular entrance hall (ardhamandapa) leads from the steps into a central pillared hall (mandapa). This leads to the darkened sanctuary (Garbhagriha) above which is the main tower and spire. Inside the sanctuary lies the linga which is made of marble.
It is believed that the Kandariya Mahadeva has over more than 870 sculptures with one-meter height each. Inside the temple lies the deity of Lord Shiva, holding a trident and snake, with the deities of Vishnu and Brahma.
The entire building of the temple is made up of sandstone along with a granite foundation. No mortar was used in the construction of this shrine. The stones were connected with mortise and tenon joints, held in place by gravity. The columns and architraves are composed of megalithsweighing up to 20 tons.
The temple is heavily decorated with stone sculptures. It is a major specimen of study by eminent researchers and scholars from all over the world. For example, the entrance is flanked by carvings of crocodiles springing from the diminutive columns and supported by a multitude of smaller figures, each with a profusion of minutely carved details. On the exterior of the towers are repetitive friezes of intricately carved human and divine figures.
The beautiful and superior quality of the sculpting is visible on the exterior of the temple as well. This temple is one of the most extensive arrays of erotic relief sculpturein the world, although much of the iconography is symbolic. But one should note that the erotic figures are in sync with the Tantric belief in the primal life energy of physical coupling, incorporated into religious buildings for its associations with fertility and joy.
There is also a Sound and Light Show organized in the temple premises. The entry fees for Indians are Rs 120 and Rs 400 for foreigners. This show is held in two languages namely, Hindi from 6:30 P.M. to 7:25 P.M. and English from 7:40 P.M. to 8:35 P.M.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Timings

This famous temple is open from 6 A.M. and closes at 10 P.M.
Foreigners are charged 250 rupees to enter the western group of temples.
No entrance fees are charged for children below 15 years.
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is open on all days of a week.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Food Timings

Prasad is available for devotees from 12 Noon to 2 P.M.
A devotee can offer Prasad in the form of sweets and dry fruits to the deity.

Festivals celebrated at the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized every year in the last week of February until March. Renowned dancers from all across the world take part in this festival. The best classical dancers from all across India give their performances in the open air corridors of the Khajuraho group of temples. Here you can enjoy the popular dances of India such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri and much more.
Maha Shivaratri is also observed in this temple with great fervor. People from distant lands gather in this temple to offer prayers and seek blessings of the Almighty. Devotees fast throughout the day with great devotion on this occasion.
Some other festivals that call for joy in this temple include Holi, Dussera, and Diwali.

Poojas and Rituals at Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

Lord Shiva is worshiped daily by following a daily ritual of bathing the Linga with milk, bilwa leaves and flowers. Mantras are uttered and incense sticks along with oil lamps are lit as well.
There are some specific rituals that are performed during special occasions.
Mondays are considered auspicious to worship Lord Shiva.

How to Reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Air– Traveling by Air is a great alternative for people who want to travel in less time. Khajuraho is having a domestic airport known as City Airport Khajuraho. It is located at 2 km south of Khajuraho town. At present, flights from Delhi & Varanasi only are operating for Khajuraho.
By Train- The Khajuraho Railway Station is only 5 km from the main town. It is the only train, at present that connects Khajuraho from New Delhi. And for tourists who want to travel from Varanasi can opt for the Bundelkhand Link Express Train.
By Road- It is possible to reach this holy place of worship by road as well. The Khajuraho city is well linked with places like Jhansi, Satna etc. One can also hire a local taxi or look for private bus services from the station as well.

Hotels in Madhya Pradesh: Where to stay

There are ample opportunities for people visiting Khajuraho to enjoy a comfortable stay here. From budget hotels to luxury living, tourists can choose the place they want as per their needs. Pilgrims traveling with family can put up at double to triple bedded rooms. And for travelers who like to visit alone can opt for renting rooms on a sharing basis. Some hotels also provide dormitories for such travelers. Whatever you choose, it is important to book your rooms well in advance to avoid any last-minute delay. And moreover, if you pre-book your rooms, you can also enjoy some lucrative deals and amazing discounts. Some hotels also offer to pick up and drop services for its clients who book their rooms in advance. You can also check the hotel tariff online and see the user reviews to facilitate the booking of rooms. However, all the rooms are equipped with modern facilities to meet every need of a contemporary traveler.

Where to eat

Food is an integral part for people visiting this beautiful place of Khajuraho. Although one can find Indian cuisine in this region yet there are also many international eateries that offer a wide range of exotic dishes at a competitive price range. In addition, there are many local restaurants that maintain strict hygiene while preparing food and also offer quality food to the visitors. While breakfast mainly consists of poha, jalebi, and samosa, lunch has more variety in terms of a complete meal known as Thali. A traditional Thali comprises of rice, roti, dal, vegetables, pickle, salad and curd. There are non-vegetarian dishes available as well. Some high-end restaurants also offer fine dining and live music experience to its visitors. So, choose among the many options available as per your budget.

Nearby Temples

Lakshmi and Varaha Temple- It refers to two small shrines that are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful shrines in the city. People all around the year visit this temple to seek blessings from the Almighty.
Lakshmana Temple- This is a famous temple that has been built with stone. It is a major tourist attraction in Khajuraho as it is counted among one of the earliest stone temples that have been built in India. It is very well preserved and the holy shrine dates back to 10^th century A.D. The Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho was built by King Yasovarman to set up a Vishnu image, which was gifted to him by Devapala. The statue was brought from Tibet.
The Chausath Yogini Temple- This holy place of worship is located in the south-western part of the group of temples in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is thus dedicated to 64 Yoginis who are the manifestations of the Goddess.
The Javari Temple- It is one of those temples that are famous for its architectural brilliance and intricate design. It has a reputation of being among the best in Khajuraho and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The detailed gateway of this shrine is one of the many distinguishing features. The interior of the temple also consists of intricate sculptures and the walls similarly depict men and women in various postures. The construction of this popular temple dates back to several centuries.
The Brahma and Hanuman Temple- For people looking to visit ancient temples, the Brahma and Hanuman Temple is counted among one of the oldest shrines in Khajuraho. It belongs to the Eastern Group of Temples and draws millions of tourists from all over the world.
Vishvanath and Nandi Temple- This temple is similar to Kandariya Mahadeva temple with respect to the five parts temple design aspect. Being dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. People visiting the Kandariya temple makes it a point to definitely pay a visit to this temple. It is a place of great importance for, especially Lord Shiva devotees.
Parsvanath Temple- Being counted among one of the most impressive temples in Khajuraho, the Parsvanath Temple is categorized under the Eastern Group of Temples. The detailed sculptural work along with the architectural pattern makes it one of the most famous destinations for both native and international tourists paying a visit to Khajuraho. It was constructed in the middle of the 10th century during the reign of Dhangadeva.

Karnaprayag

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Other Temples, Panch Prayag

Karnaprayag is among the five confluences of river Alaknanda (Panch Prayag). It is present at the point where both rivers namely, Alaknanda with Pindar unify. The meeting point of the two rivers is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. A string of peaks like Trisul, Drona Giri, Narad Ghunti, Mrigathuni and Maiktoli wrap around the place.

Devotees believe Karnaprayag to be the place where Karna of Mahabharata rigorously worshipped the Sun God. Moreover, it is a famous pilgrimage destination that falls in the holy pilgrimage of Char Dham Yatra.

Karnaprayag is third among the five holy confluences of Alaknanda river starting from Vishnuprayag. Also, other confluences of river Alaknanda surpassing it are Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Making donations after taking bath at the Holy confluence is considered meritorious.

Chronicles of Karnaprayag

There are a few mythological tales that relate to Karnaprayag like:

The first tale highlights the confluence as the place where Karna worshipped the Sun god. Hence, the Sun god granted him an impregnable armour.

Chronicles of Karna Prayag — Sun God Giving Karna the impregnable armor

However, the second story foretells that after the use of Anjalika Astra on Karna. Krishna found that Arjuna had wounded him, however, Karna was still alive. Hence, Krishna told Arjuna that Dharma Devta or the Goddess of Righteousness protected Karna for the charities he did in his lifetime.

So to break through the protective shield, Krishna put up the disguise of a brahmin and went to Karna. Further, he asked Karna for all his abilities as a warrior in charity. Hence, being how he was Karna respected the Brahmin’s wishes and donated his blood to him along with all his skills.

Hereafter, Karna requested Krishna to cremate him in a land that was still virgin. Hence, beliefs are that in honour of Karna’s wish Krishna cremated him at Karnaprayag. Also, we have a temple on that land dedicated to the great warrior, Karna.

Essence of the Confluence

Karnaprayag has a holy essence to it. The place has a mythological attachment to the epic occurrence of Mahabharata. Hence, we have a temple dedicated to Karna by the banks of Karnaprayag. Moreover, the place also flaunts a famous Uma temple, dedicated to Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva. Furthermore, Sati’s reincarnation as Goddess Parvati is quite popular.

Essence of Karnaprayag — Temple dedicated to Karna at Karnaprayag.

Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated here along with Guru Turianand Ji and Akharanand Ji for eighteen days in a row. Moreover, Karnaprayag lies on the pathway of the major shrines of the Charm Dham Yatra namely, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Apart from religious strings, Karnaprayag stands out for its lush green scenic beauty that captures every eye-crossing the Prayag. So, it affirms its positions as a major stop on the tour of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

Ways to Reach Karnaprayag

Different modes to reach Karnaprayag:

Air: Nearest airport, Jolly Grant is at a distance of 192 km.
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. It is 172 km away from the place.
Bus: Buses to Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Hereafter, one can avail state as well as private transport for commuting to Karnaprayag.

Stays nearby Karnaprayag

Stays near Karnaprayag that devotees can hail during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand are:

The Kedar Dev’s: The hotel offers a blend of all the modern facilities. Hotel rooms are given unique designs and have cozy interiors. Moreover, the rooms offer exclusive facilities and services.
Shri Krishna Palace Hotel and Restaurant: The hotel is set amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Moreover, it offers a comfortable and hygienic stay to its guests.
Hotel Riverview: Hotel River view offers comfortable accommodation with spic and span rooms. Also, the view from the rooms opens up to the soulful confluence.

Other Panch Prayags

The other Panch Prayag destinations are:

Vishnuprayag: Vishnuprayag is present 1372 metres above sea level and is the first Prayag falling on the route of river Alaknanda. It is 91 km away from Karnaprayag.
Nandaprayag: It is the second Prayag among the Panch Prayag. It is present at the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Nandakini. It is 20.9 km away from the Alaknanda-Pindar confluence.
Rudraprayag: It observes the confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini, in Uttarakhand. This place is at a height of 895 metres above sea level. Rudraprayag is the holy confluence number four starting from Vishnuprayag. It is 33.2 km away from Karnaprayag.
Devprayag: It maps the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, in Uttarakhand. Hereafter, the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify and flow under the name Ganga or Ganges. It is 98.9 km away from Karnaprayag.

The Panch Prayag are a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Karnaprayag

Which rivers collide and merge at Karnaprayag?

It is the place of merging of river Alaknanda and Pindar.

How much budget is required to visit the place?

The place can be visited easily in around a budget of 4k-5k.

What is the temperatures in this Prayag?

The temperatures in summer vary from 15°C-40°C, however, in winter temperature can fall down to 2°C.

Read about the whole five Prayag in Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand.

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple Palakollu Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 14, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Pancharama, Shiva Temples

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in the West Godavari district of Andhra, Palakollu is a grand temple of Lord Shiva that is one of the Pancharama temples. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva whose form was established by Lord Vishnu. Locally this temple is also famous as Pedda Gopuram.

What is the history of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

According to history, Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple was constructed during the reign of Chalukya Bhima of Chalukya dynasty in the 9th century. Sri Velupathi designed it’s Prakara during the 10^th century. The architecture is a clear reflection of the art practised during the Chalukya dynasty reigns.

During the 14^th century, Sri Alladu Reddy built the Gopuram. During the 17th century, there was construction of Kalyana mantapam (choultry) and Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy alaya.

What is the significance of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

Significance of Ramalingeswara Swamy is that the Shivalingam at the temple is the tallest one and has a unique milky white color. The shiva lingam which is popular as moola virat is visible from all four sides of the sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha.

In addition one can also view several other gods like the Sun God, Devi Parvati and Lakshmi, Veera Bhadra, Kanaka Durga, Nataraja, Shankara, Radha Krishna from all four sides.

Locally there is a saying that staying for a day at Ksheerama is equal to staying at Varanasi.

The temple has 72 pillars made of black stones.

Timings of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple

Here are the timings of Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple:

Timings	From	To
Open	6:00 am	8:00 pm

How to reach Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

Here’s how to reach Palakollu Temple:

Road: buses are frequently available from all the parts of Andhra Pradesh moving towards Bhimavaram to Palakollu.
Rail: trains are also very easily available on a regular basis from the Vijaywada railway junction.
Air: The nearest aiport is Vijawada from where regular flights are available.

Where to stay near Palakollu?

Some of the places where one can stay near Palakollu are:

Palavalli Boutique Resorts which is 12km from Palakollu town centre has a great location where guests enjoy their peace and solitude.
Falcon Nest Hotel behind the coastal city centre at Bhimavaram is a grand place to check in.

What are some temples near Palakollu?

Some of the temples near palakollu are:

Sri Someswara Temple which is 117 km from Vijaywada is one of the Pancharama Kshetras where one can visit to offer prayers to the Lord. Devotees also believe that Lord Chandra installed the main Lingam.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is another pilgrim place to visit during this trip. It is on the top of the Seshachala hill in Tirumala.
Shri Lingaraj Temple is a famous Hindu temple in honour of lord Harihara, a form of lord Shiva and is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa). The temple is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city.