Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Hanuman Chatti Temple – Timings, Significance and History

August 9, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Hanuman Temples

Hanuman Chatti is a Hindu temple that lies on the road to Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. It is 286 km away from Rishikesh and is at a distance of 34 km from Joshimath. This temple is a dedication to Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman Chatti is located at the Sangam of rivers, Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna.

Moreover, the inspiration on behind the temple’s name lies in an interesting mythological event involving Hanuman and Bhima. It is one of the main attractions in the journey of Char Dham Yatra Uttarakhand.

Hanuman Chatti Introduction — Lord Hanuman is the main diety of the temple.

Hanuman Chatti Temple – Facts

Temple Timings	5 am – 12 pm 2 pm – 9 pm
Time Required for Darshan	20 minutes
Entry Fee	No fee
Best Time To Visit	March to June
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant Airport
Location	Uttarakhand

Timings of Hanuman Chatti Temple

The gates of the temple are open for devotees at the following timings –

Darshan	Open Time	Close Time
Morning	5 am	12 pm
Evening	2 pm	9 pm

Significance of Hanuman Chatti Temple

Hanuman Chatti might be really small temple yet it is significantly known for its natural surroundings and serene atmosphere. The temple provides a sense of peace to the devotees.

Moreover, the temple is located at the head of a very popular trekking destination i.e. Yamunotri. Moreover, it is considered supremely sacred place among the devotees of Lord Hanuman.

History of the Temple

The history of Hanuman Chatti dates back to the time of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and mighty Bhima at the spot where the temple resides at present. So, it all began with Draupadi’s demand for Saughandika flower.

Bhima set out on the search for the flower on the Gandhamadana peak. But drowned in his pride he killed numerous animals on his way. Hence, to break his glass-like pride Lord Hanuman decided to teach him a lesson.

On his way, Bhima encountered a monkey lying in the path with its tail spread out such that Bhima was unable to pass-through. Bhima, the mightiest of the Pandavas requested the monkey to move his tail aside and let him pass. Hereafter, the monkey complained about his inability to move due to old age.

Hence, hearing his reply Bhima started fuming with anger. Eventually, he began trying to move the monkey’s tail himself. However, giving several attempts to the task he failed to move the monkey’s tail. As a result, his pride was shattered to pieces.

History of Hanuman Chatti — Lord Hanuman and Bhim’s encounter prior to Kurukshetra war.

By this time, Bhima came to the realisation that there was something more than ordinary about the monkey. Hence, he requested the monkey to reveal his true identity. Hearing this, Lord Hanuman appeared before him in his true self.

After that, Lord Hanuman also blessed Bhim and assured him victory in the Kurukshetra war. Hence, the place became popular as ‘Hanuman Chatti’.

Second born of Kunti, Bhima was Lord Hanuman’s brother as he was born to Kunti after she invoked Vayu Devta.

Festivals Celebrated At Hanuman Chatti Temple

The main festival celebrated at Hanuman Chatti is:

Hanuman Jayanti: The day records the day of birth of Lord Hanuman. Hence, on this day devotees of Lord Hanuman flock to the temple to celebrate his birth and seek his blessings. Moreover, they also make offerings at the temple and receive the pious prasad. The day observes the devotees of Lord Hanuman singing Hanuman Chalisa. Moreover, devotees also read excerpts from Ramayana that remind of Lord Hanuman’s heroic deeds, devotion and bravery.

How To Reach Hanuman Chatti

Devotees can reach the temple by following modes of transport –

Air: Jolly Grant Airport present in Dehradun is nearest to the temple. It is 187.5 km away from this Hanuman temple.
Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is Rishikesh railway station. It is at a distance of 202.5 km from Hanuman Chatti.
Road: Buses are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesh. Hereafter, one can hire a taxi or use state transport buses to Hanuman Chatti.

Where to Stay near the temple

Some of the places fit for a stay near Hanuman Chatti while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

The Kedar Dev’s: The hotel offers a package of all the modern amenities. Moreover, the place is hygienic and budget-friendly. Also, the view from the hotel is breath-taking beautiful.
Narayan Palace Hotel: The hotel offers comfortable accommodation to its guests. Additionally, the rooms are fully carpeted and appointed with all modern amenities including satellite television and direct dial telephone. .
Jagirdar Guest House: The place offers tented accomodation and a budget stay. Guest can enjoy a breath-taking view of the great Himalayas and the luscious green mountains.

Other Temples near Hanuman Chatti

Some of the temples near Hanuman Chatti are:

Badrinath Temple: Badrinath is a small temple town located in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Nevertheless, Badrinath Temple is also one of the shrines in the Char Dham pilgrimage in India. Moreover, the site is just 11.7 km away from Hanuman Chatti.
Bhavishya Badri: Ranked fourth among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. According to beliefs, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. It lies at a distance of 51.3 km from Hanuman Chatti.
Yogadhyan Badri: It ranks fifth among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. Hindu mythology states that the Pandavas were born here. Furthermore, it is also the place where Pandu attained salvation and died. Moreover, Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu in a state of meditation. This temple is 9 km away from Hanuman Chatti.
Dhyan Badri: It falls in the sixth position in the string of ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. It has an image of Lord Vishnu which was established by Urvarishi. Moreover, the image is four-armed and construction of black stone. Also, it portrays Vishnu in a meditative posture.

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

Lingaraj Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 14, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 11 Comments Filed Under: Odisha Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Lingaraj Temple is a dedication in the form of a temple to Lord Shiva. It is located in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The term ‘Lingaraja’ translates to the ‘king of Lingas’, i.e. Lord Shiva. Our guide explains the significance of Lingaraj temple, timings, history, poojas, dress code, official website and how to reach Lingaraj temple.

The temple was the captial of the Kalinga Empire in ancient times. Lingaraj Temple is the largest temple in Bhubneshwar till date. King Jajati Kedhari built this temple in the 11th century.

Moreover, it is believed to be the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar. Shiva’s Trishul and Vishnu’s Chakra are present at the entrance of the temple. However, there is ‘Simhadwara’ or ‘Lions Gate’ on the eastern side of the shrine. The temple follows Deula style of architecture. And there are 50 other shrines enclosed in a walled enclosure.

Facts about Lingaraj Temple

Opening and Closing Timings	6:00 am – 9:00 pm (Open) 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Closed)
Entry Fee	No Entry Fee
Main Deity	Lingaraj ( Lord Shiva)
Location	Bhubneshwar, Orissa
Nearest Airport	Biju Patnaik Airport

What are the timings of Lingaraj Temple?

Devotees can visit the temple during the following timings-

Timings	From	To
Morning	6:00 am	12:30 pm
Afternoon Break	12:30 pm	3.30 pm
Evening	3:30 pm	9:00 pm

What are the sevas and poojas of Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the sevas and pujas of Lingaraj temple are:

List of Rituals or Poojas
Ballabha Bhoga
Sakala Dhupa
Bhanda Dhupa
Palia Badu
Sahana Dhupa
Bada Singara

What is the significance of the Lingaraj Temple?

The significance of the Lingaraj Temple is that it is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar. In this temple, devotees worship Shiva as Harihara, which is a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. It represents the Kalinga or Deula style of architecture and has four parts- Garbh Griha, Yajna Shala, Bhoga Mandap and Natya Shala.

The granite statue is 54.8 meters high, 8 feet in diameter and is present on a platform that is 8 inches above the ground. Also, the priests worship the deity daily with water, milk and bhang (marijuana). On an average around 6000 devotees visit the auspicious shrine on a daily basis.

Significance of Lingaraj Temple — Devotees worship Shiva here in Harihara avatar which is a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu.

Aside from Garbh Griha, the ‘Natya Mandir’ hints towards its connection with the devadasi connection. Other than the Lingam, the parsva devta reveres the site, where Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikay and Goddess Parvati are put in various paths.

Each of the pictures is gigantic and showcased incredible workmanship. The devotees decorate the idols with rich draperies and jewellery.

What is the history of Lingaraj Temple?

‘Lingaraj’ translates to the King of Lingam, that is none other than Lord Shiva. In the beginning, Shiva was worshipped as Kirtivasa and then later he became popular as Harihara which is the form people worship him in now.

Moreover, he later gained popularity as Tribhuvaneshwara. Also called Bhubneshwar, the monarch of the three worlds namely earth, heaven and netherworld. His companion Goddess Parvati then came to be known as Bhuvneshwari.

Historians predict that the present form of Lingaraj temple was built in the last decade of the eleventh century. Evidence in some of the seventh century Sanskrit texts concludes that the construction of some parts of the temple took place in the sixth century CE.

According to Fergusson the initiation for the temple was done by Lalat Indu Keshari who ruled in 615-657 CE. The construction of Assembly Hall (Jagamohana), sanctum and temple tower dates back to 11th century. However, the construction of the offering hall (Bhoga-Mandapa) took place in the twelfth century.

The credits for the construction of Nata Mandira is given to the wife of Salini between 1099 and 1104 CE. The timing of the completion of the Lingaraj temple coincided with the growth of the Jagannath sect. Hence, historians believe that Harihara form that is the combination of Shiva and Vishnu co-exist in the temple.

Later, the rulers of the Ganga Dynasty who were followers of Vaishnavism built the Jagannath temple at Puri in the twelfth century.

Legends of the Lingaraj Temple

One of the legends dictates the time when Shiva preferred Bhubneshwar or Ekamra Titha over Benaras. Therefore, Goddess Parvati disguised herself as a women shepherd to look around the place.

And as she was doing so, she came across two demons namely, Kriti and Vasa who had desires to marry her. Then Parvati requested them to try and carry her on their shoulders. Nevertheless, the goddess crushed them both under her.

As a result, Lord Shiva did the creation of Bindu Sagar Lake to quench Parvati’s thirst. Since then he took the decision to dwell here as Kritivasa or Lingaraj.

Legends of Lingaraj Temple — This lake created by Shiva to quench the thirst of Goddess Parvati is also believed to cure illnesses.

What are the festivals celebrated at Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Lingaraj Temple are:

Shivaratri: This important festival calls for a huge celebration every year in the temple premises. Devotees flock to the temple in huge amounts and pray all night. Moreover, here this day marks the killing of a demon by Lord Shiva.
Sunian day: This is another occasion that devotees observe since ages. This day falls in the Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar. All the temple servants, farmers and other owners of temple lands offer devotion and tribute to Lingaraja on this auspicious day.
Candan Yatra: This is a 22-day celebration in the temple. During this time devotees smear the deities and servants of the temple with sandalwood paste. For further enjoyment, they go to the special Bindusagar tank.
Ratha Yatra: This chariot festival takes place every year on Ashokaashtami. Devotees place the idols of Lingaraja and his sister Rukmani in a chariot. Hereafter, the devotees pull them to the Rameshwar Deula temple.

Rules to follow inside the Lingaraj temple

Only Hindus are allowed to enter the shrine of the main deity. Foreigners are restricted and can view the temple from an outer platform.
Devotees must wear a traditional Hindu attire while visiting the temple. One can wear clothes like saree, suit, lehenga, kurta-pajama etc.
Temple authorities prohibit the devotees from carrying leather bags inside the temple. Also outside food, adhesives and camera strictly prohibited.

How to Reach the Lingaraj Temple?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air– The Biju Patnaik Airport is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 3.5 km away from the temple.
Train– Bhubaneswar Railway Station is well connected with every major city in India. It is 4.7 km away from the temple.
Road– Baramunda bus stand is nearest to the temple. It is 9 km away from Lingaraj temple. Bhubaneswar is situated on the NH5.

Where to stay near Lingaraj Temple?

Although the temple authorities do not provide staying facility to its visitors, there are a number of good hotels around Lingaraj. Check out these-

Fortune Park Sishmo– This hotel is a humble retreat for the travellers. It is packed with all the luxuries and offers top-notch hospitality. However, it is just 2.4 km away from the temple.
Hotel Sairegent– This place is another stay which is as close as 0.7 km from Lingaraj temple. This place offers a variety of modern facilities and is quite budget-friendly too.
Mango Hotels Prangam– This another divine stay in the city of Bhubneshwar. It is 3.1 km away from Lingaraj temple. In addition to this, the place offers the best of comfort to its guests.

What are some temples near Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the temples near Lingaraj Temple are:

Puri Temple – It is one of the most sacred destinations in Eastern India. Being one of the four Dham’s, it is the abode of Lord Jagannath. It is 65 km from Bhubaneswar which draws plenty of people during the Rath Yatra festival.
Konark Temple – This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nevertheless, t is 45 km away from Bhubaneswar. This temple is a dedication to the Sun God and has remarkable architecture.
Biraja Temple – This temple has a total of 51 Shakti peeths, out of which 18 are Maha Shakti peeths. This place is where Goddess’s navel fell. It is present at a distance of 115 km from the city of Bhubaneswar.
Rajarani Temple – Dedicated to Lord Brahma, this temple contains an exceptional form of limestone which makes it unique and mesmerizing. It is just 5 km away from the capital city of Odisha.

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

Naina Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples, Shakti Peetha

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

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

History of Naina Devi Temple

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

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

Significance of Naina Devi Temple

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

Naina Devi Temple Timings

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

Festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to reach

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

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

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

Delhi to Naina Devi temple

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

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

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

Mumbai to Naina Devi Temple

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

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

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

Hotels to stay

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

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

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

Cuisine

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

Nearby Attractions

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

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 24 Comments Filed Under: Gujarat Temples Tagged With: Hanuman Temples

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred and holy temples in Swaminarayan Sampraday, created by Guru Swaminarayan. Situated in Sarangpur village of Ahmedabad district in Gujarat, here the presiding deity is the mighty Lord Hanuman who is revered in the form of Kastbhanjan i.e. remover of sorrows.

*Sarangpur* *Temple Facts*
Temple Timings (Darshan)	6:00 am to 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Prasadam Timings (Annadanam)	1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Pooja Timings	8:00 am to 9:00 am
Time Taken for Darshan	1-2 hours
Entry Fee	Free
Best Time to Visit	August to March
Dress Code	Men: Dhoti, No shirt. Women: Saree
Poojas	Annadanam, Vastra Samarpana
Nearest City	Botad

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple Timings

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple is open from 6 am to 12 pm. There is an afternoon break in darshan from 12 pm to 3 pm. The temple reopens again at 3 pm and closes at 9 pm. Mangla Aarti is performed at the temple in the morning at 5:30 am.

Tuesday and Saturday are devoted to Hanumanji, it is designated day for a special ritualistic for those affected by mental illness, stress and other disorder.
Temple is open from 3 pm to 9 pm everyday.
Rajbhog is performed from 10.30 am to 11 am and the darshan is closed for it.
A special Shangar Aarti is performed on every Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7.00 am.
The evening aarti at Sarangpur Hanuman Temple is performed depending upon the sunsets.

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple Food Timings

Food is served free to all visitors at the temple’s dining room. This dining room is run by the temple’s trust as well as the Swaminarayana temple located in the same complex. Around 5,000 people take prasad in the form of lunch daily. On donations to the temple, one is given prasad in the form of sukhdis which is a Gujarati sweet.

The Bal Bhog is served from 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning.

The Raj Bhog is served from 10:30 to 11:00 in the morning.

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple – Aarti Details

Devotees chant the Swaminarayan Mahamantra while going around the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple.

Mangla Aarti: “Jai Kapi Balvanta” is the Aarti of Sarangpur Hanuman Temple. The Mangala Aarti or Aarti which takes place at 5:30 am is done by waving a piece of lighted camphor in circles around an idol of God. The Deities offer the first darshan of the day, signifying the auspicious beginning of the day for devotees.

Shangar Aarti: Shangar aarti done at 7:00 am is performed every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Shangar means adornments. During this aarti, the Deities are dressed and adorned.

Rajbhog Aarti: During the Rajbhog aarti takes place from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Royal offerings of the mid-day meal are offered to the devtas.

Sandhya Aarti: This aarti is performed during the evening depending upon the timings of the sunset. Devotees gather to seek the darshan of the deity and offer their prayers during the Sandhya Aarti.

Shayan Aarti: After the Shayan Aarti, the darshan is closed for the devotees. It signifies that the Deities are about to retire for the night.

Significance of Sarangpur Hanuman Temple

During darshan, one will come out via the famous well whose water is considered very holy. It is a belief that the statue of Lord Hanuman was found in this well before about 350 years and the temple was constructed at the same place.

It is famous around the world for expelling spirits and ghosts from people plagued with such problems. The priests perform a puja vidhi near the well of the temple. It takes around a couple of hours to do this procedure.

It is required to reach in the early morning if you are interested in such vidhi. A large number of people in India make it a point to begin their work only after visiting Shri Hanumanji. They visit every Saturdays to offer Puja and Prasad without fail.

The affected or inflicted person in the grip of the evil spirit is ordained to circumambulate the shrine a number of times for getting rid of the megative impact permanently. They take the special oath and recite the Swaminarayan Mahamantra.

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple History

The people who are affected by evil spirits seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman to drive away the negative spirits by a single mere look.

Due to the blessing of Gopalanand Swami to Vagha Khachar, who invoked Hanumanji with his wand, to be ever present in the idol to drive out such evils. He decided to install the idol of Hanuman and dedicate his income to the temple. Till today, hundreds of devotees come to Lord Hanuman seeking his blessings so that their problems are eradicated and peace is instilled.

As the idol of the Lord Hanuman in the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple was installed by Gopalanand Swami, there are records of a writer named Raymond Williams which says that while installing the idol, Swami touched it with a rod that enthused life into it and made it move. Now this rod has been covered in silver color. This tale has turned into a belief amongst devotees who vouch for the healing ritual performed at this temple.

In 1899, Kothari Gordhandas of Vadtal appointed Shastri Yagnapurushdas to manage the affairs of the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple. Shastri Yagnapurushdas renovated the site, build adjacent bungalow and also acquired more land for the complex to bring it to its current state.

Festivals celebrated here

Hanuman Jayanti Mahotsav: Hanumath Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god, widely venerated throughout India. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and spirit among the devotees of Lord Hanuman. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple to offer the prayers and to perform the rituals. The devotees visit temples and apply tilaka of sindoor to their foreheads from Hanuman’s idol. The event is celebrated on the 15th day of the Shukla Paksha, during the month of Chaitra

Sundar Kand: Sundar Kand is celebrated in the month of October or November. It is a book that depicts the adventures of Hanuman. Sundara Kanda is the only chapter of the Ramayana in which the hero is not Rama, but rather Hanumana. This lesson is recited by religious Hindus, preferably on Tuesdays or Saturdays.

Holi: Holi is a two-day festival which starts on the Purnima. The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi while the second day is known as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan. It is identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests, and the fertile land. Devotees arrive at the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple to celebrate this festival of colors.

Sarangpur Temple Live Aarti Darshan

If you wish to witness the sheer glory of the Kashtbhanjandev Aarti Darshan LIVE then see below. It is an extravagant affair where hundreds of Hanuman bhaktas pour in this shrine and seek the Lord’s blessings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=j565LXaPREE

How to reach Sarangpur Temple?

By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the nearest airport. The distance between Ahmedabad to Hanuman Temple, Sarangpur is 159 km 903 meters. The distance and travel time would change accordingly and also as per the traffic and road conditions and it takes approximately 2 hrs 40 mins to cover the distance.

By Train: The distance between Botad Railway Station to Sarangpur Hanuman Temple which is 73 km and 168 meter. It takes approximately 1 hour 45 mins to cover the distance.

By Road: The Dhandhuka taluka (50 km) is well linked with all foremost towns and cities by road. There is also many bus stops situated at Sarangpur.

Hotels nearby: Where to stay?

There are many hotels available to stay near the Sarangpur temple. There is also a Dharamshala nearby. Some of the places to check in include:

Hotel Hilton: GJ SH 36, Gujarat 382450
The Parkland Hotel: Behind Swaminarayan Temple, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Hotel Manila: Opposite Railway Station, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Hotel Samir: Ahead Cadila Railway Cross, GIDC Industrial Estate, Vatva Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Lakshmi Hotel: N H No.8, Opposite Mony Hotel, Isanpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Shere Punjab Hotel: Sindhi Market, Under Railway Fly Over, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Tulsi Dining Hall: Near Patel Bhavan, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Prithvi Hotels Gujarat Private Limited: L G Corner, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Moscow Hotel: Near Maninagar Post Office, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Hotel Marvellous Private Limited: Near Apsara Cinema, Kankaria, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Places to visit near Sarangpur

Shiv Shakti Temple: This temple is situated at Abhapur where the principal deity of worship is Lord Shiva. There are images of Surya Dev and his consort Suryani in the temple and hence, this temple is also known as the Sun Temple. The temple situated on a low height hillock is an excellent example of Nagar shaily. This Sun Temple is unique with it a statue of Lord Shiva, which showing different moods on the face as per your elevation of viewing, this is “Chaturangi” type temple.

Shree Jagannath Temple: The Jagannath Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath hosts the annual chariot festival, Rath Yatra. The rath yatra entourage passes through different parts of the city of Ahmedabad covering a distance of about 14-km.

Bhadrakali Maa Temple: Bhadrakali Maa Temple is known as one of the oldest and ancient temple in Located inside Bhadra Fort, Near Lal Darwaja, in the Ahmedabad city, Gujarat. Bhadrakali Temple was built during the ruler of Mega city Ahmedabad namely Aazam Khan. The Bhadra fort once encompassed Approximately 12 gates, 189 bastions, and 6000 battlements.

Ayodhyapuram Jain Temple: The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Rishabh Dev, the first Jain Tirthankara. Shri Ayodhyapuram Teerth located at Gujarat is a Jain pilgrimage centre. The teerth kshetra was built under the inspiration of Panyas Pravar Spiritual Head Sri Abhaysagarji Maharaj Saheb. A large stone weighing about 300 tonnes was brought from a mine about 70 kms away from Jaipur to this place. The idol of the Lord was carved here. The walls and pillars of the temple are adorned with specimens of ancient art. The idol has been beautifully carved from a single stone.

ISKCON Temple: The ISKCON Temple in Ahmedabad is located close to the Gujarat Samachar Press. This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The ISKCON Temple in Ahmedabad offers the perfect spot for mediation. The temple with its calm and peaceful atmosphere offers the perfect spot to spend some quiet time with oneself. The temple hosts festivals such as Janmastami which is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is attended by a large number of people from across the state.

Shri Bhimnath Temple: The Bhimnath Mahadev temple is located in Akot. According to the well-known archaeologist V H Sonawane, the period of the city’s founding can be traced from the pavement stones used at this temple which bear the mason marks dating back to the 2nd century BC. It was the spot where the first human settlement came up along the Vishwamitri River, which is almost 2,200 years ago.

FAQs on Sarangpur Temple

What are the general temple timings of Sarangpur Hanuman Temple?

9:00 am to 8:00 pm are the standard timings of Shri Hanuman Mandir.

Am I allowed to take pictures inside Sarangpur Temple?

No, you are not allowed photography. It is strictly prohibited.

What does Kashtbhanjan mean?

The word Kashtbhanjandev means ‘crusher of sorrows’.

What is Sarangpur famous for?

Sarangpur is famous for its Shri Hanuman Mandir where devotees seek the blessings of the almighty Hanumana to eliminate negative spirits from their mind.

Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva Tirumala

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 7 Comments Filed Under: Pujas, Tirumala

Here is everything you want to know about Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala Tirupati.

What is Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva is conducted after the second bell in Tirumala Temple. This ritual was initially introduced in Srivari Temple in 1984 when a Muslim devotee presented Lord Srinivasa with 108 gold lotuses. The Archana begins by offering dhupa to the key deity followed by reciting Devadasa (108) names of the Lord.

Each chant is followed by one golden lotus offered at the holy feet of the lord Srinivasa.

Ashtadala Seva — Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana

Who should perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s who should do the Seva:

A single person or a couple can perform this pooja for their successful life.

What are the benefits of performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here are the benefits of the Seva:

The Devotee can financial stability and get the divine blessings of the Lord.
People also believe that by doing this pooja they can get good health, harmony success, and fulfillment of desires.

What are the best days to do Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The best days to perform the seva are:

This pooja is performed on every Tuesday in the Tirumala temple.
One should make prior bookings to get the dates to perform this pooja.
It should be performed early in the morning, the best time to do this pooja is 5.30 a.m.

What is the procedure for performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s how to do the Seva:

The Archana begins with the puja by offering dhupa and diva to the key deity.
Then the pujaris enumerate the Devadasa names of the Lord.
While reciting each name of the Lord, one golden lotus is offered at the feet of Lord Srinivasa.
On completion of the Archana for the main deity Archana is then offered for Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavati.
After that Ratha aarti is offered first, followed by usual aarti.
During this special puja, the arjitha ticket holders are seated in the Antalya corridor that is located between the Kulasekhara padi and Bangaru Vakili.

What are the materials required for Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The basic materials required for Ashtadala Seva are turmeric powder, sandalwood powder, Kumkum, betel leaves, supari, rice, camphor, mango leaves, and the most important golden lotus. Apart from these if any other materials are required, they are provided after booking the ticket for this pooja.

Where to perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

A devotee can perform this pooja in the Tirumala temple premises. It is performed only on Tuesday. Devotees can take a seat inside Garbha Griha, once they are seated in the garbha griha the curtains will be closed at the Jaya Vijaya statues which is the last door.

What is the cost of Ashtadala Seva?

The cost of performing this pooja is Rs.1,250 per person. They can get the tickets from the Tirumala temple website.