Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings, Poojas, and History

March 13, 2020, Sasidhar Darla 75 Comments Filed Under: Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lingam of the Mahakaleshwar temple is the largest among all other Jyotirlingas. Images of various Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, and Kichakas adorn the walls and pillars of the temple.

Planning to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple? Have a look at our Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour Package.

Mahakaleshwar Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Mahakaleshwar (Lord Shiva)
Location	Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Significance	Jyotirlinga
Tours	Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour
Darshan Timings	4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Entry Fee	Free
Poojas	Maharudrabhisek, Laghurudrabhisek
Best Time to Visit	October to March
Festivals	Shravan, Shivratri
Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh	Mahakaleshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Temple

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain Video

Darshan Timings of the Mahakaleshwar Temple

The temple opens at 4 AM and closes at 11 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening aarti. Moreover, there is no afternoon break in between, unlike most temples which remain closed in the afternoon for lunch.

The timings are as follows:

Ritual	From	To
Darshan	4:00 AM	11:00 PM
Bhasma Aarti	4:00 AM	6:00 AM
Morning Pooja	7:00 AM	7:30 AM
Evening Pooja	5:00 PM	5:30 PM
Shree Mahakaal Aarti	7:00 PM	7:30 PM

It is important to note that during the winter season, these rituals take place half an hour later than the given timings.

What are the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Pooja at Mahakaleshwar — Maharudrabhishek being performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Some of the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

Bhasm Aarti: This aarti is unique to the temple. The priest applies Vibhhoti (Bhasm) to the Shiva Linga every day at 4:00 AM. Only, pilgrims holding a VIP pass can enter the Sanctum or the Garbhagraha for the aarti. Women cannot witness Bhasma decoration during the aarti.
Maharudrabhishek: In the abhishek, recitations of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda is done in front of the deities of the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
Laghurudrabhishek: This abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It is also done to remove the harmful effects of planets in the horoscope.
Mahamrityunjaya Jaap: The Mahamrityunjaya abhishek increases longevity and immortality of the person. It is also known as the Rudra mantra and has miraculous effects in the lives of the people who perform it. Chanting this mantra helps relieve the individual from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hence, this mantra is also known as the Moksha Mantra.

The Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Pooja is said to be extremely auspicious.

What is the significance of Mahakaleshwar Temple?

The Mahakaleshwar Shrine — The Mahakaleshwar Lingam is said to be the largest among all the 12 Jyotirlingas.

The significance of the Mahakaleshwar Temple is that the Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is Swayambhu in nature. Sri Mahakaleshwar is the Lord of Time. He is also famous as the one who is capable of winning difficult situations. This is the only Lingam in the world which faces south, the direction of Death.

The Mahakaleshwar temple is also one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are the sites where body parts of Sati Devi fell after the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yoga episode of Hindu mythology, cut her body. Devotees believe that the Upper Lip of the Sati Devi fell here. Moreover, the Goddess is popular as Mahakali here.

What is the history of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

As per the history of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Lord Brahma himself established the first temple at the site. The coins recovered at Ujjain have the mark of Lord Shiva on them. According to several poetic texts, in the Paramara period, invaders destroyed the temple. Later, Udayaditya and Naravarman, the rulers of the Malwa region, rebuilt it.

According to the ancient scripture, Sthalapuranam, King Chandrasena was a devotee of Shiva. A young boy named Shrikhar heard his prayers to the god and wanted to join him. However, people did not let him do it and sent him out of the city. Shrikhar heard the plans of rival kings Ripudhamana and Singhaditya to attack the city with the help of the demon king Dushan.

Asura Dushan had a blessing of invisibility from Brahma. So, Shrikhar and a priest named Vriddhi prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The enemies arrived at Avantika (now known as Ujjain) and started torturing the people. They banned all Vedic Dharmanushtan activities in the city. The people started praying to Lord Shiva for help.

Devotees also believe that when Dushan started attacking Avantika, the ground split near the statue of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva came out of it as Mahakaal. He burnt the demons with just one grunt. Adhering to the request of the people of Avantika, Lord Shiva then decided to stay there as the chief deity of Avantika.

What is the structure of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

The Mahakaleshwar temple is a three-storied structure. The Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is worshipped on the first floor, which is actually under the ground level. On the second level, the Lingam of Omkareshwara is worshipped. The Nagachandeshwara Linga is worshipped on the third level. The third level is open to the public only on Naga Panchami.

What are the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

Kumbh Mela: This Mela has the distinction of being the largest religious gathering on the planet. It takes place once every 12 years in Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar, and Nashik. Also, the festival continues for about one and a half months. The pilgrims and sages (sadhus) take a ceremonial dip in the River Ksipra. Religious discourses, Ramlilas, Raslilas as well as the grand procession of sadhus are the main features of the Kumbh Mela.
Mahashivaratri: Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple to celebrate the day Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It occurs on the 13th or 14th day of the Magha month (February / March) in the Indian hindu calendar
Karthik Mela: It occurs every year in the Hindu month of Karthik (November / December).
Harihara Milana: The celebrations of this festival take place on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, which signifies the meeting of two Lords – Lord Krishna as well as Lord Shiva at midnight.

How to reach the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple:

Air: The nearest airport is Indore which is 53 km away from Ujjain.
Train: Direct trains are available to Ujjain from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Kochi as well as Jaipur.
Road: Bus services are available from cities like Indore, Surat, Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur, Nasik, and Mathura.

Route from Indore

Indore is about 53 km away from the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Plenty of options are available for one to travel to the temple from here. Here’s the Mahakaleshwar Temple route from Indore:

Air: The nearest railway station is in Indore and one can hire cabs or take a bus to Mahakaleshwar Temple from there.
Train: One can travel through trains such as the Ranthambhor SF express as well as the Malwa SF express to travel between Ujjain and Indore.
Road: The fastest route to travel from Indore to Mahakaleshwar temple is via the Ujjain-Indore road. Also, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel using this route.

Where to stay near the temple?

The Temple Management has constructed two Dharmashalas for pilgrims to stay. The names of the Dharmashalas are Pandit Shree Surya Narayan Vyas Dharmashala and the Shree Mahakaal Dharmashala. Non AC dormitories, Non AC rooms, and AC rooms are available to pilgrims at reasonable rates.

Several budget hotels, 3-star, and 5-star hotels operate in Ujjain as this is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world.

What are some temples nearby?

Explore Ujjain — One of the holiest cities, Ujjain is home to many temples.

Some of the temples near Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

Harsiddhi Temple: It is located just 400 meters away from the Mahakaleshwar temple. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas according to Hindu mythology. Devotees also believe that Sati’s elbow fell here when the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yagna episode of the Hindu tradition, cut her body.
Ram Janardhan Mandir: Raja Jai Singh constructed this temple in the 17th century. The specialities of the temple include the 11th-century sculpture of Govardhandhari Krishna, the 10th-century sculpture of Vishnu as well as the 12th-century idol of Trimurti.
Kala Bhairava temple: Beliefs say that King Bhadra constructed this temple over the ruins of an old demolished temple. Further, this temple was of great significance during the Paramar period.
Chintamani Ganpati Temple: The Goddess Riddhi and Siddhi are present on two sides of Lord Ganesh. Devotees also offer special prayers to the god every Wednesday in the month of Chaithra.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahakaleshwar Temple

Is the Mahakaleshwar Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Mahakaleshwar Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizen?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers in Ujjain starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and dry. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Ujjain?

In Ujjain, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 3 º C to 20 º C. The weather during this time is cold but pleasant.

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

Rameshwar Mandir

September 15, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Rameshwar Mandir is a temple located in Chaul, Maharashtra. It is a very ancient temple of Lord Shiva. The Chaul region is known for its temples. A black sand beach, Revdanda lies about halfway between Nagaon and Kashid. Half of the small town lies in an old Portuguese fort. The village is famous for aromatic flowers known as the ‘Bakuli’. Rice is a major source of livelihood for the local inhabitants, apart from the trees and fishes. There are 365 temples in Chaul, equal to the number of days in a year. Chaul is about 15 Kms from Alibag, and the drive takes us through the picturesque villages of Akshi and Nagaon. There are three prominent temples in Chaul – the Rameshwar Mandir, Datta Mandir and the Hingulja Devi Mandir.

History and Legend of Rameshwar Mandir

According to lore, the Rameshwar Temple was supposed to have been built in a day by the Pandavas, but they were unable to complete it. Centuries later, Kanhoji Angre (Maratha navy admiral, 1698-1729) completed the work. It is a must to look out for the elaborate samadhi (entombment) behind the temple. Locals are of the faith that it is a memorial to one of the Angres.
There were historians who believe that the temple has been built in the Hemadpant style of architecture an architectural style introduced by Hemadpant, the prime minister of the court of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri. This style of architecture incorporates the use of locally procured black stone and lime and came into use in the thirteen century A.D.
Chaul has been populated since 300 B.C., its golden age traversing the reign of the Satavahanas from 2 B.C. to 3 A.D. The Portuguese built the Revdanda Fort in 1524 here and girded it later. Chaul was five times the size it is today.

Significance of the Rameshwar Mandir Temple

There are a number of shrines within easy reach of the Rameshwar Mandir. In Revdanda there is another temple the Datta Mandir. The Datta Mandir is located in the Chaul region of Revdanda and is built atop a hill. It is dedicated to “Datta” or the Lord worshipped by the Maharashtrian people.
In village the Shitala Devi Mandir is also a worth visiting shrine. The locals believe that goddess “Shitla” protects the village from all problems and calamities. Locals refer to the goddess as ‘AAI’.
The main attraction of the Rameshwar Temple are the three kunds.
The Mandir has three tanks : parjanya kund, agni kund, and wayu kund, representing three elements of nature – Rain, fire, and air.
The temple is a perfect place for tourists to spend time as it is built on a vast land comprising of a prayer hall, sanctum sanctorum and 7.62 meter high summit shaped dome.
Rameshwar temple is a typical simple coastal temple that is high on character and history. This temple is a wonderful place to spend some relaxing time and to meditate. The temple complex spreads over a huge piece of land and comprises of a large prayer hall.

Rules to follow at Rameshwar Mandir

The visitors are required to be dress appropriately, as it is a place of worship. Devotees should follow the decorum and not spoil the serene and pure atmosphere of the area.

Festivals celebrated at the Rameshwar Mandir

Pola: Pola is a festival related to bull-worshiping and celebrated by farmers generally in Maharashtra state in India. Pola comes in Shravana month on Pithori Amavasya day which is also called the new moon day. This is mainly celebrated in Vidharbha region. This is the special day for farmers. On this occasion, the farmers’ first give bath to their bullocks, decorate them with ornaments and worships them. It is called Pola because the demon Polasur was killed by Lord Krishna when he attacked Krishna as a child. This is also why children are given special treatment on this day. Among the smaller villages located near the outskirts of Alibag, small processions appear with paraded cattle. The procession includes a heavy use of bugles and drums. The traditional dish prepared on this day is called Puran Poli.

Nag Panchami: The Nag Panchami or festival of snakes is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit fortnight in the month of Shravan. During the festival people bathe the snakes with milk ensuring their families freedom from danger of snakes.There is yet another legend which relates to the victory of Lord Krishna over the Kaliya snake. The same is remembered and celebrated this day. According to myth, ploughing a field is forbidden on this day. Devotees offer milk and honey to the Snake God, Shesh Nag and seek the blessings of the God. People visit temples, and the streets are lined with stalls offering all sorts of religious souvenirs. It is a tradition among women to apply mehendi, designs applied with herbal paints, on their hands.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated throughout India with a great devotion. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As per Hindu mythology Lord Ganesh is considered as “Vigana Harta” (one who removes obstacles) and “Buddhi Pradaayaka” (one who grants intelligence). Celebrated in the month of August or September, this festival goes on for 10 days and envelops the whole of town in a festive vigour.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The closest airport to the Rameshwar Mandir in Revdanda is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Int. Airport, which is about 60Km away. The Lohegaon Airport is about 104.2Km away.

By Train: The station of Pen is the closest railway station to Chaul which is 46 km away from Chaul. The nearest railway station to the Rameshwar Mandir in Revdanda is the Mumbai Central Railway Station. It is about 2 hours away from Revdanda.

By Road: Chaul is well connected via road network with other cities of Maharashtra. And you can use private vehicles. The best way to reach Revdanda is by road. Revdanda is on the same road as Alibaug. Alternatively tourists can also take a ferry service and get off at Mandwa Jetty and take a bus or an auto rickshaw from there to Revdanda.

By Sea: One can reach through the Gateway of India by catamaran to Mandva jetty then Alibag and finally reach Revdanda.

Hotels in Rameshwar: Where to stay

Accommodation facilities are available in Revdanda. There are a few guest houses in the village. Alibaug not far from Revdanda presents a lot of exciting resorts and hotels where tourists generally put up. The Rameshwar Mandir is not very far from Mumbai. Tourists can have a wide range of selection of accommodation in Mumbai. The temple can be reached within about 2 hours from Mumbai.

Kumarwadi Farm: Near Rameshwar Mandir, Choul, Alibaug 402203, India
Suhasini Villa: Chaul, Maharashtra 402203
Rembrandt Villa: Opp. Mahalaxmi Mandir, Alibaug – Revdanda Road, Village Bagmala, Nagoan, 402204 Revadanda
Vasundhara Cottage: Gharat Ali, Shitala Devi Road, Taluka Alibag, District-Raigad, Chaul
Sun Rise Villa: Palav Fata, Naigaon, Alibaug
Dolphin House Beach Resort: 317, Nagaon Bandar Road, Nagaon, Alibag
Palms Cottage: Nagaon Bandar Road, Alibaug, Pen
Karpewadi: Suruche Ban, Satad Bandar, Dist. Raigad, Nagaon, Maharashtra 402203
Mira Villa: Vartak Nagar, Nagaon, Maharashtra 402204
Kaivalya Farms: Kaivalya Farms, Village Palhe, Nagaon
Sanman Holiday Home: Raigad, Maharashtra 402201
Elysium Resorts (Revdanda): Village Yesade, Ahead of Birla Mandir, 6KM ahead of WelSpun Industry, Revdanda – Roha Road, Alibag

Where to eat

There are variety of food that is offered in the nearby hotels. One can enjoy the vegetarian as well as the non vegetarian meals. There are variety of snacks and bakery products that are offered. There are also restaurants that offers amazing chinese cuisine

Nearby Temples

Kanakeshwar Forest(temple): Kanakeshwar situated near Alibag on Konkan coast. Kanakeshwar temple is situated in midst of forest so dense that the interior is impermeable to sunlight. The temple is situated on a small hill near the village of Mapgaon which is almost 12 km from Alibag. The hill is almost 1200 feet high and one has to climb 700 – 750 steps to reach the temple. The hill and the surroundings are good to visit. One can see the hilly region and the forest on the hill. The other places to see near Kanakeshwar are the Maruti Temple, Gaymandi (Sculpture of a Cow), Temple of Devi Putrabai, Gaymukh and the plateau of Vyaghreshwar (a small temple of Lord Shiva) etc. The temple of Kanakeshwar is very beautiful; it is a Hoysala style structure built in 1764. A water tank, called a “Pushkarni”, has water almost throughout the year.

Vikram Vinakyak Temple: Vikram Vinayak Mandir is situated inside the Vikram Ispat premises, which is at a distance of around 20 km from Alibaug. This temple is situated across the Revdanda Bridge and is surrounded by beautiful garden and fountains. Located on a small hillock, the temple can be reached by climbing the well paved stairs. Inside the temple, different idols of gods and goddesses can be seen such as Shiva-Parvati, Lord Surya, Shree Radha-Krishna and Goddess Durga.

Birla Mandir: This is a Ganesh temple of very modern architecture in white marble, situated on a small hill (130 easy steps). This is a place visited by tourists from all around. The entire hill is a temple complex with beautiful gardens & fountains all around. This temple is built by Grasim group near Vikram Ispat factory.

Someshwar Temple: Someshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Akshi, which is situated at a distance of 3 km from Alibaug. It was built by Satavahana rulers and the structure reflects the architectural style of their ruling period. The Someshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who also was revered as Someshwar. Legend has that Lord Shiva once drank an ocean that was full of poison and converted it into nectar. Pilgrims throng this place to seek the Lord’s blessings.

Shitala Devi Temple (Chaul): Originally it was built with a tiled roof and wooden structure. In 1990, it was renovated into a modern structure. It is a greatly revered shrine. This temple is 14 Km away from Alibag.

Siddhivinayak Temple at Nandgaon: On the way to Murud there is a temple of Ganesh situated at Nandgaon. It is surrounded by lush green coconut and supari plantations. Murud is a typical konkan town mixing rural & urban facilities.

Korlai village & Church: The village is populated by Roman catholic East Indians & local fishermen. Korlai has a rich historical background dating back to 300 years during Portuguese rule. A village church and adjoining convent school are in a typical rural setting and worth a visit.

Sri Datta Shrine: Another very famous hill shrine at Chaul is Sri Datta Mandir with its own Glory which is about 18 kms from Alibag. One has to climb around 700 stairs to reach this shrine.There is Hingulja Mandir situated near Datta Mandir, a historic temple built by Pandwas. There is five days Mela in the month of December at the occasion of Sri Datta Jayanti. Trekkers would love to visit this ancient temple.

Jio network in Uttarakhand – Kedarnath, Badrinath Coverage

January 28, 2020, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra

How is Jio network in Uttarakhand?

It is recommended not to carry Jio during the Char Dham Yatra. This is because you would face a lot of service issues. BSNL is the best network for Char Dham Yatra. Airtel also works well. However, there are chances of not getting the connection everywhere.

Char Dham Yatra Tour Package

We provide safe drivers and clean hotels for char dham yatra

Char Dham Tour Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8EazMZCd5E

It is best to carry a BSNL sim as the other networks including Jio don’t work properly in the Char Dhams and the major cities.

As the Char Dhams of this Yatra are located in the Himalayan terrain, you will lose network in many places. However, these networks work the best among all.

The more you travel and go towards the elevation, the chances of losing the network connectivity increases. As you move towards the city like Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi etc, you will get back the network connection.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Puri Jagannath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

February 19, 2020, Sasidhar Darla 108 Comments Filed Under: Odisha Temples Tagged With: Vishnu Temples

Puri Jagannath Temple is a Vaishnavite Pilgrimage site located in Puri, Odisha. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here. It is part of the holy Char Dham Yatra. Our guide explains Puri Jagannath temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Puri Jagannath.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Bhubaneswar Puri Konark Temple Tour.

Puri Jagannath Temple remains open daily between 05:00 am to 11:30 pm. There is an afternoon break in darshan from 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm. Prasadam timings of the temple are from 11:00 am to 01:00 pm. Required Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Puri Jagannath Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Jagannath (Lord Vishnu)
Location	Puri, Orissa
Tours	Bhubaneswar Puri Konark Temple Tour
Dress Code	Men: Formal dress. Women: Saree or Salwar
Entry Fee	Free
Darshan Timings	5:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Poojas	Gopala Ballava Pooja, Sahanamela
Best Time to Visit	October to February
Festivals	Rath Yatra

Puri Jagannath Temple, Orissa.

Puri Jagannath Temple Timings

The timings of the Puri Jagannath Temple are as follows:

Day	Timing
Monday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Thursday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Friday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Saturday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Sunday	5:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Rituals	Timings
Darshan	5:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Morning Darshan	5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Break (Temple closed)	1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Evening Darshan	4:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Prasadam	11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mangala Aarti	5:00 AM – 6:00 AM
Mailam	6:00 AM – 6:30 AM
Sahanamela	7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Sandhya Dhupa	7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Puri Jagannath Temple Flag Changing Time

Puri Jagannath Temple flag changing happens at 6 PM during summers and at 5 PM during winters. Every day, a new flag is tied to the wheel on the top of the temple for the devotees to witness.

Puri Jagannath Temple Dress Code

As per the Jagannath Temple dress code, men should wear formal pants and shirt. Women devotees should wear a sari or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Puri Jagannath temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

What is the significance of the Puri Jagannath temple?

The significance of Puri Jagannath temple lies in its idol. Unlike most idols located in other parts of the country, which are usually made of stone or metal, the idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood. It is a popular belief that Goddess Mahalakshmi herself supervises cooking in the temple’s kitchen.

A ritual unique to the Puri Jagannath temple is the Nabakalebara process. A Neem tree is selected, cut, and an exact replica of the original idols are made out of it. Then the old idols are buried under a place called Koili Vaikuntha.

In ancient times, the Puri Jagannath temple was iconic as it gave equal importance to Vaisnavism (devotees of Vishnu), Saktism (devotees of Bhadra Kali) as well as Saivism (devotees of Shiva). Lord Jagannath represents Lord Vishnu, Balabhadra is Lord Shiva while Subhadra represents Goddess Durga.

The Shrine of Jagannath Temple — The shrine consists of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, respectively.

What is the history of the Puri Jagannath Temple?

The history of Puri Jagannath dates back to many centuries. The copper plates of the Puri Jagannath Temple which were discovered belongs to the Ganga Dynasty which was then under the rule of Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev of Kalinga. In 1174E, the King Ananga Bhima Dev built the Puri Jagannath temple in its present form.

According to a story, King Indradyumna of the Malwa had a dream that one can see Lord Vishnu in his true form in Utkala (ancient name of Orissa).

He appointed a person named Vidyapati to search for this form. Vidyapati came upon the tribal community and found out about the worshipping of the Nila Madhava and he married the daughter of the chief of the tribe. The tribals showed him the way to the place housing the Nila Madhava.

Vidyapati informed the king about the place of worship but when the King went there by himself, the Nila Madhava disappeared. Lord Vishnu, taking pity, issued a divine message to him that he should go to the shores of Puri and create the image of Lord Jagannath from a log of wood that will be floating on the waves.

Lord Vishnu appeared as a carpenter and asked to leave him undisturbed for 21 days in a room so that he could prepare the image. However, on the insistence of the Queen, the room was opened early and only the unfinished images of the three gods and the Sudarsana Chakra were present.

What is the architecture of this temple?

Puri Jagannath Architecture — The temple complex is divided into four parts.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Further, it has four areas – Vimana (Sanctum), Jagamohan (Porch), Natamandir (Audience Hall) and Bhogamandap. The Vimana was once popular as the tallest structure in ancient India. On the walls, several murals depict the life of Lord Krishna.

What are the sevas and poojas performed at Puri Jagannath Temple?

The sevas and poojas performed at this temple are:

Abakash: During this ritual, the astrologer of the temple announces the specific time for the day’s rituals. Also, during this time, other activities are performed such as bathing as well as brushing the teeth of the deity.
Mailam: Every day, at 6 AM in the morning, the temple priests change the dresses and ornaments of the deities of the temple.
Sahanamela: Pilgrims can enter the inner sanctum to have a darshan. This takes place between 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
Gopala Ballava Pooja: Priests offer breakfast to the deities. They offer sweet popcorn (Khai), coconut sweets, ripe banana, curd, and chipped coconuts. They also perform pooja in a brief manner with Pancha Upachar only.
Sakala Dhupa: Three pundits sit in front of the three deities and worships each one of them. Then they offer bhog. Puri Jagannath Temple Administration bears the cost of the rituals.
Sandhya Dhupa: The aarti takes place between 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

What are the festivals celebrated here?

The Rath Yatra — The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is the world’s oldest rath yatra and is celebrated every year.

Here’s a list of festivals celebrated here:

Chandan Yatra: On Akshaya Tritiya, in the month of Vaisakha, devotees take the representative images of Lord Jagannath to a famous tank, Narendra Pokhari and immerse it.
Snana Yatra: This is the first time in a year when devotees take the deities out of the sanctum and place them on the Snana Vedi. Moreover, they dress Jagannath and Balabhadra like Lord Ganesha with an elephant head on top. They also bathe the idols with 108 buckets of water.
Rath Yatra: The Rath Yatra takes place in June-July every year. Devotees take the three deities to the Gundicha temple on three individual huge and magnificent raths. After 9 days, they bring back the deities to the temple in the same way. The return journey is popular as Bahuda Yatra. The three chariots are named Nandighosa for Jagannath, Taladhvaja for Balabhadra and Devadalana for Subhadra.
Makara Sankranthi: This festival occurs in the Hindu month of Pausa. The day signifies the rich harvest of the agricultural produce. Prayers are given and varieties of food are also kept in front of the deities for them to bless it.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Puri:

Air – The nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar which is 53 km away.
Train – Puri is well connected by rail. Direct trains are operated from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Road – The state buses are available in plenty from stations like Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Konark, and Chilka.

Where to stay near Puri?

The Jagannath Temple Administration maintains two guest houses by the names of Shri Gundicha Bhakta Nivas and the Nilachal Bhakta Yatri Nivas. One can book rooms online by visiting the site.

Private 3-star and 5-star hotels are also available in plenty for the pilgrims throughout the city of Puri.

What are some of the temples nearby?

Explore Puri — Thousands of people come to witness the famous Puri beach festival which takes place in November.

Some of the temples near Puri Jagannath are:

Sakshi Gopal Temple: The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Amla Navami is the main festival celebrated here. The temple is located 17 km away from the Puri Highway.
Vimala Temple: It is located inside the Puri Jagannath temple complex. Moreover, Goddess Vimala is the consort of Jagannath and a guardian of the temple complex. Devotees pay respects to Vimala before the worship of Jagannath in the main temple. Moreover, food becomes prasad only when devotees offer it to Vimala too.
Gundicha Temple: It is located 3 km away from the Jagannath temple. It is the destination of the chariots during the Rath Yatra. Further, the three deities are kept here for 7 days during the Rath Yatra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Puri Jagannath Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Puri Jagannath Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Puri Jagannath Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizen?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

Which is the best time to visit the Puri Jagannath Temple?

October to February is when winter starts in Orissa. The weather is pleasant, making it an ideal time to visit the temple.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers at Orissa starts from March and continues until May. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Orissa?

In Orissa, winters start in October and continues until January. The temperatures during this time range from around 16 º C to 30 º C.

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

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.