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Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho

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Matangeshwar Temple at Khajuraho

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. It is considered to be among the most beautiful and varied countries of the world. Being also referred to as the traveler’s delight, this place has been instrumental in churning out extraordinary authors, artists, and philosophers who speak volumes about the heritage and rich legacy of this nation. It is a sub-continent which has been ruled by the greatest Kings and Emperors and the palaces and forts still remind oneself of the grandeur of that era. India is a place where you will find all forms of natural surroundings that are found in the world. It’s a miniature of the earth in itself. In fact, it is rightly said as ‘Incredible India’ by world famous persons like Mark Twain, Max Mueller, and Sir William Jones etc. It is the home to one of the world’s ancient civilizations and people of all origin and ethnicities reside here. And during a trip to India, one is bound to visit some of the famous temples that are considered to be pious and sacred places of devotion by the devotees. Lord Shiva is the most revered Gods and is also said to be ‘Mahadev’ or the God of the Gods by the pilgrims. There are many temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. However, some of the popular among them top the list of must-visit destinations. The Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho located at Khajuraho in the state of Madhya Pradesh is one such example. It is so famous that Khajuraho is also called as the city of Matangeshwar.

Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho

Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho History

  • The Matang, who is known as 10th Incarnation or Avatar of Lord Shiva, was the forefather of the great philosopher Mamaidev. Being from the Maheshary community, he is the devotee of Matang and preached to poor Maisarias and Sinbhariya Meghvar community of India. Additionally, he was the pioneer of Barmati panth dharma and he has given word Dharmachar to poor maisarias Meghvar.
  • The Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho is a ninth century sanctuary. Chandra dev of the Chandela dynasty had built the sanctuary. The ruler was an ardent follower of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is considered as the revered sage Matang and that is the means by which the name of the Shiva Lingam was called as Matangeswarar.
  • This Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho is also famous for being counted among one of the oldest temples in India. Moreover, it is considered to be one of the most pious pilgrimage destinations for people visiting Khajuraho.
  • It is the only temple where active worship takes place even today. Although it is has been built for more than 1100 years ago, this shrine stands tall among the Western Group of Temples which are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Significance of the Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho

  • This sanctuary is the home to some of the largest Shiva lingams of India. The shrine is eight feet in height and is made up of sparkling yellow limestone. There is a little Ganesh structure at upper right, and an extensive picture of a Goddess with two smaller attendant deities was set up on the way toward the temple.
  • On the contrary, like different sanctuaries of Khajuraho the outside and inside of this sanctuary alongside its pillars are not designed with idols but rather the roof is covered with figures.
  • The south direction of this sanctuary consists of an open-air archeological exhibition hall that has an excellent display of statues and friezes gathered from that location.
  • Standing next to the Lakshmana Temple, this auspicious shrine is not located within the fenced enclosure because it is still in everyday use.
  • One may consider it to be the plainest temple here but inside it displays a polished lingam of 8 feet.
  • The enormous lingam evokes awe mixed devotion and is second only to the lingam at Bhojpur near Bhopal.
  • This ancient temple is located in world famous UNESCO world heritage site at Khajuraho town in Madhya Pradesh.
  • While Khajuraho is acclaimed for its dazzling sanctuaries and their carving and world renowned design, the Matangeshwar sanctuary has a reputation worldwide for being the popular vacation destination because of its presence of the antique and sexual carvings that embellish the wall of Matangeshwar and other holy shrines.
  • A visitor might notice the yellow flag that is visible at the top of the temple. This flattering flag in the real sense signifies that there is a ceremony which is underway in the temple.
  • The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development has set up kiosks at the Khajuraho railway station, with tourist officers to provide information for Khajuraho visitors.
  • Photography is not allowed within the temple premises.

The Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho Timings

  • Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho opens its doors for the pilgrims from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M.
  • As it is counted among one of the popular destinations, the temple remains open on all days in a week.
  • The entrance fee is INR 10 per person for Indians and foreigners.

The Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho Food Timings

  • Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho provides food to the pilgrims from 12 Noon to 2 P.M.
  • Devotees can offer sweets and dry fruits to the God in the form of a Prasad.

Festivals celebrated at the Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho

  • There are countless people who flock to the Matangeshwar Temple and worship the deity for the entire night on the event of Shivaratri.
  • The Holy celebration is held in Month of Vaishakh, Amavasya. There are millions of people who opt to take a bath on this auspicious day of Amavasya at Khajuraho which is the last day of the lunar month lunar month, in Gujarat, Sindh etc. Pakistan Nirvan day of Matang dev is celebrated on akhatrij month of Vaishakh which day is dedicated to the Matang Dev, he is known as Karam dev in Maisariya Dharam of Mamaidev.
  • This is the most important festival which calls in for 10-day-long affairs that witness the participation of merchants and gypsies from different parts of the state. This is also coupled with assortments of handicrafts, rural circus shows; magic shows and folk theater that are organized as well.
  • Apart from that, Holi and Diwali are some other festivals which are observed with great pomp in this temple.

Poojas and Rituals at Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho

  • Pilgrims wake up at early hours in the morning on the occasion of Mahasivaratri and follow it up with taking a bath and wearing new garments. Then, they visit the pious Shiva sanctuary, to give a ritual bath to the Shiva Lingam with milk, honey etc. The worship continues throughout the entire day and night. The following morning, devotees break their fast by tasting the Prasad which has been offered to Lord Shiva. Then the pilgrims chant “Om Namah Shivaya” with utmost devotion. Bilva leaves are constantly offered to the Lingam. Songs of Lord Shiva are sung with extraordinary perseverance.
  • Apart from that, the Lord is daily bathed in the morning and offered Prasad as well. Flowers, incense sticks, and sandal paste are also applied on the forehead of the Lingam.

How to Reach: Road, Rail, and Air

  • By Air– Khajuraho has direct connectivity from Delhi and Varanasi with at least a flight every day. During the peak tourist season which is normally from the month of October to March, there are more flights that travel between Khajuraho. Theairport is not very far from the town and one can find local auto and cab services to reach one’s destination.
  • By Train– Khajurahohas been recently connected with railway transport and this has been a relieving sigh for all its admirers. There are not many trains to Khajuraho but still it has overnight trains to Delhi and Varanasi. However, getting a ticket during the peak season is quite a challenge. Hence, travelers are advised to book their reservations in advance in order to avoid any last minute hassles.
  • By Road– For people who love to travel by roads, Khajuraho is well linked with all the major national highways in India. For example, places like Jhansi, Satna etc are quite popular among the tourists to reach this wonderful city. 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

Accommodation is one of the fundamental requirements for any tourism activity. Voyagers and vacationers need a decent place for rest while they are on a visit. Accommodation in the form of low budget hotels to world-class lavish inns; there are many options accessible to all major tourist destinations to give the visitor a home far from home. These are foundations that give a spot to the vacationer to stay i.e. lodging facilities which are paid for the duration of the stay by the traveler. In addition, individuals who are traveling alone or people who are looking to stay at less expensive hotels can put up at hotels that provide rooms on a sharing basis. So, choose your lodging option as per your needs.

Where to eat

Hotels play an integral role in the travel and tourism industry. Today, hotels not only provide accommodation and meals but also offer a variety of other services as per the needs of the tourist/guest. For example, many hotels offer a health club, private restaurants etc. There are a plethora of choices available for customers when it comes to choosing one’s cuisine. From Indian to Mexican to Italian and Chinese, the modern eating joints provide quality food at a competitive price range. Some restaurants also arrange for live music performances to create that perfect ambiance with the food. In addition, there is also an option to customize one’s menu as per to their liking. Hence, satisfy your appetite with that perfect taste and aroma.

Nearby Temples

  • Brahma Temple- This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it stands tall at a height of 11 feet platform. The Brahma Temple is situated on the east bank of the Ninora Tal which is the largest tank in Khajuraho. The shrine is indeed small which is built in a square shape structure that rests on twelve pilasters of granite.
  • Lakshmana Temple- Being one of the oldest and strikingly structured shrines of the Western Group of Temples, the lintel over the entrance displays the trinity of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It has a three-headed idol of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations, Narasimha, and Varaha. This marvelous architecture has been constructed by the emperor Lakshavarma. The deity is said to be originally from Tibet and was gifted to the emperor by the Pratihara ruler Devapala.
  • Duladeo Temple- This is another temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also known as the Bridegroom Temple and has more wooden sculpture. Although it is a gorgeous erotic image of Khajuraho, it is still a new temple that is assumed to have been constructed after the inventiveness of Khajuraho was on its way to a new era and well down its peak. The temple becomes quite crowded during special occasions like Maha Shivaratri etc.
  • Chausath Yogini Temple- The temple is located in the south-western part of the group of temples in Madhya Pradesh. It belongs to the Western Group of Temples and is dedicated to 64 Yoginis who are the demonstrations of the Mother Goddess. There is a large number of tourists that visits the temple all around the year. This popular temple has been erected on a large raised podium which itself is set in an open courtyard with small temples surrounding it. It is these shrines that are devoted to the Yoginis. It is well accessible from all parts of the state by both private and public bus services. Moreover, the Satna Rail Station is connected with the important cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Varanasi.

Swaminarayan Temple Mumbai Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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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.

swaminarayan Temple 2

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 13th 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 11th 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.

Hidimba Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Hidimba Devi temple (or Hadimba Temple),  in honor of Bhima’s wife Hidimba, is in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. It is in the midst of a forest- Dhungri Van Vihar. The sanctuary is over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which the devotees worshipped as an image of the deity.

What is the history of the Hidimba Devi Temple?

According to the history of Hidimba Devi Temple, the complex was built in 1553. There are also a few local folktales that go around. One of them says that after Pandavas, along with Kunti Devi escaped the fire in the Lakh palace, they came to this area (current temple area).

At that time the rakhshasa king whose sister was Hidimba, ruled the place.

Bhima fell in love with her and married her. They eventually giving birth to their son Ghatotkacha. Hadmiba meditated in Dhungri region near Manali. She gained supernatural powers after her tapasya. She was very kind and thus became quite popular amid the locals. They erected a ‘pagoda’ style temple and dedicated it to her, Hadmiba Devi. Another legend says that Maharaja Bahadur Singh during 1552.

What is the significance of Hidimba Devi Temple?

The significance of the Hidimba Devi Temple is that it has a 24 m high tower. The three tiers of its square roofs are covered with timber tiles, while the conical roof is clad in metal. Moreover, Devi Durga forms the theme of the main doors carvings.

Further, the temple base consists of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework. An enormous rock occupies the inside of the temple, only a 7.5 cm (3 inch) tall brass image representing goddess Hidimba Devi.

According to a legend, in bygone days religious zealots would tie the hands of “sinners” by the rope and then swing them against the rock- thus a rope hangs against the rock.

70 m away a shrine exists dedicated to Ghatotkacha.

One of the prominent features of the temple is that inside the temple complex there lies the imprint of the feet of the Goddess on a block of stone. Also, when zooming into the area where the temple is present via Google Satellite, the imprint of a giant foot spans across the valley in the area near the temple.

What are the timings at Hidimba Devi Temple?

Here are the timings of Hidimba Devi Temple:

TimingsFromTo
Open 8:00 a.m.6:00 p.m.

What festivals are celebrated at Hidimba Devi Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Hidimba Devi Temple are:

  • During the Hindi month of Shravan, a grand festival is organized. This festival is in the memory of the person who constructed it, Raja Bahadur Singh. Locals also know it as Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.
  • Another important festival or event held is the celebration of the birthday of Hadmiba Devi, on the 14th of May, every year. At this time, the local women visit the Dungri forest area and celebrate with music and dance.

How to reach Hidimba Devi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Hidimba Devi Temple:

  • Air: The Bhuntar Airport at Kullu which is 10 km from Manali.
  • Rail: The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar. Also, the closest broad gauge railheads are Chandigarh and Ambala.
  • Road: Kullu and Manali both the places are on the National Highway No. 21.

Where to stay in Manali?

Some places where one can stay near temple are:

  • Khushboo Resorts at Manali is a famous place to stay. It has got excellent room services and suitable amenities. It is present at Border Road Officers Mess.
  • Hotel Hadimba Heights at Dhungri near Ghatotkach & Hadimba Temple is another grand place to check in. It has a wonderful homely atmosphere with serene natural surroundings.

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some of the places that one can visit nearby are:

  • Malana – Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, Malana is an ancient solitary Indian village to the north-east of Kullu Valley. Three mountain passes connect the village to Kullu. The majestic peaks of Deo Tibba and Chandrakhani shadow the village.
  • Kullu is at a height of 1,230 meters above the level of the sea in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is also popular as the ‘Valley of Gods’. The scenic views, towering jungles, blue water rivers, apple orchards, and snow-kissed mountains are some of the major pointers which attract tourists to this location.

Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple

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Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple is at a distance of 13 km from Kanyakumari. This temple is for Lord Hanuman and is also famous as “Suchindram Lord Anjaneyar Temple ” which indicates to the trinity, worship of three Gods – Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

“Sthanu” means Siva; “Mal” means Vishnu; and the “Aya” means Brahma. Moreover, the word Suchindram comes from Sanskrit meaning ‘purify’.

What is the history of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Built during the 17th century the Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple boasts an interesting history. Also, the Namboodiris, one of the main Namboodiri families called the Thekkumon Madam previously controlled it. It is a belief that Lord Shiva stayed at Suchindram Temple when Devi came for self-punishment at Kanyakumari.

Lord Indra, the king of Devas also got rid of His curse by worshiping the Lingam at this Thanumalayan Temple. And hence devotees believe that Lord Indra visit this temple everyday to worship Lord Shiva. The temple also has a huge appeal to Vaishnavites and Saivites all over India.

What is the significance of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

The significance of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple is that the statue of Lord Hanuman stands majestically at a height of 22 feet, which is carved of a single block of granite. Moreover, the representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India.

Devotees also believe that Lord Hanuman hid underground at this temple in 1740 to protect it from the attack by Tipu Sultan, a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.

There are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone, and which stand at 18 feet (5.5 m) in height; these are an architectural and design highlight of the temple grounds.

The gopuram has been carved with Ramayana and Mahabharatha stories by using herbal ink.

Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki, Indra Vinayaka, Kala Bhairava and Saakahi Ganapathy are also present here. Inscriptions date from the 9th century are found in this temple making it more ethnic in its core.

The dancing hall of this temple contains an additional 1035 pillars filled with wonderful carvings.

What are the timings of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Here are the timing so f Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple:

Timings From To
Morning Darshan 4:30 AM 11:30 AM
Evening Darshan 5 PM 8:30 PM
Abhisheka for moola lingam  4:15 a.m.
Abhisheka for Thanumalayan 4:15 a.m
 daily pooja 5:30 a.m.
Abhisheka pooja 6:30 a.m.
Mistanga pooja 7:15 a.m.
Ucchikala pooja 11:00 a.m.

 

 

Which festivals are celebrated at Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple are:

  • The Avani festival takes place at August.
  • The Masi festival takes place at March.
  • Marghazi festival is an important one and takes place for two months at December and January.
  • Chiththirai festival takes place at April.

How to reach Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Here’s how to reach Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple:

  • Air: Thiruvanathapuram International airport is the nearest airport 70 km away from the temple.
  • Rail: Nagercoil junction located at a distance of 3 km from the temple is the nearest station where regular trains are available.
  • Road: Buses ply from places such as Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Trivandram.

Where to stay near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple are:

  • Pioneer Grand Palace is roughly 7 km from Parakkai Lake and 1 km from Vadasery Bus Stand. The property in Nagercoil is a budget accommodation offering free buffet breakfast and great atmosphere.
  • Hotel Reech at 57 Court Road, Nagercoil is another suitable place to check in.

What are some temples near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

The world famous Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple is near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple. It is an important temple near Nagercoil – colachel State highway in Mandaikadu. During the month of Masi, people from all over India come here to celebrate the famous Kodai vizha festival.

Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple is at the confluence of three seas of India’s South Corner.

Parasuram constructed the temple 3000 years ago and then one of the kings of the Pandya Dynasty renovated it. Devotees believe that Goddess Bhagavathy stood here as a spinster and she killed the demon Banasuran on Vijayadasami, the last day of Navarathiri festival.

Panchalingeshwar

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Panchalingeshwar Temple: Temple with 5 Lingas

Panchalingeshwar Temple is in Balasore district of Orissa. Panchalingeshwar Temple is situated on the hilltop of the Eastern Ghats in Panchalingeswar, Nilagiri, Balasore district of Orissa. The Shivalingas are said to have been enshrined by Sita, the wife of Lord Rama during their exile. Pachalingeswar temple is  situated in Western ghat of odisha near Nilagiri hill. A beautiful flowing stream, which is the real attraction of the area, regularly flows over the Shivalingas. On reaching the top one has to bend down, and search for the Linga’s inside a pool created by the waterfall. It is said that there are 5 linga’s – hence the name Panchalingeshwar. Tourists are  attracted by the village of Panchalingeswar to visit the Panchalingeswar temple, the shrine of Lord Shiva.To touch the lingas one has to lie flat on a rock and get a feel of the lingas. The temple one can also savor the spectacular sight of small tribal villages and hamlets as you trek through the forests of the Nilagiri.

One has to climb 263 stairs in order to reach the Panchalingeshwar Temple. The stream and waterfall grow in size during the monsoons and the Pancha Lingas becomes difficult to locate by hand. The approach to the temple is scenic as it is surrounded by a forest. Visitors can also go to  Sajanagarh, near to Panchalingeshwar, to see the Budarachandi temple.  As the name implies Panchalingeshwar is famous for its unique ‘panchalinga’ or the five lingas of Lord Shiva enshrined in the temple. If you love trekking, then one can trek at the Nilagiri Hills. Enjoy your trips in the nearby sightseeing places.

Panchalingeshwar

Panchalingeshwar History

  • The Shivalingas of Panchalingeshwar are said to have been enshrined by Sita during their period of exile. King Banasura worshiped the Swayambhu Lingas at this place given its beauty. A perennial stream, which is the main attraction of the area, regularly washes the Shivalingas as it flows over them. To reach to the temple one has to lie flat on the rock parallel to the stream to touch and worship the lingas inside the water stream.
  • In 1811 A.D Gobinda Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan, the son of King Mandhata Ramachandra was enthroned as the next king who ruled from 1811 A.D. to 1848 A.D. Krishna Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan was enthroned in 1849 A.D after the death of his father.
  • Arnapurnna Devi who was his queen had a dream in which Lord Shiva ordered her to worship his five Phallus symbols engraved in a grove in a pit of flowing stream of water in east of Ahuti valley.
  • As said by the queen,  the king and his courtiers, counselors, and minister went to Ahuti forest and searched for the 5 Shiva lingams. When they relocated the lingas everyone uttered the slogan ‘Jay Baba Panchalingeswara’. From that day onward the name of that place is Panchalingeswara.
  • Late Bihari Kar of Basudevpur was appointed as the first priest for worship in the temple. King worshiped the emblems and made all sorts of arrangements to worship Baba Panchalingeswara.
  • It is believed that Lord Shri Ram Chandra, Sita and Laxman spent 5 days in this valley during their period of exile in the Ahuti Valley. The legendary Pandavas used to reside in this valley and concealed themselves from kauravas.

Significance of the Panchalingeshwar Temple

The name Panchalingeswar means five Siva Lingas. ‘Pancha’ menace five and ‘lingeswar’ menace lord Shiva. The important things in panchalingeswar temple are the five Siva Lingas, a small stream is coming through the hill Nilagiri and gathering at the five Siva Lingas. The Lings are present inside the stream and worshipped.

The small waterfall becomes bigger during the monsoons and the 5 rock piece kind of formation called the Pancha Lingas becomes difficult to locate. To reach to the sanctuary one needs to lie level on the stone parallel to the stream to touch and love the Lingas inside the water stream.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The Nearest airports are at Bhubaneshwar 294 km and at Kolkata, 206 Km.Land at Bhubaneswar airport and travel to Balasore via Bus.

By Rail:  Balasore is the nearest railway station. One can reach to the Baleswar Railway Station and then easily reach to the temple area.

  • Trains from Kolkata(Howrah): FALAKNUMA EXPRESS., EAST COAST EXP, COROMANDAL EXP, SRIJAGANNATH EXP, HWH YPR EXP, HWH PURI EXPRESS
  • From New Delhi: PURSHOTTAM EXP, PURI EXP, NEELACHAL EXP, ORISSA SAMPARK KRNTI
  • From Chennai Central (Egmore): COROMANDEL EXP, HOWRAH MAIL

By Road: Buses for Panchalingeswar are available from Balasore, Baripada, Chandipur, etc. Taxi, car transport is also available from these towns. It will take 30 minutes /45 minutes through hired taxi.

Where to stay

One can stay at Govt. accommodations in Panchalingeswar, which is operated by the Orissa Tourism Department Corporation. There are also a few standard hotels and private resorts at the location. Good hotels are available in Balasore town. The Panthanivas at Panchalingeswar also provides accommodation for visitors. For Reservations, contact: Tourist Officer, Balasore, Near Police Line.  

Where to eat

There are varieties food are available here, which is very delight & tasty. All the restaurants typically provide with Bengali , Oriya,Western ,Chinese & South Indian Dishes.There are many restaurants located close to and around the Chandipur Beach that offer the best of dishes and other Indian cuisines. Some other popular eating joints around Chandipur Beach are Fantasy Restaurant and Rainbow Restaurant.

Nearby Temples

Chandaneswar: Another 6 km towards west from Digha, there is Chandaneswar, which is famous for a Shiva Temple. In the month of Chaitra which is in the last month of Bengali calendar year, an annual fair is organised around this temple. Pilgrims from all over the country, especially from Orissa, Bengal, Bihar come to this fair. There are bus/rickshaw services from Digha to Chandaneswar. Apart from this, Calcutta-Chandaneswar, Howrah-Balasore, Digha-Baripada buses ply via Chandaneswar.Chandaneswar is located 88 Km from Balasore and famous for Chandaneswar temple. Chandaneswar temple is a holy place. About 4 km from Chandaneswar and 4 km from Digha in West Bengal is the tranquil beach at Talasari, surrounded by casuarina groves.

Langaleswar: The location of the temple by the side of river parvati too creates a scenic beauty and makes another attraction of the place. It is the location where Lord Shiva used to plough the paddy field. In memory of the same plough is there and  hundreds of pilgrims use to gather there to worship the Lord Langaleswar who has been named after that plough. Langaleswar is famous for  Saivasim.

Khirachora Gopinath: The Khirachora Gopinatha temple is situated in Remuna. .It is supposed that Sri Rama carved ‘Gopinath’ with His arrow and that sita worshiped this deity in Chitrakuta. King Langula Narashingha Dev,the king of odisha,brought this Deity to Remuna in the 13th century from Chitrakut. It is supposed that Sri Rama carved ‘Gopinath’ with His arrow and that sita worshiped this deity in Chitrakuta. King Langula Narashingha Dev,the king of odisha,brought this Deity to Remuna in the 13th century from Chitrakut. .It is supposed that Sri Rama carved ‘Gopinath’ with his arrow and that sita worshiped this deity in Chitrakuta. King Langula Narashingha Dev, the king of odisha, brought this Deity to Remuna in the 13th century from Chitrakut.

Bhudharchandi temple: The ancient Bhudhar Chandi Mandir (a temple of Goddess Chandi) that attracts a large number of tourists. The Bhudhar Chandi Mandir is situated in a small village known as Sajanagarh close to the town of Nilgiri and about 15.7 km from the town of Balasore. It is about 13 km from the Sergarh junction on NH-5. Historical evidence gathered from this place shows that the temple was built and established by the Nilgiri king Shri Vasanta Virata Bhujanga Mandhata who ruled during the years 1421 B.C. and 1464 B.C.

Baleswar Temple: The principle Baleshwar sanctuary is devoted to Lord Shiva (who is otherwise called Baleshwar). There are two different sanctuaries in the compound of Baleshwar, one committed to Ratneshwar and other to Champawati Durga. The sanctuary is based on South Indian Architecture with wonderful Stone Carving works. Near to the Baleshwar Temple is a “Naula” (Fresh water asset) which has now become scarce. Upon the arrival of MahaShivRatri, an exceptionally packed reasonable is held in the Baleshwar Temple compound.

Akhandalamani Temple: The Holy Shrine Siva Lingam Baba Akhandalamani is situated in the river bank of Baitarani at Aradi Village of Bhadrak District. It is one of the ancient Shaiva Pitha of Odisha and famous as Mani Baba both in Odisha and outside. There are many fairs and festivals observed at the temple of Baba Akhandalamani. But Maha Shivaratri is the best among them. This festival is locally known as Jagara Mela. On this day pilgrims and devotees from all places of Odisha are assembled here to worship Akhandalamani at Aradi.

Biranchi Narayana Temple: It is located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Bhadrak, on the way from Bhadrak to Chandabali.  The existing temple is dedicated to Biranchi-narayan, who is enshrined as a roughly four-faced image of the Sun. A square stone slightly tapering towards the top contains four carved images of the Sun god in relief.  This is the one only one temple of Lord Brahma who is the creator of the World.

Nearby Places

Chandipur Beach: Chandipur Beach is situated under the district of Balasore in the state of Orissa. It is located on Bay of Bengal coastline, the beach attracts travellers from India and different parts of the world. One of the unique features of Chandipur Beach that sets it apart from other beaches of the state is the variance of water level owing to the tides. The place is an ideal weekend retreat for the crowd in the nearby cities who want to get away from the stress of city life.

Devikund Waterfalls: The name suggests Devkund (where god takes bath) water falls into a Kund or pool which is believed to be a sacred pool. In all, there are 5 waterfalls which fall into Kund and thus the place also named as Pancha Kunda. These 5 waterfalls are Amrit Kund, Ghrita Kund, Haladi Kund, Devkund and Devi Kund. At 100 steps above the waterfall near the river source sacred temple of Devi Ambika is located. It is a part of the Udala division of Similipal Forest via Nilagiri/Udala from Panchlingeswar. It is 75 km from Panchalingeswar, 69 km from Kuldiha and 87 km from Balasore.

Kuldhia: This sanctuary is located in the district of Balasore and is blessed with a charming forest and a variety of wildlife such as tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, giant squirrel, a number of bird species like leaf-bird, hill myna, peafowl, hornbills and various reptiles. Some cycus plants and surprisingly very few mangrove trees also could be seen at Gudikhola area. The Kuldiha Forest itself is the best attraction to watch out for. The forest is also the home to Tenda Elephant Sanctuary and a Lion Sanctuary.

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