Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

August 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 48 Comments Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With: Navagraha Temples, Shiva Temples

Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple of Sri Darbaraneswarar in Tamil Nadu is one of the Navagrahas. The main deities of the shrine are Lord Shiva, his consort Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shani Bhagawan. In the Thirunallar Temple, Lord Shiva is Darbaraneswara while Goddess Parvati is popular as Pranamambika or Bogamartha Poon Mulayal (Poonmulalammal).

Planning to visit the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple? Have a look at our Navagraha Temple Tour Package.

Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Shani (Saneeswaran)
Location	Thirunallar, Tamil Nadu
Significance	Navagraha
Tours	Navagraha Temple Tour
Darshan Timings	6:00 AM to 12:30 PM; 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee	General Darshan: Free; VIP Darshan: Rs. 150 per person.
Poojas	Til Pooja
Dress Code	Traditional wear
Best Time to Visit	September to February
Festivals	Sanipeyarchi

What are the timings of Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple?

Here are the darshan timings of Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple:

Ritual	From	To
Morning Darshan	6:00 AM	12:30 PM
Evening Darshan	4:00 PM	8:30 PM

What are the sevas and poojas at Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple?

Thirunallar Saneeswaran Pooja — There are several poojas that take place at the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple.

The devotees believe that they can get rid of their curses and spells of bad luck if they pray in this temple. Hence, pilgrims take a dip in the Nala Theertha and offer worship at the temple. The worship here also includes lighting holy lamps with til (gingelly) seeds and oil. After prayers, balls of cooked rice are offered to the Crow, the mount of Saniswara.

Apply Gingelly oil on the head before the bath an leave the clothes there. After dressing up, visit the nearby Kali Theertha Vinayakar shrine and offer prayers and break coconuts.

Devotees can also donate for the poojas to the temple. Also, there are two ways to do poojas. One is the devotees themselves should collect all the materials for the pooja and handover to the concerned temple authorities. One can also send the money directly to temple authorities

What is the significance of Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple?

Lord Saneeswaran — It is believed that Lord Shani is extremely powerful and his blessings can reduce the ill effects of the Grahas.

The significance of the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple is that offering prayers at this temple are believed to reduce the ill effects of Lord Shani and increase the positive effects. Also, for over thousand years Hindus have visited this temple and have found their misfortunes and bad luck to decrease as this is the only temple in the world where Lord Shani lost his power to Lord Shiva.

Saturn is popular as the Celestial Taskmaster and the Grand Teacher. Worshipping of Lord Shani helps people to develop a positive mindset even during the harshest of Shani periods. It will help us benefit from great difficulties, challenges and limitations. While it is true that offering worship here decreases the difficult effects and increases the positive effects of Saturn it does not completely eliminate the hardships we will face due to Shani Bhagawan.

Since the principal Deity Lord Dharbaranyeswara and his consort “Bhogamartha Poon Mulayal” have the power to offer benediction to the devotees, hundreds of people visit this temple daily. The other deities of the shrine are Swarna Vinayaka, Lord Subramaneswara Swamy and Thyagaraja. The image of Lord Saneeswara is there in a graceful standing pose in Niche on the left side of the Lord Dharbaranyeswara.

There is also an additional attraction in the shape of holy tanks which exists here possess healing powers literally and metaphorically. Also, the place was originally a forest of Dharba grass and it is stated that the Shiva Lingam even now has impressions left by the Dharba weeds within which it was situated.

The official website of the Thirunallar Sanesswaran Temple is:
http://thirunallartemple.com/

What is the history of Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple?

According to the history of the Thirunallar temple, the famous King Nala and the Queen Damayanthi liked each other and got married. However, Devas wanted to marry the queen Damayanthi. So after this marriage, Devas got angry and jealous of Nala. Devas reached out Saneeswaran and asked him to help them out.

But after seeing the couple, he decided to make devas understand the Nala’s true love for his queen. Saneeswaran gave a lot of troubles to King Nala and finally, the King reached Thirunallaru. The King worshipped the Lord Dharpaneswara at this temple and hence the lord made him free from curses and doshas.

Nala stayed in place for some time and built the temple. After Nala got back his kingdom. The world Thirunallar is derived from two words – “Nala” means King Nala and “Aru” means “to heel” which means Nala’s place.

Another popular legend states that once, one of the wives of Surya Deva, Usha, couldn’t tolerate the heat of the sun. Hence, she converted her shadow as another woman in the name of “Saya Devi” and lived in that name. Saneeswaran was born to Saya Devi and Surya Deva.

Later when Surya Deva came to know this, he got angry with Usha and he didn’t accept Saneeswaran as part of his family. Saneeswaran then went to Kashi (Varanasi), worshipped Lord Viswanath (Shiva) and become part of one of the Navagrahas.

What are the festivals celebrated at Thirunallar Saneeswaram Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Thirunallar Temple are:

Soorasamharam festival: The popular belief is that Lord Muruga killed Soorapadman with his ‘Vel’ and this divine act is known as Soorasamharam. Then, the next day is Thirukalyanam – the divine marriage of Muruga and Devasena.
Sanipeyarchi festival: On this day Sri Saneeswara Bhagawan transits from Thulam (Libra) to Vrischika (Scorpio). Also, poojas and rituals take place on the day for Shani Dosha Parihara. The day on which Lord Shani transits is Sanipeyarchi Festival in Thirunallar Temple.
Thiruvathirai festival: It is considered to worship Lord Shiva, and the devotees go early morning to temples. Unmarried women observe a partial fast on this day to get good husbands and married women take a fast from the preceding day (Makayiram Nakshatra) and on the day of Thiruvathira for the well being of their husband and family.
Adi Pooram festival: Aadi Pooram, also called as ‘Aandal Jayanti’, is a prime festival of Tamilians. This festival is for Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The day begins with the making of huge kolams (rangoli) in front of the home. Dakshinayana Punyakalam, the night of the Devas, begins on the first day of the month Aadi.

How to reach Thirunallar?

Here’s how to reach Thirunallar:

Air: The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli which is 168 Km.
Road: This temple is 5 KM from the Karaikkal bus stand and 22 KM away from Nagapattinam bus stand.
Rail: The nearest station is Karaikkal. The easiest route is from Chennai to Thirunallar is via Tindivanam, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Tranquebar, Karaikal.

Where to stay at Thirunallar?

Some of the places where one can stay at Thirunallar are:

Holiday Farms & Resorts: Main Road, Akkaraivattam, Karaikal
Kumaran Guest House: 160, Thirunallar Road, Karaikal
Hotel Arya Bhavan: Thirunallar Road, Karaikal, Pondicherry
Government Tourist Home: Near Bus Stand, Koilpathu, Karaikal, Tamil Nadu
Thirunallar Devasthanam Tourist Home: Thirunallar, Karaikal
Hotel Nandha: 207, Kamaraj Salai, Karaikal
Hotel City Plaza: Bharathiar Road, Karaikal
PWD Guest House: Beach Road, Karaikal

Where to eat at Thirunallar?

Some of the places where one can eat at Thirunallar are:

The Richmond: 12, Labourdonnais Street, Pondicherry
Sarovar Hotel: 23, Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry
Subasree Cottage: Near Nalathirtham, Thirunallar Rd
Food Land: 15/3, Market Street, Karaikal – 609602
New Husainiya Restaurant: 65/1, Church Street, Karaikal – 609602,

What are some temples near Thirunallar Temple?

Where is Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple — There are many beautiful temples near the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple.

Some of the temples near the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple are:

Kailasanathar Temple: The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple in Kanchipuram is a famous temple of Lord Shiva. Also. the Shiva Lingam in this temple is 10 feet high. Moreover, King Rajasimha, of the Pallava dynasty, built this Shiva temple in the early 8th century. It is an early structural temple and consists of sandstone.
Bhadrakali Temple: The place was initially Ambara-harattur meaning victory over Ambaran, which subsequently became Ambagarathur. Goddess Bhadrakali is also the most efficient goddess in endowing blessings to the followers. It is a religious temple for the Hindus.
Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple: Karaikal Ammaiyar is a small shrine, which is dedicated to Karaikal Ammaiyar, the only woman out of the sixty-three Nayanmars. Further, Malaiperumal Pillai constructed it in 1929. It is also famous for the huge idol of this lady saint. Also popular as Goddess Punithavati, this woman and the episodes of her supernatural powers are famous among natives of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple

Is the Thirunallar Sanesswaran open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Thirunallar 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 Thirunallar 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 Thirunallar?

In Thirunallar, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 28 º C. The weather during this time is slightly warm but pleasant.

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

Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchipuram

September 15, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With: Pancha Bhoota Stalam, Shiva Temples

The Ekambareswarar Temple in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas. It is dedicated to the element of earth, or Prithvi. Lord Shiva is Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar here represented byPrithvi lingam. Moreover, Devi Parvati is depicted as Gowridevi Amman.

The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (ether), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind). Further, all of the four famous Shaivite Saints have sung the glories of this temple. Srikalahasti temple is famous for it’s Rahu Ketu Dosha Remedy.

What is the history of Ekambareswarar Temple?

History of Ekambeswarar temple says that Pallava Kings built a part of the temple. However, the rest of it was built in the 17 th century. This temple is one of the most ancient in India. Also, Second century AD Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam.

Initially, Pallavas built the temple. The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. Then, the Chola Kings rebuilt the entire structure. Also, Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint remodelled kanchipuram along with expansion of this temple.

The Vijayanagar kings also made a lot of contributions to the temple. Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple. He also spent a lot of money on the temple’s renovation. The temple pillar contains an image of Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horseback.

According the devotees, there is a legend around the temple. Some say that once while Lord Shiva was meditating Parvati mischievously covered his eyes with her fingers. It resulted in complete darkness on earth for many years. As a result, Parvati went to earth and created the earth linga and worshiped it under a mango tree in Kanchipuram giving birth to the temple.

What is the significance of Ekambareswarar Temple?

The significance of the Ekambeswarar Temple is that it is the 1st of the 32 Tevara Stalam built in the Tondai region. It is the largest Shiva temple in Kanchipuram. A Somaskanda panel featuring Shiva, Parvati and Skanda together adorn the back end of the main shrine.

In 1509, Krishna Deva Raja of the Vijayanagara kingdom built a 60 meter high Gopuram.

The temple premise also has a 540 pillar hall, beautifully designed and carved. The Vijayanagara Monarch constructed the pillared hall.

A 3500 years old mango tree adores the sanctum having four branches each dedicated to the four Vedas. Moreover, the Deity derives its name from the Mango tree from the words Eka-Amra-Natha, meaning the Lord of the Mango tree. The path to the tree also has a Shiva Lingam made of around 1008 small lingas.

What are the timings of Ekambareswarar Temple?

The timings of Ekambeswarar temple are:

Timings	From	To
Morning	6 AM	11 AM
Evening	5 PM	8 PM
Ushakkala Pooja	6 AM
Saayaraksha Pooja	6 PM
Arthajama Pooja	8PM

Which festivals are celebrated at Ekambareswarar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Ekambeswarar temple are:

The month of July observes the important festival Ani Tirumanjanam .
Also, the month of August observes Adi Kritikai and Avani Moolam .
The Chitra Purnima and Vaisakhi In the months of May and June marks the temples annual calender. The Panguni is a festival of 13 days. During this period, the wedding of the presiding deity takes place.

How to reach Ekambareswarar Temple?

Air: Chennai is the nearest airport which is 75km away from Kanchipuram. Public and private transport facilities are available.
Rail: Connected on the southern part of railways Kanchipuram has few trains running through the town.
Road: The city is only a few kms away from the Quadrilateral National Highway.

Where to stay near Ekambareswarar Temple?

Some places to stay near Ekambeswarar temple are:

Sri Hari Residency at 99, West Raja Street, Near Sri Kumara Kottam Temple offers grand cosy accomodations. It is an excellent place to stay.
Also, M.Hotel, Kanchipuram of No. 65-66, Nellukara Street, Bus Stand is another great place to check in. It has well suited amenities and a blissful environment.

What are some temples near Ekambareswarar Temple?

Some of the temples near Ekambeswarar temple are:

Kailasnatha Temple- This temple worships Lord Shiva, the supreme Hindu God. His temples are present in every part of the country. However, many of these temples are not there in Tamil Nadu.
Kamakshi Amman Temple- This temple is for Goddess Kamakshi Amman. This huge temple spreads across 5 acres of land. The temple also houses a gallery, which presents the life history of Adisankaracharya.
Kanchi Kudil represents the life of the people of the city with a view to attract tourists and let them feel the essence of life as lived here. Kudil means house. Moreover,the house is over 90 year old and its architecture resembles the olden style.
Devarajaswami Temple- The temple is another place famous for its richness of exquisite sculptures. Vijayanagar Kings built this temple for lord Vishnu.

[wl_faceted_search]

Khajrana Ganesh

July 27, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Madhya Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Ganesha Temples

Khajrana Ganesh Temple at Indore in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is located at the center of India and is famous for its brilliant architecture and natural surroundings. It is home to the fine specimens of architecture and is also a famous pilgrimage destination as well. Indore is a beautiful place which attracts pilgrims from across various parts of the nation. A tourist who visits this place opines that each part of Indore is different from the other. People in this modern world are often tired with their hectic and busy work schedules and places like Indore in Madhya Pradesh offers you a fine way to seek solace and relief. Many tourists from around the world visit this place to offer prayers and rejuvenate their mind and soul. The Khajrana Ganesh Temple at Indore is one of the most visited shrines in this city owing to the history and religious beliefs associated with it. It is said that the natives have a lot of faith in the Lord and seek blessings as well. This temple is highly popular and is visited by anyone who visits Indore.

Khajrana Ganesh History

It is said that this holy place of worship was originally built by Ahilya Bai Holkar which was later subjected to some last minute beautification by different historic personalities.
According to many people, it is said that whoever comes at this place and wishes for something, gets it fulfilled within a very short duration. All the obstacles of the devotee also get eliminated as well. That is the reason for pilgrims gathering here and praying for getting a baby or some work related problems.
In addition, the religious importance of this temple increases manifold as there is also a dargah located nearby this temple. This is dedicated to Nahar Sayed who as the natives say, is believed to be buried headless here. For Muslims, this place stands auspicious and holds a great religious importance which is visited by a dozen of people every day.
Although the Khajrana Ganesh Temple has been presently taken over by the government, yet the shrine is managed by the Bhatt family. It is trusted that keeping in mind the end goal to protect the monument from the ruler, Aurangzeb, the deity was kept in a well and in 1735, it was taken out from the well and a shrine was built up in 1735 by Ahilya Bai Holkar who belongs to the Holkar line of the Maratha Empire.

Significance of the Khajrana Ganesh Temple

The Khajrana Ganesh temple stands tall for being the home to the famous Lord Ganapati idol in Indore. The deity measures eight meters in length.
The idol of Lord Ganapati is made up of a mixture comprising of limestone, jaggery, bricks, mud and the soil and water brought from all important pilgrimage destinations. The deity is believed to generate positive energy on the devotees.
The frame of the Lord’s idol is developed using precious metals and offers a wonderful look.
The enormous statue of Ganapati is an important pilgrimage destination for all tourists who visit Indore and devotees gather to offer their prayers at this temple especially on Wednesdays and Sundays.
On a visit to this temple, you will discover that the gate, outer and upper sections of the Garbhagriha are made up of silver. There are paintings of various festivals inscribed on it.
The eyes of the Ganapati idol are made up of diamonds and it was donated by an Indore businessman.
This holy place of worship was a small hut which later became a huge structure. Pilgrims from around the world offer gold, diamond and precious jewels as a donation.
There are several shrines within the temple premises and these are dedicated to numerous Gods, besides Lord Ganesh.
There are no entrance fees needed in order to pay a visit to the temple.
The temple has a committee with members who help in the administration of the temple activities. Not every priest can worship the God. There is a list of priests who have the permission to offer pooja at this temple.
Visitors are not allowed to take pictures or videos inside the temple premises.
A pilgrim is also not allowed to take any pets inside the holy shrine.

Khajarana Ganesh Temple Timings

The holy shrine is open for pilgrims all throughout the year. It also remains open during the public holidays as well.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple opens its door for the devotees from as early as 5 A.M. and is available for darshan or visit until 12 P.M.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple reopens again during the evening from 4 A.M. and finally closes at 9 P.M.
A pilgrim can complete his darshan within 30 minutes on a normal day.

Khajarana Ganesh Temple Food Timings

A visitor can buy food or Prasad to offer to the Lord on the way to the temple.
Prasad consists mainly of sweets, fruits, and coconuts and is available for pilgrims after 12 P.M.

Festivals celebrated at the Khajrana Ganesh Temple

Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals that are observed in this Khajrana Ganesh Temple for Lord Ganapati. It is celebrated every year during the months of August and September. Lots of devotees gather to take part in this pious occasion. There is also fair that is organized in the Khajrana region.
Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of a bond between a sister and a brother is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in this temple. Sisters tie a thread on their brother’s wrists and pray for their long lives as a part of this festival.
Diwali or the festival of lights sees people lighting candles and oil lamps at their homes. The temple is well decorated during this occasion and many pilgrims gather to offer prayers to the Almighty.

Poojas and Rituals at Khajrana Ganesh

The Lord is bathed in the morning and is decorated with clothes made of fine material and jewelry on special occasions. Red flowers along with incense sticks and oil lamps are a must in the pooja and vermilion paste is applied on the deity’s forehead. The priest recites the Ganapati mantras and devotees offer their pooja. Special sweet also called as modak is also offered to Lord Ganapati.
Arati takes place twice in this temple. The priest does the morning arati from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. The evening arati or the sandhya arati takes place between 8 P.M. to 8:40 P.M.
Bhajans or songs sung in praise of the God are also organized in this temple. The poetic content of these songs also consists of a wide category. Mira or Kabir bhajans are assumed to be the highest with regards to its literal quality. The lowest poetic form is the dhun, which can be referred to nothing more than a musical version of a chant.

How to Reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Air– In order to visit this auspicious Khajarana Ganesh Temple, a tourist can travel by air and reach the Indore airport. This is the nearest airport that connects it with the temple. There are local cabs available outside the airport which will take you to this sacred shrine.
By Train– There are regular trains from Indore that connects it with other major cities of the sub-continent. The Indore Junction is the nearest railway station for people traveling by train.
By Road– Indore is very well connected through roads as well. It has proper roads and connects various parts of Madhya Pradesh. There are government bus services that travel to and fro from Indore to other states as well.

Hotels in Madhya Pradesh: Where to stay

There are reliable and clean places of accommodation for all tourists who visits Indore. If you want to relax and enjoy the luxuries of life, take a pick from the exclusive resorts that come with their signature restaurants. On the other hand, you can also opt to save up on your expenses by putting up at budget hotels. Most of these lodging inns provide complimentary breakfast for its clients. There are also rooms available with private balconies. You can choose the room you want depending on the number of travelers accompanying you. Rooms of all sizes are available with all the modern amenities. For single voyagers, there are dormitories available that provide good stay at competitive prices. It is advisable for tourists to book the hotel rooms in advance to avoid any disappointment. Pre-booking rooms will also facilitate the pickup and drop services provided by the hotel staff. Moreover, you can also bargain and get lucky when it comes to paying the rent of the rooms in advance.

Where to eat

Indore in Madhya Pradesh offers a variety of both traditional and contemporary cuisines when it comes to satisfying one’s appetite. India is famous for its spices and the variety which is evident as you move one part of the nation to another. When planning a visit to the famous Khajrana Ganesh temple, it is a must to taste the street food of Indore like poha, samosa, jalebi and moong dal ki halwa. From snacks to main meals, a visitor is bound to fall in love with its sweets and milk offerings. The traditional meal or Thali comprises mainly of rice, roti, sabzi, dal, papad, pickle, salad and dahi. There are also options available like tandoori chicken and kebabs for nonvegetarian lovers as well.

For people looking for fine dining, there are also various eating joints that pave a way for international cuisines as well. From Chinese to Thai and Continental, take your pick from the awesome spread and satisfy your senses. In addition, the cost that one has to bear is very reasonable and the restaurants are also equipped with good ambience. High-end city eateries also arrange live performances for their tourists as well. Most of the people visiting Indore also opt for takeaway namkeens and sweets on their return from the temple.

Nearby Temples

Bijasen Tekri- Bijasen Tekri refers to a small shrine that is dedicated to Bijasen Mata. This temple was constructed in 1920, on the top of a hill which is also called as Tekri. This temple is located at a distance of 9 km from the railway station but is close to the airport. It just takes two minutes drive to reach the temple from the airport. There was once a guest house of the Holkars which paved the way for a Border Security Force Arms Museum. The hill presents a panoramic view of the surrounding and the nearby area has been converted into a garden with a small lake in it. A fair is organized every year during the festival of Navaratri.
Gomatgiri- This is a very popular pilgrimage destination for the followers of Jain religion. It is a small hillock that is situated near Indore and is the home to a 21 feet Gomateshwar idol. There are 24 marble temples built with shikhars that are dedicated to each of the 24 Tirthankaras of the Jain religion. There is a lodging facility and a restaurant for the benefit of the travelers and the M.P. government in 1981 had donated this hillock to the Jain Samaj.
Bada Ganapati- It refers to the deity of Lord Ganesha that measure 25 feet. It is said that the Idol has been built here following a fantasy of an Avantika (Ujjain) citizen, named Shri Dadhich. It was constructed in the year 1875. It boasts of being the largest Ganesha idol in the whole world. Thousands of pilgrims visit this place every year and seek blessings.
Annapurna Temple- This sacred shrine is dedicated to the Goddess of nourishment, Devi Annapurna. This temple is distinct as it has no Mandap or pillared halls. It has Indo-Dravidian architecture with the main gate of the temple decorated with four life-sized elephants made of plaster of Paris.

Sahasra Kalasabhishekam Tirumala – Procedure, Timings, and Booking

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 17 Comments Filed Under: Pujas, Tirumala

Here is everything you want to know about Sahasra Kalasabhishekam in Tirumala.

What is Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

Sahasra Kalasabhishekam seva is offered at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi – the silver replica deity of Mula Virat, the processional deities of Sri Malayappa Swamy varu along with his two consorts, Sri Viswaksena – the chief commander of Lord. This seva is performed to the deities after the second bell in the morning at the Bangaru Vakili.

Who should perform Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

Here’s who should do Sahasra Kalasabhishekam:

Any person seeking the divine blessings of Lord Balaji should perform this seva.

What are the best days to do Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

The best days to perform Sahasra Kalasabhishekam are:

This pooja is performed only on Wednesday.
One should make prior booking 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 Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

Here’s how to do Sahasra Kalasabhishekam:

The Bhoga Srinivas Murthy who was the main deity was connected by using the thin silk rope with the Mula Virat in the sanctum (Garbhalayam)
One end of the thin silk rope is kept near Kathithasta of the Mula Virat and the other end is attached to the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy feet, symbolically is represents “Establish a new relationship in between the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy and the main deity to achieve 2 purposes”.
First one, it is very clear that Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy represents the Mula Virat
And the other one, it becomes clear that the Sahasra Kalsabhishekam puja is offered to the main deity who is also known as the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy.
The Viswaksena idol is kept at the life side of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy outside the Bangura Vakili.
Sri Malayappa Swamy varu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi is kept at the right side of the main deity Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy outside the Bangura Vakili.
During the seva the archakas arranged 1008 silver vessels that are filled with pure water (Known as Abhisheka Tirtha or Parimala Teertham) that includes sandal paste and there will be 8 Parivara Vessels & 1 Gold vessel that are filled with water are kept in the Mantapam before the Bangura Vakili.
In this seva the Pancha Suktas and the Pancha Shanthi Mantras are enumerating by the archakas. After that the Thirumanjana Abhishekam is presented to the main deity Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, Viswaksena and Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts.
Mainly this seva is offered to the main deity Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy and the content from kumbham is sprinkled on the feet of Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy.

Where to perform Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

A devotee can perform this pooja in the tirumala temple premises. It is performed only on Wednesday.

What is the cost of Sahasra Kalasabhishekam?

The pilgrims who wish to be a part of Sahasra Kalasabhishekam seva, they need to book tickets either online through tirumala website or offline. Ticket cost is approximately Rs. 850/- per person. The pilgrim can book for 6 persons at a time.

Lenyadri Girijatmaj Ganpati Temple Guide – Vigneshwara Ashtavinayak – Timings, Poojas and Significance

August 19, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 5 Comments Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Ashtavinayak Temples, Ganesha Temples

Lenyadri Ganpati Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is one of the eight Ashtavinayak Temples in Maharashtra. The temple is also known as Girijatmaj temple. It gets its name from the words Girija (Parvathi) and Atmaj (son), thus the son of Parvati. This is the only Ashtavinayak temple which is on a mountain.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Ashtavinayaka Yatra Tour Packages.

Lenyadri Ganpati Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Ganesha
Location	Lenyadri, Maharashtra
Significance	Part of Ashtavinayak Temples
Best Time to Visit	August – September
Darshan Timings	5.00 AM to 8.00 PM.
Entry Fees	Rs 5/-
Palakhi Fees	700 Rs. Per person
Vehicle Parking Fees	20 to 30 Rs (As per vehicle)
Photography	Not Allowed in the temple and Ganesh Murti
Dress Code	Traditional
Festivals	Magh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti, and Ganesha Chaturthi.
Official Website	Lenyadri Ganpati

An insightful tour of the divine Caves of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple

Virtuous deeds like Abhishek, Pooja, Sahastravartan etc. are done by temple trust on behalf of devotees. Since the Ganesh idol is attached to the wall one can not circumnavigate Girijatmaj.

Timings and puja of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple-

Puja and Rituals done at Lenyadri Ganpati Temple — Devotees offering Puja to Lord Ganpati at Lenyadri Ganpati Temple

Here’re the darshan timings of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple:

Timings	From	To
Darshan	6 AM	6 PM
Panchamrit puja	8 AM

What is the significance of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

The significance of Lenyadri Ganapati Temple is that amidst a cluster of rock-cut Buddhist caves. It is one of the Ashtavinayak temples. Devotees believe that Lord Girijatmaj was Lord Ganesh’s manifestation as an infant Lord. Rather, it is carved on a rock, with its head turned to the left.

According to Ganesh Puran, this place is also known as Jirnapur or Lekhan Parbat. Moreover, Devotees believe that the Pandavas carved the caves during their exile period. Lenyadri Ganpati temple is south-facing and monolithic – carved out from a single rock.

Since the Lenyadri Ganpati is rock-cut, devotees cannot circumambulate. However, they are free to worship the Lord themselves.
Furthermore, the main mandap is 53 feet long and interestingly there are no pillars supporting the entire structure.
The main mandap also known as the sabha mandap has 18 indents or small rooms that pilgrims use for meditation.
Once there, a serene atmosphere, with pleasant vibrations from the Lekhan mountain and a beautiful view of the nearby Kukadi river is a treat for the senses.

The divine Idol of Lord Ganesh in Lenyadri Ganpati Temple

Lenyadri is silent and a lonely place. Silence loving people can come here and meditate and have Girijatmaj’s blessings.

Legends of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple-

The history of Lenyadri Ganapati temple relates to the following Legend:

Legend of Girijatmaj: According to Ganesh Puran, Goddess Sati reincarnated as Parvati and wished to give birth to Ganesh. She did severe penance on the Lenyadri mountain. On the fourth day of Bhadrapad Shuddh or Chaturthi day, Goddess Parvati wiped her body and used the dirt to create an idol.

Lord Gajanan entered this idol and stood before her a young boy with six arms and three eyes. His name was Girijatmaj or the son of Parvati. This incarnation of Lord Ganesh – Lord Girijatmaj is believed to have stayed at Lenyadri for nearly 15 years.

Though the caves on Lenyadri are under control of Archeological Dept. of India, adminstration of Ganesh temple is looked after by Temple Trust.

The architecture of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple –

The caverns date from between the first and third century AD. the Ganesha sanctum arranged in Cave 7 is dated to the first century AD. However, the date of transformation to a Hindu holy place is obscure. The majority of the caverns emerge from Hinayana Buddhism.

It is basically a Buddhist Vihara in structure, an unpillared lobby with 20 cells with shifting measurements. The lobby is huge and can be entered by a focal entryway, under a pillared veranda. The hall is now a sabha-mandapa of the Ganesha temple. 283 steps were built in stone brickwork which will lead to the passageway.

Devotees walking on the 283 stone built steps. — The 283 stone steps which were built by devotees to reach the Lenyadri Ganpati Temple.

The corridor additionally has hints of mortar and artistic creations, both included during the transformation and renewed in later occasions – perhaps as late as the nineteenth century. The artistic creations portrayed Ganesha’s youth, marriage arrangements, fight with evil spirits, etc.

Before the gigantic section doors of Shri Girijatmaj Ganpati temple are colossal columns with pictures of elephants, horses, lions and different creatures cut on them. Also, there are columns with various carvings before each other cavern.

The neighboring sixth cavern and fourteenth cavern have Buddha-columns in them normally known as Bouddha-Stupa. These caverns are made into the state of the side of the equator interiorly. That is the reason, echoes can be effectively heard.

The Sanctorum of the temple hotshots a wide scope of bewildering workmanship as reverential artistic creations of Shri Guru Dattatray. Lord Ganesh laying on Shiv-Parvati’s lap, Bal Ganesh playing an ancient game like ludo made by utilizing regular hues.

There is no power to illuminate in the temple. The temple is developed with the end goal that during the day it is constantly illuminated by the sun-beams.

Ganesh Jayanti and Ganesha Chaturthi are celebrated in a great manner with cultural programs. Bullock cart racing is also organized on this occasion.

Which festivals are celebrated at Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival — Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Lenyadri Ganpati Temple.

Some of the festivals celebrated at Lenyadri Ganapati Temple are:

Bhadrapath: Lord Ganesh’s birth celebrations known as Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a key festival in the state of Maharashtra. Moreover, in Lenyadri, Lord Ganpati’s birthday is a five-day festival from Bhadrapath Shudh 1 to Bhadrapath Shudh 5 (August – September)
Shravan: Janmashtami or Krishna Ashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi event during Shravan ( July- August)
Holi: The colorful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
Aashad: Chaturmas symbolizes Lord Vishnu’s four months slumber. The beginning of Chaturmas is in the month of Aashad (June-July). Devotees can participate in Puram Pravachan program during this period.
Ashwin: Devotees celebrate the Dusshera festival here on Ashwin Shudh 10 (September/October). During the festivities, Lord Ganpati is taken on a palanquin procession across the village.
Magh: The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Lenyadri Temple. Here, the celebrations are held from Magh Shudh 1 to Magh Shudh 6 (January – February). During this period, devotees conduct Bhajans, Kirtans and several programs. In the month of Magh, an Akhand Harinaam Saptah is held.

Devotees riding in Palakhi — Many devotees who are unable to walk the 283 steps, take the Palakhi rides to reach Lenyadri Ganpati Temple.

How to reach the Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Here’s how to reach Lenyadri Ganapati temple:

Road: Lenyadri is nearly 95 km from Pune. Junnar is the nearest town at a 5 km distance. Lenyadri enjoys good roads and several buses operate from Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. The RedBus operates a bus from Mumbai to Junnar in every 15 minutes.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Pune, 94 km from Girijatmaj. Devotees can purchase the Tickets at ₹150 – ₹1,000 and the journey takes 2h 43m.
Air: The nearest airport is at Pune, which is well connected to all major Indian cities. There are numerous numbers of taxis and buses that will take you to Pali from outside the airport.

Where to stay near Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Yatri Niwas in Lenyadri Temple — Yatri-Niwas in Lenyadri Ganpati Temple for devotees to rest.

Lenyadri Ganpati Temple trust operates Yatri Niwas and offers accommodation at nominal charges.

Temple trust has built Yatri-Niwas for lodging purpose of devotees. At a time arrangement of 300 devotees can be done. Rs.200 are charged for a room having the capacity of 10 people.

Beddings are provided by the trust.
A very good lunch arrangement is available at Hotel Girija.
There are few resorts that function at Junnar.

Lenyadri is name of Temple Trust and it comes in Golegaon. Main crops of this area are Grapes, Tomato, Cacumber and Sugarcane. A very good season for going to Lenyadri is from Diwali to May.

Where to eat near Lenyadri Ganpati Temple

There are no restaurants at Lenyadri except for the Yatri Niwas which offers food options. However, devotees may opt to eat at the smaller restaurants on the highway or at Junnar.

Devotees can also get a meal coupon from the temple office (timing: till 1.30p.m.) for Rs.10/-.

What are some of the temples and sightseeing places near Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Buddhist caves on Lenyadri — Sightseeing places near Lenyadri Ganpati Temple filled with Buddhist Caves.

Here are some temples near Lenyadri Ganapati Temple:

Lenyadri Buddhist caves: Girijatmaj Temple is amidst a collection of 30 manmade rock-cut caves. These caves have functioned as Buddhist Monasteries from Lord Buddha’s time. Moreover, the seventh cave is the Girijatmaj Temple. However, other caves were either chapels or living spaces for the monks.

Bhima Gada: Adjacent to the Lenyadri Ganpati Temple, cave no. 6 houses a Buddhist stupa. This is popular as Bhima’s Gada. This stupa has good acoustics that allows sounds to echo.

What are the other Ashtavinayak Temples?

Other Ashtavinayak temples are:

Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon – This is the first of the Ashtavinayak Temples. Devotees begin and end their journey at the Mayureshwar Temple. The temple got its name after the legend of Mayureshwar – Lord Ganesh riding a peacock.
Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali: This temple derives its name from Lord Ganesh’s devotee Ballal. This is the only Ganesh Temple whose name is after a devotee. It is in Pali, 180 km from the Girijatmaj Temple.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Siddhatek – This temple is the second in the list of Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Vishnu is believed to have appeased Lord Ganesh at this place before slaying the demons Madhu and Kaitabh. The Siddhi Vinayak Temple is in Siddhatek, Maharashtra.
Varadha Vinayak Temple, Mahad – This temple is the fourth in the list of Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Ganesh is famous as Varadha Vinayak, the Lord who grants boons and wishes.
Chintamani Temple, Theur – This temple is the fifth in the list of Ashtavinayak temples. Lord Ganesh retrieved the invaluable jewel – Chintamani from a greedy demon and gave it back to sage Kapila.
Vighneshwar Vinayak Temple, Ozar – This temple is the seventh in the list of Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Indra sent Vighnasur to disturb King Abhinandan’s prayer. Then, the troubled devotees turned to Lord Ganesh who defeated the demon at this place.
Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon – This is the last of the Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Ganesh here before proceeding to defeat the demon Tripurasura.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lenyadri Ganpati Temple –

Is there online booking available for Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Entry to the temple is free and no booking is needed to visit the temple.

What is the nearest airport to Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

The nearest airports are in Pune at a distance of 95 km.

What is the temperature in Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

The maximum temperature in summer can reach till 35^°C. The minimum temperature that can fall down is 13^°C in winter.

What is the significance of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple, among the Ashtavinayak Yatra?

The Lenyadri Ganpati Temple comes in 6th number during the Ashtavinayak Yatra.

What is the prasad’s usually offered in the temple?

Ladoo and Modak prasad which are known to be favorite of Lord Ganesh are offered in the temple.

When are the celebrations celebrated during Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

The Bhadrapad and Magh Chaturthi are times when big celebrations are held in the temple. In the month of Magh, an Akhand Harinaam Saptah is also held.

Where do devotees pray in the Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

Devotees can offer prayers in the Garbhagriha of Girijatmaj temple. Flowers, Garlands are the main offerings made at Girijatmaj temple.

What are the sightseeing places near Lenyadri Ganpati Temple?

There is a small garden, namely Sunder Udyan near Bhakta-Niwas. Fort Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born is at a distance of 5-6 km’s from Lenyadri.