Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

August 19, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple is situated about 15 km east of Pampa in Kerala. The holy river Pamba flows through the northern part of Nilakkal. During Sabarimala pilgrimage, lots of devotees visit this temple. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa on his way to the forest to eradicate the demon got the blessings from his father Haran from Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple.

Pilgrims on their way to Sannidhanam seek the blessings from Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple. The deity here is believed to be in two moods fierce Ugramoorthy and auspicious Mangala Pradayakan. It is also believed that Lord Siva showered blessings to his son lord Ayyappa to fight against all evil spirit and save the people. There is also a Devi temple (Palliyarakkavu Devi Kshetram) near to Shiva temple. Lord Parameshwaran, Lord Kannimoola Ganapathi and Nandi are the three Prathishtana here.

History and Legend of Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple

There were attempts to construct a church in front of the Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple at Nilakkal (on the way to the temple). It was regarded as Poonkavanam (Garden) of Ayyappa. As is commonly followed by church planters, a Cross was found near the Nilakkal temple on March 24, 1983.
Media carried news of the discovery of the church claiming it was planted by none other than Jesus Christs’ disciple St Thomas. Christian pilgrims started flowing to the spot. Soon, the road to the temple was named St Thomas Road and the Christians started calling the Nilakkal hill as St Thomas Mount.
On May 19, within a month of the discovery, the Kerala government approved a grant of 1 hectare of land to build Church in Nilakkal. This was fiercely opposed by organizations and thousands of believers took to protests. And the planters had to shift the cross to a new location.

Significance of the Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple

Famous Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is located 23 kilometres North-East to Nilakkal and also it is a Sabarimala Idathavalam. Hence the pilgrims on their way to Sabarimala seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
During Sabarimala season, large vehicles drop pilgrims at Pamba and parks at Nilakkal in order to avoid the rush at Pamba. The parking ground’s at Nilakkal could accommodate more than 4000 vehicles.
St. Thomas ecumenical church here is believed to be the first ecumenical church in the world. Thus the Christian community in Kerala consider Nilakkal as a holy place. It is believed that an apostle of Jesus visited the place and established a cross here back in A.D 54.

Festivals celebrated at the Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple

Sivaratri: Puranas contain many stories and legends describing the origin of this festival. During the samudra manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was capable of destroying the entire world and they ran to Shiva for help. To protect the world from its evil effects, Shiva drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This made his throat turn blue, and he was given the name Neelakantha. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world. Shivaratri is one of the holiest nights of the year. It is the night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.

Not eating too much, eating light and doing more meditation on this day helps in fulfilment of desires. Shivratri day is celebrated with Rudrabhishekam, singing of the ancient Vedic mantras. It is accompanied by a ceremony of washing the Shiva Linga with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc.

Navratri: During Navratri, people from villages and cities gather to perform puja on small shrines representing different aspects of Goddess. A different form of the goddess is worshipped each day. Following the nine days of rituals and worship, the 10th day is celebrated as Dussehra. It is also known as Vijaya Dashami. It is celebrated to mark the victory of mythical King Lord Rama over the King of Sri Lanka, Ravana. People undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of Navratri.

The festival culminates on Mahanavami. On this day, Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Apart from the Navratri in September – October, there are three other Navratri in a year. The most important among the three is the Chaitra Navratri or the Navratri in March-April. This is also known as Vasant Navratri or Ram Navratri. Many devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of the Lord.

Vinayak Chaturthi: Ganesha Chaturthi is also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’. It is the day when all Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Sweets especially laddoos and sugary modaks, which are a favourite of the Ganesha are distributed. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha, of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Magh. And establishing an association between Ganesh and Chaturthi (four). A ritual known as Pranapratishhtha, that involves chanting of mantras by the priest, is a common sight during the occasion.

Poojas and Rituals at Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple

There are 3 Poojas performed every day. Special poojas are performed on weekly days on Sunday, Monday and Friday. The following poojas are performed.

Usha pooja: The first worship of the day is Usha pooja or pooja at dawn. The time of Usha pooja is thirty minutes after the sunrise.

Ucha pooja: There is Ucha Pooja that is noon pooja. The Abhishekas named Panchagavya, Navakam and any special Abhishekas that is Holy Baths are ordinarily performed during the Ucha Pooja. Special Abhishekams and Poojas are performed on certain days

Athazha pooja: This is the last pooja conducted in a temple on a day. This is done between one and two hours after sunset. Deeparadhana is done after the Athazha pooja. Deeparadhana is the worship with lamp with lamps, performed at dawn and dusk.

How to reach Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple?

By Air: Cochin international airport is 136 km and Thiruvananthapuram international airport 156 km from the temple. There is also a heliport at Perunad, near Nilakkal, which operates at times of Sabarimala pilgrimage.

By Road: Mannarakulanji – Chalakayam route (SH 67) is the main highway passing through Nilakkal and also the Adoor. Vandiperiyar highway passes through Plappally which is 8 km west to Nilakkal. During Sabarimala pilgrimage, state-owned K.S.R.T.C buses provide chain services from Pamba to Nilakkal at fair charges for the devotees. Private busses only operate through nearby places like Angamoozhy and Thulappally. Transportation is comparatively less in this region.

By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Chengannur which is about 68 km and Thiruvalla which is 73 km.

Where to stay

There are many hotels and guest rooms available that offers contemporary rooms and suites. They offer brilliant overall design, facilities and dining options. They are the centre point for a number of tourist destinations.

Hotel Mannil Regency Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Road, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Hills Park Contact: T K p.o, 689653, Kumbazha N Rd, Kumbazha, Mylapra, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Kizhakkedathu Tourist Home Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Hey-Day Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Valamchuzhy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Evergreen Continental Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Road, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Amala Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Where to eat

One of Kerala’s popular attractions is its delicious Kerala cuisine. Various locally available vegetables such as tapioca, cassava and yam form part of the cuisine of Kerala. Seasonal fruit such as papaya, jackfruit, mangoes and lime are eaten at different times of the year. Bananas and coconut are available year-round and are a staple of the Kerala diet. The refreshing juice of the tender coconut is a delightful drink, which you can enjoy on Kerala Tours with Kerala Backwater. There are many restaurants nearby that offer some amazing food for the tourists.

Pathanamthitta is an important pilgrim hub and thus is always flanked by devotees and nature lovers. For its tourists, the town offers several restaurants and eating joints all across the town. You will also find some nice Christian restaurant which serves alcohol and Syrian Christian food. Other than that, South Indian cuisine is the predominant cuisine of the town.

Parayil Restaurant Contact: Door No: 788, Near R.T Office, College Road, Azhoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
J Mart Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Aananda Bavan Vegetarian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Khyber Pass Bake & Grill Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Road, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Green Chillies Hotel and Family Restaurant Contact: Omalloor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689647
Hotel Evergreen Continental Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Road, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Kream Korner Restaurant Contact: Opp.Karikkineth, JJ complex, K P Road, Adoor, Pathanamthitta
Teena Restaurant Contact: Mazhuvangad jn., M C Road, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta

Nearby Temples

Thazhoor Bhagavathi Temple: The temple is devoted to Sri Bhadra Devi (santham).This temple is the incarnation of Sri Parvathi who is the chief deity. Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram is a 300-year-old Hindu temple. It is located on the banks of the Achankovil river in Vazhamuttom. The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the Kettukaazhcha procession with Kaala. Three glorious hundika towers are lately built around the periphery of the temple. Bharani is considered as the birth star of the Thazhoor bhagavathi. The Bharani star came in Makaram, Kumbham, Meenam and Medam are celebrated in a grand manner. The temple is having very huge and glorious surroundings with scenic beauty. It is having a large and glorious Aanakottil. It has a boundary wall and towered entree with full of handicraft and sculptures both in stone and wood.

Kodumthara Subramaniyam Temple: Kodumthara Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is located near Pathanamthitta. The annual pooyam ritual organized in at the Murugan Temple attracts hundreds of devotees. The shrine is dedicated to Subramanya or Muruga. Carrying Kavadi is the main ritual on the day. People carry various types of Kavadi to the temple in a procession. Traditional temple music is part of the procession. Unlike numerous Kerala temples, this one is well-known for its traditional architecture with well-defined conical-shaped roofing over the Srikovil. On the Pooyam day, people also pierce their body with a small lance or vel. This is done for getting desires fulfilled.

Bhagavathikunnu Devi Temple: One of the important and famous Goddess Abode in Thiruvitamkoor is the Bhagawati Kunnu Devi Temple. It is said that the Devi Vilippurathamma stood as the protector for the passersby and the bullock carts that cross the dangerous route. Some of the main attractions of the temple are a stone statue of Lord Krishna, the sanctum sanctorum, obeisance courtyard, sub gods and goddesses. The sub gods are Ganapati, Yakshi, Rakhshas Valyacchan, Naga Rajavu and mala nada. The first flag hoisting ceremony was conducted on 24th February 1999 with much fanfare through the 10-day festivities. Padayani festival was also first celebrated then and continues to be celebrated every year on the day of Maheeram Star in the Malayalam month of Kumbham.

Anikkattilamma Temple: Mallappally Anikkattilamma Shiva Parvati temple is situated in Anicadu village. Agnimahakalan and Agniyekshi are symbolized in these idols. The temple is believed to date back to 1600 years during the early days of Edappally dynasty. It is situated by the bank of river Manimala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The ever flowering Kanikonna located in the courtyard of the temple. It gives flower offerings to the Lords every day in all seasons throughout the year. Mallappally Anikkattilamma Shiva Parvati temple celebrates its yearly festival (Utsavam) for eight days during the month of Kumbham. It concludes on the day of Pooram star which is believed to be Devi’s birthday. Other deities such as Lord Bhadra, Lord Nagaraja, Goddess Yekshiamma and Rekshas are also worshipped here.

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag – Timings, Significance, and History

March 11, 2020, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag is a Hindu temple in dedication to Lord Shiva in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is present in a cave, on the banks of the holy river Alaknanda. The presiding deity, Lord Koteshwar is one of the many avatars of Lord Shiva.

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag – Facts

Deity	Lord Shiva
Location	Koteshwar Chopda Road, India, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand 246171
Best Time to Visit	365 Days
Darshan Timings	6 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 5 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Mahashivratri, Once-In-Four-Years procession

Unlike most of the temples in the region, the idols are not brought out frequently or even annually. Devotees take them out in a procession only once in four years. This temple is also among the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

This is the holiest pilgrimage tour in India.

What are the timings of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Here are the timings of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag:

Timings	From	To
Morning	6 AM	12 PM
Evening	2 PM	5 PM

What is the significance of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

The significance of the temple is that the cave of the temple contains ancient and naturally made idols as well as Shiva lingam. It is also the place where Lord Shiva was meditating when Pandavas approached him to ask for the blessing of ‘Mukti‘ after the war of Kurukshetra.

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

What is the history of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

According to the history of the temple, it is present at the place where Lord Shiva meditated on his way to Kedarnath. As per a legend, demon Bhasmasur received a boon from Lord Shiva according to which anyone whose head he would touch would burn to ashes.

Koteshwar Temple History 1 — The temple is present at the place where Lord Shiva meditated on his way to Kedarnath

Then, because of his ego, he tried to burn Lord Shiva himself. As a result, Shiva had to keep hiding from place to place until he reached the cave where Koteshwar temple is now present and prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Hence, Lord Vishnu took the Mohini Avtar and killed the demon Bhasmasur.

Koteshwar Temple History 2 — Lord Vishnu took the Mohini Avtar and killed the demon Bhasmasur.

The construction of the temple took place in the 14th century. Then, the construction again took place in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Festivals celebrated at Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag

Some of the festivals celebrated at the temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, making offerings to the deity, as well as meditating.
Once-In-Four-Years procession: The temple takes out a procession of its idols every once in four years, unlike other temples in the region that do so annually.

Koteshwar Temple Festivals — The temple takes out a procession of the idols every once in four years.

How to reach Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (159 km away).
Train: The nearest railway stations are Dehradun (183 km away) and Rishikesh (142 km away).
Road: One can hire a taxi from Rudraprayag to Koteshwar temple which is just 3 km away.

Where to stay near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Some of the places where one can stay near the temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Shivalik Valley Resorts: This budget accommodation offers free internet access to its patrons. This resort in Rudraprayag accommodates room which are well-equipped with basic amenities like television, safe, room heater and an attached bathroom with a hot and cold water facility.
Hotel Mandakini: There are 24 rooms spread over 2 floors in this hotel in Rudraprayag. Room amenities include a tea/coffee maker, balcony, air-conditioner, television, bottled/drinking water, attached bathroom with hot and cold running water supply as well as a wardrobe.
Hotel Snow View: The hotel has facilities like round the clock front desk, laundry services, and luggage storage space, parking area, medical services, and full power back up.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the rooms

What are some temples near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Some of the temples near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag are:

Tungnath Temple: It is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva and comes second if one follows the order. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Tungnath is at the top of the ridge which divides the waters of rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda.
Adi Badri: It is the second among the ‘Sapt Badri‘ temples which are a group of seven holy shrines in honor of Lord Vishnu. All the Badri temples are present in Badri-Kshetra. Whenever Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in weather, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple.
Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi: It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishwanath, which means ‘Lord of the Universe‘. Moreover, the architecture of the temple resembles the popular Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. It is present at the place where Shiva proposed to Parvati for marriage. However, the wedding ceremony took place at Triyuginarayan Temple.
Triyuginarayan Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The word ‘tri‘ means ‘Three‘, ‘Yug‘ means ‘a period of time‘, and ‘Narayan‘ is a name for Lord Vishnu. Devotees offer wood to the fireplace of the temple since three Yugas. Moreover, the temple is 3.1 miles away from Sonprayag, which is the confluence of river Mandakini and Songanga.
Dhari Devi Temple: The temple is for Goddess Dhari and contains the upper half of the idol of the goddess, while the lower half is present in Kalimath. In Kalimath, devotees worship her as a form of Kali Mata. Moreover, devotees believe that Goddess Dhari protects the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and is the guardian of the region.

Lord Venkateswara Swamy Tirumala – Story and Miracles

July 30, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Tirumala

Lord Venkateswara is a Hindu God, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh in India. He is also known as Srinivasa, Balaji, Venkata, Venkata Ramana, Tirupati Timmappa and Govinda.

What is the meaning of the word Venkateswara?

Venkateswara actually means Lord of Venkata. The word is actually a combination of two words. The first word ‘Venkata‘ is the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh where the Lord resides and the second word ‘Isvara‘ means Lord. Also, “Venkata” is a Sanskrit word meaning “destroyer of sins” where ven means sins and kata means to destroy.

What is the story of Lord Venkateswara?

Payback of Kubera’s Loan – As per the legend, Lord Venkateshwara took a loan from Kubera for his wedding arrangements with Padmavathi. A large Hundi is present inside the temple complex where devotees offer money and gold to God. Devotees donate with the belief that he can pay back the loan to Kubera.

What is the miracle of Lord Venkateswara?

An amazing miracle happened at the midnight of 7th November 1979 at Tirumala Tirupati Temple. At that time, the whole town of Tirumala was in a deep sleep.

Suddenly, the huge bronze bells, that were hanging in front of Lord Venkateswara inside the Sanctum, started to ring loudly on their own without anyone touching them. The sound of the Bronze bells shocked the Purohits, security staff, temple staff, and the pilgrims.

How many wives does Lord Venkateswara have?

Lord Venkateswara has two wives. The first wife is Goddess Lakshmi and the second wife is Goddess Padmavathi.

Wives of Lord Venkateshwara — **Lord Venkateshwara presents with two wives – Goddess Lakshmi & Goddess Padmavathi.**

Who was the son of Lord Venkateswara?

According to the Vishnu Purana, Kamadeva– the Lord of love and sexuality was the son of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Also, Naraka Asura was the second son of Lord Varaha with his wife Bhudevi.

What is the appearance of Lord Venkateswara?

Lord Venkateswara is shown as having a dark complexion and four hands. In his upper two hands, Lord Venkateswara holds a discus (a symbol of power) and a shell (a symbol of existence). His lower hands are inclining downwards wherein the Lord asks the devotees to have faith and surrender to him for protection.

Why Lord Venkateswara’s eyes are covered?

Lord Venkateswara’s idol wears a white mask that covers his eyes. It is believed that the devotees cannot face the powerful radiation arising from the eyes of the Lord. Hence, the eyes are covered on most days except on Thursdays when the size of the eye is relatively smaller.

How tall is Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala?

The height of the statue of the Lord Venkateswara is around 9′ 9″ (nine feet and nine inches) which includes the crown over his head. Also, the statue stands on a stone pedestal which is 18 inches in height.

Which day is for Lord Venkateswara?

Wednesdays are ideal days for worshipping Lord Venkateswara. Lord Venkateswara is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Wednesday is considered ideal for planet Mercury whose related God is also Lord Vishnu.

Is Tirupati Balaji and Lord Hanuman same?

Yes, Balaji and Hanuman are the same God in different forms. In the Northern area, most of the people call Bal Hanuman as Balaji Maharaja. However, in South India, Balaji is being referred to Lord Venkateswara only and not Hanuman.

The Great Stupa- Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

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

The Great Stupa is not only an important Buddhist monument but also one of the oldest stone structure in India. The stupa is a Sanskrit term that means ‘heap’. It was built by Emperor Ashoka in honor of Lord Buddha in 3rd century BCE. The Stupa was built during the Mauryan period. It is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. It has its listing in UNESCO’s world heritage sites. It is believed that this Stupa houses ashes of Buddha.

Originally the Stupa was a simple structure. However, it got destroyed in the 2nd century BCE. The Stupa reached its final form after repairing and enlarging it in the 1st century BCE. Currently, the Stupa is 54 feet high and 120 feet high.

The Great Stupa is located 46 km north-east of Bhopal, on the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. One can visit the Stupa from Sunrise to Sunset. The Stupa remains open for visitors from 8 am to 5 pm.

What is the architecture of The Great Stupa?

Every Stupas has three identical features.

Anda (hemispherical mound): The Anda is a dome-shaped mound of dirt. It was made to cover Buddha’s remains. The earliest Stupas contained actual relics of the Buddha. With time, the hemispherical mound has got a grander symbolic meaning. It represents the mountain home of the gods at the center of the universe.
Harmika (A square railing): The Anda is surrounded by a Harmika. It represents the world mountain. It is inspired by a square railing or fence that surrounded the mound of dirt, marking it as a sacred burial site.
Chattra (A central pillar supporting a triple-umbrella form): The Chattra is a triple umbrella structure. It represents the three Jewels or Triantha of Buddhism—the Buddha, the Dharma (doctrine), and the Sangha (community). These three Jewels are the keys to a true understanding of the faith It was placed over the mound to protect it from the elements.

The other unique features of the Sanchi Stupa is:

Medhi (A circular terrace): Medhi is a circular terrace. It is surrounded by a similar three-bar railing. The railing supports the Anda and raises it off the ground. It likely served as a platform for ritual practice.
Toranas(wall with decorated gateways): The wall is marked in light blue highlights. The toranas are marked in yellow. Torans are the wall that surrounds the entire structure, with its trademark three horizontal stone bars. The Toranas of the Great Stupa are the greatest achievement of Sanchi sculpture. Each gateway is made up of two squared posts. These posts are topped by capitals of sculptured animals or dwarfs, which are surmounted by three architraves.

All the elements are covered with relief sculpture that depicts the events of the Buddha’s life. There are Jataka stories -about the Buddha’s previous lives, scenes of early Buddhism, and auspicious symbols. The names of donors are also inscribed. The most notable is the ivory workers of Vidisha.

What is the significance of The Great Stupa?

Stupas were made to remind the Buddhist practitioner of the Buddha and his teachings. These were made almost 2,500 years after Buddha’s death. The practice of building stupas spread with the Buddhist doctrine to Nepal and Tibet, Bhutan, Thailand, Burma, China and the United States where large Buddhist communities are centered.

Building Stupas has Karmic benefits for the Buddhists. Karma plays a key role in Buddhism and Hinduism. Karma means the energy generated by a person’s actions and the ethical consequences of those actions. A Buddhists believe that building a Stupa would help them be born in a good location and they will not suffer from extreme poverty.

Buddhists visit Stupas to perform rituals that help them to understand the Buddha’s teachings. Buddha’s teachings are pointed in Four Noble Truths. Once a person fully understands The Four Noble Truths, they are able to achieve Enlightenment (the complete knowledge of the dharma).

The Four Noble Truths are:

Life is suffering. Suffering means Rebirth.
The cause of suffering is Desire.
The cause of desire must be overcome.
When desire is overcome, there is no more suffering.

Buddha means ‘The Enlightened One’. Buddhist practitioners seek the knowledge that the Buddha gained on his way to achieving Enlightenment.

What are the timings of The Great Stupa?

The Great Stupa is open for the visitors on all days.
The timings are from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

What are the entry fees of the Great Stupa?

The entry fees of the Great Stupa is:

Entry fee for Indians: Rs. 10.
Entry fee for Foreigners: Rs. 250.
Entry fee for Children up to 15 years: Free.

What is the best time to visit The Great Stupa?

The best time to visit Sanchi Stupa is during the months of November to March. Majority of the festivals take place during this time.
The climate of the great Stupa remains moderately hot throughout the year.
Avoid making a trip during the hot summer months.

How to reach The Great Stupa?

Air: Nearest airport for reaching Sanchi stupas is Raja Bhoj airport at Bhopal city. Sanchi lies in 55 km north-east of Bhopal airport.
Train: The nearest railway station is Bhopal. It is connected with direct trains from major cities.
Road: Sanchi is well connected by road with other cities. It lies on Bhopal-Sagar state highway.

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.