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Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is one of the renowned Lord Ganesha temples in Kerala. It is situated at the heart of East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram. The original idol of the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is a small idol of Lord Ganesh, with the right leg in the folded posture.

Other deities worshipped at Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapati Kovil are Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Durga, Nagaraja, and Brahmarakshas. Devotees can see beautiful paintings of the 32 forms of Lord Ganesh inside the temple complex. Devotees break coconuts in front of this temple and one can hear the continuous cracking sound of coconuts as if firecrackers are being burst. There is a small tank in front for breaking coconuts and sack full of coconuts get broken here. The main offering at Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathi Temple is breaking of Coconuts to remove obstacles. Modak is the favourite dish of Lord Ganesh, hence one can offer Modak as well. Another important offering to the Lord is Ganapathy Homam.

There are two images of Ganesha inside the sanctum. One made of Granite and the other made of gold. Though the temple is very small, there are also shrines for Sasthavu, Bhagavathy and Nagas. This is one of the most famous Lord Ganesh temples in Kerala, situated in the East Fort, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The temple is situated within walking distance from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Lord Vishnu.

History and Legend of Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

  • The original Ganesha idol was installed in the temple and was worshipped by a soldier of Travancore Army stationed at Padmanabhapuram. In 1795 A.D, when the capital of Travancore was changed to Thiruvananthapuram, the garrison also shifted. And the idol was installed at its present place at Pazhavangadi.
  • This temple was maintained by the Indian Army, while the majority of the temples of Kerala are managed by the Devaswam Board and some are private.
  • When the headquarters of the Travancore Kingdom was at Padmanabhapuram (Now part of Tamilnadu), the soldiers who kept vigil at the fort were said to be disturbed by a Yakshi during night time.
  • One soldier was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganapathy. He was given duty one night, he believed that the Lord will take care and went to have a bath in the river. He stumbled upon an idol of the Lord and he took that with him when he went to keep vigil. He was unaffected by the Yakshi.
  • A temple was built at that place for the idol and the soldiers worshipped the Lord. In 1795, the headquarters was shifted to Trivandrum and the soldiers shifted their Lord also. The present temple was built in 1860 and the Lord was kept there by the then ruler Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. Thus the temple is being managed by the Army.

Significance of the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

  • This temple is very famous, situated in the heart of the city and is always thronged by the devotees. The main ritual is breaking a coconut, soorathengai udaipathu. Around 2500 coconuts are broken every day. The place used to be a fruit market in olden days- Pazha angadi and called Pazhavangadi now.
  • The idol of Lord Vishnu on the Serpent Anantha in a reclining posture is made of Kudusarkara blended with expensive things. This idol also includes herbs and Salagramam, which is usually not used in Kudusarkara idols. The detection of gold jewels on the idol developed a great interest in the temple and made a significant record in history.
  • This temple is the historical landmark of Trivandrum. This temple is an illustration of Dravidian as well as South Indian architecture. Once in 6 yrs a 56-day long Murajapam is performed.

Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple Timings

Here’re the timings of Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple:

Darshan Timings: 4:30 AM to 10:45 AM, 5 PM to 8:30 PM.

Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple Rules to follow

For males, no shirt allowed inside nalambalam (inner complex). Male devotees are expected to wear Kerala Mundu, which is also known as Veshti or Dhoti. For females any traditional dress allowed. Traditional dress like Saree, Churidar, Salwar Kameez or Skirt can be worn. .Ladies need to wear Dupatta to enter Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.

Festivals celebrated at the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

Vinayaka Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals. It is celebrated throughout India with great devotion. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) and the grandest and most elaborate way. The duration of this festival varies from 1 day to 11 days, depending on the place and tradition.

Varad Chaturthi: Varad Chaturthi, or Varad Til Chaturthi, is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesh. It is observed on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha of Magh month (January – February). The popular belief is that observing Varad Vinayak Chaturthi Vrat will bring prosperity, happiness and fulfilment of desires. As a legend narrated by Nandi to the Sanatkumara sages, god Krishna was charged with stealing as he saw the moon on Magha Shukla Chaturthi – which was prohibited. He observed fast on this day and got rid of the accusation of stealing. The fast observed on this day is stated to enhance the name and fame of the individual.

Sankashti Chaturthi: Sankashti Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha in a Hindu lunar month. When the Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday it is known as Angarak Sankashti and is considered highly auspicious.

Poojas and Rituals at Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

Several special poojas like Ganapathy Homam and Archanas are performed here.

Special poojas are performed for other Hindu festivals including Thiruvonam, Navaratri Vijaya Dasami, Ayilyam, Sahasra Kalasam, Thirkkarththika, Thirvathira, Makara Vilakku, Maha Shivaratri, Vishu, Thriveda Laksharcchana and Nira Puththari.

Ayilyam Nakshtram in Kanni Masam is of great significance at Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple. It has a place designated for Nagas or Serpents. On this day, special rituals and poojas dedicated to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed. It is considered highly auspicious to offer prayers to Nagas or Snakes on the day.

Following poojas are performed in particular months:

  • Makaravilakku Pooja (January)
  • Sivarathri pooja (February)
  • Vishukkani (April)
  • Niraputhari (July)
  • Sahasra Kalasabhishekam (December)

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Road:  There are many public and private vehicles available to reach Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathi Temple Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest City Bus Stand is East Fort (Kizhakke Kotta).

By Rail: The Nearest Railway station is Thiruvananthapuram station. Sree Pazhavangadi Mahaganapathy Temple is just 1.5 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station and Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station.

By Air: The Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Trivandrum International Airport is about 8 km from the temple.

Where to stay

There are a number of hotels as well as guest rooms near the temple. The rooms are well equipped with all the latest facilities and provide an amazing experience to the devotees.

  • Hotel Fort View  Contact: Pazhavangadi, Trivandrum, India
  • Hotel Asliyya Grande  Contact: Navaikulam, Trivandrum 695603, India
  • Uday Suites Contact: T.C. 34/757/3, Watts Lane Beach | Shangumugham, Trivandrum 695007, India
  • Samrat Hotel Contact: Thakaraparambu Road, Trivandrum, India
  • Hotel Highland Park Contact: Manjalikulam Road | Thampanoor, Trivandrum 695001, India
  • Mannil Regency Contact: Near Stadium College Road, Pathanamthitta, India
  • Hotel Galaxy Inn Contact: Power House Road | Marakkada Lane, Trivandrum 695036, India
  • Pravin Tourist Home Contact: Manjalakulam Road | Thampannoor, Trivandrum, India
  • Hotel Venus International Contact: S.S Kovil Road | Thampanoor, Trivandrum, India

Where to eat

There are many restaurants near the temple that offers delicious food. The meal mostly consists of steamed rice and dal. Some of the popular restaurants nearby are:

  • Panchali Restaurant Contact: Ground Floor, Rajadhani Buildings, East Fort
  • Venkadesa Bhavan Contact: West Nada Pazhavangadi
  • Villa Maya Contact: Airport Road, Trivandrum Vallakadavu
  • Buhari Hotel Restaurant Contact: Attakulangara, East fort
  • Aiswarya Hotel Restaurant Contact: Thakaraparambu Road Opposite Capstocks, Thakaraparambu
  • Ariya Niwas Contact: Aristo Junction, Manorama Road Thampanoor

Nearby Temples

Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Temple: Chamundi Devi itself is considered as a fierce form of Kali, but the same Chamundi Devi is adorned here in three different forms in three different sanctums and is situated adjacently. Devotees can pay special charges to open those Sanctums and perform their offerings. The deity used to get valuable gifts for helping retrieve stolen articles. This is a regular feature. And many testify that Devi has helped retrieve stolen articles. There is Raktha Chamundi Nada (Raktha Chamundi front path) on the right side of Devi Nada (front path).

This Raktha Chamundi Nada has no idol. Instead, there is wall painting of Devi in Rowdra Bhava (ferocious state) in the wall of Nada. Years back this Nada was used to elicit the truth from suspected culprits. This practice is still prevalent, but it is done before the deity of Chamundi Devi. The Chamundi  Devi form which is existing open always during temple hours is considered as in a calm state. Whereas ‘Raktha Chamundi’ is considered as fierce, but helps devotees to fulfil their wishes. Bala Chamundi Devi is in Childhood form. If Offerings are given to Raktha Chamundi Devi and prayed,  she will remove our obstacles, problems caused by enemies and cures chronic ailments.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple: Attukal Bhagavathy Amman Temple is one of the famous shrines in south Kerala. It is situated in Trivandrum City. It is the place where Millions of women annually gather together for the famous Attukal Pongala Festival. The Gopuram of the temple is decorated with many sculptures, which is an architectural blend of both Tamil and Kerala culture. These sculptures tell us the story of kannaki charitham, Dakshayaga etc. Main Deity is Kannaki and the other deities in the temple are Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Serpent and Madan Thampuran.

Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple: Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thottam, Thiruvananthapuram. It is one of the most ancient temples that is situated about two kilometres to the southeast of Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city. There are two ponds that are located on the premises of the temple. This temple has strong ties with the famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Priests from the big Padmanabha Swamy Temple would arrive at Irumkulangara by country boats for performing poojas and rituals. The main deity of Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is Goddess Durga. The deity here appears as Durgabhagavathi, an avatar of AdiParasakthi. Apart from the main deity, there are many other upa devathas (sub-deities) adjacent to the temple like Lord Ganesh, Nagaraja, Brahmarakshas, Madan Thampuran, Sri Bhairava Moorthy and Navagrahas.

Major Vellayani Devi Temple: Vellayani Devi Temple is a popular devotional centre in Trivandrum, situated about nine kilometres away from Trivandrum Railway Station. Vellayani Devi Temple is said to be built in the 14th century AD.  The main attraction of this temple is its picturesque view. The temple has a big idol known in the local Malayalam language as Thirumudi. This idol is four and a half feet in height as well as width. The idol is Bhadrakali, supposed to have incarnated as the daughter of Lord Shiva. Pure gold ornaments and several precious stones decorate the frontal view of this impressive and large idol.   The temple has eastern and northern towers called Gopurams with statues of different Gods sculptured in them. The Gopurams function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.

Yogmaya Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Yogmaya temple is also known as the Jogmaya temple which is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. One of the oldest and the ancient Hindu temple situated in the small village of Mehrauli is the ancient Yogmaya Temple.

It is located in New Delhi near the Qutub Complex, this shrine is believed to be amongst one of the five surviving temples from the Mahabharata period in the city. Mehrauli was the first capital of post-Rajput era and all the rulers ruled from here.

This is one of the five temples dedicated to Yogmaya, other 4 being in Barmer, Jodhpur, Vrindavan and Multan. The deity is worshipped as the mother of all beings and is considered one of the personal powers of the divine.

Lord Krishna (who was born at midnight on Ashtami, in the Mathura King Kansa’s prison), as the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki, was replaced by a baby girl. Who was born at the same time to Nand and Yashoda in the village of Gokul across the Yamuna.

As Vasudeva has exchanged the babies at the very night they were born; in the morning, the guards told Kansa that a baby has born in the night. Vasudeva exchanged the babies, he reached Krishna to Yashoda and brought Yogmaya from there to Devaki,in the jail. On hearing of the birth of the child, Kansa arrived at the prison to kill the infant.

But the girl child slipped out of the hands of Kansa, as he was about to bang her head against the prison wall, and went up in the sky. There was an Akashvani (celestial broadcast), which said, ‘O foolish Kansa! Your slayer has been born and is safe in Gokul.’

The baby girl was goddess Yogmaya (divine illusion), according to Shvetashvatar Upnishad. God has many divine powers, such as knowledge, almightiness, action and his most important personal power called Yogmaya or ahladini shakti. The Gods derive power from their female companion. As Shiva is nothing without Shakti, so was Krishna without Yogmaya.

Yogmaya Temple

Yogmaya Temple History

  • According to history, Yogmaya Temple has been built by the Pandavas, at the end of Mahabharata. Mehrauli place is also named as Yoginipura after the temple in the 12th-century Jain scriptures. Mehr- auli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple was first renovated during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar II (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.
  • It is also believed that Krishna and Arjun came to pray here during the Mahabharata war after Abhimanyuwas killed by Jayadrath. Arjun took a vow that he would kill him by next evening. Arjun and Krishna came to this temple to pray at such a time to ask for the blessing from the Goddess. With her magical powers or she created an illusionary eclipse that gave Arjuna the opportunity to kill Jayadrath.
  • This temple had been built in early 19th century and is regarded as an aspect of Maya, the illusionary power of God. The temple is located within the Lal Kot walls constructed by the Gurjar Tanwar chief Anangpal I around AD 731. It was later expanded by Anang Pal II in the 11th century.
  • This temple is said to be destroyed by Ghazni who was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire in the beginning and later it was again destroyed by Mamluks. The temple was renovated and reconstructed by Hemu, the Rajput king. The present structure of the temple was built in the early 19th century.
  • There are about 200 people who have been taking care of the Yogmaya temple voluntarily and amicably. It is believed that there had been one common ancestor at a point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess, making and distributing prasad to the devotees, cleaning the temple and doing the shingar of the goddess yogmaya twice a day.

Significance of the Yogmaya Temple

  • The Deity of this temple is Goddess Yogmaya is called as the “Pure Goddess” which is made of black stone and was placed in a well, made of marble. The sanctum of Goddess Yogmaya is leaded with a Vimanam which is 42 feet and dome
  • Two small pankhas (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is 400 ft (121.9 m) square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty-two towers were built within the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder.
  • In the past, there was an iron cage of 8 ft (2.4 m) square and10 ft (3.0 m) in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. Now the cage is been placed in the open wall panel. There is a table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor where the devotees offer flowers and their offerings.
  • In this temple, the Shivalinga is placed slightly above the level at which Goddess is placed. As Goddess is Shakti and Shiva is always above Shakti.

Yogmaya Temple Timings

The temple remains open from morning 06.00 AM till 08.00 PM in the night. It remains open for all days of the week and the entry to the temple and puja that is performed is free.

Festivals celebrated at the Yogmaya Temple

Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival : It is a festival of flowers which is celebrated in surrounding areas of Mehrauli like Qutub Sahib’s dargah and Yogmaya temple. The other activities that happen during the festival are kite flying, wrestling matches, qawalis and much more. The reigning Mughal emperor Akbar Shah II wanted to nominate his younger son Mirza Jahangir as his heir, for he wasn’t happy with his eldest son Siraj Uddin Zafar. This decision was opposed by the then British Resident, Sir Archibald Seton. Mirza Jahangir insulted Seton publicly and fired at him. The Resident instantly issued orders for Mirza to be exiled to Allahabad. The distressed Queen vowed to offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli if her son was released. Two years later, when Mirza Jahangir was released, the Begum went to Mehrauli to fulfil her vow, accompanied by the imperial court and the entire population of Delhi. A 7-day mela ensued, with swings hung in the mango groves, cock and bull fights, wrestling, kite-flying and swimming contests. The secular-minded Mughal emperor also ordered for a floral pankha to be offered at the nearby Yogmaya Temple. The festivities are followed by cultural programmes with enthralling Kathak performances, Qawwalis, and devotional songs which are celebrated by both Hindus as well as Muslims.

Mahashivratri – It is the festival that is celebrated on February/March. Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by people following Hinduism in India. People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam.

Navaratri Festival – This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. During Navaratri, devotees invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga. Different devotees all over the country gather at the temple to celebrate it and there are different major events conducted.

Poojas and Rituals at Yogmaya temple

The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning and evening. This, in turn, is followed by hymn recitation. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded.

There are special events and poojas that are performed on special festivals. There are some special poojas that are performed on the Navaratri festival and they are:

Mahashashthi – The sixth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Sasthi or Maha Sasthi. On Sasthi Katyani Puja is observed as part of NavaDurga Puja in Shaktheya Samprdaya.Unveiling the face of the idol of Goddess is the main ritual on this day.

Mahasaptami – Mahasaptami is the seventh day of the waxing phase of the moon. Maha means great and saptami means the seventh day. On this day worshiping nine types of plants is the symbol of the goddess.

Mahaastami – Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is the second day of Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees sing different hymns in sanskrit language and offering worship to the goddess.

Mahanavami – Maha Navami is observed on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Ashwin month. It is the ninth and the final day of nine-day Navratri Festival. Mahanavami is also the penultimate day of Durga Puja. The Navami Bhog is offered to the goddess and offered as Prasad to the devotees.

How to reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Metro: The nearest metro station is Saket, Chattarpur and Malviya nagar.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to Yogmaya Railway station, New Delhi which is 24 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Yogmaya Temple is Delhi railway station which is 10 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Road: Roads are well maintained in Delhi, so one can easily ride through cabs or can travel through there own vehicle. The state belongs to Delhi Transport Corporation buses connect all the junctions in Delhi. Numerous super deluxe A/C motor coaches run from New Delhi . State government operates bus services from Delhi to all the neighboring cities. Bus transportation service within the city is also affordable.

Hotels in Yogmaya: Where to stay

There are many hotels available to stay near the Yogmaya temple. Some of them are:

  • Clarion Collection: Qutab Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi 110016, India
  • The Vishraam: Plot No.1 Khasra 262 West End Marg , M.B. Road, | Lane No. 4, Said-ul-Azaib,New Delhi 110030, India (Formerly Amanotel)
  • Silver Ferns Hotel: 31-32, Community Centre Saket | Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
  • Hotel Pluto’s: Aruna Asaf Ali Road | Opposite Sector B, Pocket 4, New Delhi 110070, India
  • Stay Inn Group Of Apartments: D6/6151/1, Ground Floor, Vasant Kunj | Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India
  • Sage Hotel: 4 Navjeevan Vihar, New Delhi 110017, India
  • ISKCON Guest House: Hare Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
  • Iris Hotel: F-19, Deshbandhu College Road | Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India
  • Hotel Flic Flac India: 249-A, Main Road, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
  • Hotel Swagath: C-8, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017, India

Nearby Temples

Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir

It is also known as Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir is dedicated to Katyayani Mata, the 6th Form of Nav Durga. Within the walls of the Chattarpur Temple complex, one can visit 20 different types of temple devoted to Indian gods and goddesses in various forms such as Goddess Laxmi, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. The main attraction of Chhatarpur Temple is the golden image of Maa Katyayani and two rooms dedicated to Maa Katyayani.

Jagannath Temple

The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood.The Jagannath temple at Hauz Khas is the centre of cultural conglomeration for Oriyas in Delhi.The idols worshipped here are of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (brother of lord Jagannath), Maa Subhadra (sister of lord Jagannath) & Sudarshan chakra.  It is around 1.5 Kms from the Green Park Metro Station near the Sarvodaya School.

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is oldest jain temple in old Delhi.It is situated right opposite the Red Fort, at the entrance of the main road. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) once invited several Jain seth to come and settle in the city and granted them some land south of the Chandani Chauk around Dariba Gali. He also permitted them to build a temporary structure to house a Jain temple. The main idol is that of Tirthankara Parshva.This temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past and was enlarged in the early 19th century.

Bhimashankar Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Bhimashankar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is in Bhimashankar reserve, near Pune in Maharashtra. The temple is also the source of the River Bhima. A holy dip in the river is believed to wash all the sins of a person.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Tour Package.

Bhimashankar Temple – Facts

Deity Lord Bhimashankar (Lord Shiva)
Location 50 km North-West of Khed, near Pune, Maharashtra
Significance Jyotirlinga
Tours 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour
Darshan Timings 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
PoojasRudrabhisek, Laghurudra
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitJune to August
FestivalsMahashivratri, Karthik Poornima, Ganesh Chaturthi
Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Sri Aundha Nagnath, Sri Trimbakeshwar,
Sri Grishneshwar, Sri Parli Vaijnath
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Temple Video

Bhimashankar Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are:

The 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra

What are the timings of Bhimashankar Temple?

The temple opens at 4:30 AM in the morning and closes at 9:30 PM in the evening. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals such as the afternoon and evening aarti.

The timings of Bhimashankar Temple are as follows:

Rituals Timings
Darshan4:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Morning Aarti4:30 AM – 5:00 AM
Morning Darshan 4:30 AM – 3:15 PM
Evening Darshan 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Nijarupa Darshan5:00 AM – 5:30 AM
Shringar Darshan4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Evening Aarti7:30 PM – 8:00 PM

What is the significance of Bhimashankar Temple?

The Linga of Lord Shiva is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. These Jyotirlingas are self-manifested forms of Lord Shiva, unlike the Lingas that are instated by humans. It is said that these Jyotirlingas are when Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. The Bhimashankar Linga occurs at a lower level compared to the ground in the main sanctum.

The top of the Linga is divided by a narrow groove in the Linga. Each half of the Linga signifies Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Lord appears as “Ardhanareeshwara” in the Bhimashankar temple.

According to beliefs, water flows continuously from the Linga since time immemorial.

The River Bhima is considered sacred by the people because it is believed that the river is actually the perspiration of Lord Shankara (Shiva) after he defeated the demon Tripurasura.

The Mokshakund, located behind the Bhimashankar temple is believed to be the place where the Maharishi Kaushik (also known as Brahmarishi Vishwamitra) performed penance or Tapasya to please the Gods.

The temple administration allows pilgrims to conduct Abhishekam and Poojas to the Jyotirlinga by themselves with marigold and Bilva leaves.

What is the history of Bhimashankar Temple?

The history of the original sanctum dates back to the 13th century. Various renovations were done on the complex during different time periods. According to beliefs, in the 13th century, a woodcutter named, Bhatirao Lakhadhara, discovered the Jyotirlinga when his axe hit the tree, the ground started bleeding.

The villagers gathered there and offered milk to the tree which stopped the bleeding. The people of the village built a small temple at the site and named it the Bhimashankar Temple.

Several notable figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, and Raghunath Peshwa also regularly visited the shrine and carried out poojas and renovations. The Diwan of the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis built the Shikhar of the Bhimashankar temple.

Legend of Tripurasura

As per one legend mentioned in the Matsya Puranam and the Shiva Puranam, there were three demons by the names of Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, and Viryavana, and together they were known as the Tripurasura. They performed Tapasya and obtained a boon from Lord Brahma. The boon was that the Gods will construct three beautiful cities, each made of gold, iron, and silver for the Asuras. All three forts together will be called Tripura. However, the prophecy said that only a single arrow can destroy the city.

Demons from all over the world came and resided at the palaces. After the initial self-enjoyment, they eventually started troubling the people of the realm. They even misbehaved with Rishis and Maharishis, terrorized the common folk and eventually challenged the Gods. Therefore, Lord Indra accompanied by other Gods went to Lord Brahma to put an end to the Tripura, but Lord Brahma could not help and asked them to request Lord Shiva. Shiva obliged and the war between the Devas and the Asuras began. He also requested the help of Goddess Parvati and both of them took the form of “Ardha-Narya-Nateshwar” and descended to the Earth.

To destroy the Tripura, Lord Shiva asked Vishwakarma to build a chariot. The chariot had special features. The Goddess Earth (Prithvi) became the chariot, Sun and Moon became the wheels, Lord Brahma became the Sarathi, Mount Meru became the bow, Serpent Vasuki was the bow-string and Lord Vishnu became the arrow. Just as the three cities aligned, Lord Shiva burned them to the ground. Then the Gods requested Lord Shiva to take rest there and make the place his home. Lord Shiva turned himself into a Linga and made the Bhimashankar mountains his home.

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
It is said that Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is a form of ‘Ardhanareshwara’.

What is the architecture of the Bhimashankar Temple like?

Bhimashankar Temple Architecture
There are two big Nandi statues in the temple premises.

The Bhimashankar temple complex is small and has a simple structure with numerous sculptures depicting different Gods and Goddesses. The architecture of the temple follows the Nagara style and the Hemadpanthi style of construction. The temple consists of Garbhagriha, Sabhamandap, and the Kurmamandap.

The main door of the Bhimashankar temple is made of solid wood with figures of several gods and goddesses. A huge bell is there at the entrance of the temple. Chimaji Appa, brother of Bajirao Peshwa I gifted this bell. Two large Nandis are also there in the Temple. The one in front of the sanctum is very old and the other one is new. One can also visit the shrines of Lord Shani, Nandi, Lord Ram, and Dutta.

What are the festivals celebrated at Bhimashankar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Bhimshankar Temple are:

  1. Mahashivaratri: A huge fair is organized for five days in late February or early March as a mark of their respect for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. The day is famous for rigorous poojas, bhajans, and abhishekams. Thousands of people descend on the small town to visit the glorious festival. Pradosham is also said to be celebrated here.
  2. Karthik Poornima: The day falls anytime in-between November or December. On this day, Lord Shiva actually destroyed the demon kingdom of Tripura in all three realms.
  3. Ganesh Chaturthi: The festival comes in August or September with great enthusiasm and cheers. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
  4. Deepawali: The festival comes in October – November. People decorate the whole temple with Deepams (lamps) and priests perform special poojas for Lord Shiva throughout the day.

What are the Sevas and Poojas performed at Bhimashankar Temple?

The sevas and poojas that take place at Bhimashankar Temple are:

  • Rudrabhishek: The pooja is for Lord Shiva who the devotees worship as fire or Rudra. The pooja wipes out all sins and purifies the atmosphere. It also removes all sorts of planetary related ill-occurrences. Mondays of the month, as well as the Pradosham days, are ideal for performing the pooja.
  • Laghurudra Pooja: This Abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It also removes the bad effects of planets in the horoscope.

Devotees can perform the Rudrabhishekam and Mahapooja on every Monday, every Amavasya, every Pradosham day, and in the month of Shravan at a reasonable price.

The yearly poojas or sevas include:

  1. Prati Somvar
  2. Prati Pradosh
  3. Prati Shivaratri
  4. Prati Amavasya
  5. Mahashivaratri

Besides the above poojas, a Shashvat Pooja can also be performed at the temple. One can perform these poojas for 1 day every year for a period of 20 years. The poojas are:

  1. Rudrabhishek
  2. Mahapuja
  3. Mahapuja with Mahanaivedyam
  4. Laghurudra
  5. Shravan Somvar and Mahashivaratri
  6. Laghurudra with Brahman Bhojan.

How to reach Bhimashankar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Bhimshankar temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Pune Airport.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Pune, 120 km away from the temple.
  • Road: Regular buses are available from Pune from 5:30 AM to 4 PM. A bus also from Kalyan starts at 9 AM and one from Ghatkopar or Kurla at 11 AM

Where to stay nearby?

Limited options are available for staying near the Bhimashankar temple. The temple administration runs a guesthouse named Jeevan Guest House that provides the basic facilities. However, nearby towns have options like the Blue Mormon Jungle Holiday Resort, Ecogreens Sankalp Farms, and Holiday Maiyaan Karjat.

Where to eat nearby?

Several small restaurants are present near the temple premises such as Shivshakti and Shankar Vishranti where the visitors can eat. The cuisine available is a mix of both North Indian and South Indian food items. Moreover, the food items available here are primarily vegetarian.

Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
There are four more Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra apart from the Bhimashankar Temple.

What are some temples near Bhimshankar Temple?

Some of the temples near Bhimshankar temple are:

  • Gupt Bhimashankar: A small trekking path from the Bhimashankar temple will lead you to the place of discovery of the Jyotirlinga. The Linga is on the banks of a waterfall and has greenery around.
  • Sakshi Ganapati Temple: The temple is 2 km away from the Bhimashankar temple. The Ganapati here is “Sakshi” because he is the witness to the visit of the pilgrims to the Jyotirlinga. He keeps the attendance of whoever visits the Bhimashankar shrine. The pilgrims visit the temple to show their respects to the Lord Ganapati and Lord Shiva.
  • Kamalaja Devi Temple: The temple is for Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. She helped the Lord in his battle against the demons. Also, She sits on a lotus in this temple.

Some other famous temples in Maharashtra are:

  • Ozar Ganapati Temple: It is a Ganesha Vinayak temple. The idol form worshipped here is called Vigneshwara. It is associated with the legend of Ganesha defeating Vignasura, the demon of obstacles. The temple is one of the Ashtavinayak Temples, the eight holy shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, India.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bhimshankar Temple

Is the Bhimshankar Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Bhimashankar 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 citizens?

Yes. There is are palki services available for the specially-abled and senior citizens.

Which is the best time to visit the Bhimashankar Temple?

June to August are the months when the monsoon starts in Maharashtra. The weather is pleasant, making it an ideal time to visit the temple.

What is the weather like during summer?

The summers at Maharashtra start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 36 º C.

What are winters like in Maharashtra?

In Maharashtra, winters start in November and continue until January. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 30 º C.

Tulja Bhavani Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Tulja Bhavani Temple is a Hindu Temple which is situated in the hills of “Bala Ghat” in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra. Earlier Tuljapur was known as Chinchpur. This temple worships Goddess Bhavani which is a ferocious form of Goddess Parvati. The word Bhavani means “life-giver”. Apart from being a ferocious form of Goddess Parvati, she is also known as Karunaswaroopi which means “filled with mercy”. Tulja Bhavani Temple is located approximately 45km from Solapur which is located in Maharashtra.

There are three Tulja Bhavani Temples located in India. It is said that the first temple was built in Tulja in the 12th century. The second and the third temples were built in 1537-1543 CE in Chittorgarh and Patnakuva Gandhinagar respectively. Tulja Bhavani of Tuljapur stands second among the Shakti Pithas. Lord Tuljabhavani is considered as the family deity of many families like Bhosale Royal Family, the Yadavs and many more belonging to different castes all over India.

Tulja Bhavani Temple – Facts

DeityGoddess Tulja Bhavani (Goddess Durga)
Location Osmanabad, Maharashtra
Entry FeeFree
Timings6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Best Time to VisitJuly to August
Festivals Celebrated Ganesh Chaturti, Navratri, Diwali, Holi
Tulja Bhavani Temple – Video

History and Legend of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

History of Tulja Bhavani Temple
The Entrance of the sacred Tulja Bhavani Temple.

What is the story behind the Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • The history of Tulja Bhavani Temple can be found in the Skand Puran. The story says that there was a knowledgeable man known as Kardabh. After his death, his wife Anubhuti performed penance at the banks of river Mandakini.
  • Anubhuti performed this ritual so that Goddess Bhavani could look after her infant child. While she was performing the ritual, a demon known as Kukur tried disturbing her. Mata Bhavani came to her rescue and killed the demon. Since then Mata Bhavani is known as Tulja Bhavani.

What is the legend of Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • During the 1920s, there were around 5000 people that lived in Tuljapur. The place where this incident took place is now known as Tuljapur. Mata Bhavani’s idol is known as Swayambhu idol.
  • It is believed that Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Kingdom always seek her blessings as a result of which she gave him “the Bhawani Sword” for success in his quest.
  • It is also said that a demon named Matanga created destruction upon devas and humans who went to Brahma for help. On Brahma’s advice, they went to Goddess Shakti after which she took the form of destroyer and killed him bringing back peace in the reign. She was powered by other seven goddesses also known as Sapta Maataas. They included Varaahi, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Kumari, Indraani and Saambhavi.

Significance of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Where is Tulja Bhavani Temple
The revered idol of Goddess Tulja Bhavani.

This Goddess is worshipped in a granite image which is 3 feet high. She has eight arms and each holding weapons and bearing the head of the demon Mahishasura. Her other names are Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita, and Amba.

What is the structure of the Tulja Bhavani Temple?

  • Tulja Bhavani Temple’s entrance is known as Sardar Nimbalkar. The next two entrances are named after Shivaji Maharaj’s parents, Raja Shahji and Rajmata Jijaju respectively. Upon entering the main entrance, we can find a temple dedicated to Markandeya Rishi. This temple is found on the right side of the main entrance. After coming down the stairs one can see the main temple, the Tulja Temple.
  • In front of the temple, there is a Holy fire pit located. Raja Shahaji Mahadwar and Rajmata Jijavu Mahadwar have two libraries named Shree Dnyaneshwar Dharmik library and Shree Tukaram Dharmik library.
  • After descending from the stairs one can see “Gomukh Theerth” and “Kalakh” on the right and left side respectively. Kalakh is also known as “Kallol Theerth“. The devotees first take a holy dip in these shallow tanks of holy water known as Theerth.
  • We can find many other temples on the premises like Amruth Kund and Datta Temple. We can also find Siddhi Vinayak Temple on the left side of the main entrance and Aadishakti and Aadimata Matangadevi temple on the right. Goddess Annapurna temple is also located on the premises.

Timings of the Tulja Bhavani Temple

The temple opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning and evening aarti.

Here are the timings of the Tulja Bhavani Temple:

Rituals From To
Darshan 5:00 AM 8:00 PM
Morning Pooja 5:30 AM 6:30 AM
Morning Abhishekam 9:00 AM 9:30 AM
Nevaidyam 9:30 AM 10:00 AM
Afternoon Aarti 12:00 PM 12:30 PM
Evening Pooja 6:00 PM 6:30 PM
Night Nevaidya 7:30 PM 8:00 PM

Poojas and Rituals performed at the Tulja Bhavani Temple

  • Before the morning prayer, a large drum is played loudly to call all the devotees for prayers. This drum is played in the drum house of Tulja Bhavani temple at 5:00 AM The drum is played three times a day.
  • At 5:30 AM the prayer is performed by the Mahant. Tukoji Bua is the present Mahant of Tulja Bhavani Temple. There is a presence of the Karvir Princely state during the Charantirtha Puja.
  • The Mahanta first washes Idol’s mouth and feet from hot water, aromatic oil, dudhkhir, and pan. After which all the devotees sing the holy songs know as Aarti.
  • After Aarti, the Goddess is offered Nevaidya of Bhaji Bhakri. This Nevaidya is offered by the descent representative of the devotee, Uparkar. Later Nevaidya of kheer is offered by the representative of the former princely state Karvir.
  • At 9:00 AM, the Goddess is bathed with Panchamrut and curd. Goddess is also offered honey, sugar, and banana. After this Goddess is bathed in Gomukh water. Devotees also bathe the holy throne of Goddess by mango, sreekhand, and curd. After the bath, a big holy meal known as Mahanevaidya is offered to the Goddess.
  • During noon, the devotees again sing Aarti and light Dhup and Camphor.
  • Post that, at 6:00 PM Goddess is again bathed and pooja is offered. This time, all the arrangements are done by Karvir.
  • Come night time, the holy water from Gomukh and Nevaidya of Ghee and cooked rice is offered. This ritual is known as Prakkshal.
  • Musical instruments like tal, zanj, and dimdi are played in every Aarti.

Festivals celebrated at the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Ganesh Chaturthi Tulja Bhavani Temple
Ganesh Chaturthi is a very important festival that is celebrated every year in all parts of Maharashtra.
  • Tuljapur Bhavani Festival: This festival is celebrated for four days and four nights. Devotees pray and worship Goddess throughout the festival. Tulja Bhavani festival is celebrated twice in a year. This festival includes rituals like Sasthi, Bhavani Ashtami. On Bhavani Ashtami, the devotees fast until they offer flowers to the deity. On the next day, girls who have not reached puberty yet are fed and offered presents. These girls are represented as the young form of the Goddess. The last of this festival is known as Vijaydashmi. On this day, the Goddess is carried to the river and immersed in the water. There is a distribution of sweets and the devotees enjoy that this festival will again be celebrated next year. This festival is known as Durga Puja in West Bengal and is celebrated almost same. This festival symbolizes win of good over evils. The festival is also known as Navratri.
  • Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is another very important and famous festival. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in the town of Tuljapur. This festival is held in the months of August and September. This festival is celebrated in the honour of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi in the months of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar.
  • Diwali: Diwali is one of the important festivals of Hindus. This festival is celebrated in the months of October and November and is also known as “Festival of Lights“. People of Tuljapur celebrate this festival with great pomp and show. During this festival, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.
  • Holi: Holi is another important festival for the natives of Tuljapur. This is a “Festival of Colors“. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in India. This festival charges the atmosphere. Holi celebration is started by Holika Dahan where people gather and sing and dance.

Routes to the Tulja Bhavani Temple

  • By Air: Tulja Bhavani Temple has its nearest airport in Osmanabad which is approximately 15km away from the temple.
  • By Train: There is no railway station in Tuljapur so the nearest option is Osmanabad.
  • By Bus: One can easily get buses to Tuljapur from various cities in the country.

Mumbai to Tuljapur

  • By Air: There is no direct flight service from Mumbai. The aerial distance from Mumbai to Tuljapur is 354km. To go to Tuljapur from Mumbai you can take a flight from Air India till Hyderabad and then reach Tuljapur by taking Indica.
  • By Train: There is no direct connectivity through the train as well. You can reach Osmanabad from the train and then reach Tuljapur hiring a taxi.
  • By Bus: There is no direct route for Tuljapur from Mumbai but there is nearly 1 or more direct bus service between Mumbai and Tuljapur. They are known as Raja Travels.

Pune to Tuljapur

  • By Air: There is no direct flight service from Pune to Tuljapur.
  • By Train: No trains are available for the same.
  • By Bus: There is a few regular bus service that that help you in reaching Tuljapur. There are services like Sana Travels-Azeem which take passengers from Pune to Tuljapur directly.

Accommodation near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

There are accommodation facilities provided by the Temple Trust for its pilgrims. They have started a Dharamshala for the pilgrims where they can stay free of cost. There are many private organizations who provide accommodation facilities to the pilgrims. They have a very nominal charge. This private organization has many facilities like a hygienic environment, internet facilities, homely food etc.

Food Facilities near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Apart from the food that we get in Tulja Bhavani Temple, there are many restaurants nearly who offer food at a very reasonable rate. They provide food in a very hygienic condition.

Places to visit near the Tulja Bhavani Temple

Explore Tuljapur
The Gowmukh Waterfalls are a beautiful site to visit and are considered very sacred.
  • Chintamani: This is a very beautiful stone structured temple situated out the main Tuljabahvani Temple. It is believed that the Goddess Chintamani has guided its devotees to take the right decisions in their life. This temple is surrounded by many shrines like Yamai Devi, Narsimha, Khandoba, and Matangi. This play is mostly visited on Tuesday, Fridays and Sundays. On full moon days, devotees come to Chintamani Temple to take blessings.
  • Kallola Tirth: Kallola is a huge water tank situated in the Prakara Temple. This temple is located in Tuljabhavani Temple. Kallola Tirth is around 40 ft by 20 ft in dimension. It is walled on all the sides. Legends say that the Kallol contains sacred water from river Ganga which flowed from the mountain ranges of Himalayas. It is also said that while merging in the tank, the water made a great noise because of which it was named Kallola Tirth.
  • Vishnu Tirth: This Tirth is situated in the north-eastern part of the main temple. Vishnu Tirth has three entrance. All three entrances are connected through stone steps. It is believed that after taking a dip from this tirth, all the sin done by a person is washed away.
  • Gomukh Tirth: Gomukh is a very famous and sacred waterfall. The water comes out from the stone structure that looks like the mouth of a cow. The holy water from which the Goddess’s idol is bathed comes from Gomukh Tirth.
  • Ghatshila Temple: Ghatshila Temple is situated in Tuljapur. It has a devotional and mythological story behind it. It is said that Lord Ram and Lord Laxman went by ghats and rocks of Tuljapur in search of Sita. Legends also say that Goddess Bhawani stood on the rocks of Lord Rama to guide him to reach Lanka and rescue Sita. Devotees come all way from India to pay an offering to Lord Rama. Pilgrims visit this rock temple which was built in the medieval period.

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

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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