Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Baijnath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Baijnath Temple of Palampur in Himachal Pradesh is located in the Kangra district. It is located in a popular mountain resort. In 1204 AD the two regional merchants ‘Ahuk’ and ‘Mnyuk’ established Baijnath Temple, is a major attraction of Palampur and 16 km from the city located at a distance. Since the establishment of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is constantly being built.

The famous Shiva Temple of Palampur is located 22 km from Chamunda Devi Temple. Baijnath Temple is a place where people come from far and holds an important place for religious faith. This temple has devotees from all over India throughout the year and foreign tourists attracts a large number of pilgrims. Himalayan Dhauladhar mountain ranges in beautiful and green valleys nestled among the largest of the ancient Shiva temple Shiva devotee hears the tale of devotion. It is installed on the lingam it, to see who is like any ordinary Shivling. But it gives a sense unique touch to the devotees. The immense power of Shiva devotees worship Ravana because he fills the lingam, which she used to worship. According to legends Lanka Ravana wanted to take with them the lingam.

History of Baijnath Temple

Treta Yuga king of Lanka Ravana meditated on Mount Kailash for Shiva’s sake. He initially denied the fruit of a severe penance. Finally he cut off the head with a fire pit, laid down in the Shiva began to pay. The tenth and final approval by Shiva appeared before decapitating grabbed the hand of Ravana. Shiva restored him all ends Ravana demanded bridesmaid.
Ravana in Lanka said I want to set up the appearance of your lingam. You and me in two very strong and make their appearance. Amen said by Shiva and disappeared. Shiva lingam his appearance before vanishing before Ravana two marks on the ground that they have not.
Both went to Lanka to Ravana Shivling. on their way ‘Gukarn’ area (Baijnath) to reach Ravana experienced urination. He ‘Baju’ lingam explaining all things handed to name a Gwale went to prevention and suspicion.
Shiva’s Maya because of the weight of Baju Shivlings them and they could not endure longer placing their cattle grazing on the land left. While both the lingam was installed.
Ravana had kept the lingam in the casket. The casket was in front of the lingam. He was known as Chandrabal’s and the one which was towards the back was Baijnath’s known.
Some small temple in the courtyard of the temple and the statue of the bull Nandi. Nandi his oath of pilgrims seeking the ear.The Pandavas could not complete the temple. The exile of the Pandavas in the Dwapara Yuga the temple was built. According to locals, the remaining construction of the temple ‘Ahuk’ and ‘Mnuk’ of two businessmen in 1204 AD. Since then, the place was full, “Shivdham’s name is well known in northern India.
According to the mythology of Shiva Ravana meditated Treta Yuga. Despite harsh austerity Mahadev pleased when they did not cut their heads one by one at the end Ravana laid down in the fire pit, dedicated to Lord Shiva started. The tenth and final head’s been cut off by Shiva appeared before Ravana grabbed the hand of a physician, like Ravana and all the ends of the re-established.
Ravana was pleased with the penance demanded Shiva blessed him. Ravana in Lanka to establish the format I want your lingam. Amen said by Shiva and have disappeared. Disappeared before the Shiva lingam form the two signs before Ravana said they do not keep on the ground. Ravana of Lanka, Ravana, came and went in the way Gukarn was the urination. He caught the lingam Baju name Gwale explaining all things and went to surmise prevention.
Due to the weight of the Maya Shiva Baju Shivlingon them could not endure much longer and put them on earth to feed their cattle left. While both the lingam was installed. The casket was placed in the casket in front of Ravana both Shiva lingam which was known as the Cndrabal and Baijnath which he was known to the back.

Significance of Baijnath Temple

Baijnath Temple was built in the thirteenth century, namely the ‘vaidyanath’, meaning ‘Lord of therapy or medicines’. Baijnath Temple is situated very close to the Pathankot-Mandi national highway. The old name is ‘Kirgram’, but over time it became known as the temple and the village named ‘Baijnath’ fallen. Binwa river flows north-west end of the temple, who later joins the Beas.
Baijnath Temple is a fine example of extremely attractive composition of art and construction of the temple sanctorum. After entering a porch there is a large square in front of the pavilion is made, and the north and south sides are made large balcony.
Pavilion rests on four pillars in the front is a small porch, in front of the small temple of stone and stood under huge Nandi bull statue.
Baijnath Temple is surrounded by a high wall and the south and north entrances. The outer walls of the temple sculptures, statues of gods and goddesses are several vents.
Many of the walls are made by etching. The entrance porch leads to the inner sanctorum and Antynt door is filled with countless pictures to illustrate the beauty and importance.
Himalayan Dhauladhar mountain ranges in beautiful and green valleys nestled among the largest of the ancient Shiva temple Shiva devotee hears the tale of devotion. It is installed on the lingam it, to see who is like any ordinary Shivling. But it gives a sense unique touch to the devotees. The immense power of Shiva devotees worship Ravana because he fills the lingam, which she used to worship. According to legends Lanka Ravana wanted to take with them the lingam.
54 km from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and 56 km from Dharamshala Binwa Baijnath Dham lies on the banks of the river. Because of the natural beauty around her has a specific location. Say two traders in the 12th century Mnyuk and Ahuk name of the temple was built after the renovation of the temple built in Raja Sansar Chand.

Festivals celebrated at Baijnath Temple

Maha Shivaratri.
Baijnath Temple, people coming from far and holds an important place for religious faith. Baijnath Temple devotees from all over India throughout the year, foreign tourists and attracts a large number of pilgrims. Every morning and evening prayer is. Also special occasions and festivals are special prayers. Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Vaishakh Sankranti, the festival of Shravan Monday etc are Mnaae with huge excitement and elegance. Shravan falling in prayers at the temple every Monday is considered to be particularly important. Monday of Shravan is celebrated as fair. Maha Shivaratri festival is held every year on the five-day State level.

Dussehra festival
Dussehra festival, which traditionally is celebrated to burn the effigy of Ravana, but here in Baijnath by Ravana devotion to Shiva’s penance is celebrated as the honor. Baijnath Another interesting thing about the city is not here goldsmith shop.

Bath’s importance
Flowing with milk remained at the temple Vinwa ravine bathing in the Ganga ghat has a special significance. After bathing the Shiva devotees bathe Panchamrit Bilwa get letters from him, flower, hemp, etc. Dtura Bhole Nath please pay by the sins and virtues earn their sufferings.

How to Reach Baijnath Temple

To reach Baijnath from Delhi or Chandigarh-Una via Pathankot rail, bus or private vehicle and can be reached by taxi. Delhi to Pathankot and Kangra districts Gaggal air service is also available.

• By Road– The temple is situated around 10 km west of Palampur, on the Baner River and can be reached by bus or taxi.
• By Rail- The nearest railhead on the narrow gauge line is at Moranda near Palampur, 30 km.
• By Air– The nearest airport is Kangra airport at Gaggal near Dharamshala. It is 28 Km from Chamunda Devi Temple.

Hotels in Kangra

There are various dharamshala facility provided fo the devotees. The Temple Trust has themselves made dharamshalas for the devotees as well as tourists. Apart from dharamashalas, there are many hotels as well as private organizations that provide dwelling facilities to the people. The hotels have nominal charge keeping the need and budget of the devotees and the tourists. The hotels provide clean and hygiene environment to the tourists as well has good and hygienic food. Many hotels provide wifi facilities to the tourists so that they keep themselves connected to the whole world.

Place to eat in Kangra

Baijnath Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main course and are given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust. Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.
There are a lot of dishes which are given to the devotees. There are one-time free prasads served to the devotees. There are many other dishes that are served to the devotees for which they need to spend money. The food is prepared in a very hygienic conditions. All the eatables are taken good care while preparing food. Foods are prepared in a very hygienic atmosphere.

Apart from the food we get in the temple, there are many other hotels and places where one can have food. In Delhi, we can find food stalls everywhere. There are hotels and cafes like Cafe Coffee Day, Pind Balluchi, The First Floor Restaurant and many more. There are many other hotels which have nominal charges keeping the taste of the consumer in mind. They prepare food in a very clean and hygienic environment.

Nearby places to visit

• Kangra Fort– The Kangra Fort are located on a strategic height overlooking the Manjhi River and Ban Ganga River. The remains of the Kangra fort are still a dominating feature of the Kangra Valley. Mohammed Ghazni occupied the Kangra Fort in 1009 AD and at that time the place was called Bhima Nagar, after the name of Bhima, one of the Pandavas. Muhammed Tuglaq also conquered the fort in 1337, but could not occupy it for long. Feroz Tuglaq also plundered the fort in 1365 AD. This is known as Nagarkot, located 42 km from Palampur. There are two entrance, it is currently preserved by archaeological department. It has very beautiful entrance and very amazing.

• Jwalamukhi Temple– Located at a distance of around 30 km from Kangra, the temple of Goddess Jawalamukhi is also famously called “Flaming Goddess” or “She of the flaming mouth.” Nestled in the valley of Beas, the temple of Jawalamukhi is built over some natural jets of combustible gas. It is on of shakti peeth temple, it is 35 km from Kangra dedicated to goddess light, this temple is very famous to north Indians. There are all types of facility available like hotels, restaurants etc.

• Kangra Art Gallery– The Kangra Valley Art Gallery showcases artefacts that can be traced back to the 5th century. It encompasses a gallery of Kangra’s renowned miniature painting and a representative collection of pottery, sculptures and anthropological items.

• Bhagsunath- The ancient temple of Bhagsunath is located 3 km east of McLeodganj and 11 km from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. The annual fair held at the place in September is quite popular. With the forests and hilly ranges, there is also a waterfall located nearby.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

July 22, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a very popular temple in Kerala. The temple is situated at Thiruvananthapuram. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is also known as the women’s Sabarimala. It is visited by large number of women. Goddess Attukal Amma is the main deity. The Goddess has four arms, each bearing a spear, sword, skull and shield. The temple has beautiful architecture. In addition, it is- historic. It is a very clean temple.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple authorities also do various social works. They arrange weddings for poor couples and give them dress and ornaments. Poor patients get medical help while students get scholarships.

History and Legend of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Various myths and history surround the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.

It is believed that a few centuries back when the head of the Mulluveettil family. The head was known as Karanavar. He was performing his prayers one day when a young girl appeared. She requested him to help her cross the Killi River. The charisma and beauty of the girl made Karanavar believe that the girl is divine. He bowed in front of the girl and helped her cross the river. He also invited her to his home. While the family was busy preparing to receive the girl, she disappeared. That night the girl appeared in the dream of Karanavar. She ordered him to build her temple at Kavu. It is a place where animals and plants are not disturbed. As per the instructions the temple was built. This temple came to be known as the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.
It is also believed that the little girl is Kannagi. She is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Kannagi is mentioned in the famous Tamil epic of Chipathikaram. She is the destroyer of evil. When she met Karanavar she was returning from Madurai. There She had destroyed the evil and was on her way to Kodungallor.

Significance of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is known for its architecture.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple exhibits a blend of Tamil and Kerala form of architecture. The gateway of the temple is stunning with delicate work.
Furthermore, the temple has beautiful idols of Mahisasurmardini, Goddess Kali, Rajarajeshwari, Devi Parvati and Lord Shiva.
The walls are raced with mythological stories of India. There are ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu at the temple. These idols are known as the Dashavatara.
The two sides of the gopura depict the stories of Kannaki. The southern gopura of the shrine depicts the Puranic stories. These stories are also known as Dakshayaga.
There are two idols of the Goddess here. The original deity is adorned with golden ornaments and precious stones. The other one is placed just beside that.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Timings

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple opens at 4.30 am and closes at 8.30 pm. There is no entry fee to the temple.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Food Timings

Food is served at the temple on all the 1^st days of the Malayalam calendar and on Sundays. Planning is going on to serve food every day. Devotees can also donate for this noble work.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Dress Code

There is no specific dress code to visit the temple. Only at festivals, people are asked to come in traditional dress.

Festivals celebrated at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple reflects the rich culture and heritage of Kerala. The festivals celebrated here are.

Attukal Pongala: This festival witnesses one of the largest gatherings of women in the world. Almost 20 lakh women visit the temple every year. The crowd reached Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 when 1.5 million women offered Pongal. Pongala is a divine festival. It is a ten days programme. The festival takes place during the Malayalam months of Makaram- Kumbham. This is generally February or March. The main ceremony is on the day when the Pooram star coincides with the full moon. People sing stories of Goddess Kannaki. The stories are known as Kannaki Charitam.
Kuthiyottam: This special festival is celebrated by the boys below the age of 12. It is performed in expectance of internal and external beauty, health, wealth and happiness. These boys are believed to be Goddess Mahisasurmardini’s wounded soldiers. On the 3^rd day of the festival, these young boys start a seven-day penance to purify themselves. The penance includes ing at the temple. They also sleep on mats. Observe strict diet and prostrate 1008 times before the Goddess every morning.
Thalappoli: This festival is for the girls below the age of 12. The event starts on the Pongal day. Girls in traditional attire worship the Goddess. The festival gives internal and external beauty, health, wealth and happiness.
Vilakkukettu: This festival takes place from the 1^st to the 9^th day of the Pongala festival. Vilakkukettu refers to the decorated structures. These structures contain images and idols of the Goddesses. Devotees carry the structures every night of the festival to the temple. Musicians play traditional chendamelam music at the festival.
The Divine Procession: This is a grand procession. This procession consists of bright lights and colourful festoons. Devotees perform peacock dance, poykuthira dance, kolkali, theyyam and kumbha dance. They also display Kuthiyottam and Panchavadyam art forms. The deity of Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy is carried on a decked up elephant. The procession goes from the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to the Sastha Temple of Manacaud. This festival is an integral part of the Kuthiyottam. The penance of the boys starts after the procession.
Maha Shivaratri: Worship of Lord Shiva is done with great pomp and show on Maha Shivaratri.
Vinayaka Chathurthi: Worship of Lord Ganesh is done on this occasion. Devotees do special worship on this day. Perform Kootu Ganapati Homam on this auspicious day.
Mandala Vratham and Pooja Vaypu are the other festivities of the temple.

Poojas and Rituals at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Worship at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple takes you to a different level of divinity. Every day is a celebration at this temple. The rituals practised here are.

Three steps of worship: The worship process is the same as the other South Indian temples at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The process is divided into three parts. The beginning of the pooja is women lighting lamps. Pilgrims also worship the flag. The devotees then enter the temple to worship the deity.
Vedi Vazhipadu: This is a unique ritual performed at this shrine. The devotees can offer crackers to the Goddess.
Daily Pooja of Lord Shiva: Everyday devotees can offer Mrithyumjayahomam to the Lord.
Madan Thampuram Pooja: The pooja takes place every day. The pooja takes place at the Madan Thampuram’s Temple.
Akhandanama Japam: This means continuous chanting of Devi mantras. It takes place on 4^th Sunday of every month.
Karthika: This refers to the pooja of the star of the Goddess. It takes place during the months of November- December.
Ayilya Pooja: This is the pooja of the Serpent God. Devotees can offer milk and flowers.
Aiswarya Pooja: This takes place on every full moon.
Nirayum Puthariyum: Also known as Ramayana Parayanam, this takes place during Karkadakam.
Vishnu: This event takes place on the 1^st day of the Malayalam month.
Sahasrakalasham: This pooja is done during the months of March or April. Worshippers can choose different types of kalasham at this pooja.
In addition, devotees can ask for Bhajan, Kodi Archana, Leksharchana rituals.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

The temple is easily accessible from all parts of the country. It is almost 20 minutes from the main city.

By Air: The nearest airport to the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. It is at Valiyathura. This is approximately 7 km from the temple. There are regular flights between the city and Middle East countries, Male and Sri Lanka to Thiruvananthapuram from here.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Trivandrum Central Railway Station. It is located at Thampanoor. The place is 3 km from the temple. Auto rickshaws are the best mode of conveyance from the railway station.

By Road: The temple is just at 1.5 km from the east fort bus stop. The Trivandrum central bus stand is at 2 km from the shrine. Metered autos can take you around the city. Tourists can also hire cabs to reach the temple. The temple authorities have also arranged regular bus service. Tourists can pre-book the bus tickets from the temple.

Hotels in Thiruvananthapuram: Where to stay

If you are looking for a place just to rest, then the Visrama Sankeetham of the temple can be of help. There are dormitories and rooms available within the temple complex. These are available on daily rent basis.

The Hotel Galaxy Inn, Hotel Silver Sand, Hotel Fort View are budget accommodation. These hotels are just 2 km from the temple.

Where to eat

Ariya Niwas specializes in vegetarian dishes.

Nearby Temples

There are a number of ancient shrines near Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple: This shrine lies at 2 km from the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. As per myth, the trip to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is incomplete without a visit to this temple. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. It is popular due to its magnificent architecture. The idol of Lord Vishnu is also astounding. The Lord is in a sleeping pose on a five-headed serpent. The serpent is Anant Nag. The temple authority allows only traditional dress. Men have to come in a dhoti. Women have to come in a sari. The temple is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Kunnumpara Temple: The temple is at 4 km from Kovalam. This temple is known for its breathtaking beauty. The temple lies at a hilltop. It is also an ideal place to rest and meditate.
Sivagiri Mutt: This temple is at 3 km from Varkala. This place is also serene. The shrine was built in 1904. As per myth, Sree Narayana Guru attained enlightenment here. The Mutt remains open from 5.30 am to 12.00 pm. It is also open from 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm.
Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple: This temple is only 7 km from Trivandrum. The shrine is also known for its natural bliss. The main deity is Goddess Chamundi. She is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The deity is unique and is made of five metals of copper, iron, gold, silver and lead. The temple also houses the idols of Rektha Chamundi, Bhala Chamundi, Yakshi Amma, Bhuvaneswari, Ayira Valli and Vinayaka. The temple is open from 5.00 am to 11.55 am. It is also open from 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm.
Madavoorpara Shiva Temple: This cave temple lies at 17 km from Trivandrum. Lord Shiva is the main deity. The shrine is important for its eighteenth-century rock-cut sculpture. These sculptures show the images of Lord Shiva and also his consort, Devi Parvati. The temple remains open from 9 am to 8 pm.
Santhigir Ashram: The beautiful architecture of the temple attracts tourists to the ashram. Moreover, it is near the central office of Trivandrum. It is in the shape of a blooming lotus. The ashram is over 100 acres of land and offers work, food to many people. People can also stay here. The health centre of the ashram preaches the benefits of Ayurveda, Sidha and Panchakarma. The temple is open from 10 am to 10 pm.

Therefore Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a nice place to spend a vacation.

Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

February 14, 2023, Sasidhar Darla 9 Comments Filed Under: Gujarat Temples Tagged With: Krishna Temples

Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor is in Gujarat. Earlier famous for Worship of shiva, it developed into a center for Vaishnavites when Ranchhodraiji, another avatar of Krishna surfaced. It is one of the most ethnically significant temples of Gujarat. State Government recently included Dakor in the pilgrimages under “Yatradham Vikas Board”.

a divine tour of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor Facts –

Deity	Lord Vishnu
Location	Dakor, Gujarat
Significance	Pancha Dwarka of Lord Krishna
Best Time to Visit	November to February
Darshan timings	06:45 AM to 12:00 PM \|\| 4:00 PM to 07:30 PM
Bhog and Prasad	Laddu and Rasmalai
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional
Festivals	Sharad Purnima, Janmasthami, Holi and Rathyatra, etc
Parking	Free

What are the timings of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here are the Temple timings of Ranchhodraiji Temple:

Timings	From	To
Mangla Darshan	06:45 AM	8:30 AM
Afternoon Closing	12:00 PM	4:00 PM
Evening Darshan	04:00 PM	07:30 PM
Temple Closing	07:30 PM	06:00 AM

Puja and Rituals at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

Darshan Timings	From	To
Mangalabhog, Balbhog, Srinagarbhog, Gwalbhog Darshan	09:00 AM	10:30 AM
Rajbhog Darshan	11:30 AM	12:00 PM
Uthapan Bhog And Darshan	04:10 PM	04:55 PM
Shyan bhog Darshan	05:25 PM	06:00 PM
Shakhdibhog Darshan	07:00 PM	07:30 PM

Significance of Rituals and Darshan’s of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor

The significance of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor among its devotees is very high. The temple authorities help the devotees keeping in mind to their facilities –

Darshana timings on Full -Moon days are different and are declared by the temple authorities beforehand.
For the convenience of the Vaishnavas desirous to offer additional bhogs to the deity except for the scheduled ones, there is a provision in the Dakor Temple Scheme and accordingly, Mahabhog, Rajbhog, and additional bhogs are offered to the deity.
For all such extra Bhogs, the devotees can receive prasad except Rajbhog, through Dakor Sansthan Trust which is the oldest Bhog of the time when the Deity Shree Ranchhodraiji was installed in this temple.

The significance of each Bhog and ritual with Darshans is very important for the temple. Each of it implies a different tradition in the temple-

Mangla Darshan – Mangala Darshan is the first darshan of the day at dawn. The emotion of waking Lord Ranchhodraiji with the same affection and love of his mother Yashoda, when at Gokula is represented in this Darshan. The name Mangala underlines the auspiciousness of beginning the day with a glimpse of the Lord.
Kesar Snan, Bal Bhog, Shringar Darshan – Shringar Darshan is usually 45 minutes after the Mangala Darshan. His attire depends on the day and the month according to the Lunar Calendar. Ranchhodraiji is adorned with a garland of flowers around his neck. He is offered dry fruits and sweets after which the flute is placed over his shoulder.
Gwal Bhog Darshan – After the Shringar Darshan, is a Gwal Darshan during which the Lord takes his mid-morning snack, Curds and light food is offered to him during this darshan. Gwal darshan depicts the time when Lord Ranchhodraiji takes his cows to the pasture and plays with his friends.
Rajbhog Darshan – The main meal of the day is offered to Ranchodraiji during this darshan. He is adorned with lotuses, a flower garland, and his flute. Perfume of the season is sprinkled. After this, he retires for three hours representing the siesta he enjoyed in the meadows.
Utthapan Darshan – In the Utthapan darshan which is at mid-afternoon, Lord Ranchodraiji is lovingly awakened from his afternoon nap.
Shayan Darshan – The Shayan Darshan is the last Darshan of the day when Lord Ranchodraiji finishes a light meal. A fan-made of peacock feathers is waved to avoid the effects of any evil eye cast while he is in full view of the people.

The symbolism of the deity in Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor –

Deity at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor — The divine deity in Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor in the form of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Ranchhodrai’s form is of Lord Vishnu with four arms.
Lord Vishnu bears the conch, the lotus, the discus and the mace in his hands.
The lower right arm is the posture of Abhaya mudra which gives protection to all those who come to him.
There is an imprint of a lotus on the hand.
His right-hand hold the flute.
During festivals, the hands of the Lord are in gloves of gold full of gems.

Legends of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor –

The legends of the Ranchhodraiji Temple relates to a story. Bodana was a worshipper of Lord Krishna in his previous life. The story related to the legend believed by devotees follows as-

Bodana lived in Gokulam as a cowherd Vijayanand. One day when all cowherds worshipped Lord Krishna, Vijayanand did not and the Lord came to him asking to perform the puja.
Bodana and the Lord engaged in a holy battle of colours. But the Lord fell into a river and Vijayanand went after him.
The Lord revealed himself and Vijayanand asked forgiveness. Lord Krishna then granted him a boon that after 4200 years he will appear at Gujarat with his present wife Sudha.
Vijayanand would go to Dwarka to worship Lord Krishna once every six months and also took a basil plant (Tulsi) with him until he was 72 years old.
Lord Krishna pleased, asked him to bring a bullock-cart with him so that he would accompany him to Dakor.
The priest of Dwarka asked why he had brought a bullock-cart. Bodana replied that he had come to take away Lord Krishna. Hence, they closed the Dwarka temple.
That night Lord Krishna broke the wall of the Garbha Griha and asked Bodana to take him away.
Seeing the missing image of Lord Krishna the priests came to Dakor. Bodana was anxious, so Lord Krishna told him to hide the idol of the deity in the Gomati tank.
The Priests got angry and threw spears at him and he died falling down. While hurting Bodana with a spear it also hurt the image of the deity hidden in the Gomti tank and the water turned red with Lord Krishna’s (Ranchhodraiji’s) blood.
However, the Lord mercifully directed the Ghulis that they would find, after six months an exact replica of the idol in Sevaradhan Vav at Dwarka.
But the Guglis looked for it earlier and found a smaller idol of the Lord.

History of Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor-

In times of Mahabharata, the surrounding area of Dakor constituted the ‘Hidamba‘ van (jungle). It was a very dense jungle. It was pleasant and rich with streams and lakes. It had become an attraction for the sages to establish their hermitage for penance.
Likewise, Dank Rishi had his hermitage (ashram) in this area. During penance Lord Shiva was pleased with him and asked him to demand something. Thereupon, Dank Rishi requested Lord Shiva to remain permanently in his hermitage.
Lord Shiva agreed to his request. He disappeared and left behind him His replica in the form of Ban (Ling), which is known as Danknath Mahadev. Thus in ancient times, Dakor was known as ‘Dankor‘ after the name of Dankanth Mahadev.
It was also known as Khakhariya because of many khakhra (Palash) trees in the vicinity.

The architecture of Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor –

The present temple was constructed by Shri Gopalrao Jagannath Tambwekar in 1772 A.D. at the cost of rupees one lakh. It was built with brick walls and stone pillars.
It is raised on a high plinth of 168 feet by 151 feet with twelve stone steps on each side and surrounded by a spacious courtyard.
It has eight domes and twenty-four turrets, the highest of them being 90 feet making it the tallest temple in the district.
The main gate of the temple overlooks the (now crowded) banks of the lake Gomati.
Silver gates are protected by the Vedic Gods – Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, etc beautifully carved in high relief. The gate leads into the main courtyard.
On entering the courtyard, one sees two tall structures, used to house the thousands of lamps that are lit during the festive season, on either side.
Back at the front gate, marble stairs lead to the main audience chamber of the temple – the Jagmohan – literally the place where the world is charmed by the beauty of the Lord.
Multi-storied and multi-tiered, this type of structure is very typical of medieval Gujarati temple architecture. Till recently, the dome was painted with Shri Krishna’s rasa-Lila in the classical Bundi style. It has been replaced by an intricate inlay of mirror work, depicting flowers and trellis in a classical Rajput garden.

Which festivals are celebrated at Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Festivals at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor — Different festivals celebrated at Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor.

Approximately 35 festivals are celebrated at Dakor temple. The main ones being the

Kartik
Falgun,
Chaitra and
Ashwin Purnima.

Over 1 lakh devotees visit the shrine. Annakoot is on the first day of the year. At this festival, there are largest amounts of sweets and food preparation offerings to Shri Ranchhodraiji.

Vaishnava festivals celebrated are the

Holi,
Amalaki Ekadashi,
Janmashtami,
Nand Mahotsav,
Rathyatra and
Dashera.

During these festivals, devotees take the idol of Krishna in procession on an elephant. Ardent devotees also play music along with the rhythm. The festivals of Hindola and Palna are also celebrated.

How to reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here’s how to reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor:

Air: several domestic airplanes connecting Ahmedabad to Delhi, Bombay, Daman, Pune are available.
Rail: It is on the Anand Godhra broad-gauge railway line and so is connected to Nadiad and Godhra by a state highway.
Road: State Transport Bus services connect Dakor with Nadiad, Ahmedabad, Kapadwanj, Baroda, Bombay, and others.

Where to stay near Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

Here’s where one can stay near Ranchodraiji Temple:

Hotel Arizona Inn on AnandS road, Opp-S.R.Park, is famous for its luxurious rooms and good accommodation. It is a pure vegetarian hotel.
Hotel Relax on the 3rd floor, Haribo Vyapar Bhuvan, GPO road is another place that you may find nice to check-in.

What are some places to visit near Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor?

You could also visit:

DWARKADHISH TEMPLE – Situated at Dwarka is one of the four major pilgrimages for Hindus in India. The Bhidbhanjan temple is a popular place to visit. It is a divine place to pay your visit to Lord Shiva and also other Gods and Goddesses. It shows architecture made up of Western influences.
MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE – The temple of Mahalakshmi is situated a kilometer far away from the temple in the northern direction of the temple. One has to walk to reach this temple.
HOUSE OF BODANA – Opposite to the temple of Mahalakshmi is the house of Bodana and Ganga Bai. Lord Ranchhodraiji was worshiped in this house before the Deity was moved to the current temple. Inside the house is a place where the Deity was hidden and was worshiped by Bodana’s wife.
GOMTI KUNDA – This sacred pond is situated right opposite to the entrance of Sri Ranchhodraiji temple. The Deity was hidden in this pond by Bodana. It is a very beautiful pond surrounded by twelve ghats. The place where the Deity of Ranchora Rai was hidden is in the middle called Padmachinha.
DANKANATH MAHADEV TEMPLE – This temple which was made by Dankamuni is very old and is near the Eshwar Ovara. The shiva-linga is installed below the Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor –

Does the temple provide prasad?

Yes, the temple provides the bhog prasad where you can have delicious Laddo and Rasmalai.

Can devotees make any offerings in bhog to the temple?

Knowing the Bhog schedule and taking permission from the temple authority, you can request to offer Bhog of your desire to Ranchhodraiji. Later, you will be given prasad by Dakor Sansthan Trust.

What is the specialty of the Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

The temple has a unique culture, where only women are allowed to offer food (Prasad) and flowers to the Lord. It is a part of Pancha Dwarka Temples. You can also explore the Dwarka Somnath Tour Package if you are running short of time.

Why is Lord Krishna called Ranchodraiji?

Ranchor is the name given to Lord Krishna when he fled from the battlefield in Mathura while fighting against Jarasandha.

Where can devotees park their Vehicles in Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Vehicles are not allowed in the temple vicinity. Devotees have to park the vehicle a kilometer away from Dakor and enter the city by walk or the local autos.

How can you reach Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Dakor can be reached from Ahmedabad by road easily. There are regular government buses from the city bus stand. One can also book a taxi or cab or an auto to reach the temple.

Which is the significant day to visit Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple?

Every year lakhs of people from all over India and Gujarat visit Dakor and especially on every full-moon day (Purnima).

What does Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple signify among the devotees?

The virtues or Punya gained by Visiting Ranchhodraiji temple at Dakor and having a glimpse of Lord Ranchhodrai is considered to be as equal as visiting Char Dhams.

If you have any questions related to Ranchodraiji Temple Dakor temple, please leave a comment below and we will reply within an hour.

Ajanta Caves

May 5, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad

Aurangabad district in Maharashtra State is a famous place with many tourist attractions and religious sites as well as temples. The Ajanta Caves are one of the most popular and most visited places in Aurangabad district with an extravagant monument. Having 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves that have existed since 2^nd century, these caves are exquisite structure that includes sculptures and paintings. They are a great example of the richness of Indian art and painting. These caves are also masterpiece of the Buddhist religious art and have figures of Buddha and depictions of mythological Jataka tales. The architecture of the Ajanta caves is worth witnessing and the caves are cut in the side of a large cliff which is the south side of U-shaped gorge on the river Waghur. They are along the modern pathway that runs across the cliff and were originally reached by the individual ladders from side of river 10–35 m below. The Ajanta caves have been built extravagantly in two phases and the construction started by the 2^nd century BCE. The second group of these caves was built in 400–650 BCE. This is a protected monument and is cared by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History and Legend of Ajanta Caves

This region was previously forested heavily and the caves were hidden in the heavy forests that were later discovered by a British officer in 1819. The buildings are Buddhist monastic that represent many monasteries. These caves have been numbered from 1 to 28 and some of these are unfinished but some have been barely begun. Many of these caves were hidden under the rubble and round the gorge, there are numerous waterfalls and these are audible when the river is high that are audible from outside these caves.
These caves have the best of the early Indian wall-paintings and there are not many such survivals from areas of the modern Indian region and they are believed to be related to approx. 5^th century paintings in the Sigiriya region in Sri Lanka. Ajanta Caves have elaborated architectural carvings that are considered rare.
A little after being rediscovered, the caves became famous due to their exotic setting and the impressive architecture and also due to the unique paintings. These caves were originally in the territory of princely state of Nizam of Hyderabad and Ghulam Yazdani who was the founder of the archaeology department of Hyderabad State in 1914 had played a major role to conserve and research this site. He had also published series of monographs on the caves. This site was considered adventurous till the Nizam’s government had built a modern path in between these caves among the many other efforts that had been made in order to make the site an easy visit.

Significance of the site and the Ajanta Caves

The site boasts of the best mural paintings in the country that have survived from earlier and later caves. The paintings also include court-led paintings that are well preserved. Some of the later paintings also concentrate on the Jataka tales that show the previous lives of Buddha as king. These paintings have since deteriorated significantly and a majority of these caves are the vihara halls that were used for prayer and also for living. Such caves are also called as monasteries. There are also some other plainer rooms that were used for sleeping and also for other activities.
The earlier caves have been built on eastern end of these horse-shoe shaped regions, and now the caves are in less prominent position. Ajanta Caves have been fully inaugurated that are important for the worship by the devotees of Lord Buddha that has an image in central shrine. The cliff of the first cave has steeper slope than other caves and this provides it a tall and a grand facade. Some caves only have left remains as the fine carving have been carelessly thrown down into the slope into the river but some have still been lost and they may have been presumably carried away in the monsoon torrents.
The carvings on the cave are surfaces embellishments and have scenes from life of Buddha along with decorative motifs. There also is a two pillared portico and the cave also has a front-court along with porch that has simple cells on its both ends. Most areas of these porches had been once covered with the murals and some fragments remain on the ceiling of the cave. On the rear wall to the house, a shrine has been carved with an impressive and elaborate seated image of Buddha and his hands have been made in dharmachakrapravartana mudra.
The temple has four cells that are located on all the walls and these have paintings that are in fair state in terms of preservation. The paintings depict mainly didactic, ornamental, and devotional scenes that are from Jataka stories that date back to Buddha’s former existence when he was a bodhisattva. The paintings have depicted life of Gautama Buddha and also of his veneration. The caves have two famous individually painted images and also life size figures of bodhisattvas that are Padmapani and Vajrapani that are placed on either side of entrance to Buddha shrine.
The paintings are on every surface of these caves except the floor but the art work has eroded in some places due to decay and also due to human interference. Many areas thus are painted walls, pillars, ceilings that are fragmentary. The narratives of the paintings are mostly based on the Jataka tales that are depicted on the walls. The paintings inform the community mainly of the teachings of the Buddha and of his life through the successive rebirths.
Some of the caves have also been saved from volcanic eruptions and thus still contain some major volcanic remains that also increase the attraction and significance of the site. This is today the most popular and most visited tourist destination in the Maharashtra state and is extremely crowded at the time of holiday. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation had in 2012 announced their plans to add this site to ASI visitor centre. They are also trying to get a better idea of these paintings and decipher them.

Ajanta Caves Timings

Ajanta Caves are open on all days except Tuesday and are open till sunset. The entry fees per person is Rs. 10/- and Rs 25./- are charged for clicking pictures and videography inside the caves.

How to reach by Rail Road and Air

Aurangabad is one of the most popular tourist hubs and thus has many visitors especially in the holiday season. The past glory and heritage of this city are the main attractions of Aurangabad. The Ajanta and Ellora caves are a major tourist attraction of the city and these caves are recognized as world heritage by UNESCO. Some other places to visit are the spectacular Mughal monuments, Bibi ka Maqbara and many other sites are extremely enjoyable in the city.

The caves also have a dedicated archaeological museum that is also a well noted tourist spot in the city. This place also has many historical and cultural places. The city has many ways to be reached and can be reached through multiple means of transport. Aurangabad is well connected by all major means like air, rail and road as per the tourist’s convenience. The city’s airport connects to all major cities and traveling to this city through air can be a very comfortable option while one can also travel by rail to the city.

By Air: Aurangabad has regular flights from all other major cities of the country and the major airport is the Chikkalthana Airport.

By Rail: Aurangabad is also well connected to all other major cities of India via regular trains. The major stations are Aurangabad, Rotegaon, Chikalthan, Mukundwadi Halt.

By Bus: One can get regular buses to the Aurangabad city from all other major cities of the country. The major bus station is Aurangabad.

The city is well connected and has efficient connectivity by all means of transport to various cities. There are a number of buses connecting Aurangabad to other cities and the journey is a comfortable one.

Hotels in Aurangabad

There are many 3, 4, and 5-Star hotels in Aurangabad that are extremely comfortable and have great services. The major hotels in the city include Hotel Atithi, Lemon Tree Hotel Aurangabad, VITS Hotel, Green Olive, Vivanta by Taj Hotel Oberoi and J P International. All the above hotels are extremely spacious and comfortable with all facilities. The tourists visit Ajanta caves and museums mostly in the holiday season and that is when the hotels are jam packed.

Nearby Attractions and Temples

The major attractions of the city of Aurangabad apart from the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are as follows:

Bibi Ka Maqbara: The place is situated about 3kms from the main city and is the resting place of Aurangzeb’s wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. This place is an imitation of Taj Mahal, Agra. The burial site or the Maqbara is situated in middle of spacious Mughal garden that has axial ponds and fountains along with broad pathways and clean pavilions.

Panchakki: The 17^th century water mill is situated at distance of about 1km from city. The water mill is famous for the vast underground water channel that traverses about 8kms. The mesmerizing artificial waterfall and beautiful water fountains increase the beauty of the place and thus is one of the most visited sites of the city.

Gates in Aurangabad: The most interesting place to visit in the city is the 52 ‘gates’; they have a local history and are visited most often. The historical gates increase the legend of the place and thus are one of the most visited sites of the city.

Naukhanda palace: Built by Malik Ambar, the massive portal gateway is a grand palace in the city with nine apartments. The interior buildings have five zananas, a Divan-i-Aam, a Divan-i-Khas, a masjid and a kacheri and each of this is provided with a garden and also with a cistern.

Salim Ali Lake & Bird Sanctuary: The Salim Ali Sarovar which is popularly known as the Salim Ali Talab, is a major place of interest that is located near Delhi Gate right opposite the Himayat Bagh in Aurangabad. The site is located in northern part of the city and was known as the Khiziri Talab during Mughal Period. The place was renamed after the well known ornithologist and naturalist Salim Ali. The site also has a bird sanctuary and also a garden that is well maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation.

Aurangabad Caves: The caves are situated at a distance of 5kms, and are nestled amidst the hills. These 12 Buddhist caves date back to 3 A.D. and are of particular interest as there are Tantric influences that are evident in the iconography and also in the architectural designs of these caves. The caves also offer a panoramic view of the whole city as well as of the imposing Maqbara.

Aurangabad has always been held as a town of great importance due to the history and legend associated with it. The popular tourist destination in the country has a lot to offer to the visitors. The town holds major significance in terms of history as well as mythology and is an important Buddhist site. The place has a lot to offer to the tourists and they back a lot in term of spiritualism as well as heritage and thus they keep coming back to experience the utmost enjoyment.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple – Timings, Poojas and Significance

February 14, 2023, Sasidhar Darla 16 Comments Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti located in Kateel, Karnataka. The Temple is situated on an islet formed naturally in the middle of the river Nandini. The town of Kateel lies 29 km from Mangalore city center and is considered as one of the holiest temple towns in India.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple – Facts

Darshan Timings	5:30 am to 9:30 pm
Poojas	Aksharabhyasam, Chandika Yaga, Yakshagana
Tours	Mangalore Temple Tour
Location	Mangalore, Karnataka
Deity	Goddess Durga
Significance	For settling family and property disputes
Entry Fee	General Darshan: Free.
Dress Code	Traditional wear
Best Time to Visit	September to February
Photography	Not allowed
Parking	Free
Festivals	Navratri

Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Real Story

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration is also dedicated to charity as it provides free Annadanam and other aids free of cost to the weaker sections of the society.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple Puja Timings

The timings for Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple are:

Puja’s and Rituals	Timings
Regular Temple Timings	4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Temple Cleaning	4:00 AM
Abhishekam	6:00 AM
Abhishekam to Udbhava Linga	6:30 AM
Morning Mahappoja	12:30 PM
Pradosha Pooja	7:00 AM
Evening Mahappoja	7:30 PM
Rangapooja	8:30 PM

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple Rituals and Seva List

Puja and Rituals at Kateel Durga Parmeshwar Temple — Devotees and Priests offering Puja and Rituals at the temple of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari.

Thrimadhura Naivedyam – The Goddess is offered Sugar, Honey, and Butter as Bhog or Naivedyam for the day on behalf of the devotee.
Panchamrutha Abhisheka – The deity is bathed with five holy “Amrit” or Nectar. They are Milk, Honey, Curd, Sugar, and Ghee.
Ranga Pooja – The Goddess is worshiped with either 24 rows of Deepams or with 64 rows of Deepams on behalf of the devotee.
Aksharabhyasa – The couples with children of age 2 – 5 can perform the Seva as a start to the education of their children. The performing of this ritual is special because the presiding deity Durga Parameshwari is the Goddess of intelligence and knowledge.
Sathyanarayana Pooja – The Pooja is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Pooja can be performed on any day but is believed to be extremely auspicious if performed on the eve of Chithra Pournami. The Pooja is performed to attain peace, prosperity, to remove obstacles and to be free from the negative thoughts.
Chandika Yagna – The Chandika Homam requires the presence of 7 priests. They chant the 700 verses and hymns from the Devi Mahatmayam. Offerings of the Payasam (sweet pudding or Kheer) are made to Agni during the chantings.
Tulabhara Seva – This Seva includes the devotee sitting on one side of the Tula or the weighing balance. On the other side, offerings are arranged until the weight of the devotee and the offerings balance themselves. The offerings are then donated to the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple.
Annadana – The Maha Annadana Seva can be performed by the devotees. The food or the Prasadam will be worshiped and distributed to all the visiting devotees for the day on behalf of the prescribing devotee.
Trikala Pooja – The Seva includes performing three Poojas in a day, one each at dawn, noon and dusk.
Mrityunjaya Homam – This Pooja is done to increase longevity and immortality of the person. The devotee asks for forgiveness from Lord Shiva and asks for a long healthy and prosperous life.
The Kateela Yakshagana Mela – The Kateela Mela is a Seva in which troupe of artists performs the Yakshagana drama with music and dance for the devotees. It is believed that the Seva pleases the Goddess as she loves art, music, and dance.

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple remains open until midnight on special occasions like Navarathri and other important festival days.

Cost of Puja/Sevas in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple

Puja/Sevas	Cost
Karthi Pooja	Rs. 10.00
Hovina Pooja	Rs. 120.00
Durga Namaskara	Rs. 60.00
Kunkumarchane	Rs. 30.00
Panchakajjaya	Rs. 20.00
Karpoorarathi	Rs. 30.00
Sahasra Namarchane	Rs. 60.00
Panchamritha Abhisheka	Rs. 70.00
Shree Sookthabhisheka	Rs. 40.00
Amrithpadi Nandadeepa	Rs. 120.00
Alankara Pooja	Rs. 120.00
Maha Pooja	Rs. 170.00
Sarva Seva	Rs. 1000.00
Ranga Pooja	Rs. 3000.00
Mristanna Puja	Rs. 250.00
Ksheera Payasa	Rs. 80.00
Ratha Hoovina Pooja	Rs. 80.00
Kannika Pooja	Rs. 20.00
Annadana Seva	Rs. 2500.00
Maha Annadana Seva	Rs. 20000.00
Samooha Seva	Rs. 100.00

The divine image of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari — The picture of Goddess Durga in the temple sanctum at Kateel Durga Parmeshwari.

All the online Sevas will be charged with 1.55% additional Processing charges and Service tax. Also the final net amount is rounded to Rupees.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Dress Code

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration does not impose any strict dress code but it is recommended to wear decent clothes to the Temple. Shorts, Bathing wear, and miniskirts are not allowed inside the Temple. Any material made of animal skin is not allowed inside the temple premises.

Significance of Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Significance — The divine rock and Nandini river that are very significant in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

The Linga of the main deity, Goddess Durga Parameshwari is an Udbhavalinga which means that it is self-manifested and not installed by anyone. The Linga is decorated in the form of Goddess Ambika, a form of Durga who symbolizes marital and family harmony.
The Goddess is bathed with tender coconut water as it is believed that it is her favorite drink. No one drinks Tender coconut water in the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple without offering it to the Goddess first. As per the legend, the Goddess appeared as the dancer Mohini in Arunasura’s garden.
The Sanctum of the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is perpetually wet and the Kumkum offered to the devotees is always wet. It is believed that River Nandini blesses the devotees in this way. The Temple is primarily visited by devotees to settle family and property disputes as well as to relieve themselves from heart-related diseases and infections.
The Annadanam is performed in the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple twice daily. Thousands of pilgrims are fed daily in the huge kitchen that is well equipped with all the modern amenities. During the Mesha Sankranama, the Balimoorthi or the Utsava Moorthi is worshiped in the Annadanam hall in front of heaps of rice and coconut.
The Kateel Mela is a unique and popular feature attributed to the Temple. The tradition began in the mid-19th century and continues till date. The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple currently has five troupes of Yakshagaana artists who perform the art and drama of the Yakshagaana for the devotees.
The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple provides a large number of special services named as “Prayschitha Seva” that can be performed at the Temple premises. These Sevas are Chandika Yagna, Tender coconut Abhishekam, Trikala Pooja, Griha Shanti (akin to the Navagraha Pooja), Durga Homam, Mrityunjaya Homam, Siver Chariot festival and the Golden Palanquin festival.
The Theerthasnana or bathing in the Theertha (holy water) in the Temple is considered as extremely sacred. It is believed that one can redeem himself from his sins and fight misfortune in his life after taking a Snana or bath with the holy water.
The Golden Chariot housed at the Temple Complex is the biggest Gold Chariot in Karnataka. The value of the chariot can be estimated at Rupees four billion.

The Yakshagana dance is performed by the devotees on every special day throughout the year. The devotees genuinely believe that Goddess Durga reveals a part of herself during the performance.

The History and Legends attached with Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Yakshagana Performance by devotees in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple — Yakshagana dance performance by devotees during Festival celebration in Kateel Durga Temple.

The legend behind the origin of the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is mentioned in sources like Markandeya Purana. The Sahyadrikanda of the Skanda Purana also relates to the legends. Sri Nirjararanya Mahatmayam and in Devi Bhagavatha Mahatmayam are two more sources for the legends related to the temple.

The legend begins with the battle between Goddess Shakti and demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Both were eventually killed in the battle. However, Arunasura, their minister fled the battle and gathered all the remaining demons. He became their king and started disturbing the sages and munis by disturbing the Yagnas. The Gods learned of this and stopped the rains.

Seeing the situation worsening, Maharishi Jabali visited Lord Brahma and requested him to send Kamadhenu (a holy cow) for completing a ritual. Lord Brahma replied that since Kamadhenu was unavailable, Nandini her daughter would come for the ritual. However, Nandini refused and insulted the Maharishi. The Maharishi became angry and cursed her that she will flow as a river on the Earth’s surface.

Nandini was mortified and prayed to Sri Adi Parashakti. The Goddess said that she could not lift the curse, but she will take birth from Nandini and relieve her from the curse in due course of time. Satisfied, Nandini descended on Earth and started flowing from the Kanakachala mountain.

Meanwhile, Arunasura started strict penance and obtained a boon from Lord Brahma. He wished that he will not be killed by any God, demon, reptile, Yaksha, Gandharva, Kinnara, Kimpurusha, Siddha, Sadhya, Vidhyadhara, man, woman, by any weapons or by animals on two and four feet.

Lord Brahma granted him the boon. He asked for a boon from Goddess Saraswati who blessed him by saying that as long as he chants the Gayathri Mantra every day, Death will not touch him.

Boosted by the boons, he created a huge army and started terrorizing people. He even defeated Indra and subjugated him. Lord Indra went to the trinity for help. Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva requested the help of the Supreme Mother Sri Adi Parashakti. She agreed to help but said that Arunasura had to be converted into an atheist.

Brihaspathi, disguised as a Brahmin met Arunasura and after a long debate, convinced him of the futility of his belief in reciting the Gayathri Mantra. He convinced Arunasura that he was the supreme being and should be worshiped above all Gods and Goddesses. Arunasura eventually became a tyrant.

Sri Adi Parashakti disguised herself as a beautiful and seductive Mohini and appeared in the gardens of Arunasura’s kingdom. He was informed by his ministers of the beautiful damsel in the Gardens. Arunasura reached the garden and was captivated by her beauty. He proposed her but she refused.

After trying to persuade her repeatedly, she went inside a rock. Arunasura broke the rock and out came a swarm of bees that stung him all over the body. The Goddess took the form of a big and furious bee named “Bhramara” and repeatedly attacked him until he died.

Maharishi Jabali along with other Gods offered the furious form of the Goddess with tender coconut and calmed her down. Maharishi Jabali, Indra, Nandini, and other Gods requested her to make the place as her abode. Sri Adi Parashakti appeared as a Linga in the middle of the river Nandini.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Architecture

Architecture of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari — The fascinating and unique architecture of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple

The town of Kateel gets its name from the words ‘Kati‘ meaning the middle of the center and ‘La‘ meaning the place. Thus, the word Kateela means “The place in the center” referring to the center of the River Nandini which originates in the Kanakachala mountain and flows till Pravanje where it integrates into the sea.

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple architecture resembles the Kerala style of construction. Apart from the deity Goddess Durga Parameshwari, one can also visit several smaller shrines inside the Temple Complex. After entering the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple from the main entrance, a huge rock can be seen just before entering the bridge.

This is the Raktheshwari form of the Goddess from where she came out as a Bee to kill the demon Arunasura. The rock is worshiped three times a day and devotees offer tender coconuts to the rock as a symbol of their affection for the Goddess.

Other Shrines present in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple — Different other Idols in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari temple during rituals.

The Temple also has shrines dedicated to Mahaganapathi, Shasthara, Kshethrapalaka, Nagasannidhi, Goddess Chamundi and to Lord Brahma.

Festivals celebrated at Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Festivals celebrated at Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple — Few of the famous festivals celebrated at the Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

Annual festival – The grand Temple festival begins on the day before the Mesha Sankranama (Solar New Year). The gateway and the entrances to the Temple are decorated and Ankura Pooja is performed for the deity. On the day of Mesha Sankranama, the temple flag is hoisted called as Dhvajarohana.
Vasanthotsava – The festival marks the beginning of the spring. Special Poojas and rituals are followed for the Goddess at the Vasantha Mandap of the Temple. Lots of flowers, fruits and vegetables are offered to the Goddess first and then later distributed to the devotees as Prasadam.
Hattanadhi Pattanaje – The Yakshagana troupes end their tour on the tenth day of the Vrishabha month which usually falls in May. Six podiums are set up on the Ratha street where they perform for the last time for the year after which they stop for the year.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami – The Temple celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna in a grand manner. The Mosarakudde ( an earthen pot filled with buttermilk is hung on top between two poles) ritual is celebrated amidst great fanfare followed by a Yakshagana performance in the evening.
Kadiru Habba or Navanna – This unique celebration in the month of Bhadrapada or August – September signifies the good health and prosperity. On this day, a bunch of spikes of corn is taken to the temple and sanctified in the presence of the Goddess.
Navarathri – The grand festival dedicated to the Goddess is celebrated for nine days followed by Vijayadasami on the tenth day. The Chandika Homam and the Ranga Poojas are conducted on all nine days of Navarathri.
Magha Pournami – The auspicious day is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Magha or January – February. The day signifies the descent of River Nandini to Earth to relieve the severe drought conditions and sufferings of the human race.

Besides the above festivals, several other important days are observed by the Temple administration like Rashi Pooja, Dhanu Pooja, Bhajana Mangalothsava, and Naga Panchami.

How to reach Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

By Air – The nearest airport is the Bajpe International Airport in the city of Mangalore which is just 16 km away. Mangalore is well connected to several major cities and towns of the country. Regular flights are available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
By Train – The nearest railway station is Mulki which is 11 km away from Kateel. It is connected to Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Subrahmanya, Surathkal, Mookambika, Murudeshwar, Honnavar, Karwar, Gokarna, Thane, and Mangalore. The other important stations nearby are Surathkal and Mangalore. Mangalore Junction is connected to several cities of the country.
By Road – The town can be approached on NH17. Regular buses are operated by both the Government as well as the private operators from Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mysore and several other pilgrim towns in Karnataka.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Accommodation

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration has constructed three lodges to accommodate the devotees. These lodges provide the basic facilities like AC, Parking facilities and 24 hours power supply. The names of the lodges are Nandini Lodge, Bhramari Lodge, and Durgaprasad Lodge.

Apart from the staying options provided by the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, several private lodges are available for booking. Some of the popular ones are Laxminarayana Mandira and the Gopalkrishna Sabha Bhavana.

For the Theerthasnana, the Temple administration makes special provisions for the devotee and has to be informed in advance.

Where to eat near Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple –

Prasadam for the devotees in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple — The devotees visiting the temple can eat the Prasadam served by the temple trust.

Apart from the Annadana, there are a few small hotels located near the Temple complex that serves good quality food. A variety of cuisines ranging from simple South Indian, North Indian, Chinese and Italian are served at the Hotels here.

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration provides free meals every day to all the visiting devotees at 12:30 PM and 8:30 PM.

The Temple provides free lunch and dinner to all the visiting pilgrims. The Timings are 12:30 PM to 3 PM and 8:30 PM to 10 PM.

What are the Temples nearby Kateel Durga Parmeshwari –

Temples near Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Templ — Devotees can also enjoying travelling to the nearby temple close to Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple – The Temple is located just 22 km away from the town of Kateel. The presiding deities of the Temple are Lord Anantha (Lord Shiva) and Lord Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu). The Temple is well known for Serpent worship. The deity Sri Anantha Padmanabha faces west.

Sri Udupi Krishna Temple – The unique Temple of Sri Krishna in a Bal Avatar is situated at a distance of 25 km from Kateel. The idol of Sri Krishna is represented as a child holding a churning rod in one hand and a rope on the other. The idol is believed to be made in Dwarka during Sri Krishna’s reign by his wife Rukmini.

Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple, Polali – The ancient temple that dates back to the 8^th century is situated in a town called Polali, 23 km away from Kateel. The unique feature of the Temple is that the idol of the presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeshwari is 10 feet tall and is fully molded in clay.

Nelliteertha Temple – The Temple is also called as the Nelliteertha Cave Temple and is located 20 km away from Kateel. The Temple dates back to 1487 AD. The presiding deity of the Temple is Lord Somanatheshwara, a form of Lord Shiva.

Besides these Temples, the city of Mangalore is just 27 kms away. Several religious centers and historic temples are home to the city like Sri Mangaladevi Temple etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kateel Durga Parmeshwari

How much distance is Kateel Durga Parmeshwari from Mangalore city?

Kateel or Kateelu is a temple town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It is about 26 kilometers away from Mangalore.

Where is the temple of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari situated?

The holy temple is situated on an islet in the middle of the sacred river Nandini

What are the noted festivals celebrated in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

The noted festive events celebrated in the temple are Uthsavanga, Aropana, Flag Hoisting, Souramana Yugadi, and Rathotsava.

Is there any online portal available for Sevas and Rituals in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

You can perform Poojas/Sevas using Credit Card, Debit Card, or online Bank Accounts through secured internet payment to the trust.

Is marriage halls also available in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

Yes, through advance booking with the temple trust, one can book Private marriage halls in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

Is there any restriction on female devotees before entering the temple?

Female devotees should not enter the temple for the first 5 days of their menstruation period.
Female devotees should not enter the temple when pregnant after six months or late.

Where should devotees contact for specific information about the temple?

Devotees can get more or specific information from the administrator, Hereditary Trustee or Temple Manager.

Are there any facilities available for the disabled and senior citizen Devotees?

Yes, the wheelchair is available for physical handicapped Devotees to enter comfortably seeking blessings from Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.