Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

Malayalappuzha Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 8 Comments Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is located at Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Malayalappuzha Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The temple is famous for its beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings and is situated atop a hill. The idol of the main deity of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly known as Malayalapuzha Amma. It is about 5.5 feet tall and is made of a mixture of molasses, clay and herbs.

The goddess is worshipped for protecting the devotee from enemies, obtaining a job for the unemployed and helping the business to flourish. There is a small idol of Veerabhadra just before the entrance of the sanctum. Another striking idol that can be seen in this temple is that of Goddess Parvathi, with baby Ganapathi sitting on her lap.

The Naga Raja is consecrated just outside the temple, close to which is a Konna tree has grown, which flowers daily all along the year. A Shiva linga that is present below this tree is believed to keep on growing by the people of this region. They also believe that in order to receive immediate rain, the linga should be bathed with tender coconut water. There is a much smaller temple-like structure for the grandfather who actually brought Bhagavathy here and it is called Sri Kandeswari Moorthi Kaavu.

History and Legend of Malayalappuzha Temple

Malayalappuzha Temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta, in Pathanamthitta Dist. This was a full-fledged village, ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran. He was the only Sanskrit south Indian writer. One day a Tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place, as he heard a lot about this temple. Malayalpuzha was in drought for many years. So the Tantrik with his power migrated the shakti’s of the Devi to Malayalapuzha. And the place progressed like anything. As the shakti’s were taken away from edathitta, the place faced many destructions.
And gradually there were no signs of Malayalappuzha Temple. Then according to the prashnakundali people found out that when it was migrated and when will it come back, as the power cannot be transferred completely. It mentioned that it will take 3000 years for this shakti to come back. And in 1992, somebody from that village saw a dream that the vigraham and the pooja utensils were beneath the ground. People started digging that place, where they found everything mentioned by the person. And the villagers then contributed towards the temple. And it is very famous now.
According to one more legend, an old Namboodiri who came back after worshipping Kollur Mookambika had this vision that the Goddess agreed to come with him. When they reached a particular spot, she refused to move any further. The temple was constructed as per the wish of the Goddess and the earlier temple was about 5 kilometres from the location of the current temple. The Edappally Raja then moved the temple to the current location of Malayalappuzha.
In earlier days the idol is supposed to have been changed every twelve years. But at a particular point in time, Bhagavathy had supposedly ordered not to change the idol in a dream and they have not changed it ever since.

Significance of Malayalappuzha Temple

The people come here from far and near with prayers for girls to get married to good husbands soon. This is the main prayer for the pilgrims who come here. Also, the prasad that is offered here is utmost delicious and devotees offer that in thanks for fulfilling their wishes.
It is also believed among the devotees visiting this temple that if they worship the Brahma Rakshas, located on the eastern part of the temple. They will get rid of black magic, ghosts and other evils affecting them.
In this temple Golden Showering tree which provides shade to ‘Shiv Linga’ idol flowers every day year-round. If unction of several tender coconuts is done on that idol it will rain in any hot summer is a belief. Cobra snakes are seen lying around that ‘Siva Linga’ idol mostly.
Malayalapuzha Rajan got Gajaraja Pattom which is the auspicious elephant of Kerala. He is very calm and has a height of 9.5 feet. His wider eyes and triangle-shaped ears are capturing sights for the elephant crazy Kerala. He has the record of taking the idol of ‘Sri Dharmashastha’ for the last 20 years.
The deity in Malayalappuzha Temple is an idol which is having a height of five and a half feet. It is composed of so many materials and the method by which it is made up is known as ‘Kadu Sarkara Yogam’.
Several types of wood pieces several Ayurvedic herbs, Milk, Ghee, Jaggery, Turmeric, Sandalwood, Camphor, Gold, Silver, Sand, Natural glue etc. are only some of the ingredients used to make it. All the parts like in the human body are included in it. At the time of consecration, the priests give it the power of energy by Tantric methods.

Malayalappuzha Temple Temple Timings

Malayalappuzha Temple is open for darshan from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and in the evening 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Deeparadhana is conducted between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM

Festivals celebrated at Malayalappuzha Temple

Malayalapuzha Temple Utsavam: The annual festival or utsavam is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Kerala. The annual festival of the temple commences from the Thiruvathira of Kumbhom and its last for 11 days. Though it is a Hindu temple, Christians and Muslims visit here to seek the blessings of the Devi. Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the period. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are part of the festival. The festival ends with Arattu. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day.

Vinayaka Chathurthi: Lord Ganesha is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. Lord Ganesha is considered as the prime god to worship before starting any new venture or task, as per the Hindu customs. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi, and is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. Since then, an association between Ganesh and Chaturthi has been established. During the festival days, the Lord is worshipped with great devotion and prayer services are performed daily. There are many devotees who visit the temple and offer their prayers.

Navaratri: This festival is observed twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. These nine days are marked by the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Shakti / Devi. In Kerala, the Vijayadashami day is also considered auspicious for initiating children into the world of letters, which is called Vidyarambham. In the ceremony, words symbolizing the name of God are written on the tongue of the child with a golden ring. The child is also made to write letters in a plate of rice with the help of elders.

Sivarathri: Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, falls on the Krishna Chathurdasi day, on the 14th night of the new moon. In the month of Megha or sometimes in Phalguna also. Shiva is the Supreme Consciousness that illuminates the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Offering the threefold bilva leaves to the Shivalinga heralds the return to a level of consciousness beyond the three states, which is the fourth state, turiya. The name Shiva does not appear in the Vedas. However, he is identified with the Vedic god Rudra, lord of songs, sacrifices, nourishment, the healer of diseases and provider of property.

Poojas and Rituals at Malayalappuzha Temple

Tuesday and Friday are considered as the most auspicious days for the darshan of the Goddess. Special pujas are held here for driving away evil spirits and for this purpose only red flowers known as raktha pushpanjali is used.
To relieve the problems caused by enemies by black magic or by any other evil methods, ‘Raktha Pushpanjali’ is performed. The sweetened rice is known as ‘Chathussatham’ is done by the devotees for getting prosperity. For prophylactic purposes and for physical well being fowl bird is brought and set free in the temple compound is a ritual followed here.
There is another ritual known as ‘Malayalapuzha Thoopu’ which is performed mostly by farmers. They will display an item which is supplied from the temple on their farm by which nobody will dare to steal anything from that farm.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Road: Pathanamthitta is well connected to all major cities in Kerala and it is called the spiritual hub as most of the Sabarimala pilgrims also reach here and take a different route. Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates here. So, there are a lot of taxis that ply in this region and there are good numbers of KSRTC buses as well.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to this temple is Chengannur, located at a distance of about 33 km.

By Air: The nearest airport to this temple is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located at a distance of about 107 km.

Where to stay

There are decent hotels that operate in the area and pilgrims should be able to find accommodation there. There are no facilities to stay in the temple.

Kizhakkedathu Tourist Home Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Mannil Regency Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Wyte Portico Contact: High School Jn, Karuvatta, Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Kerala 691523
Hotel Midhuna International Contact: Enathu, Kottarakara – Adoor Road, Pathanamthitta
Park Residency Hotel and Bar Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Highway, Kozhenchery, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689641
Hotel Hey-Day Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Valanchuzhy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Where to eat

The cuisine of Kerala is characterized by the use of coconut. One can’t imagine Kerala food without chillies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafetida. The Dal curry made of small gram and ghee. Sambar, the famous south Indian vegetable stew in which any available combination of vegetables is boiled in a gravy. There are various restaurants nearby that offer such delicious food.

Aananda Bavan Vegetarian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Hotel Evergreen Continental Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Parayil Restaurant Contact: Door No: 788, Near R.T Office, College Road, Azhoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
Khyber Pass Bake & Grill Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Nearby Temples:

Kodumthara Subramaniyam Temple: The holy shrine is dedicated to God Subramanya who is the son of Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of Achankovil River. His other name is Murugan, commonly used in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and Karthikaya in the northern states. He is also known by the name of Velayudha Swamy because his war weapon is Vel. Carrying Kavadi is the main ritual on the day. People carry various types of Kavadi to the temple in a procession.

Thazhoor Bhagavathi Temple: Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram is a 300-year-old Hindu temple on the banks of the Achankovil river. The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the “Kettukaazhcha” procession with Kaala. The Padayani held in the month of Kumbham is very famous. Padayani performances are held at the temple annually. The Goddess (Amma) accepts the offerings from thousands of devotees. It is believed that viewing Amma in all her glory at this time will free one from all sins and evils.

Chakkulathukavu Temple: The temple has a history of over 3,000 years and is open to people of all faiths. The famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on either side of the temple. This Bhagavathy temple is famous for its Pongala Mahotsav. Pongala is a devout offering made of pudding by devotees as a reverent exposure of their awesome offering of love and respect. The ‘pongala nivedyam’ is prepared in earthen pots. It is believed to be a favourite of the goddess. Only women are allowed to participate in this ritual.

Baidyanath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 14 Comments Filed Under: Bihar Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Baba Baidyanath Dham or Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. This temple of Shiva is in Deoghar in Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand. According to beliefs, the light of Jyotirlingam is the light of cosmos which is realized by the power of the soul as a whole.

Baidyanth Temple – Video

What is the history of Baba Baidyanath Dham?

According to the history of Baba Baidyanath Dham, myth and legend depict an interesting story behind the building of the Dham. During the Treta Yuga according to Shiva Purana, Ravana, the demon king wanted to have Lord Shiva’s abode in his capital permanently to make it safe from invasions.

So he meditated every day to please the Lord. The Lord found it impressive and asked him to carry his lingam to Lanka but with one condition that the journey from Mt.Kailash to Lanka should not stop in between.

And if so happened then wherever the lingam fell there it shall reside forever. The Gods fearing that this would make Ravana invincible acted against this plan. So it was after many troubles and planning that Lord Vishnu tricked Ravana and brought the Lingam back to Earth where it sat permanently. So thus the 12 jyotirlingas story begun and each had one unique legend behind its consecration.

What is the significance of Baba Baidyanath Dham?

The significance of Baba Baidyanath Dham is that the main temple is beyond historical dates. Devotees visit it since the age of Rama, the king of Ayodhya. The top contains three ascending shaped gold vessels that are compactly set, which were donated by Maharaja of Gidhaur, Raja Puran Singh.

Besides these pitcher shaped vessels, there is a ‘PUNCHSULA’ (Five knives in a Trident shape), which is rare.
The lingam is of a cylindrical form about 5 inches in diameter and projects about 4 inches from the centre of a large slab of basalt.
Devotees also believe that Shiva first turned himself into a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Aridra Nakshatra, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga.
The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyotirlinga shrines thus are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.

There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India. 5 of the 12 Jyotirlingas are located in the state of Maharashtra.

What are the timings of Baba Baidyanath Dham?

Here are the timings of Baba Baidyanath Dham:

Rituals	Timings
Darshan starts	4:00 PM
Puja (Shodashopachar)	4:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Re-opening	6:00 PM
Shringar Puja	6:00 PM onwards
Temple closes	9:00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Baba Baidyanth Dham?

Shrawan mela is one very famous festival celebrated at Baba Baidyanath Dham. During the month of Shrawan, lakhs of devotees throng the Baba Baidyanath temple. The Shrawan mela is very important and devotees celebrate it with much splendour and festivity. It continues throughout the whole Shrawan month for 30 days.

How to reach Baba Baidyanath Dham?

Here’s how to reach Baba Baidyanath Dham:

Air: Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna, located around 272 km away is the nearest airport.
Rail: Two railway stations namely Baidyanathdham (BDME) and Deoghar (DGHR) help in the visitors with regular trains.
Road: This area connects well by road to cities like Kolkata, Patna and Ranchi.

Where to stay near Baba Baidyanath Dham?

Some of the places where one can stay near Baba Baidyanath Dham are:

Hotel Mahadev Palace on B.L.C Road at Castairs Town is a relaxing place suited with great amenities that attract tourists.
Clarks Inn Amrapali which is 1.2 km from Baba Baidyanath Temple is another comfortable place to stay. It offers great multi cuisines that the guests savour. It provides guests with many luxuries and efficient services.

What are some places to visit near Baba Baidyanath Temple?

Some of the places that one can visit near Baba Baidyanath Temple are:

Trikuta Parvata, collectively famous as Trikutachal, is a combination of three main peaks on the hill, which are at the height of around 2,470 ft. The site is at a distance of around 10 km from Deoghar on the way to Dumka.
Naulakha Mandir is at a distance of around 2 km from Baba Baidyanath Temple. It has a similar architecture of Ramakrishna Temple in Belur. The shrine encompasses the beautiful idols of Radha and Krishna.
Satsang Ashram is a holy place where the followers of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulachandra gather to worship. The Ashram also has a zoo and a museum in its complex.

What are some other temples to visit in Bihar?

Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple is an ancient Buddhist Temple in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is about 96 km from Patna, Bihar, India. Mahabodhi literally means the Great Awakening and it is said that Buddha has attained enlightenment in this location. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vishnupad Temple: Vishnupad Mandir is located in Gaya which is 100 km away from Patna, the capital of Bihar and is one of the most attractive temples. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is believed that Lord Rama, along with his wife, Sita, visited this temple.
Patan Devi Temple: This temple is one of the oldest and the most sacred temples of Patna, the capital city of Bihar state in India. This ancient temple, which was originally called Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari, is believed to be the abode of the goddess Durga. The temple is regarded as one among the 51 Siddha Shakti Peethas of the country.
Mahavir Mandir: Mahavir Mandir Patna is located near Patna Junction and is devoted to Lord Hanuman. Thousands of devotees come here each day to offer prayer and seek the blessing of Lord Hanuman. It is also called “Manokamana Temple” as it is said that each and every wish of devotees is granted.
Jagannath Temple Ranchi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Baidyanath Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Baidyanath Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No, there is no online darshan facility available.

Can one carry mobiles and gadgets into the temple?

No. All electronic gadgets are prohibited in the temple premises (viz. mobile, camera, laptop). Free storage of the same is available at the entrance of the temple.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizen?

No. No such facilities are available. Although, a wheelchair can be made available upon request.

Is there any facility available for site seeing or nearby temple visit?

No. No such facilities are available.

What is the best time to visit Bihar?

The months of November to February is very ideal to visit the Baidyanath and the other temples located in the area.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers at Bihar start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Bihar?

In Bihar, winters start in November and continue until February. The temperatures during this time are around 20 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

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

Sapta Badri Temples – List, History, Map, Best Time to Visit

July 9, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Sapta Badri, Vishnu Temples

Sapta Badri are the seven holy Shrine temples of Char Dham Yatra are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath, Adi Badri, Vriddha Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Yogadhyan Badri, Dhyan Badri, and Ardha Badri are seven Sapta Badri.

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

Deity	Seven holy Shrine temples of Lord Vishnu
Location	Uttarakhand
Best Time to Visit	May to June and September to October
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear

Trek to these holy Hindu Temples lies in Badri Van (means forest of Berries), from Satopanth Glacier above Badrinath temple to Badri-Kshetra village near Karnprayag in Uttarakhand.

Route of Sapta Badri

List of Seven Badri –

1. Badri Vishal (Badrinath)

Badri Vishal or Badrinath is the main Badri and temple of Lord Vishnu that is located on the bank of the Alaknanda River in Mana Village of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Read More..

2. Adi Badri

Adi Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is the second temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple whenever Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in the weather. Read more..

3. Vriddha Badri

Vriddha Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. It is the third temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples. Sage Narada performed penance in this region to appease Lord Vishnu. Read more..

4. Bhavishya Badri

Bhavishya Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Subhai, Uttarakhand. It is the fourth temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples.Devotees believe it to be the future abode of Badrinath at the end of the Kali Yuga when there will be the destruction of the present world and the creation of a new world. Read more..

5. Yogadhyan Badri

Yogadhyan Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Pandukeshwar village near Govind Ghat in the district of Chamoli, Uttarakhand. It is the fifth temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples. According to the religious texts, the king Pandu worshipped here to get rid of him from the sin of killing of two mating deer; the two deer were ascetics in their previous lives. The Pandavas were also born here. Read more..

6. Dhyan Badri

Dhyan Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Urgam Valley near Kalpeshwar, in the Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. It is the sixth temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples. Urvarishi, son of King Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage meditated in Urgam valley and established a temple of Lord Vishnu here. Read more..

7. Ardha Badri

Ardha Badri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. It is the seventh temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples. Ardha Badri in comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu here is smaller. Hence, the name of the temple roughly means ‘the little Badri‘. Read more..

Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag — Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag — Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the Prayag	Distance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag	263 km
Nandaprayag	193 km
Karnyaprayag	173 km
Rudraprayag	141 km
Devprayag	74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Har Ki Pauri

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Har ki pauri is a religious bathing ghat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Literally translating to ‘Steps of Shiva’, it is on the banks of Ganga, at the point where it leaves mountains and enters the plains. A dip in the Ganges at Har ki pauri absolves one of his/her sins.

This place also observes festivities during the Kumbh Mela and the ardh-Kumbh Mela and is included among the Char Dham Yatra destinations in northern India.

What is the history of Har ki pauri?

According to history, king Vikramaditya built Har ki Pauri in the 1st century BC for his brother Bharthari because he used to worship at this spot on the bank of river Ganga. Later, Hargyan Singh Katara, a Zamindar from Agra in Uttar Pradesh extended the ghats in 1938.

Many temples are present on the steps of Har ki pauri since the nineteenth century. However, many people believe that the city of Haridwar exists since pre-historic times, and is an important stop while taking a tour of the holy shrines of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

One of the most pious spots of the place is Brahmakund. Devotees believe that after the samudra-manthan, and the argument between the devas and the asuras, the amrit was carried by Garuda in a vessel. During his flight, a few drops of the amrit fell down at the spot where the Brahmakund is now present.

What is the significance of Har ki pauri?

The significance of Har ki pauri is that it is a landmark of Haridwar, which is one of the most religiously significant cities in India. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu visited the Brahmakund in Har ki pauri in the Vedic period.

Hence, it is a very sacred place for Shaivites, i.e., the followers of Lord Shiva. It is also the place where the famous ‘Kumbh mela’ takes place every twelve years and the ‘ardha-kumbh mela’ takes place every six years on the banks of river Ganga.

What are the timings of Har ki pauri?

Here are the timings of Har ki Pauri in Haridwar:

Timings	From	To
Morning Aarti	5:45 AM	6:15 AM
Evening Aarti	6 PM	6:30 PM
Evening Aarti (Winters)	5 PM	5:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated here?

Some of the celebrations that take place at Har ki pauri are:

Kumbh mela: The Kumbh mela takes place after every twleve years in Haridwar, during which devotees from across the country take a holy dip in the river Ganga. The exact date is determined according to Hindu astrology.
Ardh-kumbh mela: The ardh-kumbh mela takes place after every six years in Haridwar.
Ganga aarti: The Ganga aarti takes place every evening at Har ki pauri. Pilgrims gather on both the banks of river Ganga to chant hymns and pray to the mighty river. During the aarti, the gongs in the temples start ringing and priests hold large fire bowls in their hands. Devotees also float diyas on the river which symbolise their hope and devotion. A similar ritual takes place at the Gangotri Temple, which is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra.

How to reach Har ki Pauri?

Here’s how to reach Haridwar:

Air: The Airport in Dehradun is around 45 km away. The nearest International Airport is in New Delhi.
Train: Haridwar is well connected by Rail and the Station is about 1.2 km away from Har-Ki-pauri.
Road: There is direct state transport bus between New Delhi and Haridwar.

Where to stay in Haridwar?

Some of the places where one can stay in Haridwar are:

Govind bhawan Dharamshala: Present right at the heart of the city, it has access to almost all places in Haridwar. According to reviews, the rooms are clean and spacious. The staff here is also very cooperative.
Hotel Teerth: This hotel is present right on the banks of river Ganga and is very close to Har ki pauri. It would be a favourable place for you if you want to enjoy a splendid view of Ganga.
Ganga Lahiri: It is a hotel that provides pick-up from the railway station by cycle rickshaw. It also provides a peaceful and aesthetically appeasing interior along with a great view of Ganga.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Har ki Pauri are:

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar: Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple for goddess Mansa, on top of Bilwa Parvat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also popular as ‘Bilwa Tirth’, this temple is among the panch tirth within Haridwar. ‘Mansa’ means ‘wish’ and it is a popular belief among the devotees that the goddess fulfills their wishes.
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar: Chandi Devi Temple present atop the neel parvat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand is in the honour of Goddess Chandi. The temple is one of the panch teerth present in Haridwar. The presiding deity, Chandi or Chandika is a form of Goddess Parvati and exists in close association with Mansa devi. It is among the Char Dham Yatra destinations of Uttarakhand.
Neeleshwar Temple, Haridwar: This temple is present on the foot of neel parvat, near the Kushavarta Ghat and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A stream of Ganga flows near the temple, popular as ‘Neeldhara’, in which devotees take a dip before visiting the temple. This temple is about 500 metres away.
Maya Devi Temple: Along with Narayan-Shila and Bhairav temple, the Maya Devi Temple is among the three ancient temples of Haridwar that are still intact. Its deities include Goddesses Maya, Goddess Kali and Kamakhya.