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Hemis Monastery Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery was re-established by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgya, in 1672. The monastery is situated 45 km from Leh City, Hemis. It is present on a mountain on the west bank of the River Indus.

Hemis monastery attracts numerous tourists each year because of its beautiful architecture. It is the biggest and most important Monastery in Leh, Ladakh. This is one of the wealthiest gompas in India. It is famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the copper statue of Buddha, gold and silver stupas, sacred Thangkas, murals, and various artifacts.

What is the history of Hemis Monastery?

  • Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century.
  • In 1630 the monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso.
  • It was constructed in 1672 AD under the reign of King Singge Namgyal.
Hemis Festival
Hemis Festival

What is the Hemis festival?

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava.  It is believed that he was born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission is to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. This day comes once in 12 years. It is believed that these sacred rituals give spiritual strength and good health. This festival attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world.

How to reach Hemis Monastery?

  • Air: There is no direct flight connectivity to Hemis. The nearest airport is in Leh. It is around 42 away from Hemis. One can drive from Leh to Hemis.
  • Train: There are no direct trains to Hemis. The nearest railway station is Katra railway station. It is 227 km away from Hemis.
  • Road: Hemis is connected to all major cities via road.

What is the best time to visit Hemis Monastery?

  • June: This is the best time to visit is during the Hemis festival that takes place in June. It is the summer season during this time. The summer starts in June and ends in September.
  • November to May: This is the is the worst season to visit the monastery. The route to the monastery becomes more difficult to cross in the winter season.

Parli Vaijnath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Parli Vaijnath Temple or Parli Vaidyanath Temple is located in Parli, in the state of Maharashtra and belongs to the celebrated list of 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The Vaijnath Temple Linga is also popular as Dhanavantari and Amriteshwari. The Linga consists of the Saligram stone and has a very smooth surface.

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

Parli Vaijnath Temple – Facts

Deity Lord Vaijnath (Lord Shiva)
Location Parli, Maharashtra
Significance Jyotirlinga
Tours 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour
Darshan Timings 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
PoojasRudrabhisek
Entry FeeGeneral Darshan – Free
VIP Darshan – Rs. 150/- per person
Best Time to VisitJune to August
FestivalsShravan Maas, Mahashivratri
Nearest AirportNanded
Nearest Railway Station Parli
Jyotirlingas in
Maharashtra 		Sri Aundha Nagnath, Sri Trimbakeshwar,
Sri Grishneshwar, Sri Bhimashankar
https://youtu.be/S0gU60I5V7w
Parli Vaijnath Temple Video

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

The 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra

What are the timings of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Parli Vaijnath temple opens at 5:00 AM in the morning and closes at 9:00 PM in the evening. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals such as aarti and poojas.

The timings of the Parli Vaijnath Temple are as follows:

Rituals Timings
Darshan5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Abhishek5:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Afternoon Pooja1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Bhasma Pooja3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

What is the significance of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga
The Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga is said to be the last among all the Jyotirlingas.

People believe that since Lord Vishnu hid both the Amrit and the Dhanavantari in the Linga,  anyone who touches the Linga can receive the power of Amrit. Parli is also a meeting place of Hari Hara. Festivals of both Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva) are celebrated here.

Devotees are allowed to touch the Parli Vaijnath Linga during worshipping and this helps in healing and reaping various health benefits. In fact, devotees themselves perform the Abhisheka here and they use the Bilva leaves purchased outside the Parli Vaijnath Temple precincts.

Devotees from all walks of life, castes, and religion are welcome to visit this sacred Parli Vaijnath Temple. There is absolutely no discrimination. According to Puranas, Lord Vaidhyanath blessed sage Markandeya and he became immortal.

Rani Ahilyabai brought in special stones from the Trishul Devi mountain range for the Parli Vaijnath renovation. A minaret outside the Parli Vaijnath has special Gwakshas (windows). When the sun’s rays pass through the windows, they fall directly on the Shiva Linga. at this time, the priests offer special prayers and poojas to the Sun God.

The waters of the nearby Harihara Teerth is brought to the Parli Vaijnath daily for the Linga pooja.

What is the history of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The history of Parli Vaijnath Temple is that it was built in the 1700s. It was renovated by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom at that time. Two very popular legends are associated with this temple. One legend talks about the Amrit and the other talks about the demon king Ravana and his quest to own Shiva.

Legend of the Amrit

Samudra Manthan
The Samudra Manthan was the churning of the Ocean of Milk and out came 14 ratnas, including Vish and Amrit.

When the Gods and Demons were churning the ocean and competing for the Divine Nectar or Amrit, fourteen gems emerged from the process. It included Dhanavantari and Amrit.

Just as the demons were about to pounce on the Amrit, Lord Vishnu grabbed both Dhanwantri and Amrit and hid them inside a Shiva Linga. The angered demons tried to break the Linga, but when they touched it bright light emanated. This scared the demons and they fled from the place.

Since this is the place where the Devas successfully received the Amrit, the village became popular as Vaijayanthi and therefore the temple as Parli Vaijnath.

Legend of Ravana and Shiva Linga

The demon King Ravana did severe penance and even cut off his heads to please Lord Shiva. Moved by his sacrifice, Lord Shiva offered several boons, and Ravana requested that Lord Shiva come to Lanka. The Lord accepted and instructed Ravana to carry his Shiva Linga and warned him not to keep it down anywhere till he reached his destination.

During the journey, Ravana wanted to take a break and instructed a shepherd to carry the Linga for a while. Unaware of the Lord’s instruction, the shepherd put the heavy Linga down for a brief moment. The Lord thus stayed there at the place and became popular as Vaidhyanath.

What are the sevas and poojas performed at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The sevas and poojas that take place at Parli Vaijnath Temple are:

PoojaTimings
Somvar PoojaEvery Monday
Shadopachar5:00 AM
Shringar Pooja6:00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Mahashivaratri, Vaikunth Chaturdashi, Tripuri Pournima, Vijayadashami and Chaitra Padva are important festivals. There is a unique practice during these festivals – priests present Bilva leaves to Lord Vishnu, which is usually an offering to Shiva. Similarly, they offer the Tulsi leaves to Lord Shiva, which is usually an offering to Vishnu.

Some of the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath are:

  • Shravan month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August. During the Shravan Maas, the chanting of the Rudra Mantra echoes in the entire village of Parli.
  • Mahashivratri: It is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It usually occurs in late February to early March.
  • Vijayadashami: Also known as Dussehra, this festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated after the nine days of Navratri.

How to Reach Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Parli Vaijnath:

  • Air: The nearest airport is in Nanded, 105 km from the Parli Vaijnath.
  • Train: The nearest station is Parli and is 2 km from the Parli Vaijnath. Direct trains operate from Secunderabad, Kakinada, Manmad, Vishakapatnam, and Bangalore.
  • Road: Several buses connect from Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other nearby cities.

Where to stay near Parli?

There are a number of budget accommodations available at Parli where one can stay. You can also find accommodation in the state-run MTDC cottages.

Where to eat nearby?

Most of the hotels that offer accommodation also have in-house restaurants where travelers can eat. Restaurants can be found at the Parli Vaijnath temple area. Travelers usually choose to eat in Ambajogai area, which is 20 km away from the Parli Vaijnath, as one can find more restaurant options in this area.

What are some temples nearby?

Exploring Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
There are four more Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra apart from the Parli Vaijanath Temple.

Some temples near Parli Vaijnath are:

  1. Yogeshwari Temple, Ambajogai: The Yogeshwari Temple is for Goddess Yogeshwari who married Parli Vaijnath. Puranas say that by the time the wedding party arrived at Parli, the auspicious time had passed and the entire party turned into stone. The Yogeshwari temple is 25 km from Ambajogai.
  2. Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga Temple: The Aundha Nagnath Temple in the village of Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra is the first of the Jyotirlingas. The temple is 118 km from the Parli Vaidhyanath temple.  Yudhishtra, the eldest of the Pandava brothers built the temple during their exile. It is a part of the well known 5 Jyotirlinga tour in Maharashtra.
  3. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is near Pune and is 387 km from Parli Vaijnath. The Linga here is self-manifested and is one of the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
  4. Grisheshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: Temple is located in Verul, Beed District, Maharashtra. This temple is the last of the Jyotirlingas and for devotees who undertake the Jyotirlingas pilgrimage, a visit to this temple completes their journey. Grishneshwar temple is 246 km from Parli.
  5. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The temple is 397 km from Vaijnath Temple. The Linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.

Frequently Asked Questions about Parli Vaijnath Temple

Is the Parli Vaijnath Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Parli Vaijnath Temple is free of cost.

Can anyone visit the Parli Vaijnath temple?

Yes. Anyone from any caste, creed, and religion can offer their prayers at the temple.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

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

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

Which is the best time to visit the Parli Vaijnath Temple?

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

What is the weather like during the summer?

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

What are winters like in Maharashtra?

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

If you have any questions about the Parli Vaijnath Temple, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir or CR Park Mandir is situated in the Bengali-dominated locality, CR park of south Delhi. It was founded in 1973, first as a small temple shrine for God Shiva. It was soon added with Goddess Kali and was later – by late 1980s – developed into what is today’s CR Park Mandir complex that hosts three shrines devoted to God Shiva, Goddess Kali, and Radha-Krishna.

A modern age temple, the architecture, during its expansion in the 1980s, took the form of Bengal terracotta temple art. It has grown into a cultural and traditional hub of Bengalis in Delhi. As Bengalis are synonymous to the grandeur celebrations of Durga pooja, the tradition of celebrating the pooja at this temple began in the late 1970s.

Situated on a small hill top, the mandir is known for its calm and serenity within the hustle – bustle of Delhi. It is surrounded by a vast garden which was declared as the ‘Best Kept Garden’ by Agri-Horticulture Society in 1999. The mandir complex also houses halls for cultural functions and discourses, and spaces crafted to accommodate festivals like Durga Puja, library, tirthashram, homeopathy, naturopathy yoga centres, children’s park, and a musical fountain.

The mandir maintains a Charitable ‘Balanada’ Dharmashala, viz., ‘Yatri Niwas’ – meaning a ‘Traveller’s Home’, and a canteen.  Any visitor to the city is welcome here, and would be accommodated for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price.

CR Park 2

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir History

  • A resolution to build a temple was taken in 1973 by the residents of CR Park, and a steering committee, ‘Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society’ was formed.  A proposal for the construction of a temple within two acres lands on the ‘Rock Garden’ was sent to the government in 1974.
  • On 25th April 1974 on the eve of ‘Akshay Tritiya’, a Shivlinga was installed in a temporary shed.
  • Foundation of Kali Mandir was laid in 1979, and the idol of Goddess Kali was established on 21st February 1985.
  • The Radha-Krishna establishment and temple inauguration was conducted in February 1994.
  • The terracotta ar
  • The Musical Fountain in the mandir complex was inaugurated by Dr. Anita Bose, daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in February 2013.

Significance of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

  • In 1947, during the India – Pakistan partition, the state of Bengal separated into two entities – East Bengal in Pakistan and West Bengal in India. A large group of government employees who was a refugee of East Bengal migrated to Delhi. Forming East Pakistan Displaced Persons (EPDP) Association, they lobbied for a residential colony in 1954.
  • In 1967, the 218-acre barren rocky land was assigned to the applicants with refugee status. 2147 people with the status were given plots in the area now known as Chittaranjan Park or CR Park.
  • The colony was founded with plots going exclusively to migrants from East Bengal; but over time, it attracted general Bengali settlers resulting in demographic diversification.
  • The residents of CR Park founded and established the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir by 1980s.
  • The Kali Mandir soon grew into a traditional hub of all the Bengalis in Delhi with various religious and cultural activities all round the year.
  • Durga pooja is celebrated, during Durgashtami, at the mandir annually; with barrels of Bengal-specific flowers, such as Shuli (night flowering jasmine) and blue-lotus, flown in fresh for pooja everyday, and includes a typical Bengali cuisine, bhog.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Timings

Due to the extreme variation of temperature in Delhi, the mandir timings change according to the season.

Summer (April – October): 4.45am – 12.30pm & 5.00pm – 10.00pm

Winter (November – March): 5.45am – 1.00pm & 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Everyday Arati timings are as follows:

AratiSummerWinter
(April – October)(November – March)
Mangal Arati4.45am – 5.15am5.45am – 6.15am
Puja8.00am8.30am
Bhog Arati11.20am – 11.50am11.20am – 11.50am
Sandhyarati6.30pm – 7.30pm6.00pm – 7.00pm

Musical Fountain Timings

Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00pm – 7.15pm (after Sandhyarati. No show on Mondays)

Poojas and Rituals at Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

Regardless of any particular ritual or pooja, this shrine is an emblem of great fidelity. Various customary Bengali poojas are offered to the Gods on special occasions.

  • Bipattarini Pooja – The Bipattarini Pooja/Vrata is observed by women on the Panchami, fifth day of the Shukla paksha(waxing moon) in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar, in order to overcome troubles. Bipattarini is an avatar of Goddess Durga. Legends established her name, Bipada – Tarini, which literally means ‘deliverer from troubles’.
  • Jagadhatri Pooja – ‘Jagadhatri’ is the ‘Protector of the World’. She is celebrated on Gosthastami. It is also referred to as another Durga Pooja as it also starts on Asthami tithi and ends on Dashami tithi. The date of the pooja is decided by the luni-solar Hindu calendar.
  • Satyanarayan Pooja – It is done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to God Vishnu.
  • Shani Pooja – Shani Pooja is performed to appease planet Saturn; it is sought for mental peace and to get rid of various diseases.
  • Shradh Ceremony – ‘Shraddha’is a Sanskrit word meaning anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith. Shradh Ceremony is a ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ancestors, especially to one’s dead parents.
  • Til Tarpan – It is a specific form of Tarpan (offering made to divine entities) involving libationsoffered to the Pitrs (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame (Til) seeds during a death rite.

The mandir also celebrates Kali Mandir Pratistha Diwas, Shiv Mandir Pratistha Diwas, and Radha Krishna Mandir Pratistha Diwas to commemorate the mandirs’ installations.

Mandir also assists devotees in conducting personal obeisance.

Hari Sabha and Ladies regularly conduct Sankirtan and evening Kirtan (devotional songs), at the three temple shrines.

Festivals Celebrated at CR Park Mandir

  • Durga Pooja – Durga Pooja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Celebrated all over India, it is the biggest festival of the year for Bengali Hindus.
  • Maha Shivratri – It is a festival celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. Shivratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a “jaagaran” – a night-long vigil with worship, as it is believed that God Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance.
  • Ram Navami – It is a festival celebrating the birth of the god Ramato King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.
  • Neel Sashti – It is the day in the Bengali month of Chaitra when Bengalis celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati by offering puja to the Lord.
  • Holi Milan – It is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing the love.

Activities

Apart from the religious activities, CR Park Kali Mandir Society conducts and organizes many sports, cultural, developmental, and social activities throughout the year. They accept donations, whatever amount they may be, and use the amount for the service of God and mankind.

Sports & Cultural Activities

The ‘Chittaranjan Park Mandir Society’ actively promotes cultural and sports events.

  • As a part of cultural events, it celebrates Naba Barsha (Bengali Poila Baisakh/ New Year), birth anniversaries Bengali dignitaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rishi Aurobindo, Thakur Sri Sri Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
  • Arranges exchange of Cultural Artists from different states and region for varieties of the programme.
  • Arranges four days cultural programmes by selected artists during Durga Pooja.
  • Emphases are given more on local talents for their exposure. Similar programmes are also arranged by the prominent artist on other public pooja days.
  • Organises Children’s day in the month of January. The programme is for the children and by the children. A platform is provided for them to expose their hidden talents. The programme is conducted by children themselves.
  • Netaji Subhash hall is set to organise regular religious discourses by different religious and philanthropic organisations.
  • Cultural Division felicitated to Bengali dignitaries, who have excelled in different fields, every year as “Gunijan”
  • Organizes Annual Sports in January every year.

Social Activities

The CR Park Mandir Society exhibits tremendous socio-economic values through their charitable and social events.

  • Running free Homeopathy and Naturopathy Dispensaries
  • Running Free Reading Room and Library. About 5000 books covering all sections are stacked in the library. There is a special section for the children. A good number of Magazines and News Papers are subscribed on a regular basis.
  • Running free Yoga Centre
  • Assisting students from Under-privileged section in meeting their educational expenses
  • Organizes free Bengali Learning Classes every week
  • Assisting the patients from down-trodden sections towards their medical expenses
  • Assisting the senior citizens who are staying alone in the colony, in case, they suddenly fall ill or otherwise.
  • Facilitate the citizens to meet together in the Mandir Prangan everyday for the exchange of views and pleasantries.
  • Making donations to Religious Organization for the pursuit of their religious activities.
  • Organizing “Daridra Narayan Sewa” once a month.

Where to eat

The mandir hosts a canteen, attached to the Dharmashala, which provides both veg & non-veg cuisines at nominal rates.

For the food savvies, Chittaranjan Park area houses a variety of traditional Bengali veg & non-veg cuisine (it is home to one of the city’s main markets for freshwater fish, an important part of Bengali Cuisine).

Where to Stay

The ‘Yatri Niwas’, a charitable Dharmashala, has 30 double bedded rooms with attached bathrooms. Common hot water during winter, and room coolers during summer are provided by the Dharmashala. It accommodates any visitor of the city for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price with a two-month advance booking.

There are also several hotels and lodges in and around CR Park area which provide good accommodation options, with several markets nearby.

How to reach

CR Park is an area in south Delhi which is very well connected with the rest of the city.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi, and is around 15.2km from CR Park Kali Mandir.

By Rail: Delhi Junction Railway station is the major rail station of Delhi. It also has full-fledged metro rail system also operating within the city.

The nearest metro station is Nehru place metro station, 2 km from CR Park guest house.

By Road: Several state government run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to CR Park area.

Nearby Temples

Delhi is a city with rich history housing several monuments and temples with great cultural and political significance. Below are some of the places which are nearby CR Park.

  • Kalkaji Temple – Built in the mid-18th century, Kalkaji temple/Mandir is a renowned temple dedicated to Kalka Devi or Goddess Kali. Certain changes and additions were made to the temple in mid-19th century by Raja Kedarnath, treasurer of Emperor Akbar II. The whole temple is built using white marble and granite. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone that represents Goddess Kali, housed in a 12-sided structure. There are many Dharmashalas (rest houses) in the vicinity of the temple, built with donations from devotees. The temple is open to devotees from 6 am to 10 pm every day.
  • Lotus Temple – Bahá’í Temple, popularly known as the Lotus Temple is a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture which was designed by Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian Bahá’í of Iranian descent. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is the latest among the seven Bahá’í temples across the world. Shaped akin to a half-open lotus, light and water have been used as fundamental elements of design of this house of worship. Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of the grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent floating leaves. The Lotus Temple is conducive to meditation. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals. Religious discrimination does not exist here as its symbol, the lotus, connotes peace, purity and a manifestation of God. It is open to all free of cost from 9 am to 7 pm, six days a week except for Mondays.
  • ISKCON Temple – Built in 1998, ISKCON Temple is one of the 40 temples built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The actual name of the temple is Sri Radha Parthasarthy Temple, popularly known as Hare Krishna Temple. It has three shrines dedicated to Radha–Krishna, Sita–Ram and Guara–Nitai. Decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, the air is thick with spiritual discourses and chants, enhancing the divine atmosphere. Multimedia shows are organized regularly to educate the devotees about the Hindu epics. One can savour a delicious Saatvik (pure vegetarian) meal at ‘Govinda’, the temple cafeteria. It is open daily from 4.30am to 1 pm and from 4.30pm to 9 pm.

Baglamukhi Temple – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Baglamukhi Temple is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to the Mahavidya Goddess Bagalamukhi which is located in the city of Amleshwar to the south of Raipur town in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The temple was established by Param Pujaya Shri  Pitambara Pithadhishwar Yogiraj Youdhishthir Ji Maharaj. The temple was established on 16th May and the most sacred occasion to visit the temple during Navratri.

There is an immense significance of Goddess Bagalamukhi who is one among the ten Mahavidyas in Hinduism. She is believed to smash the misconceptions and delusions of her enemies and protects them from their enemies with her cudgel. Popularly known as Pitambara Maa in the northern part of India, Bagalamukhi is the wisdom goddess who symbolizes the potent force of primeval female.

The word Baglamukhi has been derived from “Bagala” meaning bride and “Mukhi” meaning faced. Her name symbolizes “the one with the face that has the power to capture or control”. She represents the hypnotic power of the Goddess.

Another meaning of her name is crane faced. Goddess Bagalamukhi has golden complexion and she is always seen in a yellow dress. The Goddess sits on a golden throne which lies in the midst of an ocean of nectar which is full of yellow lotuses and her head is adorned with a crescent moon. In sacred texts, the Goddess is described as the Dwi-Bhuja or the two handed and the Chaturbhuja or the Four handed.

According to the Dwi-Bhuja depiction, she is described as Soumya or mild where she holds the club in her right hand that is used by her to beat a demon and she pulls out his tongue with her left hand. With this image, she exhibits the power of Stambhana where she can stun or paralyze the enemy into silence. The devotees of Bagalamukhi worship her for this boon.

Bagalamukhi has another name Pitambara Devi as well as Brahmastra Roopini and according to the name she turns everything into its opposite like knowledge into ignorance, speech into silence, power into impotence and defeat into victory. The Goddess allows her devotees to master their weaknesses.

Baglamukhi Temple History

According to Hindu mythology once a huge storm erupted over the earth and this storm threatened to destroy the creation and all Gods assembled in Saurashtra region. Goddess Bagalamukhi at this point emerged from Haridra Sarovara appeased by the prayers of God and calmed down the mighty storm. From then onward, she was worshiped by her devotees as a form of Goddess Parvati.

Significance of Baglamukhi Temple

Bagalamukhi Devi, also known as Pitambara Maa exists is a Shakti. Thus, Goddess Bagalamukhi represents potent female primeval force and is the one among ten forms of wisdom Goddesses.

There are very few Baglamukhi Temple in India and some of the main Baglamukhi Temple dedicated to her are as follows:

  1. Aligarh: A major district headquarters in the state of Uttar Pradesh with a Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Biharipuram. The temple lies 4 km from Aligarh Railway Station and 135 km from New Delhi.
  2. Haridwar: A pilgrimage temple in the Uttarakhand State has a Maa Bagalamukhi Siddhi Peeth near Bhagiradhi Vidyalayam.
  3. Ludhiana- A major district head quarter in Punjab State has a Maa Bagalamukhi Mandir just 6 km from Ludhiana Junction Railway Station.
  4. Nalkhera: This is a Nagar Panchayat in the Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh State with a Bagalamukhi Temple and is 107 km from Ujjain.
  5. Pappankulam: This is a small village in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and this is a location for Shri Bagalamukhi Devi Temple.
  6. Raigarh: A major district headquarters in Chhattisgarh State has a Bagalamukhi Mandir and is just 1.5 km from Raigarh Railway Station.
  7. Sameli: A small village in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh State has a Bagalamukhi Temple.
  8. Tewar: A small village near the Kachnar city of Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh State has a Bagalamukhi Temple just 16 km from Jabalpur.

Baglamukhi Temple Timings

Baglamukhi Temple is open on all days from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Festivals Celebrated at Baglamukhi Temple

Navaratri that is a major festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and Shakti is one of the most celebrated temples in the Maa Pitambara temple. The baglamukhi temple hosts a major celebration before Dussehara. During the occasion, all forms of Shakti including Maa Baglamukhi are revered and a major ritual that runs a length of 9 days is celebrated here. Special arrangements are made for complete and enriching worshiping procedures for the deity and the methodologies adhere to the principles of the Vedas.

During this time, many yogis and Tantriks pray to the Goddess for special powers and people from all parts of the country visit the region to enjoy the exemplary decorations and celebrations in this part of the country. The celebrations involve many processions and there are elaborate preparations for Prasadam and religious Poojas during the time in Amleshwar.

The Baglamukhi temple also hosts a huge celebration on the occasion of Guru Purnima during navratri celebrations and also special poojas are arranged during Vasant Panchmi. These are perfect occasions to begin any religious proceedings or sadhanas.

Poojas and Rituals at Baglamukhi Temple

Like the Kamakhya Temple of Guwahati, the Bagalamukhi temples too are considered to be the centers of Tantricism. Here there are temples dedicated to ten Mahavidyas. These temples are powerful Bagulamukhi Siddha Peeth where the Goddess is worshiped by Yogis for special powers.

The major difference between Baglamukhi temple and any other temple is that if someone worships all Gods in these temples, they would be worshiping all 33 types of Gods and Goddesses together at one place.

Maa Baglamukhi is the eighth mahavidya and is invoked for the destruction of the enmity. She is the supreme divine force and was believed to be invoked by Lord Rama to destroy Ravana along with his descendants. All offerings that are made by the devotees to the deity in the temple are in compliance with the Vedic rules.

The holy chants that reverberate the temple premises during the rituals are performed with Divine grace. The Bagalamukhi Yantra also is of paramount significance for offering Pooja to the deity and for the successful completion of the rituals. It protects the devotees and also shields them from the negatives forces of enmity.

How to Reach Baglamukhi Temple: By Rail, Road, and Air

The Amleshwar Temple lies about 15 km from Raipur Airport and is at a distance of 25 km from Durg. It is accessible by train, approximately 5 km from Raipur Railway Station and also well connected through buses. The nearest airport, railway station, and bus stands are at Raipur. The temple can be reached by various modes as follows:

By Air: The major airport near Raipur is Swami Vivekanand International Airport located at Mana, 15 km south of Raipur. All major cities are connected to Raipur through flights.

By Rail: Raipur junction is the main railway station that is connected to the entire country through major trains.

By Road: Raipur is well connected to all other major cities of the country via regular buses and the major bus stations are at Raipur.

Where to Stay and Eat

Although Amleshwar is a small place and doesn’t have many boarding and lodging options, still Raipur being a close city can be a comfortable place to stay at while visiting. There are many 4 star and 5 star hotels in Raipur like Hotel Piccadilly, Hotal Mayura, Hotel Babylon International and Hotel Madhuban.

Nearby Temples

Chattisgarh has many ancient temples that are both a tourist attraction as well as a pilgrim for devotees. Here are some major temples of the region:

  1. Amarkantak Temple: Located at the height of 3500 feet at Maikal Mountains, the temple is a major pilgrim spot for Hindus and the spot is the source of the most venerated mighty River Narmada.
  2. Bambleshwari Temple: Located at Dongargarh in the Rajnandgaon district in Chattisgarh. The temple is on a hilltop of 1600 feet. Another temple the Chhoti Bambleshwari is situated at ground about 1.5 km from the main complex. The twin shrines are revered by numerous people during Jyoti Kalash is lighted during Navratri before Dussehra.
  3. Bhoramdeo Temple: Situated in the midst of mountain ranges, this temple in Chattisgarh is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main temple is built in stone and the complex has a total of four temples. The architecture of the temple is its uniqueness and the carvings are worth having a look at. The temple is named as Khajuraho of Chattisgarh.
  4. Champaran Temple: The village is at a distance of 60 km from Raipur and is the birth place of Saint Mahaprabhu Vallabhavacharya who was the founder of the Vallabh sect.
  5. Danteshwari Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari the temple represents the 52 Shakti Peeth across the country and was built in 14th century by Chaulakyas of the south. Every year during Dussehera, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple and the presiding deity is takes out for a mega procession
  6. Hatkeshwar Temple: The Mahadev Ghat o situated on bans of River Kharun and this is a holy shrine of the Hindus. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva.
  7. ISKCON Temple: Raipur has a major ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and many Vaishvaites come here to pray to the Lord. The temple is located behind Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Raipur.
  8. Madwa Mahal: The Shiva temple is close to the Bhoramdeo Temple and has a Linga over 16 pillars. The temple was built in 1349 CE.
  9. Mahamaya Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lakshmi, this temple was built in the 12th century and is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths.

Raipur is a place with immense natural beauty, lush green spots, flora and fauna and has many places to visit and for the purpose of sightseeing. Thus, whenever one happens to visit the temple they should also take out some time to explore the nearby tourist spots that extremely popular among the locals as well as among the tourists. Here are some other major attractions of Raipur:

  1. Gandhi Udhyan: One of the major tourist spots in Raipur, the Gandhi Udyaan has many tourist attractions for a rejuvenating time. The place is built with world standards, innovative layouts, extraordinary architecture, and well-thought execution that makes it a place and highly coveted point of tourist interest. One can carry the camera and capture the special moments at Gandhi
  2. Madku Dweep: The place is situated on the tranquil waters of the Shivnath River and it is an island of great beauty with lush and splendid waterfalls. The place is filled with visitors during Shivratri and Paush Purnima The place is also a major spot for archeological excavation and 19 temples had been found on this island.
  3. Nandavan Garden: The garden is open all days of the week except Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and is a major place of natural beauty in the city of Raipur. The place is a sure way to refresh after a busy weekday. The place is best to explore fabulous designs, interesting themes, colorful landscapes, amusing characters, ambient music, props, and merchandise.
  4. Urja Park: The place is great to get into the spirit of adventure and a great place for sightseeing and family visit. The place is great for rejuvenation and has an extraordinary architecture for finding fulfillment on outing and camping.

Therefore, do visit Raipur and the nearby Maa Pitambara (Bagalamukhi) Temple at Amleshwar whenever you happen to find time with the family and enjoy the religious bliss of this spot while devoting your time to the presiding Goddess here who is the provider of special powers and wisdom to all her devotees. The revered deity is one of the most sacred and sought out among the Hindus and thus, they get the best spiritual outcomes by praying here.

Govindaraja Swamy Temple Tirupati Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Govindaraja Swamy temple is an ancient Hindu Vaishnavite temple in Tirupati city of Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh state in India. The temple is one of the earliest structures in Tirupati and also one of the biggest temple complexes in Chittoor district. This temple is closely associated with Tirumala Balaji Temple.

The Tirupati (downhill) city is built around this temple. Further, the temple is for Lord Vishnu, who is Govindarajaswamy. Govindarajaswamy, and the elder brother of Lord Venkateswara.

What is the history of Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

According to the history of Govindaraja Swamy Temple, a large number of inscriptions found in this temple and in the Sri Venkateswara Temple. The earliest of the records belong to the year 1235 A.D when the Chola King, Raja Raja III was ruling the place.

In the year 1239 A.D the queen of Viranarasinga of Yadavaraya made a gift for decoration of the chariot and carrying necessary repairs. The temple came in for greater importance in 1506 A.D. during the rule of Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagar and from then onwards different rulers in a different way developed the temple. Nayakas, the successors to the Vijayanagar Empire built it.

Before consecrating Govindarajaswamy as presiding deity, Sri Parthasarathy Swamy was the presiding deity of the temple. Kotturu, a village at the foot of Tirumala hills was shifted to the vicinity of Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple which was later emerged into city of Tirupati.

What is the significance of Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Here’s the significance of Govindaraja Swamy Temple:

  • It’s outer Gopuram which is visible from quite a distance.
  • Govindaraja Swami Temple also has two main shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. The shrine to the north is Sri Govindaraja while the shrine to the south is Sri Parthasarathi (Lord Sri Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna).
  • The idols of Rukmini and Satyabhama (Krishna’s wives) are also here. The original temple had Sri Parthasarathi on the main altar. ‘Sri Ramanuja’ added the Sri Govindaraja deity around 1130 AD.
  • The nearby shrine is in honor of Sri Ramanuja and on the left of the second entrance is a ‘Kurma’ Deity, Lord Vishnu as a tortoise. There are also carvings depicting the pastimes of the Ramayana and Lord Krishna’s pastimes on the second gopuram.
  • Sri Govindarajaswamy temple is a huge complex with many other sub-shrines in it. Parthasarathy temples, Kalyana Venkateswara Temple are of more importance among the sub-shrines. There are also Shrines dedicated to Pundarikavalli, Andal, Chakratalwar, Alwars, Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Anjaneya, Tirumala Nambi, Bhashyakars.

What are the timings of Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Here are the timings of Govindaraja Swamy Temple:

TimingsFromTo
Open 5:30  am9:30 pm
Viswarupa sarva darshan5:30 am6:30 am
Archanantharam darshanam8:00 amto 8:45 am
Sarvadarshanam1:15 pm4:45 pm
 Sarvadarshanam6:00 pm8:00 pm

Which festivals are celebrated at Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Govindaraja Swamy Temple are:

  • The Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple is home to many festivals of great perchance and importance. On every Saturday festival there is an onrush of visitors seeking blessings to gain health and immediate wealth.
  • Moreover, the celebrations of all the festivals of this temple take place with great aplomb. These involve Bramhostavam, Float festival, Rathasapthami and other utsavam’s that take place at Tirupati or surrounding temples.

How to reach Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Here’s how to reach Govindaraja Swamy Temple:

  • Air:  Nearest airport to Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple is Chennai international airport, which is 108 km away from Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple.
  • Rail: Nearest railway station is renigunta which is 10 km away from Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple.
  • Road: bus and car services are available on a fair amount basis.

Where to stay nearby?

Some of the places where one can stay near the temple are:

  • Hotel Bhimas Deluxe at G Car Street, Tirupati is Easily reachable from Tirupati RailwayStation (0.25 km). This hotel in Tirupati provides comfortable accommodation.
  • Hotel Fortune Select Grand Ridge is one of Tirupati’s five star hotels at the intersection of Chennai-Bangalore highway, on the Tiruchanoor road. This hotel is just beside Shilparamam Theme Park .

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some of the places one can visit nearby are:

  • Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple – This temple in honor of Sri Rama is within a distance of about a kilometer from Tirupati Railway station. The Temple is in memory of the visit of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to Tirupati while returning from Lanka.
  • Alamelumangapuram Tiruchanur, also known as Alamelumangapuram, located about 5 kms from tirupati is also an ancient sacred place. The Temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara is in this place. Devotees also believe that the visit to tirumala is fruitful only after a visit to sri Padmavathi devi temple at tiruchanur.
  • Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple is at an easily commutable distance of 12 KM to the west Tirupati. It is also the alternative for Tirumala Devastana, and has great divine power.
  • Another important Lord Krishna temple is famous as the Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple. Also, this is the only Krishna temple in the vicinity of Tirupati, depicting the Childhood of Lord Krishna. It is in the town Karvetinagaram, at a distance of 42KM from the Tirupati.