Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Timing, Significance and History

August 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is an architectural dedication to Lord Shiva. The shrine is 32 km away from Rishikesh, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple got its fine architecture from its creator Mekh Chand (Shadhu). The chief deity of the temple is ‘Neelkanth’, a manifestation of Lord Shiva with a blue throat forth the installation of poison.

Neelkanth-Mahadev-Temple-introduction — The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple situated in Pauri Garhwal.

The temple sits comfortably in the laps of Manikoot, Vishnukoot and Brahmakoot hills. It is at the point of meet of the rivers, Pankaja and Madhumati. Consequently, lying 12kms away on a hilltop proximate to the Swarga Ashram, which is another religious site nearby. Moreover, the temple is at a height of 1330 metres.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Facts

Temple Timings	6am – 11pm
Opening and Closing Date	Open 365 days
Time required for Darshan	1 hour
Entry Fee	No fee
Festivals 2019	Maha Shivratri Shivratri of Shravan
Best Time to Visit	July or August
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun
Location	Pauri, Garhwal

What are the timings of Neelkanth Mahadev?

You can visit the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple between:

Timings	From
Open	6:00 am
Close	11:00 pm

What is the significance of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The temple is significantly known for the sculptures of Asuras and Devas inscribed on the temple’s Shikara depicting the mythological occurrence of ‘Samudra Manthan’. Moreover, ‘Neelkanth Mahadev’ is the prominent deity of the temple.

Neelkanth-Mahadev-Significance — After installing the poison originated from Samudramamthan in his throat, Lord Shiva came to be known as Neelkanth Mahadev

As is the ritual, a Shivalingam resides here too and devotees tie a thread around it while worshipping. Also, devotees make a lot of offerings of Bael leaves, coconut, flowers, milk, honey, fruits and water.

There is a natural spring in the temple where devotees dip in to take the Holy Bath before entering the pious premises of the temple.

What is the history of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The history of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple dates back to the mythological occurrence of the episode of Samudra Manthan. The incident observed the churning of the ocean by both Asuras and Devas in the pursuit of Amrit (elixir). However, during Samudramanthan, Amrit did come out but was accompanied by poison.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple History — The event of the churning of the ocean by both demons and gods in the desire of Amrit came to be known as Samudramanthan

The poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean was called ‘Halahal’ and its believed to have had the level of toxicity close to destroying the whole of the creation.

Since nobody could consume the poison, Lord Shiva stepped in for it. Although he did not consume the poison but he installed it in his throat. Soon after his throat turned blue and hence, he became popular as ‘Neelkanth’, literally translating to ‘The Blue Throated One’. However, after some time the poison began to cause inflammation in his throat.

That’s when he found the famous Peepal Tree and meditated under it for about 60,000 years and established a holy clod called Pind there. Hence, that’s how the sacred place where Lord Shiva meditated to get away with the pain from the poison in his throat, became the temple which is a main attraction among the devotees worldwide.

What is inside the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The temple extends its land to the sacred Shivalingam that sits inside the temple at all its glory. Adorned with the flowers and offerings made by the devotees, the Shivalingam inside the temple is the worshipped site.
However, there is a Peepal tree right outside the Shivalingam site, expected to be ages old. And the tree is also believed to be the one under which Lord Shiva meditated to lessen the burn from the poison. After that, he left for Kailash. Moreover, statues of other gods and goddesses are also placed inside.
The uniqueness of the temple lies in its serenity. The temple gives a lot of calmness to its visitor in spite of all the hush going around. The holy chantings and the buzz of the prayers all around set every soul to peace.

Inside Neelkanth Mahadev Temple — The place in the temple where people tie threads with the hope of wish fulfiment by Lord Shiva.

What are the festivals celebrated at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The main festival celebrated at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are:

Maha Shivratri: The festival is a celebration of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe him to be Adi guru and the ultimate source of Yogi tradition. Activities like remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, practicing Yoga, making offerings to the deity, as well as meditating are done on this . Two fairs namely, Maha Shivratri in the months of Feb or March and Shivratri of Shravan in the months of July or August are observed annually .
Kanwar Yatra of Shravan: During this month, devotees carrying Kawars travel day and night on foot from different places to offer Ganga Jal to the temple.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple- Festivals — Devotees carry Kawar on their shoulders filled with Ganga Jal to pour it onto the Shivlingam at Neelkanth Mahadev

How to reach Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (49 km)
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh which 32 km away from the temple.
Road: Buses are available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Then, one can hire a taxi or avail a bus from Rishikesh to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

However, after reaching the nearest point of the temple, you have to take a walk to the holy site of worship.

The visitors can also enjoy campsite activities, river rafting etc at Rishikesh either after coming back from the temple or while going.

Where to stay near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

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

Ganga Kinare-A riverside boutique hotel: Spacious rooms loaded with all the basic amenities to add to the guests comfort is there. The Ayur Ganga Spa at the hotel also offers a diverse range of Indian and International treatments to rejuvenate the body and soul.
The V Resort: The resort offers a 24-hour front desk, travel desk, and doctor-on-call. Guests can also relax in the game room, have a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or visit the spa for a relaxing massage. Its the perfect getaway place to be at.
Green Hills Cottage: The rooms available here have the best of the amenities. Moreover the hotel has the best of both interiors. Also, a 24/7 helpdesk is at your service at all times.

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

What to eat here?

Well, one can take delicious taste of the Garhwali and Pahadi cuisine here. And have the taste of dishes like, Gahat ke Parathe with Bhaang ki chutney (a speciality), Kafuli which is a tasty blend of Proteins etc.

Eating-nearby-Neelkanth-Mahadev-Temple — The famous chutney from Pahadi Cuisine – Bhaang Ki Chutney

What are some temples near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Some of the temples near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are:

Dhari Devi Temple: This temple is situated by the river of Alaknanda in Uttarakhand. The goddess worshipped here is Goddess Dhari. The deity is also the guardian of Uttarakhand and protects the Char Dhams. Dhari Devi is 128.5 km away from Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
Chandi Devi Temple: Chandi Devi Temple is atop Neel Parvath in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. As the name suggests, the temple is devotion to Goddess Chandi. However, it is also one of the Panch Teerth in Haridwar. The temple is around 54kms away from the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Mansa Devi Temple: Mansa Devi Temple is the shrine of goddess Mansa, on top of Bilwa Parbat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also popular as ‘Bilwa Tirth’, the temple is among the Panch tirth within Haridwar. This temple is a holy shrine located around 51 km away from the temple.

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

Frequently asked questions about Neelkanth Mahadev Temple:

What is the location of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located 32 km away from Rishikesh in the district of Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

How do you get to Neelkanth Temple?

Neelkanth Mahadev temple is at a distance of 32 km from Rishikesh, one can reach the temple by the hired taxi from Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. It also has Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 49 Kilometres away from it.

Why Shiva is known as Neelkanth?

Due to the installed poison in the throat, Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue hence he got the name, ‘NeelKanth’.

How do I get to the Neelkanth from Dehradun?

One can board the bus from ISBT Dehradun to Rishikesh and from there you can choose to hire a taxi and cab to cover the distance of 32 km to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

When is the best time to visit the temple?

The best to visit the temple is in the pious month of Shravan during July and August. Also, the weather during the months is favourable.

Is photography permitted in the temple premises?

Yes, photography is permitted in the temple premises.

What are the temperatures in Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

In summers, the temperature can go up to 45°C and in winters can fall down to 2°C.

Are warm clothes recommended in Neelkanth Mahadev temple in the month of August?

Yes, it is best to carry warm clothes as one might just need them during the nights in August.

Lotus Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, History, and Architecture

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Lotus temple, or Mashrikal Adhkar temple, is a famous Bahai House of worship located in Delhi. Though known as the ‘Taj Mahal” of the 20^th century, it is much more than a stunning example of architecture. According to a report by CNN, it is the most visited place in the country.

What is the history of Lotus Temple?

According to the history of Lotus temple, architect Fariborz Shabha chose the lotus as the dominant symbol for the place. And not only the holy scriptures of the Bahai Faith but also those of other religions can be read and/or chanted inside the House of Worship regardless of language.

What is the architecture of the Lotus Temple?

The significance of Lotus Temple is that unlike other temples, this place holds no idols as such but it’s Lotus like shape and tranquil ambience is what visitors crave for. It follows the path of the Bahai faith that is oneness in God, oneness in religion and oneness of mankind.

There are stamps of the Lotus temple, books and musical pieces created to depict its splendid architecture.

There are 9 sides of the temple formed by 27 marble petals arranged in groups of three. Also, the height of the temple is 40m. Ponds and gardens welcome visitors at the entrance. It covers an area of 26 acres.

No ritualistic ceremony can be performed inside the temple. Neither can anyone deliver any sermons. But one can chant or read scripture of Bahai Faith in any language you prefer.

There is an audio-visual room and library within the temple complex where one can get access to Bahai books of Faith.

What are the timings of Lotus Temple?

Here are the timings of Lotus Temple:

Timings	From	To
Open (Summer)	9 am	7 pm
Open (Winter)	9:30 am	5:30 pm

It remains open from Tuesdays to Sundays. On Mondays it remains closed.

There is 15 minutes prayer session at regular intervals everyday at the temple.

How to reach Lotus Temple?

Here’s how to reach Lotus Temple:

Air : Indira Gandhi International Airport is at 23km southwest of Central Delhi and domestic terminal at Palam is 5km away from the international terminal.
Rail: Main Delhi station is about 7km from Connaught Place.
Road: Buses from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also available.

Where to stay in Delhi?

Some of the places where one can stay near Lotus Temple are:

Fab Hotel Conclave Inn Nehru Place 3-star hotel Fab Hotel Conclave Inn Nehru Place R-30, Nehru Enclave, Nehru Place, is a great place to check in. It is only 4 km away from the temple.
Hotel Stallions at B-14 East of Kailash is another place to check in. Luxurious accommodation suited with great amenities is the main attractions here.
Fab Hotel Anutham Nehru Place is a 3-star boutique hotel. It is a unique blend of fine hospitality and soothing ambiance. This hotel is known to provide a choice of essential amenities required for a relaxing stay.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Lotus temple are:

The Kailash Shiv Mandir, New delhi is a perfect destination for tourists.
Pandava Kaleen Sri Kilkari Bhairav Temple or famously known as Prachin Bhairon Mandir is an age-old temple that the Pandavas built during Mahabharat. This temple has a unique tradition of offering alcohol to the Holy deity-Lord Bhairav.
Kalkaji temple is the abode of Kali Ma. People also believe that wishes come true at this temple.
Iskcon temple is a place of worship for the followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness popular the Hare Krishna movement. Further, ISKCON aims to spread far and wide the practice of Bhakti Yoga.
Amba Bhavani Temple

Someshwara Temple Mangalore Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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

Someshwara Temple Mangalore is located at a distance of 13 km from Mangalore and is situated beside the Someshwara village. This temple is one of the Dwadasha Kshetras of our country. And it is because of this temple that the place is famous as Someshwara.

https://youtu.be/kxTOJJACQKc

Someshwara Temple Mangalore Video

What is the history of Someshwara Temple Mangalore?

The Someshwara temple has a mythical history that speaks of legendary time’s right from Trethayuga of Ramayana times. According to beliefs, King Kharasura who worshipped Lord Somanatha built the temple. He was a relative of Ravana. But historically speaking, Kings of Alupa Dynasty built the temple in the 10th century A.D.

The temple was under the Administrative rule of Kadambas of Banavasi, and Cholula Kings of Ullala of 12th Century A.D. Moreover, the two inscriptions in the temple say that its renovation took place in 15th Century A.D. at the time of Vijayanagara King Immadi Devaraya by Rajaguru Sree Kriyashaktri Devavodeya.

What is the significance of Someshwara Temple Mangalore?

Here’s the significance of Someshwara Temple:

A lake near Somanatha temple exists that is “Gadha Teertha”. Moreover, devotees believe that Bhimasena built it.
Two famous stone inscriptions are there on the temple walls. One is at the western side Gopura (tower) of the temple, while another is present on a small stone pillar near Pakashala.
The first inscription numbered 467 has got 25 lines and said to be written on Monday the Chandrasuddha Padya of Dondhibi Samvatsara i.e., on April 1, 1443 AD.
The second stone inscription numbered 468 bears only two links the rest of which is completely perished. The two links read as:
“Saka 1117”
“Swasthi Samastha Bhuvivikyatha”.
Also, Queen Abbakka was the devotee of this temple and she donated Jaladhani about 450 years ago. It is well preserved in the temple and used during Jathra festival.

What are the timings of Someshwara Temple Mangalore?

Here are the timings of Someshwara Temple Mangalore:

Timings	From	To
Morning	5:00 am	1:00 pm
Evening	5:00 pm	8:00 pm

Which festivals are celebrated at Someshwara Temple Mangalore?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Someshwara Temple are:

The Jatra Mahotsava is the grand festival in the temple. It is a 7 days ritual with many a poojas and splendor.
Laksha Deepotsava is another important festival of the temple and takes place in Tula masa. On the day Kshetra pooja is held in the beginning and then Appada pooja and Ranga pooja of Sri Siddivinayaka is held.
On the day of Shivarathri, Shiva pooja, Ranga pooja rituals are held and Bhootabali is given. After this, the archaka of Holla sect seeks the blessing of the Main Deity for offering prasada to Kattige i.e., for Nagabana.

How to reach Mangalore?

Here’s how to reach Someshwara Temple:

Air: Mangalore International Airport at Kenjar is the nearest airport about 41 Km away.
Rail: Mangalore is the Major Railway Station nearest to the temple, about 13 Km. The Ullala Railway Station is 1 Km from the temple.
Road: Someshwara Bus stop is at a walking distance from the temple.

Where to stay nearby?

Some of the places where one can stay near Someshwara Temple are:

Goldfinch Hotel at Bunts Hostel road near Jyothi circle is a great place where you can check-in. It also provides grand facilities and is near the location.
The Gateway Hotel of Old Port Road is another place to check-in. It has a fitness center and an outside pool which guests enjoy.

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some places to visit near Someshwara Temple are:

Bekal Fort: Located 63 km south of Mangalore is in the state of Kerala. The unique Bekal Fort stands amidst the roaming but heartening music of the seas along with the eternal note of the unending waves, carrying the thrilling memories of a bygone era.
Kadri Manjunatha Temple: It is on Kadri hills, in Mangalore is just 3 Km away from the venue. This popular and beautiful temple has tanks with natural springs and late rite caves surrounding it. These caves are also popular as Pandava Caves. Devotees also believe that the Pandavas came to this cave and stayed there.

Jwalamukhi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 3 Comments Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples, Shakti Peetha

Jwalamukhi Temple located in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh is famous and is considered extremely sacred for Hindu devotees. This place is known for being a temple that doesn’t house any idol, and the worshippers pay respects to the flame inside the temple which is believed to be the manifestation of Goddess Jwalamukhi.

It is one of the 51 Shaktipeetas where Goddess Sati’s tongue fell. According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s corpse by using his Chakra, her body got scattered into 51 pieces at various places where Jwalamukhi is considered as one such place where her tongue fell. The temple consists of a copper pipe from which natural gas is emitted and priests of the temple lit it to produce a flawless blue flame.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva killed Jalandra, the demon whose flaming mouth represents the Jwalamukhi (‘Jwala’ is Flame and ‘Mukhi’ is ‘mouth’). The flames are believed to be coming from his mouth. A total of nine flames are ignited in the temple, which represents and also named after the nine Goddess-Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vidhya, Basni, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi which burn every day without fail.

It is believed that the Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a great devotee of Goddess Durga dreamt about this scared place and ordered his soldiers to have a lookout for this place. After discovering the site, the Raja built the temple at this very location Jwalamukhi Temple is built in modern having its dome made from gold and a beautiful folding door crafted out of silver plates.

History & legend of Jwalamukhi Temple

Jwalamukhi Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. According to the hindu mythology,Sati who was a Goddess was born when Gods concentrated their entire energy on the ground.The Gods were looking for some protection from the atrocities of the demons.Goddess Sati was born and brought up by Prajati Daksha and later married Lord Shiva.Once Prajati Daksha organized a yajna in which everyone got invited except Lord Shiva.Sati felt humiliated and insulted by such act of her father.She decided to take revenge by immolating herself in the yajna. With this action of her’s,Lord Shiva became extremely furious and carried her corpse around the three worlds.
All the deities became furious by Lord Shiva’s act and decided to contact Lord Vishnu for his help.Lord Vishnu for his help.Lord Vishnu decided to take action and therefore cut down Sat’s body By his Sudharshan Chakra which got scattered into 51 pieces at various places,and these places are called as Shaktipeeths which is regarded as the power centre of Goddess Sati.
Jwalamukhi is one of the form of Maa Durga where the tongue of Sati fell.The Goddess is beleived to be the tiny flames that ignite everyday through the fissurer in the age old rocks.
Jwalamukhi Temple was first constructed by Raja Bhumi Chand who had a dream about this sacred place where he decided to go and search for.After discovering this place,he decided to built a temple at this very place which came to be known as ‘Jwalamukhi’.
The history of the temple reveals about Mughal emperor Akbar once visited this place and tried to douse the fire but did not succeed.After this incident,he submitted himself to Goddess and presented her a gold umbrella which is said to turn into copper when he looked back before leaving the temple.

Significance of Jwalamukhi Temple

The main feature of this place is there is no idol to worship.The temple consists of a copper pipe from where natural gas gets emitted and priests of this temple lit it to produce a flawless blue flame where worshippers pay respects to this flame which id beleived to be the manifestation of Goddess Sati.
Several Flames emit at various points inside the temple.There are nine in total which are given various name of different Goddesses which are Mahakali,Annapurna,Chandi,Hinglaj,Vidhya,Basni,Mahalakshmi,Saraswati,Ambika and Anji Devi which burn continuously.
The temple has a dome which is made of gold and the door is a beautifully crafted crossfolding which is made out of silver plates.Inside the temple,,there is a 3 feet pit having pathway all around it and this is considered as the mouth of the Mahakali Goddess.
At the entrance,there are two lions statues and the temple’s architecture consists of a dome and several pinnacles.There is a small platform in front of the temple and a (check usage) big mandap where a huge brass bell presented by the King of Nepal is hung. Usually milk and water are offered and the ahutis or oblations are offered to the sacred flames in the pit, situated in the centre of the temple in between the floor pillars supporting the roof.
Jwalaji (flame) or Jwala Mukhi (flame mouth) is probably the most ancient temple besides Vaishno Devi. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata and other scriptures. There is a natural cave where eternal flames continue to burn. Some say there are seven or nine flames for the seven divine sisters or the nine Durgas. The physical manifestation of Jwala Ji is always a set of flames burning off natural gas.

Jwalamukhi Temple timings

Jwalamukhi Temple gates remain open all days of the week.The visiting hours of this temple is between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm.
The Pooja in temple occurs in gradual stages.Havan takes place everyday and the goddess is offered bhog of Rabri(thickened milk),misry or candy apart from the regular bhog of seasonal fruits and milk.
Aarti is conducted five times a day where the first aarti happens early morning around 5:00 am when the temple gates open.This aarti is called as the “Mangal aarti ” and takes place just before dawn.
The next aarti called as “Panjupchaar pujan” is performed during sunrise.The next aarti is known as “Bhog ki aarti” where the deities are showered with fruits,milk by the devotees as a gesture of saying thank you to the goddess.The next aarti is performed around 7:00 pm and does not hold a specific name.
The last and the final aarti happens around 10:00 pm.This is a very special aarti known as “Saiyan ki aarti” where the bed of Devi is beautifully decorated with flowers and ornaments.The aarti is performed in two phases.The first phase happens inside the main temple and the second happens inside the sejabhavan.Apart from these five aartis,shlokas are recited daily to the deity.

Festivals celebrated at jwalamukhi temple

The Jwalamukhi fair is held twice a year during the Navratri of Chaitra and Aswin. The devotees go round the ‘Jwala Kund’ in which the sacred fire burns, making their offerings. The ‘Gorakh Tibbi’ a centre of the Gorakhpanthi Naths is placed near the Jwala Kund. Folk-dances, songs, plays, wrestling matches and athletics are some of the important attractions of the fair. The Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra becomes the venue for the major fair.
In April and October, the people of the area who believe that the jets of the inflammable gas coming from the volcano are actually the sacred fires coming out from the mouth of their Goddess, worship the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. People come with red silken flags (dhwaja) to greet the Mother Goddess, ‘JwalaJi’. The fair is attributed to the worship of that Eternal Flame which is coming out of earth spontaneously and perpetually.

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport to Jwalamukhi Temple is Gaggal airport,Dharamsala which is located at a distance of 46km from Jwalamukhi Temple.The airport connects only three major cities i.e Delhi,Chandigarh and Kullu.Indian Airlines flies to Dharamsala thrice a week from Delhi.
By Rail : The nearest railway station to Jwalamukhi temple is Kangra railway station which is located at a mere distance of 2 km from Jwalamukhi Temple.The closest broadguage railhead is at Pathankot, 123 km away. Nearest narrow gauge is the mountain train at Kangra.
By Road : Jwalamukhi temple is arround 140 km from pathankot via dharamsala. Jawalamukhi is 30 km from Kangra and 56 km from Dharamsala, You can find bus service from Pathankot. If going by car from Delhi/ Chandigarh to Dharamshala/ Kangra follow Una-Amb-Mubarikpur, follow NH20A, Chintpurni, Dehra Gopipur, turn right on SH 22 to reach Jwala ji, come back to Ranital on NH88 to go to Kangra.

Hotels to stay

There are a lot of good rated hotels that one can find near Jwalamukhi Temple.One can accomodate these hotels which are located within 1 km radius.

Where to Eat

There are many good restaurants that one can visit after paying respects to Goddess Sati. Also Kangra is known for its various food joints that one can enjoy after visiting this place.

Nearby attractions

Nagini mata is a site that is located about 4.5 km from the temple where an annual fair is held in July/August which is located on the hill above Jwalamukhi.
Shri Raghunathji temple is about 5 km from Jwalamukhi where it is believed that Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman used to stay here.
Ashtabhuj is a temple located at a distance of 1 km from Jwalamukhi and is one of the ancient temples in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
Nadaun is a princely state about 12 kms from Jwalamukhi. There are several old temples and ruins of old temples built during the princely rule of Karota Rajahs.
Chaumukha temple is about 22 kms via Nadaun. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with a huge four-faced image. Chaumukha temple has four temples,of which three doors are permanently closed.
Panj Teerthi and Mahakaleshwar – these are about 9 kms and 28 kms via nadaun from Jwalamukhi. These places are located by the banks of River Beas. Panj Teerthi is said to be built by Pandavas during their exile. This place is considered as scared as Haridwar.
Bagulamukhi temple in Bankhandi is 36 kms from Jwalamukhi. There is a stone image of goddess Bagulamukhi located there which is worshipped so that one can win over enemies.
Haripur is about 45 kms from Jwalamukhi. There are several attractive temples and an old fort. Haripur is a historic place where the famous Kangra miniature paintings were born.
Mangarh is located about 37 kms from Jwalamukhi where there is an octagonal fort named after Raja Man Chand on top of a hill. Also, there is an ancient temple located near this fort which was built by Pandavas.

Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple – Timings, Poojas, and Entry Fee

September 13, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 6 Comments Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Ganesha Temples

Kanipakam Temple is one of the holy abodes of Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha) – the beloved son of Shiva and Parvati. It is present on the banks of river Baahuda, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Ganesha is the controller of ‘Ganas’, the remover of obstacles, and the Lord of wisdom. It is usually visited when one is visiting Tirumala Balaji Temple.

Vinayaka Temple is also known as Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple.

The word ‘Kanipakam’ originates from two Tamil words – ‘Kani’ meaning ‘wetland’ and ‘Pakam’ meaning ‘flow of water’. The idol of ‘Swayambhu’ Vinayaka is inside ‘Kalyani’, a lake in which the idol was originally found. ‘

It is believed that the main idol of this temple, Lord Vinayaka is self-manifested; hence it is also called with the name of Swayambhu Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple.

The Kanipakam temple has Chola architecture, with a simple yet elegant Gopuram for the temple complex that houses temples of two other deities – Sri Manikanteshwara and Sri Varadaraja Swamy.

Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha)
Location	Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple,Kanipakam, Irala Mandal, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, 517001, India
Darshan Timings	04:00 A.M.- 09:30 P.M.
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Brahmostavam, Deepotsava

What are the timings of Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

Here are the timings of Kanipakam Temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	4 AM	11 AM
Evening Darshan	12 PM	9:30 PM

Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Entry Fee

Purpose	Fees
Aksharabhyasam	Rs.116/-
Namakaranam:	Rs.116/-
Balasara	Rs.116/-
Anna Prasana	Anna Prasana
Vahana Pooja	Rs.50/- to Rs.150/-
Sashwatha Kalyanotsavam	Rs.5116/-
Sashwatha Unjal Seva	Rs.7500/-
Sashwatha Abhishekam	Rs.7500/-
Sashwatha Ganapathi Homam	Rs.7500/-
Sashwatha Nityarchana	Rs.1516/-
Sashwatha Free Prasadam	Rs.1516/-

Daily Pooja / Sevas Timings of Kanipakam Temple:-

Name of the Seva	Timings
Suprabatham & Bindu Teerthabishekam	4:00 AM to 5:05 AM
Palabhishekam	5.45 PM to 6.15 PM
Ganapathi Sahasra Namarchana	6.00 AM
Panchamrutha Abhishekam	5.30 AM to 6.00 AM 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM 11.00 AM to 12.00 PM
Ganapathi Homam	9.00 AM to 12.00 PM
Nitya Kalyanotshavam	11.00 AM to 12.00 PM
Ganapathi Modaka Pooja	Before 12.00 PM
Phodasa Ganapathi Pooja	Before 12.00 PM
Moola Mantraarchana	Before 12.00 PM
Unjala Seva	6.30 PM to 7.30 PM
Pavalimpu Seva(EkanthaSev)	9.30 PM to 10.00 PM
Nijaroopa Darshan	5.00 AM to 5.30 AM 7.00 AM to 7.30 AM 8.30 AM to 9.00 AM 10.30 AM to 11.00 AM
Athi Seeghra Darshan	5.00 AM to 5.30 AM 7.00 AM to 7.30 AM 8.30 AM to 9.00 AM 10.30 AM to 11.00 AM 4.30 PM to 5.00 PM
Poolangi Seva	Thursday Only

What are the legends of Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

According to the legend behind Sri Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Temple:-

There were three brothers, each suffering with one deformity; one was dumb, another deaf and the third one was blind.
In spite of the difficulties, they worked on a small piece of land, cultivating it so as to earn their livings.
However, one day they when they were trying to get water from well using the Piccota system, they found out that the well had dried up.
Hence, one of the brothers started digging the well further. During that process, an iron hit a stone formation. This filled the well with blood.
Brothers were shocked with the sight of blood in the well, as they witnessed the sight; their physical disabilities got automatically cured.
When the villagers came to know about the miracle, they tried to further deepen the well.
In spite of constant trying they couldn’t do it as by then Lord Vinayaka’s idol had self-manifested itself, emerging out of the water of the well.

legends — Self-manifested Lord Vinayaka’s idol

It is also believed that the Lord Vinayaka idol at Kanipakam has been growing in size on a daily basis. At present devotees can see up to the abdomen and knees of the Lord Vinayaka.
Hence, it is seen that the Lord’s idol has outgrown the armor or Kavacham which was offered about 50 years ago by Smt. Lakshmamma.

What is the history of Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple’s history goes back to the 11th century. It is said the temple was built in the 11th century, during the reign of Cholas by the Chola King Kulothunga Chola.
Later, the original temple was renovated and expanded further during the Vijayanagara Dynasty in the 13th century.
It is built on the banks of River Bahuda, which also has a legend behind it. According to the legend, Sankha and Likhita, two brothers were going to Kanipakam to seek the blessing of the Lord.
However, during their journey, the younger brother Likhita, unable to bear his hunger plucked a mango from the mango grove and in spite of his elder brother’s advice ate the fruit.
Seeing this, the elder brother informed the King, asking for the rightful punishment to his brother for the sin he had committed.
Resultantly, Likhita lost both his hands owing to the punishment given to him. Later, when both the brothers resumed their pilgrimage and went ahead to take a dip in the water of the river near Kanipakam, the younger brother regained both his arms.
Since then, the river was named Bahuda, which means the human arm.

What is the significance of the Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

The significance of Kanipakam Temple is that Lord Ganesh is ‘Varasiddhi Vinayaka‘ here because he fulfills the ardent wishes of his devotees when they offer prayers with devotion and sincerity. Also, there are several occasions when a person voluntarily admitted to wrong-doing acts on entering the temple.

This sacred shrine of Kanipakam temple is widely believed to be an upholder of truth and justice. The aura of the Divine Almighty is such that or takes a dip in the holy water. It is as if the Lord evokes a sense of fearful guilty conscience in the mind of the person and makes him genuinely repent for the same.

To this day, the temple solves everyday quarrels between villagers by the two people taking a ‘Pramanam‘ – a special oath in which they take a dip in the Pushkarini and testify before the Lord.

Devotees who wish to give up bad habits like smoking or excessive drinking – take a bath in the holy place and take an oath in the Kanipakam temple by contributing Rs. 516/-. This is a Seva popular as ‘Pramanam’.

What are the festivals celebrated at the Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Kanipakam Temple are:

Brahmostavam: It takes place for a duration of twenty-one days. During the evenings, devotees take the ‘Utsava Moorthi’ into the town in different kinds of colorful Vaahanas (vehicles) on all days – Hamsa Vaahana (Swan), Mayura Vaahana (Peacock), Mooshika Vaahana (Mouse), Shesha Vaahana (Snake), Vrishabha Vaahana (Bull), Gaja Vaahana (Elephant), Pushpa Pallakki (Flowered palanquin), Vimanotsava (Airplane), to name a few.

festival-1 — Brahmostavam takes place for a duration of twenty-one days.

Deepotsava: It is the celebration involving the floating of lamps in the Kalyani. It is another important festivity and the temple looks magnificent amidst hundreds of floating lamps, under the starry sky.

festival-2 — Deepotsava is the celebration involving the floating of lamps in the Kalyani.

How to reach Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

Here’s how to reach Kanipakam Temple:

Air – One can avail direct flights to Tirupati from Hyderabad and Chennai only.
Rail – Mysore – Tirupati Fast Passenger operates daily, departs Bangalore at 8.15 PM and reaches Chittor at 2.30 AM.
Road – Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs daily buses between Bangalore and Chittoor.

Where to stay nearby Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

The Temple Management runs 6 guest rooms and Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Trust runs the operations of 14 rooms for devotees. Another accommodation complex with 100 rooms is under construction. Besides the Temple accommodation, several private hotels and lodges also provide good quality accommodation to the devotees, in Chittoor city.

What are some temples nearby Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

Some of the temples near Kanipakam Temple are:

Manikanteswara Temple: The ancient temple of Manikanteshwara exists since the times of the Chola King Kulothunga Chola. People believe that he built 108 temples of Shiva, to obtain relief from the sin of killing a Brahmin – “Brahma Hatya Papam’. Famous for the Chola architecture, the exquisite sculpture of the idol adds on another striking feature to the divine altar.
Varadaraja Swamy Temple: This Kshetram of Lord Ayyappa, also known as Harihara is a landmark in the surroundings, owing to the vast temple compound structure and the architectural marvel in the temple complex, that also houses two other deities – Sri Anjaneya Swamy and the Nava Grahas.
Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Kshetram – Present at a distance of 15 km from Kanipakam, this holy shrine dates back to Threta Yuga or the times when Lord Rama fought against Ravana the abductor of Sita. Devotees also believe that the Lord fulfills the wishes of those who pray overnight on a full moon night. Cultural programs take place throughout the night for the benefit of the devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple

What are the timings of Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

04:00 A.M.- 09:30 P.M. is the timings of the temple.

What is the history of Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple?

The temple was constructed in the early 11th century CE by the Pandian King Maravarman Sundara Pandian and a Siva temple by Kulothunga Chola I.

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