Myoksha Travels

Powered by The Temple Girl

Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

Garbarakshambigai Temple – Timings, Sloka and History

, 6 Comments Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With:

Garbarakshambigai Temple is an ancient temple in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. Goddess Garbharakshambika is a form of shakti who cures infertility in women and also blesses pregnant women with a safe delivery. ‘Garbha’ means Pregnancy, ‘Raksha’ means ‘To protect’ and ‘Ambigai’ is a name of Parvati.

Garbarakshambigai Temple
Temple Timings 5:30 am to 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
Poojas Pregnancy Ghee, Delivery Castor Oil
Deity Garbarakshambika

What are the timings of Garbarakshambigai Temple?

Here are the timings of Garbarakshambigai Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 5:30 am to 12:30 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Abhishekam 8:00 am to 8:30 am

What is the history of Garbarakshambigai Temple?

According to the history of Garbarakshambigai temple, sages Gowthama and Gargeya did penance in a garden of mullai flowers. Sage Nithuvar was living here with his wife Vedhika. Then, one day when Sage Nithuvar was away, sage Urdhvapada visited the garden. But Vedhika was asleep and didn’t show hospitality.

She was having pains due to pregnancy but Urdhvapada unaware of her difficulties got angry. He thought that she didn’t bother to wake up and hence, cursed her. The curse caused a lot of pain and she thought she would lose the child.

So, she prayed to Goddess Parvathi to help her. Goddess Parvati took the avatar of Garbarakshambigai and appeared before Vedhika. She protected the child in herwomb by holding it in a “kalasam ” – divine pot.  When Vedhika cried as she was not able to feed the baby with her milk, a sacred cow came in front of the temple and made a lake of sacred milk.

Vedhika prayed to Goddess Garbarakshambigai to remain in the temple forever and bless all women with their difficulties.

The temple is spread over a wide expanse with huge towering Gopurams and a beautiful water tank in front of it. The main sanctum of this temple has the Shiva lingam and Goddess Garbharakshambika is situated to the left of the Shiva temple. It is believed that the Nandi at this temple is in Swayambhu vigraham (Self manifested).

What is the significance of Garbarakshambigai Temple?

The significance of Garbarakshambigai temple is that the Shiva Lingam in the sanctum is  Swayambu, made up of ant hill mud. Therefore no water abhishekam is done for this idol. But, the Lingam is only pasted with Punugu. Devotees also believe that people with incurable diseases can offer “Punugu Chattam.”

Moreover, goddess Garbarakshambigai is the goddess of mercy to bless women with gift of childbirth and safe pregnancy. Hence, she is the supreme personality of Motherhood. Her beautiful idol is about 7 feet tall and has beautiful kanjeevaram sarees and exquisite jewellery.

What are the festivals celebrated at Garbarakshambigai Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Garbaratchambigai temple are:

  • Vaikasi Brahmotsavams: Vaikasi Brahmotsavam commenced in a grand manner at this temple. Amid Vedic chants and recitals of verses from scriptures, the priests perform the rituals in the temple. There are processions and large number of people participate in them.
  • Navratri: Navarathri is celebrated for 10 days in the month Purattasi. Every year the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are the times when devotees worship the divine power during Navratri. The most important Navratri in a year is the Sharadiya Navratra.
  • Margazhi utsavam: Margazhi festival is celebrated at all temples in Tamil Nadu and India. Mainly the celebrations of this festival take place in all Vishnu temples and Shiva temples. Another importance of margazhi is that devotees read Tamil Holy Scriptures “Thiruppavai” and “Thiruvempavai” during this month.
  • Panguni Uthiram: Panguni Uthiram is a day of importance to Hindus especially those who belong to Tamil nadu. It falls on the day the moon transits in the asterism of Uttara-phalguni. The day connotes the wedding of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, Lord Muruga and Devasena and other celestial couples. According to Ramayana, it is also on this day that Sita married Rama. 
  • Thirukkarthigai: Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam as the traditional festival. This festival of lights involves lighting lights almost anywhere to put an end to darkness. People believe that the light  will make people close with Lord Shiva on Karthigai Deepam. Lord Shiva will shed all his blessings during this special time of the year.

What are the Poojas and Rituals of Garbarakshambigai?

The poojas and rituals of Garbaratchambigai temple are:

  • Women who come here to pray for pregnancy and childbirth just offer flowers and do archana for goddess. 
  • Virgins who fail to find suitable grooms for a long time should come to this Garbarakshambigai temple in person. They should wash the steps with a little ghee draw ‘Kolam’ and perform Archana to the Goddess.
  • The childless couples offer ghee at the feet of the Goddess Garbarakshambigai. They should consume a little of the ghee as prasad at night daily for about 48 days and the woman will conceive. 
  • The women who are expecting deliveries should offer castor oil at the feet of Sri Garbarakshambigai. During labor pains, one should apply this oil on their abdomen and devotees believe that it removes all complications of deliveries.
  • Kattalai Archanai takes place on the particular date of the stars and the temple sends prasadams on monthly basis. Pregnant women consume it during their pregnancy period. 
  • Women light up eleven lamps and pray for the safe delivery. On performing the Garbarakshambigai Homa, childless couples attain parenthood and pregnant women undergo safe delivery.

How to reach Garbarakshambigai Temple?

Here’s how to reach Garbarakshambigai temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is in Trichy.
  • Rail: The nearest railway station is the Papanasam railway station. 
  • Road: Thirukarukavur is present on Thanjavur-Kumbakonam main road. Several buses ply between Papanasam and Saliyamangalam at 30 minutes interval.Papanasam is 25 kms from Thanjavur and then to Thirukarukavur 6 kms from Papanasam.

Where to stay near temple?

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

  • Hotel Simran Heritage Contact: Station Road, Moudhapara, Near Fafadih Chowk
  • Hotel Pace Contact: 217, Pace City I, Sector 10A, Near Hero Honda Chowk
  • Manyaa Hotels Contact: Khasra No. 500, Khandsa Chowk, Opposite Sector 10 A, Before Sector 37 Industrial Area
  • Motel Melfort Contact: Raj Nagar, Near Delhi Jaipur Highway, Raj Nagar Mod
  • Gautam Retreat Contact: M-200, South City I, Behind Unitech House

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Garbarakshambigai temple are:

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple: Thanjavur Brihadeeswara temple is one of the most ancient temple, situated in the city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India. The complex that houses the main sanctum is popular as the ‘Periya Kovil’. Thanjavur had the distinction of specifically being a religious city with the temple in the centre.
  • Gangaikonda Cholapuram: The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for having the biggest Shivalingam, with a 4 meter Lingam in South India. The majestic entrance of the sanctum has beautiful image of Goddess Saraswathi. 
  • Darasuram Temple: Raja Raja Chola built this temple for Lord Siva, and it is either famous as Drasuram temple or Airavateswara Temple. The main mandapam of this temple is in the form of a chariot with horses. The steps are stones, which give different musical sounds when people tap them. 
  • Tirumanancheri Temple: This temple is quite famous among the devotees from the Hindu community who wish to find suitable life partners for marriage or in order to overcome. All times are auspicious since Lord Shiva and Parvathy are in a bliss here always. The shrine of Thirumananjeri is has close relation with legends that tell the story of Shiva’s marriage to Parvati.

The Great Stupa- Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Madhya Pradesh Temples Tagged With:

The Great Stupa
The Great Stupa

The Great Stupa is not only an important Buddhist monument but also one of the oldest stone structure in India. The stupa is a Sanskrit term that means ‘heap’. It was built by Emperor Ashoka in honor of Lord Buddha in 3rd century BCE. The Stupa was built during the Mauryan period. It is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. It has its listing in UNESCO’s world heritage sites. It is believed that this Stupa houses ashes of Buddha.

Originally the Stupa was a simple structure. However, it got destroyed in the 2nd century BCE. The Stupa reached its final form after repairing and enlarging it in the 1st century BCE. Currently, the Stupa is 54 feet high and 120 feet high.

The Great Stupa is located 46 km north-east of Bhopal, on the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. One can visit the Stupa from Sunrise to Sunset.  The Stupa remains open for visitors from 8 am to 5 pm.

What is the architecture of The Great Stupa?

Every Stupas has three identical features.

  • Anda (hemispherical mound): The Anda is a dome-shaped mound of dirt. It was made to cover Buddha’s remains. The earliest Stupas contained actual relics of the Buddha. With time, the hemispherical mound has got a grander symbolic meaning. It represents the mountain home of the gods at the center of the universe.
  • Harmika (A square railing): The Anda is surrounded by a Harmika. It represents the world mountain. It is inspired by a square railing or fence that surrounded the mound of dirt, marking it as a sacred burial site.
  • Chattra (A central pillar supporting a triple-umbrella form): The Chattra is a triple umbrella structure. It represents the three Jewels or Triantha of Buddhism—the Buddha, the Dharma (doctrine), and the Sangha (community). These three Jewels are the keys to a true understanding of the faith It was placed over the mound to protect it from the elements.

The other unique features of the Sanchi Stupa is:

  • Medhi (A circular terrace): Medhi is a circular terrace. It is surrounded by a similar three-bar railing. The railing supports the Anda and raises it off the ground.  It likely served as a platform for ritual practice.
  • Toranas(wall with decorated gateways): The wall is marked in light blue highlights. The toranas are marked in yellow. Torans are the wall that surrounds the entire structure, with its trademark three horizontal stone bars. The Toranas of the Great Stupa are the greatest achievement of Sanchi sculpture. Each gateway is made up of two squared posts. These posts are topped by capitals of sculptured animals or dwarfs, which are surmounted by three architraves.

All the elements are covered with relief sculpture that depicts the events of the Buddha’s life. There are Jataka stories -about the Buddha’s previous lives, scenes of early Buddhism, and auspicious symbols. The names of donors are also inscribed. The most notable is the ivory workers of  Vidisha.

What is the significance of The Great Stupa?

Stupas were made to remind the Buddhist practitioner of the Buddha and his teachings. These were made almost 2,500 years after Buddha’s death. The practice of building stupas spread with the Buddhist doctrine to Nepal and Tibet, Bhutan, Thailand, Burma, China and the United States where large Buddhist communities are centered.

Building Stupas has Karmic benefits for the Buddhists. Karma plays a key role in Buddhism and Hinduism. Karma means the energy generated by a person’s actions and the ethical consequences of those actions. A Buddhists believe that building a Stupa would help them be born in a good location and they will not suffer from extreme poverty.

Buddhists visit Stupas to perform rituals that help them to understand the Buddha’s teachings. Buddha’s teachings are pointed in Four Noble Truths. Once a person fully understands The Four Noble Truths, they are able to achieve Enlightenment  (the complete knowledge of the dharma).

The Four Noble Truths are:

  • Life is suffering. Suffering means Rebirth.
  • The cause of suffering is Desire.
  • The cause of desire must be overcome.
  • When desire is overcome, there is no more suffering.

Buddha means ‘The Enlightened One’. Buddhist practitioners seek the knowledge that the Buddha gained on his way to achieving Enlightenment.

Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi Stupa

What are the timings of The Great Stupa?

  • The Great Stupa is open for the visitors on all days.
  • The timings are from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

What are the entry fees of the Great Stupa?

The entry fees of the Great Stupa is:

  • Entry fee for Indians: Rs. 10.
  • Entry fee for Foreigners: Rs. 250.
  • Entry fee for Children up to 15 years: Free.

What is the best time to visit The Great Stupa?

  • The best time to visit Sanchi Stupa is during the months of November to March. Majority of the festivals take place during this time.
  • The climate of the great Stupa remains moderately hot throughout the year.
  • Avoid making a trip during the hot summer months.

How to reach The Great Stupa?

  • Air: Nearest airport for reaching Sanchi stupas is Raja Bhoj airport at Bhopal city. Sanchi lies in 55 km north-east of Bhopal airport.
  • Train:  The nearest railway station is Bhopal. It is connected with direct trains from major cities.
  • Road:  Sanchi is well connected by road with other cities. It lies on Bhopal-Sagar state highway.

Aundha Nagnath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 23 Comments Filed Under: Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: ,

Aundha Nagnath Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples) in Hingoli, Maharashtra is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Lord Nagnath in this region. The devotees praying to Lord Nagnath believe that the Lord will guide them to the correct path of life, just as he did with demons at Darukavane.

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

Aundha Nagnath Temple – Facts

Deity Lord Nagnath (Lord Shiva)
Location Hingoli, Maharashtra
SignificanceJyotirlinga
Tours 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour
Darshan Timings4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
PoojasRudrabhishek
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitJune to August
FestivalsShravan Maas, Mahashivratri, Vijayadashami
Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Sri Vaidyanath, Sri Trimbakeshwar,
Sri Grishneshwar, Sri Bhimashankar
Aundha Nagnath Temple Video

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

The 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra

What are the timings of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The temple opens at 4:00 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 the afternoon and evening aarti.

The timings of Aundha Nagnath Temple are as follows:

Rituals Timings
Darshan4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Darshan during Shravan Maas4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Afternoon Pooja1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Evening Pooja4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

What is the significance of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

It is a popular belief that the Nagesh Linga or the Jyotirlinga is the Adhya or the first Jyotirlinga on Earth. Devotees believe that by praying at this temple, one can protect themselves against all kinds of poisons.

Since this form of Shiva is Nagnath since he has a snake around his neck. This association with snakes has led to a belief that this Linga is very powerful and potent against negating the harmful effects of all poisons. Devotees have often sighted snakes with open hoods guarding the Linga.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple is one of the Top 50 Famous Temples of India.

What is the history of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The history of Aundha Nagnath Temple dates back to the period of Pandavas. Yudhistra, the eldest among the Pandavas, first built this majestic temple during his exile. It is also believed that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb tried to raze down the Aundha Nagnath temple. But it is said that a swarm of bees attacked his men and Aurangzeb gave up and left the temple.

However, damages were made, to a certain extent, to this sacred Jyotirlinga. Later, Rani Ahalyabai Holkar, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, repaired and renovated the temple.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple is a pious site for followers of both Hinduism and Sikhism.

Sant Namdev Maharaj was a well-known saint and poet. He is also considered as one of the Gurus in Sikhism and his writings are a part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.

It is believed that he used to sing praises of Lord Shiva every day at the temple. But the priests objected to this saying that it disturbed their routines. They drove him away. Since he was such a staunch devotee, the Lord turned the temple to face him and the priests were left facing the back of the temple. Thus, the entire temple stands rotated and directions of the Linga and Nandi are different from other temples.

Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
The Aundha Nagnath Temple is said to be the 8th Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country.

What is the legend of the Jyotirlinga?

During their exile, the Pandavas built their hermitage in a forest in this region of Hingoli. The cows from their hermitage drank the water from the nearby river and released milk into the river. Bhima noticed this one day and informed Yudhistra.

The Pandavas felt the presence of a great God residing in the river. Thus, they began to remove the water. Beyond a certain point, the water was boiling hot. Bhima struck the river thrice with his mace. Blood started oozing from the spot and a Linga emerged. Yudhistra then built a temple and instated the Jyotirlinga.

What is the legend of Nageshwar Darukavane?

The Aundha region was lush with thick forests in which serpents lived. It was popular as Darukavane, named after the Asuras – Daruk and Daruka. The demons harassed the hermits living in the area and imprisoned them. This angered the Gods who fought the demons and drove them away.

But Daruka was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and was blessed by a boon from Goddess Parvati.

The boon gave them the power to shift the entire forest into an island. And the demons continued to harass the hermits from the island. Among the imprisoned hermits was an ardent devotee Lord Shiva named, Supriya. She invoked the powerful Rudra Mantra along with the priests. Lord Shiva then appeared and destroyed the demons.

Daruka repented for their sins and asked for Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. He requested that he stay in the forest. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati accepted his request and assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga. They stayed in Darukavane as Lord Nageshwar and Nageshwari.

What is the structure of Aundha Nagnath Temple like?

Architecture of Aundha Nagnath Temple
The temple is built using stones from the period of the Pandavas.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple structure is strong as it consists of stones from the Pandava period. Therefore, the temple is nearly 3000 years old.

The Garbhagriha and Linga are in the basement level and devotees have to climb down to worship the main deity. The Linga faces the South and the Gomukha faces the East. The corridors of this temple are huge and are supported by eight pillars in an oval shape. The Garbhagriha consists of the Nagesha Lingamurthi inside.

One of the shrines inside the Aundha Nagnath Temple complex houses the Runomochan Teerth as is also famous as Saas Teerth and Bahu Teerth (Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law). Interestingly, the Saas Teerth has brackish water while the Bahu Teerth has sweet water. Once every 12 years during Kapila Shashti, the water from Kashi Ganga is offered here and the water of the teerth would turn crystal clear.

What are the poojas and rituals of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The poojas that take place at Aundha Nagnath Temple are:

PoojaTiming
Rudrabhishek Pooja4:05 AM
Aarti Pooja12:00 PM
Shrisnan Pooja4:00 PM
Shejaarti Pooja11:00 AM
Sayarakchai Pooja8:30 PM

The rituals that take place at Aundha Nagnath are:

Rituals
Rudrabhishek
Dudhabhishek
Rudrabhishek with Bhog
Char Somvar (four Mondays) Ek Ammavasya Rudrabhishek
Ek Shravan Maas Akhand Jyot
Rudrabhishek for one year every Somvar
Ek Somvar 1008 Bilva Patra Abhishek
Laghurudra by 11 Brahmins
Ek Shravan Maas Jalabhishek
Ek Shravan Maas Doodh and Bilva Patra Abhishek
Char Somvar Ek Ammavasya Rudrabhishek with Doodh
Ek Somvar 1008 Mahamrityunjaya Jaap

What are the festivals celebrated at Aundha Nagnath?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Aundha Nagnath Temple 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.
  • 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 Aundha Nagnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Aundha Nagnath Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is in Nanded which is 54 km from Aundha Nagnath.
  • Rail: The nearest stations Parbhani is 50 km from the temple. One can also find connecting trains to the Hingoli junction.
  • Road: There are buses connecting from Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other nearby cities of Maharashtra.

Where to stay nearby?

There few accommodation options at Aundha Nagnath Temple. Travelers mostly stay at Nanded or Parbhani.

Where to eat nearby?

Restaurant options at Aundha Nagnath Temple are very few. Travelers eat at Dhabbas which one can find on the highway or at the hotels in Nanded and Parbhani.

What are some temples nearby?

Exploring Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
There are four more Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra apart from the Aundha Nagnath Temple.

Some of the temples near Aundha Nagnath are:

  • Mallinath Digambar Jain Temple: The Mallinath Digambar Jain Temple is in Shirad Shahapur Village and is for Lord Mallinath. This 300-year-old temple is 15 km from Aundha.
  • Parli Vaidhyanath Jyotirlinga Temple: This temple is in Parli, Beed District, Maharashtra. The temple is 118 km from the Aundha. Devotees believe that praying at this temple improves health conditions.
  • Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is near Pune and is 465 km from Aundha Nagnath Temple.
  • Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: This Jyotirlinga is 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. The Grishneshwar temple is 227 km from Aundha.
  • Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The temple is 286 km from Aundha Nagnath Temple and the Linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aundha Nagnath Temple

Is the Aundha Nagnath Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Aundha Nagnath Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

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

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

Which is the best time to visit the Aundha Nagnath Temple?

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

What is the weather like during summer?

The summers at Maharashtra start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the day-time 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 Aundha Nagnath Temple, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

Tali Shiva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With:

Tali Shiva Temple is the oldest temple in Kozhikode, Kerala. The temple is in the middle of Kozhikode town and was built during the 14th century. The temple worships Lord Shiva. The deity here is a blended form of Goddess Uma and Lord Shiva. It is known as Uma Maheshwara.

History and Legend of Tali Shiva Temple

  • This 400 years old temple paints the picture of religious India.
  • The shrine was constructed at the end of Dwaparayuga. Saint Parasurama built this temple. Saint Parasurama is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
  • As per another myth, the Tali Temple was a small temple in a village. 50 Namboothiri families looked after the temple.
  • The temple gained importance 1500 years ago. It was under the Zamorins. The Zamorins executed the Namboothiri families and took over the temple. They were also called Sailabdheswara. Sailabdheswara means the lord of the mountain and the sea. Swamy Thirumulpad made the temple within his palace complex. After some time, another Zamorin, Manavikraman gave the temple its present shape. The temple is still looked after by them.
  • The temple was almost damaged when Tipu Sultan invaded Kozhikode in the 18th century. Again the shrine was renovated in 1964.
  • Revathi Pattathanam function started at this temple. Eminent people and philosophers came to this function. Bharatha Meemamsa, Prabhakara Meemamsa, Vedanta Meemamsa and Vyakarana were discussed at the functions. During the 15th and 16th centuries, eighteen poets came to this function. This function also takes place at present.
  • Moreover, the temple is a God gift to locals. They believe that the temple has brought richness to Kozhikode.
  • Some historians believe the temple was made even before the city was built.

Significance of Tali Shiva Temple

  • The Tali Shiva Temple is historically important. It is a treasure house with numerous deities and beautiful built.
  • This is a two storied sanctum. It is in the chariot form and is decorated with mural paintings.
  • The temple is protected by large walls on all sides, which are in the form of an elephant belly.
  • Also, there are fine granite sculptures within the temple complex. These sculptures show Lord Shiva. Also, birds and animal sculptures are present. These portray different stories from the Puranas.
  • Moreover, there is a Jyotirlingam in the sanctum. 5 of the 12 Jyotirlingas are located in and around Pune in Maharashtra. Umamaheshwara, Tali Ganapathy, Thevarathil Ganapathy and Thrumandhakunnu Bhagavathy are also there within the inner walls. The outer walls have deities of Lord Ayyappa, Thevarathil Bhagavathy and Lord Naga.
  • There is a separate Lord Vishnu temple within the complex. The temple also has its own Dwajastambam.
  • The idol of Sreevalayanad Bhagavati is also present in the Lord Vishnu temple.
  • There is another small temple. The presiding deity is Narasimha Moorthy. This temple is at the southern part of the Vishnu Temple.
  • The northern part has the Eranjipuram. It is also beautiful with lights from all sides.
  • The main temple has four main parts. The Dwajastambam refers to the flag poles. People also believe these are connections of heaven to earth. The Anakottil is the flag staff platform. It was built for the elephants. The gopurams are large. These gateways are another treat to eyes with intricate carvings, while the Deepasthambhum is the beautiful lighting pillars.
  • The various temples within the complex are Sivakshetram, Nalambalam and Krishnakshetram.

Tali Shiva Temple Timings and Poojas

Like any traditional Hindu temple, the Tali Temple opens during the early morning. It opens at 4.30 am and is open till 11.00 am. The temple again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm. Furthermore, there are five different religious programs that take place every day at this temple.

  • Nadathurakkal Abishekam is the first puja. It starts at 4.30 am. This puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • Dhara Usha pooja takes place at Sivakshetram. This worship is at 5.30 am.
  • Ganapathihomam puja is at 6.00 am. It takes place at the Nalambalam temple.
  • Ravilathe worship is at 6.30 am. The puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • At 7.00 am and 7.15 am, Seeveli Pooja takes place both at Sivakshetram and Krishnakshetram.
  • Navagraha Pooja along with Mrithyunjaya Homam takes place at 7.30 am. It is at Sivakshetram temple.
  • Pantheeradi Puja is at 8.00 am and 9.00 am. This is first at Krishnakshetram shrine and then at Sivakshetram. Lakshminarayana Pooja also takes place at Krishnakshetram but at 8.30 am.
  • Ucha Pooja takes place at 9.45 am and then at 10.00 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Seeveli worship takes place at 10.30 am and then at 10.45 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Nadayadaykkal worship is at 11.00 am. It takes place at Nalambalam.
  • Nadathurakkal occurs at 5.00 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Dheep Aaradhana is at 6.30 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram. This is a sacred moment as the priests worship with traditional towered oiled lamps and to the beats of drums.
  • Umamaheshwara Puja and Bhaghavathi Seva take place at 7.00 pm. It is both at Sivakshetram and Nalambalam.
  • Athaazha puja is at 7.30 pm. It is first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • 8.00 pm is the time for Seeveli at Sivakshetram.
  • The day ends with Trippuka, Nadayadaykkal at 8.30 pm. It takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Vazhipadu is a special puja. It takes place on special requests of the devotees. People interested in performing this puja need to book 3 days before the date. Also, worshipers can book for Vazhipadu online.
  • Appam, Vilakku, Maala, Nei Vilakku, Pin Vilakku, Ganapathi Homam, Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Dhara, Karuka Homam, Koovala mala, Uma Maheswara pooja and Ada are some of the special worships.

Food Timings

Appam is a tasty snack available at the temple after worship. This is popular as Prasadam.

Tali Shiva Temple Dress Code

Devotees need to come in traditional wear. People with jeans and western dress cannot enter the temple. You can hire a traditional dress (Mundu) from the temple counter. Also, men cannot come within the temple with shirts. They can drape a Veshti instead of a shirt.

Festivals celebrated at Tali Shiva Temple

Locals call festivals as Utsavam at the Tali Temple.

  • Revathi Pattathanam: This festival still takes place at the temple. This cultural program is a seven days function. It is during October or November. As per myth, the Zamorins started the festival as a penance of killing the Namboothiris. Performing scholars also get rewards.
  • The largest festival is during the Malayalam New Year. The festival is for seven days. People worship Lord Shiva during this time.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

As the temple is at the centre of the town, it is easily accessible from all parts of Kerala. Kozhikode is 184 kms from Kochi, 191 kms from Coimbatore, 232 kms from Mangalore, 359 kms from Bangalore and 378 kms from Trivandrum.

By Air: Kozhikode is just 23 km from the Calicut International Airport. This airport is connected to the various Indian metropolitan cities and gulf countries. There are private cabs available from the airport area which can take you directly to the temple.

By Rail: Kozhikode has own railway station. Therefore, there are regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore to the place. Mngla Lksdp Exp, Kerala S Kranti, Ypr Cannanore Exp, Mangalore Exp Ypr Cannanore Exp are some of the express trains travelling on a daily basis to Kozhikode.

By Road: There are several tourist buses that travel from Karnataka and Kerala to the Tali Temple. Besides these private air conditioned buses, you can also avail buses from KSRTC. The buses connect important cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore and Trivandrum to Kozhikode. Both luxury and semi-deluxe buses are available. If you are travelling via road on your own private car or bike, you can opt for the routes like Lakkidito, Nilamburto, Thalasseryto, Pattambito, Tholpettyto, Bandipur National Park to Kozhikode.

Where to stay

The Tali Temple has great importance in the religious life of the people in and around Kerala. Hence there are several hotels near the shrine for people from all classes. The Gateway Hotel Beach Road, Khaleej Residency, Chamundeshwari Tourist Home and Malabar Palace are some of the hotels just at 0.4 kms from the Tali Temple.

Where to eat

There are multiple food courts near the shrine. The Arya Bhawan and Aryabhavan Restaurant are just 0.3 km from the temple. Both these eat outs serve vegetarian food. Hotel Rahamth, KTDC and Hotel Komala Bhavan are just 0.2 km from the temple and serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. You can also buy banana chips and Shastha chips near the temple.

Nearby Temples

Kozhikode is a pilgrimage and has many temples around.

  • The Balasubramania Temple: Just beside the Tali temple, there is an old temple. The presiding deities here are Balasubramania and Lord Ganesha.
  • Varakkal Devi Temple, Kozhikode: Lord Parasurama built this as the last Devi temple. This is the 108th temple built by the saint. As per myths, Parasurama ploughed the area and Goddess Varakkal appeared. The temple is at the shores of the Arabian Sea. Vavu Bali is the largest festival here. Devotees perform funeral rites during the festival. The temple is open from 5.00 am to 12.00 pm and again from 5.30 pm t0 8.00 pm.
  • Valayanad Devi temple: This temple is at Govindapuram. The place is at 6 km from Kozhikode. As per myths, the Zamorins built this temple. They were not able to get control over Govindapuram and were able to do so only after worshipping the Goddess. Lord Shiva, Ayyappa and Vigneswara are the other deities here. Priests follow the Saktheya tradition here. There is also a ‘Sreechakra’. Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar made the ‘Sreechakra.’ Makaram is the annual festival here. This takes place for 8 days. Guruthy Tharpanam is also practised here.
  • Pattalapalli: It means the Soldier’s Mosque. This is a four storied building. It has a domed roof and a round hall. There is a library and a well.
  • Mother of God Cathedral: This church is at the Beach Road of Kozhikode. It has a Gothic built. Italian architects built the temple. There are spiral colonnades and the curved arches on the doors and the windows at the church. There is also a 200 years old picture of St. Mary here.

The best part of travelling to the Tali Shiva Temple in Kozhikode is that you can visit the place any time of the year. The natural beauty of the place changes with every season. Visit the Tali temple to increase the joy of life.

Puri Jagannath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 108 Comments Filed Under: Odisha Temples Tagged With:

Puri Jagannath Temple is a Vaishnavite Pilgrimage site located in Puri, Odisha. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here. It is part of the holy Char Dham Yatra. Our guide explains Puri Jagannath temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Puri Jagannath.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Bhubaneswar Puri Konark Temple Tour.

Puri Jagannath Temple remains open daily between 05:00 am to 11:30 pm. There is an afternoon break in darshan from 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm. Prasadam timings of the temple are from 11:00 am to 01:00 pm. Required Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Puri Jagannath Temple – Facts

DeityLord Jagannath (Lord Vishnu)
LocationPuri, Orissa
ToursBhubaneswar Puri Konark Temple Tour
Dress CodeMen: Formal dress. Women: Saree or Salwar
Entry FeeFree
Darshan Timings5:00 AM to 11:30 PM
PoojasGopala Ballava Pooja, Sahanamela
Best Time to VisitOctober to February
FestivalsRath Yatra
Puri Jagannath Temple, Orissa.

Puri Jagannath Temple Timings

Puri Jagannath Temple remains open daily between 05:00 am to 11:30 pm. There is an afternoon break in darshan from 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm. Prasadam timings of the temple are from 11:00 am to 01:00 pm. Required Time: 1 to 2 hours.

The timings of the Puri Jagannath Temple are as follows:

Day Timing
Monday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tuesday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Wednesday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Thursday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Friday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Saturday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Sunday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Rituals Timings
Darshan5:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Morning Darshan5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Break (Temple closed)1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Evening Darshan4:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Prasadam11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mangala Aarti5:00 AM – 6:00 AM
Mailam6:00 AM – 6:30 AM
Sahanamela7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Sandhya Dhupa7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Puri Jagannath Temple Flag Changing Time

Puri Jagannath Temple flag changing happens at 6 PM during summers and at 5 PM during winters. Every day, a new flag is tied to the wheel on the top of the temple for the devotees to witness.

Puri Jagannath Temple Dress Code

As per the Jagannath Temple dress code, men should wear formal pants and shirt. Women devotees should wear a sari or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Puri Jagannath temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

What is the significance of the Puri Jagannath temple?

The significance of Puri Jagannath temple lies in its idol. Unlike most idols located in other parts of the country, which are usually made of stone or metal, the idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood. It is a popular belief that Goddess Mahalakshmi herself supervises cooking in the temple’s kitchen.

A ritual unique to the Puri Jagannath temple is the Nabakalebara process. A Neem tree is selected, cut, and an exact replica of the original idols are made out of it. Then the old idols are buried under a place called Koili Vaikuntha.

In ancient times, the Puri Jagannath temple was iconic as it gave equal importance to Vaisnavism (devotees of Vishnu), Saktism (devotees of Bhadra Kali) as well as Saivism (devotees of Shiva). Lord Jagannath represents Lord Vishnu, Balabhadra is Lord Shiva while Subhadra represents Goddess Durga.

The Shrine of Jagannath Temple
The shrine consists of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, respectively.

What is the history of the Puri Jagannath Temple?

The history of Puri Jagannath dates back to many centuries. The copper plates of the Puri Jagannath Temple which were discovered belongs to the Ganga Dynasty which was then under the rule of Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev of Kalinga. In 1174E, the King Ananga Bhima Dev built the Puri Jagannath temple in its present form.

According to a story,  King Indradyumna of the Malwa had a dream that one can see Lord Vishnu in his true form in Utkala (ancient name of Orissa).

He appointed a person named Vidyapati to search for this form. Vidyapati came upon the tribal community and found out about the worshipping of the Nila Madhava and he married the daughter of the chief of the tribe. The tribals showed him the way to the place housing the Nila Madhava.

Vidyapati informed the king about the place of worship but when the King went there by himself, the Nila Madhava disappeared. Lord Vishnu, taking pity, issued a divine message to him that he should go to the shores of Puri and create the image of Lord Jagannath from a log of wood that will be floating on the waves.

Lord Vishnu appeared as a carpenter and asked to leave him undisturbed for 21 days in a room so that he could prepare the image. However, on the insistence of the Queen, the room was opened early and only the unfinished images of the three gods and the Sudarsana Chakra were present.

What is the architecture of this temple?

Puri Jagannath Architecture
The temple complex is divided into four parts.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Further, it has four areas – Vimana (Sanctum), Jagamohan (Porch), Natamandir (Audience Hall) and Bhogamandap. The Vimana was once popular as the tallest structure in ancient India. On the walls, several murals depict the life of Lord Krishna.

What are the sevas and poojas performed at Puri Jagannath Temple?

The sevas and poojas performed at this temple are:

  1. Abakash: During this ritual, the astrologer of the temple announces the specific time for the day’s rituals. Also, during this time, other activities are performed such as bathing as well as brushing the teeth of the deity.
  2. Mailam: Every day, at 6 AM in the morning, the temple priests change the dresses and ornaments of the deities of the temple.
  3. Sahanamela: Pilgrims can enter the inner sanctum to have a darshan. This takes place between 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
  4. Gopala Ballava Pooja: Priests offer breakfast to the deities. They offer sweet popcorn (Khai), coconut sweets, ripe banana, curd, and chipped coconuts. They also perform pooja in a brief manner with Pancha Upachar only.
  5. Sakala Dhupa: Three pundits sit in front of the three deities and worships each one of them. Then they offer bhog. Puri Jagannath Temple Administration bears the cost of the rituals.
  6. Sandhya Dhupa: The aarti takes place between 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

What are the festivals celebrated here?

The Rath Yatra
The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is the world’s oldest rath yatra and is celebrated every year.

Here’s a list of festivals celebrated here:

  • Chandan Yatra: On Akshaya Tritiya, in the month of Vaisakha, devotees take the representative images of Lord Jagannath to a famous tank, Narendra Pokhari and immerse it.
  • Snana Yatra: This is the first time in a year when devotees take the deities out of the sanctum and place them on the Snana Vedi. Moreover, they dress Jagannath and Balabhadra like Lord Ganesha with an elephant head on top. They also bathe the idols with 108 buckets of water.
  • Rath Yatra: The Rath Yatra takes place in June-July every year. Devotees take the three deities to the Gundicha temple on three individual huge and magnificent raths. After 9 days, they bring back the deities to the temple in the same way. The return journey is popular as Bahuda Yatra. The three chariots are named Nandighosa for Jagannath,  Taladhvaja for Balabhadra and Devadalana for Subhadra.
  • Makara Sankranthi: This festival occurs in the Hindu month of Pausa. The day signifies the rich harvest of the agricultural produce. Prayers are given and varieties of food are also kept in front of the deities for them to bless it.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Puri:

  • Air – The nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar which is 53 km away.
  • Train – Puri is well connected by rail. Direct trains are operated from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai.
  • Road – The state buses are available in plenty from stations like Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Konark, and Chilka.

Where to stay near Puri?

The Jagannath Temple Administration maintains two guest houses by the names of Shri Gundicha Bhakta Nivas and the Nilachal Bhakta Yatri Nivas.  One can book rooms online by visiting the site.

Private 3-star and 5-star hotels are also available in plenty for the pilgrims throughout the city of Puri.

What are some of the temples nearby?

Explore Puri
Thousands of people come to witness the famous Puri beach festival which takes place in November.

Some of the temples near Puri Jagannath are:

  • Sakshi Gopal Temple: The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Amla Navami is the main festival celebrated here. The temple is located 17 km away from the Puri Highway.
  • Vimala Temple: It is located inside the Puri Jagannath temple complex. Moreover, Goddess Vimala is the consort of Jagannath and a guardian of the temple complex. Devotees pay respects to Vimala before the worship of Jagannath in the main temple. Moreover, food becomes prasad only when devotees offer it to Vimala too.  
  • Gundicha Temple: It is located 3 km away from the Jagannath temple. It is the destination of the chariots during the Rath Yatra. Further, the three deities are kept here for 7 days during the Rath Yatra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Puri Jagannath Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Puri Jagannath Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

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

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

Which is the best time to visit the Puri Jagannath Temple?

October to February is when winter starts in Orissa. The weather is pleasant, making it an ideal time to visit the temple.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers at Orissa starts from March and continues until May. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Orissa?

In Orissa, winters start in October and continues until January. The temperatures during this time range from around 16 º C to 30 º C.

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

Contact Us