Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Gangotri Temple Opening and Closing Dates 2019, Darshan Timings, Travel Guide

August 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Gangotri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The temple is situated in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand. It is located at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Greater Himalayan Range on the banks of Bhagirathi river. Gangotri is the source of the Ganga river. It is the second stop of the Char Dham Yatra.

Here are the opening and closing dates of Gangotri Temple for 2019:

Gangotri Temple Opening Date in 2019: 07 May, 2019

Gangotri Temple Closing Date in 2019: 27 October, 2019 (Tentative)

Gangotri Temple
Temple Timings	6:15 am to 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Aarti Timings	6:00 am and 7:45 pm
Opening Date	7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya)
Closing Date	27-October-2019 (Diwali)
Time Taken for Darshan	May and June: 4 hours. July-October: 1 hour
Entry Fee	Free
Best Time to Visit	May to October
Registration	Bio-metric registration in Rishikesh
Nearest Airport	Dehradun

The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya which usually occurs in May. It closes after the celebration of Diwali. After that, the temple staff return to their villages. A white sheet of snow covers the valley for the next 6 months. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village.

Gangotri glacier also called Gaumukh is the actual source of the Ganga river. It is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. The road to the glacier is extremely difficult for people to reach. Hence the shrine has been located at the foot of the hill.

Gaumukh is the Actual Source of Ganga River

Frequently Asked Questions about Gangotri Temple

What is the best time to visit Gangotri?

It is best to go in the opening months of May to June and in the closing months of September to November. Avoid going during the monsoon months of July to September. There are chances of landslides and floods in monsoon.

Is Gangotri open now?

The kapat of Gangotri temple opens on 7th May for the year 2019. One can visit after that any time.

Can I visit Gangotri in December?

At Gangotri, winter starts from October and lasts till April. The average temperature falls down to 5°C during day time. In December, Gangotri experiences heavy snowfall. It is advisable not to go during December.

How can I go to Gangotri Temple?

If you are coming from abroad, Delhi is most connected. By rail, Haridwar is best. From there you have to travel by Road to reach Uttarkashi and then Gangotri.

Can I go to Gangotri by car?

You can hire a taxi from the railway station to reach Gangotri. There are buses available too from nearest bus stations. However, it is not recommended to go by car. Find out why?

How far is Gangotri from Rishikesh and Haridwar?

The distance between Gangotri and Rishikesh is 270 km. The distance between Gangotri and Haridwar is 293 km.

Does Gangotri have snow?

From November to April, it is winter in Gangotri. Snowfall happens very often during winters. The average temperature is 5°C.

How old is Gangotri?

Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa originally built the temple in the 18th century. Also, Bhagiratha meditated for years. He called Ganga to clean the sins of his ancestors.

Which God is in Gangotri?

Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. As per Hindu mythology, Ganga is the daughter of Lord Brahma.

Is registration compulsory for going to Gangotri?

Yes, the Uttarakhand government have made the registration compulsory after the 2013 floods. One cannot skip the registration. Steps for online registration

Gangotri Temple Decorated At The Opening Ceremony

What are the timings of Gangotri Temple?

Here are the timings of Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri Temple Timings
Timings	6:15 am to 2:00 pm (Morning) 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm (Evening)
Opening Date	7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya)
Closing Date	27-October-2019 (Diwali)
Time Taken for Darshan	3-4 hours in May-June, 1 hour in July-October
Aartis	6:00 am (Morning Aarti) 7:45 pm (Evening Aarti)

What are the pooja and aarti at Gangotri Temple?

Various pujas are performed in Gangotri temple for goddess Ganga. Mangala Aarti is performed in the morning while Shayana Aarti is performed in the evening daily. Pujas are performed by Semwal family of pujaris who are the administrator of the place. These pujaris come from Mukhba village.

Mangala Aarti & Sandhya Aarti at Gangotri

The poojas and aartis of Gangotri temple are:

Gangotri Mangala Aarti – The morning Mangala Aarti takes place at 6 AM behind closed doors. The temple does not allow public viewing of this aarti.
Sandhya Aarti – The evening Aarti takes place at 7:45 PM in summers and at 7 PM in winters.
Ganga Devi Pooja – This pooja takes place at both the Ghat of Ganga as well as main shrine together. The Pooja has a special significance if it takes place on Ganga Saptami. The priests performing the pooja chant several Ganga Mantras and Stotrams.

What is the history of Gangotri Temple?

Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa originally built the temple in the 18th century. As per Hindu mythology, Ganga is the daughter of Lord Brahma. One day, Brahma was washing the feet of Vamana (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). At that time, she was born from Vishnu’s kamandala (a spout shaped vessel).

According to a legend, King Sagara killed so many demons on the earth. To show his victory, he performed an Ashwamegh Yagya. A lot of horses hence taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth. They were accompanied by the king’s 60,000 sons. However, Lord Indra got the fear of losing his throne.

Indra then took away the horses to fail the Yagya. He tied them in the ashram of Sage Kapila who was in deep meditation. King Sagara’s sons searched and found the horses near the meditating sage. 60,000 angry sons of King Sagara disturbed sage Kapila during his meditation. As a result, sage Kapila cursed them and they all perished.

Later, the king sent his grandson Anshuman to sage Kapila for forgiveness. Kapila said that only the water of heavenly Ganga can wash away their sins. Anshuman and his son Dileep tried but could not please Brahma.

Later, Bhagiratha, the grandson of King Sagara, meditated for years. He called Ganga to clean the sins of his ancestors and to liberate their souls. Hence, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river.

Ganga Arriving on Earth after Bhagiratha's Meditation — Ganga Arriving on Earth after Bhagiratha’s Meditation

What is the significance of Gangotri Temple?

A rock shaped Shiva-Linga form naturally in Gangotri every year with the beginning of the winters. At this place, Shiva allowed Ganga to flow through his locks. At the time of Ganga’s arrival onto Earth, Lord Shiva agreed to bear its force. He absorbed it into the locks of his hair which slowed the flow.

The locks of the hair also split it into seven streams. These are Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Janhvi, Saraswati, Bhilangana, Rishiganga, and Mandakini. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source. After reaching Devprayag, it acquires the name Ganga. Later, it meets with Alaknanda river.

The water of river Ganga collected at Gangotri is believed to be an Amrit (nectar). It is considered as a holy drink. People carry this water to their home. They use this holy water in several poojas at home.

On the day of Ganga Dussehra, one should take a holy dip in the Ganga river. It cleanses the human soul of all the sins. People also dip the ashes of a dead person in Ganga river. It releases the soul from the cycles of death and rebirth.

What is inside the temple?

In architectural terms, Gangotri temple is very simple and naturally plain. It does not have any detailed carvings. Sculptures are also not present anywhere. The temple is constructed with white marble stones symbolizing peace. The steps leading to Sabha Mandap meets the main sanctum. A small Shiva temple is also present inside the main temple.

What to wear while going Gangotri?

Gangotri temple is situated in the cold valleys. The weather is cold throughout the year. Rainfalls and snowfalls often occur there. Hence, one should wear proper winter clothes with mufflers and gloves. An umbrella is also must to carry.

What are the festivals celebrated at Gangotri Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Gangotri temple are:

Ganga Dussehra – This festival signifies the day when Goddess Ganga descended on Earth. Thousands of pilgrims across the country take a holy dip in the Ganga river. A beautiful Ganga Aarti also takes place in the evening. Devotees offer various flowers and sweets to Ganga river. The offering is made in leafy boats which floats on the river.
Diwali – After the celebration of Diwali, the temple closes. Devotees take the idol of Ganga to the Mukhyamath Temple in a small village of Mukhwa. This temple is the winter home of Goddess Ganga. On this day, people of Mukhwa clean the whole village as preparation for Goddess’s arrival.
Akshaya Tritiya – On this day, devotees bring the idol of Ganga back from her winter home of Mukhwa. They clean and decorate the whole temple with flowers. The idol of Goddess Ganga is then placed in the main sanctum. The ceremony takes place along withsongs and dances performed by the devotees.

How to reach Gangotri Temple?

Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport.
Train: Nearest railway stations are Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Road: Gangotri is connected by road with major cities in Uttarakhand and Delhi NCR. Buses are also available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Roorkee, Tehri and Hanuman Chatti. Pilgrims generally make Uttarkashi as their base camp. The time taken from Uttarkashi to Gangotri temple is about 4 hours by road.

Where to stay near Gangotri Temple?

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

Bhagirathi Sadan: There are a total of 15 rooms in this hotel. Each room has bottled drinking water, a spacious bed, and basic furniture. The hotel offers facilities of front desk assistance as well as room service. Guests can also make use of luggage storage space.
Hotel Mandakini: It has 16 spacious rooms. The hotel has facilities like cable television and bottled drinking water. It also has attached bathroom with the facility of hot/cold running water. Other facilities include luggage storage space, 24-hour power back-up, and parking space.
Hotel Kalp Kedar: The hotel has an in-house restaurant where one can enjoy delicious meals. There are 10 rooms spread across 1 floor. The rooms are clean with 24 hour supply of hot and cold water. It has room service and front desk help. Parking area for cars is available within the premises.

What are some temples near Gangotri Temple?

Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa - Camping Sites Near Gangotri — Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa – Camping Sites Near Gangotri

Some of the temples near Gangotri temple are:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi: It is one of the most sacred temples in Uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is present on the banks of river Bhagirathi. It is also one of the Char Dham Yatra destinations. The Shiva lingam here is 56cm in height and tilted towards south.
Shakti Temple – It is present in Uttarkashi opposite to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A massive Trishul is present in the center of the temple. The Trishul is 6 meters high and 90 cms wide. The lower half of Trishul is of copper and the upper half is of iron. According to legends, Goddess Durga aimed this Trishul to killed the devils.
Gaumukh – Gaumukh is the actual source of the Ganga river. It is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. The road to the glacier is extremely difficult for people to reach.
Pandava Gufa – It is a 1.5 km trek from Gangotri temple. It is the place where the Pandavas are believed to have meditated. They took rest here while going to Kailash.
Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa – These are ideal camping sites near Gangotri. Cheedvasa is at a distance of 28 km and Bhojvasa is at a distance of 22 km from Gangotri.
Nandanvan – Nandanvan is a 6 km trekking route along the glacier. It gives a spectacular glimpse of the Shivalinga.
Sylvan Tapovan – It is across the Gangotri glacier. It is known for its greenery encircling the base of the Shivalinga.

Nandaprayag

August 9, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Other Temples, Panch Prayag

Nandaprayag is rooted at the Sangam of river Alaknanda and Nandakini (Panch Prayag). The holy confluence falls in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. In addition to this, the town is also a Nagar Panchayat, located 1358 metres above sea level.

Additionally, Hindu mythology states that Nandaprayag was once the capital of Yadu Kingdom. Devotees believe that a dip at Nandaprayag washes away one’s sins.

It is a famous pilgrimage destination on the Char Dham Yatra map route. Moreover, it is second in the line of the Panch Prayag destinations. The other confluences of river Alaknanda hereafter are Karnyaprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag.

The Bowala Nand Prayag Hydro Electricity Project is being worked upon by Uttarakhand Jalvidyut, UJVN, a government undertaking.

Chronicles of Nandaprayag

Ages old tale about Nandaprayag says that King Nanda performed yagna at this holy confluence in the pursuit of having a son. Hence, the Sangam of the two rivers gets its name from Nanda.

Moreover, Sage Kanva also took over to perform penance at Nandaprayag. Furthermore, the famous king Dushyanta married Shakuntala at this place.

Chronicles of Nandaprayag — Krishna was Vasudev and Devaki’s son fostered by Nanda and Yashoda.

There is also a temple nearby the confluence dedicated to Gopala, a form of Krishna. Hindu mythological tales suggest that Lord Vishnu granted the boon of a son to his devotees Nanda and Yashoda, as well as Vasudeva and Devaki.

Hence, to make it happen for both he made sure that the son that was born to Vasudeva and Devaki was fostered by Nanda and Yashoda.

7.5 km from Nandaprayag is the famous Bairas Kund Mahadev temple. This is the place where Ravana dedicated his ten heads to please Lord Shiva.

Essence of Nandaprayag

Nandaprayag holds holy significance in the Hindu tradition. Further, ‘Prayag’ meaning the confluence of two or more rivers is the place of worship for Hindus. Also, devotees flock here to perform last rites for the dead. The serenity of Nandaprayag is ideal for meditation.

River Alaknanda arises from Satopanth close to Badrinath Dham. Similarly, Nanda Devi Peak gives birth to Nandakini, which meets Alaknanda at the second of the Panch Prayag.

Moreover, Panch Prayag is believed to be the ‘Svargarohana route’ that the Pandavas took on their way to heaven.

Ways to Reach Nandaprayag

Here’s different modes of transport to reach Nandaprayag:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport. It is located at a distance of 214 km.
Train: The nearest railway station here is Rishikesh railway station. It is 195 km away.
Bus: Buses to Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate. One can then use state transport buses and taxis to travel up to Nandaprayag.

Stays nearby Nandaprayag

Here are some places where one can stay near Nandaprayag while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Regal Restaurant and Hotel: The stay offers economic and hygienic accommodation. Also, the staff at the hotel is very cordial.
GMVN Tourist Rest House: The hotel offers comfortable accommodation. Fine food and parking facility are some of its specialities. Moreover, this place is light on the pockets too.
Ashwamegh Lodge: The hotel is a package of all luxurious amenities. Nonetheless, there is also a 24/7 reception desk available at the guest’s call. Nevertheless, its very budget-friendly.

Other Panch Prayags

The other Panch Prayag destinations are:

Vishnuprayag: Vishnuprayag is present 1372 metres above sea level and is the first Prayag, according to the descent of the river Alaknanda. It is 70 km away from Nandaprayag.
Karnyaprayag: It is the place of confluence of river Alaknanda and river Pindar. Falling in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, it is third of the five holy confluences. It is 23 km away from Nandaprayag.
Rudraprayag: It is present at the meeting point of the rivers, Alaknanda and Mandakini, in Uttarakhand. It’s at a height of 895 metres above sea level. It is fourth of the Panch Prayag beginning from Vishnuprayag. It is 53.8 km away from Nandaprayag. The Panch Prayag is a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.
Devprayag: It lies at the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, in Uttarakhand. Hereafter, rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify and flow as Ganga or Ganges. It is fifth of the Panch Prayag. It is 119 km distant from Nandaprayag.

The Panch Prayag are a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nandaprayag

Which two rivers join at this Prayag?

Rivers Alaknanda and Nandakini merge at this Prayag.

What can I eat here?

Devotees must taste the delicacies of Garhwal and Kumaon cuisines like chainsoo, gahat ke parathe etc.

How can one travel around Nandaprayag?

Well, devotees can enjoy the city on foot, bicycle, and car.

Read more about Panch Prayag in Panch Prayag- Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand.

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag – Timings, Significance, and History

March 11, 2020, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag is a Hindu temple in dedication to Lord Shiva in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is present in a cave, on the banks of the holy river Alaknanda. The presiding deity, Lord Koteshwar is one of the many avatars of Lord Shiva.

Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag – Facts

Deity	Lord Shiva
Location	Koteshwar Chopda Road, India, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand 246171
Best Time to Visit	365 Days
Darshan Timings	6 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 5 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Mahashivratri, Once-In-Four-Years procession

Unlike most of the temples in the region, the idols are not brought out frequently or even annually. Devotees take them out in a procession only once in four years. This temple is also among the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

This is the holiest pilgrimage tour in India.

What are the timings of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Here are the timings of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag:

Timings	From	To
Morning	6 AM	12 PM
Evening	2 PM	5 PM

What is the significance of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

The significance of the temple is that the cave of the temple contains ancient and naturally made idols as well as Shiva lingam. It is also the place where Lord Shiva was meditating when Pandavas approached him to ask for the blessing of ‘Mukti‘ after the war of Kurukshetra.

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

What is the history of Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

According to the history of the temple, it is present at the place where Lord Shiva meditated on his way to Kedarnath. As per a legend, demon Bhasmasur received a boon from Lord Shiva according to which anyone whose head he would touch would burn to ashes.

Koteshwar Temple History 1 — The temple is present at the place where Lord Shiva meditated on his way to Kedarnath

Then, because of his ego, he tried to burn Lord Shiva himself. As a result, Shiva had to keep hiding from place to place until he reached the cave where Koteshwar temple is now present and prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Hence, Lord Vishnu took the Mohini Avtar and killed the demon Bhasmasur.

Koteshwar Temple History 2 — Lord Vishnu took the Mohini Avtar and killed the demon Bhasmasur.

The construction of the temple took place in the 14th century. Then, the construction again took place in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Festivals celebrated at Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag

Some of the festivals celebrated at the temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, making offerings to the deity, as well as meditating.
Once-In-Four-Years procession: The temple takes out a procession of its idols every once in four years, unlike other temples in the region that do so annually.

Koteshwar Temple Festivals — The temple takes out a procession of the idols every once in four years.

How to reach Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (159 km away).
Train: The nearest railway stations are Dehradun (183 km away) and Rishikesh (142 km away).
Road: One can hire a taxi from Rudraprayag to Koteshwar temple which is just 3 km away.

Where to stay near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

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

Shivalik Valley Resorts: This budget accommodation offers free internet access to its patrons. This resort in Rudraprayag accommodates room which are well-equipped with basic amenities like television, safe, room heater and an attached bathroom with a hot and cold water facility.
Hotel Mandakini: There are 24 rooms spread over 2 floors in this hotel in Rudraprayag. Room amenities include a tea/coffee maker, balcony, air-conditioner, television, bottled/drinking water, attached bathroom with hot and cold running water supply as well as a wardrobe.
Hotel Snow View: The hotel has facilities like round the clock front desk, laundry services, and luggage storage space, parking area, medical services, and full power back up.

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

What are some temples near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag?

Some of the temples near Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag are:

Tungnath Temple: It is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva and comes second if one follows the order. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Tungnath is at the top of the ridge which divides the waters of rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda.
Adi Badri: It is the second among the ‘Sapt Badri‘ temples which are a group of seven holy shrines in honor of Lord Vishnu. All the Badri temples are present in Badri-Kshetra. Whenever Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in weather, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple.
Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi: It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishwanath, which means ‘Lord of the Universe‘. Moreover, the architecture of the temple resembles the popular Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. It is present at the place where Shiva proposed to Parvati for marriage. However, the wedding ceremony took place at Triyuginarayan Temple.
Triyuginarayan Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The word ‘tri‘ means ‘Three‘, ‘Yug‘ means ‘a period of time‘, and ‘Narayan‘ is a name for Lord Vishnu. Devotees offer wood to the fireplace of the temple since three Yugas. Moreover, the temple is 3.1 miles away from Sonprayag, which is the confluence of river Mandakini and Songanga.
Dhari Devi Temple: The temple is for Goddess Dhari and contains the upper half of the idol of the goddess, while the lower half is present in Kalimath. In Kalimath, devotees worship her as a form of Kali Mata. Moreover, devotees believe that Goddess Dhari protects the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and is the guardian of the region.

Annavaram Temple Guide – Satyanarayana Swamy – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Annavaram Temple is one of the most popular holy shrines of the country and is the second most popular pilgrimage after the Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh. The Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram has been built in the Dravidian style. The richness and glory of Lord Satyadeva, the temple’s deity, is described widely in the Revakhanda of the Holy Skandhapuranam.

In Annavaram Temple, Lord Satyadeva sits with his consort Shri Anantha Lakshmi on one side and Lord Siva on the other side. The Lord took his abode on the Ratnagiri Mountain, named after Ratnakara who was the son of Meru, the holy king of the mountains. The Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram is followed by the sacred Pampa River which is touching the feet of the hill as is the case with all Divyakshetrams.

Lord Satyadeva is the God of truth and he showers his eternal blessings on all humankind in his beautifully manifested form in the form of the divine trinity which is called Hari Hara Hiranyagarbhathrimurtyatmaka. Therefore, the temple is the only ones attracting pilgrims from both the Vishanava and Saiva Hindu religion.

The Veeravenkatasathya Narayana swami is the main temple on the hill dedicated to Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy. This is a temple of Sri Rama and there are shrines of Vanadurge and Kanaka Durga around. The Grama Devatha (village deity) temple is located in the village foot of the hill.

Annavaram Temple History

According to legend, Raja i.e. Ramarayanam was the then zamindar of the Gorasa and the Kirlampudi estates near Samalkot since he was ordained by Lord in his dream. He then traced the idol on the hill and worshiped and installed it at this spot on Sravanasuddhavidiya in the Telugu year khara 1891.

The temple was constructed on the hill and the Bay of Bengal situated at 11 miles is visible from the hill and row of the majestic Eastern Ghats is visible on other side. The hills and the Pampa River encircle Ratnagiri from all sides. The main hillock is about 300 feet above the sea level and there are about 460 well-laid stone steps that lead to the top.

The main temple has been constructed like a chariot that has four wheels at each corner. The main temple’s front has the modern architecture including a Kalyanamantapa. Down the way, there is a Ramalaya and then there are shrines of Vana Durga which is held in veneration and the Devi is believed to be seen there in the nights according to the holy precincts that a perpetually guard the lord.

Significance of Annavaram Temple

According to the Agni Purana and the Hindu mythology, any temple’s akriti is the manifestation of its Prakriti. In the ancient texts, the idea is developed and the Slipasastra is based on this principle. The temple’s wall and Vimana should be constructed to remind the devotee of the universe while the supreme spirit is represented by the deity inside who is the core of the entire universe.

These texts believe that the chariot is a symbol of seven lokas which lie underneath and the seven lokas that lie above along with garbhalaya of the lord rule hearts and center that rules over the entire universe.

The Annavaram Temple has been constructed based on these ideas. The temple’s front side depicts the chariot, the Meru is on the floor and the pillar is at the center. The idols at tope are constructed to bring to life the idea that Lord remains at the centre but it also permeates entire universe.

The wheels depict both the Sun and Moon and serve as a reminder us that the Jaggernaut completely moves on wheels of time and this cycle goes on forever. The Annavaram temple satisfies the devotees’ ritualistic values and spiritual aspirations.

There is a dial on the north side of temple’s compound that shows Indian standard time which is easy to calculate. A Mandapam is constructed round the main temple and a Kalyana mandapam on the lower level, that provides space to conduct about a thousand Satyanarayan Vrathams at one time and 500 Vrathams can be conducted by the side of Ramalya.

The foundation of a Galigopuram has been laid opposite to the Kalyanamantapam by left side which lies to the south of the compound wall.

The annavaram temple has also installed NavaGrahams and a bigger temple might be built for them in future. Down the steps, there are office rooms, guesthouse, a Choultry and open-air theatre used for HariKathas. The walls of the Vratha halls and the open air theatre have been painted with figures that represent the story of the deity Satyanarayana Swamy and his devotee called Sadhuvu.

A shed for tonsure ceremony, the Kesakhandanasalahas been built on the eastern side of the temple. A new kitchen is also present behind the main temple where the priests prepare Naivedyam for the lord. Another kitchen prepares Prasadam.

The idol of the main deity is 13 feet high and is in cylindrical form. The base of the idol is in the lower sanctum that represents Lord Brahma and the idol’s top situated in upper sanctum that represents lord Vishnu. The idol’s middle portion represents Lord Siva. This image that represents the 3 Lords in a single idol i.e. the Trimurtis-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is of great attraction.

One of the most popular temples in Andhra Pradesh, a unique yantra based on Tripadvibhuti Narayan Upanishad exists here the shrine is constructed in two storeys, the lower one containing the yantra and upper one housing vigrahas of the lord. The idol is about 4 meter high is in cylindrical form.

The base in the lower sanctum represents Lord Vishnu and the middle portion represents Lord Shiva. The image of the deity forming a single idol and representing the Hindu trinity is of unique attraction.

Annavaram Temple Timings

Darshan Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM, 12:30 PM to 9 PM.

Many Poojas are conducted throughout the day by the temple priests and Abhishekas are performed by the devotees at Rs. 100/- per each ticket in the Yantralayam.

Festivals Celebrated here

Ekadashi is a very auspicious occasion for the annavaram temple as this is the best day to perform the Satya Narayan Vratham. Hindus have been performing the Shri Satyanarayana Vratham for ages throughout India.

The vratham is known to bring wealth, prosperity, education, and offspring. A number of pilgrims visit the temple from far and near and the daily average attendance of the temple is two thousand. Ekadashi is a very auspicious occasion for this vratham, but the individual devotees also perform this vratham on any convenient day. The vratham has become all the more popular due to the experience narrated in stories and also due to the legends and observations of daily life.

The vratham has an important fable according to which Sage Narada was once very much distressed about the immense misery of men in this world. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to suggest a way out. The Lord told him about the Satyanarayana Vratham and he said that this would relieve all men of the troubles.

The vratham was also useful to gain worldly prosperity and to achieve salvation after death. Lord narrated that a pious Brahmin from Banaras had performed this magical vratham first. Other people who had performed the Vratham and had benefitted were King Ulkamukha from Bhadrasila Nagaram, Emperor Tungadhwaja, and a Vaishya business man named Sadhuvu.

The community of Gollas in the kingdom of Tungadhwaja and a poor woodcutter from Banaras had performed this vratham. They were all blessed by the great Lord Satya Narayana Swamy (who is Vishnu himself) and they achieved all they desired in life.

This vratham has hence caught fascination of the millions of devotees who have heard the stories and offer respect to the Lord. These stories are easy to understand for the common people as well as within the understanding of the scholars. Thus, all classes of people can perform the vratham and this has popularized it among them as people have been benefitted by the vratham.

According to the texts of the Vratham, Sadhuvu’s daughter Kalavathi had left the prasadam of Lord Satya Narayan to see her husband and thus the husband drowned in the boat in which he was travelling. Thus, Kalavathi was grieved and decided to kill herself. Sadhuvu was extremely grieved to see his only daughter preparing for sahagamana. He thus realized that only Lord Satyanarayana could come to his relief and thus, he fervently prayed to him.

The lord revealed that this catastrophe was inflicted upon them as Kalavathi did not take her prasadam in the hurry to go to her husband. Thus, Kalavathi rushed home and took the prasadam and when she hurried back to the seashore, she saw her husband Ratnakara who was safe on the shore. She then told him all about the Lord and upon hearing this her husband was so much impressed that he heart fully prayed to the Lord and the Lord’s blessings changed the spot into Ratnagiri hill on which the Lord took his permanent abode.

According to legend, the River Pampa running by the hill is the form of the devotee Kalavathi who had melted with ecstasy at the grace of the Lord and of her husband’s achievement and thus began to flow as Pampa River.

Poojas and Rituals at Annavaram Temple

The Sathya Narayan Vratham is performed on Ekadashi and has a specific procedure. First Lord Ganesha and the Navagrahas are offered respect and then the image of the deity is placed on a clean spot.

The Lord is appeased through chants, flowers, and prasadam that includes fruits, sweet wheat flour, and sweets are offered to the deity. The story is then narrated and Aarti is performed at the end. After the prayer, a small lamp is lit near the idol is known as the Aratika. The devotees take prasadam at the conclusion of the pooja.

How to Reach Annavaram Temple – By Rail, Road, and Air

Annavaram is a village situated close to River Pampa in the east Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated about 32 kms from Pithapuram, 51 km from Kakinada and 72 kms from Rajahmundry. The Sri Veeravenkata Satyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Annavaram is well connected by both rail and roadways. It can be reached by road, rail and airways:

By Air: The nearest airport is at the east side of Annavaram at Visakhapatnam and all flights fly to Vishakhapatnam. Annavaram is at a distance of 3 hrs from Visakhapatnam. On the west side of Annvaram, the Rajahmundry Airport is located.

By Train: Many trains that pass between Kolkata and Vijayawada stop at the Annavaram station. One can also stop at Visakhapatnam.

By Road: There are regular buses to Vishakhapatnam as well as Annavaram from all major cities. Madras to Calcutta, National Highway-5 road is going via Annavaram. Regular bus service is available from all nearby towns.

Hotels in Annavaram

Sun Ray Village resort, Visakhapatnam which is the finest resort and family leisure destination at Vizag. Hotel Daspalla is centrally located in the heart of Visakhapatnam near Jagadamba centre.

Nearby Temples

Talupulamma Talli Temple: It is one of the most famous and a well-known place in Andhra Pradesh and people visit for offering pooja to the Goddess after purchasing a new vehicle.

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple: This is an ancient Siva temple in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy Temple: It is located in Samalkota near Annavaram and is a popular temple there.

Vishakhapatnam is near Annavaram and is also a popular tourist attraction in the region. It has been built along the seashore of the Bay of Bengal. It is bounded and broken by the bold headland which is called the dolphin’s nose (357mts above the sea level).

Vishakhapatnam also has a stunning beach. The region’s surrounding area also very picturesque with the well-forested Eastern Ghats and numerous rivers, major among which are the Godavari and Indravati River.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 6, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 11 Comments Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is a major Hindu pilgrimage. Lots of pilgrims come here every day to offer prayer and seek blessings from the Goddess. This temple is located in Gurgaon, Haryana. Sheetala Devi is a Goddess which is being worshipped by people of different parts. People from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, North India, West Bengal worship her. She is better known as pox-goddess. She is also known as Goddess of ghouls, sores, pustules and various other diseases.

This temple is situated near a pond at Gurgaon village. Sheetala Devi Mandir is located in the suburb of Guru Dronacharya’s birth place in the state of Haryana. There is a large crowd of devotees throughout the year except during the month Shravana (July-August). During the month of Chaitra (March-April), this place looks like another Kumbh-Mela. There is a large crowd of pilgrims on Mondays of this month.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon History

There are many stories behind this Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon. One such story is that Goddess Durga has incarnated as little Katyayani. Katyayani was the daughter of the sage who all these demons who were destroying the earth with their evil and wicked power. Sheetala Devi in her real form as Goddess Durga killed the demons that were sent by Kaalkeya.
The demon of fever, Jwarasur, started spreading an incurable disease to all the childhood friends of Katyayani. He spread diseases like cholera, dysentery, measles, smallpox etc. It was Katyayani who cured some of her friends but to relieve the world from all sorts of fever and disease, she took the form of Goddess Sheetala.
Each of her four hand had something or the other to protect the world from fever and destroy the demon. Her hands held a short broom, winnowing fan, jar of cooling water and a cup. With her power, Sheetala Devi cured all the diseased children.
After all the children were cured, Katyayani asked her friend Batuk to go out and face the demon of fever, Jwarasur. The battle happened between the young Batuk and Jwarasur, resulting the death of young Batuk. Batuk, lying on the ground, started disappearing and magically faded into dust.
On seeing Batuk disappeared, Jwarasur became shocked and started wondering where he went. Little did Jwarasur know, Batuk assumed the form of an aweful male figure. This person had three eyes, four arms and a garland of skulls. He had axe, sword, Trishool and demon head. He was black in color. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his hair flowing. He was wearing tiger skin. Batuk took the ferocious form of Lord Shiva, Bhairav.
Bhairav informs the demon of fever that he is the servant of Goddess Durga. They had a long discussion which later converted into battle. During the battle, Jwarasur created many demons but Lord Shiva managed to kill everyone. At the end, Bhairav started wrestling with Jwarasur and end up killing him with his Trident.

Significance of Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala is a sanskrit term which means ‘one who cools’. This Goddess have the various name and is worshipped by these different names in the subcontinent.
Hindus, Buddhists and people from tribal communities worship Goddess Sheetala. Goddess Sheetala is often referred to as Maa by her devotees.
Goddess Sheetala has been clearly mentioned in Tantric and Puranic literature. Her appearence in the vernacular text has strengthened her status.
Goddess Sheetala is majorly famous in North India. In many places, she is often identified as one of the forms of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.
Shitala is known as the seasonal goddess and with honorific titles such as Thakurani, Jagrani, Karunamayi, Mangala, Bhagavati, Dayamayi. In South India, Goddess Sheetala’s role is taken by the Goddess Mariamman, who is worshipped by Dravidian-speaking people.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Timings

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is open for darshan from 6 am to 8 pm.

The Puja of Sheetla Temple is conducted by both, Brahmins and low caste Pujaris. Goddess Sheetla is mainly worshipped in the dry seasons of winter and spring. There are many arti sangrah and stuties for the puja of Goddess Shitala. These arti sangrah and stuties include shri shitla mata chalisa, Shitala Maa ki Arti, Shri Shitala mata ashtak, etc.

Festivals celebrated in Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala Ashtami– this festival is very much popular among Hindu and is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala. This festival is also known as Basoda Puja. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna during the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’. It corresponds to the month of mid-March to April in the Gregorian calendar. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated Holi, generally after eight days. But in some communities, it is celebratedon the first Thursday or Monday that comes after Holi. Also in some districts, Sheetala Ashtami is observed on the ‘ashtami’ of the Krishna Paksha, every month, but of all these, the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is considered most propitious.

The celebrations of Sheetala Ashtami are very famous in the north Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. In the Indian state of Rajasthan, the Sheetala Ashtami festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. A huge fair is organized for this occasion and several musical events and programmes are also staged. Devotees celebrate this festival with immense joy and devotion. It is believed that by keeping the vrat on this chosen day, they will be prevented from several deadly diseases. On the day of Sheetala Ashtami according to the traditions, the families do not lit the fire for the purpose of cooking. They, therefore, prepare food a day in advance and consume the stale food on an actual day. It is only in Sheetala Ashtami that there is the unique custom of offering stale food to Goddess Sheetala.

Devotees get up early, before sunrise and take a bath. They visit the Sheetala Devi temple and worship the Goddess with ‘haldi’ and ‘bajra’. After performing the puja rituals they listen to the ‘Basoda Vrat Katha’. ‘Rabri’, ‘curd’ and other essential offerings are then made to Goddess Sheetala. People also take blessings from their elders. After offering the prepared food to the Goddess, rest of the food is eaten all day long as Prasad and is known as ‘Basoda’ in the local language. The food is also distributed among other devotees and also given to the poor and needy people. On this day reading ‘Sheetalashtak’ is also considered favourable.

How to Reach Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon : Road, Rail, and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to Sheetala Mata Mandir Gurgaon is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
By Road: The state transport buses connect Gurgaon to neighboring cities within the state and in neighboring states.
By Rail: Nearest big Railway Stations are New Delhi Railway Station & Nizamudin Railway Station.

Where to stay in Gurgaon?

There are various places where one can live. There are various hotels and private organizations which provide dwelling places for the tourists. There are many hotels who provide proper hygiene, clean food, and wifi for they customers. These hotels are built keeping the needs and budget in mind. These hotels have a clean and hygienic environment. Tourists are treated very well by the hotel staffs as well.

These hotels and private organizations donot charge high keeping the budget and the needs of the customers. They provide a very pleasant environment and stay for the tourist. They provide clean and healthy home-made food for the tourist. Nowadays, all the hotels provide tourists with wifi facility so that they can enjoy their stay more and remain connected to the whole world.

Where to eat?

The Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main courses and is given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust.

Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.

Places to visit nearby

Sitaram Mandir– A partly-in-ruins temple in Gurgaon, Sitaram Mandir, as the name suggests is dedicated to Lord Ram and his consort, Sita. Located in Farrukhnagar area of the place, this temple is one of the places of worship for the Hindus. One of the most distinct aspects of the temple is its architectural style. The temple is a three-dome structure and resembles a mosque. Another unique fact is that though Sitaram Mandir is a temple that looks like a mosque, it also serves the function of a gurudwara. Farrukhnagar is near Savera Group of Institutions and can be reached by hiring a cab or an auto-rickshaw.