Travel Guide to Famous Temples

[display_search_form]

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

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

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

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

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

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

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir History

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

Significance of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

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

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Timings

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

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

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

Everyday Arati timings are as follows:

Arati	Summer	Winter
	(April – October)	(November – March)
Mangal Arati	4.45am – 5.15am	5.45am – 6.15am
Puja	8.00am	8.30am
Bhog Arati	11.20am – 11.50am	11.20am – 11.50am
Sandhyarati	6.30pm – 7.30pm	6.00pm – 7.00pm

Musical Fountain Timings

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

Poojas and Rituals at Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

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

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

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

Mandir also assists devotees in conducting personal obeisance.

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

Festivals Celebrated at CR Park Mandir

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

Activities

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

Sports & Cultural Activities

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

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

Social Activities

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

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

Where to eat

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

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

Where to Stay

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

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

How to reach

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

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

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

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

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

Nearby Temples

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

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

Rumtek Buddhist Monastery, Sikkim

September 8, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: North - East Temples Tagged With: Buddha Temples

Rumtek Monastery is a Gompa. It is also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre. This monastery is located at Sikkim, Gangtok. The monastery was originally built in the mid-1700s, under the direction of Changchub Dorje. It is one of the most significant monasteries in Sikkim. The shrine was established to spread the teachings of the Buddha throughout the world.

This monastery is a storehouse of many religious art objects. It also houses some of the world’s most unique religious scriptures. Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, a Buddhist college, is situated opposite to the monastery. The monastery gained its importance after China annexed Tibet because of which many religious gurus relocated from Tibet to Sikkim.

What is the history of Rumtek Monastery?

The Rumtek Monastery was originally built in the mid-1700s, under the direction of Changchub Dorje. This monstery served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. However, when the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, in 1959, he found that the monastery was in ruins. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje fleed from Tibet. He then decided to rebuild Rumtek. The construction of the monastery was completed after 4 years.

The 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat, on Losar in 1966. It was called ‘The Dharmachakra Centre’: a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa.

It is said that the 1st Karmapa spent many years meditating in a cave here. Ten thousand fairies came to congratulate the Karmapa and each offered him a strand of their hair. The Karmapa wore these strands of hair as a black hat. This was passed down and is still worn by the karmapa on ceremonial occasions.

What is the architecture of Rumtek Monastery?

The Rumtek Monastery is a fabulous and piece of work. It has used some of the rarest Buddhist religious artwork in the form of wall murals and thanks.

The Rumtek Monastery is a three-storeyed building. The monastery contains a marvelous main temple. It has a monastic college where the relics of the Sixteenth Karmapa are preserved. The monastery also has a golden stupa and a magnificent Buddha statue.

The main structure of the Monastery has been made in accordance with the traditional designs of the Tibetan monasteries.
The top floor of the monastery has a terrace and also a tiny stupa.
The ground floor of the Monastery has a large prayer hall. The floor is decorated with large hand painted and intricate murals, statues. silk paintings and thankas.
There is a shrine in the main building. The decoration of the shrine is a traditional manner with religious texts.
There are buildings for the monks to live in front of the main monastery.

How to reach Rumtek Monastery?

The Rumtek Monastery is located at a distance of 23 km from Gangtok.

Train: Take a train to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From there you can drive to Gangtok. It takes around 4-5 hours.

Air: Take a flight to Bagdogra, West Bengal. From there you can drive to Gangtok.

Road: Sikkim is well-connected to all major places via road.

What are the timings of Rumtek Monastery?

The Rumtek Monastery is open for the tourists on all days a week.

The timings are 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

What is the entry fees of the Rumtek Monastery?

The entry fees of the Monastery is Rs. 10 per person.

What are the festivals observed in the Rumtek Monastery?

There are two festivals that are observed in the Rumtek Buddhist Monastery.

Vajrakilaya Drupchen: This is celebrated on the fifth month of the lunar calendar of Tibet. It pays homage to the Guru Padmasambhava – the most important monk. This festival is celebrated for ten days.
‘Lama’ dance: This traditional and holy dance is performed on the last day. It is a delight to watch the performance.

Rudranath Temple

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Kedar, Shiva Temples

Rudranath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva, present in the Grahwal region of Uttarakhand. It comes third, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. It is followed by Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, the face of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here.

Many people consider Rudranath as the most difficult temple to reach, among the Panch Kedar temples, which are the five holy temples of Shaivite dedicated to Lord Shiva. Moreover, the Garhwal region is also called the Kedar-Khanda because ‘Kedar’ is a local name for Lord Shiva. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Destinations within Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Rudranath Temple?

According to the history, Pandavas established the Rudranath temple. Pandavas slew their kin Kauravas during the Mahabharata. Hence, Rishi Vyas advised them to go to Lord Shiva, because only he could absolve them of their sins. However, Shiva kept hiding from them and took the form of a bull.

Then, he went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi. Later, Lord Shiva’s body parts as a bull rematerialised at five locations. The Pandavas then built Shiva temples in these five places, popular as ‘Panch Kedar’ (Find out more about the Char Dham Yatra). Rudranath Temple is the place where the face of Lord Shiva appeared. At Nandikund, devotees worship old historic swords protruding from the rocks, believing them to be of Pandavas.

What is the significance of Rudranath Temple?

The significance of Rudranath temple is that pools like Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund surround it. There are also peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti present near the temple. Moreover, it is the toughest trek to reach compared to other Panch Kedar temples.

Before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy bath in the Narad Kund. As per beilefs, the deity appeared by itself, and hence is a ‘swayambhu’. It is a Shivalinga whose shape is like a human face. Also, the holy river Vaitarani or Baitarani or Rudraganga flows near the temple. Devotees believe that this river leads to salvation and hence, they come here to perform the last rites of the deceased.

What are the timings of Rudranath Temple?

Here are the timings of Rudranath Temple:

Timings	From
Open	6 AM
Close	7 PM
Morning Aarti	6 AM
Evening Aarti	6:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at RudranathTemple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Rudranath Temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour 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 as well as meditating.
Doli Yatra: In the winters, devotees bring a symbolic image of Lord Shiva to Gopeshwar for worship in a Doli Yatra which goes through Sagar village. When the yatris reach Pitradhar, they worship their ancestors and at the end of the journey, they reach Rudranath along with the image.
Annual fair: The temple conducts a fair on the full moon day of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar. It is mostly on the day of Raksha Bandhan and mainly the locals attend the fair.

How to reach Rudranath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Rudranath Temple:

Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun 258 km away.
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh 241 km away.
Road: Automobiles can be used till village Sagar. After that, one has to complete a 20 km trek in order to reach the temple.

Where to stay near Rudranath Temple?

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

The Tattva Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, 24-hour room service and Laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include A 24-hour front desk.
Monal Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, a 24-hour business centre and Concierge services are available at this resort. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include Dry cleaning, A 24-hour front desk and a garden.
Hotel Mandakini: This hotel features a restaurant, a rooftop terrace and 24-hour room service are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a meeting room and A 24-hour front desk are on-site.

What are the other Panch Kedar temples?

The other Panch Kedar Temples are:

Kedarnath Temple: It is the first, and the most famous temple among the Panch Kedar templs of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is the place where the hump of the bull form of Lord Shiva appeared. The temple remains closed during winters and at that time, devotees bring the idols of the temple to Ukhimath for worship. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, which is the historical name of the region.
Tungnath Temple: It comes second, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, Tunganath mountains form Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath is the place where the bahu (hands) appeared.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple: It comes fourth, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples followed by Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the temple.Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the place where the navel of Lord Shiva appeared.
Kalpeshwar Temple:It comes last, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. One must visit Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. It is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. Also, it is a small temple and devotees have to pass through a cave passage in order to reach it. Kalpeshwar Temple is the place where the Jata (Tress) of Lord Shiva appeared.

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

Morgaon Ganpati Temple Guide – Vigneshwara Ashtavinayaka – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 15, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 22 Comments Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Ashtavinayak Temples, Ganesha Temples

Morgaon Ganpati Temple is a famous pilgrimage destination and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located in Moragaon near Pune in the state of Maharashtra. It operates under the administration of the Chinchwad Devasthan Trust.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Ashtavinayaka Yatra Tour Packages.

Morgaon Ganpati Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Ganesha
Location	Morgaon, Pune
Significance	Asthavinayaka Temples
Best Time to Visit	August to February
Darshan timings	5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional (no compulsion)
Festivals	Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesha Jayanti, Shukla Chaturthi

Morgaon Ganpati Temple is also famous as ‘Shri Mayureshwar Mandir’ or ‘Shri Moreshwar Mandir.’

MORGAON-GANPATI-TEMPLE-min — Morgaon Ganpati Temple is one of the Vigneshwara Asthavinayaka temples

The temple is one of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple is the starting and ending point of Ashtavinayaka Yatra. The eleven staircases of the temple have importance. Also, the ‘Nandi’ in front of the temple is a symbol of spirituality.

Moreshwar Morgaon Ganpati Temple Darshan

Morgaon Ganpati Temple – Timings

Morgaon Ganpati temple opens at 5:00 AM in the morning till 10:00 PM. The morning hours are 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the evening hours are 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It is open on all 365 days.

Here are the timings for Morgaon Ganpati temple:

Darshan	5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Mahaprasada	12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Morning Hours	5:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening Hours	3:00 PM to 10:00 PM

What are the poojas and rituals in Morgaon Ganpati Temple?

Some of the major poojas that take place in the temple are Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti, Magh Suddha Chaturthi, etc. Regular Prakshal Puja, Panchopachar Puja, and Shejaartis are performed.

The daily poojas and rituals include,

Prakshal Puja	5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Shodashopachar Puja Morning	7:00 AM
Shodashopachar Puja Noon	12:00 PM
Panchopachar Puja	8:00 PM
Samudaik Evening Aarti	7:30 PM
Shej Aarti	10:00 PM

SHEJAARTI-min — Shejaarti happens at 10:00 pm in the Morgaon Ganpati temple

What is the significance of the Morgaon Ganpati Temple?

The significance of Morgaon Ganapati Temple is that a huge stone boundary encloses the place of worship with minarets at four corners of the temple. The four gates which depict four ages of life face a cardinal direction with an image of Ganesha. Each form relates to the aim of life. It is an Asthavinayaka temple and is made up of a single stone and the Garbhagriha houses a central image of the Lord facing the north direction.

stone-boundaries-min — Stone boundaries are an unique feature of the Morgaon Ganpati temple

The Morgaon Ganpati temple is the 1^th temple in the Asthavinayaka Yatra.

The courtyard has two Deepmalas and a 6-foot mouse that sits in front of the temple. An enormous structure of Nandi faces the Lord on the outside of the temple gates. The space around the assembly hall contains 23 different idols symbolizing various forms of Lord Ganesha. Recently there is an assembly hall which is the home to the deities of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

What is the history of the Morgaon Ganpati Temple?

The history states that there was a prominent Ganapatya saint named Morya Gosavi. He worshiped at the Morgaon Ganesha temple before relocating to Chinchwad. There, he built a new shrine. This temple along with other temples near Pune enjoyed royal patronage from the Brahmin Peshwa rulers.

According to Ganesha Purana, Lord Ganesha incarnated as Mayureshwar who had six arms and a white complexion. He was born in the Treta Yuga for the purpose of killing the demon named Sindhu. The Lord came down on a peacock mount and waged a battle against Sindhu and later defeated him.

Another significant Ganapatya legend states that Lord Brahma along with Vishnu, Shiva, the Divine Mother Devi, and Surya meditated at Morgaon to gain knowledge about their creator and the purpose of existence. Then Lord Ganesha appeared before them in the form of an Omkara flame and blessed them.

Morya-Gosavi-min — Moreshwara is the other name for Morgaon Ganpati temple behind the saint Morya Gosavi

What are the festivals in Morgaon Ganpati Temple?

Here are some of the festivals celebrated at Morgaon Ganapati Temple:

Morgaon Ganpati temple witnesses the majority of its crowd from January to September, which is the festival period of the year for the temple.

Ganesh Jayanti – The festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha sees thousands of devotees assembling in the temple premises. It is one of the most important festivals that take place during the month of January or February.
Ganesh Chaturthi – It is a major festival in this temple. It takes places in the month of August or September. It is often celebrated for a period of five days and marks the beginning of a series of Hindu celebrations.
Bhadrapada Month Celebrations – Every year people from distant places gather in this place to offer prayers and seek blessings from the Almighty. It falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, August/September and the celebrations last for more than a month. Devotees can offer a donation to the Chinchwad Deosthan Trust and collect the receipt. The Prasad can be sent to the pilgrims by post.
Vijayadasami – Vijayadasami is another major festival in Morgaon Ganpati temple. It is celebrated in the month of September or October along with Navaratri, a major Hindu festival.

Some other festivals observed in this temple include Shukla Chaturthi, Krishna Chaturthi, and Somavati Amavasya. All of these festivals depend on the positions of the moon and the sun. They usually take place between January to September.

ganesh-chaturthi-Festival — Ganesh Chaturthi is a major festival in Morgaon Ganpati temple

How to Reach Morgaon Ganapati Temple?

Here’s how to reach Morgaon Ganapati Temple:

Air – For tourists planning to visit this auspicious shrine by flight, Pune airport is the nearest destination, within 75 km.
Train – The Jejuri Railway Station located at 17 km from the temple is the nearest railway station.
Road – Special buses called Asthavinayaka darshan take tourists to all the eight temples. Buses to and from Pune are also available at the temple location itself.

Where to stay near Morgaon Ganpati Temple?

The temple guest house is not available without special recommendations but there are many good places to lodge near the temple grounds. For example, pilgrims traveling alone or on a limited budget can opt for dormitories or share rooms. And for people traveling with family, double to triple bedded rooms are also available.

From Rs 500 per night to Rs 5000 per night, a variety of hotels at different prices ranges are available. However, it is always advisable to book one’s accommodation in advance. One can also avail the free pickup and drop services of the hotels to avoid extra traveling issues.

Please carry a valid identity proof while making reservations at the hotel.

Where to eat near Morgaon Ganapati Temple?

In Morgaon, pilgrims can enjoy authentic Maharashtrian cuisine. Temple bhog is also available during the afternoon. The place surrounding the temple is stacked with both veg and non-veg food stalls. Many hotels to have their own personal restaurants where the food quality and quantity is great.

Maharastrian-CUISINE-min — Maharashtrian cuisine is extremely popular around the Morgaon Ganpati temple region

What are some temples near Morgaon Ganapati Temple?

1) Shree Khandoba Temple – Khandoba, otherwise called Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand, and Mallu Khan is a local Hindu God. People worship him as Martanda Bhairava, a form of Shiva, primarily in the Indian Deccan Plateau. It is located at a distance of 103 km from Morgaon Ganpati temple.

2) Baleshwar Mandir – Rulers of Chand dynasty built this famous temple. It is at a distance of 284 km from Morgaon Ganpati temple. Devotees worship Lord Shiva as Baleshwar. Moreover, here are two different sanctuaries in the compound of Baleshwar. One for Ratneshwar and the other for Champawati Durga.

Shree-Khandoba-Temple-1-min — Shree Khandoba temple is at a distance of 103 km from Morgaon Ganpati temple

What are the other Ashtavinayak Temples?

Here’s a list of the other Ashtavinayak Temples:

1)Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri: Goddess Parvathi performed penance at this place to have a child. Her prayers were answered when Lord Ganesh was born. The temple gets its name from the words Girija (Parvathi) and Atmaj (son). It is in Lenyadri, 87 km from the Vighneswar Vinayak temple

2)Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Siddhatek: Lord Vishnu appeased Lord Ganesh at this place before slaying the demons Madhu and Kaitabh. Lord Siddhi Vinayak is the only idol with the trunk pointing towards the right. It is in Siddhatek, 160km from the Girijatmaj Temple.

3)Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali: This temple is named after Lord Ganesh’s devotee Ballal. This is the only Ganesh Temple named after a devotee. It is in Pali, 180 km from the Girijatmaj Temple.

4)Varad Vinayak Temple, Mahad: Lord Ganesh is Varadha Vinayak, the Lord who grants boons and wishes. It is in Mahad, 146 km from the Girijatmaj temple.

5)Chintamani Temple, Theur: Lord Ganesh retrieved the invaluable jewel – Chintamani from a greedy demon and gave it back to sage Kapila. The sage rewarded Lord Ganesh by placing it around Lord Ganesh’s neck. As a result, he was as Chintamani Vinayak. It is in Theur, 110 km from the Girijatmaj temple.

6)Vighneshwar Vinayak Temple, Ozar: Lord Indra sent Vighnasur to disturb King Abhinandan’s prayer. The troubled devotees turned to Lord Ganesh who defeated the demon at this place. It is in Ozar, 87 km from the Girijatmaj temple.

7)Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon: Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Ganesh here before proceeding to defeat the demon Tripurasura. It is in Ranjangaon, 86 km from the Girijatmaj temple.

Asthavinyaka Temples — All 8 Vigneshwara Asthavinayaka temples across Maharashtra

Frequently Asked Questions about Morgaon Ganpati Temple –

What is the best time to visit Morgaon Ganpati temple?

Most festivals in the Morgaon Ganpati temple fall by January, so the best season to visit is between August to January.

Is the Morgaon Ganpati temple open on all days?

Yes, the temple is open on all 365 days.

What are the darshan timings for Morgaon Ganpati temple?

The darshan timings are from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM in the Morgaon Ganpati temple.

Is there an entry free for Morgaon Ganpati temple?

No, there is no entry fee involved in the Morgaon Ganpati temple.

Is there a free parking space in Morgaon Ganpati temple?

Yes, there is a free parking space available.

Is photography allowed inside Morgaon Ganpati temple?

No, photography isn’t allowed inside the temple grounds.

What is the nearest airport from Morgaon Ganpati temple?

The nearest airport to Morgaon Ganpati temple is the Pune airport less than 100 km away.

What is the temperature in Morgaon Ganpati temple during August/September?

The average temperature in Morgaon Ganpati temple during August/September is around 30 to 35-degree centigrade.

If you have any questions about Morgaon Ganpati temple, please leave your comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

Lingaraj Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 14, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 11 Comments Filed Under: Odisha Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Lingaraj Temple is a dedication in the form of a temple to Lord Shiva. It is located in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The term ‘Lingaraja’ translates to the ‘king of Lingas’, i.e. Lord Shiva. Our guide explains the significance of Lingaraj temple, timings, history, poojas, dress code, official website and how to reach Lingaraj temple.

The temple was the captial of the Kalinga Empire in ancient times. Lingaraj Temple is the largest temple in Bhubneshwar till date. King Jajati Kedhari built this temple in the 11th century.

Moreover, it is believed to be the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar. Shiva’s Trishul and Vishnu’s Chakra are present at the entrance of the temple. However, there is ‘Simhadwara’ or ‘Lions Gate’ on the eastern side of the shrine. The temple follows Deula style of architecture. And there are 50 other shrines enclosed in a walled enclosure.

Facts about Lingaraj Temple

Opening and Closing Timings	6:00 am – 9:00 pm (Open) 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Closed)
Entry Fee	No Entry Fee
Main Deity	Lingaraj ( Lord Shiva)
Location	Bhubneshwar, Orissa
Nearest Airport	Biju Patnaik Airport

What are the timings of Lingaraj Temple?

Devotees can visit the temple during the following timings-

Timings	From	To
Morning	6:00 am	12:30 pm
Afternoon Break	12:30 pm	3.30 pm
Evening	3:30 pm	9:00 pm

What are the sevas and poojas of Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the sevas and pujas of Lingaraj temple are:

List of Rituals or Poojas
Ballabha Bhoga
Sakala Dhupa
Bhanda Dhupa
Palia Badu
Sahana Dhupa
Bada Singara

What is the significance of the Lingaraj Temple?

The significance of the Lingaraj Temple is that it is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar. In this temple, devotees worship Shiva as Harihara, which is a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. It represents the Kalinga or Deula style of architecture and has four parts- Garbh Griha, Yajna Shala, Bhoga Mandap and Natya Shala.

The granite statue is 54.8 meters high, 8 feet in diameter and is present on a platform that is 8 inches above the ground. Also, the priests worship the deity daily with water, milk and bhang (marijuana). On an average around 6000 devotees visit the auspicious shrine on a daily basis.

Significance of Lingaraj Temple — Devotees worship Shiva here in Harihara avatar which is a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu.

Aside from Garbh Griha, the ‘Natya Mandir’ hints towards its connection with the devadasi connection. Other than the Lingam, the parsva devta reveres the site, where Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikay and Goddess Parvati are put in various paths.

Each of the pictures is gigantic and showcased incredible workmanship. The devotees decorate the idols with rich draperies and jewellery.

What is the history of Lingaraj Temple?

‘Lingaraj’ translates to the King of Lingam, that is none other than Lord Shiva. In the beginning, Shiva was worshipped as Kirtivasa and then later he became popular as Harihara which is the form people worship him in now.

Moreover, he later gained popularity as Tribhuvaneshwara. Also called Bhubneshwar, the monarch of the three worlds namely earth, heaven and netherworld. His companion Goddess Parvati then came to be known as Bhuvneshwari.

Historians predict that the present form of Lingaraj temple was built in the last decade of the eleventh century. Evidence in some of the seventh century Sanskrit texts concludes that the construction of some parts of the temple took place in the sixth century CE.

According to Fergusson the initiation for the temple was done by Lalat Indu Keshari who ruled in 615-657 CE. The construction of Assembly Hall (Jagamohana), sanctum and temple tower dates back to 11th century. However, the construction of the offering hall (Bhoga-Mandapa) took place in the twelfth century.

The credits for the construction of Nata Mandira is given to the wife of Salini between 1099 and 1104 CE. The timing of the completion of the Lingaraj temple coincided with the growth of the Jagannath sect. Hence, historians believe that Harihara form that is the combination of Shiva and Vishnu co-exist in the temple.

Later, the rulers of the Ganga Dynasty who were followers of Vaishnavism built the Jagannath temple at Puri in the twelfth century.

Legends of the Lingaraj Temple

One of the legends dictates the time when Shiva preferred Bhubneshwar or Ekamra Titha over Benaras. Therefore, Goddess Parvati disguised herself as a women shepherd to look around the place.

And as she was doing so, she came across two demons namely, Kriti and Vasa who had desires to marry her. Then Parvati requested them to try and carry her on their shoulders. Nevertheless, the goddess crushed them both under her.

As a result, Lord Shiva did the creation of Bindu Sagar Lake to quench Parvati’s thirst. Since then he took the decision to dwell here as Kritivasa or Lingaraj.

Legends of Lingaraj Temple — This lake created by Shiva to quench the thirst of Goddess Parvati is also believed to cure illnesses.

What are the festivals celebrated at Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Lingaraj Temple are:

Shivaratri: This important festival calls for a huge celebration every year in the temple premises. Devotees flock to the temple in huge amounts and pray all night. Moreover, here this day marks the killing of a demon by Lord Shiva.
Sunian day: This is another occasion that devotees observe since ages. This day falls in the Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar. All the temple servants, farmers and other owners of temple lands offer devotion and tribute to Lingaraja on this auspicious day.
Candan Yatra: This is a 22-day celebration in the temple. During this time devotees smear the deities and servants of the temple with sandalwood paste. For further enjoyment, they go to the special Bindusagar tank.
Ratha Yatra: This chariot festival takes place every year on Ashokaashtami. Devotees place the idols of Lingaraja and his sister Rukmani in a chariot. Hereafter, the devotees pull them to the Rameshwar Deula temple.

Rules to follow inside the Lingaraj temple

Only Hindus are allowed to enter the shrine of the main deity. Foreigners are restricted and can view the temple from an outer platform.
Devotees must wear a traditional Hindu attire while visiting the temple. One can wear clothes like saree, suit, lehenga, kurta-pajama etc.
Temple authorities prohibit the devotees from carrying leather bags inside the temple. Also outside food, adhesives and camera strictly prohibited.

How to Reach the Lingaraj Temple?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air– The Biju Patnaik Airport is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 3.5 km away from the temple.
Train– Bhubaneswar Railway Station is well connected with every major city in India. It is 4.7 km away from the temple.
Road– Baramunda bus stand is nearest to the temple. It is 9 km away from Lingaraj temple. Bhubaneswar is situated on the NH5.

Where to stay near Lingaraj Temple?

Although the temple authorities do not provide staying facility to its visitors, there are a number of good hotels around Lingaraj. Check out these-

Fortune Park Sishmo– This hotel is a humble retreat for the travellers. It is packed with all the luxuries and offers top-notch hospitality. However, it is just 2.4 km away from the temple.
Hotel Sairegent– This place is another stay which is as close as 0.7 km from Lingaraj temple. This place offers a variety of modern facilities and is quite budget-friendly too.
Mango Hotels Prangam– This another divine stay in the city of Bhubneshwar. It is 3.1 km away from Lingaraj temple. In addition to this, the place offers the best of comfort to its guests.

What are some temples near Lingaraj Temple?

Some of the temples near Lingaraj Temple are:

Puri Temple – It is one of the most sacred destinations in Eastern India. Being one of the four Dham’s, it is the abode of Lord Jagannath. It is 65 km from Bhubaneswar which draws plenty of people during the Rath Yatra festival.
Konark Temple – This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nevertheless, t is 45 km away from Bhubaneswar. This temple is a dedication to the Sun God and has remarkable architecture.
Biraja Temple – This temple has a total of 51 Shakti peeths, out of which 18 are Maha Shakti peeths. This place is where Goddess’s navel fell. It is present at a distance of 115 km from the city of Bhubaneswar.
Rajarani Temple – Dedicated to Lord Brahma, this temple contains an exceptional form of limestone which makes it unique and mesmerizing. It is just 5 km away from the capital city of Odisha.

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