Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Dhyan Badri – Sapta Badri

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Sapta Badri, Vishnu Temples

Dhyan Badri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located in Urgam Valley near Kalpeshwar, in the Chamoli district, Uttarakhand at an elevation of 2,135 m above sea level. It is the sixth temple complex among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. It’s part of the famous ‘Sapta Badri‘ pilgrimage circuit. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Package within Uttarakhand.

In ancient times, the path to the temple went through the Badri van (Forest of berries). Hence, the suffix ‘Badri‘ is added to the seven holy shrines of Lord Vishnu.

Dhyan Badri – Facts

Deity	Lord Vishnu
Location	Badri to Mata Murti road, Badrinath, Uttarakhand 246422
Best Time to Visit	May to June and September to October
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Krishna Janmashtmi, Makar Sankranti

Dhyan Badri temple is dedicated to legend Urvarishi, son of the King Puranjaya, a descendant of Pandavas who meditated in the Urgam Valley for Lord Vishnu and established this shrine Tirth Dham dedicated to him.

The idol made of black stone and is a four-armed in a meditative form.

What are the timings of Dhyan Badri?

Here are the timings of the temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning	5 AM	12 PM
Evening	2 PM	9 PM

What is the significance of Dhyan Badri?

The significance of Dhyan Badri is that-

The temple has an image of Lord Vishnu which was established by Urvarishi.
Moreover, the temple is sometimes included in the Panch-Badri list.
Also, Brahmins from Southern India serve as head priests in the temple.

This image of Vishnu in the temple is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture.

What is the history of Dhyan Badri?

The legend of Dhyan Badri is related to Urvarishi, son of King Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage. He meditated in Urgam valley and established a temple of Lord Vishnu here. Moreover, Kalpeshwar temple in honor of Lord Shiva is present at a distance of 2 km from Dhyan Badri.

Dhyan Badri History — Urvarishi meditated in Urgam valley and established a temple of Lord Vishnu.

Devotees also believe that Shri Adi Shankaracharya established Kalpeshwar Temple.

What are the festivals celebrated at Dhyan Badri?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Dhyan Badri are:

Krishna Janmashtmi: It is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It occurs according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is also a very important festival for the followers of Lord Vishnu.
Makar Sankranti: This festival occurs each year in January to appease the Sun God. It is the first day when Sun enters Capricorn and marks the lengthening of daytime in the forthcoming days. This day also includes colorful decorations, preparation of sweets with sesame seeds and children asking for treats and pocket money.

Adi Badri Festivals — Makar Sankranti and Krishna Janmashtmi are celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Dhyan Badri?

Here’s how to reach Dhyan Badri:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
Train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations.
Road: One can reach Helang Chatti which is on the NH7 (Chamoli – Joshimath road). From there, one has to drive to Ugram Valley where the temple is present.

Where to stay near Dhyan Badri?

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

Hotel Sudarshan Palace: Hotel Sudarshan Palace has facilities such as 24-hour front desk, garden area and parking facility within its premises. Amenities such as bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony and attached bathroom are available.
Hotel Kuber Annex: The facilities offered here are front desk, room service, power backup, STD PCO facility, doctor on call. Massage service is also available here so that guests can relax after trekking. A helicopter booking facility is also available at the hotel.
Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers facilities suchlike parking and telephone. With a team of skilled professionals, the property ensures also the fulfillment of all needs of guests. Moreover, in case of medical emergencies, one can avail the doctor on call facility at the hotel.

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

What are the other Sapta Badri destinations?

The other Sapta Badri destinations are:

Adi Badri: It is the second among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. When Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in weather, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple. Moreover, the sanctum of the temple has an image of Lord Vishnu which is 1 meter high and has been carved out of black stone.
Vriddha Badri: It is the third among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. Devotees also believed that Adi Shankaracharya worshipped Badrinath here before enshrining Him in the main Badrinath temple. Vriddha Badri is temple is open for devotees and pilgrims throughout the year.
Bhavishya Badri: It is the fourth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. According to beliefs, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. Even the name of the place literally translates to ‘Future Badri’, implying that it will be the future residence of Lord Badri.
Yogadhyan Badri: It is the fifth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. As per mythology, the Pandavas were born here, and Pandu attained salvation and died here. Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that Pandu installed this image, which depicts Vishnu to be meditating (Dhyan). Hence, the name of the shrine comes from the posture of the image, and it is popular as ‘Yoga-Dhyan’ Badri.
Ardha Badri: It is the seventh among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. In comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu here is smaller. Hence, the name of the temple roughly means ‘the little Badri’.

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

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Guide – Timings, Sevas and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 48 Comments Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples, Tirumala Tagged With: Vishnu Temples

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is the most popular Vaishnavite temple in the world. It is located in Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity, Lord Venkateshwara, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is believed to have appeared to save humankind from Kaliyuga effects.

Who is Lord Venkateswara?

Tirupati Balaji Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Venkateshwara
Location	Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh
Significance	Vaishnavite Temple
Best Time to Visit	September to March
Darshan Timings	3 AM to 1 AM
Entry Fee	Free
VIP Darshan	Rs.300 per person
Senior Citizen Darshan	Free
Dress Code	Indian Traditional
Festivals	Brahmotsavam, Teppotsavam

The temple is located at the peak of Tirumala hill, also known as Venkatadri. The Venkatadri is one of the seven hills (Saptagiri) considered holy by the Hindus. These seven hills are – Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri.

Tirupati Balaji Darshan

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is also known as Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple or just Tirumala Temple.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Timings

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple opens as early as 3 AM in the morning. The temple closes at 1:30 AM the next day although General Darshan stops after 1 AM.

Here are the different kind of Darshans and their respective timings:

General Darshan (Sarva Darshanam) – This Darshan is open for the general public. The timings are different each day of the week.
- Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday – The Darshan starts from 7:30 AM – 7 PM in the evening. It resumes from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
- Wednesday and Friday – The Darshan starts from 9 AM till 7 PM in the evening and again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
- Thursday – The Darshan starts early from 8 AM till 7 PM and then again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
VIP Darshan (Sheeghra Darshan) – It is for immediate Darshan. The ticket cost is Rs. 300 per person. Pilgrims can also make an advance booking on the official website at www.ttdsevaonline.com. This Darshan starts from 9 AM daily till 3 PM.
Tirumala Darshan by Walk (Divya Darshan) – This Darshan facility is only for those pilgrims who walk up the hill to reach the temple. Alipiri Mettu and Srivari Mettu are the two routes.
Special Darshan for Senior Citizens – Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their age to the authorities.
Special Darshan for Physically Challenged – Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their disability to the authorities.
Infant Darshan: TTD has facilitated special darshan for parents carrying infants under one year of age.
Newly Married Couple Darshan: There is also a special darshan for newly married couples through the Supadham entrance.

General Darshan
↳ Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday	7:30 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
↳ Wednesday and Friday	9 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
↳ Thursday	8 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
VIP Darshan	9 AM to 3 PM
Special Darshan for Handicapped	10 AM and 3 PM

Tirupati Balaji Darshan Procedure

Pilgrims are can contact any one of the three counters present inside the temple premises.
- Vaikuntha Queue Complex
- Rambagicha Complex
- Amenities Complex
Here, pilgrims will receive their respective Sudarshan bands at a minimal cost. These bands will inform the pilgrims of the time at which they can have the Darshan of God.
In this way, pilgrims do not have to wait in long queues. They can explore the Temple Complex area meanwhile. And they can report to the queue only when it is their turn to have the Darshan.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Darshan Entrance — **The Golden Gate Entrance to Tirupati Balaji Temple is used by the pilgrims.**

Tirumala Temple Dress Code

The Tirupati Balaji Temple Devasthanam administration introduced a dress code for men and women from 2013.

Men are required to wear traditional dhoti or pajama with a shirt or kurta. Women are required to wear either a saree or a Churidar pajama with a kurta.

Poojas and Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

Here is a list of all Poojas and Sevas at Tirupati Balaji Temple. We can divide them into three types: The Daily Sevas, the Weekly Sevas, and the Periodical Sevas.

Tirumala Daily Sevas

Suprabhatam – This Seva is done at 2:30 AM in the morning to wake the Lord from his sleep. After that, the priests carry the idol from Sayana Mandapam (sleeping place) to the Ananda Nilayam (main shrine). The ticket costs Rs. 200 per person.
Thomala Seva – This Seva starts at 3:30 AM and lasts for 30 minutes. Priests decorate the idols with garlands made of Tulsi and various flowers. Pilgrims can watch this only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The ticket price is Rs. 220 per person.
Venkateshwara Sahasranama Archana – This Archana starts at 4:15 AM. In this Pooja, devotees recite the 1008 names of Lord Vishnu. Priests also call the blessings in the names and Gothra of the pilgrims taking part in the pooja. Pilgrims can perform the Seva on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The ticket price is Rs. 220 per person.
Ekantha Seva – It is the last Seva of the day and starts at 1:30 AM. The priests lay down the silver image on a golden cot in a sleeping position.

Poojas & Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji — **Priests performing Daily Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple**

Tirumala Weekly Sevas

Vishesha Pooja on Mondays – This Pooja starts from 7:30 AM to 9 AM. Priests recite several stotras and perform an Abhisheka. Then, they place 14 Kalash in front of the deities. They consist of oil, milk, curd, rice, and holy water in them.
Ashtadala – Pada Padmaaradhana on Tuesdays – This Seva starts from 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM. Priests recite 108 names of the Lord Vishnu, each name accompanied by a Lotus flower. People also worship Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi and then a Ratha Aarti. The cost of the ticket is Rs. 2500 for 5 persons.
Sahasra Kalabhishekam on Wednesdays – The ritual starts from 6:30 AM till 8:30 AM. In this unique ritual, priests fill 1008 silver vessels, 8 Parivara vessels, and one gold vessel with various things. They place them in the main Mandapam. Devotees also recite various Pancha Suktas and Shanti Mantras. The ticket costs Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
Tiruppuvada Seva on Thursdays – This Seva begins at 6:30 AM. Priests remove all the ornaments and flowers from the deity. Then, they dress the idol only in a Dhoti and an Uttareeyam. The cost is Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
Srivari Abhishekam on Fridays – It starts at 4:30 AM – 6 AM. Priests give a bath to the deity in holy Ganga along with milk, ghee, sandal, and saffron. The ticket costs Rs. 750 per person.

The Periodical Sevas

Arjitha Kalyanotsavam Seva – The ritual signifies the marriage of Lord Venkateshwara with Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi. The ticket costs Rs. 1000 for 2 persons.
Arjitha Brahmotsavam – People worship Lord Venkateshwara with Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi. They also recite several stotrams in this ritual. The ticket costs Rs. 1000 for 5 persons.
Unjal Seva – The priests place the idols of the three deities on a swing against the backdrop of lamps. The ticket cost is Rs. 1000 for 5 persons.

Offerings and Donations at Tirupata Balaji

Hair Tonsuring (Mundan) – Devotees shave their heads and give the hairs as an offering to God. It signifies the sacrifice for their Lord.
Thula Bharam Seva – Under this Seva, a Thula (Weighing scale) is arranged. On one side, the devotee is seated whereas on the other side, an equivalent weight of offerings are made. It is ensured that both sides are at an equal level. The devotees then donate the offerings to the temple administration.
Payback of Kubera’s Loan – As per the legend, Lord Venkateshwara took a loan from Kubera for his wedding arrangements with Padmavathi. A large Hundi is present inside the temple complex where devotees offer money and gold to God. Devotees donate with the belief that he can pay back the loan to Kubera.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Architecture

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Architecture — **Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Gopuram which is the top of the temple.**

The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has three entrances leading to the main shrine (Ananda Nilayam).
1. First entrance – Mahadwara Gopuram with a brass door.
2. Second entrance – Nadimipadi Kavali with the silver entrance.
3. Third entrance – Bangaru Vakili with a golden door.
The main idol of the Lord is in a standing position on a platform called “Brahmasthana.” Goddess Lakshmi is present on the right and Goddess Padmavathi on the left. The Gopuram (the entrance tower) over the main sanctum is covered with a golden vase. An idol of Vimana Venkateshwara is also present on the top of it.
Priests can never displace the main idol of the Lord. Hence, small idols of several Gods are present in the sanctum to worship. They are Bhoga Srinivasa, Ugra Srinivasa, Koluvu Srinivasa, Sri Malayappan, and Sri Chakrathalvar. Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshmana, Sugreeva are also present.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Significance

The common belief is that the Lord appeared on the Venkatadri hill to save humankind from the ill effects of Kaliyuga. The idol here is worshipped since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Therefore, people call this place as Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.
Most-Visited Place of Worship – Around 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually) visits this temple. On the day of the Brahmotsavam festival, the count increases to 500,000 pilgrims daily.
The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras. The word Swayambhu means that Lord Vishnu himself has turned into a statue here rather than installed by someone.
Tirupati Balaji is also listed as 106th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. It is the last earthly Desam of Lord Vishnu before he left earth for Vaikuntha.
It is believed that one can hear the sound of an ocean by pressing an ear at the idol of the Lord. Also, the temperature of the idol always remains too high even after bathing it with water and Chandan.

Tirumala Tirupati Brahmotsavam Significance — **Brahmotsavam Festival at Tirupati Balaji attracts more than 5 Lakh pilgrims daily.**

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is the wealthiest temple in the world in terms of donations received. Top Ten Richest Temples – Read More

History of Tirumala Temple

Tirupati Balaji Temple is believed to have been built by King Thondaiman at the end of 8th century AD. He was the ruler of the Tamil ancient kingdom called Thondaimandala.
The temple also received patronage from several dynasties like the Pallavas (9th century), the Cholas (10th century) and highly from the Vijayanagara kingdom in the 14th century.
Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara kingdom donated abundantly and renovated the temple periodically by adding new structures to it.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji - History of the Temple — **Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Kingdom renovated the temple.**

Legends of Tirumala Temple

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple and its legends are mentioned in various historical manuscripts and also in various Puranas.

Legend of Lord Varaha Swamy

The legend says that Venkateshwara took the land of Tirumala hill from Varaha Swami. In return, Venkateshwara gave him a promise that he would be paid the first darshan.

Legend of Adishesha

Lord Vishnu gave a boon to Adisesha. The boon was that he would join the Venkatadri hills and become an abode of Lord Vishnu. Adisesha accepted and became Venkatadri.

Legend of Lakshmi and Padmavati

Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Srinivasa, met Padmavati in the forests during a hunt. They fell in love with each other. Later, they married each other after Akasa Raja’s approval. After six months of the marriage, Lakshmi returned to Vishnu in disbelief.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji – Full Legend – READ MORE

Festivals celebrated at Tirumala

Tirumala Brahmotsavam – This festival is celebrated for 9 days every year during the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sep/Oct). This festival attracts millions of pilgrims for nine days.
- The deity is taken out in procession on different Vahanam every day like Shesha Vahanam and Singha Vahanam. By watching the parade, one gets the protection of Lord and Punya in life.
- The last day is the Birth Star day of Lord Venkateshwara. The celebration ends with Dhvajavarohanam, lowering of the Garuda flag.
Teppotsavam – This festival is celebrated for five days in the month of Chaitra (March). The deities of Tirumala temple are taken for a ride in the Swami Pushkarini Tank.
Vasanthotsavam – This festival is celebrated for three days in March/April. King Achyutaraya introduced this festival to mark the beginning of the spring season.
Pavithrotsavam – The festival is celebrated for three days in the month of Shravan (July/August). The priests seek forgiveness from Lord Venkateshwara for all the mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly while performing the daily rituals.
Jyesthabhshekam – The festival is celebrated in the month of Jyestha (June). Lord Venkateshwara appeared with a protective armor to fight against evil in Kaliyuga. On this day, people do Abhisheka and Poojas to that armor.

Teppotsavam Boat Festival at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple — **Deities of Tirumala temple taken for a ride in Swami Pushkarini Tank on Teppotsavam Festival.**

Here are other major festivals celebrated at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. These are Pushpa Pallaki, Padmavathi Parinayam, Pushpa Yagam, and Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam.

How to reach Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple?

By Air – The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, at a distance of 40 km from the temple. Chennai is the second nearest international airport.
By Rail – The nearest railway station is Tirupati, 26 km away from Tirumala. The AP Sampark Kranti Express connects to Bhopal, Gwalior, and New Delhi.
By Road – Several direct buses are available from cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Vellore. Regular buses are available from Tirupati to Tirumala.

Where to stay nearby?

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has constructed several cottages and guest houses for the benefit of the pilgrims. These are-
1. Padmavathi Guest House
2. Sri Venkateshwara Guest House
3. Varaha Swamy Guest House
Besides the guest houses, they have also constructed several choultries for the free stay of pilgrims.

The pilgrims can book the rooms by contacting the Central Reception Office, near Tirumala Bus Stand. The advance reservation can be made online by visiting the official website ttdsevaonline.com

Several private hotels are also available as an option for pilgrims.

Where to eat nearby?

The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Devasthanam (Temple administration) provides full meals to all devotees under the Nitya Annadanam Scheme.
Pilgrims can also get free tiffin, coffee, tea, and milk in the temple complex.
The meal is pure-veg.

What are some famous temples near Tirumala?

Explore Places Near Tirumala Temple — **Explore Famous Places and Activities Near Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple**

Varaha Swamy Temple – It is located at the banks of Swami Pushkarini near the Tirumala Temple. According to legend, Lord Varaha Swamy granted land to Lord Venkateswara to stay in the hill. In return, Lord Venkateswara promised the privilege of first Darshan to Varah Swamy.
Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple – This temple is located opposite to Tirupati Balaji Temple. As per the legend, young Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) wanted to leave home in search of a camel. His mother Anjana Devi then tied his hands. The idol present here is also showing the hands of Hanuman tied.
Padmavathi Devi Temple – This temple is located 5 km away from Tirumala Temple in the town of Tiruchanoor. The presiding deity is Goddess Padmavathi, the wife of Lord Srinivasa. People also call this temple as Alamelumangapuram.
Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple – It is located 16 km from Tirupati. The uniqueness of the Temple is the presiding deity Venkateshwara who is in the “Abhaya Hasta” posture. This Temple is the marriage site of Srinivasa and Padmavathi.
Govindaraja Swami Temple – The temple is also located in Tirupati and was built by Ramanujacharya. The presiding deity Govindaraja was the elder brother of Venkateshwara. It is believed that worshiping him can result in better management of one’s finances.
Kapileswara Swamy Temple – This temple is also located in Tirupati. As per the legend, this is the place where Lord Shiva appeared before Maharishi Kapila. The Shiva Linga is believed to have been self-manifested here.
Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple – The Chola dynasty and Vijayanagara Empire built this temple. The presiding deities are Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshman.

Shani Shingnapur Temple – Timings, Rules, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 54 Comments Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Shani Shingnapur Temple is a popular temple of Lord Shani, the Hindu god associated with the planet Saturn. It is located in the Ahamadnagar district in the state of Maharashtra. The presiding deity here is ‘Swayambhu’. This means a ‘self-evolved’ deity.

Planning to visit the Shani Shingnapur Temple? Have a look our Shirdi-Shingnapur Tour Package.

Shani Shingnapur Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Shani
Location	Shingnapur, Maharashtra
Entry Fee	General Darshan: Free
Best Time to Visit	June to December
Poojas	Shani Pooja and Abhishekam
Festivals	Shani Amavasya, Shani Jayanti

Shani Shingnapur Temple, Video

Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors, only door frames. Despite this, the villagers did not report the occurrence of theft until 2010. Also, devotees believe that the Shani Shingnapur temple is a “jagrut devasthan” that translates into “alive temple”, meaning that the deity still resides in the temple icon. Further, villagers believe that Lord Shani punishes anyone attempting theft.

What are the timings of Shani Shingnapur Temple?

The Shani Shingnapur Temple is open all 24 hours in a day.

Here are the timings of Shani Shingnapur Temple:

Ritual	From	To
Darshan	12 AM	12 AM

What are the poojas and sevas at Shani Shingnapur Temple?

There are poojas and abhishekams which are conducted on a daily basis for the devotees to be a part of. The black stone signifying Lord Shani is bathed by the devotees with sesame oil.

What are the rules of Shani Shingnapur Temple?

Are-women-allowed-in-Shani-Shingnapur-Temple

There are certain rules one needs to follow if they want to get on the platform to worship Lord Shani in Shani Shingnapur.

Only men are allowed on the platform to worship Shani Maharaj.
The devotee must take a head bath and get on the platform in wet clothes.
The devotee must be bare-headed (not wearing a cap or a covering cloth on the head).
Collect water for the worship of Lord Shani only from the holy well.
Devotees also use sesame oil for worship.

What is the significance of Shani Shingnapur Temple?

The significance of the Shani Shingnapur Temple is that the shrine for Shani Dev consists of a five and a half feet high black rock installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the godi. Unlike other pilgrimage centers, devotees here can perform pooja or abhishekam or other religious rituals themselves.

A Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image and a Nandi (bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small images of Shiva and Hanuman.

In the times of Acharya Udasi Baba, there would be only three people visiting the shrine. Namely, Dagdu Changediya, Hastimal Chnagediya and the mother of Badri Tokse. They too used to come only on Saturday. Now, daily there are over 13, 000 visitors.

Generally, the temple has 30–45, 000 visitors a day, which swells to around three lakh (i.e. three hundred thousand) on Amavasya (the no moon day), believed to be the most auspicious day to appease Shani.

According to a 400-year tradition, women could not enter the inner sanctum. Therefore, on 26 January 2016, a group of over 500 women, led by activist Trupti Desai, marched to the temple under the group “Bhumata Ranragani Brigade”, demanding entry into the Inner sanctum. But the police stopped them.

In a landmark judgment on 30 March 2016, the Bombay High Court asked Maharashtra government to ensure that women are not denied entry to any temple. Hence, On 8 April 2016, the Shani Shingnapur trust finally allowed the women devotees to enter the sanctum.

The official website of the Shani Shingnapur Temple is:
http://www.shanidev.com/index.html

What is the history of Shani Shingnapur Temple?

According to history, Ahamadnagar is popular as the place of saints. Also, there are four legends around this temple. The story of the swayambhu statue handed down from generations through word of mouth goes something like this: when the shepherd touched the stone with a pointed rod, the stone started bleeding.

This surprised the shepherd. Soon the whole village gathered around to watch the miracle. On that night Lord Shanaishwara appeared in the dream of the most devoted and pious of the shepherds.

He told the shepherd that he is “Shanaishwara”. He also told that the unique looking black stone is his swayambhu form. The shepherd prayed and asked the Lord whether he should construct a temple for him. To this, Lord Shani said there is no need for a roof as the whole sky is his roof and he prefers open sky. He asked the shepherd to do daily pooja and ‘Tailabhisheka‘ every Saturday without fail. He also promised the whole village will not have to fear of dacoits, burglars, or thieves.

Which festivals are celebrated here?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Shani Shingnapur Temple are:

Shri Shaneshchar Jayanti: This day marks the birth of Lord Shani. From ‘Chaitra Shuddha Dashami’ to ‘Chaitrya Vadya Pratipada’, continuously, the priests chant God’s name and perform the ‘Granthraj Dnyaneshwari Parayan’.
Aashadi Ekadashi: From 1991, on Aashadi Ekadashi of every year, from Shanishingnapur to Pandarpur, Shaneshwar Palki is taken on foot with great fanfare. In this, all the trustees and devotees participate.
Ekanaathi Shashti: Similarly, from 1991, during Ekanaathi Shashti of every year, all the trustees and devotees participate in taking Shaneshwar Palki on foot, with great fanfare, from Shanishingnapur to Paithan.

How to reach Shani Shingnapur?

Here’s how to reach Shani Shingnapur Temple:

Air: Nearest International Airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.
Rail: The suggested railway stations are Ahamadnagar, Rahuri, Shrirampur, and Belapur.
Road: Shingnapur is a village at a distance of 6 km from Ghodegaon on Aurangabad Ahamadnagar road in Maharashtra. It is 84 Kms from Aurangabad and 35kms from Ahamadnagar.

Where to stay near Shani Shingnapur?

Some places where one can stay near Shani Shingnapur Temple are:

Daiwik Hotel, Shirdi near Pimplewadi road is a notable place to check-in. It offers a great dining experience and is a nice accommodating place.
The Temple View Hotel at Nagar Manmad road is at close proximity to the temple. Travelers often also check-in for its convenient location and well-suited accommodation.

Maharashtra is also home to five Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Have a look at the 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. There are a total of 12 Jyotiringas of Lord Shiva in India.

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some of the places that one can visit near Shani Shingnapur Temple are:

Shirdi: Shirdi is around 70 km away from Shani Shinganapur which is the famous place of Shri Sai Baba. Saibaba pent most of his life in Shirdi Village. Millions of visitors visit Shirdi temple daily and take blessings from Sai Baba.
Ajanta and Ellora: The Ajanta and Ellora caves are considered as the greatest historical monument in the Maharashtra, India; which are about 79 km southwest from Shinganapur.
Nashik: The city of Nashik is 143 km from the Shani Shinganapur and is famous for its religious culture. There are many places to see in the Nashik city; some of which include Muktidham, Trimbakeshwar, Pandavleni Caves, Sula Vineyards, Kalaram Temple, Naroshankar Temple, Sundarnarayan Temple, Shri Kailas Math etc.

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

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple Ashtavinayak Guide – Timings, Poojas, and Significance

August 19, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Ashtavinayak Temples, Ganesha Temples

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh and is one of the eight Ashtavinayak Temples. It is in Ranjangaon, Shirur Taluka. According to beliefs, Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Ganesh here before proceeding to defeat the demon Tripurasura. Lord Ganesh is Mahaganapati since he is powerful and has several arms.

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

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Ganesha
Location	Ranjangaon
Significance	Part of Ashtavinayak Temples
Best Time to Visit	July – November
Darshan Timings	5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Vehicle Parking Fees	Free
Photography	Allowed but not Free
Dress Code	Traditional
Festivals	Ganesh Chaturthi, Kaivalyacha Putala, Bhadrapad Chaturthi, and Maha Yatra.
Video Shooting Charge	Rs. 101/-
Photography Charge	Rs.51/-
Official Website	Ranjangaon Ganpati

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple Yatra

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple – Timings

The timings of Chintamani Ganapati Temple are:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	5:00 AM	10:00 PM
Abhishek Puja Timings	5:30 AM
Samudaik Aarti Timings	7:30 AM
Mahapuja,Mahanaivadya Timings	11:30 AM	12:30 PM
Samudaik Evening Aarti Timings	7:30 PM
Shej Aarti Timings	10:30 PM

Poojas and Sevas conducted at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple –

Devotees offering Puja at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple — Devotees standing to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.

Here’s a list of the poojas and rituals performed at Ranajangaon Ganapati Temple:

Pooja	Cost
Abhishek	Rs 11/-
Sahastravartan	Rs 101/-
SatyaVinayak Puja	Rs 51/-

Large crowds gather during this festival to also witness the wrestling matches which are specially organized at this time.

What is the significance of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Idol of Lord Ganesh at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple — The divine idol of Lord Ganpati in the inner sanctum of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.

The significance of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is that it has been constructed in a way that the Sun’s rays fall on the idol during the southern movement of the sun. Lord Managanapati sits on a lotus. His consorts Riddhi-Siddhi accompany him. The Mahaganapati idol at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple a Swayambu.

Lord Mahaganapati is very powerful. The villagers of Ranjangaon do not bring the Ganesha idols into their homes during Ganesh Chaturthi. Instead, they visit the temple and offer their prayers

Devotees believe that there is another idol below the present idol. The idol supposedly has 10 trunks and 20 arms. However, no one knows if this idol still exists. This idol is supposed to be called as Mahotkat.

The villages and areas surrounding the temple is known as Manipur (do not confuse it with the North-east state of Manipur).

Lord Shiva prayed to Lord Ganesh at this place before defeating the demon Tripurasur.

It is believed that the place where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesha & defeated Tripurasura is Ranjangaon (the word ranjan means the delighted one), prior to which it had the name of Manipur.

Structure of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple

Architecture of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple — The unique design and Hindu Style of Architecture can be observed in the Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.

An east-bound temple, it is effectively recognized as a result of its colossal passageway, which has statues of the door-keepers Jay and Vijay. A novel part of the temple is that it is planned in a such a way, that during ‘Dakshinayan‘ and ‘Uttarayan,’ the sunbeams fall legitimately on the divinity.

Similarly wonderful is the sanctum, which was developed by Thorale Madhavrao Peshwa. Symbol of Lord Ganesha has an outstandingly wide brow, ten trunks, twenty arms, further flanked by the statues of Riddhi and Siddhi.

What is the history of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

As per the history, the temple was built in the middle of the ninth and tenth century. The temple is developed to the point that sunbeams fall straightforwardly on Shree Ganesha’s idol. Since this temple was on his way to war, Shreemant Madhavrao Peshwa used to stop here to have Mahaganapati’s darshan.

Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the stone cellar in the temple to keep the icon of Lord Ganesh. He additionally built a stone sanctum around this Swayambhu or self-radiated idol. In 1790 A.D he gave an inherited right to perform pooja of Mahaganapati to Shri Anyaba Dev.

The temple hall was built by Sardar Kibe and Owaris which are small apartments enclosing the wall of temple were built by Sardar Pawar and Shinde. Renowned hermit Morya Gosavi had presented an icon made of five metals to Shri Anyaba Dev. This symbol is taken out in parade on festive days.

Nagarkhana is located over the passageway entrance gate. This Nagarkhana was inaugurated by Maharashtra’s respectable Chief Minister Shri Manohar Joshi on third May 1997. The temple confronting east has immense and delightful passageway gate. Icons of two doorkeepers specifically Jay & Vijay are available close to the door.

Legends related to Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple

Legend of Mahaganapati: Sage Gritsamad’s son Tripurasur was a brilliant young boy and a devotee of Lord Ganesh. Pleased by his devotion and prayers, Lord Ganesh blessed the boy and gave him three pura’s of precious metals. Only Lord Shiva could destroy them. However, over a period of time, Tripurasur became vain and created chaos in the world.

He even disturbed Lord Brahma and Vishnu by his atrocities and they went into hiding. Sage Narada then advised the frightened gods that they should take the help of Lord Ganesh. The Gods decided to invoke Lord Ganesh, who appeared and accepted to help them.

Lord Ganesh disguised as a Brahmin and met Tripurasur under the pretext of creating three flying planes. In return, he ordered Tripurasur to bring the Chintamani idol from Mount Kailash. Then, the greedy Tripurasur went to Mount Kailash and fought with Lord Shiva for the idol.

Lord Shiva realized that he had not offered his prayers to Lord Ganesh first, and hence was unable to destroy the pura’s or defeat him. Therefore, he recited the Sadaakshar Mantra and invoked Lord Ganesh, who emerged and gave him the instructions for defeating Tripurasur.

Then, Lord Shiva followed the directions, defeated the greedy Tripurasur and also created a temple for Lord Ganesh at that spot.

According to some Puranas and legends Rishi Grutsamada sneezed and a boy was born who was named Tripurasur.

What are the festivals celebrated at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Festivals at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple — Different Festivals including Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much pomp and glory in Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.

Some festivals celebrated at Chintamani Ganapati Temple are:

Bhadrapat: There is a special 6 day festival in the month of Bhadrapad, during which Mahabhog is offered to the temple deity on the fifth day. During this festival, the temple deity is also taken around the area in a flower-bedecked palanquin.
Ganesh Jayanti: Another festival that draws visitors from all across India is Ganesh Jayanti. It is another popular occasion that celebrates the birthday of Ganesha on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Magha.
Magh: The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Ranjangaon Temple. Here, the celebrations are held from Magh Shudh 1 to Magh Shudh 6 (January – February). During this period, devotees conduct Bhajans, Kirtans and several programs.
Holi: The colorful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
Shravan: Janmashtami or Krishna Ashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi event during Shravan ( July- August)

On the sixth day devotees take darshan of murti & then go to Mahaganapati’s temple by performing Lotangan (prostration) on the way.(lotangan means proceeding by rolling one’s self over & over).

How to reach Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Here’s how to reach Ranjangaon Ganapati Temple:

By road: Ranjangaon is nearly 50 km from Pune. There are frequent state transport service buses available from Pune Shivaji Nagar bus stand also hire taxi or cab from any area of the city to reach Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple
By rail: The nearest railway station to Ashtavinayaka Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is Uruli railway station that lies just 16 Km away from Ranjangaon.
By air: Baramati Airport is 21 kilometers and Pune Airport is 50 kilometers away from Shree Mahaganapati Temple in Ranjangaon. There are numerous numbers of taxis and buses that will take you to Ranjangaon from outside the airport.

Where to stay near Ranjangaon Ganapati Temple?

The Mahaganapati Temple Trust runs a Bhakta Niwas which offers rooms at nominal charges, where one can stay. There are quite a number of hotels offering accommodation options for all budgets. Pilgrims also prefer to do a day trip from Pune, as it offers a vast range of accommodation options.

Where to eat near Ranjangaon Ganapati Temple?

Maharashtra Cuisine — During the trip to Ranjangaon Temple, devotees can enjoy the local Maharashtrian Cuisine.

Ranjangaon has a good number of restaurant options where one can eat. The Mahaganapati Temple Trust also operates an Annapurna Bhojanalaya, which provides afternoon lunch.

What are some temples near Ranjangaon Ganapati Temple?

Sightseeing Places near Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple — The beautiful Fort and temples that can be explored near Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.

Shivneri Fort and Temple: Shivneri Fort is the birthplace of Chatrapathi Sivaji. The fort is visible from the Vighneshwar Vinayak Temple and also houses a small temple for Goddess Shivani. Devotees traveling to Ozar and Lenyadri Ashtavinayak temples also stop at this Fort as it is a place of interest.

What are the other Ashtavinayak Temples?

Asthavinyaka Temples — Idols of the different Temple that devotees visit during Ashtavinayak Temple Yatra.

Here’s a list of the other Ashtavinayak Temples:

Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon: Devotees begin and end their journey at the Mayureshwar Temple. Further, the temple got its name from the legend of Mayureshwar – Lord Ganesh riding a peacock, who defeated a demon at this place.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Siddhatek: Lord Vishnu appeased Lord Ganesh at this place before slaying the demons Madhu and Kaitabh. Moreover, Lord Siddhi Vinayak is the only idol with the trunk pointing towards the right.
Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali: As the name suggests this temple is named after Lord Ganesh’s devotee Ballal. This is the only Ganesh Temple whose name is after a devotee.
Varad Vinayak Temple, Mahad: Lord Ganesh is Varadha Vinayak, the Lord who grants boons and wishes. It is in Mahad, 192 km from the Mahaganapati
Chintamani Temple, Theur: Lord Ganesh retrieved the invaluable jewel – Chintamani from a greedy demon and given it back to sage Kapila. The sage rewarded Lord Ganesh by placing around Lord Ganesh’s neck and hence became famous as Chintamani Vinayak.
Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri: Goddess Parvathi performed penance at this place to have a child. The temple gets its name from the words Girija (Parvathi) and Atmaj (son).
Vighneshwar Vinayak Temple, Ozar: Lord Indra sent Vighnasur to disturb King Abhinandan’s prayer. The troubled devotees then turned to Lord Ganesh who defeated the demon at this place.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple –

Is there any online booking available for Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Entry to the temple is free and no booking is needed to visit the temple.

What is the nearest airport to Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Baramati Airport which situated 21 kilometers from Ranjangaon is the nearest airport to reach the temple.

What is the temperature in Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

The maximum temperature in summer can reach till 35^°C. The minimum temperature that can fall down is 13^°C in winter.

Where to stay near Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple?

Shree Khetra Ranjangaon Devstan Trust is available near the temple for lodging and boarding.

What is the check-in procedure for staying in the Bhakta Niwas?

Devotees have the flexibility to check-in at 6.00P.M to 11.45P.M. Check-in time needs to specify when booking accommodation online. Check out time for Devotee is fixed at07.00AM.

What is the significance of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple among the Ashtavinayak Yatra?

The Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple comes in 7th number during the Ashtavinayak Yatra.

What is the prasad’s usually offered in the temple?

Ladoo and Modak prasad which are known to be favorite of Lord Ganesh are offered in the temple.

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 18, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 9 Comments Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are two main Shrines in this temple. Lord Shiva facing East and Devi facing West. The main shrine is a conical copper plated one. Devi’s main Idol is made with an alloy of five metals.

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is a ‘Maha Kshetram’ (temple having great importance) from olden days itself. The other sub-investitures of the temple are Ganapathi, Shasta (Lord Ayyappan), Chandikeswaran, Neelagrivan, Ganga, and Naagar. There is also a shrine of Sree Krishna nearby. Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is also referred to as Chengannur Bhagavati Temple, as the temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Parvathi.

Chengannur is also known as the Gateway to Sabarimala Temple. The temple was built according to the architectural design developed by Perumthachan. Chengannur Mahadeva Temple complex sprawls over an area of six acres, with a circular sanctum. The Shivalingam is said to have emerged on its own (Swayambu) and bears a gold planted image of Ardhanaareeswara. There are also shrines dedicated to other deities as well.

History and Legend of Chengannur Mahadeva Temple

Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Saints, Devas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and all other heavenly ones went to Himalaya in order to attend the auspicious marriage of Shiva & Parvati. The Trimurthis requested sage Agastya to go and sit on shronadri, to prevent the Earth from sinking to the northern side due to the weight of all the invitees who came for the ceremony. Though Sage Agasthya conceded the request he expressed his concern about losing the chance of viewing the marriage.
After the marriage, Lord Shiva and Devi went to meet Agasthya muni at shronadri. There Devi became ‘rithu’ (menstruate) and she could not go back. Devi remained there till the period of menstruation was over. The place where sage Agastya meditated, is known as shronadri in Sanskrit and in Malayalam, it is Chenkunnu (Red hill). Later it is called as Chen Kunnu Urru (Ooru refers to a place) and hence the place is known as Chengannur.
According to another legend Lord Vishnu severed the body of Sati (Goddess Parvati) into pieces which scattered over different places. These places are called Shakti Peethas. Accordingly, it is believed that the reproductive organ of Goddess Sati’s body fell at the place where the temple is located. The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is also related to the same legend.
There is an interesting story related to a custom of oath at the western entrance of the temple. There was a Brahmin family who were great devotees of Chengannur Devi and who were very famous. Once an Alwar came to Chengannur to challenge the Muringoor family at a time when a boy of twelve years. He was the only male in the Muringoor family.
He prayed to the Goddess and moved by the prayer the goddess appeared to the boy in a dream. Goddess instructed the boy to make use of the brass pipe in the ‘Araa’ which had a snake in it and which will be under the control of the boy. The next day the boy challenged his opponent to release the snake with his magical powers.
The Alwar’s efforts failed and the snake, in turn, tried to bite the intruder. On the pleading of the Alwar, the boy controlled the snake with his prayers and sealed it into the pipe. He then made a hole in the wall of the Western Gopuram and put the snake into it. He informed the people around that if anybody utters a lie by putting his hand inside the hole will be bitten by the snake.
This is the place where Yuddhishtra offered prayers to Vishnu, seeking pardon for his actions on the battlefield. He uttered the words `Ashwattaama hatahkunjaraha` in an attempt to deceive Drona and lead him into a defenceless state and his life was brought to an end by Arjuna.
Kannaki was the incarnation of Devi Sati. After killing the king of Madurai Pandya raja she went to Chengannur at the top of a hill. While Devi was meditating her husband Kovalan appeared before her and they together went to Heaven. The people who were living in the valley and constructed a temple there with the financial assistance of their king Cheran Senkuttuvan.

Significance of Chengannur Mahadeva Temple

The most important and unique feature of the temple is the Thriputharattu which is marked as a symbol of fertility. It is believed that the temple is also associated with the great epic Mahabharata. Chengannur has been derived from the word ‘Tiruchenkunroor.’
Balithara is an altar is used for making ritualistic offering to demi-gods and the festive deities. The central shrine called Sreekovil houses the image of the presiding deity. It is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through a flight of five steps.
Either side of the doors have images of guardian deities called Dwarapalakas. The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of ancient epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Timings

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple opens daily at 3:50 AM. Worship timings are from 04:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the morning and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. The temple timings are subjected to change during festivals and special events.

Festivals celebrated at Chengannur Mahadeva Temple

Varshikotsavam: The annual temple festival is observed for 28 days starting from Thiruvathira Nakshatram in Dhanu Masam to Thiruvathira Nakshatra in Makaram month. Special pujas are held on all days. The shrine is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day. Hundreds of people arrive on the day to witness various rituals and festivities.

Thripputhu: Thripputhu is one of the main festivals celebrated in the temple. The festival is associated with the menstruation ceremony and is observed periodically in the temple. During this time the temple is kept closed for three days and worships will be offered to another image of the goddess in a different spot of the temple. On the fourth day, the idol of the Devi is taken to a nearby river on the fourth day and Arattu (holy bath) is conducted. This ceremony is called Thripputhu. Later the Devi rides an elephant and is taken back to the temple. During the festival, the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are taken in procession around the temple three times. Then the Lord enters the shrine through the eastern side and the goddess enters through the western side.

Thulasamkrama Neyyattu: This is the Ghee Abhishekam festival of the Chengannur Temple. This ceremony is conducted on every 1st day of Thulam (mid-October to mid-November). On this day 36 paras of ghee is showered on the ‘Shivalingam’. ‘Paras’ is a measurement in Malayalam.

Shivaratri: Maha Shivaratri is the night of the worship of Lord Shiva. It occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva. Devotees visit the temple in large numbers during Shivaratri.

Poojas and Rituals at Chengannur Mahadeva Temple

At 3:50 AM the first pooja that is conducted is the Ravile Palli Unarthal. It is nothing but the awakening of the presiding deity. It is followed by the Nadathurakkal which means the opening of the sanctum sanctorum to enable the devotees to venerate the holy portrait of the deity and to seek their blessings.

Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam representing his manifestation as a creator of good (by destroying evil). The first worship of the day is Usha pooja or pooja at dawn. Though generally, the time of Usha pooja is thirty minutes after the sunrise.

Panthiradi Pooja is done only in major temples. This is done 2 hours after sunrise. It denotes the time of pooja based on human shadow measuring 12 feet in the morning. Here abhisheka is done with the pure water taken in nine pots after detailed pooja.

Deeparadhana is the worship with lamp with lamps, performed at dawn and dusk. Pyramidal lamps with seven tiers, lamps with five wicks and plain lamps with a single wick are lightened and waved several times in front of the Lord, from head to foot. Similar waving is then done with lighted camphor.It is considered to be an auspicious act to pray during deeparadhana time. This is the last pooja conducted in a temple on a day. This is done between one and two hours after sunset.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is the nearest airport to reach Chengannur. Trivandrum International Airport is about 119 km

By Road: Chengannur is situated between Thiruvalla and Pandalam in Main Central Road. Chengannur Bus Stand is a major KSTRC bus station in Alappuzha District. It is one kilometre from Chengannur Mahadeva Temple. Regular bus services are available from Aranmula, Thiruvalla (10 km), Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, and Trivandrum.

By Train: The nearby railway stations are Chengannur, which is about 2 km, Thiruvalla about 10 km and Changanassery about 18 km. Some of the major trains passing through the station include Kerala Express, Hyderabad Express, Kanyakumari Express, Chennai Mail, Amritha Express, and Malabar Express.

Where to stay

There are many hotels nearby which offer deluxe rooms. They are equipped with modern amenities to make the guests stay comfortable and enjoyable.

Spice Haven Annexe Contact: Vandanmedu Junction. Kumily Thekkady, Kerala
Hotel Santhi Palace Contact: M.C.Road, Railway Junction, Chengannur, Kerala
Hotel Raj International Contact: MC Road, Opp, KSRTC Bus Station, Main Central Rd, Chengannur, Kerala
Hotel Navaratna Contact: Main Central Road, Near Railway Station, Chengannur
Hotel Wyte Portico Contact: High School Jn, Karuvatta, Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Kerala 691523
Hotel Breeze Land Contact: By-pass Junction, Vazhappally, MC Road, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala 686103

Where to eat

There are many restaurants that offer some great food. One should really visit Oven Fresh Family Restaurant, Bafia Bakers, Food Palace Restaurant, Crupe Cafe, Joyces baker to taste some mouth-watering and tasty food.

Nearby Temples

Aranmula Sreekrishna Temple: Aranmula Parthasarathy temple is an ancient temple situated in district Pathanamthitta district. Near to the cultural village of Aranmula. Temple is situated near the river Pamba. This temple is believed to be one among the five temples built by the Pandava brothers. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, is one of the most ancient and famous temples in Aranmula. The Aranmula Parthasarathi temple is a simple structure in Kerala style of architecture and the idol of Parthasarathy is six feet high. It is believed that in the war of Mahabharata Lord Krishna was Arjuna’s charioteer. This form of Lord Krishna was worshipped in the temple Aranmula. So the temple is named as Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.

Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple: Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple is one of the most famous Devi Temples in Kerala situated at Neerattupuram. The presiding deity of this temple is Durga Devi, who answers the call of her devotees. Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple is believed to be more than 3000 years old. There is an idol of Vana Durga with eight hands, installed near the original idol. Thousands of devotees visit the temple of every Fridays and during the annual Chakkulathukavu Pongala Festival in November – December the temple is visited by lakhs of devotees from all over the state.

Thiruvalla Sreevallabhaswami Temple: Sree Vallabha Temple is located at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is a 400-year-old temple on the banks of the River Manimala. This ancient majestic temple devoted to Lord Mahavishnu is one among the 108 abodes of Lord Vishnu. There is a big pillar made out of a single piece of stone at the western side of the temple and an idol of Lord Garuda Bird is placed on its top. The building structure there is called as ‘Garuda Madathara’ and it has a Nepal style. There is Garuda Bird as sub deity in this temple. The deity of Sree Vallabha Swamy is facing east and in the same ‘Sudarshana Chakra'(Sudarshana Discus) is consecrated facing west and is known as ‘Chakrathazhvar’.There is an offering in this temple known as ‘Paala Namaskaram’ which will help to get blessings from Lord to fulfil the devotee’s wishes. The offering of ‘Kathakali’ to be performed in the temple is another special ritual here.