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Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar is one of the most prominent places of worship in Gujarat and dedicated to Swaminarayan. It is a specimen of traditional stone work, ancient wisdom and the best of contemporary technology that speaks volumes about the cultural heritage of India. It is a magnificent shrine that is located in the heart of Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The Akshardham shrine is actually a miracle created by the sacrifice of thousands of artists and volunteers. In fact, there are more than 2 million visitors who visit this shrine every year. In fact, most of the people who travel to Gujarat make it a point to pay a visit to this famous place of worship. And when you visit this temple, you are not just a tourist or a traveler but you will be an artist who will discover the art of sculpting oneself from within.

Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar History

  • The internationally famous Swaminarayan Akshardham temple was established on 2nd November 1992. The credit for laying the foundation of this place of worship goes to the Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
  • Akshardham temple describes the concept of Man-making. The devotee’s belief that only an individual can shape his own life and become sensible in the true sense. To project this belief, architecture along with literature, music and hi-tech equipment have been used with extreme care and passion to make it distinct. The success of the shrine lies in the fact that it turns an individual into a Man.
  • The monument symbolizes tremendous human effort that has gone into its formation. Another aspect being that the leader has inspired many devotees through his teachings. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has created a rare mixture that comprises of the monument and the selflessness of the Guru and the disciples which draw people from every corner of the world.
  • The creation of this incredible Akshardham temple is a remarkable event in the history of India.

Significance of the Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar

  • The inauguration ritual of the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple coincided with the centenary celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj and was conducted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj only.
  • Akshardham Temple at Gandhinagar is minutely carved coupled with a striking monument of 6000 tons of pink sandstone soaked with religious stillness.
  • This whole structure was built without using steel in order to increase the maximum longevity of the architecture.
  • There is a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy ruins. In addition, there are three exhibitions on Indian culture with light and sound shows.
  • Akshardham temple is built at a height of 108 feet and is 240 feet in length, 131 feet in breadth. In addition, the porch around the monument measures 1751 feet (534 meters) in length alone.
  • It is only after investing 13 laborious years that the architecture of this beautiful temple was completed. In addition, it is the skilled artisans of Bansipahadpur who had done the minute carvings of the auspicious shrine.
  • One of the significant factors about this shrine is that it has its own research centre known as, Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH). This center aims at using knowledge of the past, concentrating on the present pattern and masterminding conceivable answers for the future.
  • The research facility is equipped with an extensive library, study stations, and archives. However, it is only open to enlisted scholars who receive the benefits.
  • The first floor of the temple comprises of a museum, which has a collection and a gallery of over 500 ‘parahansas’. Some other items which are displayed here are the letter to the guru of Swaminarayan Ramanand, an art object from an old tree from Chapaya, the shawl used by Swaminarayan and an image of the Lord seated on a horse.
  • The galleries present on the external side serve as the venue for the artistic exhibition and also paves a way for Chez Intervasion shows, audio-visuals, multi-media and the works of Lord Swaminarayan from the Hindu epics.
  • The temple has three permanent exhibition halls inside the complex, which was started with the aim of educating masses on issues regarding religion and BAPS movement.
  • The garden surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is known as Sahajanand Van or the first hall and represents a unique intermingling of reflective garden and children’s park.
  • The second hall or the Sat-Chit-Anand of this place of worship holds the exhibition in a 14-screen multimedia representation. Besides it also contains the ‘Tunnel of Mirrors’ that stands for a glass mosaic and a dancing musical fountain.
  • The third hall of this holy place has many fiberglass models that represent various memos from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Upanishads. An audio-animatronics show portraying various messages from Mahabharata and an exhibition of ‘Harmony of world religions’ are some of the major attractions of this exhibition.
  • Photography and making videos are strictly prohibited in this temple.
  • It was on September 24, 2002, that two armed terrorists attacked this temple killing 33 people and around 70 individuals were injured. The Indian National Security Guard killed both the terrorists and the temple opened after 14 days of the attack.

Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar Timings

  • Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar remains open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.
  • Mondays remain closed.
  • The night lighting shows take place on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Exhibitions start at 10 A.M. and end at 6:00 P.M.

Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar Food Timings

  • Visitors are not allowed to carry any food inside the temple premises.
  • Premvati Refreshments at Sahajanand Van provides fresh vegetarian food and snacks to tourists. A tourist can relish the unique taste of the traditional Gujarati dishes here and one can also book meals in advance.
  • The restaurant is open from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M.

Festivals celebrated at Akshardham Temple

  • Annakut Utsav is celebrated with great pomp in this temple. It is observed soon after Diwali and Annakut which refers to a huge amount of food comprising fruits, salads, pulses and juices are offered to the Lord. Around 2550 food items are offered to the deity. This food is later distributed among the pilgrims.
  • Diwali or the festival of lights is another festival that fetches pilgrims from across the nation. The temple is illuminated with lights which pave the way for a spectacular sight.

Poojas and Rituals at Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar

  • The Aarti takes place twice daily especially during the morning and the evening.
  • The deity is bathed with holy water and is offered food thereafter.
  • There are special poojas that are organized during special occasions like the birthday of Lord Swaminarayan, Annakut Utsav etc.

How to Reach: Road, Rail, and Air

  • By Air– For people looking to travel to flight, the nearest airport to reach this temple is situated in Ahmedabad. This is well connected to every major city in India and in order to reach the temple, you need to hire a taxi from the Ahmedabad airport.
  • By Train– A devotee can reach this temple by train as well. This auspicious place of worship is located at a distance of 2 km from Gandhinagar railway station and 31 km from Ahmedabad railway station.
  • By Road– Akshardham is located at the heart of one of the greenest cities in the world –Gandhinagar that is situated on National Highway 8c. Hence, Akshardham is easily accessible from every location like 25 km from Ahmedabad, 150 km from Vadodara, 230 km from Udaipur, 190 km from Mt Abu and 604 km from Jaipur. There are many special buses and cars that are provided by the tourism department, government authorities and private services.

Hotels in Gujarat: Where to stay

Gujarat welcomes people of all religions and cultures with equal warmth and hospitality. No matter what your budget is, you can be rest assured to find a suitable room in Gujarat with equal ease and comfort. While individuals traveling alone can opt for dormitories, pilgrims visiting this auspicious shrine can look for hotels.

And if you are ready to splurge on luxury, then choose to spend your nights with five-star accommodations. These high-end hotels also offer complimentary breakfast as well. And some of the hotels also have their own private restaurants for their dwellers. These hotels are equipped with all the modern facilities to meet the needs of a contemporary traveler. Also, one can enjoy good discounts coupled with an attractive price if you book a room in advance.

Where to eat

Gujarati food is loved and cherished by people from all parts of India. A typical Gujarati Thali comprises of rice, chapatti, dal, vegetables, pickle, curd and papad. The food in this style is prepared by following a proper hygiene and fewer spices. Some of the special snacks that are exclusive to Gujarat include dhokla, khandvi; and sweets like basundi which are famous for its taste.

A traveler can either opt to try the local cuisine from various food joints that are spread around the city or can look for fine dining options. The food is moderately priced and is mostly vegetarian in nature. However, there are few nonvegetarian eateries as well that offers international flavors too.

Nearby Temples

  • The Adalaj Trimandir – This temple has been built with an area of 40, 175 sq ft with the temple podium being 20,895 sq ft. There is a beautiful fountain at the center of the lush green field. The Satsang Hall is of 31,861 sq ft and the shrine is equipped with an informative museum and mini-theatre on Gnani Purush Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, around whom the Trimandir is built. Idols from Jainism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism are present within this temple. The center of the temple houses idol of Lord Shree Simandhar Swami, which measures 155 inches, and is made entirely of marble.
  • The Mahudi Jain Temple – Mahudi Tirth is a famous Jain temple and the place was earlier called as Madhumanti or Madhupuri. The main idol of Bhagwan Pradaprabhu was established in 1974 by Acharya Dev Sri Buddisagarsurisvar. He had also installed the idol of Sri Ghantakarna Mahavir on 1980 Vikram era. The Prasad is also known as ‘Sukhadi’ and consists of jaggery, wheat flour, and pure ghee. The pilgrims need to eat the Prasad within the temple premises and are prohibited from carrying it outside. It is open from 5.A.M. to 9 P.M.
  • The Vaishno Devi Temple – Being modeled on the Vaishno Devi temple located at Srinagar, this holy place is situated on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway in Gujarat. Thousands of devotees visit this place during Navaratri and offer fruits, rice, coconut, and clothes to the deity.
  • The Vardayni Mata Temple – This is another popular temple that is located in Rupal village of Gandhinagar district in Gujarat. The temple is located in the middle of the village. The Ghee Festival of Palli is very famous and stands at 28 spots in the village. Every stand has tons of Pure Ghee or Clarified Butter kept ready to pour on the “Palli” (Ratha). This ghee is donated by pilgrims who visit this holy place throughout the year.
  • Sri Kotyark Khadayata Temple – Khadayata refers to the business community among the Hindus and this temple sees countless pilgrims visiting the shrine all around the year. It is another destination that tourists can visit with joy and delight.

Thingaloor

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Kailasanathar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples and is at Thingaloor, Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.The presiding deity is Soma (moon). However, the main idol in the temple is that of “Kailasanathar” or Shiva. The main deities here are Kailasanathar (Lord Shiva) and Periyanayagi (Goddess Parvati).

Further, it is here that Chandran prayed to Lord Siva and got his blessings. Chandran is the Lord of Kadaga Rasi and he faces the South-East direction. Also, Thingaloor Temple has Dravidian architectural style, with a five tiered gopuram over the shrine which has carvings. The sanctum enshrines main deity, the glorious Lingam of Kailasanathan.

What is the history of Thingaloor?

According to history, Rajasimma Pallavan constructed Thingaloor around 7th century. This is built similar to the Dravidian architecture. “Appothiyadigal” one of the Nayanmar out of 63 Nayanmars is from this town Thingalur. Due to the affection towards the Lord Shiva he kept his sons name as “Mootha Thirunavukarasu” and Ilaya Thirunavukarasu.”

He was doing lot of charity work for Shiva devotees in the name of Thirunavukarasu. One day by hearing that Thirunavukarasar has arrived to Thingalur, Appothiyadigal went to meet him. Latest he has asked to Thirunavukarasar to visit his home and have food. Appothiyadigal send his son to cut and bring banana leaves to serve the food for Thirunavukarasar.

There was a snake in the backyard of his home and that bite his son. If he tells that his son is dead, Thirunavukarasar won’t eat the food at his home so he wanted to hide that sad news. When Thirunavukarasar came to know the news he carried the body of Appothiyadigal’s son and worshipped to the god. The son also came back alive is the story of this temple.

Another legend

According to another legend the Devas and asuras were churning the Paarkadal using Mandhira Malai and the snake Vasuki. The asuras held the head portion of the snake and the Devas, the tail portion. When Lord Vishnu was distributing the Amrutham amongst the Devas, at the behest of Shukracharya, one of the asuras in the guise of a deva consumed the nectar.

Suryan and Chandran noticed this and complained to Lord Vishnu.  An angry Vishnu used his chakrayudham (discus) to cut the Asura into two and threw them away. The head joined with a snake’s body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion kept growing because the Asura had consumed Amrutham.  This later joined with the head of a snake and became Kethu Bhagavan.

Now, Rahu and Ketu did not forgive Suryan and Chandran.  Rahu went after Chandran and started consuming him.  It is here that Chandran prayed to Lord Shiva and got his blessings.

Shiva blessed Chandran with the power to grow back to full size in 15 days after being consumed by Rahu.  That is why we have the waxing and waning moon.  Shiva also blessed Chandran by adorning Chandran on his forehead so that anyone who prays Shiva will have to pray Chandran.

What is the significance of the Thingaloor Temple?

Here’s the significance of Thingaloor Temple:

  • Thingalur Kailasanathar temple is important for first rice feeding of the infant child known as Anna Prasanam. Kailasanathar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples  in honour ofMoon god.
  • Before feeding the child with rice (Annaprasana) the priest shows the child moon and a cow, thus bringing the blessings of Jaladevadha (water God) and Oushadhi Devadha (God of medicines).  Devotees also believe that Jaladevadha would protect the child from cold, fever etc.
  • Mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, and fluid accumulation are the diseases that occur because of Chandra dosham. By praying to Lord Chandran, one an overcome the above afflictions. He provides his devotees with wealth, mother’s/wife’s happiness, Govt’s help, ownership of vehicle, marriage, offspring’s, prosperity, and foreign travel.
  • The special offerings to moon god are Oleander flowers, cloths of white color, and raw rice with jiggery and paddy.

What are the timins ofThingaloor Temple?

Here are the timings of Thingaloor Temple:

Timings From To
Morning Darshan 7:00 AM 1:00 PM
Evening Darshan 4:00 PM 8:00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Thingaloor Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Thingaloor temple are:

  • Pournami Festival: A full moon in the Tamil month of Chitra (month of April and May), and an exalted Sun in the sign Aries mark the day of Chitra Poornima. This auspicious day is also for Lord Indra, the God of Devas. Chithra pournami is famous for Meenakshi amman and Kallazhagar also. 
  • Mahashivarathri Festival: The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha according to the Hindu calendar. Devotees also believe that the one who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri attains moksha. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali Ma, Parvati and Durga.
  • Margazhi Tiruvadhirai Festival: Tiruvathirai, or Thiruvathirai festival, in Tamil culture is observed on the day when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava. The festival is also a commemoration of Shiva’s Nakshatra (Birthday Star) Ardra.
  • Panguni Uthiram Festival: It falls on the day the moon transits in the asterism of Uttara-phalguni or Uthiram in the twelfth month of the Tamil solar calendar i.e. Panguni (March-April). Devotees of Lord Muruga  even pierce their bodies with needles and spikes as a sign of their devotion to the Lord.

What are the Poojas and Rituals at Thingaloor temple?

Puja at this temple is recommended for those in whose horoscope the position of Moon is weak. Chandra graha also controls the five senses of human life. Moon is the ruler of the mind and all the senses that it controls. Oblations to the Moon God at this temple helps keep all these factors on a balanced note.

How to Reach the Thingaloor Temple?

Here’s how to reach the Thingaloor Temple:

  • Air: The nearest domestic airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport, 90 km east of Kumbakonam. T
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Ariyalur railway station which is 29 Km from the temple.  
  • Road: Thingaloor Temple is about 36 km from Kumbakonam, on the way to Tiruvaiyaru. 

Where to stay near Thingaloor temple?

Some of the places to stay near the temple are:

  • Sri Hari Residency Contact: 99, West Raja Street, Near Sri Kumara Kottam Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
  • M.M.Hotels Contact: No. 65/65, Nellukara Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502
  • Hotel Ramco Residency Contact: SH58, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501
  • Sree Sakthi Residency Contact: 71, Nellukara St, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Where to eat near Thingaloor Temple?

Tamilian’s staple diet is rice and most of their food consists of grains, lentils and vegetables. ‘Sadhams’ (rice dishes) with different flavours are their specialty. Spices give a distinctive taste to dishes. Tamil Nadu Food is very different from the food of other regions like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There are many restaurants near the temple that offers delicious food.

  • Cascade Restaurant Salem Contact: Junction Main Road 5/315 Devi Chit Funds Complex
  • Tandooriwala Salem Contact: Junction Main Road
  • Sri Saravana Bhavan Contact: Omalur Main Road State Bank Colony
  • Selvi Mess Contact: Arthanari Nagar Opp New Bus Stand

What are some temples near Thingaloor Temple?

Some of the temples near Thingaloor Temple are:

Brihadeeswarar Temple: Thanjavur Brihadeeswara temple is one of the most ancient temple, in the city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India. Also, a long prakaram surrounds the great temple (500 feet/250 feet), and the walls surrounding the prakaram again go back to Raja Raja Cholan’s period. The walls house long pillared corridors, which abound in murals, Shiva Lingams and Nandis.

Naganathaswamy Temple: Thirunageshwaram Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is another temple, 6 kms away from Kumbakonam on the southern banks of Cauvery in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Also, the presiding deity of Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple is Lord Naganathaswamy (Lord Shiva) and his consort Giri Gujambika (Goddess Parvathi) who is enshrined with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati by her side.

Apatsahayesvarar Temple: Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi is one of the Navagraha (nine planets) temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman taluka of Tiruvarur district. Further, the uniqueness of this place is that it has Dakshinabhimukh Avatsak of Lord Shiva.

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Mangalagiri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, Filed Under: Andhra Pradesh Temples Tagged With:

Mangalagiri Temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha and located in Andhra Pradesh. There are three Narasimha Swamy temples in Mangalagiri – the Panakala Narasimha Swamy on the hill, the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the foot of the temple and the Gandala Narasimha Swamy at the top of the hill.

Mangalagiri is one of the 8 Mahakshetrams where Lord Vishnu manifested himself. Originally this place was popular as Thotadri where Devi Lakshmi did tapasya. During Vijayanagara Kingdom, this place was also famous as Mangala Nilayam. Mangalagiri Temple is a sacred place where a devout person can find peace and bliss.

What is the history of Mangalagiri Temple?

According to the history of Mangalagiri Temple, a very intriguing story revolves around how the mountain came into existence. The hill looks like an elephant in shape. Hrasva Srungi, the son of the king Pariyatra, visited all holy places for the purpose of regaining normal bodily stature.

He finally came to Mangalagiri and stayed there for three years to fulfil his penance. His father came to take him back home but he to serve Lord Vishnu for eternity took the shape of an elephant and remained at the place. Devotees also believe that all the Devas asked him to stay at the place so that he can attain Moksha and salvation in his life.

What is the significance of Mangalagiri Temple?

Here is the significance of Mangalagiri Temple:

  • Sri Channapragada Balaramadasu constructed the steps to the Mangalagiri Temple in 1890.
  • On the right side of the steps to reach the Mangalagiri Temple, there lies a stone inscription by Sri Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar and further up, one can see the foot prints of Mahaprabhu Chaitanya.
  • A temple of Lord Panakala Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy  is there at midway of the steps where there is only the face with the mouth widely open.
  • Behind the Mangalagiri Temple there is the abode of Sri Lakshmi, to the west of which there is a tunnel that, according to beliefs, can lead you to the great Vundavalli caves on the banks of the Krishna.
  • Panakala Narasimha Swamy is the God Who Drinks Panakam.
  • Also, the god is self-existent here.
  • The God takes jaggery water as an offering served by a conch. When the Jaggery water is actually poured into the mouth of the Lord, a gargling sound is there as if the Lord is actually drinking it.  The sound becomes shriller and shriller when the Lord is drinking.

What are the timings of Mangalagiri Temple?

Here are the timings of Manglalagiri Temple:

TimingsFromTo
Open7 am8:30 pm
morning Archana7:00 a.m7:30 a.m.
Panakam and seva darshan7:30 a.m1:00 p.m.
Mahanirvedana 1:00 p.m

What are the festivals celebrated at Mangalagiri Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mangalagiri Temple are:

  • The Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Brahmothsavam is the grand annual festival. Devotees believe that  Dharmaraja started the celebration at the behest of Lord Krishna. The celebrations take place for 11 days during the months of February-March.
  • Srirama Navami, Hanumajayanthi, Narasimhajayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Mahasivarathri are other festivals. On Mahasivarathri, the Lord goes on a procession on a small chariot.
  • Further, the Phalguna Suddha Purnima that happens on Chaturdasi, commences the marriage of Santha Narasimha Swamy, and Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

How to reach Mangalagiri?

Here’s how to reach Mangalagiri Temple:

  • Air: the nearest airport is Vijayawada airport. It is also connected by Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam.
  • Rail: Vijayawada also connects with all major cities in India so the rail route is frequently availed.
  • Road: Vijaywada also connects well with Madras, Nellore, Vizag and other cities.

Where to stay in Mangalagiri?

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

  • Fortune Murali Park Hotel- this hotel is along the banks of the Krishna River and overlooks the Indrakiladri Hills. Fortune Murali Park Hotel is three kilometers from the Vijayawada Railway Station and 20km from the airport.
  • The Gateway Hotel, M.G.Road is another grand place to check in. It has an welcoming atmosphere with luxurious decorum.

What are some places to visit near Mangalagiri Temple?

Some of the places one can visit near Mangalagiri Temple are:

  • Kanaka Durga Temple is a siginificant temple in Vijayawada. On Friday evenings, the priests dress the goddess in silken finery.
  • At Amararama Temple, Lord Shiva is also worshipped as Amaralingeswara Swamy or Amareswara Swamy, along with his consort Bala Chamundika. This Temple along with the Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Ksheerarama Temple in Palakol, Somarama Temple in Bhimavaram and the Kumararama Temple in Samalkota, forms the holy Pancharama Kshetram.
  • The Undavalli Caves are a great architecture of cave complex. A cluster of 64 caves of black rock make the place truly magnificient. They also hold lovely figurines made of monolithic black granite rock. Moreover, the most notable is the stunning image of a reclining Vishnu.

Hanuman Chatti Temple – Timings, Significance and History

, Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With:

Hanuman Chatti is a Hindu temple that lies on the road to Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. It is 286 km away from Rishikesh and is at a distance of 34 km from Joshimath. This temple is a dedication to Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman Chatti is located at the Sangam of rivers, Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna.

Moreover, the inspiration on behind the temple’s name lies in an interesting mythological event involving Hanuman and Bhima. It is one of the main attractions in the journey of Char Dham Yatra Uttarakhand.

Hanuman Chatti Introduction
Lord Hanuman is the main diety of the temple.

Hanuman Chatti Temple – Facts

Temple Timings5 am – 12 pm
2 pm – 9 pm
Time Required for Darshan20 minutes
Entry FeeNo fee
Best Time To VisitMarch to June
Nearest AirportJolly Grant Airport
LocationUttarakhand

Timings of Hanuman Chatti Temple

The gates of the temple are open for devotees at the following timings –

DarshanOpen TimeClose Time
Morning5 am12 pm
Evening2 pm9 pm

Significance of Hanuman Chatti Temple

Hanuman Chatti might be really small temple yet it is significantly known for its natural surroundings and serene atmosphere. The temple provides a sense of peace to the devotees.

Significance of Hanuman Chatti
Yamunotri is a 10 km trek from Hanuman Chatti temple.

Moreover, the temple is located at the head of a very popular trekking destination i.e. Yamunotri. Moreover, it is considered supremely sacred place among the devotees of Lord Hanuman.

History of the Temple

The history of Hanuman Chatti dates back to the time of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and mighty Bhima at the spot where the temple resides at present. So, it all began with Draupadi’s demand for Saughandika flower.

Bhima set out on the search for the flower on the Gandhamadana peak. But drowned in his pride he killed numerous animals on his way. Hence, to break his glass-like pride Lord Hanuman decided to teach him a lesson.

On his way, Bhima encountered a monkey lying in the path with its tail spread out such that Bhima was unable to pass-through. Bhima, the mightiest of the Pandavas requested the monkey to move his tail aside and let him pass. Hereafter, the monkey complained about his inability to move due to old age.

Hence, hearing his reply Bhima started fuming with anger. Eventually, he began trying to move the monkey’s tail himself. However, giving several attempts to the task he failed to move the monkey’s tail. As a result, his pride was shattered to pieces.

History of Hanuman Chatti
Lord Hanuman and Bhim’s encounter prior to Kurukshetra war.

By this time, Bhima came to the realisation that there was something more than ordinary about the monkey. Hence, he requested the monkey to reveal his true identity. Hearing this, Lord Hanuman appeared before him in his true self.

After that, Lord Hanuman also blessed Bhim and assured him victory in the Kurukshetra war. Hence, the place became popular as ‘Hanuman Chatti’.

Second born of Kunti, Bhima was Lord Hanuman’s brother as he was born to Kunti after she invoked Vayu Devta.

Festivals Celebrated At Hanuman Chatti Temple

The main festival celebrated at Hanuman Chatti is:

  • Hanuman Jayanti: The day records the day of birth of Lord Hanuman. Hence, on this day devotees of Lord Hanuman flock to the temple to celebrate his birth and seek his blessings. Moreover, they also make offerings at the temple and receive the pious prasad. The day observes the devotees of Lord Hanuman singing Hanuman Chalisa. Moreover, devotees also read excerpts from Ramayana that remind of Lord Hanuman’s heroic deeds, devotion and bravery.

How To Reach Hanuman Chatti

Devotees can reach the temple by following modes of transport –

  • Air: Jolly Grant Airport present in Dehradun is nearest to the temple. It is 187.5 km away from this Hanuman temple.
  • Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is Rishikesh railway station. It is at a distance of 202.5 km from Hanuman Chatti.
  • Road: Buses are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesh. Hereafter, one can hire a taxi or use state transport buses to Hanuman Chatti.

Where to Stay near the temple

Some of the places fit for a stay near Hanuman Chatti while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

  • The Kedar Dev’s: The hotel offers a package of all the modern amenities. Moreover, the place is hygienic and budget-friendly. Also, the view from the hotel is breath-taking beautiful.
  • Narayan Palace Hotel: The hotel offers comfortable accommodation to its guests. Additionally, the rooms are fully carpeted and appointed with all modern amenities including satellite television and direct dial telephone. .
  • Jagirdar Guest House: The place offers tented accomodation and a budget stay. Guest can enjoy a breath-taking view of the great Himalayas and the luscious green mountains.

Other Temples near Hanuman Chatti

Some of the temples near Hanuman Chatti are:

  • Badrinath Temple: Badrinath is a small temple town located in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Nevertheless, Badrinath Temple is also one of the shrines in the Char Dham pilgrimage in India. Moreover, the site is just 11.7 km away from Hanuman Chatti.
  • Bhavishya Badri: Ranked fourth among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. According to beliefs, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. It lies at a distance of 51.3 km from Hanuman Chatti.
  • Yogadhyan Badri: It ranks fifth among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. Hindu mythology states that the Pandavas were born here. Furthermore, it is also the place where Pandu attained salvation and died. Moreover, Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu in a state of meditation. This temple is 9 km away from Hanuman Chatti.
  • Dhyan Badri: It falls in the sixth position in the string of ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. It has an image of Lord Vishnu which was established by Urvarishi. Moreover, the image is four-armed and construction of black stone. Also, it portrays Vishnu in a meditative posture.

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

Vishnupad Mandir Gaya Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Vishnupad Mandir is one of the most attractive temples in Bihar. A large number of devotees come here every day to offer prayer and seek blessings. Vishnupad Mandir is located in Gaya which is 100 km away from Patna, the capital of Bihar.

Vishnupad Mandir is located on the banks of Falgu River and has a footprint of Vishnu incised into a block of basalt. People believe that Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur by placing his foot on Gayasur’s chest.

Gaya is equally important for Buddhists as this was the place where Lord Buddha preached the Fire Sermon i.e. Adittapariyaya Sutta to around 1000 agriculture workers who were fire-worshipers. The influence of Buddha’s discourse was so enormous that all of them converted to Buddhism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73cKZu2eN78
Vishnupad Temple – Video

What are the timings of the Vishnupad Temple?

  • Vishnupad Mandir is open every day. The darshan timings are from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
  • Vishnupad Mandir does not remain closed even on public holidays and the timings remain the same.

What is the history of the Vishnupad Mandir?

  • Legends say that the date of construction of Vishnupad Mandir, Gaya is unknown. It is believed that Lord Rama along with Sita Mata visited this place.
  • The present building of the temple was built by the ruler of Indore, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1787. The temple was built on the banks of the river Falgu.
  • On the southwest of the Vishnupad Temple, there is a Brahmajuni Hills which is built above 1000 stone steps. There are many other small temples near.
  • It is believed that once a demon named Gayasur committed a penance. It was said that whoever sees him would get salvation. And as it is known that salvation is attained if a person does something right in his life, everyone started attaining it easily.
  • To prevent bad people, Lord Vishnu asked Gayasur to go beneath the earth’s surface. Lord Vishnu himself sent Gayasur beneath the earth’s surface by keeping his right foot and pressing him under the earth surface.
  • While pushing Gayasur beneath the surface, Lord Vishnu’s footprint remained on the surface. This footprint is still visible and we can see it. This footprint has nine different signs symbols including Shankha, Chakram, and Gadham. These symbols are believed to be Lord Vishnu’s weapons.
  • After being pushed beneath the earth’s surface, Gayasur started pleading for food. That day Lord Vishnu said that every day there will be someone who will feed him food and whoever will feed him will be sent to heaven. It is believed that if Gayasur does not get food, he comes out.
  • It is also said that Lord Buddha meditated here for 6 years.

What is the significance of the Vishnupad Mandir?

Where is Vishnupad Temple
  • Vishnupad Mandir Gaya has the footprint of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this footprint happened when Lord Vishnu kept his right foot on the chest of the demon.
  • The footprint which we can see inside is around 40 cm long surrounded by silver-plated basin.
  • The height of the temple is 30 meter and has 8 rows of beautifully carved pillars. These pillars support the pavilion.
  • Vishnupad Mandir Gaya is built with large grey granite blocks which are joined with iron clamps.
  • The octagonal shrine of Vishnupad Temple faces east. The pyramidal tower of the shrine is 100 meters tall. There is a slope in the temple with alternately indented and plain sections. All these plain sections are set at an angle to create a series of peaks at the top, joined.
  • There is an immortal banyan tree where the final rituals for the dead are done. This banyan tree is named Akshayabat.
  • There is a gold flag and a couple of Kalash at the top of the Temple which always glitter. it is said that two thieves once tried to steal them, but one thief became stone at the temple and the other became stone and fell on the ground. These stones are not in the shape of humans, but a flat stone. These stones are kept for public view.
What is the history of the Vishnupad Temple

How to reach the Vishnupad Temple?

How to reach Vishnupad Temple
  • By Rail: The Vishnupad Temple is located 3 km south of Railway Station.
  • By Air: It takes around 17 mins from cab or taxi to reach Vishnupad Temple. The nearest airport is 7 km away from Vishnupad Temple. Patna airport is around 135 km away from Vishnupad Temple.
  • By Road: This temple is well connected by road to many places like Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Patna, Varanasi, Calcutta.

Where to stay in Gaya?

There are many places to stay in Gaya, Bihar. Gaya has a large number of a tourist attraction so there are plenty of places to stay while touring in Gaya. There are many hotels as well as the private organization which takes good care of the people. There are 5-star hotels as well as hotels with nominal charges according to the traveller’s budget. The charges of the hotels are very nominal as they keep the needs and demands of the customers in their mind. These hotels provide wifi, hygienic food and clean environment.

What are the places to eat in Gaya?

There are many restaurants in Gaya. Being a tourist attraction place, this city has a large number of restaurants as well as cafes. Every day there are a large number of tourist and devotees come here so there are a large number of places where one can eat. There are places like Multi-cuisine Restaurant, Hari Om Cafe, Khushi Family Restaurant, Siam Thai and many more.

What are some temples near Mahabodhi Temple?

  • Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple is an ancient Buddhist Temple in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is about 96 km from Patna, Bihar, India. Mahabodhi literally means the Great Awakening and it is said that Buddha has attained enlightenment in this location. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Sankata Maaka Mandir: This temple is the greatest tourist attraction of Gaya. This place gives inner peace and relaxes one’s mind and body. This place helps in making many great memories. Gaya is a place to visit after a busy weekday.
  • Mangala Gauri Temple: This temple is dedicated to Maa Mangala Gauri. Maa Mangala Gauri is a benevolent incarnation of Shakti. The temple has been mentioned in the Puranas and Tantric texts. It is said after Lord Shiva’s tandav and Sati’s self-immolation, her breasts fell in this place after a temple was made named Maa Gauri Temple. It is located at the top f the Mangalagauri Hills.
  • Pretshila Hills: Pretshila is a sacred place for Hindus. Pindas has been offered here for the ancestors here by many devotees. According to Hindu mythology, God Yama resides on the summit of the hill. This hill also known as Rock of Ghosts was earlier used for spirit worship but was later transformed into ancestral worship.
  • Phalgu River Ghats: The name Phalgu is derived from two words, Phala meaning merit and Gau meaning wish-giving cow. This place is used for performing ancestral rites. Two streams called Lilajan and Mohana originates from Korambe Pahar which is a high hill about 75 km south of Gaya, meet about 5 km south of Gaya. Lilajan is also the old name of Niranjana, a river in which the Buddha bathed and finally released his begging bowl.
Gaya

What are the places to visit in Gaya?

  • Tibetan Refugee Market: It is a place where you can buy lots of junk jewellery, bags and clothes. This is a very good market and all the product has a reasonable price. There are also books which help in knowing the history and culture of the Buddhist community very well. One can even buy Lord Buddha’s statue made of sandalwood or metal with various poses and moods. One can every buy handicraft items. This market has an open-bazaar system.
  • Dhamma Bodhgaya International Vipassana Meditation Centre: One of the most popular Vipassana centres in Bodh Gaya is Dhamma Yoga which is a favourite centre all across India. Courses here are usually of 10 days long, with some special one lasting for up to 20 days. All the courses begin in the evening for the first day and end on the morning of the next. There is a strict code of discipline which one must follow, so make sure you understand these rules before applying. You’ll need to take a form from their website and check for availability and course schedules to be a part of their Vipassana camps.
  • International Meditation Centre: Head to the International Meditation Centre to learn and participate in Vipassana Meditation, one of the most sophisticated forms of Yoga. This centre is run by trained professionals. This centre is a very good place where one can meet other yoga enthusiasts. The camps help by this centre helps in throwing away stress. You can join and complete a course of any duration that you please, at any time of the year. Run mostly on donations since 1970, the prices here are pretty affordable.

What are some other temples to visit in Bihar?

  • Baidyanath Dham: Baba Baidyanath Dham or Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. This temple of Shiva is in Deoghar in Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand. According to beliefs, the light of Jyotirlingam is the light of cosmos which is realized by the power of the soul as a whole.
  • Patan Devi Temple: This temple is one of the oldest and the most sacred temples of Patna, the capital city of Bihar state in India. This ancient temple, which was originally called Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari, is believed to be the abode of the goddess Durga. The temple is regarded as one among the 51 Siddha Shakti Peethas of the country.
  • Mahavir Mandir: Mahavir Mandir Patna is located near Patna Junction and is devoted to Lord Hanuman. Thousands of devotees come here each day to offer prayer and seek the blessing of Lord Hanuman. It is also called “Manokamana Temple” as it is said that each and every wish of devotees is granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vishnupad Temple open throughout the year?

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

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Vishnupad Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No, there is no online darshan facility available.

Can one carry mobiles and gadgets into the temple?

No. All electronic gadgets are prohibited in the temple premises (viz. mobile, camera, laptop). Free storage of the same is available at the entrance of the temple.

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

No. No such facilities are available. Although, a wheelchair can be made available upon request.

Is there any facility available for site seeing or nearby temple visit?

No. No such facilities are available.

What is the best time to visit Gaya?

The months of November to February is very ideal to visit the Vishnupad and the other temples located in Gaya.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers at Gaya start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Gaya?

In Gaya, winters start in November and continue until February. The temperatures during this time are around 20 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

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