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Elephanta Caves

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Elephanta Caves

Elephanta caves is one of the most significant monumental designs of Maharashtra. It not only adds to the beauty and heritage of the state but also contributes to tourism as one of the most famous tourist spots of India.  The famous Elephanta Caves also termed as Gharapurichi Leni or Gharapuri are a set of carved caves situated on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri. The island is positioned on the arm of the Arabian Sea and it consists of two group of caves- the first is a hefty group of five Hindu caves and the second is a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves encloses rock cut stone sculptures demonstrating the Shaiva Hindu sect which is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated back to the period in between the 5th and 8th centuries and the identity of the respective original draughtsmen is still in a state of ambiguity. The caves are carved out of solid basalt rock and all these caves were painted beautifully on the past but as of now only the outlines linger.  The main cave was basically a Hindu place of worship untilbastal rock

the Portuguese rule began in 1534. This war led to relentless damage of the caves but were later refurbished in the 1970s and was also designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the beauty and glory of the caves and at present they are maintained by the Archaeological Survey Of India.

Elephanta Caves

History and Legend of Elephanta Caves

It is believed that no inscriptions on any of the island have been discovered and the ancient history of the island is speculative. As per the legend about the caves, the Pandavas, heroes of the Hindu epic  Mahabharata and Banasura, the demon disciple of Lord Shiva were both ascribed with constructing temples or cut caves to live. It is also a popular belief that according to the local tradition, the caves are not believed to be man made.

The Elephanta Caves do not have a precise date and acknowledgment of their origin. According to Archaeological excavations  few of the Kshatrapa coins date back to the 4th century A.D. According to the historical origin of the caves, the origin of the caves can only be mapped out to the conquer of the Mauryan rulers of Konkan by the Badami Chalukyas emperor Pulakesi II in a sailing battle in 635 A.D.  Following the battle, the Elephanta was then termed as Puri or Purika and was also doled out as the capital of the  Konkan Mauryas.  Some of the historians feature the caves to the Konkan Mauryas and also marked that the caves dated back to the mid-6th century.

The Chalukyas who conquered the Kalachuris as well as the Konkan Mauryas are believed to be the initiator of the main cave by some people in the mid-7th century. The Rashtrakutas are the last pretenders of the main cave which is estimated to the early 7th to late 8th century. It is also believed that the Elephanta Shiva cave to a certain extent bears a resemblance to the 8th century Rashtrakuta rock-temple Kailash at Ellora.

Significance of the Elephanta Caves

  • One of the most significant feature of the Elephanta caves is that the Trimurti of Elephanta portraying the three faces of Shiva is similar to the Trimurti of Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu which was the the royal emblem of the Rashtrakutas.
  • The nataraja and Ardhanarishvara monuments are also featured to the Rashtrakutas.
  • At the entrance, there are four doors with three open doorways and a passageway at the back.
  • An astonishing fact about the Elephanta caves is that each wall consists of large carvings of Shiva which is more than 5 meters in height. The central Shiva relief Trimurti is positioned on the south wall and is edged by Ardhanarisvara on its left and Gangadhara to its right.
  • The rest of the sculptures interrelated to the legend of Lord Shiva are also seen in the main hall at premeditated locations in the restricted cubicles which include Kalyanasundaramurti portraying Lord Shiva’s marriage to the Goddess Parvati, Andhakasuravadamurti or Andhakasuramardana, the slaying of the demon Andhaka by Lord Shiva and Shiva-Parvathi on Mount Kailash which is the abode of Lord Shiva.

Apart from these, the following are the imperative features of the Elephanta Caves:

Main Hall

  • Ravana lifting Kailash
  • Shiva-Parvati on Kailash
  • Ardhanarishvara
  • Trimurti
  • Gangadhara
  • Wedding of Shiva
  • Shiva slaying Andhaka
  • Nataraja
  • Yogishvara
  • Linga

East Wing Shrine

  • Kartikeya
  • Matrikas
  • Ganesha
  • Dvarapala

West Wing Shrine

  • Yogishvara
  • Nataraja

Festivals celebrated at Elephanta Caves

The major festival celebrated at Elephanta Caves is the festival of Music and Dance which is being organised every year by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) ever since 1989. This festival is one of the major attractions of the Elephanta caves which have the propensity to grab the attention of audience worldwide.  The main emphasize of the festival is the elucidated Maheshmurti which is basically the Shiva idol in the main cave of the island.  The festival also includes group of people performing the Folk dance. These folk dances are executed by the local fisher folk and the ethnic local food assortments add an extra tinge to the vibes of the festive fun. Over the years, the festival has successfully become a major tourist magnetism for the people of the country in particular and the world in general for the incoming domestic and foreign tourists.

Elephanta Caves Timings

  • The Elephanta Caves is open on all days of the week except for Monday
  • The opening hours are from 7:00AM in the morning to 7:00PM in the evening
  • The visiting hours vary from 4 to 5 hours
  • The entry fee per person for Indians is Rupees 10
  • The entry fee per person for Foreigners is Rupees 250

How to Reach :  Road , Rail, Air

By Road:  Multiple transportation facilities are available for Elephanta Caves from Mumbai and nearby areas. Boat and Ferry ride facilities are also available from Gateway of India.

By  Rail : Mumbai is one of the major railway junctions and all parts of India are connected with Mumbai. Therefore, trains are always available on everyday basis from Mumbai ,     Bandra or Lokmanya Nagar junctions. Local trains from Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal or Churchgate are also available.

By  Air : The nearest airport to reach Elephanta Caves is the Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Where to Stay

There are numerous hotels and lodging facilities in and around the Elephanta Caves. Some of them are:

  • Hotel Milan International
  • Hotel Parle International
  • Hotel Airlines International
  • Ibis Mumbai Airport
  • Taj  Santacruz
  • Bawa International
  • Hotel Transit

Where to Eat

There are numerous reasonable restaurants in and around Elephanta caves with multiple cuisines. Some of them are : Elephanta Port Restaurant and Bar, Britannia and Company Restaurant, China Bistro, Bistro Grill, Le Cafe, VIG Refreshment, Ladoo Smart, West 1, Fruits and Foods Island, Sindh Pani Puri House, The Korner House, Aroma Garden, Bar-B-Que Corner, Cafe Amar, Veggie’s Delite, Rajkot Farsan Mart, Spice Kitchen, Arkshita, Croissants, Blue Park Restaurant, Hotel Sadanand Restaurant, Spring Onion, Sweet Passions, Hotel Vishnu Restaurant, Toran, Olde Baileys, Ming China, Salt ‘N’ Pepper, Vasant Refreshments, Oceanic, Ribbons and Balloons, Kunjvihar, Hotel Shree Devi Restaurant, Koolers, National Hindu Restaurant, Kaboom.

Amba Bhavani

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Bhawani Amba Temple

Ambala is located in Haryana. Ambala is a small city and a municipal corporation in Haryana. Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment are politically and geographically divided which is only 3 km from here. Ambala city and Indus river separates two river networks. In the north, it is adjacent to the river and to the south Tangdi Ghaggar river. It is believed that the name of city Ambala has been derived from the name of Goddess Amba, whose temple is situated in the city. It is a temple of the ancient period and has been there since a very long time. The Amba Bhavani Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. Like every state in India, the state of Haryana is also a land of numerous temples. The temples and the other religious buildings like gurudwaras, mosques and churches speak volume of the culture and the background of the place. The Haryana temples are beautiful and they serve as ideal tourist spots. Among the numerous legendary temples in the state of Haryana, the Amba Bhavani Temple is a prominent one. It is situated in the city of Ambala. The temple of Amba Bhavani is considered a very sacred temple. It is a temple of the ancient era and has been there since a very long time. The Amba Bhavani Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. There is a popular belief that the city of Ambala has been named after Devi Amba. In and around the city of Ambala, there are many holy places and shrines. Some of these places of worship need a mention. Apart from the Amba Bhavani Temple, the other places of interest are the Kali Mata Mandir, the Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, the Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurd-wara and the Manji Sahib Gurdwara. The Bhawani Amba Temple, which is situated in the city of Ambala, is an ancient temple and it has been the witness to the city’s history since Ambala’s birth. All the temples are unique in their own ways and each of the temples has different history and leg-ends associated to them. The stories behind the temples are very interesting and are informative at the same time. The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala is listed amongst the most sacred religious places in Haryana. The temple is one of the leading tourist attraction in Ambala. It is name after the presiding Goddess of the temple called Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. Thousands of devotees visit this temple for offering prayers and be a part of the rituals that are followed at this place. The beautifully carved out pillars and the intrinsic carvings on the walls of the temple speaks volume about the rich artistry.

History and Legend of Amba Bhavani

  • It is believed that the origin of the name Ambala is done from this Devi Amba’s Temple. In ancient times this temple was considered an important pilgrim destination.
  • The temples in Haryana are mostly of the ancient era. These primitive temples are not just places of worship. Most of these are architectural masterpieces and are treasuries of erudition and ethnicity.
  • The temples in Haryana envelop the atmosphere of the place with a divine air. There are plenty of famous temples in the state of Haryana.
  • The Amba Bhavani Temple, the Kali Mata Mandir in Ambala, the Shiv Temple in Gurgaon, the Bishnoi Mandir and the Sheetala Devi Temple are to name just a few of the temples.
  • The Sheetla Devi Temple in Haryana is a prime pilgrimage point. The place is also known as Shakti Peeth because Sheetla Devi or the Goddess of Shakti is the presiding deity here.

Significance of Amba Bhavani

• Among the numerous legendary temples in the state of Haryana, the Bhawani Amba Temple is a   prominent one. It is situated in the city of Ambala. The temple of Bhawani Amba is considered a very sacred temple. It is a temple of the ancient era and has been there since a very long time.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala has derived its name from the presiding Goddess of the temple. The deity is known as Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi. There is a popular belief that the city of Ambala has been named after Devi Amba.
• In and around the city of Ambala, there are many holy places and shrines. Some of these places of worship need a mention. Apart from the Bhawani Amba Temple, the other places of interest are the Kali Mata Mandir, the Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, the Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurd-wara and the Manji Sahib Gurdwara.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple, which is situated in the city of Ambala, is an ancient temple and it has been the witness to the city’s history since Ambala’s birth.
• All the temples are unique in their own ways and each of the temples has different history and leg-ends associated to them. The stories behind the temples are very interesting and are informative at the same time.
• The Bhawani Amba Temple in Ambala is listed amongst the most sacred religious places in Haryana. The temple is one of the leading tourist attraction in Ambala. It is name after the presiding Goddess of the temple called Amba Devi or Bhawani Devi.
• Thousands of devotees visit this temple for offering prayers and be a part of the rituals that are followed at this place. The beautifully carved out pillars and the intrinsic carvings on the walls of the temple speaks volume about the rich artistry.

Timings of Amba Bhavani Temple

Darshan in Bhawani Amba Temple starts from 6am to 12pm and then 1pm to 9pm. The temple trust gives Naivedyam to the Goddess from 12pm to 1pm. During this time the devotees are not allowed to enter the temple. During summer, Arti begins from 8am to 6pm whereas during winter season it begins from 8am to 8pm.

Food Timing of Amba Bhavani Temple

The offerings which devotees give to the Gods and Goddesses are touched to the Gods and Goddesses and then sent back to the devotees which are known as Prasads. Devotees are also provided by the Temple. These foods are sold by the Temple.

Places to stay

There are various dharamshala facility provided fo the devotees. The Temple Trust has themselves made dharamshalas for the devotees as well as tourists. Apart from dharamashalas, there are many hotels as well as private organizations that provide dwelling facilities to the people. The hotels have nominal charge keeping the need and budget of the devotees and the tourists. The hotels provide clean and hygiene environment to the tourists as well has good and hygienic food. Many hotels provide wifi facilities to the tourists so that they keep themselves connected to the whole world.

Place to eat

Amba Bhavani Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main course and are given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust. Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.
There are a lot of dishes which are given to the devotees. There are one-time free prasads served to the devotees. There are many other dishes that are served to the devotees for which they need to spend money. The food is prepared in a very hygienic conditions. All the eatables are taken good care while preparing food. Foods are prepared in a very hygienic atmosphere.

Apart from the food we get in the temple, there are many other hotels and places where one can have food. In Ambala, we can find food stalls everywhere. There are hotels and cafes like Cafe Coffee Day, Pind Balluchi and many more. There are many other hotels which have nominal charges keeping the taste of the consumer in mind. They prepare food in a very clean and hygienic environment.

How to Reach- Road, Rail and Air

• Air– The nearest airport to Bhawani Amba Temple is chandigarh air force base airport , morni which is 3 km away from Bhawani Amba Temple .
• Rail- The nearest railway station to bhawani amba temple is Ambala Cant Jn Train Station which is 6 km away from Bhawani Amba Temple.

Festivals celebrated at the Amba Bhavani Temple

• Bhavani Festival- This festival is celebrated for four days and four nights. Devotees pray and worships Goddess throughout the festival. Bhavani festival is celebrated twice in a year. This festival includes rituals like Sasthi, Bhavani Ashthami. On Bhavani Ashthami, the devotees fast until they offer flowers to the deity. On the next day, girls who have not reached puberty yet are fed and offered presents. These girls are represented as the young form of the Goddess. The last of this festival is known as Vijaydashmi. On this day the Goddess is carried to the river and immersed in the water. There is a distribution of sweets and the devotees enjoy that this festival will again be celebrated next year. This festival is known as Durga Puja in West Bengal and is celebrated almost same. This festival symbolizes win of good over evils. This festival is also known as Navratri.
• Ganesh Chaturthi- Ganesh Chaurthi is another very important and famous festival. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in the town of Ambala. This festival is held in the months of August and September. This festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chatirthi is traditionally celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi in the months of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calender.
• Diwali- Diwali is one of the important festivals of Hindus. This festival is celebrated in the months of October and November and is also known as “Festival of Lights”. People of Ambala celebrate this festival with great pomp and show. During this festival Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.
• Holi- Holi is another imporatnt festival for the natives of Ambala. This is a “Festival of Colors”. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in India. This festivals charges the atmosphere. Holi celebration is started by Holika Dahan where people gather and sing and dance.
Places to visit in Ambala
• St. Paul’s Church- St Paul’s church is one of the oldest church in Ambala Cantt which was built on January 4, 1857. It was bombed during the 1965 Indo-Pak war which destroyed its splendid and what left was only the tower. Since then, a portion of the parsonage has been dedicated for church operations.
• Badshahi Bagh Gurudwara– This Gurudwara is located on Ambala – Hisar road. This is related to Sri Guru Gobind Sahib Ji. The Gurudwara is heavily crowded on festive season and Sundays. The ambience is simply super. This Gurudwara is historic related to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. The place is simply awesome and very peaceful. Visit the Gurudwara on Sundays.
• Gurudwara Manjhi Sahib- Situated on the NH-1 in Ambala, few KM from Ambala city, actually its inside the city only. This is the place where the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji has stayed over night and has placed his cot (MANJI)to take rest.That’s why it is known as Manji sahib. Inside the Gurudwara you feel calmness, inner peace and peace of mind.

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

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

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

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

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

Annavaram Temple History

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

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

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

Significance of Annavaram Temple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annavaram Temple Timings

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

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

Festivals Celebrated here

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Poojas and Rituals at Annavaram Temple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hotels in Annavaram

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

Nearby Temples

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Sree Vallabha Temple Thiruvalla Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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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. The temple has a beautiful 8 ft idol of Sree Vallabha within the sanctum sanctorum. The legendary architect Perunthachan constructed the unique Garuda Sthambha. 54 ft flag mast is made of a single block of granite.

Sree Vallabha Temple is considered as the most important temple for Vaishnavites all over India due to the presiding deity is Lord Maha Vishnu. As offerings by devotees Kathakali is performed almost on all days in Thiruvalla Temple. It is believed that its bottom touches the water table. Thiruvalla Temple has a Garudathara, which is unique and appeared magnificent. This also has a Garuda’s image atop.

There are sub-shrines around the Thiruvalla temple for Ayyapa, Karuppaya Swamy etc. The idol on the pillar is depicted as like a human form with beaks, and wings stretched and hands bowing. There is a legend that when the Garuda’s idol was erected on those pillar centuries back. It was about to fly off and so placed it in position by chains. It was erected after two years of consecration of Sree Vallabha’s idol. The idol of Maha Vishnu or Sree Vallabha was sculpted by Viswakarma at the behest of Lord Krishna and was given to Satyaki at the end of Dwapara Yuga.

Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga, Lord asked Garuda to keep the idol in safe custody. Keeping this in mind Garuda kept it in Netravati river which flows from Karnataka to Kerala. Later, the royal consort of Cheraman Perumal – the emperor of Kerala had a dream that the idol of Krishna was lying on the bed of Netravati river. All efforts were taken to search the idol.

Thiruvalla Temple

History and Legend of Sree Vallabha Temple

  • In a place called Sankaramangalam nearby, there was a very devout old lady. She was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and was referred to by people as Sankaramangalathu amma. She was very particular about observing Ekadasi. An ogre called Thugala (tholaga) used to trouble her a lot. On Dwadasi day she could not find any Brahmin to partake of her food. Lord Vishnu himself took the form of a Brahmachari and came there as her guest.
  • Sankaramangalathamma requested him to take a bath in the nearby well and come in. Lord Vishnu asked her whether there are any rivers nearby. She then told him that an Asura was living near the river and was not allowing anyone to take a bath there. Lord Vishnu went to the river and killed the Tholagasura with his Sudarshana Chakra and washed the Chakra in the river.
  • This place is presently referred to as Chakrasala ghat. When the lord returned, there were four more Brahmins. Sankakamangalathamma served food to all the five of them in areca nut sheath. Even today this feeding is done in areca nut sheath and is referred to as Paala Bhojanam.
  • Once some Brahmins came to her house and requested for food. She told them that it was Ekadasi, they laughed at her and informed her that the day was Dasami. To prove the same, one of them who was an astrologer, did a Prasna to find out the exact Thithi. The Prasna showed that it was Ekadasi but when they stepped out of the house, it showed it was Dasami.
  • It is believed that when Lord Vishnu came as a Brahmachari to the house of Sankaramangalathamma he consecrated His Sudarshana Chakra there. This Chakra has eight corners denoting Conch, wheel, mace, lotus flower, rope, goad, bow and stick.
  • Sacred ash called Vibhuthi is given as Prasada in this temple of Chakra. The main deity of this temple is Sri Vallabha. This is an eight-foot-tall idol in the standing pose which faces east. Here sandalwood paste is given instead of sacred ash. There is a story about Sri Vallabha.
  • When Cheraman Perumal was ruling Kerala, God appeared in his dreams and pointed out the exact location of the idol and asked him to consecrate it in a temple. The king found the idol and since there was an empty temple in Thiruvalla which was waiting for a suitable idol, the king consecrated the divine idol there. When the original idol ordered for that temple came, it was consecrated in a place called Malayin Keezh.
  • Malayin Keezh calls their God as Thiruvalla Appan even today. There is a stone inscription on the temple indicating that it was constructed in the year 59 AD. Padathi Banana was used as an offering by Sage Durvasa when he visited the temple. Even today Padathi Pazham is offered to the God. If one is looking at the face of the idol, one will not be able to see his feet and vice versa. The temple is built in such away.

Significance of Sree Vallabha Temple

  • Performing Kathakali is one of the main forms of worship to this Lord. It seems when Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar visited this temple, he found the Lord watching Kathakali along with the audience. Thereafter, whenever Kathakali is performed at this temple, they keep a seat covered with silk. And a lamp-lit near this divine seat.
  • Thiruvalla Temple was once a place famous for Vedic schools. There were more than 1000 students and 100 teachers in this Vedic school and was famous as Thiruvalla Sala. It was as famous as Thirumoozhikkulam Sala (Vedic school in Thirumoozhikkulam Temple) and was bigger than Niranam Sala and Kaviyoor sala.

Sree Vallabha Temple Timings

  • Thiruvalla Temple is open from 4:30 AM  to 11:30 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM  8:00 PM  in the evening.
  • The Palli Unarthal and Abhishekam is carried out in the temple from 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM. It is followed by the first pooja at 7:00 AM.
  • Thiruvalla Temple closes in the afternoon after Ucha Shiveli at 11:30 AM. It opens in the evening at 5:00 PM.
  • The Deeparadhana is performed from 6:30 PM  to 7:00 PM. It is followed by the Naalaam Pooja and Ancham Pooja.
  • Thiruvalla Temple closes at 8:00 PM after the Athazha Shiveli.

Festivals celebrated at the Sree Vallabha Temple

Uthra Sree Bali

Vadakkenada remains closed throughout the year except on the day of ‘Uthra Sree Bali’.  All the three Goddesses assemble together in the ‘North Nada’. The doors of the north gate tower are opened only at this auspicious time and the Goddesses are received with all spiritual austerity. Thousands of devotees assemble to see the majestic scene and also to offer their worship to the great Lord Vishnu along with the three goddesses. They are supposed to be the part of the almighty himself. All the three goddesses are taken to the ensign where the goddess Padappadu and Karunattukavu. Alumthuruthy goes inside the temple to invite Sreevallabha and Sudarsanamurthy.

Ekadasi Festival

One of the most important festivals of the town, Ekadasi Festival is celebrated on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. The Vrishchika Ekadasi has special importance in the town. A highlight of this festival is the commemorative plaque for Gajarajan Kesavan.

Utsavam or Annual Festival

This festival is celebrated on the day of Pushya in the month of February-March and is meant for the purification and revitalizing the powers of the deity.

Kathakali had become the greatest offering to Sreevallabha. The devotees of Sreevallabha used to offer Kathakali to him. This is the only temple in India where the maximum number of Kathakali are being performed every year.

Poojas and Rituals at Sree Vallabha Temple

  • In Thiruvalla Temple the deity is worshipped five times a day in different forms. In the early morning pooja, the deity is worshipped as Brahmachari. In the Pandeerati pooja, he is worshipped as a sanyasi. And during the noon Pooja he is worshipped as Vasudeva dressed in royal attire.
  • In the evening Pooja the deity is worshipped as Narayana. During night Pooja he is worshipped as Lakshmi Narayana. While the goddess is dressed in the usual manner, God during this Pooja is dressed as a Sanyasi. There is a custom is to keep all material necessary for doing pooja inside the sanctum sanctorum before closing the door. As it is believed that sage Durvasa would come in the night and do Pooja to the Lord.
  • Poojas for Lord Sudarsana is according to Ahirbhudhnya Samhitha.  After athazha, pooja Lord’s idol will be decorated with a Kavi Mundu and a long tulsi garland. For ucha pooja nivedyam, there must be truppuli, erisseri, parippu, upperi and uppu manga.  After athazha pooja, there is a ritual called Pallikkuruppu for Lord Sree Vallabha and Lakshmi Devi. It is held at Palliyara and closes the doors of the temple. In the morning poojas begin after Palliyyunarthal at Palliyara.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: Trivandrum is the nearest airport. One can also reach the temple from Kochi airport.  There are no flights available between Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvalla, but there are 20 direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvalla.

By Train: Thiruvalla Railway station is about 30kms South of Kottayam on the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayankulam rail route. The temple is roughly 3 km from the railway station. It is also well connected to major cities like Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai via Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Express, and Kerala Express.

By Road: One can take State transport bus to Thiruvalla. There is Ers Patna Exp from Coimbatore to Srikalahasti if one is coming from Coimbatore.

Where to stay

Thiruvalla has some deluxe accommodation options. Bessota International Hotel (Thiruvalla), John’s Homestay (Thiruvalla) and Hotel Voyage (Thiruvalla) are popular deluxe accommodation options in the city. The hotels are homely and laced with modern amenities.

Where to eat

There are numerous hotels and restaurants for the convenience of the hoards of tourists visiting the destination. Restaurants are the perfect places to eat, drink and be merry. These are restaurants that offer a wide variety of delicacies and most of them are pretty affordable too. It is designed to suit everyone’s budget and taste. 

  • Hotel Aryaas Park Contact: Deepa Junction, Thiruvalla, India
  • The Food Village Contact: Kallisery P.O, Thiruvalla 689124
  • Arabian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla, India
  • Phosphorous Restaurant Contact: No 77, Club 7 Hotel | Scs Junction, Thiruvalla

Nearby Temples

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple: Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the most ancient and popular Hindu temples located at the village of Kaviyoor. It is at a distance of 6kms from Thiruvalla town in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Aval Nadyam and Vada Mala is the main offering to the presiding deity at Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple. This can be offered after making a receipt from the counter. There are a number of rituals that are performed to please the presiding deity on a daily basis. Kaviyoor is another noted shrine which stands on a small hillock. It is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala.

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