Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Chintpurni Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples, Shakti Peetha

Chintpurni Temple is one of the major pilgrimages in India and also one of the Shakti Peethas. The Chintpurni Shakti Peeth or Chinnamastika Shakti Peeth is in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh. It has the western Himalayas in the north and the smaller Shivalik range in the East.

What is the history of Chintpurni Temple?

The history of Chintpurni temple relates itself to a famous legend. According to it, when Lord Vishnu severed Sati’s body into 51 pieces they scattered all over. He did this to stop Shiva’s Tandava. So all of the pieces together formed the 51 Shakti Peethas.

According to Puranic traditions, Shiva – Rudra Mahadev will protect Chhinnamastika Devi in the four directions. Also, there are four Shiva temples – Kaleshwar Mahadev in the east, Narayhana Mahadev in the west, Muchkund Mahadev in the north and Shiva Bari in the south – which are nearly equidistant from Chintpurni. This also confirms Chintpurni as the abode of Chinnamastika Devi.

People also believe that Pandit Mai Das, a Kalia Saraswat Brahmanestablished this shrine to Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this village became popular as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity.

What is the significance of Chintpurni Temple?

The significance of Chintpurni temple is that devotees believe that nobody goes empty handed from the shrine of Goddess Chintpurni / Chhinnamastika. The simple structure of the temple contains the main shrine, where the image of Mata Chintpurni is placed in the form a pindi (a round stone).

There are 51 Shakti Peeth associated with the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. It is believed that Sati Devi’s feet fell here.

What are the Timings of Chintpurni Temple?

Here are the timings of Chintpurni Temple:

Timings	From	To
open (winters)	5:30 a.m	9:30 p.m.
open (Summers)	4:00 a.m	10:00 p.m.
Morning arti	6:00 a.m.
evening arti	8:00 p.m.

Which festivals are celebrated at Chintpurni Temple?

Navaratri is a grand festival that is celebrated with devotion in the Chintpurni temple. People from all over India and abroad come here during this to seek the blessings of Devi Ma. The festival takes place during in Aashadh (July), Ashwin (October) and Chaitra (March–April).

How to reach Chintpurni Temple?

Here’s how to reach Chintpurni Temple:

Air: Nearest airport is at Gaggal in Kangra district. Its distance from Chintpurni is about 60 km.
Road: State Transport bus services are available fromPunjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi and others.
Rail: The nearest railway stations is Amb Andaura, 20 km from the temple.

Where to stay nearby?

Some places where one can stay nearby are:

Hotel Amber Residency opposite KDM Hospital, Hoshiarpur is a great place to stay. The ambience is suitable for all and many visitors praise it.
Hotel Presidency at Model town road, Hoshiarpur is another great place to check in. Rooms are comfortable and spacious with all modern facilities.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples/places that one can visit nearby are:

Naina Devi Temple – The temple of Shri Naina Devi Ji is on a hilltop in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh in India, about 115 km south of Chintpurni.
Mandi is also famous as the Varanasi of the east and is on the banks of the Beas River. Situated some 70 km from Kullu, Mandi was getting its name from Sage Mandav who meditated here.
Thaneek Pura is at a distance of only 3 Kms from Chintpurni. It is well-known for its temples; Guga Zahar Peer Temple, Mahiya Sidh Temple, and Radha-Krishna Temple are some of the temples in the area. Thaneek Pura is also famous for a fair on the day of Krishna Janamashtmi along with Guga Navami festival.
Hidimba Devi Temple

Rudranath Temple

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

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

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

What is the history of Rudranath Temple?

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

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

What is the significance of Rudranath Temple?

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

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

What are the timings of Rudranath Temple?

Here are the timings of Rudranath Temple:

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

What are the festivals celebrated at RudranathTemple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Rudranath Temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
Doli Yatra: In the winters, devotees bring a symbolic image of Lord Shiva to Gopeshwar for worship in a Doli Yatra which goes through Sagar village. When the yatris reach Pitradhar, they worship their ancestors and at the end of the journey, they reach Rudranath along with the image.
Annual fair: The temple conducts a fair on the full moon day of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar. It is mostly on the day of Raksha Bandhan and mainly the locals attend the fair.

How to reach Rudranath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Rudranath Temple:

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

Where to stay near Rudranath Temple?

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

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

What are the other Panch Kedar temples?

The other Panch Kedar Temples are:

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

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

Kanjanur

May 4, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With: Navagraha Temples, Shiva Temples

Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu. It is associated with Lord Sukran (Planet Venus), the sixth of Navagraha planets. Lord Agneeswarar in this temple is there in the form of a Lingam, an infinite nature of Lord Shiva, which depicts Shukra.

Also, the Thayaar of Agneeswarar Temple is Goddess Karpagambigai (Goddess Parvati). The other deities of the temple are Lord Karpaga Vinayagar, Lord Dhakshinamoorthy, Lord Natarajar as well as Pullunda Nandhi. Moreover, the special feature of this temple is that Lord shiva blessed the sage Parasara Muni with His divine cosmic dance. Also, according to Shaivites, followers of Lord Shiva, Shukra is within the stomach of Lord Shiva.

What is the history of Kanjanur?

According to history of Kanjanur, Sukracharya was the son of Brigu Maharishi. During a war between devas and asuras, Brigu Maharishi’s wife, was accidentally beheaded by Vishnu’s chakram (discus). An angry Sukracharya cursed Vishnu. As a result of the curse, He was born as Sudarsanar to Vasudeva, a Vaishnava Brahmin.

Sudarsanar was a staunch Shiva devotee and was popular as Haradatta Shivacharyar. There are stories of the ordeals of Haradatta to prove his devotion for Shiva. Images pertaining to these are there in this temple and also in the Vishnu temple in the village. Haradatta used to spend much of his time meditating before the Dakshinamurthy.

The presiding deity Agneeswarar is the embodiment of Sukran. Sukran was the Guru of asuras. He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances. In the Vamana Avataram of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three footsteps of land from Mahabali, an asura king.

Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukrachariyar assumed the form of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the kamandalam. Vamana picking up a pavithram blinds Sukracharya in one eye while trying to unclog the hole in the kamandalam.

Sukracharyar also has the prowess to bring the dead to living by virtue of his knowledge of Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra. Using this mantra, in the asura war against the devas, he revived the slain asuras. Hence, this helped the asura army swell.

The devas prayed to Lord Siva for help, who swallowed up Sukracharya in a fit of rage. After residing in Lord Siva’s stomach in a siddha state, he emerged from Lord Siva’s stomach.

What is the significance of the Kanjanur Temple?

The significance of the Kanjanur Temple is that Lord Dakshinamurthy (Guru) is always seen with a demon being crushed under his feet. The demon signifies ignorance. It means that Dakshinamurthy leads us from ignorance to the knowledge of self. The image of Haradatta worshipping Dakshinamurthy is a unique feature.

Sukra endows those who pray to him will be blessed with wealth, pleasure, wife, prosperity as well as vehicles. He is alsothe next most beneficial planet after Guru. Moreover, if in a person’s horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then the person will enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame, love, affection, marriage, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern the country/state and hold influential status.

What are the timings of Kanjanur Temple Temple?

Here are the timings of Kanjanur Temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	6 AM	12.00 PM
Evening Darshan	4 PM	9 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at the Kanjanur Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Kanjanur Temple are:

Mahasivaratri: Mahashivratri is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva or Shankara. Priests wash the Shivalinga every three hours that day with cow’s milk, curd ,honey , cow ghee ,water. Women pray for the well being of their husbands and children, girls keep fast so that they get good and understanding husband.

Aadi Pooram: Aadi Pooram, also called as ‘Aandal Jayanti’ is a prime festival of Tamilians. This festival is for Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Pooram is a 10-day festival in all Lord Vishnu temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Of these, the last day (10th day) is ‘Aadi Pooram’ and a grand marriage ceremony of Goddess Andal and Sri Ranganathaswamy takes place.

Arudara Darshan: Arudara Darshan occurs in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January). It is essentially a Shaivite festival and hence celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva in the Nataraja form. Women keep fast for husband’s well being while girls for a good marriage. Also, Ardra darshan is in early morning and devotees decorate the temple with flowers and diyas.

Navaratri: The festival of Navratri is marked by the celebrations of nine days. On each day the worship of one of the nine incarnations of the Goddess Shakti takes place. Chaitra Navratri occurs after Holi and during Chaitra Shukla Paksha. This starts from the first day and ends on the ninth day which is also Ram Navmi.

What are the poojas and Rituals of Kanjanur?

The poojas and rituals of Kanjanur are:

There are six worships for the Lord in Kanjanur. Lord Shukra’s worship usually takes place with white lotus, white cloth, diamond, ‘mochai’ powder and athi to ward off evil effects owing to the malefic planetary effects.

By praying to Lord Sukra one can solve these problems. Arts, sculpture, love, vehicles are the beneficial aspects of Sukra.

The temple offers Six worship services daily. Fridays are auspicious to pray Lord Sukra. Sukran, the next most beneficial planet after Guru (Brihaspati), bestows his devotees with wealth and prosperity. If in a person’s horoscope, Sukra is in a good position, then the person enjoys better life and wealth.

Kanjanur is the temple for performing “Kalathira Dosha Pariharam” for Lord Sukiran. Lord Shiva as Agneeswarar is the presiding deity while his consort is Goddess Karpagambal. Lord Agni one of the “AshtadhikBalakars” worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Agneeswarar

How to reach Kanjanur?

Here’s how to reach Kanjanur:

Air: Nearest airport to Agneeswarar Temple in Thanjavur airport, which is 46 Km away from the temple.
Rail: Nearest railway station to Agneeswarar Temple is Mayiladuthurai railway station which is 18 Km away.
Road: There are direct local bus services to Agneeswarar Temple from Mayavaram, Aduthurai, Thiruvidaimarudhur and Kumbakonam.

Where to stay in Kanjanur?

Some of the places where one can stay in Kanjanur are:

Mantra Veppathur Resort Contact: 536/537A,No.1, Bagavathapuram Main Road Extension, | Srii Sailapathipuram Village, Veppathur,, Kumbakonam 612103, India
Sivamurugan Hotels Contact: 60 Feet Main Road | Near New Bus Stand, Kumbakonam 612001, India
Sara Regency Contact: 45/1 Chennai Road, Kumbakonam 612002, India
Quality Inn VIHA Contact: #2, New Railway Road | Kumbakonam, Tanjore Dist, Kumbakonam 612001, India
Hotel Metro Contact: 19/11 Sarangapani Sannithi Street, Kumbakonam 612001, India

Where to eat in Kanjanur?

Some of the places where one can eat in Kanjanur are:

Dosa Plaza Kumbakonam Contact: 332 Nageshwaran North Street | Kurinchi Metro Bazz
Habibi Restaurant Contact: 29/921 Sarangapani East Street, Kumbakonam
Raya’s Restaurant Contact: 18,19 Head Post Office Rd, Kumbakonam 612001
Venkataramana Contact: near Municipal office, Kumbakonam, India
Sri Mangalambiga Vilas Contact: Adi Kumbeswarar Temple Complex, Kumbakonam

What are some temples near the Kanjanur Temple?

Some of the temples near the Kanjanur Temple are:

Suryanar Koil: Suryanar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples, which houses the Sun God (Surya god). further, to offer worship at Sooriyanar Temple, one has to reach the Rajagopuram (Main Entrance) and more towards North where Pushkarani of temple is present. One can also take bath in the tank or sprinkle holy water in the head as purification.

Sri Sarabeswarar Temple: Sri Kambaheswarar Temple (or) Sarabeswarar Temple has located at Thirubuvanam village of Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur district. The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva as Kambaheswarar as well as Goddess Parvathi. The Chola King Kulothunga Chola had built this temple for his victory of North Indian battle.

Sri Mahalinga Swami Temple: Mahalinga swamy temple has located at Thiruvidaimaruthur, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district.The holy tree Marutham had found in this region like forest. Therefore, this place has known as Maruthur. This Temple was at the middle of the Maruthur so it was popular as Thiruvidaimaruthur. Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnana Sambandhar visited this temple. They sang many songs about Mahalinga Swamy.

Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple: It is believed that unmarried boy or girl will enter into wedlock if they propitiate the presiding deity Kalyanasundarar and his divine consort- Kokilambal. Parvathi Devi performed Tapas in this sthalam to marry Shiva Perumaan and finally married in this sthalam.

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The Great Stupa- Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

May 4, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Madhya Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Buddha Temples

The Great Stupa is not only an important Buddhist monument but also one of the oldest stone structure in India. The stupa is a Sanskrit term that means ‘heap’. It was built by Emperor Ashoka in honor of Lord Buddha in 3rd century BCE. The Stupa was built during the Mauryan period. It is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. It has its listing in UNESCO’s world heritage sites. It is believed that this Stupa houses ashes of Buddha.

Originally the Stupa was a simple structure. However, it got destroyed in the 2nd century BCE. The Stupa reached its final form after repairing and enlarging it in the 1st century BCE. Currently, the Stupa is 54 feet high and 120 feet high.

The Great Stupa is located 46 km north-east of Bhopal, on the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. One can visit the Stupa from Sunrise to Sunset. The Stupa remains open for visitors from 8 am to 5 pm.

What is the architecture of The Great Stupa?

Every Stupas has three identical features.

Anda (hemispherical mound): The Anda is a dome-shaped mound of dirt. It was made to cover Buddha’s remains. The earliest Stupas contained actual relics of the Buddha. With time, the hemispherical mound has got a grander symbolic meaning. It represents the mountain home of the gods at the center of the universe.
Harmika (A square railing): The Anda is surrounded by a Harmika. It represents the world mountain. It is inspired by a square railing or fence that surrounded the mound of dirt, marking it as a sacred burial site.
Chattra (A central pillar supporting a triple-umbrella form): The Chattra is a triple umbrella structure. It represents the three Jewels or Triantha of Buddhism—the Buddha, the Dharma (doctrine), and the Sangha (community). These three Jewels are the keys to a true understanding of the faith It was placed over the mound to protect it from the elements.

The other unique features of the Sanchi Stupa is:

Medhi (A circular terrace): Medhi is a circular terrace. It is surrounded by a similar three-bar railing. The railing supports the Anda and raises it off the ground. It likely served as a platform for ritual practice.
Toranas(wall with decorated gateways): The wall is marked in light blue highlights. The toranas are marked in yellow. Torans are the wall that surrounds the entire structure, with its trademark three horizontal stone bars. The Toranas of the Great Stupa are the greatest achievement of Sanchi sculpture. Each gateway is made up of two squared posts. These posts are topped by capitals of sculptured animals or dwarfs, which are surmounted by three architraves.

All the elements are covered with relief sculpture that depicts the events of the Buddha’s life. There are Jataka stories -about the Buddha’s previous lives, scenes of early Buddhism, and auspicious symbols. The names of donors are also inscribed. The most notable is the ivory workers of Vidisha.

What is the significance of The Great Stupa?

Stupas were made to remind the Buddhist practitioner of the Buddha and his teachings. These were made almost 2,500 years after Buddha’s death. The practice of building stupas spread with the Buddhist doctrine to Nepal and Tibet, Bhutan, Thailand, Burma, China and the United States where large Buddhist communities are centered.

Building Stupas has Karmic benefits for the Buddhists. Karma plays a key role in Buddhism and Hinduism. Karma means the energy generated by a person’s actions and the ethical consequences of those actions. A Buddhists believe that building a Stupa would help them be born in a good location and they will not suffer from extreme poverty.

Buddhists visit Stupas to perform rituals that help them to understand the Buddha’s teachings. Buddha’s teachings are pointed in Four Noble Truths. Once a person fully understands The Four Noble Truths, they are able to achieve Enlightenment (the complete knowledge of the dharma).

The Four Noble Truths are:

Life is suffering. Suffering means Rebirth.
The cause of suffering is Desire.
The cause of desire must be overcome.
When desire is overcome, there is no more suffering.

Buddha means ‘The Enlightened One’. Buddhist practitioners seek the knowledge that the Buddha gained on his way to achieving Enlightenment.

What are the timings of The Great Stupa?

The Great Stupa is open for the visitors on all days.
The timings are from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

What are the entry fees of the Great Stupa?

The entry fees of the Great Stupa is:

Entry fee for Indians: Rs. 10.
Entry fee for Foreigners: Rs. 250.
Entry fee for Children up to 15 years: Free.

What is the best time to visit The Great Stupa?

The best time to visit Sanchi Stupa is during the months of November to March. Majority of the festivals take place during this time.
The climate of the great Stupa remains moderately hot throughout the year.
Avoid making a trip during the hot summer months.

How to reach The Great Stupa?

Air: Nearest airport for reaching Sanchi stupas is Raja Bhoj airport at Bhopal city. Sanchi lies in 55 km north-east of Bhopal airport.
Train: The nearest railway station is Bhopal. It is connected with direct trains from major cities.
Road: Sanchi is well connected by road with other cities. It lies on Bhopal-Sagar state highway.

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 30, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 24 Comments Filed Under: Gujarat Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Jalaram Bapa Mandir is a renowned temple which is located at Virpur in Gujarat. This place has become famous owing to the birth of Sri Jalaram Bapa, a much-revered saint. There have been many events that had happened in this saint’s life at Virpur and people from all over come to visit this holy shrine.

a tour of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Facts-

Deity	Shree Jalaram Bapa
Location	Virpur, Rajkot in Gujarat
Significance	The temple has original danda and Jholi which Jalaram Bapa was using
Built-In	19th century
Best time to Visit	October to March
Darshan timings	7:00 AM to 12:00 PM \|\| 4.00 PM to 8:30 PM
Architecture	Hindu Temple Style
Entry Fees	No Entry fee
Aarti Timing	7:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Photography	Not allowed inside the temple, allowed outside the temple
Visit Duration	1 hour
Festivals	Jalaram Jayanti
Main Attraction	The portrait of Jalaram Bapa and original photo of Jalaram Bapa
Official Website	Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Darshan Timings

Here are Jalaram Bapa Mandir Temple Darshan timings –

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	07:00 AM	12:00 PM
Temple Closing Noon	12:00 PM	04:00 PM
Evening Darshan	04:00 PM	08:30 PM
Temple Closing Night	08:30 PM	07:00 AM

Poojas and Rituals at Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Rituals	Timings
Mangla Aarti	07:30 AM
Shangar Aarti	09:00 AM
Sandhya Aarti	7:30 PM
Sundar Kand from Ramayana	04:00 PM to 05:30 PM Every Sunday
Sri Satyanarayan Bhagwan’s Katha	08:00 PM only on Purnima

Aarti and Bhajan are regularly held in this temple airing both morning and evening.
A pilgrim can contribute Rs 251 and host the arrangement of Sri Satyanarayan Bhagwan’s Katha on every Purnima or full moon day.
One can hear bhajans that are held after Aarti every month.
There are many eminent saints and Kathakars who talk about spiritual lectures and preaching’s during festivals that are commemorated by people in this temple.

Jalaram Bapa Mandir Prasadam Timings

This famous pilgrimage destination is popular for charity and feeding the poor and needy people. Food is offered to people after 12 P.M. and around 8 P.M.
This temple has seen no visitor returning home without food. Devotees are provided with Prasad twice a day without any cost.
Every person in this ‘Darbar of God’ irrespective of him being rich or poor is treated as equal. They are also offered the same Prasad when they sit in the same row.
The Prasad comprises ‘Ganthiya’, ‘Bundi’ and ‘Sabji’ in the morning and ‘Khichadi-Kadi’ and ‘Deshi Ghee’ in the evening.
The food is served in a traditional dish of leaves.

The symbolism of the deity in Jalaram Bapa Mandir

The Idol of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur — The divine Idol of Baba Jalaram in the temple comparing adorned in all white.

The idol of Jalaram Bapa is shown as a smiling man holding a stick.
His idol adorns a white Paghadi and white dhoti-kurta.
The idols of his patron deities Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman are also mostly found along with his idol.

Significance of Jalaram Bapa Mandir

In 1978, the Jalaram Bapa Temple on the Dharmaj-Tarapur highway was built.
The auspicious Sri Jalaram Bapa shrine comprises of the actual house complex where this great saint lived during his lifetime.
There are many belongings of Jalaram Bapa, most important being the deities of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman that were worshiped by him.
The main attraction of this place of worship is the portrait of Jalaram Bapa. Pilgrims can see a black and white picture of Bapa that has been taken one year before his death.
The idol of Jalaram Bapa is displayed as a smiling man holding a dandaand wearing often a white turban and a white dhoti-kurta.
One of the most distinguishing factors of this temple refers to the fact that it does not accept any offerings from February 9, 2000. This is the world’s first temple to not accept any money.
Jalaram Bapa had adopted his daughter i.e. Jamnaben’s grandson, Harirambahi to be his direct descendant. Giridhar Bapa and now his son Jaisukhram Bapa is now in charge of this popular shrine of Gujarat.
The ‘Samadhi’ of Sri Jalaram Bapa lies at the feet of Lord Sri Ram Chandra. This had entranced just on the left side of the Big Gate of the ‘Dela’.
The “Jholi-Danda” is duly preserved in a transparent cupboard and Sri Hanumanji’s idol is also kept near the ‘Samadhi’ as well.
The Temple has two trusts that function on a daily basis. The ‘Jalaram Satsang Seva Mandal’ is responsible for looking out for all aspects relating to the temple like maintenance of the Mandir, Atithi Griha, and Gaushala. The ‘Shree Jalaram Janseva Trust’ on the other hand handles services relating to education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and water plant.
Shree Dr. Rasikbhai V. Patel is the President for both the trusts.
This temple has three giant copper pots that were given by the Goddess Ganga duly filled with the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. The water from these pots never dries up and there has been no instance of a person getting sick from drinking this water.
Additionally, the King of the Dhrangdhra provided a pair of large wheels to Sri Jalaram Bapa for grinding the wheat in the temple.

The dieties of Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur — The patron deities of Gods and Goddesses with Baba Jalaram situated in the temple complex.

History of Jalaram Bapa Mandir

‘Jalaram Pradhan Thakar’ or Jalaram Bapa was born in Virpur, near Rajkot in Gujarat on 14^th November 1799 to his father Pradhan Thakkar and mother Rajbai Thakkar. His mother was very fond of saints and sadhus and no saint could go from Virpur without receiving the hospitality of Rajbai.
Saint Raghuvirdasji had told Bapa’s mother, Rajbai Thakkar that her son would become a famous person preaching the importance of duty, devotion and good actions. Being a very religious lady herself, Bapa learned to respect, patience, self-sacrifice, duty, and grace from his mother.
When Bapa was young, a visit from a saint was recognized as from his previous life and little Jalaram was spiritually inspired and started to chant ‘Sita Ram’ rhymes and devoted his life to God.
Jalaram married Virbhai, daughter of Thakkar Pragji Somaija at the age of sixteen. Although he was reluctant, his wife extended her support in his work for the poor. At the age of eighteen, he set out for a holy pilgrimage with his wife and had accepted Bhojalaram. Bapa’s guru had started ‘Sadavrat’ which is a place where every poor will be provided with free food. Both of them worked hard on the field to grow grains and one day when they were run out of stock for grains, Virbhai was happy to sell her wedding jewelry in order to provide food for the pilgrims.
Haraji was a tailor who was suffering from acute stomach pain and eventually came to Bapa for a cure. The great saint prayed and cured his disease. The tailor was surprised and fell at Bapa’s feet addressing him as ‘Bapa’. It is then that people started calling him as Jalaram Bapa. Devotees irrespective of their religion became his disciples.
Lord Rama disguised himself as an old man and appeared before Jalaram Bapa. He complained of his age and wanted someone to look after him. Bapa sent for his wife who gladly accompanied the old man on his journey. The two travelers came to a river and the old man gave a stick and a bag to Virbhai to hold. Soon, Lord Rama disappeared and Jalaram could hear a voice back home saying to him that he can fetch his wife as it was Lord Rama who wanted to test his goodness. This stick and the bag are still on display in the Jalarambapa Ashram in Virpur.
Devotee’s belief that the food given by Bapa to the pilgrims reaches the doors of heaven. In fact, until today, there are thousands of visitors who are provided free food in this temple and it never runs out of stock.

Festivals celebrated at the Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Celebration in Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur — The festivals celebrated in Jalaram Bapa Mandir at Virpur.

Jalaram Jayanti: is the most important festival that is observed in this temple. On the 7^th day Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika, this celebration is enjoyed by the pilgrims. This festival is celebrated here on the 7^th day after Diwali. A huge fair is organized to mark this occasion.
Makar Sankranti: is another huge festival that is celebrated in this temple on 14^th January every year.
Pilgrims also gather to pray in this temple on a yearly basis to mark the death anniversary of Sri Jalaram Bapa who died on 23^rd February 1881.
Some other festivals that are observed here with much pomp and enthusiasm consist of Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Maha Shivaratri.

How to Reach Jalaram Bapa Mandir: Road, Rail, and Air

By Air– Rajkot is the nearest airport that connects Virpur with all the leading cities in India. There are many direct flights available and pilgrims can take an auto-rickshaw from the airport to reach the famous shrine.
By Train– The Rajkot Junction is well connected with different towns of Gujarat and cities in India. It is almost 6 km away from the Teen Batti triple gateway and is a junction on the Western Railway Ahmedabad-Hapa broad gauge line. There are many express trains that are available from this station.
By Road– It has good transportation system with all the neighboring states. There are many State buses from Rajkot to different parts of Gujarat. The ST bus stand is 2 km, west of Bedi Gate on the other side of Ranmal Lake.

Where to stay near Jalaram Bapa Mandir in Virpur

Temple trust provides a nice arrangement for devotees to get free food and free accommodation called ‘Dharamshala’ without any cost.
Hotel Madhav is basically located in Virpur close to the temple and is the best choice for rooms that are cheap and at affordable prices.

Where to eat near Jalaram Bapa Mandir in Virpur

Virpur offers a lot of options to explore when it comes to fulfilling your appetite. The traditional food is vegetarian in nature and is rich in nutrition. Mostly, the Gujarati Thali comprises rice, roti, dal, sabzi, and sweets.
There are many famous restaurants in the city that offer fine dining options at a competitive price range. The local eating joints also offer fantastic delicacies at lesser costs.
Some of the must-have dishes that a traveler needs to taste refer to Khaman, Dhokla, Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Farsi Falafel, Khakra, Muthia, and Meethi Kadhi. However, alcohol is banned here and is not served at restaurants.
Also, the Morning Tea, Lunch & Dinner are provided free for the Yatris in the Dharmshala run by the temple trust where free food is provided for the devotees staying there.

Nearby Temples in Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur

Apart from the famous Jalaram Bapa Mandir, there are some religious places in Virpur that tourists can pay a visit to. These consist of:

Virpara Nath Mandir– Every tourist who visits Jalaram Bapa definitely pays a visit to this shrine too. Sadhus sing Hymes during the evening in this temple premises.
Samadhi of Jalaram Bapa– It is a sacred place of worship as devotees come to pay their respect to Jalaram Bapa here. After Bapa passed away, he was laid to rest here.
Samadhi of Jetha Bapa– This is another famous shrine that stands close to the Jalaram Bapa Mandir. There are many pilgrims who visit the samadhi and seek blessings from Jetha Bapa.
Virbhai Maa Mandir at Triveni Sangam– It is a temple that is dedicated to Virbhai and celebrates the commitment and sacrifice provided by Virbhai.
Khodiyar Mandir at Mavatar Vridhdharshram- Being located in Mavatar Vridhdharshram, this mandir is highly popular and considered sacred among the natives.
Gala vada Hanuman– It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and worships his strength and commitment to Lord Ram.

If you have any questions related to Jalaram Bapa Mandir Virpur, please leave a comment below and we will reply within an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jalaram Bapa Mandir –

Till when does the Jalaram Bapa Mandir remain open?

The temple remains open for all days of the year for devotees, sometimes close due to renovation work.

What is the visit duration for Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

It will take 1 hour to fully explore the Jalaram Bapa Mandir.

What is Jalaram Bapa Mandir famously known in the locality?

It is famously known in the locality as Jay Jaliyaan Mandir.

What is the location of Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

Jalaram Bapa Mandir is located 60 km from Rajkot and 280 km from Ahmedabad in Virpur near Rajkot, Gujarat, India.

What are the temple activities done by the temple trust?

The temple trust does regular activities like Bharatnatyam, Tabla classes and Yoga classes for devotees and interested individuals.

What is the climate temperature at Virpur in Gujarat?

The climate temperature st Virpur in Gujarat stays between 25-31°C.

Is donation allowed at the Jalaram Bapa Mandir?

Yes, devotees can donate as per their facilities to the temple trust through an online portal in Jalaram Bapa Mandir.