raju temple visit

Raju's Temple Visits

Temple visit travelogues, directories, photos and geographical maps of temples, directory of temples, within chennai (updated), around chennai (south ) (updated) around chennai (north) (updated), kanchipuram (updated) vellore (updated) thiruvannamalai , villupuram thanjavur (updated) trichy (updated), thiruvarur chidambaram, around kumbakonam-1 around kumbakonam-2 , mayliaduthurai-north mayiladuthurai-south , thirunelveli-1 thirunelveli-2 , coimbatore salem madurai, around bangalore (part) udipi-mangalore.

A common question arises to many when planning for a temple trip is this: When there are so many temples, which ones to visit, especially when I have limited time during a tour?

There are 275 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams that are Shiva temples revered in the verses of Thevaram and Thivachagam by the 4 main Nayanmars, Appar (Thirunavukkarasar), Sambhandar, Sundarar and Manickavasgar. These temples had witnessed many miracles connected with the lives of 63 Saiva Nayanars and they are compiled in the Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam.
In the same way, the 108 Divya Desams are the Vishnu temples glorified in the 4000 verses of Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 contemporary Vaishnava Azhwars.
Next to 275 Thevara Paadal Petra sthalams, there are Thevara Vaipu Sthalams. These temples don’t have separate pathigams but they appear in the pathigams of other temples.
There are Murugan Sthalams sung by Arunagiri nathar in the Thiruppugazh (most of them are part of the 275 Thevara Paadal Petra sthalams as well)
There are 800+ Anjaneyar temples installed by Sri Vyasa Rajar, most of them in Karnataka and many in Tamilnadu also.
There are 51 Shakthi peetas spread over whole India that are believed to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow.
Kerala is the land of Lord Parasuramar, one of the Dasavatars of Mahavishnu. There are 108 Shiva temples there that were installed and worshipped by Him.

These Alwars and Nayanmars lived in the 5th – 9th century CE and the hymns indicate that these temples were highly popular and powerful during their period itself. Through the hymns we just know that these temples existed during their period but we don’t know since how many thousands of years before they were existing. They withstood the onslaught of many wars, invasion and devastation to exist even today and bless us! It was a shame on me that I came to know about these 275 Shaiva and 108 Vaishnava temples only at the age of 45+ though I knew about the Nayanmars and Azhwars. I request the blog readers who do not know about this till now to be aware of these temples and also educate your kids and relatives about these. Pls have a book or the printout of the list of these temples and track them as and when you visit with possibly the date of visits etc.,. One should visit these 275 and/or 108 temples atleast once in our life time. “How many of these 275/108 temples you/I have visited” should be the talking point when people of similar interest meet. If we inculcate this in our kids, they will be fortunate enough to complete the list not just once but more than once also in their lifetime!!

Similarly Lord Parasurama is one of the Dasavathars of Mahavishnu. When the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala were installed and worshipped by Him, we can imagine the antiquity of those temples!

Please note that if you wish to visit a temple (with the help of a Gurukkal/ Bhattar) after it is closed after the regular poojas, you have to do neivedyam with at least banana or coconut. It is a SIN to go empty handed and disturb the deities once the temple is closed.

If you are interested in doing some service to the religion and seeking some good people / team to join, I can refer 2 teams which I know personally and are doing great works.

1) Mr. K.Kannan from Chrompet, Chennai. He, with the help of Kanchi Sankara Madam, identifies lingams that are open to sky and temples that need desperate attention and helps to build shed / temple, conducts Kumbabhishegam and start the pooja at the minimum possible cost with the coordination from the villagers. They also go to such temples every 4th Sunday of the month and conduct pooja. He can be reached at 98410 20857 – Address: 2/25, Sivakami Nagar, First Main road, Hasthinapuram, Chrompet, Chennai.

2) The next is Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu by Sri Ramachandran Viswanathan @ 98840 80543 and Sri.Ganapathy Subramanian @ 99411 45115. They do Uzhavarappani every month and also identify the open lingams and temples that need desperate attention.

நெய் தீபம் எனும் பெயரில் பொய் தீபம் – ஆலயங்களில் நடக்கும் நெய்தீப ஊழல் ….. (ஊடகத்தில் திரு Sathasivam Bhaheethetran அவர்களிடமிருந்து வந்த கட்டுரையில் சிறிது மாற்றங்களுடன்) ஆலயங்களில், அறநிலையத்துறையின் அனுமதியோடு, ஏலம் மூலம் நிபந்தனையின் பேரில், வியாபார நோக்கத்தில் விற்கப்படும், போலியான நெய் விளக்குகள், அதன் வியாபார நுணுக்கங்கள் பற்றிய ஒரு பதிவு இது … இன்று ஆலயங்களில் விற்கப்படும் நெய் விளக்கு தயாராகும் முறை பற்றி பார்ப்போம்:

அந்த விளக்குகளில் நிரப்பப்படும் “நெய்” போன்ற நிறம், தோற்றம் கொண்ட திடமான “பசை”யானது, சைவ மற்றும் அசைவ உணவகங்களில் உபயோகப்படுத்தப்பட்ட, எண்ணைய்களை இலவசமாகவோ, மிகக் குறைந்த விலையிலோ வாங்கி, அதை வடிகட்டி, மீண்டும் மீண்டும் கொதிக்க வைத்து, அதில் மரவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு மாவு, டால்டா, மெழுகு மற்றும் பசைமாவு, மஞ்சள் நிறத்திற்காக வண்ணப் பொடியினை கலந்து விளக்குகளில் அடைத்து,”நெய் விளக்கு” என்று, பொய் சொல்லி, பொய்யான “பசை விளக்கினை” பொது மக்களின் பணத்தினை குறிவைத்து விற்பனை செய்து, கோடிக்கணக்கில் கொள்ளை அடிக்கின்றார்கள் …

முதலில் இந்த கடைகளில் உள்ள நெய்விளக்குகளை ஒருநாளாவது முகர்ந்து பார்த்து இருக்கின்றீர்களா? ஒரு நெய் விளக்கு” 3 ரூபாயில்” ஏற்ற முடியுமா? இன்றைய நாளில், ஒரு கிலோ “தூய பசு நெய்யின்” விலை 1 கிலோ, 450 முதல் 550 ரூபாய் வரை. ஒரு கிலோ பசு நெய்யில், அதிகபட்சமாக 75 விளக்குகளை ஏற்றுவதாக வைத்துக் கொண்டாலும் ,விளக்கு மற்றும் திரி உள்பட குறைந்தது 6.50 ரூபாய் செலவாகும். ஆனால் 10 ரூபாய்க்கு 3 நெய் விளக்கு எப்படி,ஆலயங்களில் இவர்களால் விற்கப்படுகிறது?

உண்மையான பசு நெய் கொண்டு ,ஏற்றப்படும் விளக்கின் ஒளி,ஒரே சீராக வெள்ளை ஒளியாக, நறுமணத்தோடு இருக்கும் .அந்த ஒளி வெள்ளத்தில், அந்த இடத்தில் உள்ள காற்று தூய்மையாகி, பிராண வாயு சுத்தமாக கிடைக்கும். ஆனால் இந்தமாதிரி,தரமற்ற “பசை விளக்குகள்” சரிவர எறிவதும் இல்லை, அதோடு ஒருவித நாற்றமும் அடிக்கிறது, வருடம் முழுவதும் கொளுத்தும் 100 டிகிரி வெய்யிலில் ,நமது உடம்பே உருகி விடும்போல் இருக்கின்ற நிலையில், இந்த “பசை விளக்குகள்” அக்னி வெய்யிலில் கூட உருகாமல், கல்லுமாதிரி இருப்பதை கவனியுங்கள்.

முன்பு எல்லாம் மக்கள் தங்களின் வீடுகளில், பசுவினை வளர்த்து, அதன் பாலில் இருந்து, தயிர், வெண்ணை, நெய் முதலானவற்றை ஆலயங்களில் உள்ள இறைவனுக்கு உபயோகப் படுத்தினார்கள். .பின்னர் கால ஓட்டத்தின் காரணமாக, கடைகளில் இருந்து “வெண்ணை” வாங்கி காய்ச்சி, உருக்கி ,அதில் இருந்து நெய்யை உபயோகப்படுத்தினார்கள், பின்னர் கடைகளில் “பசு நெய்” வாங்கி விளக்கு ஏற்றினார்கள்.. நாள்பட பசு நெய் என்பது மறைந்து, பல வண்ண டப்பாக்களில், பல வித பெயர்களில் கடைகளில் விற்கப்படுகின்ற “நெய்யினைக்” கொண்டு விளக்கேற்றினார்கள். ஆனால் தற்பொழுது ,நெய் வாங்கி விளக்கு ஏற்றுவதை மறந்து, சோம்பலின் காரணமாகவும், வசதியின் பொருட்டும், தற்பொழுது ஆலயங்களில், “நெய் தீபம்” என்ற பெயரில் விற்கப்படும், “பசை விளக்குகளை ” வாங்கி, பயபக்தியுடன் இறைவனுக்கு விளக்கேற்றி வழிபடுகின்றனர்

பக்தர்களே, நீங்கள் கோயில் வழிபாட்டிற்கென்றே விளக்கு, நெய், நல்லெண்ணெய், திரி, தீப்பெட்டி, கை துடைக்க துணி, விபூதி, குங்குமம் போட்டு கொள்ள zip lock கவர்கள் முதலிவை கொண்ட ஒரு “சிறிய கோயில் பை” வைத்திருந்து எப்போது எந்த கோயிலுக்கு சென்றாலும் அதை எடுத்துச் சென்று உபயோகியுங்கள். அதுதான் சிறந்தது, மிகவும் பலனளிக்க கூடியது .

அதை விட்டுவிட்டு, இந்த மாதிரியான கோயிலின் உள்ளே கடைவிரித்து ஏமாற்றுகின்ற போலி வியாபாரிகளின், கொள்ளையடிக்கும் நோக்கத்திற்கு, பலியாகி, அவன் விற்கும் “பசை விளக்கினை” நெய் விளக்கு என்ற பெயரில், விலை கொடுத்து வாங்கி, கோயிலில் ஏற்றிவிட்டு, விளக்கு ஏற்றும்போது கைகளில் பட்டுவிட்ட, நாற்றம் பிடித்த “பசையினை” கோயில் தூண்களில் தடவி கோயிலையும் நாறடித்துவிட்டு போவது அல்ல பக்தி என்பதை நினைவில் கொள்ளுங்கள், நாம் கோயிலுக்கு செல்வதே பாவங்களை தொலைக்கத்தான். அப்படி இருக்க இந்தமாதிரி போலியான .சாஸ்திர விரோதமான ,”பொய் விளக்குகளை” வாங்கி, மேலும் மேலும் பாவ செயல்களை செய்ய வேண்டாம்.

அவன் ஏமாற்றினால் அவனுக்கு ஆண்டவன் தண்டனை கொடுப்பான் என்று ,தவறு செய்பவனின் செயலுக்கு நியாயம் கற்ப்பிக்கும் சிலரும் இருக்க கூடும் ,அவர்கள் ஒன்றை நினைவில் கொள்ள வேண்டும் .நம்முடைய இயலாமை, சோம்பேறித்தனம், மற்றும் பணத்தினை கொண்டு அனைத்தையும் வாங்கிக் கொள்ளலாம் என்ற தவறான சிந்தனை ஒன்றே இன்று ஆலயங்களில் கூட ,அநியாயங்கள் அளவின்றி நடைபெறக் காரணமாக இருக்கிறது என்பதை நினைவில் கொள்ள வேண்டும்…

மேற்கூறிய அனைத்து விவரங்களும் நல்லெண்ணெய் விளக்கேற்றுதலுக்கும் பொருந்தும்,

பின்குறிப்பு: கலப்படமில்லாத நல்ல பசு நெய் வேண்டுவோர் திருவல்லிக்கேணி ராகவேந்திரா மடத்துக்கு அடுத்த மிகவும் பாரம்பரியம் மிக்க கடையில் வாங்கலாம். பசு வெண்ணை/ நெய், எருமை வெண்ணை/ நெய் தனித்தனியாக விற்கிறார்கள் (எனக்கு தெரிந்தது இது ஒன்று தான் என்பதால் இதை சொல்கிறேன்).

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Raju’s Temple Visits
Temples Around Chennai

Temples Around Vellore

Temples within Chennai

Listed below are many of the ancient temples around Vellore. This is a dynamic list and will be constantly updated as and when information is got.

Last updated on: March 11, 2008.

Walajapet - Vellore

Dhanvanthri temple at Walajapet

This temple, at Keezh Pudupet, 5kms from Walajapet is built by Sri Muralidhara Swamigal. The temple is dedicated to the God of Medicine, Dhanvanthri, who came out from the Milky Ocean (Paarkadal) during the churning of it. Swamigal built this for God of Medicine, because he lost both his parents to diseases. When his mother was suffering acutely from cancer, she made him promise that he would do something to save people from the pain of diseases in the world. As a priest, the one thing he could think of was setting up a temple for Dhanvanthri and deflecting all the crowds rushing to hospitals to this ‘Makkal Pinitheerkkum Maruthuvamanai’ (the hospital that will cure the diseases of people). The main idol, a beautifully decorated granite sculpture, is now touring the places where the yagnas are being performed before reaching its final abode.

More details on the temple here

Visalakshi ammai sametha Kasi Viswanadhar temple at Walajapet

The temple is in Walajapet town. By visiting this temple, one can get rid of fear of death. Kala bairavar and Sani are opposite to each other and this is a Sani dosha nivarthi sthalam.

Bala Murugan Temple at Rathinagiri

Rathinagiri is about 13 km from Vellore towards Chennai and is famous for the Murugan temple on a hillock. There are 130 steps to the hillock top. Saint Arunagirinadhar had sung Thiruppugazh on this temple. The temple belonging to the 14 th century was under dilapidated conditions a few decades back and with the efforts of Sri Swami Balamugan Adimai, the temple is now restored to its full glory with fantastic sculptural works, big mandapams etc., to the extent of people calling this as the 7 th Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga.

Swami Balamugan Adimai, who was called Sachithanantham in his early days was working as a clerk in the Electricity Department and one day, while on his way to work, he climbed the Rathinagiri Hill to offer his prayers. There was neither camphor nor incense available at the poor and dilapidated temple. He walked around the shrine with a heavy heart and was suddenly overcome with divine awakening. He fainted onto the ground and on waking up he was unable to remember his own self. He dressed himself in a loincloth and took a sacred vow not to leave until the temple was restored to its former glory. This memorable event of Swami’s spiritual awakening took place on 20th March 1968 and he maintains silence all these years.

The official website is available here and also the temple is covered in Vikatan Publication’s ‘Nimmafhi Tharum Sannidhi’ part 2 book.

Murugar temple at Kangeyanallur

Location: Kangeyanallur is between Vellore and Katpadi. Temple: Sri Kangeeswarar temple in Kangeyanallur was built during the time of Chola rulers. The temple dedicated to Lord Muruga was built some 500 years ago. Sculptures are artistically engraved in the gopuram depicting the Kandhapuranam and the six Padaiveedus of Lord Muruga. It is said that the sculpturer who created the Thiruthani Murugan temple has created this as well. It is said that Lord Muruga here is being worshipped by sages and celestial gods during mid-nights everyday. The temple was renovated by Sri Thirumuruga Kirupanandha Variyar, a popular exponent of Hindu Scriptures and his father Sri Mallaiyadhas Bhagavadhar. When Mallaiyadhas Bhagavadhar conducted the Kumbabhisheham in 1933, his son Srisailavasan fell from 50 feet but after intense prayer and applying holy ash over him, he just woke up without any injury. An inscription about this incident is present in the temple. Theertham: Saravana Poihai (created by Krupanandha Variyar) Variyar’s Knowledge centre: This is present opposite the temple where Kirupanandha Variyar was cremated. There is a 24 hours Moksha deepam burning here facing the North direction. Contact: Sri Thiruvadi 98423 11755; Office - 0416 - 2248922

More details are available in Vikatan Publication’s ‘Punniya Yathirai’ book

Jalakandeswarar Temple at Vellore Fort

The temple which had been built in the Vijayanagara style is situated within the Vellore fort. It comprised of the main shrine, closed ambulatory passage around and the integral Mahamantapa. Inside the temple, there is a Kalyanamantapa which is the gem of architecture in embellishments and the art motifs of its pillars, ceilings and plinth moldings. It stands as testimony for the architectural workmanship of that period. Jalakanteswarar means ‘Siva residing in the water’. The temple is adorned with some remarkable sculptures and the best is found on the left side of the entrance, a verandah which contains monolithic pillars of grandeur and delicacy of execution. There are impressive sculptures in the temple particularly outside the swami shrine and inside the main mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is a small low building and at the entrance there are dwarakapalas in blue granite. Sculpture work on the ceilings and pillars are rich in its characteristics. In the outer prakara there is a well which has a stone door way opening on a point which is usually below water level. The under ground mandapa or Neerazhi Mandapa is said to lead to a subterranean passage leading to the River Palar.

Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden temple in Sripuram

This Golden temple situated in Sripuram in Thirumalaikkodi, about 7 km from Vellore, is built in a 100 acre site with whopping 1500 kg of gold at a cost of 300 crores. According to Sri Sakthi Amma, head of the Sri Narayani Peedam, who built the temple, the decision to have the temple coated with gold, is only to attract visitors and enable them to get wisdom through the messages of the Vedas. The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the messages from the Vedas on both sides.

This has already become highly popular and too crowded on weekends and will take several hours to complete the dharshan during weekends. There is a 200 Rs ticket (apart from free dharshan) also, but this too is crowded during weekends. Better visit the temple with ample time in reserve.

Sri Selva Vinayagar temple at Shenbakkam

Location: 3 km from Vellore en route to Bangalore, this famous temple is dedicated to Sri Selva Vinayagar and Somasundareswarar. It is said that the original name of this place was Shenbagavanam, as it was full of fragrant Shenbaga tree even though no trace of the trees is seen now. Legend: Once when Thukkoji, a Maharashtra minister was passing through this place, the axle of his vehicle broke and blood oozed out from the place. He stayed that night here and Vinayahar appeared in his dream and revealed his presence.

Significance:

There are 11 Vinayahars - namely Bala Vinayahar, Nadana Vinayahar, Ohmkara Vinayahar, Karpaka Vinayahar, Chinthamani Vinayahar, Selva Vinayahar, Mayura Vinayahar, Mooshika Vinayahar, Vallaba Vinayahar, Siddhi Buddhi Vinayahar and Pancha muha Vinayahar - with Selva Vinayahar at the centre and all the other Vinayahars around
All of them are Swayambu (appeared themselves) moorthies in the form of lingams and all of them in the form of Ohm.
On the back of Selva Vinayahr, there is a mark of the wheel of the cart, which was supposedly driven by Thukkoji.
There is no roof for the main shrine to facilitate all Sages and Celestial Gods to worship the deity
Aadhi Sankarar worshipped here and installed Srichakra in the Esanya corner of the temple.
The significances of the temple have been written about by Kanchi Maha Priyavar, Sri Chandrasekarendhra Swamigal
The flag post is present within the sanctum sanctorum itself
Saturn God is facing the main deity
A silver covering was made 75 years back to cover the Selva Vinayahar fully but now it covers Him only two-thirds, indicating He is growing all the way

Worship Benefits: It is believed that by doing milk abhisheham to the Bala Vinayahar here, the illness of children will be cured. Also, this Vinayahar is believed to sanction the boons for timely marriage and children.

More details in Vikatan Publication’s ‘Alaya Dharisanam’ book

Vellore - Polur (Thiruvannamalai)

Sri Lakshmi Narsimha Swamy Temple at Singiri Koil

Singiri Koil is a hamlet, situated at a distance of about 25 km from Vellore and is off the main road from Vellore to Polur. It is an exclusive shrine for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha and is believed to be at least 1,000 years old.

More details on the temple is available here

See under Padavedu section below

Erikuppam Saneeswarar Temple

Location: In the Polur (Thiruvannamalai) - Vellore route, 45 km from Thiruvannamalai and 30 km from Vellore, there is a place called Sandhavasal near Padavedu. From there, Erikuppam is 3 km away towards Arani and is 10 km from Arani.

Temple: This 15th century temple was discovered recently and has been renovated. On Saturdays, devotees throng the place. Significances:

Lord Saneeswarar is present in an unique Yantra form which is considered more powerful and hence the name ‘Yantra Saneeswarar’.
Sri Saya Devi, mother of Sri Saneeswarar is present to His left side and due to the presence of His mother, Saneeswarar is in a peaceful and happy mind state here. Hence He is able to blessHis devotees, bestowing complete happiness, removing their sorrows, sins and difficulties.
We can hear elders saying ‘Don’t stand and pray straight in front of Saneeswarar’ but his straight sight here will bring only goodness to life.
The Holy Shrine is open to the skies, without any roof-top.
Saneeswarar is present in the Yantra form nowhere else in the world excepting this one and another in Shinkapur, 70 km from Shiradi, in Maharashtra state.

Yantra: This Saneeswara Yantra has been made in a single granite stone, with a fantastic size of 5.5 feet height and 1.5 feet width and looks majestic. It is having the mark of Sun in the upper left side, Crow in the middle side and the moon in the upper right corner. Below these, Peejakshara Manthras in the form of Shutkonam (six corners - shut meaning six and konam meaning corners) can be seen. Below this we can see ‘Lakshmi Kadaksha Yandra’ and yandras relating to water and fire. The Shutkona yandra consists of Manthras in a right left mirrored form, praising Lord Shiva, Lord Anjaneya and Sree Saneeshwara. This Yandra is believed to be one of the most powerful ones and unique in its kind.

The official website is here and also detailed in Vikatan Publication’s ‘Alaya Dharisanam’ book.

Sri Kamakshi amman sametha Sri Ekambareswarar temple at Parvathi Agaram

This temple is associated with Erikuppam Sri Saneeswarar temple

Sri Narasimhaswamy Temple at Polur

Polur is situated in the Vellore - Thiruvannamalai state highway at about 33 Kms from Thiruvannamalai and 48 Kms from Vellore and 55 Kms from Vandavasi. Since it is also a Taluk headquarters, there is a good availability of hotels and accomodations. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple atop a small and steep hillock with about 840 steps is very powerful. The temple is currently served by a single priest called Sekhar Bhattachariar who also looks after a small Perumal temple below. He goes atop the hill at 4:30 AM and returns back by 8:30 AM. A chowkidar remains on the hillock opening the temple for visitors who come later. The priest also visits the hill atop temple in the evenings. Contact Details: V.Sekar Bhattachariar, 17, Perumal Koil St, Polur-606803 Mobile: 9842307594; 9443098358

Dharmalingeswaraswamy Temple at Athuvambadi near Polur

Details not available

Padavedu is a Pilgrimage centre with many ancient temples and will need at least 2 days to cover all of them. It is situated in the Vellore- Polur route, centrally among Vellore, Polur and Arani at 20-25 km from all these three places. All that is there in this village are beautiful ancient temples and lush green fields.

During 12-14th Centuries the Sambuvarayar chieftains ruled this area under the patronage of the Pandyas. For a short time they became independent of Pandyas and subsequently they came under the rule of Kempagowda. During their reign, Sambuvarayas rendered great service to art and religion. These temples were built at various points of time, but most of the improvements and decorations appear to have been done when the Sambuvarayar came under the sway of the Vijayanagar empire. Most of these temples excepting the hill temples were submerged in sand due to the sandstorm and they were discovered in 1993. The Renukambal trust (owned by TVS) maintains these temples in a clean and beautiful fashion.

Main Temple:

Sri Renuka Parameswari Temple

Sub Temples:

Sri Yoga Ramachandrasamy temple

Ammayappa Eswarar Temple

Sri Subramanya swamy Temple

Other Important Temples:

Sri Venugopala Swamy temple

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple

Sri Velmurugan Temple

Sri Uma maheswarar Temple

Sri Kailasa Vinayagar Temple

Sri Veera Anjaneyar Temple

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

The official website of the Padavedu temples is here .

Padavedu is one of the most important ‘Sakthi Sthalas’ in Thondainadu. Goddess Renugambal is self-manifested in this place and offering her blessings along with Brahma, Vishnu and Lord Siva. In this place a number of sages performed penance and attained salvation. The existence of Banalingam and Nanakarshna Chakra consecrated by Adi Sankarar is the specialty of this place. This is the most popular temple of Padavedu and is usually crowded on holidays. Legend: Padavedu is the place where Sage Jamadagni, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, lived with his wife Renuka, an Incarnation of Parvathi and son Parasurama, the avatar of Vishnu. Sage Jamadagni and Sage Vishwamitra grew together. The Sage used to perform Yagna daily to which mother Renuka used to bring water in a pot just made that day. One day the Mother saw a Gandharva flying and lost her mind on that due to the maya or the play of the great Shakti. She was late for the yagna and felt ashamed. The Sage, knowing this, asked his sons to chop off mother’s head but none came forward. Only Parasurama, to abide his father, came forward and did it and also cut his hand. Nearby Dobis (Cloth washers) came to rescue the mother but Parasurama killed all of them. The sage was pleased and asked Parasurama’s wish and he rightly wanted his mother back. Sage agreed and asked Parasurama to join the head and the body and sprinkle holy water over them. Parasurama did so and his mother came to life and also the dobis who died in the fight. But, alas, his mother’s head was attached to a dobi woman’s body and vice versa while doing it in an anxiety. But then Universal mother might have wanted this way only and She then made that dobi woman, her close maiden. She is also worshipped here. All these happened in Padavedu. There is a river nearby where dobis washed the clothes. The Holy ash given in the temple is the one from the sage Jamadagni’s yaga gonda which still exists

More details of this temple in Vikatan Publication’s ‘Nimmadhi Tharum Sannidhi’ Part 1 book

Sri Yoga Ramachandraswamy temple

This temple, constructed before 12th Century AD, is located 1 KM west of Arulmigu Renugambal Temple. This was also buried in sand and was dug out recently. In this temple Lord Rama is uniquely seated in Artha Padmasana with a “Yoga Mudra” with Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman by his side. Unusually Lord Hanuman is seated in front of Lord Rama reading a Palm leaf manuscript. Legend: After the destruction of Ravana, Lord Rama was requested to destroy the demon, hundred headed Mahi Ravana. On behalf of Lord Rama, Hanuman fought with Mahi Ravana. The intense battle witnessed the fall of his(Hanuman) soldiers at the hands of the demon. In spite of his best efforts, Hanuman could not locate Mahi Ravana. At that time, Sita Devi informed Hanuman that Mahi Ravana was a staunch devotee of Goddess Renuka Devi and his life force was hidden in a lotus flower of a Pond at Kundalipuram and he had been protected by Goddess Renuka Devi. When Hanuman went to Kundalipuram, Goddess Renuka Devi made the lotus Pond to disappear to safeguard Mahi Ravana. Hanuman got angry and fought with Goddess Renuka Devi but Lord Rama intervened and pacified both. Then Lord Rama and Hanuman prayed Goddess Renuka devi to help them in destroying Mahi Ravana. Pleased by the prayers Goddess Renuka Devi granted the boon and Mahi Ravana was destroyed. Later Rama too took abode in Kundalipuram along with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman at the place where the present temple is located.

It is located 1 KM west of Sri Renugambal Temple. This temple is the oldest of the lot and looks very simple. The amman in this temple is Aparnambikai and the deity is around 5.5 feet. Right in front of the Amman statue, there is a pit from where they discovered the idols and ornaments. This is a 12 th century temple and due to sand storms this temple was almost destroyed. However it is in good shape now.

Sri Subramanya swamy Temple at Kundalipuram

Sri Subramania Swamy Temple is located on a hill top, on the southern side of Sri Renugambal Temple. The panoramic view of this temple seen from Renugambal Temple is awe inspiring. Three hundred well laid stone steps make the journey to this hill top temple less tedious. The finely sculpted idol of Moolavar Lord Subramania with his consorts Goddesses Valli and Deivanai standing on a peacock is quite impressive. Unlike in other places where Lord Subramania is seen seated on his peacock, here the Lord is standing on his peacock. The peacock is also seen not spreading its feathers. It carries a snake in its beaks. This idol is unique and the Lord is known for his boon granting.

Legend has it that Lord Subramania was conferred the title “Deva Senapathi” (Commander of Devas) only on this hill top at the request of Goddess Renukambal.

More details of the temple here and Vikatan Publication’s ‘Nimmadhi Tharum Sannidhi’ Part 1 book

The temple is open only on Saturdays 9 AM to 3 PM. The temple for Lord Venu Gopala Swamy is located on top of the Raja Kambeera Mountain popularly known as Kottaimalai. This is 3 KM away from Sri Renugambal temple on the western side. The height of the mountain top is 2500 feet.

The only route available to this temple is a ghat road running through thick and beautiful forest. A breath taking journey to this temple can be performed sitting on a huge Tractor specially built to take the pilgrims and the materials to the temple. However the tractor takes us only to the foot of the hill. Rest of the journey is to be covered by walk. En route we have to pass through few wooden bridges constructed around the hill. It is an engineering marvel. All our pains vanish once we reach the sanctum where beautiful flute playing Lord VenuGopala Swamy is in a standing posture along with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The idols of this temple are known for their artistic beauty.

This temple is located on the southern side of Sri Ramachandraswamy temple and also on the hill top which is situated on the other side of Kamandala river. The significance of the idol in this temple is that goddess Lakshmi is seated on the right side of Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar. (Normally Goddess Lakshmi used to sit at the left side of the Lord.). Poojas are performed three times a day. The view from the hilltop is breathtaking. The Abishekam for Narasimhar is being done on Sundays.

Contact: Mr Vasudeva Bhattar at 98940 34069.

This temple is located on the way from Ramar temple to Lakshmi Narasimhar temple on a hill top at the southern tanks of Kamandala river which is running on the southern side of Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple. The hill is known as Natchathra Kundru (Star Hill). No idols are found in this temple. A Vel (lance of Lord Muruga) is consecrated and Poojas are performed daily. Legend has it that Bhogar (One of the eighteen Siddhars, who created the medicinal Palani Murugan idol out of nine herbal poisons) came to this place and consecrated the lance.

Sri Uma Maheswarar Temple at Kailasaparai

This temple is located on a small hill called Kailasaparai on the northern border of Padaiveedu. Presently the temple is in a dilapidated state and is being renovated. The significance of this temple is that the Lord Shiva has a form and not lingam. He is seen along with Paravthi devi and the deities are big and beautiful.

A nice travelogue is available here .

This temple is located on the northern side of Sri Renugambal temple with a distance of 2 KM. The Ganesha is around 5.5 feet tall and looks very majestic.

This is on the way to Ramar temple from Renugambal temple. It is close to a Draupadhi Mandapam. There is a 7 to 7.5 ft tall Anjaneyar inside. This priest does the pooja for Varadaraja perumal temple too. So if you want to visit Varadaraja Perumal temple, you better visit here first and ask the priest to take you there.

This is situated in an extremely nice ambience right in the middle of paddy and banana fields at the backdrop of mountains. The walk through the paddy field and banana trees is an interesting experience too with water trickling down on you. A good place to meditate forgetting everything.

Wallajapet - Thiruvalam - Melpadi - Chithoor

Shiva temple at Kanchanagiri

Kanchanagiri is famous for the small Shiva temple on a plateau surrounded by hills. One can see many suyambu lingams. It is believed that they are the Siddhars who lived there for thousands of years.

Location: It is about 7 kms from Ranipet en route Ponnai. After crossing a village called Agravaram you will reach a place called Lalapet. Kanchanagiri hill will be visible from Lalapet itself.

Sri Vilvanathar temple Thiruvalam

Significance: One of the 275 sacred temples glorified by the Thevara hymns; Vinayakar is said to have obtained the celestial mango from Shiva here; referred to as a Mukthistalam; the Ambal shrine is said to be of great significance here. Location: While traveling from Chennai, Tiruvalam is on the Chennai-Chithoor NH4 highway. From Walajapet take the NH4 towards Chithor and Thiruvalam is around 25 km from there. Thiruvalam is around 25 km from Vellore and while traveling from Vellore, go to Katpadi, and take the road (towards east) to Thiruvalam at Katpadi bus stand. Proceed till you meet the Chennai-Chithor NH4 highway and Thiruvalam is right at this junction.

Vinayakar is said to have obtained the celestial mango from Shiva here after the circumambulation of Shiva and Parvathi devi. That’s why the place is called Thiruvalam (valam meaning going around clockwise).
The Nandhi here is huge and is facing away from the shrine towards Kanjangiri nearby and is said to be guarding the temple from a demon Kanjan of Kanjangiri.
Here, Lord Siva destroyed the yagna by Dakshan.
Tamil poet Avvaiyar is said to be associated with this shrine.

Temple: This temple is on the Western Bank of the Pennar river, the water of which was once known for its healing powers. The river is also called niva, shiva said “nii vaa” and the river sprang forth. This is a very huge and beautiful temple, built by the Pallavas and Cholas. There are quite a few references of Rajendra Chola in the stone inscriptions. Although the presiding deity faces the East, the temple entrance faces the South. Inscriptions reveal that this was a grand pilgrimage center in the past with facilities for pilgrims travelling between Southern Tamilnadu and Benares (Kasi). A fine image of Perumal also adorns the temple. There are idols for the 27 birth stars on the vimaanam of the sanctum sanctorum. Almost all the pillars are very nicely decorated with some sculptures. The legend of Nandhi protecting the village from demon Kanjan is depicted in a sculpture. There is a ‘100 pillars Natarajar Mandapam’ here which is extremely quiet. In the left side outer praharam, there is a underground passage and no one knows where it leads to! The temple has highlighted all the inscriptions with white and yellow paint and made it easy to read.

The Tamil Podcast on the temple is available here

Sri Somnatheshwarar Temple at Melpadi

Melpadi is a small village on the Tiruvalam - Ponnai road on the way to Vallimalai at around 12 km from Tiruvalam to the north of Tiruvalam. It is close to the shore of the Pennar river and was the border between Chola and Rashtrakuta kingdoms. The temple is being maintained by Archeological Society of India. It seems Arinjaya Chola, great grand father of Rajaraja chola was visiting this place after the war at Thakkolam. He died while he was resting here. So his son built this temple and also a samadhi for his father.

A travelogue is available here

Sri Choleswara temple at Arur (near Melpadi)

This tomb shrine was built over the mortal remains of Chola Arinjaya (AD 956-967) by his grandson Chola Raja Raja I in the year AD 1014 at Arrur near Melpadi. This temple is also being maintained by Archeological Society of India.

Sri Ranganathar Temple at Erukampattu

This temple, being maintained by Archeological Society of India, is close to Melpadi and Vallimalai. The temple is on a lake bund and Sri Ranganathar here is in Sayana posture. The temple is a 9 th century temple.

Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple at Vallimalai

This beautiful hill is located at 16 km north of the Thruvalam en route Ponnai. The Subramanya temple and Jain Sculpture in the rocks here are being maintained by Archeological Society of India. Valli Malai is considered the birth place of Valli, one of the two consorts of Lord Muruga. The stunning beauty of Valli Malai with its pools, fresh greenery, caves and unusual rock formations stands as mute testimony to the continuing presence of the ever-youthful Goddess Herself. There is a natural rock formation like an elephant called Ganesh Giri where Lord Ganesa has helped in the Valli Tirumanam. People cannot stop making a trip to Vallimalai if they happen to see it in photos.

Vallimalai had been one of the important Jaina centers during the early medieval period. According to Kannada inscriptions, the natural cavern was converted into Jaina adobe by prince Rajamalla of Western Ganga dynasty in the 10 th century.

More details are available here and also here

Navagraha temple (or Navagragraha Kottai?) at Ponnai

Sri Mouna Guruswamy Ashram at Thangal

Srilasri Mouna Guruswamy and Guriji Sundararam Swamigal Ashram is at Thangal.

More details are available here

Vellore - Ambur - Vaniyambadi

Sri Margapandeswarar Temple at Virinchipuram

This temple is at 15 km from Vellore. This sacred Shiva temple is also known as ‘Bhaskara Kshetram’ because the sun is said to worship the linga when its rays fall on it in the month of Panguni. The main shrine of the temple is said to have been built by Raja Raja Chola, Sambara Rayan, the viceroy of Klothunga Chola. There are 5 praharams in the temple and the prahara walls are huge and beautiful (the saying ‘Virinchipuram madhil azhahu’ is popular). There is a lion faced sculpture in the left side of the shrine. There is a well with foot steps inside and is known as the ‘Simha Theertham’.

Uthira Ranganathar temple at Pallikonda

Location: The temple is 23 km from Vellore, 1km inside from Pallikonda main road towards Gudiyatham. Significance: It is considered that if you stay for 3 nights at Kanchi, you get salvation but here if you stay just one night, you get salvation. Legend: Indhran’s Brahma harthi dhosham got cleared here. When there was a fight between Saraswathi and Lakshmi on who is bigger, Brahma declared Lakshmi is bigger. So Saraswathi deserted Brahma. When Brahma conducted an yagna, Saraswathi refused to join him. So Brahma married another lady called Savithri and conducted the Yagna. Saraswathi’s anger grew more and she tried to disturb the yagna with the help of demons by creating a flood in the Palar. Then he prayed to Lord Narayan and He just lied across the Palar river in 3 places to stop the flood. The places are Pallikondan (called Vadavarangam), Thiruparkadal and Yadhothkari at Kanchipuram. Temple: Temple is inside a fort like structure. People getting married at this temple will get all the 16 types of wealth.

Shiva temple at Mahadevamalai, Kankuppam

About 13 km to the east of Gudiyatham and to the north of Virinchipuram, here is a beautiful hilltop temple for Lord Shiva.

Murugan Temple at Kailasagiri

This scenic hill temple for Lord Muruga is about 10 km north of Ambur and 15 km south of Pernampet at a place called Kailasagiri. Also, the place has ruins of a Mughal fort. Water streams surround the temple area.

A nice travelogue is available here

Sri Bindhu Madhava Perumal temple at Thuthipattu

This temple is on the way to the Gadambur Temple at Kailasagiri

Sri Anjaneyar Temple at Ambur

Location: This temple is located in the midst of Ambur town. Significance: Sri Anjaneyar is found in a posture of stamping his leg on Sani bhagavan. Legend: During the time of Sri Rama - Ravana war, Hanuman flew to get the Sanjeevini herbal to save Lakshman. All the nine Navagrahas were under the control of Ravana and were present as the nine foot steps in the Ravana’s palace, So, Ravana, sent Sani bhagavan to catch hold of Hanuman to stop bringing the Sanjeevini herbal. Hanuman, while bringing the whole Sanjeevini mountain, was stopped by Sani bhagavan and said that he was sent by Ravana to stop him. Hanuman got angry and chanting the Rama Nama, put the entire mountain on Sani bhagavan’s head. Unable to bear the pain, Sani bhagavan cried and Hanuman took off the mountain and stamped Sani bhagvan with one of his legs. Finally, Sani bhagvan apologized and pleaded to set him free. Hanuman ordered that he should not clutch any of his devotees who chant the great Sri Rama Nama and not even his sight should fall on them. Sani bhagvan agreed and finally got freed up. Temple: The Hanuman deity is huge, about 11 feet high with Sani bhagavan being stamped under his leg. Worship Benefits: Devotees who are much affected by Sani bhagavan can visit this temple to minimize the effect. Marriage prayers are answered. Sthala viruksham: Nelli All the Saturdays are special days to visit this temple.

Note: And about 5 km from this temple, there is a small village named ‘Aanai madugu’, where the footprint of Sri Anjaneyar’s right leg is found. Every year, during Pongal, great utsavam is done and the utsavar of the Ambur temple visit here and great alankara utsavam is performed.

Gangai amman temple at Gudiyatham

This is a very popular temple at Gudiyatham.

Arani - Arcot

Arani is a religious centre with several temples for Sri Kesava Perumal, Sri Rama, Sri Anjaneya, Sri Kailasanathar and more, as also in the surrounding villages. There are many Jain temples as well. Arani is a Junction for several road routes and is an ideal place to stay for covering these areas.

Perumal Temple at Thamaraipakkam

Kasi Viswanathar temple at Mosur

Murugan temple near Thimiri

Spatiga linga temple at Thimiri.

This is invaluable. Thanks for this info.

By: gkamesh on March 11, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Excellent collection. Thanks a lot for the wonderful information. Wish you to keep going on in your ‘Bhakthi Payanam’ (holy yatra).

Regards N Guruvelavan

By: N Guruvelavan on March 11, 2008 at 4:36 pm

great work, eventhiugh i live in vellore for the last 10 decades i didnt realize we have so many temples around. thanks for ur input. all the best

By: dinakara iyer on March 12, 2008 at 1:00 am

GREAT NEWS ESPECIALLY ON THE ANJENEYAR TEMPLE.. GOOD WORK. WISH YOU ALL THE BEST

By: Mrs Madhavan on March 12, 2008 at 4:01 am

By: Arvind Prabhu Shankar on March 12, 2008 at 4:44 am

Oh ! that’s wonderful !! what a nice collection of galaxy of temples in & around vellore !!! T H A N K S for updated info.!

By: n.v.sivakumaran on March 12, 2008 at 5:04 am

Wonderful collection Mr. Raju…. Hats off to you… Actually I belong to Vellore District (Gudiyatham) and am amazed to see the collection given by you here… Especially many will miss Pallikondan and Mahadeva Malai … But you have covered both of them. Wonderful!! May God be with you always!

By: Saravanan on March 12, 2008 at 5:44 am

Dear Friend

I have never thought that this much of temples are available in these surroundings. I think you have got the full blessings to do all these works and show to all of us. There are some more temples which you can also see and write about it. Pasumalai Murugan Temple, (15KM drive from Chenji towards Melmalaiyanoor)

By: balaguru on March 12, 2008 at 8:14 am

Ur web site is encyclopedia for devotees in search of peace and worship. Really appreciate ur patience, interest and dedication.

By: Ramesh on March 12, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Namaste Sir. I had the pleasure of going over your informative write-up on the temples of our country. I share the same values for which you stand. Its rather unfortunate that vicious forces do not permit any average Indian man or woman to behold the spiritual treasures that are abundant in our land. My question is—do you have any specific plan of work regarding the upkeep, and maintenance of the temples in our country? Are you requesting volunteers to join your great movement? Are you entertaining a lofty project as Temple-maintenance, and upkeep? I’ll be very happy if you can only inform me of any proposed development in this area. I too would like to contribute what best I can for this Noble cause.

By: deepa on March 14, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Dear friend, Excellent collection and description of temples. It has created in me a longing to go there to Sripuram especially. regards. Raju ramanathan

By: raju ramanathan on March 14, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Gangai Amman temple is very famous in Gudiyatham. Every year Thiruvizha happens during 1st of Vaikasi (approx. May 15). Lakhs of people from neighbouring places and Chennai gather here to witness the festival. Amman’s Sirasu (head) is carried around the town (ancestrally done by a potter’s family) and fixed on the body at the temple. Its carried by the person from the potters family itself on his head. Later, again the head is removed from the body and dissolved in water. Amman’s Sirasu is believed to be too happy while reaching the temple, as it will be fixed to the body. Again when its removed and it reaches the river for immersion you can see the Amman in a sad mood. Vanavedikkai (fireworks) is very popular during that night. This fixing of head and removal is connected to the story, where Parasuramar was asked to chop his mother’s head by his father Jamadagni. People worship Gangai amman for want of water without any scarcity as these places are dependant on rains. People with small pox etc., stay in this temple till its cured. Temple’s Ther (Chariot) festival happens one day before Sirasu festival. The next day after Sirasu, there is another Chariot floated around the town which is fully made of flowers. It is called Pushpa Pallakku and is a feast to eyes to see Amman coming around on Pushpa Pallakku. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to this Thiruvizha at Gudiyatham (as Gudiyatham is my home town)

2 comments:

I strongly object to copying my posting as is without even ref to my site. The worse is that you have copied even the comments for my posting to look as if you have received the comments. I had taken painstaking efforts to compile this list. Hope you will do some corrective step.

Word by word copy pasted from Sri. Raju's temple visit blog. (http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com) without even mentioning some credit to it. With Mr. Raju's comment I understand there was no prior permission or even information to him about this copy pasting. Shame that even the comments are copied and pasted. And.. finally, the blogger's name is Saraswathi. I pray Goddess Saraswathi to give some wisdom to this Saraswathi. I donno the objective of this blog, but strictly object such copy pasting.

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Set off on a Spiritual Journey by Visiting These 20 Temples in Rajasthan!

There is something about Rajasthan , one of the most visited tourist destinations in India, that keeps pulling tourists back to it. The entire state appears like one magical vessel, which throws surprises at you from every corner. Alleys and bylanes give way to massive courtyards and before you know it, out pops a haveli from the middle of nowhere! Apart from forts, palaces and havelis, there are several temples which dot the state. Most of these were built during the reigns of kings, and have a historical importance attached to them. In some temples, tourists are amazed with the performance of a certain ritual, while the architecture of others tends to have a lasting impact on their minds. In this blog, we tell you the 20 must visit temples in Rajasthan that you shouldn’t miss out on during your trip.

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1. Birla Mandir, Jaipur

Just like most of the cities across India, Jaipur also has its own Birla Mandir, which is one of the most visited temples in Rajasthan. Also known as Lakshmi-Narayan Temple , it enjoys a noticeable presence in the skyline of South Jaipur. It wears a refreshed look at all times, thanks to the white marble with which it was constructed. Built by the prosperous Birla family in 1998, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his companion, Goddess Laxmi, who is believed to bring good luck and fortune in Hinduism. Everything about this temple is extraordinary, with every corner being a work of perfection. Various mythological themes are reflected in the sculptures inside the temple. One of them which stand out is that of Laxmi and Narayana. These have been carved out of one piece of marble, which is no ordinary feat.

Did you know?

The Birla Mandir also spreads the message of secularism through its three domes, which reflect the three major religions in India, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.

Temple Timings: 06:30AM – 12:00PM, 03:00 – 08:30PM, open 7 days a week

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2. Karni Temple, Bikaner

Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner is one of the most visited temples in Rajasthan. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Mata Karni, considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. It was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner in the 20th century in splendid Mughal style. Apart from the rats, the statue of Mata Karni, standing at almost 75cm, is a major crowd puller. It is also famously known as the Rat Temple, because rats are accorded the highest respect in this temple. In fact, they are worshipped just like the other deities of the temples. Visit the temple on any given day, and you will see hundreds of rats scurrying around its premises. Devotees place bowls of milk on the floor, which is then enjoyed by the rats. Afterwards, some of that is consumed by the devotees, as doing so is believed to bring about good luck and prosperity.

Some people say that at any given time, the Karni Mata Temple is home to almost 20,000 rats. Devotees believe that when the rats die, they are reincarnated as humans, and when humans die, they are reincarnated as rats. Wow, never knew rats had it so good!

Temple Timings: 05:00AM – 10:00PM

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3. Brahma Mandir, Pushkar

Brahma Mandir in Pushkar is an extremely important religious tourist spot in Rajasthan. This temple is believed to be about 2000 years old and is dedicated to Lord Brahma, the god of creation in Hinduism. Although Pushkar has about 500 temples, the Brahma Temple is the most important of them all. The temple holds a special significance in the minds of the devotees. It is believed that Lord Brahma descended on earth and performed a yajna at the very spot where the temple today stands. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses the statue of Lord Brahma along with his wife, Gayatri. Constructed of marble and stone slabs, its shikhara (tower) can be seen from a distance. The current structure, as it stands today, can be credited by Maharaja Jagat Raj of Ratlam.

Besides being one of the five sacred pilgrimage destinations for Hindus, Brahma Mandir also host a festival during Kartik Poornima and is visited by both devotees and tourists in large numbers.

Temple Timings: 06:00AM – 09:00PM

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4. Salasar Balaji Temple, Churu

No pilgrimage tour to Rajasthan is complete without visiting the Salasar Balaji Temple in Churu . The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by a large number of devotees all year round. Their numbers increase especially during the occasions of Chaita Purnima and Ashvin Purnima. This special attachment of the devotees for the temple is due to the fact that it is considered as swayambhu (self-created) and shakti sthal (a pilgrimage site blessed with ultimate power). The main deity of the temple is a childhood idol of Lord Hanuman which has an interesting mythological tale behind it. According to it, the village of Mehandipur was once troubled by regular attacks of demons. One day, the priest had a dream in which Lord Hanuman suggested him to dig the Aravalli hills in a specially chosen area. The digging revealed a childhood idol of Hanumanji, along with the idols of Pret Raja and Sri Ram.

The Salasar Balaji Temple in Churu is a part of religious circuit which also involves other pilgrim centers like Rani Sati Temple, Jeen Mata Temple and Khatu Shyam Ji, all of which are located in close proximity to the temple.

Temple Timings: 04:00AM – 10:00PM

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5. Parshuram Mahadev Temple, Pali

One of the must visit places during your visit in Rajasthan is Parshuram Mahadev Temple in Pali . The temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at the border of Pali and Rajsamand district. This temple occupies a special place in the minds of devotees because of a special mythological tale associated with it. It is believed that here, Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, carved the entire cave with his axe. This is also why this temple is also known as Amarnath Cave temple, and is situated at a height of almost 3,995ft. As you enter the temple, you come across idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva. One other special feature of the temple is the nine kunds, which devotees believe never goes dry. To reach the cave, you need to descend at least 500 steps.

The temple hosts two fairs throughout the year during the occasion of Shravan Shukla Ashtami and Saptami, which are usually held in the months of August/September. It is visited by thousands of devotees.

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6. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Ranakpur

Ranakpur Jain Temple , located almost 90 km from the city of Udaipur, is a marvellous sight to come across. It covers an area of 48,000 sq, ft, with its architecture being a brilliant amalgamation of size and aesthetics. To give you an idea of its impressive dimensions, here are some statistics. The entire temple complex stands on 1,444 carved pillars and 24 pillared halls which are topped by 80 domes supported by 400 columns. A 6ft tall statue of Lord Adinath (the first Tirthankara in Jain history) is also a major attraction inside the temple, which sits gracefully under the largest spire of the main temple complex. Other temples which surround this temple are Surya Temple, Chaumukha Temple, Parshvanath Temple and Amba Mata Temple.

It is a testament to the temple’s splendid architecture and perfection that no two pillars are the same, with each one having its unique design.

Temple Timings: 12:00PM – 05:00PM

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7. Neelkanth Temple, Alwar

Neelkanth Temple, located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, lies in close proximity to the Sariska Tiger Reserve , one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan. The way to the temple is rugged, steep and rough, but what awaits you after it is worth the effort. What is called the Neelkanth Temple is in fact, a temple complex consisting of several temples. The main temple, however, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Almost all the temples are built in a north Indian style of architecture, characterised by shikhara, superstructure and a spire. The construction of the temple is credited to Maharajadhiraj (King of Kings) Mathanadeva. Located almost 100 meters from the temple stands an enormous stone statue of Jain Tirthankar Shantinath.

The walls of the main temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is adorned with several sculptures which lends it a stark resemblance to the Khajuraho Temple .

Temple Timings: 08:00AM – 06:00PM

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8. Galtaji Temple, Jaipur

What is called Galtaji Temples are in fact a group of Hindu temples and a major Hindu pilgrimage site located about 10 km from the main city of Jaipur. Upon visiting this temple, don’t be surprised if you are greeted by a group of monkeys. Seated on the courtyards, temple premises and everywhere else, the monkeys are ubiquitous here. The present temple, as it stands today, was built by the courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II, Diwan Rao Kriparam, in the 16th century. The main temple, which is built of pink sandstone, is distinguishable by other features like rounded roofs, painted walls and carved pillars. Visitors to the temple are also fascinated by its numerous water tanks, which are seven in number. The main among them is the Galtaji Tank. They are fed by natural springs which are located inside the temple premises. Devotees to the temple often take a dip in its water as it is believed to cure several medicinal properties.

One of the temple in Galtaji called Ram Sita Temple is always occupied by monkeys throughout the year. They were featured in a program series run by National Geographic called Rebel Monkeys.

Temple Timings: 05:00AM – 09:00PM

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9. Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer

Sometimes, certain events reinforce our belief in the supernatural, and even a sceptic is forced to acknowledge the existence of the Supreme Power, that what we call God. Tanot Mata Temple , located about 120 km from Jaisalmer, is an example of that. The tempe is located in close proximity to Longewala, on the India-Pakistan border. The temple is dedicated to Tanot Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Hinglaj. While the structure of the temple is quite humble and sobre, the temple is held in the highest esteem by devotees, because of an incident during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. During the war, despite many shells and bombs being directed towards the temple, it remained perfectly safe because none of them exploded. This reinforced peoples’ belief that the temple was protected at all times by Goddess Tanot. Not only did the BSF rebuild the temple after the war, it is also managed by a trust in their name.

There is a museum located just beside the temple which houses several artefacts from the India Pakistan war and is a great attraction for tourists.

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10. Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu

Even today, people of Rajasthan narrate the story of Rani Sati, also known as Dadi Ji, with immense pride and devotion. The Rani Sati Temple , located in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, is dedicated to her heroism and bravery. One of the characters in the Hindu mythological epic, Mahabharata, Rani Sati committed self-immolation after her husband’s death, thus proving her unflinching devotion to him. The temple is built from pure white marble and graced by the presence of exquisite paintings. A notable feature of the temple is the absence of any statues, of either male or female gods. Instead, the sanctum sanctorum houses a trident, which symbolises power, vigor, strength and bravery. There are other smaller temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha, along with 12 smaller sati temples. An aarti is performed at the temple twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

The temple dates back 400 years and is the largest of its kind dedicated to Rani Sati.

Temple Timings: 05:30AM – 01:00PM; 03:00PM – 10:30PM

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11. Ambika Mata Temple, Udaipur

Ambika Mata Temple , located about 50 km from Udaipur in a village called Jagat, is counted among the most beautiful temples in Rajasthan. Dedicated to Ambika Devi, considered to be a form of Goddess Durga, it is renowned for its exquisite carvings which lend it a resemblance to the famous Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh. Various sculptures of gods and goddesses, court dancers, musicians and apsaras (beautiful heavenly beings) grace the exteriors of the temples. The theme of the temple is that of a mountain palace, which is believed to be a heavenly abode of the gods. The motifs adorning the shikhara (temple tower) is that of clouds, and make for an extremely pleasing sight. There are several smaller shikaras surrounding the main one, and these are thought to represent various mountain peaks. What ultimately catches the visitor’s fancy is the sculptures, a feature which makes it quite different from the other temples.

Ambika Mata Temple is also known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan because of its sculptures which bear a strong resemblance to those found in Khajuraho.

Temple Timings: 06:00AM – 07:00PM

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12. Eklingji Temple, Udaipur

Eklingji Temple in Udaipur is one of the temples which you should visit as part of a religious trip to Rajasthan. It has gone through several modifications through the years, but always retained its grandeur and charm. The original temple was built by Bappa Rawal (founder of the Mewar dynasty) in the 8th century. In the 15th century, Rana Kumbha rebuilt the temple while constructing a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. According to various historical sources, the last construction of the temple was carried out by Rana Raimal (son of Rana Kumbha). The statue which you see today inside the temple was installed by him, and therefore holds a special place among the locals. The temple also amazes visitors with its magnificent architecture. It is two storied and consists of a pyramidal shaped roof. As you enter, you are welcomed by an enormous roof which houses a large silver image of Nandi (bull of Lord Shiva and his vehicle). However, the highlight of the temple is the shivling which is garlanded by a silver snake.

It is surrounded by the statues of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya and Goddess Parvati.

Two water tanks named Karz Kund and Tulsi Kund, are located to the north of the temple. During the occasion of Shivratri (a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva), its water is consumed by everybody visiting the temple.

Temple Timings: 04:15AM – 06:45AM, 10:30AM – 01:30PM, 05:15PM – 07:45PM

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13. Shri Mahavir Ji Temple, Karauli

Jain temples are some of the most famous temples in Rajasthan. One of these is Shri Mahavir Ji Temple , located in the Karauli district in Rajasthan. However, even though the name may suggest otherwise, there are five temples in this temple complex. Each is as grand and splendid as the other in terms of architecture and magnificence. The five temples are Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji, Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya, Shantinath Jinalaya and Kirti Ashram Chaityalaya. There is something special about each of these temples. At the Atishaya Kshetra Temple, the Manastambha, also known as the Column of Pride, is the main attraction. Standing at almost 52ft, it is topped by Tirthankaras staring in four directions. The Bhagan Jinalaya Temple is also called kaanch ka mandir (temple of mirrors), because of its spectacular mirror work. The Shantinath Jinalaya is most famous for its 32 ft statue of Shantinath (the 16th Jain Tirthankar).

The temple hosts an annual fair in the month of April every year, the highlight of which is a grand rath yatra. It is attended by Jain devotees from all around the world.

Temple Timings: 05:00AM – 08:00PM

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14. Bullet Baba Temple, Jodhpur

During your religious visit to Rajasthan, you will explore many temples, all of which have some traditions and history associated with them. However, the Bullet Baba Temple is different from any kind of temple you may have come across. Located in the Plai district of Jodhpur, this temple is also known as Om Banna, or, Bullet Banna. It is dedicated to a motorcycle, or more specifically, the 350cc Royal Bullet motorcycle. In fact, upon visiting the temple, you will know the interesting tale behind it. It is said that a man by the name of Om Banna, also called Om Singh Rathore, was travelling on 2nd December 1991 to a village called Chotila. Suddenly, he lost control of the motorcycle completely, causing it to crash against a tree, thus killing him immediately. Next morning, the villagers took the motorcycle to a police station located in close proximity to the site of the accident. However, it was found at the site of the accident the next day. This time, the police took the motorcycle to the police station, with the same outcome. The villagers called it a miracle and to express their reverence, built a temple. Today, anybody passing the temple always stops and offers his prayers at the temple. Some devotees offer alcohol, while some apply verminion and garland it. Well, what can we say except that miracles abound in the state of Rajasthan.

The Bullet Baba Temple is held in such high esteem by the devotees that not stopping by to pay your respects and seek blessings is believed to bring bad luck for the rest of your journey.

Temple Timings: 06:00AM – 07:15PM

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15. Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore

Ranthambore is famous for the Ranthambore National Park , one of the most visited national parks of Rajasthan. It is also home to Trinetra Ganesh Temple. Although there are hundreds of temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha across the country, this one is special because it is the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Ganesha containing his entire family. The temple is located inside the Ranthambore Fort , about 12 km from Sawai Madhopur, which is another popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan . Five aartis are held inside the temple throughout the day, and is attended by devotees in large numbers.

The significance of the temple can never be explained without mentioning a popular tale associated with it. It is believed that during a war between King Hameer and Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1299 AD, the King fell extremely short of resources. He remembered Lord Ganesha who assured him that everything would be fine the next day. Miraculously enough, the symbol of Lord Ganesha was carved on one of the walls of the fort the next morning, while the war inexplicably came to an end. Surprised and overwhelmed by emotion, King Hameer constructed a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh.

Temple Timings: 06:00AM – 08:00PM

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16. Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Sirohi

https://bit.ly/2XFiNn8

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is located in close proximity to Achaleshwar Fort , one of the forts in Rajasthan which lies in a dilapidated state today. It is located in the city of Sirohi and was built during the 9th century by the famous Paramara dynasty (a Rajput dynasty that ruled most of Malwa and areas in west-central India between the 9th and 14th centuries). One of the reasons you should visit this temple is its incredible structure which is an example of classic magnificence. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva while the shivling is a naturally occurring stone structure. Apart from the shivlinga, there are other smaller shrines dedicated to Nadi, his vehicle. A major crowd puller at the temple is the enormous statues of Lord Nandi which has been constructed using five metals (known as panchdhatu in Hinduism). The temple complex is home to a pit, which is believed to be the way to hell by the devotees. There is also a small pond, and near to it stand three water buffaloes which are said to represent demons.

For many years, it was not known to many people that the temple was built of marble. In 1979, extensive renovations carried out by the king revealed the huge marble blocks hidden under the lime.

Temple Timings: 05:00AM – 07:00PM

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17. Surya Narayan Temple, Jhalawar

Surya Narayan Temple, located in the Jhalawar district, is one of the ancient temples in Rajasthan which you should not miss out on during your trip. No sooner do you arrive at this temple than you are reminded of the Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha . Such is the similarity in design and architecture. It is believed that the temple was built by Maharaja Nagbhatta II of the Pratihara Rajput dynasty. Although the temple is dedicated to the Sun god, he is worshipped here in a different avatar. In this temple, the sun god is represented as Lord Narayana, the four armed god. Apart from the sun god, the deity of Lord Padmanathji is also accorded the same reverence. Visitors to the temple always remark on its splendid architecture, from its massive walls to its shikaharas (towers) and artistically created dome.

A beautiful sight awaits visitors to the temple in the morning, when the first rays of the sun kiss the feet of Lord Narayana in the sanctum sanctorum.

Temple Timings: 07:00AM – 10:30AM, 03:30PM – 06:30PM

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18. Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh

The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of Mewar, it houses several monuments which astound onlookers with their sheer brilliance. One among those is Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh . Situated just across Padmini Palace, this temple was built under the reign of Pratihara Rajput dynasty. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, it is situated on an elevated rock and accessible via a flight of stairs. Apart from its historic importance, this temple also stands out for its thick pillars, huge domes and mandapas (porch like structure). A ratri jagran is also held in the temple complex in the evenings.

It is widely believed by the locals that the temple was originally a Sun Temple before it was rebuilt as a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.

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19. Bisaldev Temple, Bisalpur

Bisaldev Temple, located in the quaint village of Bisalpur in the district of Pali, Rajasthan, is one of the most famous temples in Rajasthan. It is very important historically and for this reason, has been declared as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple, which is dedicated to Lord Gokarneswara (a form of Lord Shiva), was built by Vigraharaja IV of the Chahamanas dynasty (a branch of Agnivanshi Rajputs). Because the temple is located alongside the Bisalpur Dam on Banas River, its courtyard remains submerged whenever there is an increase in the water levels. The temple is also impressive by its sheer dimensions. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, you come across a shivlinga. One of the special attractions inside the temple are its pillars which are adorned with intricate designs and carvings. When the water level is low, one can get amazing views of the river ahead from the temple’s courtyard.

There are several short inscriptions at the site of the temple dating back to the 12th century, and of immense historical importance.

Temple Timings: Always open

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20. Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu

India is dotted with Jain temples, each beautiful in its own way. One of the most famous Jain temples in India is Dilwara Jain Temples in Mount Abu . Located about 3 km from Mount Abu, the famous hill station of Rajasthan, it was built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD by Vipul Shah and Vastupal Tejpal, two prominent Jain ministers. The intricate marble carvings on pillars, panels and doorways i simply unparalleled. There are five Dilwara Jain Temples in all. These are, Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pittalhar Temple, Shri Parshvanatha Temple and Shri Mahavir Swami Temple. Each of these temples have something unique to offer in terms of architecture. For example, the upper walls of the porch in Shri Mahavir Swami Temple are adorned with lovely paintings, while the Pittalhar Temple houses an enormous metal statue of Rishab Dev (also known as Adinath in Jain literature. The Luna Vashi temple is also a major crowd puller with its 72 Jain tirthankaras in a seated circle along with 320 Jain monks seated in another circle carved out of white marble.

The Dilwara Jain Temples featured in a postal stamps issued by the Indian Postal Department in 2009.

Temple Timings: 12:00PM – 6:00PM

There you have it, the 20 must visit temples in Rajasthan. Plan a trip to Rajasthan soon and visit these unique temples. If you have enjoyed reading this blog, please like and share it as much as you can.

Also, if you want us to plan a pilgrimage tour for you in India, please feel free to contact us at +91-9212777223/24 and [email protected]. We at Tour My India offer some great pilgrimage tour packages ensuring your spiritual journey is memorable and convenient all the time.

About Vishwajit Sharma

Writing, for me, is an artistic expression of the countless thoughts flooding my mind. For now, travel content writing is what keeps me going! In my spare time, I like nothing better than immersing myself in a book, along with a cuppa! A classic movie helps too! I define traveling as a process of self-discovery. Hailing from Darjeeling, my ultimate desire is to escape to the hills, with the mountain air and solitude as my constant companions!

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Featured post, 2023 - the year that was, our tirunelveli temple run: part 4.

Location : The temple is located amidst the hills, at Karayar, about 10 Km from Papanasam temple.
Timings : The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Location : The temple is located at Mannarkoil, about 5 Km from Ambasamudram, on the Ambasamudram-Tenkasi Highway, and about 1 Km from the Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple.
Timings : 7 AM to 12 Noon, 5 to 7 PM.
http://know-your-heritage.blogspot.in/2015/04/tirunelveli-region-travelogue-pandyan_25.html This is the most detailed post I could find about the temple.
http://know-your-heritage.blogspot.in/2015/04/tirunelveli-region-travelogue-pandyan_25.html This post was really helpful when I planned my trip. Raju’s blog is my go-to site when I plan a temple trip to the south! Also check out his photo album on Flickr.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/sets/72157631434178552/with/7942654222/

Location : Tenkasi is about 60 Km from Tirunelveli, and well connected by road.
Timings : 6 to 11 AM, 4 to 8 PM.
Links : http://www.tenkasikasiviswanathaswamytemple.tnhrce.in/

Location : Kuttralam is about 5 Km from Tenkasi. Apart from the temple, there are plenty of waterfalls to see, so keep lots of time in hand while visiting.
Timings ; 6 AM to 12 Noon, 5 to 9 PM.
Website : http://www.courtrallanathar.tnhrce.in/index.html
Our Tirunelveli Temple Run
Part 1: Introduction and Nellaiappar Temple
Part 2: Valliyoor, Thirukkurungudi, Kalakkad, Athalanallur
Part 3: Thiruppudaimarudhur
Kanyakumari
Suchindram
The Story of my Summer Trip
The Rishikesh series
Moving on... From Dharamsala to Amritsar to Rishikesh
The Himachal Series
The Tadoba series

Beautiful narration. My heart and soul are yearning to go on the same journey. Thanks a million .

Thank you! I hope you too get to go on the same journey soon!

Beautiful post. Would Love to visit these places specially the temples!

These temples are very close to my heart as my parents live in Tenkasi! I shared this post with them too! Very glad to see these wonderful icons being highlighted and brought to the attention of many! One absolutely out of this world, yet little known place in Coutrallam is the Chittirai sabhai. It has floor to ceiling hand-painted exquisite murals depicting Lord Nataraja's story and also various other deities. Absolutely spell-binding. Only hitch - no photography allowed. Hope you can visit this place next time you are in Tenkasi. All the best.

nice post..

A Journey to Mahendragiri - The Second Highest Mountain Peak of Odisha

Why mahendragiri.

My childhood was full of reminiscences about Mahendragiri yatra on Shivaratri and about spending the night on the top of the hill to witness the scenic sunrise in the morning with Mahendratanaya and other rivers joining the Bay of Bengal at the horizon. It has always been a magnificent sight, the descriptions of which we used to hear from our friends and relatives. Besides, the hills and their rugged beauty have always fascinated me so much that whenever I meet with my close friends, we either reminisce about our experiences of being on the hills or plan a visit to the place again. As such, when we got together this time, we planned a visit to the majestic mountain. In preparation for our journey to Mahendragiri, I talked over the phone with Swami Bhaskara Teerth (also called pedda swami) to help us visit the place and the ashram. He sent us Krishna, the driver along with the vehicle to help us in the journey.

Mahendragiri has got great spiritual and mythological significance. It was described in the epic the Mahabharata, and in the puranas. It also finds reference in the works of poets Sarala Dasa, the author of Oriya Mahabharata, and Radhanath Ray, the initiator of modernity in Odiya literature. Most importantly, it is a place of worship during Mahashivratri and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Traditionally the priests in these temples belong to the savara tribe. According to Mahabharata and Brahmanda purana, Sage Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, spent his life here in meditation to atone for his sin of killing the kshatriyas in 21 rounds. It is also believed that he is currently spending his life on this mountain as he is a chiranjeevi and is blessed to live up to pralaya kala, the end of the world. There are ample references to Mahendragiri in Kalidasa's poem, Raghuvamsam.

The legend is that Pandavas visited Mahendragiri during their one-year period of living underground (ajnatavasam) and constructed the Shiva temples for worship at different places on the mountain. These temple structures come under the status of protected monuments under Antiquate Monument Archaeological Remains and Sites Act 1958. Mahendragiri, a part of the Eastern Ghats, is the second-highest point with 4925 ft (1501 mts) above the sea level. About 30 km from Mandasa, Srikakulam (Dist), A.P., it is located in Parlakhemundi subdivision of Gajapati district, Odisha. The river Mahendratanaya flows down the mountain to the East through Mandasa and joins the Bay of Bengal at Barua which was once an important port. Similarly, the western counterpart of Mahendratanaya flows across the hills to meet Vamsadhara, as its main tributary, near Parlakhemundi. Another small tributary that emanates from the mountain is called Sunamudi gedda passes through Mandasa and G.R.Puram to join the sea. Mahendragiri is the foremost of the seven kulagiris, the other being -Malaya, Sahya, Shuktiman, Riksha, Vindhya, and Pariyatra.

The Journey to Mahendragiri

On 17th November 2019, four of us - Bhavani, Ramanandam, Sambamurty and I - started by car from Mandasa around 2 p.m. We reached Barakhat pass at 4 pm. As we reached the pass, the swami i.e the one in charge of the Hanuman Temple at the foot of the hill welcomed and offered us some simple food. We parked our car there and left the Pass around 6 pm in a Bolero driven by Krishna.

It was an approximately 6 km drive on a badly damaged road with very steep curves. The road was under repair due to the damage caused by heavy landslides occurred during Cyclone Titli that hit the place on 8 October 2018. It was rather a very scary journey to the top of the hill with every turn bringing me the dim view of the deep valley out there. The darkness made the view much more frightening. We reached the ashram around 7.00 pm. On our arrival, we were welcomed by the swami, who is in charge of the ashram. It was a warm welcome.

Single room accomodation in mahendragiri

Later, we were given a modest accommodation, a small one-room concrete building located just on the top of the hill, facing a valley. The building has an open space in front of it and nothing else - no toilet or bathroom.

Around 8.30 pm, we got call for dinner. We had a nice meal and spent around an hour chatting. The conversation revolved around the question of what happened to the flora and fauna of Mahendragiri, about the activities of the Ashram such as the annadaanam performed on the hill during Mahashivaratri day for the devotees. As we returned to our quarters, the moon came up almost to the middle of the sky making the foreground with rocks and trees look dreamy with their shadows huddled around them. We went to sleep.

I got up around 3 am, went out and sat on the veranda. It was very cold outside. From where I was sitting, I could see the beaming moonlight spread all over the valley and beyond. Our building threw a long shadow in front of me. The moonlight cast eerie shadows of the trees and stones on the ground giving an unearthly feeling. It was a quiet night. No calls of animals or birds. The Orion was in the middle of the sky, bright and clear. I sat there for a long time, maybe an hour, and then went inside to sleep again.

Golden Rays of the Morning Sun

The next day, everyone woke up at 5.30 am. We wanted to see the sunrise and then go to visit the Bhima temple and other places. I could see that as the sun appeared on the horizon, a streak of golden light spread across the dividing line above the valley - which gradually became a bright silver line shining through the branches of the trees. As there was thick fog, we could not see the river courses joining the sea.

By the time we completed our morning ablutions, it was around 7 am. We hurriedly descended the hill to reach the ashram. As we walked down, we witnessed a wonderful sight. There, the whole ground, branches of trees, animals, Kunti temple, ashram building, and other structures - all were covered with the morning golden light! It was as if all these objects were dipped once in molten gold and put up for display! It was an extraordinarily beautiful morning!

We started walking toward Yudhishthira (also called Dharma Raju) temple as we were told that from that point the path toward Bhima's temple would begin. First, we went to see Yudhishthira temple. I noticed that the sculpture of this temple was much better and refined compared to Kunti temple which we shall discuss later.

Its structure resembled the design of Siddheswar and Mukteswar temples in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. There were similarities with the Sri Jagannath temple of Puri as well. On the whole, it represents the 'triratha' style of Kalinga architecture with some sculptural decoration. Inside, it is a very simple structure, with one lingam in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum (garbha gudi). The temple has an inscription which is believed to be that of King Rajendra Chola II (11th century). We began our ascent of the mountain. From this point, you can have a glimpse of the capstone (the amalasaraka or amalakam) of Bhima temple. The climb was a little difficult as there was no particular path. However, as we were nearing Bhima temple, steps made of stone became visible though for a short distance only - say about 3 hundred meters till the temple. As we reached the Bhima temple, we were all excited to see the structure and forgot our tiredness.

The temple is made up of 18 crudely cut stone blocks of approximately 10ft*4ft*5ft dimensions. They are arranged as the base (peetham)+middle (the portion that contains the garbha gruha)+top (sikharam) comprising of two tiers with a beautifully fluted amalakam on the top but with no kalasham situated on it. Of all, the one below the amalakam is a single stone - the biggest and the heaviest. Two blocks of the stones in the top tiers showed deep cracks. The structure otherwise was very strong. It was said that the cracks were caused when thunder struck the temple many years ago, though we do not have a record of when it had happened. The temple has the main entrance and another narrow way probably an exit on its opposite side. In the inner sanctum (garbha gudi), the shiva lingam is located with signs of some puja having been performed. It is also known as Gokarneswara temple and is believed to have been built just after the Gupta period (600 A.D). Compared to Yudhishthira temple, the makeup of Bhima temple is less refined and is rather crude architecturally. However, exposed to the elements through centuries, it has got a rugged beauty and dignity of its own. One question that came to my mind was about how these blocks could be set up on the top of one another? They might have employed elephants to arrange the blocks, as it was a known habitat for pachyderms. It must, however, be a huge effort.

The west view from this point comprised of the panoramic Eastern ghats with white clouds sitting lightly on them. There was a vastness and a sense of permanency in those mountains. Of particular interest was the fact that the mountain range was marked with visible deep furrows on the hills. We came to know that these furrows were formed by huge landslides that happened during the Titli cyclone. The landslides reached the bottom of the hills bringing down along with the water flow - huge boulders, trees, and the earth sweeping whatever that came in their path. Across our journey on the Mahendragiri roads, we could see the devastation caused by the cyclone - whole crusts of earth, big boulders, and fallen trees still lying on the side of the road.

Our next destination was Arjun gumpa. There was a beaten path. The ascent, though less steep, was not easy. We had to climb and scramble over some of the big boulders to reach the location. There is an interesting story about this place. Arjuna, like his brother Bhima, thought of constructing a temple for Shiva and started working on it. He prepared nearly 2-3 polished blocks of sizes similar to the ones that comprised of the Bhima temple. However, he abandoned the task in the middle telling himself that this was not his cup of tea. The three large blocks of stones lying around are in fact evidence to the belief that there was an abandoned attempt (by whomever that may be) to construct another temple here. Instead, as the story goes, he settled for a cave nearby and carried out his worship of Shiva in the cave itself. We went a little ahead to see the cave closely. It was not exactly like a conventional cave that one sees in movies or in Chandamama (A popular magazine for children in the 1960s and 70s) stories. It is a pile of big rocks of different shapes creating a two-tiered space inside them adequate enough for a human to move about and sleep. There are two entrances to the cave - one from above and another from the west side camouflaged by a thick grove of trees.

The space that can be reached from above was the place for the worship of Shiva, though I could not see any object representing a Shiva lingam. The next space below this was the one which could be reached directly from the west side second entrance in between the trees. The rocks of the cave were situated in such a way that neither of the two room-like spaces will become wet during rain but will receive ample light – adequate enough to live. Now, I wish to add a few details of the rocks that one comes across on Mahendragiri. Here, all most all rocks are boulders in the sense that they are huge, detached round stones with a weather-worn look. Very few rocks are sharp-edged. They might be lime-rich as white spots are amply visible on the rocks. Another interesting feature was that they produce metallic sound when hit by another piece of rock. To show this, Krishna set out to make an interesting demonstration. He took a large piece of stone and hit with it a rock nearby. Clang - it produced a distinct metallic sound! Likewise, he struck three rocks and each produced a different kind of metallic sound. He repeated the exercise a few times so that we could clearly differentiate the different metallic sounds thus produced (See, Musical stones on Mahendragiri https://youtu.be/WtSfehg3U8A). We were all very excited to witness the demonstration as that explained the nature of the rocks in this particular mountain range. By then, it was around 9.30 am. The sun was hot and we started sweating. Our call was to reach the ashram by 10 am. Krishna identified a route and we began to climb down. The descent was fast though we fumbled here and there while walking down. As we were approaching the ashram, we saw two large groups of pilgrims busying themselves with food preparations. Descent and Visit to Kunti Temple

After reaching the ashram, we went to see the Kunti Devi temple which is in the same compound where the ashram is located. As mentioned earlier, in terms of sculptural specifications, it resembles the Yudhishthira temple though the sikharam has different surface engravings reflecting 'rekha' style of architecture. It is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century A.D. We went inside to see the garbhagudi and the Shiva lingam. Someone had already lighted lamps and performed puja. There were signs of continuous puja as the interior was clean and organized. There was a Nandi statue facing the entrance.

We went up to our quarters, quickly packed our things, and came down to the ashram ready to go. Donated a modest amount to the ashram as a token of our gratitude for their warm hospitality and paid our respects to the swami. Also, we left the remaining provisions with them and started. It was around 4 pm when we began our journey to Barakat pass, a 6 km descent from the ashram. The Silence of the Hills

It was a fulfilling journey for all of us. As for me, it was a spiritual sojourn. I sat quietly with the silence of the hills that engulfed me. One of the team members began talking loudly with someone on his phone. Others were engrossed in their conversations. However, the incessant chatter around did not bother me. Throughout the journey back home I sat with that quiet feeling. We reached Mandasa around 9 pm.

This is a very interesting travelogue. I did not know that Odisha is having such panoramic places to visit. The natural beauty as depicted in this blog is stunning. The article is well composed and well presented.

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Top Things To Do In Irkutsk, Russia

Post author: Hasan Mahmud
Post published: July 4, 2016
Post category: EUROPE / Russia
Post comments: 0 Comments

Irkutsk is the most popular stop for Trans – Siberian travelers. In this fascinating city, which was once known as the “Paris of Siberia,” you will find people relatively more friendly and relaxed than those in Moscow and other major cities on the west. The city is relatively small, laid back, and most of the points of interest are easily walkable. Along many of the streets, you can see historical cozy – looking log cabins with decorated windows with detailed woodwork, which is typical Siberian architecture. Irkutsk is conveniently located about an hour away (by car or bus) from the southern shores of Lake Baikal – the oldest and deepest freshwater lake on our planet.

How We Got There

Even though a journey on the Trans-Siberian Express # 002 is the longest train ride in the world but for us, it’s only 48 hours from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk.

Our Itinerary By Trans Siberian

By air an alternet option.

There are a couple of major airlines flying to Irkutsk International Airport (IKT) such as S7, Aeroflot, China Southern, Korean Air, Uzbekistan Airways, and more. Check out Priceline.com or CheapOair.com for a bargain.

The airport is about 5 miles (7 km) from the Irkutsk Angara hotel and about 40 miles (64 km) from Listavyanka or Lake Baikal. There are many taxies available at the airport; all you need to do is negotiate the price. You can also use Uber or Yandex taxi if you have their app and access to wifi.

Top Things To Do In Irkutsk

The traditional siberian wooden homes.

You can spend an entire afternoon walking the streets of Irkutsk and not come across two homes that are alike. This city is comprised almost entirely of old, traditional Siberian houses, and each one is entirely unique. They often have bright, carved shutters that contrast sharply with the dark wooden exterior. Something unique.

Visit The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral

The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral the main cathedral of the Irkutsk diocese is The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Irkutsk, it is located right next to the Angara River. Initially built in 1693, our of wood, but a devastating fire destroyed it. In the early 18th century, instead of a small wooden church that existed, they built a great stone Orthodox Cathedral.

The beautiful exterior of the Bogoyavlensky Cathedral is impressive, it has red brick exterior walls decorated with old Russian designs with many extravagant elements.

Guided Tour In Irkutsk

There are guided tours available in Irkutsk, they usually combine sightseeing, lunch and a few sightseeing stops on the way. Get Your Guide is the one I recommend.

Visit The Spasskaya Church

This beautiful church is the oldest stone building in Irkutsk, not far from Bogoyavlensky Cathedral and the famous Angara River. It was built in 1710 and the stone church because of the fortress wall that defended Irkutsk from the raids.

Check Out Huge Kirov Square

The The Kirov Squire is located just in front of our hotel (Angara Hotel) we were staying within the boundaries of Lelin, Zhelyabov and Sukhe-Batora streets. It is the center of many major events, such as the Victory Day parade and New Year celebrations. Nice place to visit while you are in Irkutsk.

The Monument to the founders of Irkutsk

It was unveiled on the 350 anniversary of Irkutsk in 2011. The monument is located on the banks of the River Angara, near the Cathedral of the Epiphany. The bronze monument represents a generalized character of Cossack – a pioneer of Siberia.

The monument to the founders of this city in Siberia

Tsar Alexander the third

The statue of Alexander III located right on the waterfront promenade by the Angara River a beautiful place to visit on your way to Listvayanka.

Our Lady of Kazan

Kazan Church (Barrikad St., 34) could absolutely be the highlight of your time in Irkutsk. The people refer to it as the ‘Red Church’, noting the beautiful color of its walls. The foundation for this stone building was laid in 1835, and the construction took 57 years. The church, opened on Easter 1892, is magnificent.

130 Quarter (Kvartal)

Must see the place in Irkutsk one of the famous tourist destinations. The This is a must-see the place in Irkutsk, one of the famous tourist destinations. The historical quarter is located in the center of Irkutsk, at the intersection of Kozhov, Sedovand 3rd Lyulya streets. Easily accessible by public transportation such as a bus. This historical place got Museums, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and a mall all coexist in peach behind old walls. Old historical buildings and lovely sculptures surround those buildings are beautiful, a great please for spending an evening there.

Check Out Znamensky Monastery

Znamensky Monastery is one of the most famous places of worship in Irkutsk. It was like ay other old Russian church but was interesting to see. Nice stopover if you are interested to see a typical monastery and nice paintings.

Znamensky Women Monastery, Irkutsk, Russia

Beautiful Prince Vladimir Temple

This monastery was founded in 1888 in honor of the 900th. Anniversary of the Christianization of Russia. Like any other place of worship in Irkutsk was built with private funds. A great place to visit based on your priority.

Visit Taltsy Museum

The open-air museum displays the lifestyle and typical architecture, mostly wooden houses of Siberia. Taltsy Museum is located on the bank of Angora river, about 29 miles (47 km) south of Irkutsk. Since this is on the way to Listvyanka. Therefore, many tourists add this spot as part of their Listvyanka and Lake Baikal trip. We took a guided tour and pact with a lot of activities, including a stop to Taltsy, Port Baikal, boat ride in Lake Baikal, Shaman Stone, Listvyanka, cable car to Chesky Stone Hill Lookout, Listvyanka market and a visit to St. Nicholas church.

Day Trip to Listvyanka & Port Baikal

Listvyanka is an urban locality in Irkutsk District of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, located 70 kilometers south of Irkutsk, near the point where the Angara River meets Lake Baikal. The village of wooden houses beside Lake Baikal is the most popular tourist destination on the lake. The village is easily accessible by bus, minivans, and even ferries from Irkutsk city.

It is doable as a day trip from Irkutsk, or many stay there a day or two. There are so many things to do that will definitely not disappoint you. We enjoyed a speed boat ride in the lake later, visited the shaman stone in the middle of the Angara River, where it meets Baikal lake, toured a village market, and had some delicious smoked Amul fish a fresh catch right out of the lake. We took a ferry to Port Baikal and walked for miles following the famous Circum-Baikal train track. In the afternoon, At the end of our day trip, we took a cable car to the Chesky Stone Hilltop and watched one of the magnificent sunsets of all time from the lookout. The memories I gathered is priceless.

Ride The Circum-Baikal Train

One of the best picturesque day trips from Irkutsk is by taking the historic Circum-Baikal railway that runs from Slyudyanka to Port Baikal. The rail route is about 52 miles (84 km), and it takes about 5 hours by Circum-Baikal railway.

To get to Slyudyanka the starting point of the historic Circus-Baikal train trip you may need to get 2+ hours of a taxi or train journey from Irkutsk that’s another 68 miles (110 km) to cover.

Once you are at the end of your Circus-Baikal train trip at Port Baikal, you need to get the last ferry to get to Listvyanka, then an option to stay overnight at the beautiful lake side town or go back to Irkutsk.

Try Local Food in Irkutsk

Clermont restaurant, polskikh povstancev st., 1, irkutsk.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Angora Hotel. We, in fact, liked the food we ordered. All we wanted to eat was salad, fish, and pelmeni. So we got Omul Fish soup, smoked Omul, and of course, Pelmeni and the traditional Russian salad was delicious.

Kochevnik, Gorkogo St., 19, Irkutsk

This is an excellent restaurant serving mainly delicious Mongolian food. Only about 7 minutes’ walk from the Angara hotel. It is one of the most loved restaurants by locals and tourists alike. Most of the food is delicious, and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

Where Did I Stay in Irkutsk

Angara Hotel, Sukhe-Bator Street 7, Irkutsk

This hotel is at Kirov square, this downtown hotel is a 9-minute walk from a tram stop, a 6-minute walk from the landmark Cathedral of the Epiphany and 3.1 km from regional art at the V.P.Sukachev manor museum. The famous Angara river is just a few blocks away.

Apartament on Marata 31, 31 ulitsa Marata, Irkutsk

If you are looking for a more extended stay or just to experience your trip from a different perspective, then I would suggest booking an apartment. The apartment on Marata 31 is a great option, with 1 bedroom, an equipped kitchen, with microwave, fridge, washing machine, and a stove. You can even rent a bicycle from them.

My Opinion and Last Word

Have you been to irkutsk, russia any cool tips to share.

I loved being in Irkutsk Oblast and want to go back again. I hope my story has motivated you to plan your visit .

Please leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.

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The Best Things to See and Do in Irkutsk

Have you ever thought of hopping on a Trans Siberian train ? There is something about crossing the entire continent by rail that has hypnotised travellers for decades. If you do choose to embark on such a journey, you will most certainly find yourself at Lake Baikal, one of the main attractions of the Trans Siberian Route and one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. To go to Baikal, you have to stop in Irkutsk, which is just as interesting. Here are the best things to see and do in Irkutsk.

#1 walk around the historic centre, #2 shop like a local in the city's central market.

Market, Russian

Markets are where the locals get most of their produce

#3 See one of the world’s oldest icebreakers

Ice is, obviously, an issue in Irkutsk. It has been an issue for so long that Irkutsk is where you can find one of the oldest ice-breaking ships in the world. It is now safely anchored in the Angara river and is open to visitors, but back in the day, it used to crush the ice on Baikal Lake to make travel across the lake possible (the train now goes around the lake, but back in the early twentieth century, the passengers needed to cross the lake by a ferry). The vessel was in use until 1962. A stroke of luck saved it from being demolished, and in 1990 it was anchored in Irkutsk and became the Ice-Breaker ‘Angara’ Museum.

The Agara Icebreaker, Marshala Zhukova 36A, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia . +7 395 235-85-51

#4 Listen to an organ concert in a former church

Church, Concert Hall

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#5 Enjoy the biggest fine arts collection in Siberia

#6 go on a church tour.

Orthodox churches are extravagantly decorated, and there is no shortage of them in Irkutsk. It is most certainly worth it to dedicate one afternoon to a church tour, to fully appreciate the unique character of each church. Krestovozdvizhenskaya Tserkov’ and Spasskaya Tserkov’ are the two churches especially worth a visit.

Krestovozdvizhenskaya Tserkov, Sedova 3, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia. +7 395 234-42-42

Spasskaya Tserkov, Sukhe-Batora 2, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia. +7 395 220-15-52

The domes of Krestovozfvizhenskaya Tserkov

#7 Take a picture with Babr, the symbol of Irkutsk.

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Top 12 Things to Do in Irkutsk

Lake Baikal is only the beginning of what there is to see in Irkutsk

When you think of Siberia , you probably don't think of cities, let alone very large ones. Yet Irkutsk, capital of the Oblast of the same name in the eastern part of Russia's frozen tundra, is home to more than half a million people. It's also chock full of incredible activities, whether you explore the eclectic mix of Russian, Siberian and indigenous Buryat culture on offer in the city center, or make an excursion to Lake Baikal , the largest body of freshwater in the world and the region's most famous attraction.

Pray to the Savior—or the Prince

Irkutsk might be thousands of miles from the majority of the Russian population, but you can still find plenty of faithful adherents to the Eastern Orthodox faith. Even if you're not a religious traveler, this means stunning Eastern Orthodox architecture, which is a photographer's dream.

First up is the Church of the Savior, a humble 18th-century structure built in the shape of shape—this detail will become important in a couple of sections, so pay attention. You could also visit 19th-century Kazan Church, whose red bricks juxtapose with a bright blue roof.

The most stunning and dramatic piece of Orthodox architecture in Irkutsk, however, is Prince Vladimir Monastery, a huge complex constructed in 1888 to honor the early Russian prince who'd Christianized Russia nearly a millennium before .

Take a History Lesson

Have you ever heard the phrase "banished to Siberia"? Well, it's not just an expression. Participants of the Decembrist uprising of 1825 , which you might think of as an unsuccessful version of the 1917 revolution that eventually toppled the Tsars, were sent to Siberia as a punishment, and the Irkutsk Regional Historical and Memorial Museum of Decembrists tells some of their stories.

Another place to immerse yourself in the history of Irkutsk is the Irkutsk Regional Museum, which focuses on the architecture and ethnography of indigenous Buryat people.

Say "Privet" to a Baikal Seal

If the name "Irkutsk Nerpinary" doesn't evoke any reaction in you, no one will blame you. However, once you realize that this place is home to extraordinarily cute Nerps (another name for the Baikal Seal), you'll probably change your tune. If you aren't going to be able to see this magnificent creature in its natural habitat (which is one of the items on this list, as it turns out), the Irkutsk Nerpinary is the best place to say "Privet" (that's Russian for "hello"!) to one.

Go to the Beach

Located within the Angara that flows through the center of Irkutsk, Yunosti Island is far from what you would consider tropical; it doesn't even have sand, as many of the artificial cities beaches around the world do . But if you aren't going to be able to make it all the way to Lake Baikal and still want some time on the water, this might be your best bet, at least within the Irkutsk city limits.

Taste Siberia

Russian cuisine, in general, is underrated , but the Siberian Buryat community's food you find in Irkutsk is actually unknown to most of the world's population. The staple food for this population is the pozy , a hearty meat dumpling you're supposed to eat with your hands (though no one will judge you if you don't.

Fish, not surprisingly, is also an important ingredient in Irkutsk, given the city's proximity to the world's largest freshwater lake. Popular local fish include Kharius, Omyl, and Sig, which are prepared in different ways depending on where you order them.

Become an Ice Princess

Irkutsk's annual ice sculpture festival doesn't really hold a candle to the one in Harbin, China , but locals nonetheless put up snow and ice sculptures in the city's Central Park (which also doesn't live up to its namesake in New York) every year. If you happen to visit Irkutsk in winter and aren't headed immediately to Lake Baikal, this is definitely something you should check out. Some years there's an ice castle, which means you can become an ice princess (or prince, as it were).

Or Just Break the Ice

Although it's thousands of miles from an ocean, Irkutsk has nonetheless been one of Siberia's most important ports throughout history, a fact that's even more impressive when you consider the city's water is frozen solid for half the year. The aptly-named "Icebreaker" Museum, which sits in the middle of the Angara River and is housed in an actually icebreaking ship that's one of the oldest in the world, tells this story and many others.

Listen to Folk Music

When you hear the name "Irkutsk Philharmony," you probably imagine classical music and ballet performances. While this building is no Bolshoi Theatre , performances of a more classical sort do play here. On the other hand, you should make sure to stop by on your trip, to see if any folk dance and music performances will take place. It could be a great opportunity to experience Buryat culture!

Buy the Best Pair of Boots You'll Ever Own

In case you haven't figured it out, Irkutsk is cold, with temperatures staying below freezing for between 5-6 months per year. As a result, these people know their stuff when it comes to warm clothing—and footwear.

Called "Kamusi" by the Buryat , the deer and elk fur boots you'll see sold all around town are probably overkill for wherever you're taking the back to. Still they're a worthy investment, and you can pretty much be guaranteed your feet will never be cold again.

Catch a Frozen Wave

Finally, we arrive at Lake Baikal. The largest freshwater lake in the world, which has recently become internet famous due to the frozen waves that lap (or rather, don't lap) at its shores during Siberia's long winter, Lake Baikal is close enough to Irkutsk (about an hour by train) to be done as a day trip, though you will probably want to stay longer there (provided you've got your kamusi on)!

In fact, you can circle the entire lake by train, which can take as long as 3 days, though that could be overkill as well.

Take a Bath

The Arshan Resort located in the outskirts of Irkutsk is one of the most notable nature hot springs in Siberia, but don't expect an experience as raucous as the one you'd find at a Banya bathhouse in Moscow or St. Petersburg . The focus here is less on community or conversation, and more on the magical thermal water that seeps up from the frozen tundra of Siberia.

Head to the Far East, or Way Out West

Irkutsk sits much closer to the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway than the Western one, but if you board this epic journey at Irkutsk Station, there's still plenty to explore in either direction. Buy a ticket headed eastward, and marvel at the steppe of Mongolia as your train barrels toward Beijing. Or head west to Moscow, which will feel about as cosmopolitan as Hollywood compared to Irkutsk, despite all the amazing things you did there.

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Temples burnt, houses attacked: How Hindus have become soft targets in Bangladesh

Houses and business establishments of hindus were attacked by mobs and their valuables were also looted in at least 27 districts..

Listen to Story

Houses, businesses of Hindus attacked in 27 districts
There have also been visuals of Muslim clerics guarding Hindu temples
Two Hindu councilors killed amid widespread violence

What started as a protest against a quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh has turned into widespread looting and rioting across the country, with the minority community, mainly Hindus, coming under attack. With Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India and an interim government still to be formed, videos of temples being set on fire and houses and businesses of Hindus being attacked have flooded social media.

However, at the same time, there have been visuals of Bangladesh's Muslim clerics guarding a Hindu temple in Cumilla. Another video showed a group of students protecting the Dhakeshwari Mandir in Dhaka.

Islamic fundamentalists attacked the house of Bamunia Palpara Hindus in Gabtali Upazila of Bogra District, Bangladesh. #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus #HinduLivesMatter #SaveBangladeshiHindus2024 #WeWantJustice #SaveBangladeshiHindus pic.twitter.com/rqgxmEWM1T — Raju Das ðŸ‡çðŸ‡é (@RajuDas7777) August 5, 2024

ISKCON TEMPLE SET ON FIRE, HINDU COUNCILLORS KILLED

An ISKCON temple in Meherpur, located in Bangladesh's Khulna division, and a Kali temple were vandalised and set on fire.

"One of our ISKCON centres (rented) in Meherpur was burnt, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees who lived in the centre somehow managed to escape and survive," ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das tweeted.

A video, shared by a Hindu activist in Bangladesh, shows a girl in distress pleading for help in Pirojpur district. Another video shows a temple in Navgraha Bari in Chittagong being burnt by a violent mob.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, in a post on X, has listed 54 attacks on temples, houses and establishments of the Hindu community . These include the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh.

The widespread attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are the most severe since 2021, when protests broke out across the country following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The violence saw numerous Hindu temples being attacked.

BENGAL WARNED OF INFLUX OF HINDU REFUGEES

With the ouster of Hasina, there is a prospect of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami getting a strong foothold in the political sphere , prompting a possible influx of Hindu refugees.

India shares a nearly 4,096 km long land and riverine border with Bangladesh.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari has already warned the Mamata Banerjee-led government of being prepared to give refuge to one crore Hindus from Bangladesh.

"If this situation doesn't come under control, mentally be prepared to give refuge to one crore Hindu refugees. If the situation is not controlled there, Jamaat and radicals will take control," Adhikari told reporters.

BJP leader Sunil Deodhar took to X to stress that the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh should be the priority. "Widespread violence against Hindus has been reported. Regardless of the issue, whenever the sentiments of Muslims are ignited, they target only 'Kafirs' in 'their' land," Deodhar tweeted.

IMAGES

Raju's Temple Visits
A little known treasure at Sirukarumbur
Flickriver: Photoset 'Thiruchendur Murugan Temple' by Raju's Temple Visits
Flickriver: Raju's Temple Visits's photosets
Visit to Avaniyapuram Nava Narasimhar Temple
Flickriver: Photoset 'Patteeswaram Gopinatha Perumal Temple' by Raju's

COMMENTS

Raju's Temple Visits
raju0704 on Visit to Padavedu Temples: Ram on Visit to Padavedu Temples: raju0704 on Visit to Nadu Palani Murugan T… Vignesh Sankaranaray… on Visit to Nadu Palani Murugan T… S. Kabaleeswaran on Divine support to Today'… ramma on Trip to Pazhaya Seevaram, Thir… rajeswari venkateswa… on Visit to Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva T…
Photos and Maps
sir, i am pleased to go through your blog about temples. I request you to visit chitravadi near Madhuranthagam(6 km from madhurangam )where you can visit Naya thirupathi-venkatesa perumal padmavathy thayar and panchamuga anjanyar in the adivaram and the lakshmi narasimhar in the hill. u can also see the nava narasimhars in the form of navagrahas.the temple is situated in the calm and the ...
Directory of Temples
They also go to such temples every 4th Sunday of the month and conduct pooja. He can be reached at 98410 20857 - Address: 2/25, Sivakami Nagar, First Main road, Hasthinapuram, Chrompet, Chennai. 2) The next is Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu by Sri Ramachandran Viswanathan @ 98840 80543 and Sri.Ganapathy Subramanian @ 99411 45115.
Raju's Temple Visits
This is a supportive map to Raju's Temple Visits blog. http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/directory/ Visit here for temple photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos ...
Saraswathi: Raju's Temple Visits
All the Saturdays are special days to visit this temple. Note: And about 5 km from this temple, there is a small village named 'Aanai madugu', where the footprint of Sri Anjaneyar's right leg is found. Every year, during Pongal, great utsavam is done and the utsavar of the Ambur temple visit here and great alankara utsavam is performed.
Raju's Temple Visits
Re: Raju's Temple Visits Dear Sri Raju, The websites created by you are wonderful. The efforts taken by you to furnish so much of information about our Temples in Tamil Nadu is commendable. May the blessings of Almighty be with you to continue your journey. Warm Regards, Brahmanyan, Bangalore.
Raju's Temple Visits' collections on Flickr
Raju's Temple Visits August 2007 Member Since. About; Photostream; Albums; Favorites; Galleries; Groups; Temples By States (Tamilnadu) 49 collections Temples By States (Karnataka) 4 collections Temples By States (Other States) 5 collections Temples By Categories. 8 collections Personal. 9 ...
Flickriver: Photoset 'Sithukkadu Shiva Temple' by Raju's Temple Visits
Raju's Temple Visits recent | interesting | random | favorites | contacts | sets | tags: Sithukkadu Shiva Temple. Perumal Temple, Tank and Shiva Temple. Temple inside. Outer Praharam - Left side and Back. Outer Praharam - right side | loaded 4 / 108 - 4% : : ...
20 Most Popular Temples in Rajasthan
Top 30 Krishna Temples in India. 2. Karni Temple, Bikaner. Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner is one of the most visited temples in Rajasthan. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Mata Karni, considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. It was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner in the 20th century in splendid Mughal style.
Our Tirunelveli Temple Run: Part 4
Raju's blog is my go-to site when I plan a temple trip to the south! Also check out his photo album on Flickr. ... Would Love to visit these places specially the temples! Reply Delete. Replies. Reply. Kala Ravi December 21, 2015 at 11:48 AM. These temples are very close to my heart as my parents live in Tenkasi! I shared this post with them too!
Ghatiwale Balaji
Ghatiwale Balaji - Rajasthan (Raju Kheda) - Indian Temple ToursThe city of Ajmer is among the holiest cities of Rajasthan for both the Hindus and the Muslims...
Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati
The temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu, who is referred to as Govindaraja-swamy.The deity is in reclining yoga nidra posture, facing east, with his right hand under his head and left hand straight over his body. Vishnu's consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated at his feet. In some texts, Govindaraja is mentioned as the elder brother of Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu whose chief temple is ...
The Second Highest Mountain Peak of Odisha
These temple structures come under the status of protected monuments under Antiquate Monument Archaeological Remains and Sites Act 1958. Mahendragiri, a part of the Eastern Ghats, is the second-highest point with 4925 ft (1501 mts) above the sea level. About 30 km from Mandasa, Srikakulam (Dist), A.P., it is located in Parlakhemundi subdivision ...
10 Kanyakumari Temples You Must Visit for Worship
10. Guganathaswamy Temple. This 1000-year-old temple was built by King Raja Raja Chola I (again). The architectural style of Cholas in which the temple is built attracts several tourists to this place. This temple in Kanyakumari is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is home to 16 inscriptions which date back to 11 th century A.D. The temple is visited ...
Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple Tirupati
First visit to govindarajuswamy temple and then plan to Tirumala to get balaji darshan so plan accordingly. Thanks. Sudha. March 21, 2018 at 2:14 pm. Sir, I am sudha from Mysore. We 10 persons are coming to Tirupati early morning on 28.03.2018. Can I have any contact number or address of Sri Raghavendraswamy mutt in Govindraj patnam so as to we ...
Raju
Raju is a Telugu language variant of the Sanskrit title Raja, a term for a monarch or princely ruler. Cynthia Talbot describes the term as being: ... Temple inscriptions from the period of the Kakatiya dynasty, a South Indian dynasty that flourished between 1175-1324 CE in the Telugu-speaking lands now in Andhra Pradesh, ...
Lingaraj Temple Timings, Accommodations, & Routes
Lingaraj Temple Timings. The temple opens from 05:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 03:30 PM to 09:00 PM. The temple closes at 09:00 PM. Darshan Booking. There is no provision for advance darshan booking in this temple. About six thousand devotees visit this temple on average. Darshan would take about one to two hours on a normal day.
Top Things To Do In Irkutsk, Russia
Beautiful Prince Vladimir Temple. This monastery was founded in 1888 in honor of the 900th. Anniversary of the Christianization of Russia. Like any other place of worship in Irkutsk was built with private funds. A great place to visit based on your priority. Holy Cross Church, Orthodox Church, Irkutsk, Russia Visit Taltsy Museum
The Best Things to See and Do in Irkutsk
Krestovozdvizhenskaya Tserkov' and Spasskaya Tserkov' are the two churches especially worth a visit. Krestovozdvizhenskaya Tserkov, Sedova 3, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia. +7 395 234-42-42 Spasskaya Tserkov, Sukhe-Batora 2, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia. +7 395 220-15-52
THE 30 BEST Places to Visit in Irkutsk (UPDATED 2024)
The Angara Ice Breaker Museum is an interesting visit. It is a half hour bus ride from the center of town. It is easiest reached by taking trolley bus # 1 or 3 to the Marshal Zhukov Avenue stop, which is just past the Angara dam. The museum is a short walk away along the southern edge of the Irkutsk Reservoir.
Top 12 Things to Do in Irkutsk
First up is the Church of the Savior, a humble 18th-century structure built in the shape of shape—this detail will become important in a couple of sections, so pay attention. You could also visit 19th-century Kazan Church, whose red bricks juxtapose with a bright blue roof. The most stunning and dramatic piece of Orthodox architecture in ...
Bangladesh violence Hindu temples Iskcon set on fire houses of
Another video shows a temple in Navgraha Bari in Chittagong being burnt by a violent mob. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, in a post on X, has listed 54 attacks on temples, houses and establishments of the Hindu community. These include the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and ...

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Temples Around Vellore

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Sithukkadu Shiva Temple

Set off on a Spiritual Journey by Visiting These 20 Temples in Rajasthan!

Recommended Tours

1. Birla Mandir, Jaipur

2. Karni Temple, Bikaner

3. Brahma Mandir, Pushkar

4. Salasar Balaji Temple, Churu

5. Parshuram Mahadev Temple, Pali

6. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Ranakpur

7. Neelkanth Temple, Alwar

8. Galtaji Temple, Jaipur

9. Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer

10. Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu

11. Ambika Mata Temple, Udaipur

12. Eklingji Temple, Udaipur

13. Shri Mahavir Ji Temple, Karauli

14. Bullet Baba Temple, Jodhpur

15. Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore

16. Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Sirohi

17. Surya Narayan Temple, Jhalawar

18. Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh

19. Bisaldev Temple, Bisalpur

20. Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu

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Top Things To Do In Irkutsk, Russia

How We Got There

Our Itinerary By Trans Siberian

Top Things To Do In Irkutsk

Visit The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral

Guided Tour In Irkutsk

Visit The Spasskaya Church

Check Out Huge Kirov Square

The Monument to the founders of Irkutsk

Tsar Alexander the third

Our Lady of Kazan

130 Quarter (Kvartal)

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Visit Taltsy Museum

Day Trip to Listvyanka & Port Baikal

Ride The Circum-Baikal Train

Try Local Food in Irkutsk

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Where Did I Stay in Irkutsk

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