Showing posts with label Uttar Pradesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Uttar Pradesh. Show all posts

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Shakumbhri Devi, Jasmour

Name : Shakumbhri Devi Shakti Peeth

Location :

Shakumbhri, meaning the abode of Shakti Goddess Shakambhari or Shakumbhri, is situated in the Jasmour village area, at a distance of 40 km to the north of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh state of Northern India.

Legend :

It is said that, at this place, Mother Goddess Shakumbhri killed the mighty demon king (Maha Daitya) Mahishasura. It is also believed that, here she performed worship and meditation (Tapas) for 100 years, having a vegetarian meal (shaka-ahar) only once at the end of every month. During this time, the saints and seers (Rishis/Munis) who came for her worship (Darshan) were welcomed and honoured with vegetarian meals. Because of this the temple was named the Shakumbhri Devi temple and she also got very strongly connected with the cult of vegetarianism among Hindus.

Description :

The temple is on the site of the ruins of a more ancient temple and was constructed by the Pundir Rajputs under Rana Bahadur Singh Pundir who was the representative of the Pundir chief Rana Pitambar Singh Pundir of Jasmour. It has two important temples of Hindu deities: one of the Goddess (Devi) Shakumbhri herself and another one, Bhura-Dev temple, located one kilometer away from it to the east, of the deity Bhairava, considered to be her guard. Because of this all the devotees to Shakambari Devi first visit Bhura-Dev (Bhairavar temple) temple and then proceed to the temple of the goddess.

Though it is not an ancient temple, its devotees consider it to be a Shakti Peetha, a powerful seat of Shakti, the divine feminine. The devotees have a strong faith in the Goddess and the temple attracts a large number of devotees from India as also from outside the country particularly during the Navratree days. The temple is well maintained and is well laid out to have full darshan of the idols in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It is found from the plaque displayed near the staircase that it was during the early 1960s that a properly covered corridor, connecting the main entrance gate and outer varandah of the temple, was constructed for the convenience and comfort of the devotees. This work was done, with the permission of the Ranas of Jasmour who own the temple, by one Shri Radha Kishan,then Treasurer of the erstwhile Kalsia State (Chhachhrauli)(presently in Yamunanagar District of Haryana)from his personal contribution and also by collecting donations from several devotees.It is indeed an experience of life to visit the main temple as also the nearby Bhuradev Temple seeking their blessings and benedictions.It is rightly said that a visit to these temples with faith and devotion always brings great satisfaction, rewards and contentment in life and family.These temples are easily approachable by road or train from different parts of the country and their location is surrounded by hills and serene environment.  Another temple dedicated to this goddess and quite famous is near the Sambhar Lake, in Rajasthan.Another big temple of Shakumbari devi is located in Badami, of Bagalkot District of Karnataka.

Festivals :

Twice a year, in the Ashwin and Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar (during the days of Navratra),as also at the time of Holi festival, the famous Shakumbhri melas are organised.It is during these melas, in particular, that the roads from Saharanpur(U.P.) to the Temple are properly maintained so as to facilitate to and fro smooth journey for the devotees. The devotees to Shakumbhri first visit Bhura-Dev temple which is about one kilometer before the Temple and then proceed to the Temple of the Goddess.

The popularity of this temple has been increasing day by day and many devotees from far and near visit this temple for "Darshan" these days. During this famous melas lakhs of Hindu devotees visit this temple for darshan. It is indeed considered to be a rewarding experience to visit the Temple with devotion and faith in the munificence of the Goddess.

Websites :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakumbhri_Devi

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Hanuman Garhi - Ayodhya



Name : The Hanuman Garhi

Location : Situated in the center of Ayodhya, this temple is approachable by a flight of 76 steps.

Legend : It is said that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. The faithful believe that all their wishes are granted with a visit to this holy shrine.

Hanuman Garhi is located in a fort situated at the western gate of Ram Kot as a place of watchman. Hanuman ji, (a brave devotee to Lord Ram) is considered (on the basis of mythological faith), the Kotwal (watchman) of Ayodhya city.

King Vikramaditya constructed this temple of Hanuman ji. After a period Nawab Mansoor Ali constructed a fort around the temple through Tikait Rai which is now famous as Hanuman Garhi. In this temple, golden idol of Shri Hanuman ji in the lap of his mother Anjani is established.

For the management of Hanuman Garhi, there are four arrays of saints named as Haridwari Patti, Basantia Patti, Ujjainia Patti and Sagaria Patti. They have their own Chief as well as a principal Chief who is known as Gaddinashin.

At present, Mahant Shri Ramesh Das is Gaddinashin. In this temple, anniversary of Shri Hanuman ji is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

A massive structure in the shape of a four sided fort with circular bastions at each corner houses a temple of Hanuman and is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Joshimutt



Name : Sri Paramapurusha Perumal Temple, Joshimutt

Temple Location :
This Divyadesam is around 154 miles away from Haridwar, while travelling from Devaprayag to Badrinath.

There is no firm or conclusive agreement on the where this Divyadesam is situated. Many of the pilgrimage believe that Joshimutt is the Divyadesam which is called as "Thiruppirudhi" and some say that Thiruppirudhi is in the interior of Himalayas.

Specials:
The Specialty of this place is Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya, who came all the way from Kerala in the 8th Century A.D., performed Tapas under a tree here and after getting enlighten, established a MUTT known as "Jyothirmutt". This Jyothismutt later became "Joshimutt".

Sthalapuranam
Thiruppirudhi which is otherwise called as Joshimutt explains that it has a close relation between the Lord Emperumaan and His devotees. The devotees shows their Preethi (affection) towards the Emperumaan and they get the same from the Emperumaan. That's the reason this spot got the name as "Thiruppirudhi".

This Thiruppirudhi Kshetram is about 154 miles away from Haridwar while travelling from Devaprayag to Badrinath.

Devotees who travel towards Badrikashramam with lots of efforts and traveling in snow, they feel tired and supressed. But, after reaching this Joshimutt they are happy and feel relaxed because only few miles away from here is Badrikashramam. The Salagrama Narasimha at the Sankara Mutt is being worshipped by the devotees as considering him as the Lord Sriman Narayana.

It is said a king by named "Nandar" stayed in this Kshetram and sacrifices for the welfare of the whole humanity to live a good life, this sthalam is also called as "Nandaprayag". It is said that the Kanva Maharishi also lived in this sthalam.

In winter season, when Badrikashramam sthalam is closed, the Badrinath utsavar is took from Badrinath and kept in here and gives his seva as Badri Narayanan for his bhaktas for six months.

Among 108 divyadesams, there are two divyadesams where we cant go with our body, only our Aathma (soul) can reach. That two divyadesams are Paramapadham and Thirupparkadal. But, the Lord God shows His full view as depicted in Thiruppaarkadal, to His devotees in this location.


Sri Aadhi Sankarar has constructed a temple here for Sri Narasimha and standing posture Sri Vasudeva. To reach the temple, one has to go downwards in the step which is around 3/4 miles away. Sri Aadhi Sankarar has established a peetam and got the Gnana by doing tapas here and wrote "Sankara Bhashyam".

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Paramapurushan. He is in sleeping posture (Kidantha kolam) in Bujangha sayanam facing east. Prathyaksham for Parvathi devi.

Thaayar:
The Thaayar of Thiruppirudhi sthalam is Parimalavalli Naachiyaar.

Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangai Alwar is the only Alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this sthala perumal in 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Since, this sthala perumal is like the same way as the perumal found in Thiruppaarkadal and His disciples can't go along with their human body only their Aathma (soul) can reach, the bhaktas in their mind itself worship this perumal as the perumal in Paarkadal. Since, the bhaktas worship in their mind (Maanaseegam), the pushkarani is Maanasaras. Other theertham are Govardhana Theertham and Indira Theertham.

Vimaanam:
In Krishna avathaar, Sri Kannan protects all the Yadhavas, Aayars and all the cows from the heavy rain through the Govardhana mountain serving them as an umbrella. Likewise, this sthala perumal protects the people here having his Vimaanam as Govardhana Vimaanam.


DevaPrayag


Name : Thirukkandam - Kadi Nagar - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Devaprayag

Temple Location :

The First Divyadesam as one travels from Haridwar to Badrinath is Devaprayag. This Kshetram is also called as "Thirukkandam" and also as "Kadi Nagar".

It lies about 45 miles away from Rishikesh to Badrinath and about 1700 feet above the sea level.

Specials:

The Speciality of this sthalam is only at this sthalam the great rivers Alaknanda and Bagirathi mingle each other.

Sthalapuranam :

This Thirukkandam divyadesam is also called with the names as "Kadinagar", "Devaprayag". This sthalam is situated around 1700 feets upwards from the sea level. The Alaknandha and Bagirathi river mingle together in this sthalam and comes down and is called as "Aadi Ganga".

Prayag means the place where two rivers mingle together and since two divine (holy) rivers mingle together, it is said that this sthalam got the named as "Deva Prayag". The place where the two rivers is said to be the place where the Neela megha perumal originates and the two rivers are referred to as two pirattis.

It is said that in this sthalam Brahma devar, King Dasaratha and Sri Rama have done penance austerities here and an Idol of Raghunathji is said to be installed by Sri Aadhi Sankara.

Periyalwar is the only alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this perumal in 11 paasurams.

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this kshetram is Neelamega Perumal. He is also called with the name "Purushothaman". He is giving his seva in Standing posture facing east Prathyaksham for Bharadwaja Maharishi.

Thaayar:
The Thaayar found in this sthalam is Pundareekavalli.

Mangalasasanam:
Periyalwar is the only Alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this sthala perumal in 11 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

Mangala theertham:
Ganga Nadhi.

Vimaanam:
Mangala Vimaanam.

Badrinath


Name : Thiruvadhari Ashramam - Sri Badri Narayana Perumal Temple, Badrinath

Temple Location : This Badrinath temple is Located in Central Himalayas in Garhwal district of Uttar Pradesh.

It is found right back of Holy River Alaknanda. This Badrinath Divyadesam located is almost 10300 feet above sea level is a great Pilgrimage center in India.

Specials:

1. This temple is opened only six months in a year, from mid of May to the third week of November. But, it depends only upon the temple authorities. The temple is closed for next six months due to heavy snow-fall in winter.

2. The Perumal is transformed from this temple to Joshimutt temple for that six months when the Badrinath temple is closed. And after 6 months, he is taken back to Badrinath temple itself.

3. Badrinath is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage

Sthalapuranam :

The Perumal serves as a "Teacher" (Guru) for himself and thereby explaining the Gnana to the world in 5 different ways.

1. The characters of Aathma.
2. Character of Paramathma
3. What the Aathma has to attain.
4. The ways, to attain it and
5. The obstacles that are found for the Aathma while its attaining it.

Badrinath Temple The Perumal, Badrin Narayanan explains all these 5 different things known as "Artha Panjaga Gnanam". For a human, 5 relations are the most prominent one. They are Mother, Gather, Guru, God and the pre generation peoples. In this, Guru is so important and it is non - equivalent to anything. Without a proper guru, one cannot attain anything. So, the perumal here serves as the guru and explain the Gnana to the world.

As the same way, the perumal is born as both Naran and Narayanan and he gives the seva to both Naran and Narayanan and he gives the seva to Naran thereby explaining the Gnanam towards him.

While going towards Badrinath, one can visit enjoy and get the seva of Perumals in Haridwar, Vishnupaadham, Thiriveni Sangamam, Rishikesh, Deva Prayag, Kandam (Kadinagar), Rudra Prayag, Karna Prayag, Nandha Prayag, Joshi mutt, Hanuman Chatti, Bramagha dam, Taptha Kundam and Simha Dwaram.

Badrinath is 10,380 feet above from the sea level. Bhaktas who travel Badrinath, first should visit Haridwar, where Brahma Kundam (theertham) is found where bhaktas have a spiritual bath in that theertham before going to Badrinath. This place is also called as "Vishnu Paadham"

From here, we can see the Ganga river originating. It is said that river Ganga originates from the thiruvadi (feet) of Sri Vishnu. The Dwaram (the small entrance (or) hole) from where the Ganga river originates is said to be Haridwar. People get this Ganga water closed in a small vessel and take to their houses and keep them as sacred. Haridwar is called as "Kapilasthan", because Kapila Munivar did the tapas here and worshipped Goddess Maya and because of this, the place is also called as "Mayapuri". There are temples for Goddess Manasa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, Anjani Devi, Neeleshwarar, Dattatreyar, Navagrahas, Mahadeva and Mrithyunjaya Mahadevar.

Lots of Ashrams are found. Some of them are Kailasha Ashram dedicated to Aadhi Sankarar, Sri Vananda Ashram started by Swami Sivanandar, Gita Ashram, Swarga Ashram, Paramathma Niketan.

Badrinath is said to one among the great Dhamas (holy Shrines). Other great Dhamas are Rameswaram, Dwaraka and Jaganath. There are 5 Badris namely Vishal Badri, Dhayana Badri, Yoga Badri, Vridha Badri and Bhavishya Badri and five prayags are Devaprayag, Rudra prayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Vishnu prayag.

Devaprayag :This is the place where the Alaknanda and Bagirthi rivers mingle to one another and the river falls down as "Aadhi Ganga", In Devaprayag, Brahma devar, King Dasarathan and Sri Ramar are believed to have done tapas. And an Mutt is installed by Aadhi Sankarar here.

Rudraprayag :Rudraprayag is the place where river Mandakini joins the Alankananda river. Here a temple for Rudran is found Mandakini river rises from Kedarnath and it joins Ganga and then towards Madhya Maheshwar near Gupta Kasi. In Gupta Kasi a famous temple for Ardha Nareeshwarar is found (Artha Nareeshwarar is one of seva given by Lord Shivan where he is found as one part of his body and another side for Uma devi).

Karnaprayag :Karnaprayag is the place where Karnan did strong tapas to get all sorts of mantra arrows.

Nandaprayag :Nandaprayag is the place where the Nandakini river arises and joins Alaknanda. It is said that king Nanda did a severe tapas here in this place.

Vishnuprayag :It is believed that this is the place where Pandu King did strong tapas towards the Emperumaan Sri Vishnu and it is said that the Pandja Pandavas born here.

Badrinath Temple Next to Vishnu Prayag is a place called Hanuman Ghat where Lord Hanuman and Bheeman met each other. Once, Bheeman thought he was the strong person in the world and was travelling along this side. At that time, Hanuman laid there as a old monkey. Bheema say an old monkey lying before him in the path and shouted at the monkey to give way for him. But, the old monkey (Hanuman) told that since he is so weak, he could not able to move and told that if Bheema could mvoe the tail, he can move it and go along with his way. Bheeman thought he can move the tail with his one hand, but he could not do that. Using his full strength, he tried, but he could not even move the tail for an inch. Finally, he thought, the old monkey might be some Arakkan (or) Magic man. But finally, Anjaneyar showed his original Roopam and explains him that there are brothers (since both are Vaayu Puthras). Bheema fell to the feet of Sri Anjaneyar and asked that he should be along with them during the war against the Gauravars (Duriyodhanan and his troop). Sri Anjaneyar told that he will be along with them in the flag which is found on top of the Chariot of Arjuna.

Since, Naran and Narayanan came to this sthalam, two mountains on the names of them are found. The Nara Parvatham (mountain) is found on the Eastern bank of Alknanda river and Narayana parvatham on the west bank of Alknanda river. These two mountains are almost covered by snow, in all times.

Nara Parvatham is also called as Kubera Bhandar since lots of precious gems and diamonds are found on its glaciers. Once, there lived an arakkan (demon) by name "Sahasrakavacha", who gave lots of trouble for the Rishis and yogis. All of them prayed towards the perumal to help them out from the Arakkan. At that time, both Naran and Narayanan did tapas towards the perumal. On hearing that these two persons were doing severe tapas towards the Emperumaan, Sahasrakavachan rushed towards them to kill them. Both, Naran and Narayanan fought strongly with the demon and finally killed him. Thus, they permenantly stayed in Badrinath to help all the Rishis and Yogis from lots of Arakkans.

About 5 miles away from Badrinath, is a place found which is called as "Dharma Shila". It is believed tht only in this place, Dharma Rajan and his wife kala did tapas towards the perumal. As the Varam from the perumal, Dharma Raja and his wife asked that the perumal should also be found along with them and thats the reason why Dharma shila is found near Badrinath.

Tapta Kund :
This tapta Kund is found in between the temple (Badrinarayanan) and Alaknanda river. Inspite of being so cold and lots of snow fallings, this tapta kund excreats hot water (springs) which is said to be a special one. It is said that the Ganga river after coming from the thiruvdi of Sriman Narayanan is beared by the Lord Shivaperuman's head and since it comes out form the hot and from Kabhala of Shiva, it is said the water of Tapta kund is hotter.

After taking bath in tapta kund, bhaktas have to climb some steps up where Garudalwar is found. After worshipping him, we can reach the pragaram. The place where Garudalwar is found is called "Simha Dwaram".

Infront of Badrinath temple, the Nara and Narayanan mountain are found. Inside the temple, Badrinarayanar is found in sitting position which is termed as "Padmasana" pose. On his left is Naran and Narayanar and found, to his right, Kuberan with a big silver face is found. Narada Maharishi is also found along with them. A Sudharsana chakkaram to spiritualise the sthalam is also found. The Utsavar is Uddhava is found and infront of him, a small Garudalwar is found.

It is said that a big date (Elandhai) tree is covering the Badrinarayanar temple and it will not be found to any person in Kali yigham. The tree is said to be the hamsam of Sri Mahalakshmi and she is protecting Badrinarayanan from cold by covering him.

Moolavar and his Sannadhi :

The Moolavar Badrinarayanar is said to be made of Salagramam. He is found along with Aravindhavalli thaayar, Garudan, Kuberan, Naradhar, Utthavar, Devarishi and Narayanar. He is found in sitting pose and has 4 hands. His left hand holds the Sangu and his right hand hold the chakkaram and is lifeted upwards and remaining two hands are joined together and found as Yoga muthirai and Abhaya Varadhan.

Bhaktas can get the seva of this perumal how much times they want and all the thirumanjanam, Naivedhyam etc are done infront of the bhaktas.

Thaayar and her Sannadhi :

On the south pragharam of the temple is the sannadhi for Aravindhavalli thaayar is found and she is called as "Mahalakshmi". On the west side, Aadhi sankarar sannadhi and behind the temple, Lakshmi Narasimhar mandir and Sannadhis for Sri Swami Desikan, Udayavr Ramanujar are found.

On the north side of the temple big rock by name "Brahma Gobalam" is found in the bank of Ganga river. It is believed that if we dedicated Pindam (a ball made of rice) here for our forefathers, the next 14 generations people are said to go to heaven and Moksha. And thereafter, if one perform this, there is no need to do the Shrardham from then.

Moolavar :
The Moolavar of Badrinath Kshetram is Badri Narayanan. He is found in Irundha (sitting) thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Naran.

Thaayar :
The Thaayar found in this Kshetram is Aravindhavalli.

Mangalasasanam :

* Periyalwar - 1 Paasuram.
* Thirumangai Alwar - 21 Paasurams.

Pushkarani :
Tapta Kundam.

Sthala Viruksham (Tree):
Badri Viruksham (Date tree).

Vimaanam :
Tapta Kanjana Vimaanam.

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