Sunday, June 21, 2009

Chandi Devi Temple



Name : Chandi Devi Temple

Location : At the top of Neel Parvat (Hill), Haridwar, India

Description : Chandi Devi Temple is a renowned holy shrine of North India. Perched at the top of Neel Parvat (Hill), the temple is located at a distance of 6 kms from the main city of Haridwar. In 1929, Chandi Devi Mandir was built by Suchat Singh, the king of Kashmir. The Temple is easily accessible from the city of Haridwar by buses, auto-rickshaws, Tongas and Taxis. In order to reach the main shrine, you can opt for trekking of 3 kms and the way starts from the Chandighat. Another mode to reach the temple is cable car, which is trouble-free as well as adventurous.

The main idol of the Goddess is said to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya dating back to the 8th century. There is a legend behind the foundation of this temple. As per the legend, two demon kings, Shumbha and Nishumbha captured the kingdom of Lord Indra. Due to the reason, all the Gods were thrown out from the heaven. At that time, Chandi Devi emerged from the power of Goddess Parvati to slaughter the demon kings. The goddess is believed to have taken rest at this place for some time, since that time the place is considered sacred.

Chandi Devi Temple is known as one of the Siddha Peethas (Holy Places where one's wishes are fulfilled) together with Mansa Devi and Maya Devi of Haridwar. It is said that Goddess Chandi fulfills all the wishes of her true devotees. A temple of Anjana Devi (Mother of Lord Hanuman) is situated at a distance of 200 meters from the shrine of Chandi Devi. Chandi Devi is one of the most ancient temples of India.



In the earlier days, people used to reach the shrine by trekking through the steep path which incorporates bit difficulties. With the passage of time, a ropeway has been made for the convenience of the pilgrims. This ropeway takes around 20-25 minutes to reach the temple complex. Chandidevi alongwith Mansadevi and Mayadevi temple form a Siddhapeeth triangle in the holy city of Haridwar. In this manner, people can also enjoy the panoramic view of the natural beauty. Every year, this temple receives millions of people from far and near. Pilgrims come to this holy shrine to seek blessings from the Goddess.

Website : http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/chandi-devi.html

http://www.blessingsonthenet.com/newtemple/nindex.asp?tempid=T027

Mansa Devi Temple



Name : Mansa Devi Temple

Location : Haridwar, Uttaranchal

Main Deity : Goddess Mansa Devi

Description : Mansa Devi is one of the most popular and most visited temples of Haridwar, Uttaranchal. The temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Power). Located at the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill), Mansa Devi Temple can be reached by taking local buses, rickshaws or by hiring from Haridwar. In order to reach the hill-top, one can either go for trekking or for cable-car.

Mansa Devi Temple is an ancient temple that attracts people from both far and near due to its significance. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills all the wishes of a sincere devotee. Actually, the term 'Mansa' is the altered form of word 'Mansha', which means 'wish'. On the top of the hill, there are many shops where coconuts, fruits, marigold garlands and incense sticks are available. These things are offered to the Goddess.

To visit the temple, pilgrims have to follow a queue for the 'darshan' of the Goddess. Mansadevi is said have born from the mind of Saint Kashyap. She is regarded as the wife of Nag Raja Vasuki. This temple is one of the most prominent temples of North India. Mansa Devi is one of the famous Siddh Peethas (Holy Places where one's wishes are fulfilled) along with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi in Haridwar.

People usually tie threads on a holy tree that is located in the vicinity of the temple asking the Goddess to fulfill their wishes. On the fulfillment of the wishes, people come to untie the thread from the same tree once again. The temple is of great importance to the followers of Hinduism. One can have a panoramic view of Haridwar from the top of Bilwa Hill.

Festivals : Navratri

Website : http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/mansa-devi-temple.html

Pomosa Temple



Name : Pomosa is a Buddhist Temple means "Temple of the Fish from Nirvana"

Location : It located on Mt. Kumjong in Pusan, Korea.

History of Pomosa :

Pomosa was built originally in 678 A.D. and is one of the ten great Hawom temples built by the monk, Uisang. At its largest, during the Koryo dynasty, it was much larger than it is today - with over 360 rooms and more than a thousand monks in residence. The temple was burned to the ground in 1592 during the Japanese Imjin Invasion. It was reconstructed in 1602, but was burned again by an accidental fire. In 1613 it was rebuilt again. The Main Hall (Daeungjeon) and the front gate (Iljumun) date to this reconstruction.

Description : The name Pomosa means "Temple of the Fish from Nirvana" and Mt. Kumjong is the "Mountain of the Golden Well".

The temple complex has several buildings and other objects which are designated as official treasures:

National Treasure 250 - Three Story Stone Pagoda

National Treasure 434 - Daeungjeon

Tangible Cultural Asset 2 - Iljumun

Tangible Cultural Asset 11 - Wonhyoam Eastern Pagoda

Tangible Cultural Asset 12 - Wonhyoam Western Pagoda

Tangible Cultural Asset 15 - Flag Pole Holder

Tangible Cultural Asset 16 - Stone Lamp

In addition to the main temple compound, there are eleven hermitages or smaller temples (am) nearby and administratively attached to Pomosa.
bullet Cheongnyeong-am (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
bullet Naewon-am (Buddha's Celestial Teaching Hall Hermitage)
bullet Gyemyeong-am (Rooster's Crow Hermitage)
bullet Daeseong-am (Great Saint Hermitage)
bullet Geumgang-am (Diamond Hermitage)
bullet Anyang-am (Peace Nurturing Hermitage)
bullet Mireuk-am (Maitreya Hermitage)
bullet Wonhyo-am (Former hermitage residence of the famous monk, Wonhyo)
bullet Saja-am (Lion Hermitage)
bullet Manseong-am (Great Teacher Hermitage)
bullet Jijang-am (Ksitigarbha Hermitage)

Website : http://temple.pomosa.com

Tiantai Peak



Name : Tiantai Peak natural feature)

Location : Jiuhuashan Mountain, China

Description : To the east of Jiuhua Village over a hillcrest is a small valley. From here you can take a cable car up almost to the top of the high ridge to the east. At the top peak is a temple on the spot where Kim built his shack in 720. A little below the summit, near the terminus of the cable car is another temple with a stone that is said to have the footprints of Dizang imprinted in it. The stone is set in the floor of a small shrine in between two larger and newer buildings.

Website : http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/jiuhuashan/tiantai.php

Baisuigong Temple



Name : Baisuigong Temple

Location : Jiuhuashan Mountain, China

Decsription : Uphill from Qiyuansi temple is a monastery called Baisuigong (Hundred Year Palace), accessible by a tram that runs up the hill to the peak. From here one can walk a couple hundred yards along the ridge to the monastery.

Baisuigong is a Taoist temple perched on the summit of the east peak (Dongfeng). Originally named the Star Picking Temple (Zai Xing An), it was later given its present name in the 16th century when the eminent monk Wu Xia moved to the mountain for the last days of his life. Legend says that after the monk visited temples on Wutai and Emei mountains, he compiled the Huayang Sutras (written in gold dust and his own blood) and died on Jiuhuashan at age 126.

The temple in those days was so remote that Wu Xia's body was only found three years after his death, apparently perfectly preserved. The locals were so amazed that they immediately renamed the temple in his honor. When Emperor Chongzheng of the Qing Dynasty came to power, he had the body of Wu Xia covered in gold leaf and placed in the temple. Imperial recognition allowed the temple to be expanded into the 4th largest on Jiuhua mountain. Even nowadays the body can still be seen seated in prayer.

Website : http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/jiuhuashan/baisuigong.php

Jiuhuashan



Name : Mount Jiuhua (or) was originally known as Jiuzi (Nine-Peak) Mountain.

Location : It is located in Qingyang County in Anhui province and is famous for its rich landscape and ancient temples.

Description : Jiuhuashan is one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism. The 100 km2 area is full of ridges and peaks, exotic-shaped stones, gushing fountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear streams.

Many of the mountain's shrines and temples are dedicated to Ksitigarbha (known in Chinese as Dìzàng), who is a bodhisattva and protector of souls in hell according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Pious Buddhists often come to this popular attraction in Anhui to climb to Greater Tiantai peak, which is regarded as Jiuhuashan's most important peak, although it is not the tallest.

The original name of the mountain was Mt. Jiuzishan( Nine Peek Mountain ). However it was renamed Mt. Jiuhua, meaning "the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses." Legend states that one day, Libai - the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty - came to visit this mountain. The poet was intoxicated with the scene of nine peaks that look like lotus blooms from heaven. Out of admiration he wrote the lines: "From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating lotuses rise out of the hills below."

Famous Buddhist Shrine :

It was not until the late eighth century that the mountain became a place where religious rites were held to worship the God of Earth. The construction of temples started in the Tang Dynasty and their enlargement continued in the following dynasties. By the middle of the Qing, Mt. Jiuhua became one of the four great Buddhist Mountains in China (the other three being Mt. Emeishan in Sichuan, Mt. Wutaishan in Shanxi and Mt. Putuoshan in Zhejiang).
"Huacheng Temple" is the oldest temples on the mountain. It looks simple and solemn. Its lintels, brackets and roofs all have artistic engravings on them. The picture "nine dragons are playing with pearls" on a panel in the "Main Shrine Hall" is a consummate piece of ancient Chinese artists. Precious sutras and other cultural relics in Huacheng and other temples are on display in the Historical Relics Museum of the Jiuhua Mountain.

Other famous temples on the mountain include :
Huacheng Temple - The oldest temple on the mountain
Guoqing Temple
Baisuigong Temple - houses the more than 350 year old mummy of Monk Wu Xia
Dabeilou Temple
Qiyuansi Temple
Roushen Temple
Tianchi Temple
Zhantanlin Temple
Zhiyuan Temple

Website : http://www.hceis.com/ChinaBasic/Mountains/Jiuhuashan.htm

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