Sunday, August 6, 2017

Bheemakali Temple


Name : Bheemakali Temple

Location :

The temple is situated about 180 km from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethass. The town Sarahan is known as the gate way of Kinnaur. Down below at a distance of 7 km from Sarahan is the River Satluj. Sarahan is identified with the then Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas.

Legend :
According to a legend, the manifestation of the goddess is reported to the Daksha-Yajna incident when the ear of the Sati fell at this place and became a place of worship as a Pitha - Sthan. Presently in the form of a virgin the icon of this eternal goddess is consecrated at the top storey of the new building. Below that storey the goddess as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya is enshrined as a divine consort of Lord Siva.


Description :

The Bheemakali Temple, reputed to be at least 800 years old, is dedicated to Goddess Durga or Bheemakali and is considered one of the significant Shakti Peeths of Shaivite Hindus. The temple is Tibetan in its architectural style, with Buddhist and Hindu influences and bronze statues of both religions in the shrines. It has slanted slate roofs, golden towers, pagodas and a carved silver door. Dussehra is celebrated in a grand way at both the BheemakaliTemple and in the village of Sarahan , with animal sacrifice playing a big role in the festivities.Bheemakali Temple regarded as one of the fifty one sacred Shaktipeeths. The temple complex has another three temples dedicated to Lord Raghunathji, Narsinghji and Patal Bhairva Ji (Lankra Veer) - the guardian deity.

A marvelous example of hill architecture, the temple complex at Sarahanis set against the incredibly beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Built in a mixture of the Hindu and Buddhists styles, it was the temple of Bushair rulers of Rampur (Shimla). The palaces of the royal family are adjacent to the temple. From Sarahan there is a view of the Srikhand Peak , revered as the home of goddess Lakshami.

Websites:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhimakali_Temple

Shoolini Temple, Solan


Name : Shoolini Temple

Location :

At a distance of 43 km from Shimla and 1.5 km from Solan Railway Station, Shoolini Devi Temple is one of the famous temples located in Solan.

Description :

The Shoolini temple is dedicated to Goddess Shoolini Mata an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The town of Solan was named after the Shoolini Devi. Shoolini Mata Temple is one of the prime attractions of Solan. The temple is said to be built on the remains of an older temple believed to precede the town of Solan. The shrine is surrounded by wide views of beautiful landscapes thus creating a magical environment for devotees. The temple looks beautiful in the night when it is completely illuminated and is crowded on holidays and festivals.

Shoolini Devi Temple is famous for the annual Shoolini Utsav celebrated on the last week of June every year. The festival and fair which lasts for 3 days attracts thousands of tourists and devotees from the state. Also known as Solan Fair, the highlight of Shoolini Devi Utsav at Solan are dancing, singing and wrestling. The idol of the Goddess is carried in a Palki and a huge procession is carried out around the town.

Websites :
https://www.trawell.in/himachal/shimla/shoolini-temple-solan 

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Name :  Sankat Mochan Temple

Location :

At a distance of 5.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 6.4 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Shri Sankat Mochan temple is situated at Taradevi on the Kalka- Shimla National Highway 22. It is situated at an altitude of 975 m.

Description :


Sankat Mochan Temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is located in a picturesque site and is visited by a large number of devotees throughout the year. This is a perfect place for meditation as it offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere to the devotees visiting this temple. The background of the temple consists of the imposing and lofty Himalayan ranges.

Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj came to this beautiful place in 1950 and discovered the perfect spot for meditation. After staying here for 10 days, he desired that a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman should be built here. Baba's faithful devotees included the governor of Himachal Pradesh, who along with Bhagvan Sahai took up the task of building the temple and fulfilling their Guru's wish.The temple was consecrated on the 21st of June 1966.

The temple is dedicated mainly to Lord Hanuman though one finds idols of Lord Rama, Shiva and Ganesha in separate complexes. There is a specially made temple for Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj also. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha has been built in the South Indian style of architecture. The complex also includes a three storey building, a portion of which is used for a Langer/ Prasad hall. The rest of the building is hired out as marriage halls for a nominal fee.

The most important festivals celebrated at the Sankat Mochan temple are Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera.

Websites :
https://www.trawell.in/himachal/shimla/sankat-mochan-temple

Kali Bari

Name : Kali Bari temple, Shimla

Location :

At a distance of 1.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Kali Bari Temple is one of the popular pilgrim centers and famous tourist places to visit in Shimla.

Description :

The Temple of Kali Bari was constructed in 1845 by Ram Charan Bhramachari, a Bengali Brahmin on Jakhu Hill. This is one of the oldest temples in Shimla and is held in high veneration by the town's Hindu community. Later the British rulers relocated the temple to the present site. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali who is locally known as 'Shyamala'. The name Shimla is said to have originated from the name 'Shyamala'. The original temple belonged to goddess Shyamla-which was converted into Kali Bari by some Bengali devotees.

A blue wooden idol of Goddess Shyamala at an original altar was installed by some Bengali devotees. Along with the rituals the Kali Bari provides accommodation to its tourists who visit the shrine along with the shrine at Kalka. The Goddess is worshipped in its various forms within the temple premises. The chief incarnations here are of Bhadrakali, Chinnamasta, Rudrarani, Tara, Chamunda, Durga, Himavati, Kumari Sati, Kamakshya, Meenakshi and Uma.

The travellers visiting Shimla never miss to offer their prayers at the Kali Bari temple as they believe it will bring happiness and prosperity to their lives. The temple is thronged by thousands of devotees during the Navratras and Pooja holidays. The temple is located close to The Mall.

Timings: 6 am to 7 pm.

Websites :
https://www.trawell.in/himachal/shimla/kali-bari-temple 

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Positano


Name : Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Positano

Location :
Aalfi beach, Positano, Italy

Legend :

The Byzantine icon is surrounded by many popular traditions in Positano, including the miraculous arrival of the icon in town. In the 12th-century, the icon was aboard a cargo ship that was stuck off the coast of Positano when the winds died. According to the legend, the sailors heard a voice calling, “Posa, posa!” (“Put me down, put me down!”) When the captain of the ship understood that the icon wanted to go to Positano, the winds picked up again immediately. The sailors brought the icon to shore and the people of Positano chose the Virgin Mary as their new patron saint. Inside the church to the right of the altar is a painting depicting the blessing of the icon, which you can also see through the arch to the left.

Another legend tells of the panel being stolen by pirates. When they tried to leave Positano's shores, a terrible sea arose preventing their passage.  From sea, they could hear the cry of "posa, posa," translating to "put it here."  The fearful pirates set the panel back on shore and the storm ceased, allowing them to flee the area.  The villagers built a church on the spot where the panel was returned and the town grew around it taking on the name Positano.

Description :

It is nearly impossible to descend to Positano's beach without landing first in front of the Santa Maria Assunta church.  The famously green tile domed church is the town's most famous icon and eagerly sought after by painters and photographers, as well as couples from all over the world seeking the perfect wedding photo backdrop.

The church's roots date back to the 10th century when it began as a Benedictine Abbey dedicated to San Vito.  It was later rededicated to the Virgin Mary in the 12th century when a Byzantine panel of the Virgin arrived and is seen placed above the church's altar.


The Positano landscape is mostly recognisable by this great shiny dome of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale, it looks picturesque and is the historic landmark in the heart of the Positano. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale probably dates back to the 10th century, the church is a typical example of the architecture found in this beautiful area, its interior is classical, white and gold, with a 13th century 'Black Madonna' icon above its altar with crypts below. During restoration works of the square and the crypt, a Roman villa was discovered; still under excavation, it is closed to the public. From the beach you can go up some stairs to the church and the views from the church are great. If you are coming from the main road by Sita bus then you have to walk down the hill for about 10-15 minutes.

Given its lovely setting right in the center of Positano, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most popular locations for destination weddings on the Amalfi Coast. Couples travel from all over the world to marry in this beautiful church and have their wedding photos taken with Positano as a backdrop.



No visit to Amalfi can be considered complete without having enjoyed a stroll through the town's labyrinth of little lanes and alleyways or a trip to the Paper Museum, in Via delle Cartiere 24, in the historic Cartiera Milano.
The production of hand-crafted paper, known as bambagina, is one of the oldest of Amalfi's traditions and today remains part of the town's culture and identity.

Festivals :

During the festival for the Assumption of the Virgin on August 15th, the town of Positano celebrates their patron saint with processions recreating the arrival of the icon in town, special events in the church, celebrations for the Ferragosto holiday on the beach and a firework display after dark.

Websites :

http://www.charmingitaly.com/article/positano-santa-maria-assunta

https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g194863-d524955-r209711237-Chiesa_di_Santa_Maria_Assunta_e_Cripta_Medievale-Positano_Amalfi_Coast_Campania.html

Hill of Tara, Ireland

Name : Hill of Tara

Location :

The Hill of Tara (Irish: Cnoc na Teamhrach, Teamhair or Teamhair na RĂ­), located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Ireland. It contains a number of ancient monuments and, according to tradition, was the seat of the High King of Ireland.

Legends :

1. In ancient Irish religion and mythlogy, Tara was revered as a dwelling of the gods and an entrance place to the otherworld of eternal joy and plenty where no mortal ever grew old. In the legends of St Patrick’s mission to Ireland he is said to have first come to Tara to confront the ancient religion in its most powerful sight.

2.  Atop the hill stands a stone pillar that was the Irish Lia FĂ¡il (Stone of Destiny) on which the High Kings of Ireland were crowned, the stone was required to roar three times if the chosen one was a true king.

3.  According to The Annals of the Four Masters, an ancient document written by Franciscan Monks between 1632-1636 AD, this stone was brought to Ireland by the Tuatha DĂ© Danann, a supernaturally gifted people. Some speculate it was they who brought the power to make bronze to Ireland. They were the main deities of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland.

4.   The Stone of Destiny looks similar to Shiva Lingam and is estimated to be atleast 5500 years old.  Irish used to worship Tara Goddess in ancient days.

In Ireland Irish people use to worship tara goddess from long many times and there is a tara hill in ireland where temple of tara is also exist.
The Druids called their mother goddess Tara; Edain Echraidhe is her Irish name. Her home is the high valley between the Hill of Tara and Skryne in the Royal City of Celtic Ireland.

Whats surprising is, that if you do a little bit of research, you find out she is also featured in ancient Scandinavia, ancient Polynesia, ancient Rome, with the ancient Druids, and in ancient native America. When comparing mythologies from around the globe you soon figure out that they all tell similar stories featuring similar characters with similar activities.

Hinduism : A Mahavidya of Mahadevi, Kali or Parvati
Buddhism : tantric meditation deity in Tibetan Buddhism
Polynesian Mythology: Tara is a beautiful sea goddess
Latin: Terra, Mother Earth
Druids: called their mother goddess Tara.
Finland: An ancient legend speaks of Tar, the Women of Wisdom.
South America: indigenous tribe in the jungle call to their goddess, Tarahumara.
Native American: Cheyenne people tell of a Star Woman who fell from the heavens to the Earth. She sent her people to mate with the more primitive inhabitants of Earth, thereby giving them the capacity for wisdom.

Description :
Liathdroim was an ancient name of Tara. The Hill of Tara has been in use by people from the Neolithic era, although it is not known whether Tara was continuously used as a sacred and/or a political centre from the Neolithic period to the 12th century.

The central part of the site could not have housed a large permanent retinue, implying that it was instead used for occasional meetings. There were no large defensive structures. Earliest extant written records show that high kings were inaugurated there, and the "Seanchas Mor" legal text (written some time after 600AD) specified that the king must drink ale and symbolically marry the goddess Maeve (Medb) in order to qualify for high kingship.
Tara is one of the largest complexes of Celtic monuments in all of Europe. In reading its landscape we are transported back in time to when the first settlers came here 6000 years ago. They and the Celts who followed them chose Tara as a very special site.
When you enter the Hill of Tara site through the entrance gate the first structure you will come to a statue of St Patrick followed by the church and churchyard.  The present church building and churchyard wall date from 1822. There were 2 previous churches on the hill – the first one was built in the 13th century. A much larger church succeeded it. Part of this second church’s outer wall can still be seen near the top of the steps in the churchyard.  The earliest grave stones here date from the 17th century. A memorial stone of the local Dillan family in the church itself is dated 1595.
To the right at top of the stairs in the churchyard there are two stones – remnants of a time when there were many stone monuments on Tara.  The taller of these two remaining stones is thought to feature a figure of the celtic fertility god Cernunnos.

During the rebellion of 1798, United Irishmen formed a camp on the hill but were attacked and defeated by British troops on 26 May 1798 and the Lia FĂ¡il was moved to mark the graves of the 400 rebels who died on the hill that day. In 1843, the Irish Member of Parliament Daniel O'Connell hosted a peaceful political demonstration on Hill of Tara in favour of repeal of the Act of Union which drew over 750,000 people, which indicates the enduring importance of the Hill of Tara

Websites :

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