Kotappa Konda (Trikutaparvatam)

Name : Kotappa Konda Also Known As Kondakavuru Or Trikutaparvatam

Location :

The temple is located on top of a hill. Original name of this village is Kondakavuru, but is more popularly known as "Kotappakonda" or "Trikutaparvatam" (three-peaked hill). The Kotappa Konda hill is 13-km From Narasaraopet, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. It is 12 km from Narsarao Pet, 13 km from Chilakaluri Pet (on NH 5), 90 km from Vijayawada and 350 km from Hyderabad.

Legend :

At this sacred place, Lord Shiva, as "Dakshana Murthy" imparted the divine knowledge of "Brahma" to Lord Brahma and other Gods. Since Lord Shiva who converted himself as a twelve years boy observing strict celibacy and known as Dakshana Murthy, devotees do not perform any marriages at these hills.

There is yet another folklore of Salankayya of Yellamandavillage who was a great devotee of Lord Siva and eking out his livelibhood by selling firewood. With the result of undivided devotion to the Lingam at Rudra hills he became rich. One day while performing prayers he sawJangama Devara.

In appreciation of the devotion of Salankayya Jangama Devara daily used to visit his house and consume milk. After some time Jangama Devara disappeared. Salankayya searched for him in every nook and corner of the region and could not find him anywhere. In a fit of disappointment, Salankayya stopped taking any food and water. As the matter stood thus, there lived a cowherd called Sundudu with his wife Kundiri in South side ofTrikoota hills.

They had a beautiful daughter called Anandavalli. Her parents became rich soon after herbirth. Anandavalli was deeply devoted to Lord Siva and was not interested in her wordly life.She always spent her time in singing the glory of Lord Siva and used to offer prayers at old Koteswara hills she declined to change her way of life and commenced penance for Sri Koteswara Swamy. Pleased with her penance Jangama Devara appeared before her. She came to know Jangama Devara was, none other than a person, who used to take milk in the house of Salankayya. From then onwards she daily visited Rudra hills and after performing celestial bath offered milk and part-took the balance.

Salankayya came to know the presence of Jangama Devara and appraoched Anandavalle and requested her to see that Jangama Devara showers the blessings on him. Anandavalle could not concede the request of Salankayya as she was engaged in her deep penance. After some time, in the hot summer Anandavalle used to visit Rudra hills to perform prayers. One day she collected a pot of water for celestial bath and after keeping it at a safe place proceeded to procure “Maredu leaves”. Then, a crow came and sat on the pot, and with its weight the pot fell down throwing out the entire water. Anandavalle became furious and cursed, that no crow should enter the area. Then onwards and till now no crow appears on the Rudra hill.Jangama Devara pleased with her penance appeared and imparted her the divine knowledge. This had in no way deviated her concentration and she further prayed him as God and as well as her Guru.

Jangama Devara, commisserated at her penance and wished her to lead a wordly life. With his divine power he made her pregnant though she was a spinster. Unmindful of her pregnancy she carried her daily prayers as usual.Aghasted at her deep devotion Jangama Devara again appeared and told that she need not take so many troubles in performing poojas and promised her that he would come to her house where she could do her supplication and asked her to proceed without turning her back.

Anandavalle accordingly proceeded towards her home and Jangama Devara came down from Rudra mountain and followed her. After reaching Brahma hill, Anandavalle lost her patience and turned back. Immediately Jangama Devara reminded of her promise and stopped at Brahma hills and entered the cave of the hill and turned himself into a Lingam. The same sacred place is now called Kotha Koteswara Temple. Anandavalle also stayed there and, in the meanwhile, she delivered a boy. She repented of her action in seeing back inspite of caution given by Jangama Devara and decided to end her life. Within a moment of above thought, assailing her mind the newly born boy disappeared from the scene.

She then realised that her pregnancy and delivery of a boy were of the creation of Jangama Devara to test her reverence towards him. She felt very happy as she got through all the critical trails and became one in the God.



Description :

A Three Peaked Hill :
It has got a three-peaked hill nearby. The Kotappa Konda or hill is at a height of 1587ft. The three hills, also known by the names of "Trikutachalam" or "Trikutadri", can be distinctly seen from a distance from any direction. These three peaks are called Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra peaks.

Gods on the three peaks are known by different names Brahma Sikaramu (Trikoteswarudu) Rudra Sikaramu(Papa Koteswarudu) Vishnu Sikaramu (PapaVishnu Saneswarudu).

Sri Trikoteswara Swami Temple was in existence even before 1000 AD. A steep flight of steps leads to the hill at the height of 600ft, where the Temple of Sri Trikoteswara Swami is situated. The main deity is established in the shape of Shiva Linga known as 'Trikuteswara' or 'Trikoteswara'.



Other Attractions :

View Point:
A number of ponds are found on the hill of which eight are located in front of the temple. A "View Point" is erected on the corner of the hill to provide a breathtaking overall view of the surroundings. To enable the pilgrims take in and enjoy nature's bounty in its full splendour and also to accommodate the growing number of visitors a 'ghat' road was constructed.

Deer Park & Kaleeya Mardana:
A Deer Park is also developed on the way. A small lake called "Kaleeya Mardana" is created, with the statue of Lord Krishna dancing on the head of 'Kaleeya' (a venomous snake). It is placed with special lighting effects in the middle of the lake. An artificial Jurassic park with mobile dinosaurs of monstrous size is another attraction of this place.

The Sanctuary:
Another attraction for the tourists is the Sanctuaries for peacocks, doves, and parrots developed by the Forest Department.

Yaga Shala:
A meditation center called "Yaga Shala" is constructed on the lines of the Mount Abu, on the top of the hill and is exclusive used for conducting 'homam' (holy fire) with a sprawling dining hall.

On the anvil are a ropeway to provide a view of the various tourist spots and a museum to house the artefacts that were discovered in the excavations.

Festival :

Maha Shivaratri is the important festival celebrated here with great devotion and fervour. Kotappa Konda comes alive on this eve, which falls during February-March every year.



'Prabhas', rectangular frames tapering at the top made of bamboo and decorated with colored cloth and paper, of different sizes are taken in procession as part of the festival. Most of them are 60 to 70 feet high and are carried by the devotees. But the giant prabhas, rising to a height of over 100 feet, are carried on decorated and lighted bullock carts accompanied by a large following. They are placed on a meadow at the foot of the hill.

Website :

http://mynarasaraopet.com/kotappakonda/

http://www.indiainfoweb.com/andhra-pradesh/pilgrimage/kotappa-konda.html

Jotiba Temple - Kolhapur

Name : Jotiba Temple

Location :
Jyotiba Temple is located 14 km north-west of Kolhapur in the Panhala Range, in Maharashtra. It is situated at an altitude of 3124 ft above the sea level.

Legend :

This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This is also called Kedarnath and Wadi Ratnagiri. Mythology says, Jotiba helped Mahalaxmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain. He belongs to the Nath cult. He was born in the hands of Vimalmbuja, the wife of the sage Pougand, on Chaitra Shukla 6. This God is avtaar of Guard (Bhairav).

The temple is dedicated to Jyotiba (also Dattatreya), which was formed by the amalgamation of the jyotis (souls) of three gods - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the three gods took the form of Jyotiba to destroy the evil Ratnasur who troubled civilians.
With this incidence name of village was Wadi Ratnagiri. Instead of taking such long name public accepted this place as the name of God ‘Jotiba’ and this name became famous.

Description :

The original temple was built in 1730 by Navajisaya. The interior is ancient and the idol is four-handed. There are other temples and Light-towers.



Decorated bamboo sticks called as SASAN KATHI are attraction of this fair. Not less than 2000 sticks are traditionally involved in fair. Sequence of these sticks is a convention. It is not changeable. A colorful procession of SASAN KATHI is main attraction of fair. Devotees from abroad and various parts of country take part in this procession.

Festivals :

On Chaitra Poornima (appr. In Mar-Apr.) a big fair is held, when lacs of devotees come with tall (Sasan) sticks. Due to scattering of 'Gulal' the whole mountain is turned pink.

Sunday is a preferable visiting day. On the full moon day a Palkhi procession is carried out.

There is other temple of goddess ‘Yamai’ on the northern part of hill. She is believed to be sister of Jotiba.

Website :
http://tourism.kolhapurworld.com/jotiba_temple.html

Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram

Name : Vedagirisevara Temple & Orukal Brahma Temple

Location : Tirukkalukkunram, Tamilnadu

Lord Brahma at Tirukkalukkunram :



From the time of King Mahendravarman I through the next century, there were quite a number of rock-cut temples constructed in South India. One of these, the Orukal Temple at Tirukkalukkunram, is the subject of today's segment. The Orukal mandapam is located on the east side of the Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram, in Chingleput district of Tamil Nadu. Tirukkalukkunram is 16 km. from Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). The area is surrounded by a cluster of four hills, believed to represent the four Vedas. The fourth of these holy hills, Atharvana, is best known for the prominent temple that sits atop it -- Vedagirisvara Temple. Further down the slope of that hill, King Mahendravaram excavated another temple from the hillside, and a standing deity of Lord Brahma resides there. On the rear wall, to the left of the sanctum are the bas-relief sculptures of Brahma and, to the right, Visnu.

Description :
Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, who come to visit the various shrines on the hill. The total area on the hill is some 265 acres, and the top is 500 feet above ground level. Devotees clamber up 562 stone slab stairs as they ascend to Vedagirisevara Temple. Along with the Orukal rock-cut temple, there are several other small mandapams along the path.

Before ascending the steps, devotees offer their respects to Siddharti Vinayaka (Ganapati) and Ayyappa at the foot of the hill. In the main Vedagirisevara Temple at the top of the hill, the presiding deity is Vedagirishwarar, a swayambu Lingam enshrined in a niche carved from three large boulders. Descending a few steps down on the other side of the hill, a monolithic cave-temple is seen. This mandapam is full of rare sculptures belonging to the Mamalla period (A.D. 610-640).

There are two verandahs in the cave complex, each being supported by massive pillars. The upper verandah is the Orukal Temple, home to a large lingam with deities of Brahma and Vishnu on either side. On the lower verandah there are two more life-size statues, decorated with ornaments.

At the foot of the hill is a very large temple tank, Nandi Thirtham, with a huge Nandi facing Vedagirishwarar on the hilltop. There are 12 theerthams at different places on and around the hill.

Legend :
The Vedas are said to exist here, embodied as the four local hills. The great sage Bharadvaja, who had been continually chanting the Vedas over three lifetimes, was approached by Paramesvra, who granted him a boon for all his efforts in attempting to learn the Vedas. Paramesvra said to the sage, "The Vedas you have learned all these years are like this handful of earth. What you have yet to learn is vast, like these mountains." It is believed that Vedagiri Hill at Tirukkazhukkunram is the place where Paramesvra caused the Vedas to appear in the form of these mountains. Devotees believe that circumambulation of the Hill gives an effect equivalent to worshipping the Vedas, and many devotees are found chanting "Veda, Veda, Mahaveda" in this place.

Other Places :
16 km. away, at the nearby Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) complex, there are fourteen more cave temples, nine monolithic shrines, three stone temples, and four relief sculptured rock panels, which drawn throngs of tourists to the area. Some of them are fortunate enough to press on to Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram, and get the darshan of Lord Brahma.

Website :
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-09/features1522.htm

Savitri Temple

Name : Savitri Temple

Location : Pushkar, Ratnagiri Hill, Rajasthan

Legend : According to the Hindu mythology Savitri is the first wife of Lord Brahma. When He was all set to start a Yagna on earth in the place of Pushkar (determined by drooping a lotus flower), Savitri's presence was the prerequisite. But She had kept Him waiting. Lord Brahma, irritated at this, married Gayatri the milkmaid to start the yagna on the most auspicious moment.

Infuriated Savitri cursed that Lord Brahma would not be worshipped anywhere else but Pushkar and only once a year. Then, she immolated herself at the Ratnagiri Hill, where the temple now stands.

Description : Savitri Temple in one of the most renowned one out of 400 temples in Pushkar. Perched on a hillock, Savitri Temple stands just behind the temple of Lord Brahma. A long series of steps lead to the shrine. From the temple you can get a panoramic view of the Pushkar lake, the surrounding temples and the sand dunes.

Website : http://www.mustseeindia.com/Pushkar-Savitri-Temple/attraction/11233

Phnom Kulen

Name : Phnom Kulen

Location : It is a sacred hilltop site 30km from Angkor Wat in Cambodia and a national park of Cambodia. Phnom Kulen is widely regarded as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire and is located some 48km from Siem Reap.Of special religious meaning to Hindus and Buddhists, it was at Phnom Kulen that King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 802 A.D.

Special : The site is known for its carvings representing fertility and its waters which hold special significance to Hindus. Just 5cm under the water's surface over 1000 small carvings are etched into the sandstone riverbed. The waters are regarded as holy, given that Jayavarman II chose to bathe in the river, and had the river diverted so that the stone bed could be carved. Carvings include a stone representation of the Hindu god Vishnu laying on his serpent Ananta, with his wife Lakshmi at his feet. A lotus flower protrudes from his navel bearing the god Brahma. The river then ends with a waterfall and a pool.

Linga 1,000 is located on the mountain, along the Siem Reap River and has a lot of figures of Yoni and Linga spreading out at the bottom of the river.

Terrace Of Sdach Kamlung is a plain terrace having a small ruined temple made of solid brick at the middle; the study proves that the terrace covered by lava for hundreds years.

The Khmer Rouge used the location as a final stronghold as their regime came to an end in 1979. Nearby is Preah Ang Thom, a 16th century Buddhist monastery notable for the giant reclining Buddha, the country's largest.

Phnom Krom

Name : Phnom Krom

Location : It is a hilltop temple in Angkor, Cambodia.

The temple was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman (889 A.D.-910 A.D.). Located 12 kilometers southwest of Siem Reap, it is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Oriented toward the east, the temple is enclosed by a wall built of laterite blocks. Along the walls' top runs a cornice. Gates bisect the walls at each of the four cardinal directions. Just inside the east gate are four small buildings arrayed in a north-south row, possibly formerly used as crematoria. Inside the walls on the north and south sides are three halls, now collapsed. The temple’s focus is three towers, also in a row running north to south. They sit atop a platform reached by staircases of seven steps. The southern tower is dedicated to Brahma, the central to Shiva, the northern to Vishnu. They are built of sandstone; much of their carving and detail has been lost to erosion.

Phnom Krom is the southernmost of three hilltop temples built in the Angkor region during the reign of Yasovarman. The other two are Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Bok.

Legend : The hill on which Phnom Krom stands is very rocky; local legend has it that the rocks were exposed by the monkey general Hanuman during a hunt for medicine in the Ramayana epic. The area beyond the temple’s west gate affords a spectacular view of the Tonle Sap lake.

PHNOM BAYON

Description : The remainders of a temple dating from the 7th century in Kirivong district in Takeo province at the beginning of the Mekong delta (near the Vietnamese town of Chau Doc) is certainly worth a visit to admire its design and ancient wall carvings. It was built on top of the 314 metres high Bayang mountain by king Pavavarman and it is 12 metres high. In front of the sanctuary there used to be a 2 metres high statue of Shiva. Eight small towers surrounded the sanctuary and at the end of the 11th century, a library was added.

Constructed with laterite, bricks and other stones, it is heavily damaged and pieces of the temple lay shattered over the ground. The roof has collapsed and the laterite rampart has been wrecked. It is a large brick temple with laterite outbuildings. Inside the tower is a second brick shrine and lots of bats overhead.

The Hindu statues were removed in times when Buddhism had taken roots in Cambodia. The temple is now inhabited by a Buddhist hermit and some old nuns who take care of the maintenance of the temple and surrounding gardens.

Legend: According to Cambodian legends, king Preah Bat Bayang Kaur lived on this mountain with his wife Neang Sak Kra'op, which means lady with the beautiful perfumed hair. When the king of Siam heard of the beauty of Neang Sak Kra'op, he borded a ship and sailed to the foot of the mountain. He invited the queen on board and entertained her with music and games. The ship sailed away and was far from the shore before any of the guests noticed.

Legend has that the king's son, prince Dey Khley went to search for his mother. During his search he met a very beautiful woman which he married. Little did he know that he had married his mother, but when he came home with his wife, the king recognised his former wife. The king sentenced his sons to build 12 ponds and decreed that his son could only be reincarnated when the ponds turned dry.

The prince is up to this day still waiting for reincarnation at the other side of life, as there is still water in the ponds.

Other attractions : In addition to the Bayang temple, there are four other temples on the Bayang mountain: the Preah Kor temple (in a ruinous state and almost consumed by vegetation), the North Kanang temple, the East Kanang temple and the Kampoul Kanang temple. All four temples were built for worship of Lord Brahman and contain a Silva lingam.