Kalo Dungar, Kutch Gujarat

Name :
Kalo Dungar or Black Hill

Location :

Kalo Dungar is the highest point in Kutch, Gujarat, India, at 462 m. It is located at 97 km from District headquarters of Bhuj and 25 km from nearest town Khavda. It is best to visit Kala Dungar before sun down to avoid getting lost on the secluded roads leading to these hills. A day trip from Bhuj to Kala Dungar is more than sufficient to explore around the hills. Two ranges are available in the Black Hill: Kala Hill and Gora Hill (White Hill). Kala Hill is the northern hill and Gora hill is the southern hill.

Legend :

As per the legend and local beliefs when Dattatreya walked on the earth, he stopped at the Black Hills and found a band of starving jackals. Being a god, he offered them his body to eat and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. To mark this phenomenon a temple was built honouring the sacrifice of Lord Dattatreya.

In order to continue this practice, the temple priests over the last four centuries have been feeding the jackals every day at noon. To mark the start of the feeding session the priest intimates the jackals by banging on a plate with a huge spoon.

To this date there has never been a single recorded incident of these wild jackals harming any human near the temple area. Plenty of travellers visit the Kala Dungar every noon to witness this unnatural event. Because of this, for the last four centuries, the priest at the temple has prepared a batch of prasad, cooked rice, that is fed to the jackals after the evening aarti.

Another legend is that, Kala Hill was named after a saint whose face was blackened by the cruelty of a woman’s wicked eye.


Description :

This is probably the only place in Kutch from where a panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch is possible. Since it is located very near to the Pakistan border, there is an Army post at the top; beyond here, only military personnel are allowed.

The Kalo Dungar is also famous for a 400-year-old Dattatreya temple where the main deity is that of Lord Datatreya who is considered to be an incarnation of the Hindu holy trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

There is one dharamshala as an accommodation option for people who wish to spend a night where only basic food such as rice, roti, dal and vegetable are available.

Another attraction on the way to Kala Dungar is the magnetic field where one can stop their vehicle at a specified spot and witness the vehicle moving against the gravitational force, up the slope at a speed of 20 km per hour. The team of experts from the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), and Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur studied the phenomenon. It is concluded that the vehicle hurtle down fast due to the more gradient of the slope.

Kala Dungar gives a panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch which adds to the beauty of these magnificent hills. It is a must visit destination for anyone visiting Kutch. Sunsets are most cheering of all, as the temperature drops and the crying of the winds take over, once the sun dips into the land.

Websites :

http://thelandoutthere.com/the-legend-of-the-black-hills-kala-dungar-gujarat/

Palitana Jain Temples

Name : Palitana Jain Temples

Location :

Palitana is a religious Jain city, Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located 50 km South-West of Bhavnagar city and is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains.

Myths :

Some people call the following encounters myths some give facts and some believes them which lives in the heart of every follower of Jainism.

* 1. The moolnayak murti-Lord Adinath's idol breathed 7 times, when it was first placed over there.
* 2. A layer of silver gets accumalated on idol every night and that serve as the priest's fees rather gift from god.
* 3. A small idol of Lord Suparshvanath Swami around 10" used to fly everynight from one of near by temple to Lord Adinath`s Palm.
* 4. There is only and only one tree in the entire Temple Campus below which it is believed to hide the jewels, pearls, relics and other ornaments of time before humans.

The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Jharkhand, Mt Abu and Girnar. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. It is also one of the greatest tourist attractions in Gujarat for foreign tourists. Every year millions of people come to visit these temples. Palitana is the place where millions and millions of Jain sadhu and muni got salvation. For the Svetambar Jains Shetrunjay is the earliest and, next to Sammet Shikhar in Bihar, the most sacred mountain.

There are hundreds of other temples (besides those on the Shatrunjaya hills). Guest houses (dharmashalas) are found in Palitana city. It is believed that every Jain should visit Palitana at least once in his lifetime to get "Bhavya" status (fit to attain nirvan or salvation).

Description :

The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community. There are more than 1250 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills.

The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lord Adinath (Rishabdeva). On the top the Shatrunjai Hill is a cluster of Jain temples ( 873temples ), built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. However, destroyed by the Muslim invasions in 14th and 15th centuries, the temples were built anew in 1500. The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust of the Kasturbai Lalbhai group. From the foot of the hill to the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate climbing.



No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. A recently concluded count reveals that there are a total of more than 27,000 idols of jain god on this mountain alone.

Not only temples, Shatrunjay Hill also offers a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery. From here you can also see the biggest irrigation project in Saurashtra. The waters of the flowing Shatrunjay river are said to confer merit in the bather as well as cure various diseases.

For pilgrims visiting of foot there are three circumambulatory routes. The shortest leads round the temples along the outer wall; the other follows the foot of the mountain. The third, about forty kilometres long, frequents en route five temple sites where pilgrims may stay overnight before continuing their holy walk. The major event of the year takes place on the day of the full moon in the month of Phalgun (Feb./March) when some ten thousands of pilgrims go round the Shetrunjay hill, the 'Lord of Peaks'.

Website:

http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/Gujarat/Palitana.htm

Harshidhi Temple

Name : Harshidhi Temple. Harsidhi Matatji is also known as Ambica Mataji and Kalki Mataji. The local people call this deity "Harshad Mata".

Location:

Mataji (Deity) temple is situated on the top and bottom of Koyla Hill near Dwarika.
One can visit the temple on the way back from Dwarka. It is about 70 KMS from Dwarka while coming towards Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Legend :

Before about 2000 years, the capital of the Chavda Kingdom was Minalpur, there the king was Prabhat sen Chavda. This minalpur was a main port and trading used to be done with foreign shores.

Once during the holy festival of Navratri, the 7 wives of Prabhatsen were playing garba. So Jagdamba Mataji from the Koyal hill, also doned ornaments and fine clothes and took the appearance of a beutiful lady, came down to play the Raas.

King Prabhatsen who was watching the festivities from the palace got attracted to this fine lady and the flames of evil passion got ignited in him, so in the late night, when Mataji started going back to the hill, he started to follow her. Looking at this she got angry and cursed him and told him to come every night to the temple to be eaten alive.

So every night, the King had to go to the temple to be roasted alive in the fire pit and to be eaten. The next day she would make him alive and send him back to his palace. This daily curse had taken its toll on King Prabhatsens health and he became very weak and thin.

During that time, the maternal cousin of prabhatsen, the Great King, Vir Vikramaditya came on the pilgrimage of Dwarka and became his guest. On seeing the condition of his cousin, King Vir Vikramaditya asked for the reason and he was told this tale of tourture. So the great king vikram decided and took the appearance of Prabhatsen and went for fullfilling the curse of his cousin. Seeing show of love and courage pleased Mataji, so she granted a wish to him. King Vikram asked for 2 wishes. 1. to relieve his cousin of the curse and 2. to become his guest at the capital city Ujjain of his kingdom of Malvan. She granted his wishes.

But about accepting his wish about her visit to Ujjain, she kept the condition that she would follow the his caravan on foot and she forbade him to look back and check whether she was coming or not which he agreed and he looked then Mataji will stop at that point only. On reaching the outskirts of his capital city of ujjain on the banks of river Shipra, King Vir Vikramaditya out of curosity looked back and thus Harshidhi Mataji stopped there itself.

Even today the Temple of Harshidhi Mataji is still there and It is said that since then, Mataji goes daily there for night stay and comes back to Koyla hill during the day. On the northern side of the temple is the fire pit, where Harshad Mata used to roast and eat the King of Minalpur Prabhatsen.

Its a very special place for Jamnagari people, Even today many people walk from city to this temple ( this temple is 120 KM from city )

This is different from The Harsiddhi temple in Ujjain which is one of the fifty Shakti peethas where the Kurpara(Elbow) of Devi fell.

Website :
http://www.jamnagar.org/dwarka.htm

Chamunda Mataji Temple at Chotila in Gujarat

Name : Chamunda Mataji Temple

Location :

Chotila is a small town having population of around 20,000 people and is a taluka head quarter of Rajkot district, Gujarat. The Mataji temple is situated at the top of the Chotila Mountain. Chotila Mountain is around 1250 feet high and is located around 40 miles away from Rajkot, and around 50 miles away from Ahmedabad.

Description :

The story is when Demons Chand and Mund came to conquer Devi Mahakali and in the fight that ensues, the Devi cut their heads and presented these to Maa Ambika, who in turn told Mahakali that will be worshipped as Chamunda Devi.

Mataji temples are always located at the top of the hills in India and the reason for this is that if you want darshnas of Mataji, you will have to undergo some physical strain.

Chamunda Mataji is the Kuldevi (family Goddess) of most of the Hindus staying in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State

There about 700 stoned steps up to the top of the hill. These steps were not covered by the shade before about 5 years. However, a good shade and railings now cover the entire walkway thus providing comfort to all the pilgrims. Famous industrialists, Ambani brothers of Reliance industries have donated this covering and the shades on the hill.

Festivals :

During the navaratri festival, a big havan is taking place on top of the Chotila hill. It is said that after the aarti at chotila hill in the evening everybody comes down the hill and that no one stays there that's what Chamunda Mataji has said. Also people have encountered that there is a lion on the hill or dungar of chotila.

Website :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chotila

Kuber Bhandari, Narmadha

Name : Kuber Bhandari

Location :

This temple is situated at the village of Karnali, near the famous town of Chanod. Chanod is located near Dabhoi in the Vadodara district in Gujarat State in India. It is around 36 miles away from city of Vadodara. There are regular buses plying from Vadodara for this Kubereshwar temple.

Legend :

There is a mythological story about this temple. Lord Shiva was passing once through the thick forest around the shore of river Narmada with goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati felt hungry and thirsty due to long walk in the hot sun. She requested Lord Shiva for some food and water. As the food and water was nowhere available nearby, Lord Shiva thought that it would be proper if he himself stays there in the form of food and water so that all the pilgrims can have food and holy water of river Narmada in this thick and remote place. Lord Shiva stayed there adopting the name of Kuber Bhandari who is considered to be the god of food and water.

Description :

Kuber Bhandari temple it means "Temple of Lord Kuber (Kubera, Lord of wealth and Fame)". This temple is situated at a height of around 800 feet above at the coast of river Narmada. There are around 680 steps to get down reaching to the river Narmada. River Narmada flows in all its glory here very quietly.

Narmada is one of the holiest rivers in India that flows through the Central and Western parts of the country. There are many famous places of pilgrimage all through the river shore of Narmada. One of the most popular
and the holy place at the shore of river Narmada is the temple of Kuber Bhandari, which is one form of Lord Shiva. This temple is very ancient and is said to be around 2500 years old.

There is a lot of importance of taking a bath here at this spot in the river prior to going for the darshanas of Lord Kuber Bhandari. However, you must be very careful while taking a bath here in the river as the water is quiet deep here with lot of crocodiles moving in the river. The atmosphere of the temple is so peaceful that you can really experience the divine peace here. Most of the visitors perform dhyan and pranayama activities here at the temple.

Rahu-Dan :

This is a only an ancient place where " worshiping and shloka of "Rahu" is being undertaken in Gujarat while Rahu changes his sthan in another Rasi in Kundali.Rahu Mantra is " ARDHKAYAM MAHAVIRAYAM CHANDRATYAVIMARDANAM ! SINHIKAGARBHSAMBHUT TAM RAHU PRANYAMAMYAHAM" For security and safety of bad effects on the persons worshiping of Nag-Murti{made of silver} is carried out by Abhishek of Milk for getting peace in the life and for protection from Rahu-Dasha. Amongst all Rivers - NARMADA' is also having power as per mythologylical history that merely by "Darshan of Naramada Maiya" all the sins becomes nullified. Normally no-where Rahu-Dan is accepted by anybody. But here in the premises of Temple Kubereshwar this arrangment is being made.

Websites :

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/679747/lord_shiva_temple_of_kuber_bhandari.html

Kailash Tekari

Name : Kailash Tekari

Location : Kailash Tekari is situated on the Ambaji-Khedbrahma Highway, just one and half km from Ambaji, in Banaskantha District, Gujarat

Description : On the top of Kailash Tekari is a beautiful Shivalaya, where one can go only by climbing the steps and walking on a wonderful hilly area of Kailash Tekari. Exploring Kailash tekari is always a pleasant experience for visitors, along with its beautiful Sunset Point. Moreover, The Temple Trust has recently constructed a big Artistic Stone Gate at the Temple of Mahadev on Kailash Tekari, which is also administered by Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust.

Nestled atop a hillock Kailash tekri is Mangalya Van ( a unique garden that is of late drawing hordes of tourists ).

The van was developed by the forest department in 2007. The spot's USP is a unique Rashi Van' within and a garden of plants, which astrologers say have the same effect as stones on one's life. All those who come to Manglya Van invariably enquire about the effects of plants on sun signs and want to take back home a sapling that favours their zodiac sign. They grow it in their backyard or in the vicinity of their house. Each of the 12 zodiac signs have been given three plants and are planted in 18x18 metre in this garden

Other places to visit near the hill is Pushpanandji Yagashram which is opposite to Kailash Hill.

Website : http://www.onlineambaji.com/Kailashhill.htm

Junagadh Hill Temples

Name : Junagadh Hill Temples

Location : Junagadh, Gujarat

Description : The hill, ascended 10,000 steps, is reputedly covered with medicinal herbs. It holds the shrine of many faiths.

1.There is a mosque at the foot of the hill.


2.4,500 steps up is a Jain temple on 1st Mountain.


3.A thousand steps further is the temple of Ambaji on 2nd Mountain.


4.Shree Gorakhnath Samadhi on the 3rd Mountain




5.At the top, is the great temple of Shree Dattatreya.

Website : http://picasaweb.google.com/chandrahas.dabke/GirForestGirnarMountain2023032008#

Amba Mata Temple

Name : Amba Mata Temple

Location : Mount Girnar, Junagadh, Gujarat

Description : A highly revered pilgrimage which attracts thousand of pilgrims every year, Junagadh is one of the most picturesque town in India. Dotted with historical monuments and religious places, the small town situated at the base of the holy Girnar mountain makes an interesting destination. The pilgrimage site of Mount Girnar is a popular place to visit. An old wall, much of which is now missing, surrounds the city.

At the summit of the mountain is the temple of Amba Mata. This Hindu temple is dedicated to an incarnation of the mother Goddess. Newly married couples come here to be blessed by the Goddess and thereby be assured of eternal conjugal bliss. Dating back to the 12th century, it is said that a visit to this temple guarantees a happy marriage. There are good views from the top of the mountain.