Bhagsunag Temple, McLeodGanj

Name :  Bhagsunag Temple, McLeodGanj

Location :

The Bhagsunag temple lies approximately 2 km east from McLeod Ganj and is on the same route to the Bhagsunag waterfalls and the temple is a popular side excursion from the main trip. McLeod Ganj is a suburb of Dharamshala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Legend :

The Bhagsu Nag temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva but also the serpent god (Nag). The village, temple and water fall are named after the king who discover the spring (king Bhagsu) and the serpent god who guarded the region (lord Nag). The two were involved in a forceful battle as the king required the water for his drought hit lands.

The king had enrage the Serpent lord Nag after his sneaky approach to steeling the water and it was Nag who ultimately won the battle. Where the king submitted to the serpent waters miraculously sprung from the ground where he stood and these are the springs that the temple is constructed upon. The region is named after both the king and the serpent - Bhagsunag.

Description :

Bhagsunag temple is an important Hindu temple which is located on the source of a natural mountain spring. The waters of the temple are considered holy with the ability to wash away aliments and illness. 

At the heart of the temple complex are two sacred pools in which devotees are able to bath in. The water is fresh mountain spring water filtered through layers of limestone which lie below the Dhauladhar mountain range. The water is pumped into the pools via large pipes and is extremely cold so only the deeply religious should consider bathing.

The temple is one of the oldest in the region but the present day reincarnation is heavily influenced by Nepalese design styles. The Bhagsu Nag temple has stronger Nepalese design features than classical Hindu styles as the ferocious Gurkhas of Nepal captured the entire Kangra Valley. With the arrival of the British the Nepalese were amalgamated into the Indian army but the temple remained an important spiritual site for the Gurkhas. The clearest example of the Nepalese design are found at the pipe mouths which have been shaped into dragons heads.

Website :

http://www.2weekbackpack.com/McLeod-Ganj-India/Bhagsunag-temple-McLeod-Ganj.html

Dharma Lingeswara Aalayam

Name :  Dharma Lingeswara Aalayam

Location :

Panchadharala is located in Visakhapatnam District and is 24 km from Anakapalli. Panchadharala is named after five jets of water, which emerge out of five fountains from a natural perennial spring. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a Lingam on which are carved other lingams in 12 rows and each row contains 85 lingams. Therefore, the place is also known as the 'Kotilingam' (millions of Lingams).

Description :


This is one of the most ancient temples of Lord Shiva located at Panchadharala of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is believed to be built by the Chalukyan kings in the 14th century A.D. The temple is situated at the lower part of the hill chain of Panchadharala, which is famous for its beautiful scenic and picturesque locations that also hold a great legendary reputation.

In the ancient times, the temple was endowed by several Chalukyan and Vijayanagara kings. The wonderful architecture of the temple includes artistic inner walls and pillars that depict the life of ancient Kings and their valuable contribution to the religion, art and literature.

The hills bear white road like patches across them for miles giving the impression of a serpent creeping in its usual zigzag ways. Hence the name of Phanigiri for the hill. Moreover, the Aalaya tanks are fed by five water falls coming down perennially from high hills. They justify the name Panchadharala given.

Websites :

http://www.hoparoundindia.com/andhra-pradesh/panchadharala-attractions/dharma-lingeswara-aalayam.aspx

Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Narasimha Konda)

Name :  Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Narasimha Konda)

Location :

Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple was built on a small hill, popularly known as Narasimha Konda,  by the banks of river Penna about 15 km from Nellore.

Legend :

Legend goes that the sage Kasyapa established the temple on the bank of Pinakini. And the vedic scripture 'Brahmapurana' reveals that the seven sages (Saptarishis) performed 'yagnam' (Sacrifice) on the top of Narasimhakonda.

Description :

Vedagiri Lakshminarasimha Swamy devasthanam came into being nearly 500 years ago, on the summit of Narasimha konda. According to the rock inscriptions, this temple was built by the Pallava king Narsimha Varma in the ninth century.


There are seven tanks (Koneru) around the temple with a great hill top view of the river Penna and the Nellore city. Jonnawada is just a couple of kilometers from here on the other side of the Penna river.

You can also find two wind mills atop this hill where you can get to see them from close. Good for students and clean energy enthusiasts.

Festivals :

Bramhotsavams gets conducted at this temple very grandly in the month of May of every year.

Websites :

http://simhapuri.in/300/vedagiri-lakshmi-narasimha-swamy-temple-narasimha-konda/

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Name : Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Location :

Pazhaiya Seevaram is a small village located about 20 kms from Kanchipuram on the road going towards Chengalpattu. While going from Chengalpattu, one can reach Pazhaya Seevaram 5 kms before Walajabad.

Legend :

According to the Sthala Puranam, once in Naimisaaranyam, a Rishi by name Vishnu Siththar enquired with the other Rishis about a best place where he can get the Dharshan of Lord Vishnu as result of the penance. 

Another Rishi called Mareecha Muni explained the him about the existence of such a place on the earth, where one’s penance (Thapas) will get fulfilled with the Dharshan of Lord Narayana and guided him to this place which was called Padmagiri. He also told the story of Athri Rishi, who got the Dharshan of the Lord in this place in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar, after his severe and dedicated penance. It is said that, Athri Rishi, after having Dharshan of the Lord, prayed the Lord to stay in this place and bless the people worshipping here. The Lord accepted his wish and stayed here in the same form to bless the mankind.

Description :

Pazhaya Seevaram has an ancient temple for Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar, amidst picturesque location. This temple is located on a small hill on the banks of the river Palar. It is said that 3 rivers namely, Palar (Ksheera Nadhi), Cheyyar (Bahu Nadhi) and Vegavathi (Saraswathi) merge here to become one and it is called Triveni Sangamam. It is considered equally sacred as Ganges here.

The hill on which the temple is located is called Padmagiri. There is a motorable road to ascend the hill. The temple is not located on the hill top. While ascending the hill, one can find the temple in a few hundred metres itself on the midway.

The main deity, Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar is having the Goddess Lakshmi seated on his lap and is cool and calm, hence also called as Shaanthamoorthy. Though the temple is facing east, the Lord in the sanctum is facing west towards Kanchipuram.

Festivals :

According to the legend, there is a link between this temple and Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja temple. Every year, during the Thamizh month of ‘Thai’, on Kaanum Pongal day, the Lord Sri Varadharaja Perumal from Kanchipuram is brought to this hill temple which is popularly called ‘Paarvaettai’ or ‘Malai Urchavam’ (hill festival). On that day, the Urchavar of Sri Varadharajar from Kanchi, is kept in a stone Mandapam on top of the hill, from where he gives dharshan to the people. This event is very popular here. There are steps to reach the top of the hill from the place where the temple is located. It is said that the stone Mandapam too is facing towards Kanchipuram on the west.

From the temple one can see the scenic view of the river Palar and the surroundings.

Websites :

http://www.dharsanam.com/2011/04/pazhaiya-seevaram-sri-lakshmi.html

Arulmigu Maruntheeswarar Thirukovil, Thirukkachur

Name :  Arulmigu Maruntheeswarar Thirukovil, Thirukkachur

Location : 

This temple is located in 3 kms from Singaperumal kovil on the way to Sri perumpathur. Singaperumal Railwaystation lies beween chennai- chengalpattu train route.

There is a motorable road that leads to the temple on hilltop.

Legend :

When Aswini Devas were in search of medicinal herbs in this mountain, Lord shiva and Godddess helped them show herbs,hence the name “Irul neekithayar” and Maruntheeswarar. So it is believed that worshipping Lord here will solve problems with their health.

Description :

This is a beautiful temple which is said to be built by Kulothunga Chozha, where the main deity is Sri Oushadheeswarar (in Sanskrit ‘oushadha’ means medicine) also called Marundheeswarar and Goddess Andhaka Nivarani Ambaal (also called Sri Irul Neekki Ambaal).


It is said that Sage Agasthiyar worshipped Lord Marundheeswarar both at Thiruvaanmiyur and Thirukkachur and enriched his knowledge on Herbal Medicines.

The people believe that the soil of this place itself is medicinal (மண்ணே மருந்து) and would cure one from ailments. There is a small pit near Dwajasthambha filled with mud. This mud is considered sacred and medicinal, which devotees apply on their forehead like Vibhuthi.

There is an ancient well at the north eastern side of this temple. This serves as the Theertham for this temple and is called 'Oushadha Theertham'. This water too is believed to have medicinal properties.

This well is made in such a way that, one can enter the well and reach up to the surface of water through the steps. This steps start at a distance from the well and goes inside the well even below the water level. It is said that there are 60 steps to this stair case. A very unique and a 'well designed well’.

Sundara Murthy swamigal describes this Lord as “Maalai MathiyeMalai mel Marundhe”.

Girivalam is very popular here. Devotees undertake Girivalam on Pournami (full moon) days and Tuesdays praying the Lord, to get cured of their illness.

Holytree : Verpala (Jack Tree)
Darshan Time : Morning 7am – 10 am Evening 6pm -8pm

Websites :

http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/03/thirukkachur-sri-oushadheeswarar.html

Unakoti hill

Name :  Unakoti hill

Location :

Unakoti lies 178 km to the northeast from Agartala which has the closest airport, and 8 km to the east from Kailashahar, district headquarters of North Tripura District. The nearest railway station is about 20 km away at Kumarghat on the Lumding-Agartala line.

Legend :

Once lord Shiva was going to Varanasi along 1 crore god and goddesses including him.On the way they thought of taking rest and shelter on this hill for night, before going to bed lord Shiva strictly warned them to get up at the dawn before the sun rises and leave for Varanasi.The following morning only lord Shiva got up and nobody else woke up being in angry mood he cursed them to become stone sculptures or images and stay there forever and ever.Since then we are having images numbering less than one crore sculptured on unakoti hill

According to the regional people, there was a sculptor & potter named Kallu Kumhar.The local tribals believe that it was Kallu Kumhar who had carved all these images. He was a devotee of Parvati and wanted to accompany Shiva and Parvati to their abode on Kailash Parvat. On Parvati’s persuasion Shiva agreed to take Kallu to Kailash if he would sculpt a koti images of Shiva in one night. Kallu worked as a man possessed. But as the dawn broke the number of images was still one less than a koti. Shiva who was keen to get rid of this nuisance called Kallu, used this excuse to leave behind Kallu Kumhar and his images at Unakoti.

Description :

Unaloti literally meaning one less a crore in Bengali, hosts an ancient Shaivite place of worship with huge rock-cut images and stone idols of Lord Shiva and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries if not earlier. While the marvelous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty form the chief attraction, natural beauty including mountain scenery and waterfalls are an added bonus..

Iconography :

The images found at Unakoti are of two types: namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti.

Festival :

Every year a big fair popularly known as Ashokastami Mela is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Another smaller festival takes place in January.

Websites :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unakoti