Parasnath Hills - Shikharji

Name : Shikharji - Parasnath Temple

Location :

Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The highest peak is 1350 metres.

History :

The earliest reference to Shikharji as a tirth (place of pilgrimage) is found in the Jñātṛdharmakatha, one of the twelve core texts of Jainism: at Shikharji, Mallinatha, the nineteenth Jina practiced samadhi. Shikharji is also mentioned in the Parsvanathacarita, a twelfth century biography of Parsva.

Description :

Shikharji (Śikharji) means venerable peak. Parasnath is highest hill in Jharkhand, towering to an elevation of 4480 feet. The site is also called Sammed Śikhar or Sammet Shikhar, meaning the peak of concentration because it is a place where twenty of twenty-four Tirthankaras attained a state of mokṣa through meditative concentration. The word Parasnath is derived from Pārśva, the twenty-third Tirthankara to attain nirvana at the site.

It is one of the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. They call it Sammet Sikhar. The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill. According to some, nine Tirthakaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin. The popularity of Shikharji as a site of pilgrimage followed that of Vulture Peak, Bihar, where it is believed Sariputra attained enlightenment.

Bihar state acquired Shikharji under the Bihar Land Reforms Act leaving the rights of Jains in doubt. Use of Shikharji as a tourist destination also impacts on the religious beliefs of the Jain. Sports such as paragliding and parasailing may take place at Shikharji.

The base of Sammed Shikharji is called Madhuvan because of the trees sprinkling with drops and crystals of Madhu (Honey) all around the bottom of the mountain.

Shikharji Pilgrimage :

The pilgrimage to Shikharji is a round trip of 27 metres (0.017 mi) through the Madhuban forest. After 2 miles from Madhuban there comes Gandharva nala and further up there is another stream Sita nala. The section from Gandharva Nala stream to the summit is the most sacred to Jains. It is easier to reach Parasnath from its northern side. 

The pilgrimage is made on foot or by a doli (palanquin, palkhi or litter) carried by a doli wallah along a concrete paved track. Along the track are shrines to each of the twenty revered Tirthankaras and vendors of tea, coffee, water, fruits and snacks.

In Sammed Shikhar pilgrimage the Tonk of Lord Parshwanath is the highest and the final destination in the tirth journey. The unique attraction quality of the pilgrimage is also  because no other Jain temple in the world is situated as high as Sammed Shikharji. It is considered to be the holy destination, not only of Lord Parshwananth but also of the entire Jainism.

Temples :

The temple at Shikharji is a new construction with some parts dating to the eighteenth century. However, the idol itself is very old. Sanskrit inscriptions at the foot of the image date to 1678 AD. At the base of Shikharji is a temple to Bhomiyaji (Taleti). On the walls of the Jain Temple at the village of Madhuban, there is a mural painting depicting all the temples on Parasnath Hill. Temples along the track include,

Ganadhara, Kunthunath, Rishbhanan, Chandranan, Naminatha, Aranath, Mallinath, Shreyansanath, Suvidhinath, Padmaprabha, Munisuvrata, Chandraprabha, Adinath, Anantnath, Sheetalnath, Sambhavanath, Vasupujya, Abhinandannath, Ganadhara, Jal Mandir, Dharmanath, Vardhman, Varishen, Sumatinath, Shantinath, Mahavira, Suparshvanath, Vimalnath, Ajitnath, Neminath, Parshvanatha

Festivals :

Parasnath is the "Marang Buru "or hill deity of the Santhal of Hazaribagh, Manbhum, Bankura and Santhal Parganas and each year they assemble at the period of the full noon in Baisakh (mid April) from these district and celebrate a religious hunt for three days.

On one hand the Hill is place of worship and adoration on the other hand it is worthseeing place in the sense of tourism. Tourists start to visit from the second fortnight of December to last week of January.

Websites :

http://shikharjiup.org/sammed_shikharji.html

http://wikitravel.org/en/Parasnath_Hills

Padmakshi Temple, Warangal

Name : Padmakshi Temple

Location :

This is one of the oldest temples in Hanamkonda, Warangal, AP, India, built by Kakatiya Kings.

Description:

The Kakatiya Kings ruled this area in and around the Hanamkonda for few centuries. They have so many temples built in their time. Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa Temple,  Swayambhu Temple, Sidheshwara Temple and Padmakshi Temple are few to name. Their interest was to bring the spiritual awareness in the lives of people for many generations to come. Their dreams still flourish and the history still seen on their temple sculptures and temple walls.

The Temple is believed to be built during first quarter of the 12th century. The Goddess Padmakshi fondly called as "Amma" by local people. The meaning of Amma in local language Telugu is Mother. She is considered as Mother of Mothers. That is why she is popularly known as "Padmakshamma". She resides on the top of a hill (called Gutta in local language).

A wonderful pillar known as Annakonda Pillar, a stunning quadrangular column made with granite black stone, is placed at the entrance of this temple. The four faces of the pillar are marvelous and impressive. The sculptures and carvings at the pillar lead the light to the belief that initially this was a Jain shrine dedicated to Jain Goddess Kdalalaya.

Festivals :

Local people celeberate Navarathri (Durgashtami) as the main festival event every year nine days before Dussara, which generally comes in October. And also there is a famous local festival called Bathukamma which is celeberated with lot of joy. All ages of women decorate the handmade idle of Durga with different kinds of flowers colourfully and gives her a farewell in Padmakshi lake after performing pooja. It is called as "Bathukamma" in Local people.

Websites :

http://www.padmakshi.org/about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanamakonda

Kanakeshwar Temple

Name : Kanakeshwar Temple

Location :

Kanakeshwar Temple is situated on a hill near the village of Mapgoan which is 13 kilometers from Alibaug. Regular buses are available from Shivajinagar to Alibag and buses from Alibag to Kanakeshwar.

Legend :

In the mid of the hill one can see "Nagobacha Tappa" (a Place of Snakes) and the famous step called "Devachi Payari" named because, it is said, God himself stepped here after the construction of the temple and the steps.

Description :

The hill is almost 1200 feet high and one has to climb 700 - 750 steps to reach the temple. The temple of Kanakeshwar is very beautiful; it is a Hoysala style structure built in 1764. The ancient temple was built by Raja Ramdeorai yadav. The height of the Shiv temple is 54 ft. The front gate has Lion sculpture on both sides with traditional lamp-pillarV (deepmaal) in front. The 4 ft. long 'Pindi' of Lord Shiv is Silver plated.

Pushkarna Kund

A water tank, called a "Pushkarni", has water almost throughout the year which is now closed to the Pilgrims. There is also another water tank bear the temple known as Brahma Kund. It takes almost one hour to reach the Temple on the hill. The fatigue of the uphill climb vanishes the moment one enters the scenic temple premises. It comprises various small temples of Sri Paleshwar, Sri Hanuman, Sri Balram Krishna and Lord Shiv. There are few pilgrims who reside on the top of hill. There are also couple of small tea shops next to the temple.

The special attraction is an ancient sweet water tank enclosed in traditional structure of red stone.

The premises also include Nagaar-khana, Bheem Kunda, a garden for flowers to be offered to the Lord, Sri Ram Ganesh temple and Gomukha.

If you want to see the beauty of the Arabian sea and the fort of Khandvi as well as the entire hilly region, then Kanakeshwar is the place to visit and rest.

Festivals :
Every year, Kartik Poornima in Hindu calender is the day of fair.

Websites :

http://www.marathiecards.com/alibag_temple.htm

http://anushankarn.blogspot.in/2009/04/alibag-tour-part-3-temples-and-more.html

Road leading to Temple

Brahma Kund

Seenivasa Perumal Temple, Malaiarasan Koil

Name : Seenivasa Perumal Temple, Malaiarasan Koil Aruppukottai

Location :

The Temple is situated in Puliampatti, Aruppukottai, Tamilnadu

Description :

The 100year old Seenivasa Perumal Temple is situated on a small hillock. There are well paved steps to reach the Temple easily. Idols of Garuda and Hanuman are placed on either side af the beginning of steps.
There are separate sannathis for Lakshmi Narayanar and Suriya Narayanar. There is separate Girivalam road for circumbation of the Hill. People go for walking on this road on morning and evening.

There is a Shiva Temple on the malai adivaramknown as Malaiarasan Temple. This temple has a Swayambu idol. The Pooja done in this temple is a good example of Shaiva and Vaishnava unity in this region. The poojari gives Vibuthi and Kumkumam as per Shaiva ritual and then we will get Theertham, Sadaari and Thulasi. After getting the Theertham, we bow down our head to get the Sadaari as per Vaishnava ritual. In the west side of the temple Poigai river is there and the devotees are insisted to bath here and enter the temple.

Website :

http://www.etownaruppukottai.com/srimalaiarasantemple-aruppukottai

Subar Nag temple, Bhaderwah J.K.

 
Name :  Bhaderwah Subar Nag temple


Location :

Subar Nag temple situated at 8200feet altitude in the lush green meadows at a hill top in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district of Jammu Kashmir

Description :

This Temple is considered to be a symbol of the Nag culture, which prevailed in the state centuries ago.
The presiding deity in the temple is a serpent Subar Nag and devotees, is believed to be around 700 years old and the tradition of holding the festival has been going on since 200 years.

Bhadarwah is known for its ancient and unique Nag Culture and Nag Puja is an important aspect of Bhaderwahis culture. The Yatra has been going on for over thousands of years and people from all communities, including Muslims, have immense faith in the Serpent goddess. The temple was however burnt by militants in the mid nineties when the militancy in the whole of Jammu was at its peak. A new temple has been constructed there now. This temple situated amidst of thick coniferous forest is visible from Thubba village.

Festival :

Subar Dhar Yatra :

In the month of April on 12th or 13th, every year, a grand mela is held at Subar Dhar in honour of Subar Nag in which thousands of Bhaderwahis pay obeisance. Dhar in Bhderwahi language means hill and Subar is for Subar Nag or Shesh Nag.Subar Dhar is spread over a large area comprising Chinta, Bhalra, Bedota, Chiralla and other adjoining villages.

The Yatra begins with opening of ‘Dara’ (gate) of Nag temple at Subar Dhar on last day of Chet every year. The temple is closed before onset of winter that experiences heavy snow fall making it virtually impossible to reach the place.

Some people like to do this yatra in their own small groups, while some prefer to join the 'mala' that leaves from some villages like Dugga Chinta, Bhalra etc. In the early morning the 'nishanis' are taken out from the local 'Nag' temple washed, decorated and are taken to the Subar Nag temple by the local pandit accompained by hundreds of yatris, who chant 'Jai Subar Nag' 'Jai Subar Nag' on the way to Subar Dhar.
  
On that day huge procession of devotees belonging to Bhadarwah and its surroundings villages converges at Subar Dhar temple. They perform Puja of Subar Nag and then  dance on the sprawling hill  amidst blooming mountain flowers and flocks of flying butterflies at the enchanting tunes of traditional music played upon large drums and pairs of flutes. This is followed by Puja of Vasukinag at Vasak  Nag temple is performed at Gatha temple.

Some families visit Subar Dhar to offer 'sukhan' (animal sacrifice) to their 'kul devta'. They take out their family yatra along with some relatives. Some visit to perform 'mundan' ceremonies of their children.

On the next day Baisakhi (Bashaki) Mela is celebrated at Nagni Temple near Manthla village where thousands of people participate.

During this time some pilgrimages are also undertaken. And Kailash Yatra and Manimahesh yatra are some of them.

Website :

http://www.mybhaderwah.com/Fest_Fair_yatra/sabardharyatra.html

http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=15035

Narthamalai - Vijayalayacholeeswaram

Name :  Narthamalai - Vijayalayacholeeswaram 

Location :

Narthamalai is a cluster of small hills, is  36 km south of Trichi and 17 km north of Pudukkottai on the Trichi-Karaikkudi rail link in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple complex is located on a gently sloping rock, the path winding through shrub jungle. The temple proper can be approached only by ascending the gently sloping hill for a distance of 0.5 km.

Description :

Narthamalai is the modern corrupt form of its earlier more famous name "Nagarattar Malai" in the early mediaeval era when the hills were frequented by Jaina ascetics and the habitat was a flourishing traders' settlemnt of international repute in contrast to the sleepy village of today. The area was ruled by Muttaraiyars, vassals of the Pallava monrachs of Kanchipuram.

Now an archaeological monument, here one can see some of the oldest rock cut cave temples, as well as the longest rock-cut edicts, similar to Asokan edicts and extremely rare in the south of India. The two rock-cut temples are classic examples of how temple architecture styles were fusing in different parts of the country.

Two cave temples and an early structural temple dating back in time to the early mediaeval era. Once a Jaina abode, the place was later taken over by Hindus. Scenically and strategically selected site offers a vast view of the plains below. The older cave temple houses one of the very beautiful lifesize portrayal of Vishnu. 

The Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu, houses numerous sites of Budhist and Jaina centres of yore.

It is surrounded by seven or eight hills with ancient caves containing Jaina Architectural remnants. The Western hill is the most important among these. 

Cave Temples :

There are two cave temples facing east and a later structural temple complex, Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, facing the caves. The larger and earlier Jaina cave on the north side has been converted later as a Vaishnava shrine and its ardhamandapa has about 12 standing friezes of Vishnu.

Outside the Vishnu graham (the older cave temple) is a large mukhamandapa (adhistana only) wherein the Sapta Matrukkal (seven divine mothers) are located in two congregations. A granite block of three depicting Kaumari, Brahmi and Maheswari is stationed on the south side of the entrance to the shrine, while a group of four Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda occupy the northern side of the entrance. In addition, a dvarapala and a Vinadhara Dakshinamurty can be seen on the south side of the entrance and another dvarapala on the right side. An unidentified large sculpture (Durga) occupies the extreme southern slot.

On the south side of the original Jain cave, another cave shrine has been carved out in the rock. This temple is called "Paliyili Isvaram". On the kumudha of the mukhamandapa (foundation) of this temple is recorded a Pallava inscription of 862 A.D. in the seventh regnal year of Nrpatunga Varman. It proclaims that Sattan Paliyili, son of Videl Vidugu Muttaraiyar (the subordinate chieftain of the Pallava ruling over Narthamalai) constructed (altered the Jaina one) the cave temple for Siva and his wife Paliyili Siriya Nangai constructed the mukhamandapa (adhistana only), Rishabha, Balipeeta etc.

Structural Temple Vijayalaya Choleeswaram :

On the east of the above two cave temples, in a vast expanse of gently rolling rock is located the "Vijayalaya Choleeswaram", the early structural temple of the period of Vijayalaya, the founder of the Chola dynasty. A Pandyan inscription of (1228 A.D.) Ko Maravarman Sundara Pandya Deva near the Jaina Cave on the rock details the privsions made for festivals, processions, Thiru Veethi Kuttu etc. for the Vijayalay Choleesvaram Udaiya Nayanar, the deity of the temple. There is also another fragmentary inscription of 1015 A.D. in the reign of Rajendra Deva I.

The Temple 

The temple faces west and has the unusual arrangement of a circular cella (the omkara garbhagriha) within a square prakara. Above the cella and the prakara rises the vimana in four diminishing storeys (talas) of which the three lower ones are square and the uppermost circular, the whole surmounted by a dome shaped sikhara with a round kalasa on top. There is an enclosed mantapa in front with Pallava style pillars. Two dvarapalas, five feet tall, guard the entrance.

An epigraph obtained below the dvarapala on the north states that the temple was renovated by Muttaraiyan Mallan Vituman over the earlier weather-withered structure built by Muttaraiyan Ilangovadi. Thus it becomes clear that the original shrine was a Pallava foundation of eighth century during the rule of Nandivarman and the rebuilt stone structure (Kal tali) belonged to the period of Vijayalaya Chola in the latter half of 9th century.

Round the main temple in the open yard are seven small sub-shrines built of stone and all facing inwards in a typical early Chola style. Beautiful sculptures of Uma Sahithar and Vina Dhara Dakshinamurty belonging to the deva koshta on the griva of the main temple are now the Pudukkottai Museum.

The entire complex is now an archaeological monument.

Website :

http://www.ola.in/galleries/Narthamalai/index.html