Sri Prasanna Venketasar temple, Thiru vaiyavoor

Name : Sri Pranna Venkatesar Perumal Temple

Location :
Sri Prasanna Venkatesar Temple, Tirumalai Vaiyavur, Chengalpat, Kancheepuram district.

Legend :

Prasannam means that which appears in the mind.  There are staunch devotees who attain darshan of Lord in their mind though they could not have it with physical eyes.   King Tirumalai Naicker had such a darshan of Lord Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and built a temple at Tallakulam in Madurai.  Similarly, a king of the Thondaiman dynasty in Thirumalayavur prayed to Lord Venkatachalapathi for safety to his land.  Lord protected his land.  When the king expressed his gratitude to the Lord, He came to this hill with His scepter and granted darshan.  Thondaiman king built this temple and named the Lord Prasanna Venkatesar.

Description : 

According to rules of worship in Tirupathi, the first worship should be dedicated to Lord Aadi Varahaswami before reaching Lord Srinivasa-Venkatachalapathi.  The same system is followed in this temple too.  There is a separate shrine for Lord.  When Perumal took Varaha Avatar, Garuda Bhagwan could not have this darshan.  Hence, this Varaha darshan was granted to Garuda in this temple.

Lord Prasanna Venkateswara in the sanctum sanctorum looks majestically holding the scepter-Sengole.  Two Mahalakshmis are on His broad chest on both sides.  Divine serpent Adi Sesha has his place in the Tiruvasi frame.   Lord is wearing Ashalakshmi-Sahasranama malas and Dasavatara Odyanam the belt around the waist.  Lord grants Netra darshan (Darshan of eyes only) without any special Alankaras on Thursday mornings.  The view of Lord falls on the devotees.  Of the Dwarapalakas, Jayan is wearing the Simha design ear ring and Vijayan is wearing the Gaja –elephant designed ear rings.  This is a different feature in this temple.  There is a separate shrine for Mother Alarmelmangai Thayar.

Lord Lakshmi Varaha is in a separate shrine with His own Kodimaram-flag post.   He has his right leg on Adisesha’s tail and the left on head head, holding Mother Mahalakshmi on His lap.  The first Deepa Aradhana is dedicated to Him as He is the pradhan murthi in the temple.  Even during festivals to Lord Prasanna Venkateswara, the flag hoisting is done in this shrine only.

Each month on the Tiruvonam Star day, Ona Dheepam is lighted in the temple.  It is said that Emperor Mahabali was a rat in one of his previous births and lived in a Shiva temple.  When a lamp in the temple was about to extinct, the rat incidentally fell on the lamp rekindling the wick of the lamp.  The lamp continued to burn.   This rewarded him with a royal birth as Emperor Mahabali.  He was graced by Lord Vishnu on a Onam Star day.  Remembering the event, a big lamp (Aganda Dheepam) is lit in the temple on each Tiruvonam star day.

Lord Srinivasa offers Darshan on the day in the front mandap.  Yajnas, Tirumanjanam and wedding pujas are performed here.  The Aganda Dheepa is placed at the feet of the Lord.  Those facing problems about marriage, concerned about children offer ghee to the lamp for relief.

There are two procession deities, Srinivasa and Kallarpiran.  The former comes in car procession during the Purattasi festival and later in Chithirai festival.  There are shrines for Chakarathazhwar, Venugopalar and Lord Sri Rama in the temple.  Sri Veera Anjaneya is at the foot of the temple in a flying posture.  Devotees submit their prayers in writing to Sri Anjaneya, cover it in a yellow cloth along with an unstripped coconut.  Lord Lakshmi Ganapathi shrine is nearby.

Moolavar    : Prasanna Venketasar
Urchavar    : Srinivasar, Kallapiran
Amman / Thayar    : Alarmel Mangai
Theertham    : Varaha Theertham
Agamam / Pooja     : Vaikanasam
Old year    : 500 years old

Websites :

http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=405

Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Ragigudda, Bengaluru

Name : Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Ragigudda, Bengaluru

Location :

Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560 069
Phone : 26580500, 26594255
email : ragiguddavk2009@gmail.com

Legend :

Sudharma was a peasant and kind woman who always helped the needy and in distress. She was a dharma chintamai and use to feed who ever comes to her house and had the practice of eating only after offering food to the visitor. She was given on marriage to the son of a palayakar in the outskirts of present Bengaluru. The daughter-in-law of a Palayakar was not liked by her mother in law. While Sudharma is generous and ever ready to help one and all, her mother-in-law was just oppose to all these. Sudharma was liked by all and the people use to bless her for her good nature and tell her that she will definitely be blessed by God.

One fine day just after the harvest, they had three visitors who were extremely bright and ‘tejasvi’, asking for biksha standing on the doorway of the house. Sudharma was too pleased to give some newly harvested ragi to these maha purush. [There is popular belief that the Ragi grain is blessed by Sri Raghava [Sri Rama] and Sri Kapila maharishi and hence the grain is also known as ‘Raghava Dhanya’.] At the sight of this, her mother-in-law became furious and said that the new grains cannot be offered as biksha to strangers. When Sudharma insisted to part with the ragi grains which she had already offered to them as biksha, her mother-in-law became more furious. The three ‘tejasvi’ purush stood there watching this. Sudharma told her mother-in-law that once the ragi grains had been offered as biksha it cannot be taken back, and it is an adharmic act. Mother-in-law stood her ground and refused the biksha to three maha purush. Sudharma felt that if the ragi grains could not be offered to these maha purush for food, the grains are of no use to her either. The moment she thought so, the heap of newly harvested ragi grains turned to stone and looked like a small hillock. Three maha purushas gave dharshan to Sudharma as Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu, and Sri Mahadev and blessed her. And as per Sudharma’s wish stood there to bless one and all who come there seeking their blessings.

The heap of ragi grains turned into hillock use to be called as Raghava dhanya guddi then in the course of time it became Rahava guddi and now Ragigudda. The ‘trimurti’ who came there and is part of the incident is present to bless us all as per the wishes of Sudharma.

Description :

The huge temple complex is a feast to the eyes from the distance and enhances the devotee’s purity of mind. The complex could be seen built on ground level, at a smaller peak on the right of the main peak and at the main peak of the hillock.

At the ground level there is an office building on the left, a Prasad hall, a huge open air auditorium right in the front. Behind one can see goshala and through the passage that leads the devotee to have dharshan of ‘trimurthi’. On to the right side in the middle of the hillock one could see a temple complex with three vimana and devotees can have dharshan of Sri Ganapati, Sri Rajarajeshwari and Navagraha. The uniqueness of the Navagraha in this temple is that all the navagrahas are seen with their consort and mounted on their respective vahanas. The Sun is seen with his consorts Usha and Chaya in the higher pedestal on the chariot driven by seven horses.

Trimurthi Sannadhi :

Beautifully carved out Trimurties on single platform of 32 ft. tall monolithic blocks are seen in this Ragigudda temple complex. The devotees have the dharshan of Trimurties and seek the blessings in this kshetra Ragigudda.

The Ragigudda

The sannadhi of Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy is on the top of Ragigudda. The temple at the top of the hillock if seen from one angle it will be seen as if the temple is on the back of an ‘annapakshi’ [a celestial bird] and floating in the air.

There is a separate step on the left that leads the devotee to the top of the hillock where Sri Hanuman’s sannadhi is present. After claiming around one hundred and fifty steps we land in a fairly big porch. In the centre we see big round pillar with lotus petal. One can see the main prakara on the left side. A huge wooden engraved arch way with Lord Hanuman in the centre and Sri Rama parivar on the right and Sri Siva parivar on the left is feast to the eyes of the devotee. In the sides of the arch way ‘dasavathara’ of Lord Vishnu is engraved.

Once entered in the hall, devotee could see the sannadhi of Lord in the center, sannadhi of Lord Rama parivar on the right and sannadhi that of Lord Siva on the left.

Devotee could see Lord Hanuman from the entrance itself. Lord Hanuman is seen with Sanjeevi Mountain on His left hand and in the right hand He holds a ‘gadha’ [mace] which is resting on His right shoulder. Lords’ tail is seen raised above His head and resting on the Sanjeevi parvath. He has put forward his left leg indicating that He will stamp down evil doers. Lord is seen wearing ornaments on His ankle, leg, hip, wrist, hands, chest, and neck. Lord’s head is covered with an ornamental crown. His ears has rathna kuntalam, on His forehead is urdha pundarikam. Lords eyes are seen glowing with karuna.

Festivals :

The annual function of this temple is Sri Hanumath Jayanthi which is celebrated on a grand scale. The twelve days mahotsava attracts huge devotees. There will be special poojas, abhishekams and homas during these days. Large numbers of devotees are served mahaprasada during this annual function.

Pooja Timings :

The temple will be open from 08:00-11:30 am and 05:00-08:30 pm, but on Saturdays and Sundays will be open till 12:30 and 09:00 respectively.

Mahamangalarthi : Morning around 11:00 am, on sat around 11:30 am and Evening around 08:00-08:30pm.

Websites :

http://www.geocities.ws/hanumantemples/kar/kar2.html  - All credit goes to Ms. Bawani Karthik, Coimbatore

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/

Dronagiri Madhya Pradesh

Name :
Shri Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra Drongiri.
Is an Siddha Kshetra (Place of Salvation).

Address :
Dig. Jain Siddha Kshetra Drongiri
Drongiri (Sendapa), Taluka – Bara Malhara,
District – Chhatarpur (M.P.) Pin 471311
Phone 07689 – 280972, 9425144006, 9754355296
Website – WWW.Drongiri.Com

Nearby City :
Bara Malhara 5 km, Ghuvara 20 km, Chhatarpur 51 km, Teekamgarh 92 km, Khajuraho 98 km

Management committee :
Shri Drongiri Trust Management Committee
Drongiri (Sendapa), Taluka – Bara Malhara,
District – Chhatarpur (M.P.) Pin 471311
Phone 07689 – 280972, 07683-224712, 9425880545, 9826390688, 9826393692, 9424345025

About DronGiri :

Siddha Kshetra Drongiri is an ancient Nirvan Kshetra (Place of Salvation) which is proved by ancient literature, ancient cave, ancient Jain temples & art of sculpture. Drongiri is described as Nirvan Kshetra of Shri Gurudatta & others so many ascetic saints, by Shri Pujyapad Swamy in Nirvan Bhakti, by Acharya Harishen in Brihat Katha Kosh and in Nirvan Kand. Pujya Shri Ganesh Prasadji Varni has called this place as “Laghu Sammed Shikhar” due to its peaceful natural beauty, clean & healthy environment appropriate for practice of austerity & for self development to achieve supernatural qualities and salvation.

The large ancient cave, from which Shri Gurudatta & others achieved Moksha (Salvation), was opted for meditation and penance by Charitra Chakravarti Acharya Shri Shanti Sagarji Maharaj in the year V. S. 1929 when he came here. In that night the lion came to his residence (the cave), while he saw the ascetic saint in meditation, he stayed there calmly without harming the Acharya and went to the jungle in the next morning. The event is described in the book “Charitra Chakravarti.
In the story of Gurudatta & other saints, the cave is said to be residence of lions. (Aradhana Katha Kosh)

On the hill, third temple is Shri Parsvanath temple with principal deity Lord Parsvanath, this idol in cross legged seating posture made of Black Stone very attractive and miraculous. Various desires of pilgrims come true here.

Main Temple & Idol :

The ancient cave on this Siddha Kshetra is big in size, so that a large group of saints may also stay here. A pair of foot image of Shri Gurudatta is installed in this cave. On this semi circular hill 28 beautiful temples with attractive spires are divided in three groups –
1. Suparsvanath Tonk (Tonk – Top of hill where a temple exists): – While we start pilgrimage of hill from left, first Tonk is Shri Suparsvanath Swami’s tonk, here are 7 beautiful temples are viewable.
2. Chandraprabhu Tonk: – This is front side of hill includes 10 temples, here’s first is Chandraprabhu Tonk.
3. Adinath Tonk: – Here are 11 temples, first of them is Adinath Temple. The famous ancient cave also lies in this area known as Nirvan Bhumi.

Other Temple :

There is Ganesh Prasad Varni Swadhyaya Mandir in the valley. Pilgrimage of hill starts from the left of it in the east and in the right side near this.
In temple No.24, there is a Manastambh (Column of Dignity) built in the period of Chandels is very important for archaeological point of viewers, it is 10 feet high & 4 feet in diameter, a circular construction having 96 idols on the top, each 3 inch in height and below them 3 sitting and 1 standing idol are also carved on it.
At this place, an ancient idol of Lord Adinath made of local stone is very artful & must be viewer on the plane rock of idol so many beautiful images and designs are carved, that makes it vary attractive.
So many temples are looking more than 1000 years old.
In temple No. 28 a collection is made of idols found any where in the nearby area under 30 Km.
In village Shri Adinath Jinalaya & Shri Shantinath Jinalaya & Choubeesee (24) Jinalaya (Temple) are viewable. The Choubeesee Jinalaya is very beautiful and vast in size which was completed in year 1977.
Shri Siddhayatan (a temple) & 20 Teerthankar Jinalaya built and managed by Shri Kund kund Kahan Dig. Jain Swadhyaya Mandir Trust are also here. Mobile No. 9425614224, 9753456868, 9424760859, 9754156849, 9630422899.

Natural Scenario :
This place lies in between the two ever flowing rivers named Chandrabhaga & Shyamaly, a very beautiful place with natural environment definitely pleasant to eyes.

Festivals :

Annual Festival & Mela in the month of March with so many religious & cultural programs is organized every year.
Facilities :
Shri Dig. Jain Dharmshala contains 65 Normal Rooms, 19 Rooms with attached let-bath,  7 Luxury Rooms, Mess (Bhojanashala) and all required items like utensils, bed, tent etc. are available.

Acharya Shri Deonandi contains Hall of size 28’ X 110’
Shri Virag Sagar Dharmshala contains 1 Hall, 3 Rooms, Meeting Halls 2, and Rooms 7 are also there.
Shri Siddhayatan Jinalaya Dharmshala by Shri Kund kund Kahan Dig. Jain Swadhyaya Mandir Trust. Mobile No. 9425614224, 9753456868, 9424760859, 9754156849, 9630422899.

Means of approach :
Road – Busses are available for Drongiri from Bara Malhara, Ghuvara & Teekamgarh any time.
Train – Nearby Railway stations are Lalitpur, Sagar, Satna, Jhansi, Damoh, From these stations busses are available.
Airport – Khajuraho 103 km

Nearby Places :
Jain Pilgrimage Centers are,
Siddha Kshetra Nainagiri 80 km
Siddha Kshetra Aharji 56 km
Siddha Kshetra Kundalpur 144 km
Atishaya Kshetra Papouraji 60 km
Atishaya Kshetra Khajuraho 103 km

Websites :

http://jainteerth.com/madhya-pradesh-m-p-jain-teerth/shri-digamber-jain-siddha-kshetra-drongiri/

Nainagiri (Reshandigiri)

Name :
Shri 1008 Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra Nainagiri (Reshandigiri).

Location :

Shri 1008 Dig. Jain Siddha Kshetra Nainagiri (Reshandigiri)
Nainagiri, Taluka – Bijaver, Dist. – Chhatarpur (M.P.)
Phone 07583-280095,203930, 9893802446, 9407533102, 9407533103

Description :

Is an Siddha Kshetra (Place of Salvation). Nainagiri (Reshandigiri) is an ancient sacred place full of natural beauty described in Nirvankand. This is the place where Samavsharan of Lord Parsvanath arrived once and Shri Vardatt and other five ascetic saints went to Moksha (achieved full & final freedom from world).
This Kshetra is situated on a hill, not so high, consists 36 Jain Temples on hill and 15 in valley. All the temples are build with spires, among them one temple lies in the midst of a pond, looks very attractive. All the temples on hill are surrounded by a wall.

Main Temple & Idol :

Bara Mandir the Eleventh temple of this Kshetra is ancient enough supposed to come out from the earth about 100 Years ago. According to an inscription of the temple, the year of completion was V.S. 1109. Principal deity of this temple is Lord Parsvanath, the standing idol 4 feet 7 inch in height. This was installed in V.S. 2015. 13 ancient idols are also installed here, 9 of them are placed on shrine and another 4 are place on 4 separate plat forms, these also belong to 11th – 12th century. Here is an idol of Yaksha – Yakshini, very beautiful & artistic,Yakshini is with a child in her lap.

First temple on hill is known as Bade Baba Ka Mandir or Choubeesee Jinalaya, a big temple with the principal deity Lord Parsvanath, an 11 feet high standing colossus without serpent hoods, with an attractive halo in the back and three tier umbrella over the head. On a shrine of this temple idols of 5 ascetic saints (Gurudatt & others) in standing posture made of White Stone are installed.

Second is Lord Mahaveer’s temple, very beautiful, situated in the midst of a pond and looks very attractive. Principal deity of this temple is Lord Mahaveer idol is 2 feet high in cross legged seating posture.
Other temples are also visitable. 2 km ahead from the Kshetra, there a shrine in forest seems to be very old.

Natural Scenario :

Scene looks very attractive on looking towards pond from the top of hill. Series of temples with spire on hill & on the plane with pond in the middle looks pleasant to eyes.

Festivals :
Annual Festival – From Agahan Shukla 11 to 15
Lord Parshwanath Salvation Anniversary – on Shrawan Shukla 7

Facilities :
3 Dharmshalas are available on Kshetra, one at the Bus Stand of Dalpatpur. Mess & Bed facilities are available.

Means of approach :

Road – Busses of routs Sagar-Bijawar & Sagar-Bakaswaha pass through Dalpatpur. Kshetra is at the side of Dalpatpur-Bakaswaha Road at a distance of 12 km from Dalpatpur. Dalpatpur is on Sagar-Kanpur National Highway No. 86. Road is under construction from Jabalpur, Chattarpur, Tikamgarh via Bakaswaha (25 K.M.).
Railway – Sagar-Damoh

Nearby Places :
Banda, Nemgiri
In Sagar – Bhagyodaya Teerth, Mangalgiri & Kakaganj

Websites :

http://jainteerth.com/madhya-pradesh-m-p-jain-teerth/shri-digamber-jain-siddha-kshetra-nainagiri-reshandigiri/

Huayna Picchu, Peru

Name :  Huayna Picchu

Location :

It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu, the so-called lost city of the Incas, and divides it into sections. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is about 2,720 metres (8,920 ft) above sea level, or about 360 metres (1,180 ft) higher than Machu Picchu.

Description :

Huayna Picchu, Wayna Picchu (Hispanicized spellings) or Wayna Pikchu (Quechua wayna young, young man, pikchu pyramid, mountain or prominence with a broad base which ends in sharp peaks, "young peak") is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends.

According to local guides, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the side of the mountain and is situated at an elevation lower than Machu Picchu. Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry. The other major local temples in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Principal Temple, "Unfinished Temple", and the Temple of the Sun, also called the Torreon

Tourism :

The number of daily visitors allowed to enter Huayna Picchu is restricted to 400. Advance purchase of tickets online will guarantee admission. A steep and at times exposed climb leads to the summit. Some portions are slippery and steel cables (a via ferrata) provide some support during the one-hour climb. At times during the rainy season, the tours are closed. The climb is not recommended for visitors in poor physical condition because it features the World's scariest staircase.

From the summit, a second trail leads down to the Gran Caverna and the Temple of the Moon (a misnomer). These natural caves, on the north face of the mountain, are lower than the starting point of the trail. The return path from the caves completes a loop around the mountain as it rejoins the main trail.

Websites :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huayna_Picchu