Nanzoin Temple, Japan

Name : Nanzo-in Temple (南蔵院?) is a Shingon sect Buddhist temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It notable for its bronze statue of a reclining Buddha, said to be the largest bronze statue in the world.

History :

Nanzo-in temple was originally located on Mt. Koyasan, but local anti-Buddhist authorities threatened to destroy the temple in 1886. Public outcry lead to a decade-long effort to have the temple transferred to Sasaguri. It was moved in 1899, under the leadership of Sasaguri priest, Hayashi Satoshiun. Nanzo-in temple is the main location among the 88 temples that make up the Sasaguri pilgrimage route, one of the three famous walking pilgrimages in Japan.

Today, the temple and its surrounding grounds receive more than 1 million visitors annually.

Lottery

A chief priest of Nanzo-in temple once won the lottery after laying his ticket next to a statue of Daikoku. The temple claims that others who have made a similar effort have also won the lottery, bringing the temple associations with luck and lottery tickets.

Reclining Buddha

The reclining Buddha statue, known as either Nehanzo or Shaka Nehan ("Nirvana") is 41 meters long, 11 meters high, and weighs nearly 300 tons. The statue depicts Buddha at the moment of death, or entrance into nirvana.

The interior holds ashes of Buddha and two Buddhist adherents, Ananda and Maudgalyayana. Those relics were a gift from Myanmar as thanks for the sect's donations of medical supplies to children in both Nepal and Myanmar. In 1995, 1,300 monks from Myanmar and Nepal attended the unveiling of the reclining Buddha statue.

Inside the sculpture, sand from each of the 88 shrines that make up the Shikoku pilgrimage are stored below bricks within a narrow hallway.

Every year, hundreds of Buddhists come together to clean the statue using bamboo leaves tied to five-meter poles.

Funerals

Nanzo-in Temple has 4,315 nokotsudo, places where bones of the deceased are stored. The temple has a non-traditional fee structure for housing remains. First, it is open to all sects of Buddhism, and is even open to Shinto remains. Secondly, many Buddhist temples rely on a monthly fee for housing the bones of the deceased, which are then disposed of after a set period of time. Nanzo-in Temple has one fee, which covers 200 years.

Websites: 
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanzoin_temple

Thap Ba, Po Nagar Cham Towers, Vietnam

Name :  Thap Ba, Po Nagar Cham Towers

Location :


The towers are situated on the hill top of Cù Lao, on the Cai river in the middle of what was the medieval principality of Kauthara, near modern day Nha Trang in the Khanh Hoa province. Before 774 AD wooden temple structures had long been located on the site, however these were raised to the ground by invading Javanese.

Description :

In 918, King Indravarman III placed a gold mukha-linga (carved phallus with a human face painted on it) in the North Tower, but it was taken by Khmer raiders. This pattern of statues being destroyed or stolen and then replaced continued until 965, when King Jaya Indravarman IV replaced the gold mukha-linga with the stone figure, Uma (Shakti, or female consort of Shiva), which remains to this day.

Mukha Linga was recovered from the complex of Cham temple ruins in Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam recently. It is now on display My Son Champa. http://www.hindu-blog.com/2013/11/a-7th-century-mukha-linga-on-display-in.html

The Shivling on display is made from a block of brownish gold sandstone. It is 1.46 meters high. The Shiva bust on the round head of the Shivling.

This is the first intact Mukha Linga discovered in Southeast Asia.

As part of the ancient Champa Kingdom, the towers were built to honour the Lady Mother of the Kingdom or Lady Thien Y-ana (also known as Po Nagar) who was said to be a great teacher of weaving and agricultural techniques. The largest tower is around 25m high and was built in 817 AD, inside is a statue dedicated to Po Nagar (said to have been made in 1050) alongside a linga. The remaining towers are dedicated to different gods; the North-West tower said to be for Sandhaka, Po Nagar’s father; the South tower to Ganeca, Po Nagar’s daughter and the Central tower (although less finely constructed) in honour of Cri Cambhu, believed to bless devotees with fertility, containing a linga (stylised phallus said to promote creative energy and fertility).

The stone pillars that remain on the lower section of the hill, lead to the original (now unused) stair case to the towers. These pillars are relics from a meditation temple and have undergone massive reconstruction over the years.


Above the entrance to the North Tower, two musicians, one of whose feet is on the head of the bull Nandin, flank a dancing four-armed Shiva. The sandstone doorposts are covered with inscriptions, as are parts of the walls of the vestibule. A gong and a drum stand under the pyramid-shaped ceiling of the antechamber. In the 28m-high pyramidal main chamber, there is a black-stone statue of the goddess Uma with 10 arms, two of which are hidden under her vest; she is seated and leaning back against a monstrous beast.

The Central Tower (Thap Nam) was built partly of recycled bricks in the 12th century on the site of a structure dating from the 7th century. It is less finely constructed than the other towers and has little ornamentation; the pyramidal roof lacks terracing or pilasters, although the interior altars were once covered with silver. There is a linga inside the main chamber.

The South Tower (Mieu Dong Nam), at one time dedicated to Sandhaka (Shiva), still shelters a linga, while the richly ornamented Northwest Tower (Thap Tay Bac) was originally dedicated to Ganesh. To the rear of the complex is a less-impressive museum with a few examples of Cham stonework.

This is a highly religious site and as such visitors are asked to remain respectful at all times. Shoes must be removed before entering any of the four towers. Dress appropriately with long skirts or trousers and definitely no bare shoulders, knees or excessive cleavage on show.

The entrance fee is 21,000 VND per person,the towers are open to visitors from 6am until 6pm and can be reached easily by car, motorbike, scooter, bicycle or on foot from the centre of Nha Trang. A taxi costs around 60,00 VND (metered price) from the main tourist area of Nha Trang. Stick to the reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, to avoid unreasonable fees or erratic meters.
The South Tower at Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

The Po Nagar cham towers are stunning in their own right, but the hill-top location also offers a good vantage point for photographers and sight-seers alike. The cafe based on the top of the hill serves a great Vietnamese coffee. A must-see on your list when staying in Nha Trang, or passing through.

Websites :

http://www.asiasoutheast.com/vietnam/nha-trang-vietnam/thap-ba-po-nagar-cham-towers/

Various types of Mukha Lingams worldwide 

Kalsubai Temple

Name : Kalsubai temple

Location :

The peak of Kalasubai is situated in Nagar district. This is apex, highest peak of the mountain range of Sahyadri. It is a dream of every sincere mountaineer to climb it at least once. Its height is almost 5,500 feet.

The Legend :

It is said, that in the ancient times, a lady named “Kalsu” came to nearby Indorey village to work. However, somebody forced her to clean utensils and clean up the residence by force. So she left the place and eventually died at this spot. So comes the name, Kalasubai. A small temple dedicated to Goddess Kalsubai is built at the peak and is worshipped by locals. A traditional pooja is performed at the summit temple every Tuesday and Thursday by local priest.

Festivals :

On occasion of Navratri, its a festive atmosphere as many people come to worship at the summit and Fair is organised during the nine days of Navratri.

About the Sanctuary :

The sanctuary area spreads from Kalasubai to Harischandragad in Akole Tehsil of Ahmednagar district. The area is part of Sahyadri hill ranges. The Kalsubai sanctuary is challenge to trekkers as it is most rugged, hilly area and difficult to get accessibility. Kalasubai is the highest (1646 m) peak of Western Ghats in Maharashtra. It is also a paradise for nature nad Flora lovers.

Trekking Experience :
 

The Trek is uphill climb and could take 3-4hrs climb and 2-3hrs descend from Base village Bari. After a climb of around 20minutes we came across temple of Kalsubai, which was the base temple at machi. Here we got the first glance of Diety Kalsubai.

At times we had to stop on the way as there would be long queue at certain points where it was important to climb slowly and also along with us there were other groups as well. The vegetation type is southern moist mixed deciduous. The part of Sahyadri that is close to West Coast is semi evergreen forest and semi deciduous shrub savanna. The main tree species that are seen in this area are Hirda, Jambhul, Chandawa, Bahava, Kumbhal, Gulchavi, Kudal, Siras, Kharvel, Karap, Avali, Aashind, Lokhandi, Beheda and character worth noticing.
After a climb of around 1hr one can reach first plateau, view from here of mountains covered with fogs and waterfalls was mesmerising. Trekkers can have some rest with group indulging in photo session at this point.

There are total of four ladders on the route and then there are carved steps on the rocks with railings on the side, this really make the route quite safe and easy.

Just before the last ladder, there is small hut or a shop where one could get hot kanda bhajia, tea and there was small well which was probably the only source of water in entire journey. From there we reach the fourth and final plateau.

Kalsubai Well On Top of Peak ! ! !

Best Time To Visit

August To December

Websites:
http://traveladventuresbyme.blogspot.in/2013/07/kalsubai-peak-mt-everest-of-sahyadris.html

BIjasan Mata Mandir, Indragarh

Name : Mandir Shri Bijasan Mata Ji

Location : On a high hill which is near about 1000 ft. high and 10 kms. Away from Indragarh Sumerganj Mandi. It is in Bundi District of Rajasthan which is 160kms from Jaipur.

God Worshipped : Goddess Beejasan (or the Goddess seated on Rakta Beeja demon)

Legend :

This ancient temple was built as the popular opinion goes, 2000 years ago in Vikram Samvat 103 by Kamal Nath who was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. His unflinching devotion to the Goddess propitiated the Goddess and she appeared before him. This idol of Beejasan Mata (Mother Goddess Durga) seated on the demon Rakta Beeja. In Markendeya Puran, the great exploits of Goddess Durga are narrated which are now known as Shri Gurga Shaptasati. In the eighth chapter of Shri Durga Shaptasati we read the Chivalrous shape of Durga when she waged her fierce battle against the demon Rakta Beeja. This demon had been blessed with an extraordinary kind of boon. Every drop of his blood falling from his body on earth would turn into a Rakta Beeja of the equal power and equal prowess.

The result was that there were millions of Rakta Beeja demons. Finally the Goddess decided not to let the blood of these demons fall on earth. She therefore, with burning torches either burnt the wounds or collected the falling blood in a bowl and drank it up. The goddess also took as many forms as the demon Rakta Beeja had. Thus the Goddess quelled and killed the demon Rakta Beeja and hence this name Beejasan was given to her.

Religious aspects of temple :

The Goddess is deemed to be very powerful and shows instant miracles. It is believed that the blind can regain their lost sight with the grace of the mother. Various people with various kinds of wishes come to the Goddess – have their wishes fulfilled because of the strong faith in the powers of the Goddess. Pilgrims, visitors etc. visit the temple throughout the year.

Festivals & Fairs in Temple (Main Events) :

Navratras are performed with great enthusiasm and devotion in the month of Chaitra and Ashwin. At this time, big fairs are held. Those whom whished are fulfilled offer artificial eyes to the goddess.

Timings :
Morning Time:     5.00 AM    
Evening Time:     7.00 PM

Custom & Traditions of Temple:

Like all other temples of Shri Durga, pooja is performed with full elaboration. Shri Durga Shaptasati is recited here. Four times in a day, Aaratis are performed viz., Mangala, Bhog, Sandhya and Shayan. Local people and people from outside come to this temple. Newly wedded couples pay their first visit and their newly borne babies are brought to the temple for the first time ritual shearing of their hair called Mundan Sanskar.

Websites :

http://devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in/images/bundi/bijasanmataji.htm

Bijasan Mata Mandir, Ujjain

Name : Bijasan Mata Mandir

Location :
This place is situated at dewas road 15 minutes drive from tawar and about 9 km from the Railway Station in village hamukhedi ujjain District of Madhya Pradesh.

Description :

There is an Tekri which is situted in gram Hamukhedi near Ujjain on Dewas road. On top approximately 1000ft above ground , there is a temple of Bijasan Mata. Bijasen Tekri: This hillock (tekri) has a small temple of Bijasen Mata, built in 1920. Mela is held here during Navaratri.

This Tekri has been given on lease to Dharma Vigyan Shodh Trust to devlop over 10 Lakh Plants and build nature temple where medication of various disease would be possible. Nakshtra Vatika would be build on this tekri for this purpose. This place is 11 km from  away from city.

That is also a sort of picnic spot where people used to come from all over the country. We can have a nice aerial view of Ujjain from the temple. The best thing about the temple is the huge  and marvelous statue of LION sitting in front of maa Bijasan. Lion was  looking extremely powerful and energetic. Mela is held here during Navratri.

Websites :

http://shashankshivhare.blogspot.in/2012/07/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

St. Thomas Mount, Chennai

Name :  Church of Our Lady of the Mount

Location :

St. Thomas Mount (known in Tamil as Parangimalai) is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport.

The neighbourhood is served by the St. Thomas Mount railway station on the southern line of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network. Integration of the Metro and MRTS with the suburban station in the neighbourhood, is expected to make the suburb the city's largest transit hub after Chennai Central.

Legend :

According to tradition, the Cross chiselled on a stone of this hill by St Thomas himself and used by him for his personal prayer gave strength to him when he was pierced from behind with a lance as he was praying before it. It is believed that the Cross should have been stained with the blood of the Martyr. This Cross was accidentally discovered later by the Portuguese when they dug the foundations for the new Church in 1547.

According to ancient records, this Cross sweated blood during the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Gasper Coelho on the 18th December 1558. In the early years, this Cross used to sweat blood every year, then every two or three years and, later, at longer intervals. The last occasion on which it was found sweating blood was in 1704.

Popular faith says that innumerable miracles of cures were attributed to this sacred stone cross through mere contact with it in faith and it has roused the conversion of many unbelievers. Even today the natural dampness on its surface is a perennial factor of surprise and devotion. The image of the Cross itself is unique

It was in 1908 after much disputation that the inscription around the cross was deciphered as: "Through the Cross, the Messiah borught salvation to the world".

As per tradition, the oil painting of the Madonna of the Blessed Virgin was painted by St Luke the Evangelist on wood and was brought here by St Thomas and used by him for prayer. Hence it is popularly known as the "Scapular of St Thomas.".

In "Tombs and Descriptions in the Madras Presidency" ( A Government Publication ), Mr. J. J. Cotton says : "This is a picture painted by St Luke who was an artist. The Virgin died when Thomas was away and on his return he had the tomb opened in order that he might once more look upon her. It was found that the body had been miraculously removed and Thomas was so disturbed that St. Luke offered to paint him a portrait of the Virgin as a consolation. This portrait St. Thomas carried with him on all his wanderings".

The first written account of this painting is made in 1559 when the King of Bisnaga took it to his Court in Chandragiri and later returned it in a palanquin to the Mount.

The wear and the warp of this sacred species are explained by the efforts of the people down the ages to bury and hide it in order to protect it from the onslaught of the invading enemies.
However the Madonna is considered to be one of the oldest and most venerated paintings in India and countless favors and blessings have been recorded by devotees who have stood and prayed before it.

Description :

The ancient Syrian Christian community of India trace the origin of their church to St. Thomas the Apostle, believed to have been martyred in St. Thomas Mount . The altar of this Shrine was built on the spot, where St.Thomas was martyred in 72 AD.  The St. Thomas Garrison Church is located at the bottom of St Thomas Mount. The St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic church is located east of the shrine at North Silver Street , foot holds of the mountain Shrine.

A shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Expectation" (Mother Mary) was built in 1523 on top of the mount. An Arch inside the church bears the title in Portuguese: "Senhora da Expectacao" (Our Lady of Expectation) with the year of its construction 1523.   At the northern foot of the mount, is a gateway of four impressive arches surmounted by a cross bearing the inscribed date 1547. A flight of 160 steps leads up to the summit of the mount. There are 14 stations of the cross erected on the way to the summit.

History :

The Mount was a grant to the church by the Kings of Bisnaga, or Vijayanagar, who called the place in Telugu "Fringy Kondah" meaning "European Hill" The Portuguese called the place Monte Grande (Big Mountain)

St Thomas Mount is a Holy place of international prominence, historical eminence, religious glory and tourist attraction.The ancient Church on the top of St. Thomas Mount has served as the light house for the Portuguese and Armenian ships and vessels in the Bay of Bengal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Interestingly, it is said, when sailors sighted the Church they offered prayers for a safe Voyage and then discharged from their artillery in salutation.

The Mount of Saint Thomas is easily accessed by the devotees who make the vowed climb through the 134 granite steps as an act of penance and sacrifice. An ornate arch with an imposing elegance remains an attraction to all those who happen to glimpse it with a note of the year of its construction, 1726.

The Armenian merchants of old were great benefactors of many Catholic Churches in and near Madras. Petrus Uscan was the greatest among them. He built a brick paved road with granite steps at intervals flanked by a double wall leading from the road below to the top of the mount. In his foresightedness, he also left a sum of money with the Administrator-General of Madras for the upkeep of these steps.

To make possible for modern vehicular traffic fully asphalted road laid by the military from the south- western base of the hill right upto the top in 1962.

The fifteen Stations of the Cross adorn the sides of the steps. The minute precision with which the figures have been moulded and the heaviness of the rare metal used in them add colour and life to the scenes of the Stations of the Cross along the steps of the Mount.They are spots of inspiration and they spiritually dispose the pilgrims who climb the steps for an eventual spiritual experience on the hill top Every year during Lent thousands of people flock the hill to make their Stations of the Cross with the help of these depictions. The annual mammoth gathering of people for the Mass celebrated by the Bishop on the Palm Sunday evening is the culmination of their Lenten pilgrimage.

Fr.Gaspar Coelho, Vicar of the Church in Mylapore in 1545 records that one Diego Fernandes, a Portuguese, built a small oratory on top of the hill over the foundation of a very ancient church in 1523 AD. The spot was already a place of pilgrimage.

Since this oratory dedicated to the Mother of God was very small and since the number of pilgrimage was increasing, Fr. Coelho laid the foundation for a bigger church on March 23, 1547 and completed the existing church within a year. It was then known as the Church of Our Lady of the Mount.

 Fr. Gaspar Coelho, who had built the church was buried in it and there is an inscription over his grave at the very entrance of the church.

The welcoming gate of the Hill Shrine with its Indian lamp conveys the message that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. The two lampstands with seven wicks each symbolize the witnessing life and death (Rev 11:4) of the Prophet Martyrs like StThomas. An osmosis of light at the entrance reminds us that a city built on the hill top cannot be hidden (Mt 5:14) but that it will shine.

The shrine church entombs a piece of the Bone of St Thomas casketed in a beautifully ornamented monstrance. People have witnessed to many miracles that have been effected through the efficacy of this holy relic.

This Sanctuary is said to be the spot where St Thomas was martyred. Any one standing on this surface will certainly feel the vibrations of the hidden current that floods this main altar area. The excellent artistic background elevates the inner soul.

The framed oil painting of St Thomas being pierced with a lance from behind in his praying posture on the wall behind the high altar is the high point of awe and devotion for all who climb the hill to reach this sanctuary.

The artistic finale exhibited in the attractive wooden podium of the fifteenth century is a monumental piece of ancient art. It bespeaks the importance attached to the Breaking of the Word in the liturgy of the early centuries. The ornamental wood carving in unison with the main altar is a banquet for the eyes of the beholder. This is another gift of Petrus Uscan. The Italian marble laying, the dim lighting effects, the antique hanging lamp, and the Portuguese styled ancient altar add to the serenity of the place and the sanctity of the Chapel.

The votive shrine that shelters the colourful Statue of Our Lady in the sitting posture is of a later fashioning and it exhibits a graceful look and maternal benevolence.

The huge framed paintings of antiquity screening before us the images of the twelve Apostles and that of Christ and of St. Paul are marvelous treasures of art and faith. They not only adorn the church but they also elevate our spirits. Though such pictures of the Apostles are common in the great Basilicas of the West, the uniqueness of these consists in their miniature picturesque information about the way in which each of the Apostles glorified their Master in their final offering.

The open air stage meant for public worship and the grilled open space provide an exquisite sight of the whole city of Chennai. The presence of a huge banyan tree and a green peepul/ pipal tree on the Hill is a natural gift to the seekers since both the trees are a rare sacred species in the Indian context.

Festivals :

+Every year the 18th December has become the Annual Feast Day of this Shrine Chapel, which is celebrated with function and devotion.

Timings :
This Adoration Chapel is kept open everyday from 7.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m

Websites :

http://www.stthomasmount.org/