THEERTHAMS (WELLS) OF RAMESHWARAM

Chakra Tīrtham Tirupullāni(Darbhaśayanam) Large Pond
Vetāla Varada Tīrtham south of Chakra Tirtham of Tirupullani
Pāpa Vināśa Tīrtham Gandhamādhana
Sītā Kuṇḍam near Thangachimadam Not accessible due to new habitation.
Maṅgala Tīrtham near Ekānta Rāma Temple Large Pond
Amṛta Vāpī near Ekānta Rāma Temple Well
Brahma Kuṇḍam
Hanūmān Kuṇḍam North of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Large Pond
Agastya Tīrtham North-east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Small Pond
Lakṣmaṇa Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Large Pond
Jaḍa Tīrtham On the way to Dhanushkodi Large Pond
Lakṣmī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Agni Tīrtham Beach east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Sea
Cakra Tīrtham of Ramanathaswamy Temple Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Śiva Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Śaṅkha Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Yamunā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gaṅgā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gayā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Koṭi Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sādhyāmṛta Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Mānasā Tīrtham
Dhanuṣkoḍī Tīrtham Dhanushkodi Sea
Nāga Tīrtham North-east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Small Pond
Nakula Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Sahadeva Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Draupadī Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Bhīma Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Arjuna Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Jāmbava Tīrtham Well
Aṅgada Tīrtham Well
Sugrīva Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Large Pond
Rāma Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Large Pond
Sītā Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Small Pond
Ṛṇa Vimocana Tīrtham near Ekaanta Rama Temple Large Pond
Villundi Tīrtham near Thangachimadam Well In the middle of the ocean, a few metres away from the beach
Kapi Tīrtham Paamban
Bhairava Tīrtham Paamban
Amṛta Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana
Dharma Tīrtham
Gandhamādana Tīrtham
Pancha Pandava Tirtham near Ekaanta Rama Temple
Vaali Tirtham
Gaja Tirtham
Kumuda Tirtham
Saarada Tirtham
Parasurama Tirtham
Sarva Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Candra Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sūrya Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Brahmahatti Vimochana Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Mādhava Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Nala Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Nīla Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gavaya Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gavākṣa Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gandhamādana Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sāvitrī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sarasvatī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gāyatrī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well

SOMNATH - GUJARAT

SOMNATH;
THE FIRST JYOTHIRLINGA OF THE 12. (91KMS FROM JUNAGAD)
STHAPANE BY CHANDRA, IT IS IN THE CONFLUENCE OF THREE RIVERS, KAPILA,SARASWATI AND HIRANYA, BATHING HERE IS IMPORTANT.
THE MAIN LINGA IS A GOOD 20 STEPS DOWN IN THE TEMPLE. HISTORY HAS IT THAT GHAZANI TRIED TO PLUNDER IT, AND THEN THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA HID IT INSIDE THE GROUND.
ONE MORE LINGA IS ABOVE THAT.
IN1783 INDORE RANI AHALYABAI HOLKAR REBUILT THIS TEMPLE AFTER SHE HAD A DREAM WHEREIN LORD HIMSELF TOLD HER THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS HID, AND ASKED HER TO BUILD A TEMPLE.
LATER ON SARDAR VALLABBHAI PATEL REBUILT THIS TO ITS PRESENT STATE.

NEARBY PLACES:
BHALAK THIRTH; 6KMS FROM SOMNATH,
IN THIS PLACE, THERE IS ONE PEEPAL TREE, AND THIS IS THE TREE WHEREIN LORD KRISHNA WAS TAKING REST. AND A HUNTER HIT HIS TOE WITH AN ARROW. AND THE LORD LEFT THIS WORLD HERE.
HENCE TAKING A ROUND OF THE TREE IS BELIEVED TO RELIEVE MAN OF HIS REBIRTHS.

RAMESHWARAM

Situated on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameswaram in Ramanathpuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one`s sins and brings salvation (moksha).

Being situated in Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy Mandir is popularly known as the Rameshwaram Temple.

The construction of this temple began in the 12th century; nonetheless it was completed much later, during the reign of various rulers.

Rameshwaram Temple is famous for embracing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva. The temple is also accredited for being the southern most `jyotirlinga` of India.

The Lingam of Ramanathaswamy is the presiding deity of Rameswaram Temple. The religious significance of this shrine has made it, one of the most visited temples of India.

In the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara, Ramalingam and Vishvalingam are placed side by side. Preserving the words of Lord Rama, Vishvalingam is worshipped before Ramalingam. Maha Shivarathri, Thirukalyanam, Mahalaya Amavasai and Thai Amavasai are the major festivals that are celebrated with gusto and fervor.

Ramanathaswamy Temple is closely linked with the great epic Ramayana. Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, on his victorious return from Sri Lanka. As the legend goes, Sages (Rishis) counseled Lord Rama (along with Sita and Lakshmana) to install and worship the `Shivalingam` at this place, to compensate the sin of Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin). Lord Rama approved the idea and fixed a favorable time for the installation of Shivalingam. He sent Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) to bring a `lingam` from Mount Kailash. Lord Hanuman could not return in time and it was getting late. Apprehending the situation, Sita herself made a `linga` of sand and Lord Rama installed the same. When Hanuman came back with the `linga`, the formal procedures of installation were over. Lord Rama consoled the disappointed Hanuman and installed his lingam (Visvalingam) next to Ramalinga. He enhanced the sanctity of lingam by ordaining that the rites would be made first to the Visvalingam.

It has twenty two wells in its complex, it being the main attraction of this temple.The wells have water of different taste, temperature, salinity and have curative properties as well. It is said that these wells were made by Lord Rama himself, when he fired arrows in the sand.

Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture with skyscraping gopurams (spires).

It is acknowledged for having the largest temple hallway in India. This pillared corridor extends to 4000 feet in length, embracing more than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are intricately carved with beautiful images. A hard fact about this corridor reveals that the rock doesn`t belong to the island and it was imported from somewhere across the sea.

Encompassing nine levels, the eastern Rajgopuram (spire) soars to the height of 126 feet. However, the western `gopuram` is not as high as the eastern `gopuram`. The temple comprises numerous `mandaps` having small shrines, dedicated to other deities. The colossal image of Nandi (Lord Shiva`s Bull) captures the attention, due to its sheer size. It measures 12 feet in its length and 9 feet in its height. High fortifications encircle the temple, making a rectangle along with big pyramidal `gopura` doorways on every side.

UJJAIN MAHAKALESHWAR TEMPLE

This historic city situated aa height of 1678 ft. from mean sea level and geographically positioned at 23⁰ 11 north longitude and 75⁰ 50 latitude and the tropic of cancer also passes through Ujjain, and also situated on the bank of river Shipra.Since ages Ujjain has been a centre of religocultural activities of not only the nation but also of the whole world. Since ancient times the basic reference of Hindu panchang time, namely the prime meridian passes through Ujjain. For this reason it was an important referral point on the earth for the ancient astronomers. According to Mahabharata and other Puranas (Skand purana) the Ujjain city came into existence some 3000 yrs. ago. The archaeological evidence also supports this view .

During the time of Chand Pradyot (6^th century B.C.) Buddhism was at its peak in the area of Malwa of which Ujjain was the capital. A little later, the regime of Samprati saw the jainism as a widely followed religion in this area. Later Kalidas of the 2^nd century B.C. had captured the imagination and admiration of not only India but also of the whole world. Ujjain was on the trade route joining the north and the south, the east and the west and hence trade and commerce of this area was highly developed, Coins of different regions in the country have been found in and around Ujjain which proves that the traders and pilgrims from all over the world used to visit this ancient holy city situated on the bank of the pious river Shipra ruled by Mahakala the deity of the deities. There are some landmarks in Ujjain that can find place in the world map of tourism and attract thousands of piligrims and tourisits from all over the world every year. Ujjain has been thriving on pilgrims and tourists since ages and it is likely to be so. in future too. The following is a brief note containing information on the cultural and historical monuments of Ujjain. It throws light on the existing infrastructure available in the town and also covers the new proposals that would enable the township to meet the future need of the growing tourism in this holy heritage city

Mahakala of Ujjayini is known among the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India. The glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly described in various Puranas. Starting with Kalidasa, many sanskrit poets have eulogised this temple in emotive terms. The tradition of Mahakala in the minds of the people is eternal. Ujjain used to be the central point for calculation of Indian time and Mahakala was considered as the distinctive presiding deity of Ujjain.

This temple has been renovated by successive dynasties – Shunga, Kushana, Satavahana, Gupta, Parihar, Parmara and comparatively modern period of Marathas. Altutmish pulled this temple down in 1235 A.D.

Reconstruction of this temple structure was done at the instance of Ramchandra Baba Shenvi, a Subedar of Malwa under Ranoji Scindia. Renovation and carving facilities in the temple have regularly been looked after in the contemporary period also.

The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be Dakshina Murti or southfaced. The unique distinction of dakshina murti worship, upheld in the tantric tradition is realised only in Mahakaleshwar among the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Like the Mahakala shrine installed in the upper sanctum of Omkarshewar temple, the idol of Omkarshewar-Shiva is consecrated in the upper sanctum of this temple. Nagchandreshwar image on the third story is opened for darshan only on Nagpanchmi days. Mahakala worship by Vikramaditya and Bhoja is wellknown but the temple has continued to receive royal grants for its Puja- expenses even in the Mughal period.Presently this temple is under the management of Mahakala Mandir Samiti.

Baidyanath

The importance of Jyotirlingam is well known to all. Its renowned sanctity is attached to the Hindu view of the socio-religious life of India. Jyotirlingam means the linga of light, i.e. a symbolic form of a stone tinctured with the cycle of light. It is a very surprising acknowledgment to us that the twelve lingas spray the rays of the light in the panorama of our life. It may be assumed that Jyotirlinga expels the proceeds of light which is generating with spiritual and cosmos consciousness for all. The light of Jyotirlingam is the light of cosmos which is realized by the power of soul as a whole.

Being one out of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Baidyanath is famous for all. Deoghar, the home of gods, is modern name. In Puranas we find in its place names like Haridrapeetha, Ketaki van, Haritalik van, Chitabhoomi and Vaidyanath. In Bengal and upper provinces the place is generally known as Baidyanathdham.

The sanctity of Baidyanath is mentioned in several Puranas which refer to it and as they are unquestionably the golden treasure of Hindu religion and culture, Baidyanath Jyotirlingam has attained great importance.

The Baba Baidyanath temple complex consists of the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, where the Jyotirlingam is installed, and 21 other temples. The layout below will give an idea of how these 22 temples are laid out inside the campus.

LEGENDS AND MYTHOLOGY
The Shiva Purana says that the demon-king Ravana, a great devotee of Shiva, wanted to take the lord to his land. Shiva told Ravana that he could take one of his 12 Jyotirlingas, which would be as effective as his presence. This was on the condition that Ravana would not place the linga anywhere on earth en route. The gods devised a ruse to stop him from succeeding. Varuna, the god of water, entered Ravana’s stomach and the demon had to descend to earth to relieve himself. Vishnu, in the garb of an old Brahmin, appeared before Ravana, who requested him to hold the Jyotirlinga for a few minutes. But as soon as Ravana turned his back, Vishnu left the linga on the spot and vanished. Ravana returned to find the Jyotirlinga firmly fixed to the earth. In his frustration, he pressed it with his thumb and attempted to remove it. The linga thus acquired an indentation and tilted slightly, as it is seen to this day. Thereafter, he came every day from Lanka to perform his worship. The spot where Ravana came down to the earth is now revered as the Harila Jori. The place where the linga was deposited has come to be known as Baba Dham or Ravaneshwar Baidyanath Dham, popularly shortened to Baidyanath Dham.

The Matsya Purana narrates the sanctity of Arogya Baidyanathitee, the holy place where Shakti lives and assists Shiva in freeing people from incurable diseases. Another legend of the Santhal tradition says that after the death of Ravana, the lingam used to be worshipped by a shepherd boy called Baiju. The dham and Jyotirlinga thus came to be called after him.

ARCHITECTURE AND ANTIQUITY
The main temple was built by King Puranmal of Gidaur (Bihar) in 1516. It is said that the Palas of Bengal (8th-12th century) had extended their territory till Deoghar. In inscriptions found near the Tapovan Hill and Harila Jori areas, and near the villages of Sharot and Shator, there are references to Pala kings Narayanpala and Rampala, and evidence also indicates that the latter constructed parts of the temple complex.

ORIENTATION
Baidyanath D

ham is central to Deoghar Town. A clock tower looms over the central chowk’s crossroads. The best way to get around is by auto (from Jasidih Railway Station, 1 km north-east, to Clock Tower costs Rs 25-35; shared autos charge about Rs 6-8 per person but watch out for overloading, particularly after 8 pm). From the Clock Tower, it is best to either walk or take cycle rickshaws because the lanes become very narrow and the temple administration does not allow autos beyond a point en route to the temple. From the Clock Tower, the Government Bus Stand is 1 km east and the stand for private buses is at Purana Meena Bazaar, half a kilometre away.

Baidyanath Temple
A golden pitcher weighing 65 kg, donated by the queen mother of the Gidhor family, shines bright at the crest of the temple. An extremely rare and precious moonstone is mounted on the top of the crest from inside, which is said to have been brought by the demon king Ravana from the celestial merchant Kuber’s capital Alkapuri. It is believed that droplets of water kept falling on the Jyotirlinga from the moonstone even though there is no known source of water on top of the temple. This phenomenon can be seen even today.

All the 22 temples in the complex are painted white. There are shrines to Parvati, Jagatjanani, Ganesha, Brahma, Sandhya, Kalbhairav, Hanuman, Manasha (the serpent goddess), Saraswati, Surya, Ma Bagala (one of the shorshi, ie, 16 forms of Kali), Ram-Lakshman-Janaki, Ganga-Jahnavi, Ananda-Bhairav, Gourishankar, Narmadeshwar, Shiva, Tara, Kali, Annapurna, Laxminarayana, Nilkantha and Nandi. Of these, the main temple to Shiva as Baidyanath and the temple to Parvati, 30 yards to the north-east, opposite the main sanctum, are the most revered. Shiva presides here as the vaid, or supreme physician.
Location 1 km south-west of the railway station Timings 4 am-4 pm, 6.45-9 pm
Related info The holy Ganga flows by Ajgaibinath Dham (105 km to the north of Baidyanath Dham) in Sultanganj. Every year, during the month of Shravan (mid-Jul to mid-Aug), devotees carry holy water from the Ganga on a yatra to Deoghar by foot, in order to worship Lord Shiva. The month-long Sravani Mela (Monsoon Fair) is also held at this time. Thousands of devotees, some of whom come from afar, undertake this difficult journey to form a 105-km long saffron-clad human chain that knows no caste or creed and remains virtually unbroken for 30 days. Called the ‘Kanwarias’ (the water bearers), young and old pilgrims chant ‘Bol-Bamm’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ in praise of Shiva. Besides the Sravani Mela, Deoghar becomes a fairground around Maha Shivaratri (Mar), Basant Panchami (Jan) and Bhadra Purnima (Sep) Temple Tel 06432-232295

Naulakhya Mandir
Constructed 75 years ago by a pious widow, Rani Charushila Devi, is this 146 ft tall white marble temple with impressive pillars and black idols of Radha and Krishna. As it cost almost 9 lakh rupees to build back then, it earned the name ‘naulakhya’.
Location 1.5 km south-east of Clock Tower Timings 8 am-noon, 1-4 pm

WHILE IN BAIDYANATH DHAM
On the eastern outskirts, a panoramic view of Deoghar can be had from a hillock called Nandan Pahar (3 km from Clock Tower; there is also an amusement park here, which is open 8 am-8 pm). A huge idol of Nandi is to be seen here. Harila Jori (5 km north-east) has a temple to Shiva as Haritakinath, situated in what was once a grove of hartaki (myrobalan) trees, of which only two giant specimens remain. Trikut Pahar (18 km east), also known as Trikutachal, is a 2,470-foot high hill comprising of three peaks and thus the name. There are many wood apple trees here and devotees come to collect their leaves in the month of Shravan, giving this scenic spot the title ‘the garden of Shiva’. The Trikutachal Mahadeva Temple here is also the origin of the River Mayurakshi, a stream that makes this site a picnic spot. Tapovan (10 km north-west) is said to be the place where Ravana meditated. The pond adjacent to this temple is called Shuul Kund. Note that none of these sites have fixed timings and it is best to cover them as a day tour, starting early by, say, 7 am, to return by sunset, or even earlier. It is best to hire an auto (Rs 350 return-trip, waiting time included) or taxi (the same amount, fuel charge extra @ Rs 10 per litre according to the distance covered).

AROUND BAIDYANATH DHAM
Pilgrims make it a point to pay homage to the black granite idol of Lord Krishna at the Basukinath Temple (45 km north-east of Deoghar, on the way to Dumka). The dam across the River Mayurakshi at Masanjorh is a tourist attraction (145 km south-east; open 9 am-5 pm).

How to reach Babadham

Babadham is located in north-eastern Jharkhand, four miles from Jasidih railway station on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. There is a small railway branch line from Jasidih to Babadham. The railway station at Babadham is called Baidyanath Dham.

Babadham stands near the G.T. Road connecting Calcutta with Delhi. From the G.T. Road, you can take a turn to the state road at Bagodar or at Dumri. Devotees coming down from Kolkata or other parts of West Bengal can take the route via Jamtara.

In the North-East Dumka, Rajmahal and Bhagalpur; in the North-West Munger; in the West Hazaribag and in the South Giridih district border the region.

Check out the detailed map of Jharkahnd

Passenger buses run regularly from Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Hazaribag, Bhagalpur, Dumka, Patna, Gaya, Munger, and other places in Jharkhand and Bihar to Deogarh. Taxis and Rickshaws are available at Babadham and at Jasidih railway station.

Nearby Airports are - Ranchi, Gaya, Patna and Kolkata.

By Road

By road Babadham (Deoghar) to Kolkatta 373 kms, Giridih 112 kms, Patna 281 kms, Dumka 67 kms, Madhupur 57 kms, Shimultala 53 kms etc.

Approximate journey time is 6 hrs from Munger,Ranchi, Dhanbad; 3 hrs from Sultanganj and 4 hrs from Bhagalpur & Hazaribag.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Jasidih (10 kms) on Howarah - Patna - Delhi line.

Darshan Timings

On a normal day, the worshipping of Baidyanath Jyotirlingam begins at 4 AM The temple doors open at this time. The Head priest worships with Shodashopachar. Then the devotees begin their worship of the lingam.

The most interesting tradition is that priests of the temple pour kuchcha Jal upon the lingam first, later on other pilgrims pour water and offer flowers and Vilva leaf upon the lingam. The Puja rituals continue till 3.30 PM After this the temple doors are closed.

In the evening at 6 PM the doors are opened again for devotees/ pilgrims and the process of worshipping begins. At this time Shringar Puja takes place.

Scent is spread over the lingam. Again a stream of water is poured over the lingam. Sandal paste of Malayagiri is also pasted on the head of the lingam. There is an interesting tradition that a snake like throne of flowers (Jata Mukut) is also placed on the lingam which comes regularly from the Deoghar Jail since the British time.

Normally, at 9 PM the temple doors are closed.