JALAKANTESHWARA TEMPLE, NAGARTHPET BENGALURU

SRI JALAKENTESHWARA TEMPLE BENGALURU, This is also a very old temple of bengaluru and is opposite the famous karaga temple in nagarthpet, it also houses nanjundeshwara, annapoorna, saibaba, shaneshwara temples too

JODI MUNNESHWARA TEMPLE BANGALORE

JODI MUNNESHWARA TEMPLE BANGALORE This temple has become famous after it appeared in the serial HEGU UNTE programme. the temple is unique as it has two shivlings the temple is also famous for many poojas and also for the readings you get from the kavades

RUDRESHWAR TEMPLE, WARANGAL, TELENGANA

 

VAIDYANATESHWARA TEMPLE. MADDUR, MANDYA, KARNATAKA

Very near to maddur bus stand,
history says, the lord here is a vaidya (doctor) and can cure many diseases

SHRI TILBHANDESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE, KASHI

Jagrit Temple "Shri TilBhandeshwar Mahadev" Kashi
Kashi,the oldest living city on this planet, the city is having many 'Jagrit' (live) temples where one can realise the power supreme.
Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev is one of the many Jagrit temples of Kashi.The temle is situated at Pandey Haveli,near Bhelupur,Varanasi.
This is a temple of Lord Shiv.The Shiv Lingam of this temple is said to be shvambhu i.e. emerge by itself.
The Shiv Linga is said to emerge 2500 years ago.
It is mentioned in Shri Shiv Puran about the Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev.The ShivLingam is said to increase by size of a 'til'.
This fact is proven scientifically and it is a miracle which can be seen by the eyes.Presently the visible part of the Shiv Ling is almost 3.5 ft. and the diameter of the base would be around 3 ft. (approx).
The exact height of whole Shiv Lingam is not known bt it must be around20 ft
There is a special silence in the temple unlike other temples ther is no 'panda' system so one can go to main GarbhGriah where the Shiv Ling is offer Jal and can sit and meditate in the feets of Lord.
Just go there aur BABA k charno me sir rakh do and feel the Power Supreme.....
Har Har Mahadev !!
Daily the Shringar is done after 3:30 pm and special shringar is done on every Monday which is a real beautiful thing to see and everyday around 10 am & 7PM the bhog and aarti is done .
The real delighment which can be felt there can't be expressed in words!!

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.

KAIVARA-

Kaivara

Kaivara is located in the Chintamani Taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. It is about 65 km from Bangalore. This place is historically significant. It is said that the Pandavas of the great Indian epic Mahabharata lived here during the exile in the forest (Vanavasa).Bheema, the brother of Dharmaraja, has established a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva ( Bheemalingeswara temple). Bheema is said to have killed the demon Bakasura inside a cave above the hills, in this place.Hence Cave-war might have become Kaivara.
During the Dwaparayuga this town was known as Ekachakrapura.

The reigning deity is Sri YogiNareyana, born as Narayanappa in 1726
Lived a fruitful life for 110 years before he passed away in 1836.
Popularly known as Kaivara Thatayya in Kannada & Telugu language.


An Ashram that is dedicated to this famous saint is a pilgrimage and every year many thousands of pilgrims visit this place. It is fast becoming a tourist spot now.

This very beautiful town is situated in a picturesque valley.



MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Amaranarayana Temple: This is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is famous for its architecture. The temple has four sculpted stone pillars with exquisitely carved designs. This constitutes the Navranga Mandapa. The idol here was installed by King Vishnuvardhana who belonged to the Hoysala dynasty.

Aranya Rama Temple: Close to the Amaranarayana is another small shrine dedicated to Lord Rama, where he resides with Sita devi and Lakshmana.

Bheemeswara Temple:This is on a small hillock, Mythology has it that Bheema killed the Rakshasa Bakasura when the Pandavas were in exile here thereby relieving the citizens of this place of a tyrant. To honor this deed a temple was built here for Bheema which is the Bheemeswara Temple.

Narayanappa Mutt: A mutt/ashram dedicated to the famous Telugu/Kannada composer and writer Narayanappa (1730-1840 AD). It is said that this saint was initially a bangle seller. There after he got his call and dedicated his life to sainthood writing and composing many literary works some of which are the famous ‘Amaranarayana Shathaka and ‘Kaalagnana’.

Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple: This temple is at a distance of about a kilometer from the Mutt, on a small hillock called Vaikunta. This is the place where Narayanappa was on meditation for over three years. The statue of Narayanappa is installed here. A magnificent prayer hall is within the precincts of the temple which is huge and boasts of an excellent view of the surrounding hills and valleys. This is an ideal place for meditation.
Other places of interest near Kaivara

Ambaji Durga Cave Temple (kailasagiri): This place is about 7 km from Kaivara and is quick drive from Kaivara.

Lord Venkateswara Temple, Alamgiri: This is also within a 10km radius of Kaivar.


This town is famous for the saint called Narayanappa or popularly known as Kaivara Thatayya in Kannada & Telugu.He lived here during the last half of eighteenth century and first half of nineteenth century. Thatayya was a bilingual poet. Narayanappa has written number of prophecies about forthcoming events Kaala Jnana.He has also written Keertanas (poems in praise of the Lord in different forms) in praise of Amara Narayanaswamy, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, both in Kannada and Telugu languages. The Keertanas are comparable to those of famous Keertanakaras of Karnataka like Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa. He also appears to have influenced by the Vemana Kavi and VeeraBramhendra swamy of present Andhra pradesh and also Sarvajna of the present Karnataka.

One of his valuable writings is Bramhanandpuri Shataka in which he has explained all the nuances of Yoga in depth and detail.

There is one unique poem in which half of the each line is in Kannada and the other half in Telugu language. (The same has been sung by Sri Balamurali krishna, one of the famous and versatile musicians of the present times. The music cassettes sung by the renowned musician was the result of the great efforts put by the Late Sri M S Ramaiah, Educationist and philanthropist of Bangalore.)

There is an Ashram dedicated to the Thatayya. Kaivara has become a pilgrimage and a tourist place because of the cave in which Thatayya meditated and attained the supreme spiritual enlightenment. The Ashram, the cave, Amara Narayanaswamy temple, Vaikunta (temple) by the side of the cave and the hillock (on which Bheema supposed to have killed the Bakasura) are the places worth visiting.

The bonus point is the beautiful park maintained by the forest department of Karnataka.

Kaivara is an ideal place to visit during the weekend as it is very near to Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Free boarding (prasada)and well maintained low cost accommodation are available at Ashram.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit this place would be between January to March and June to September. In fact from Bangalore you could visit there over a weekend
getting there:

By Air: Bangalore airport is the nearest airport from where a taxi can be hired to travel the 30 odd kilometers to Kaivara.

By Rail: Many trains from all over India run to Bangalore. From Bangalore a taxi or any other road transportation can be hired to go to Kaivara.

By Road: National Highways - NH4, NH7, NH212 and NH48 converge on Bangalore. Kolar where Kaivara is situated lies on NH4 to the East of Bangalore.


What to do?

* You should visit the Zoo, the snake park and the crocodile farm there which are being very well maintained by the forest department of Karnataka.
* If you are a naturalist, you must study sericulture and horticulture and this place is a host many exotic flora and fauna. The place has many small scale industries flourishing in the business of sericulture and horticulture.
* The hilly terrain would give ample opportunities for trekking and rock climbing. But please make sure you are there with an experienced trekker or rock climber. Do not undertake this adventure on your own. The rocks are and hills are deceptively dangerous.

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI

Located in the second largest city of Tamil Nadu i.e Madurai.

The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums for Meenakshi and Sundareshwara, surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls.

The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.

The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple.

The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, known as
Sundareshvara and his consort Parvatior Meenakshi.

According to legend Madurai is the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place.

Their soaring towers rise from solid granite bases, and are covered with stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters painted in vivid colours.

RAMAPPA TEMPLE,

Located in the small town of Palampet which is at a distance of about 77 km from Warangal.

The temple is an excellent illustration of remarkable Kakatiya art.

It is referred to as the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples in the Deccan”.

From an inscription in the temple itself, one comes to know, that the temple was constructed in the year 1213 during the reign of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.

It has within some very exquisite sculptures.

The Ramappa Temple is perhaps the only temple in the whole of India which is named after its sculptor Ramappa.

The bricks that have been used to build the Ramappa Temple are so light that they can float on water. In spite of that the strength of the bricks should never be undermined for even after the passage of so many years the Ramappa Temple still stands strong.

Three shrines dedicated to Rudreswara, Kateswara and Kameswara are there in the Ramappa Temple but the latter two are in ruins. A shikhara crowns this temple which stands on a 6 ft high platform. There are umpteen beautifully carved pillars.

A nine feet high Nandi Bull greets one at the entrance of the temple premises, the walls and ceilings covered with intricate carvings that depict stories from the Puranas and Indian mythology.

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.