India's most popular pilgrimages

India's most popular pilgrimages 

Shri Pavapuri Tirtha in Bihar

This Jain tirtha, or temple complex, is located in the midst of a loyus-filled lake and it is believed that Lord Mahavir last preached and then attained nirvana here. The foot impressions of the Jain prophet may also be seen here, inside the main tirthanker, the Shri Mahavir Bhagavan Charanapaduka

The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh

This famous Hindu temple is believed to be the richest and most-visited place of worship in the world, seeing between one and two lakh visitors every day, most of whom get their hair shaved by way of offering to the deity.Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Venkateswara, evidence indicates that it dates as far back as 300 AD and the idol within is believed by the pious to have self-manifested.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan

Dedicated to the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, this mosque is one of the most-visited pilgrimage spots for Muslims in India. It is believed that the saint first set foot in the country at Ajmer.

The towering facade, the twinkling lights that adorn the structure at night, the courtyards and the imposing dome are only a few of its many attractions. On top of the dargah's gateway are two pairs of naqqars (beating drums), which were presented by Mughal Emperor Akbar. But for the religious-minded, it is the mausoleum that holds the tomb of Moinuddin Chishti which is most important.

Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab

 For the Sikh faith, there is no greater shrine than this, one of their oldest and most ornate temples.

Harmandir Sahib means 'House of God' and it contains the holy text of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib. The external facade of the temple is coated with real gold, hence the title 'The Golden Temple'. The water in the lake surrounding it is also considered holy and within, the temple holds several shrines dedicated to gurus and martyrs.The four entrances, one on each side, represent a welcome to all, irrespective of creed, colour or gender. Several prominent personalities have also visited the temple, among them Queen Elizabeth II and the Dalai Lama.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu

 This Roman Catholic Shrine was Eracted in the mid-16th century as a result of three miracles -- the appearance of Mother Mary and the Child Christ to a shepherd, the curing of a crippled buttermilk vendor and the safe delivery of Portuguese sailors from a storm at sea. Also known as the 'Lourdes of the East', the church at Velankanni has been constructed in the Gothic style of architecture and is believed to possess healing powers, which is why pilgrims from across the world flock here to be cured.

Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar

 Literally translated, 'Mahabodhi' means 'great awakening'.

This brick temple, one of the oldest such structures in the country, is located 96 kilometres from Patna and upon a site most revered by devout Buddhists, who believe that the Buddha attained enlightenment here. To the right of it is the Bodhi tree, under which he is believed to have sat in meditation. The great Indian emperor Asoka is believed to have built the original shrine at Bodh Gaya around 250 BC and the current structure dates back to 5 or 6 AD.

Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi, Maharashtra

Shirdi sees followers of Sai Baba pour in from every corner of the world to pay their respects to the resting place of the sage -- an average of 20,000 a day and 1,00,000 on festive occasions. Located in a temple complex, Sai Baba's mausoleum is constructed of pure white marble, with silver columns of intricate design. It also contains several relics from the life of the saint, articles he used in day-to-day life and a stunning statue of him in Italian marble, seated under an umbrella of silver.

Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta, Kerala

With over 50 million devotees flocking to Sabarimala, tucked into the Western Ghats of Kerala, it is the largest annual pilgrimage spot in the world -- and that's even more remarkable when you consider that it's not easily accessible and involves a lot of ritualistic penance (abstinence from sex, non-vegetarian food, alcohol, smoking, abusive language and cutting of hair) and climbing. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Ayappan, is believed to have been at the spot where he meditated after destroying the demoness Mahishi. It sits on a hilltop 914 metres above sea level, and is surrounded by thick woods. Although it welcomes all devotees irrespective of religion, women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not permitted into the temple, out of respect for Lord Ayappan, who is believed to have been a brahmachari (celibate).

The temples of Tamil Nadu

The skyline of our southernmost state is dotted with a wealth of ancient temples that have survived centuries and continue to be worshipped today.

While a mention of all these structures is quite impossible, the most prominent among them are the Chidambaram Temple in the temple town of Chidambaram, the Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple in Madurai and the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva

Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each of which represents a natural element; this one is representational of akasha or ether. Sprawled over 40 acres, the complex is vast, with water bodies within and around and it holds a jewelled deity of of Nataraja. It has seen several renovations through centuries of existence, notably at the hands of a clan of Vishwakarmas and Pallava/Chola royalty.

The Meenakshi Sundareswara, dedicated to both Shiva and his consort Parvati, is a massive complex consisting o several tall Gopurams or towers with two golden ones for the presiding god and goddess. Intricately carved and painted, the architecture will take your breath away and the shrines are many and awe-inspiring, like the huge single-stone Ganesha sculpture and the Thousand Pillar Hall.

At Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara Temple was the world's first all-granite temple, constructed by the Cholas. The Vimana or temple tower is 66 metres high and a giant statue of the sacred bull, Nandi, carved out of a single stone 16 feet long and 13 feet high stands at the entrance. The architecture is in the Dravida style and the entire complex is surrounded by a moat and fortified with high walls.

Pilgrimage spots by the Ganga

While not all of them hold one specific shrine of supreme importance, India's holy towns of Varanasi, Allahabad, Badrinath, Haridwar and Rishikesh are among the country's most popular pilgrimage spots due to their spiritual history and connection to the holy Ganges river.

Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh holds significance for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. In fact, Hindus believe that a pilgrimage to the town at least once in a lifetime and the immersion of the ashes of cremated ancestors in te Ganges is a must. The town is believed to have been established by Lord Shiva himself nearly 5,000 years ago and it is certainly one of the oldest existing within the country.

Allahabad, also in Uttar Pradesh, is another sacred city in UP, where legend has it the god Brahma made his first sacrifice after having created the world. Located at the confluence of the holy rivers of both the Ganges and the Yamuna, the devout believe a third, invisible river, the Sarasvati, joins them here. Allahabad is also the site of the Maha Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, which takes place here every 12 years and the Purna Kumbh Mela, which is held only once in 144 years. The melas are attended by millions from across the world.

Like Allahabad, Haridwar in Uttarakhand also hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela once in 12 years. It is the first city that the Ganga passes through upon its entry to the Indo-Gangetic plain. According to Hindu mythology, it was here that the holy bird Garuda accidentally spilled a few drops of Amrit (holy manna that rendered immortality) while carrying it in a pitcher or kumbha (the kumbha is symbolic of the womb, where life begins).

The gateway to the Himalayas, Rishikesh, is located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The city flanks the Ganges and is named after one of Lord Vishnu's many forms, Lord Hrishikesh. It is believed that Hrishikesh appeared here under a mango tree to a sage, to reward his austere dedication to the spiritual path.

Salasar Balaji

Salasar Balaji is a religious place for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. It is situated in Churu district of Rajasthan. Salasar Dham attracts innumerable Indian worshipers throughout the year. On ChaitraPurnima and Ashvin Purnima large fairs are organized every year where more than 6 to 7 lakhs of people assemble here to pay their homage to the deity. Hanuman Sewa Samiti looks after the management of the Temple and the fairs. There are many Dharamshalas to stay and restaurants to eat. The temple of Sri Hanuman is situated right in the middle of the Salasar.

Shri Khatu Shyamji

 Khatushyam ji is 65 Km. away from SIKAR & 80 Km. from Jaipur via Reengus. This little village is Famous for Shyam ji Temple built in white marble . Temple, Ponds for holy dip and Shyam garden is worth visiting . A large fair is held every Year in the month of FALGUNSUDI EKADASI When lacs of people thronged there. A large number of Dharamshala's are there to accommodate thousands of pilgrims

Shri Jeen Mata

Jeenmata Dham is abode of Jeen Mata. Mata is an incarnation of the Durga. Her abode is nestled in the picturesque Aravalli hills in Raiwasa, District Sikar, State of Rajasthan in India, 115 kms from Jaipur-the state capital. The sacred shrine of JeenMata is belived to be thousands of years old. Millions of devotees throng the temple round the year. The congregation of devotees assumes a much colourful look during bi-annual Navratri celebrations - held twice a year in the solar calendar months of Chaitra(around February-March) and Ashvin(around October-November)-popularly known as the Navratris (nine holy days).
Jeenmata temple is surrounded by thick forest on all sides, enveloped in tall mountain curtains from all sides. Its full and real name is Jayantimata. The year of its construction is not known, however the sabhamandapa(congregation hall) and pillars are definitely very old. It is believed that the Pandavas (ancient rulers of Hastinapur state of India),
came to the thick forests of this temple during their exile from Hastinapur. The Pandavas spent part of their exile here incognito and reconstructed the mandir in the style of its present architecture. The place has acquired a great religious importance and is held sacred by all. A natural grace of serenity is lent by the lushgreen vegetation and rich flora and fauna of the surroundings.

History

There is a popular belief which has come down to people through the centuries that in a village Ghoghu of Churu, King Ghangh loved and married an Apsara (nymph) on the condition that he would not visit her palace without prior information to her (Apsara). King Ghangh got a son called Harsha and a daughter Jeen. Afterwards, Apsara again conceived but as chance would have it, king Ghangh went to her palace without prior intimation and thus violated solemn vow he had made to the Apsara. Instantly, she left the king and fled away with her son Harsha and daughter Jeen whom she abandoned at the place where presently the temple stands. The brother Harsha loved and fulfilled all desires of his sister. Harsha got married on the desire of her sister. Wife of Harsh could not tolerate the love and affection of her husband with his sister. She succeeded in her evil designs to create misunderstanding between the two. As a result, Jeen left the place of her brother to a life of severe austerity and penance in the forests. The brother realized his mistake and reached for Jeen. But he could not convince her to change her mind. Harsh, the brother, also decided to practice the same austerity and penance and undertook the devotion to the Almighty on a different mountain. The two children practiced extreme asceticism atop separate hills in thick forests. With time Jeen gained status of `Durga’ as her Avatar and Harsh achieved the incarnation of `Bhairon’- helper of `Shiva’. In time, a Chauhan ruler built a temple at that place. The main temple has a very high Shikhar (Pinnacle) in the midst.
Goddess Jeen Mata is Devi herself, the very embodiment of divine cosmic power. The deity is Mahishasura Mardini Durga having eight arms. The miraculous deity fulfills the wishes of all her devotees. Whosoever acts unholily in the temple precincts is punished with a divine retribution. Mahishasura was demon in the form of a buffalo. He waged a fierce battle with Shri Durga. He with his forces affronted the goddess with all his demonic powers. The battle with Durga has been beautifully described in the third chapter of Shri Durga Saptashati. Finally, Durga pressed Mahisha with her foot and struck his neck with her lance. The lion too suppressed Mahisha (then in the buffalo form). This lion riding eight-armed form of Durga is Mahishasura Mardini. Here, Jeen Mata is worshipped in her eight-armed form.
Later, the saint of Puri Sampradaya had visited this place and established a Dhuni (Hawan Kund/Hole Hearth). Great Saint Kapil Muni had come to this place and with his asceticism, he generated continous water from the mountains that created a Kund (Water Pond). The Mata is bathed with this holy jal (water of pond) by the head priest of mandir everyday. The holy jal rids the bhakts (devouts of the Mata) of their stubbornest of ills.
Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb wanted to raze to the ground the Mandir of Mata. Being invoked by Her priests, the Mata let out its army of bhairons (a specie of fly family) which brought the Emperor and his soldiers to their knees. He sought pardon and the Kind hearted Mataji excused him from Her anger. Aurangzeb donated akhand (Ever-glow) oil lamp from his Delhi palace. This lamp is still glowing in the sacred sanctorium of the Mata.

Rani Sati Temple Jhunjhunu

Shri Ranisati Mandir in Jhunjhunu has a history of more than 400 years and is a commanding testimony to feminine bravery and motherhood with rich tales of history that captivate the fancy of all tourists. Counted among the magnum opus temples of India, Ranisati Temple in Jhunjhunu is famous for its paintings. It is one of the earliest pilgrimages in the country. This imposing historic masterpiece is unparalleled in its appeal and is a delight to all eyes.
History of Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu
Located in Jhunjhunu, Rani Sati temple in Jhunjhunu it is one of the magnificent temples in India. The temple enjoys the distinction of being one of the ancient pilgrimages in the country. The temple is a historic and unprecedented work of genius that warrants a special visit.
Description of Rani Sati Temple,Jhunjhunu
Billions of worshippers and followers, not only in India but worldwide too come visiting Jhunjhunu's Rani Sati Temple. Devotees from all over offer their prayers and puja everyday almost ritualistically. Jhunjhunu Rani Sati Temple is the epitome of secular thoughts of India as followers of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain follow and worship Shri Rani Satiji with equal piety, devotion and unwavering faith.

On the occasion of Bhado Amavasya or the no-moon day a sacred Pujanutsav is held in Jhunjhunu. Millions of devotees gather at the temple complex every year on this auspicious day and stand in queue to get a glimpse of the majestic Shri Rani Satiji. The most characteristic feature of Jhunjhunu Shri Rani Sati Temple is that there is no statue or image of any female or male Gods. A trident in the form of power and force is worshipped, which as per the Hindu religion, is the supreme might.

A splendid portrait of the Rani Satiji is located in the Pardhan Mand with the imposing Shikhar. The entire edifice in white marble is charming. The main Temple of Shri Rani Satiji is the place for the main sanctum sanctorum. The temple also boasts colorful wall paintings. The temple is graced with fine murals which bear the unmistakable imprint of bearing the brunt of time.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Rajashtan

Sri Mehandipur Balaji Temple is situated in Dausa,Rajasthan.Basically Shri Mehendipur Balaji Temple is Lord Hanuman Ji's Temple.Long ago the image of Lord Balaji and that of Pret Raja (the King of spirits) appeared from the Arawali hills. Now people suffering from malignant spirits and black magic or spell get their relief when they make an appeal for relief to Shri Bhairav ji and Shri Pret Raj Sarkar who holds his court and awards punishment to the malignant spirits, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, evil eyed witches etc.Shrine of Balaji, Court of Pret Raja, Pooja griha, Bhairav ji temple and Ram Darbar are some of the spots worth seeing here.

Religious ritualistic performances, charity, feeding the poor, homeless and incapacitated people, water supply for all and fodder for cows and stray animals are the activities of this temple.

Balaji temple at Mehandipur in Rajasthan is very Powerful place. It is believed that the deity in this temple has divine power to cure a person possessed with evil spirit.Hundreds of 'Sankatwalas', as the possessed people are refereed to in local lingo, throng to the temple everyday to offer prayers and have 'darshan'. The temple has also become a home and the last respite for the victims.The 'Mahant' of the temple, Shri Kishor Puri Ji, prescribes the treatment. It can include reading holy texts, following a strict vegetarian and simple diet, and even afflicts physical pain to one's body.

One can witness people going through various physical therapies like keeping heavy stones on their body , on arms, legs and chest , to ease their pain. There are others who inhale the smoke that fumes out of the sweet Patasa's kept on smoldering cowpats. The ones with serious case of spirit possession, who tends to get violent, are even shackled in chains within the temple premises.

This may appear a bit anachronistic at the first glance, but thousands of people are believed to have been cured in this way. Festival time (Holi, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera etc) are regarded as the most auspicious time to emancipate from the evil spirit

Medical science may discard such approach to the ailment as self-deceptions based on blind faith, but for the believers, the power of Balaji is something supernatural, something beyond metaphysics. 

Shri Amarnath Yatra

The tradition of Amarnath Yatra dates back to ancient times. According to legend the cave is situated at the place where Lord Shiva had given amrit (nectar) to the gods of the Hindu pantheon who wished to attain immortality. It is believed that Lord Shiva adopted the shape of an ice-lingam which still exists in the cave. It is in this context that the place has been mentioned as Amrishwar by Kalhan, the famous Kashmiri poet-historian of yore in his Raj Tarangni.

The Yatra was abandoned for a long time due to devastating floods and other natural calamities in the valley. In those years it was impossible to even locate the sacred cave. A local Muslim family called Maliks residing in Mattan is said to have re-discovered it. They told the Pandits of Mattan about the cave and accompanied them to show it. The Yatra was thus revived. The successive generations of the Malik family of Mattan have since then been taking an active part in preparation of the Yatra and they get a share of the offerings at the cave.

The Cave of Amarnath is only about 50 kilometers from Pahalgam in south Kashmir but involves tough walking, trekking and pony-riding, Palanquins are also used in some cases while negotiating the path through tortuous mountains. From the base camp at Pahalgam which is at height of 9,000 feet above sea-level, pilgrims have to cross an altitude of 9,500 feet to reach Chandanwari, just 14 kilometers away from Pahalgam, and similar very difficult climbs to reach the next stops at Sheshnag, Panjtarniand and the Mahagunus Pass, located at 14,000 feet. In the last stage of the yatra, however, a pilgrim has to undergo a descent of about 1,000 feet to reach the Holy Cave located at a height of about 13,000 feet above sea level.

The Kashmiri labourers, invariably all Muslims, help the pilgrims throughout. The pilgrims traverse the route chanting " Har Har Mahadev" and "Amarnath Swami Ki Jai". The Muslim helpers join them by saying "Ya Peer Dastgeer". The Yatra culimates on the full moon day of August.

Pushkar mela

The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela the world`s largest camel fair , is an annual fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is celebrated on Kartika Purnima during October- November for twelve days. Brahma, the Creator, was cursed by Shiva not to be worshipped. Though there is no cult of Brahma, he is invoked in all the major and minor sacred ceremonies. And Pushkar is the only place in India where Brahma is worshipped in a living shrine. The Pushkar Lake is believed to have had a miraculous origin. According to a legend, a demon called Vajra Nabha, living at Pushkar had killed the children of Brahma. In revenge, Brahma killed him with a lotus stalk. As he did so, petals from the lotus flower fell at three places in Pushkar where three lakes arose, Jyeshtha the main one, Madhyama the middle one and Kanishtha, the middle one.

Brahma decided to perform the Yajna at Pushkar on Kartika Purnima. He invited devas and the sages. All was set for the worship and the auspicious hour was drawing near but there was no sign of Brahma`s wife, Savitri. Brahma was growing nervous and repeatedly sent for her but did not arrive on time. A religious ceremony could not be performed without a wife. Fearing that the auspicious hour would soon be over, he quickly married a local girl Gayatri, who was grazing her cattle nearby. The Yajna was in full swing when Savitri arrived for the ceremony. Seeing another woman in her place, Savitri flew into a rage and cursed all devas and sages present at the ceremony. She left for her hilltop shrine and it is believed that she has not come down till today. To counteract the effect of the shraap (curse) Brahma, quickly created another goddess called Shraap-Mohini and asked everyone present to have her darshan, so that they were freed from Savitri`s curse. Shrap-Mohini has a temple on top of a hill facing that of Savitri.

Haridwar

Haridwar is considered as the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttrakhand region, The Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains with Hardwar being the first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids completely nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm here. The water is clean and people prefer taking bath on the numerous ghats built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana.

Mansa Devi

Mansa Devi is one of the most popular and most visited temples of Haridwar, Uttaranchal. The temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Power). Located at the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill), Mansa Devi Temple can be reached by taking local buses, rickshaws or by hiring from Haridwar. In order to reach the hill-top, one can either go for trekking or for cable-car.

Mansa Devi Temple is an ancient temple that attracts people from both far and near due to its significance. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills all the wishes of a sincere devotee. Actually, the term 'Mansa' is the altered form of word 'Mansha', which means 'wish'. On the top of the hill, there are many shops where coconuts, fruits, marigold garlands and incense sticks are available. These things are offered to the Goddess.

To visit the temple, pilgrims have to follow a queue for the 'darshan' of the Goddess. Mansadevi is said have born from the mind of Saint Kashyap. She is regarded as the wife of Nag Raja Vasuki. This temple is one of the most prominent temples of North India. Mansa Devi is one of the famous Siddh Peethas (Holy Places where one's wishes are fulfilled) along with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi in Haridwar.

People usually tie threads on a holy tree that is located in the vicinity of the temple asking the Goddess to fulfill their wishes. On the fulfillment of the wishes, people come to untie the thread from the same tree once again. The temple is of great importance to the followers of Hinduism. One can have a panoramic view of Haridwar from the top of Bilwa Hill .

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hills of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.

The temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in Northern India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 13.5 kilometres (8.38851 miles) from Katra Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine.

The Temple of Eklingji

Eklingji is a Hindu temple complex in Udaipur District of Rajasthan in western India. Eklingji is believed to be the Ruling deity of Mewar Princely State and the Ruler Maharana rules as his Dewan.

Begun in 971, the temple complex was built by the Guhila (later called Sesodia) dynasty of Mewar, in honor of their presiding deity Eklingji, a form of Lord Shiva. The beautifully sculpted temple complex includes 108 temples within its high walls. The main temple, which dates to the 15th century, was rebuilt from the ruins of an earlier destroyed temple. The walled complex is made of marble and granite and has an enormous double-storied, elaborately pillared hall or "mandap" under a vast pyramidal roof, with a four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble. Another temple in the complex is the Lakulish Temple; built in 971, it is the only temple of the Lakulish sect in the whole of India.

Located 22 km north of Udaipur, Eklingji is conveniently reached by bus and car. Tourists can access to this place from RSTC buses that runs from Udaipur to Eklingji and other major destinations of Rajasthan. It hardly takes an hour (60 Minutes) to reach Eklingji from Udaipur. The Eklingji temple is surrounded by long walls of hard rock.
This fascinating temple was built in 734 A.D. It consists of 108 temples chiseled out of sandstone and marble. The temple complex is devoted to the royal family of Mewar. The Maharana of Udaipur pays a private visit to the temple on Monday evening.
Eklingji is a revered place of devotion for Hindu tourists in India. Most of the faithful pilgrims visit the temple on Monday to seek the special blessings of Lord Shiva. On other days of the week the temple is relatively crowd free.
There are other ancient temples near Eklingji, such another Shiva Temple that was build in the time of Maharana Raimal between 1473 and 1509.
About 1 km from Eklingji, Nagda town is famous for its Sas-bahu and Adbudji temples. The Sas-Bahu Temple is widely known for its exquisite stone carvings, which are related to incidents in the great Indian epic the Ramayana.

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

Siddhivinayak Temple is a highly revered shrine of Lord Ganesha in India. Dating back to the early nineteenth century, the temple was built by Mr. Laxman Vithu and Mrs. Deubai Patil in 1801. Sited at Prabhadevi, Siddhi Vinayak Temple is definitely one of the most visited temples of Mumbai. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the 'Lord of Beginnings' as per the Hindu Mythology. The temple has a small hall, where the image of Shri Siddhi Vinayak is placed gracefully in the shrine.

The wooden main gate of the shrine is engraved with various images of Ashtavinayak, which symbolize the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha. In the sanctum sanctorum, the gold-plated ceiling makes the worthy crown of the Lord. Ganpati is depicted with four arms, while holding a lotus flower, an axe, platter of modakas and a garland of beads respectively in each of his hands. The image is flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi, two consorts of Lord Ganesha.

Near the main entrance of the temple complex, there is a beautiful image of Lord Hanuman. Tuesday is believed to be the ruling day of Lord Ganesha, so people come in large numbers on this day. In the year 1994, Siddhi Vinayak Temple was renovated to embrace the huge crowd. During the celebratory time of Ganesh Chaturthi, the temple is visited by inestimable number of people. It is said that Lord fulfills all the wishes of his loyal devotees.

A major landmark of Prabhadevi, Siddhi Vinayak Temple is well-known among the Hindus. 'Phool Gali' is a narrow street outside the temple that is a hub of many flower sellers. You can see a tight security within and outside the temple, to ensure safety of the people and the temple. At the time of Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturthi, the minutest space available at the temple gets occupied. Come to Mumbai, pay a visit to Shri Siddhi Vinayak and receive his blessings. Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Anil Ambani are famous "Bhakts' of 'Sidhdhi Vinayak Temple.'

Somnath Mahadev Temple

The principal temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in gold by the moon god Soma, in silver by the sun god Ravi, in wood by Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple, built in 1951, is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. Commanding a breathtaking view from the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, kissed by the waves of the Arabian coast, the temple has been constructed in the Chalukyan style with a shikhara nearly 50 m tall. The temple's imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central shivalinga. In the vast courtyard stand the massive mandapa (hall), as well as the main shrine, whose gently curved pyramidal forms tower over the whole complex.

Through a side door the sea is visible shimmering in the sunlight. Try slipping out to gaze at the roaring waves below, which though not safe for swimming, present an exhilarating spectacle. In view, you will find a tower called Deep Stambha  on the embankment. On the top is a shape like a conch shell on its side, and in the tower is an arrow pointing directly to the south pole (interestingly, a line between here and the south pole crosses no land until Antarctica.)

The Kartik Purnima Fair is held here for four days beginning on Kartik Sud 14 according to the Hindu calendar, and attracts crowds in large numbers.

MAHALAXMI TEMPLE OF KOLHAPUR

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur is dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the Lord resides in this area, along with the Goddess. The temple holds the distinction of being one of the Shakti Peethas in India and is held in great regard by the people of Maharashtra. One can find the mention of the Mahalakshmi Temple of Kohlapur in the various puranas (holy books) of Hindu religion. It is believed to have been built somewhere around 700 AD, by the rulers of the Chalukya Empire.

The temple holds special significance for the devotees, since it is believed to be one of the six places in India, where one will either get his desires fulfilled or obtain salvation from them. The image of the deity has been placed on a stone platform. The Goddess is shown having four arms and crowned with a beautiful tiara, which has been made of precious gemstone and weighs approximately 40 kilograms. The crown has been adorned with an image of the Sheshnag, the serpent regarded as the vehicle of Vishnu.

In each of the four hands of the Goddess is a different object, believed to have symbolic value. The lower right hand holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit) and the upper right hand holds a large mace (kaumodaki). In the upper left hand is a shield (khetaka), while in the lower left hand, there is a bowl (panpatra). Besides the idol stands a stone statue of a lion, considered as the vehicle (vahana) of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The image of Goddess Mahalaxmi looks towards the west (Pashchim) direction.

Jai Santoshi Maa Temple, Jodhpur

Santhoshi Mata Temple is situated in Lal Sagar, near Mandore, which is about 10 kilometres away from Jodhpur city, Rajasthan. 'Santhoshi Mata' is a goddess worshipped particularly by women in India. There are several Santhoshi Mata temples in various places all over India. But the temple in Jodhpur is considered among devotees as the ‘original temple’.

Friday is the most auspicious day for praying in Santhoshi Mata temple. It is widely believed, especially after a 1975 Bollywood super hit film with the name “Jai Santhoshi Maa, that fasting and praying in Santhoshi Mata temple for 16 consecutive Fridays would bring good fortune and luck to the family. 

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

 

 Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.

The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Surya Mandir

 

Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.
This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.
Legend has it that Samba, the king of Krishna and Jambavati entered the bathing chamber of Krishna's wifes, and was cursed by Krishna with leprosy. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri. Accordingly Samba reached Konaditya Kshetra and discovered an image of Surya seated on the lotus, worshipped him and was relieved of his curse.
It is said that the temple was not completed as conceived because the foundation was not strong enough to bear the weight of the heavy dome. Local beleif has it that it was constructed in entirety, however its magnetic dome caused ships to crash near the seashore, and that the dome was removed and destroyed and that the image of the Sun God was taken to Puri.
The Temple: The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.
The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.
The Melakkadambur Shiva temple, built in the form of a chariot during the age of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120), is the earliest of this kind, and is still in a well preserved state. It is believed that this temple set the pace for the ratha (chariot) vimana temples in India, as a distant descendant of Kulottunga I on the female line, and thefamous Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimha Deva, built the Sun Temple at Konark in the form of a chariot in the 13th century. Kulottunga Chola is also credited with having built the Suryanaar temple near Kumbhakonam. Temples dedicated to the Sun are not a common feature in the Tamil speaking region of the Indian subcontinent.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

 

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is an historic located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to god Shiva- in the form of Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord- and his consort, Parvati in the form of Meenakshi. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is believed to have been built in 1600. The tallest temple tower is 51.9 metres (170 ft) high.

Legend

According to Hindu legend, Shiva came down to earth in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi [Parvati, the Goddess of Hindus], an incarnation of Parvati. Parvati had earlier descended to earth in the form of a small child in response to the great penance of [Malayadwaja Pandya], the ruler of Madurai. After growing up to adulthood, she began ruling the city. The Lord appeared on earth and proposed her. The marriage was supposed to be the biggest event on earth, with the whole earth gathering near Madurai. Vishnu, the brother of Meenakshi, was traveling to preside over the marriage from his holy abode at Vaikuntam. Due to a divine play, he was tricked by God Indra and delayed on the way. Meanwhile, the marriage was presided over by a local god from Thirupparankundram Pavalaakanivaai Perumal. This is celebrated annually as 'Chitirai Thiruvizha' in Madurai. During the period of Nayakar rule in Madurai, the ruler Thirumalai Nayakar then linked the 'Azhakar Thiruvizha' and the 'Meenakshi Wedding'. Hence born the 'Azhaghar Thiruvizha' or 'Chithirai Thiruvizha'.

Thousand Pillar Temple,Warangal

About 150 kms. from Hyderabad lies the ancient city of Warangal. Noted today for its beautiful marvelous thousand pillared temple, built by King Rudra Deva in the 12th century. The famous Thousand Pillar Temple, built in 1163 AD, by king Rudra Deva is an important monument situated near the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway. One thousand richly carved pillars and a magnificent black basalt Nandi bull are unique to this temple which is dedicated to Lords Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.

Detailed Sculpture
The temple is in shape of a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is built on a 1m high platform on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, and has a majestic monolithic Nandi. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish. There are many small lingam shrines surrounding the gardens. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture.