The Badrinath Temple also known as the Badrinarayan Temple, located in Uttarakhand's Badrinath town, is one of the Char Dhams (four important pilgrimages) in the state. There are four pilgrim-destinations namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, collectively known as Char Dham. These pilgrimage centres draw large number of pilgrims each year, thus becoming the most important hubs of religious travel in the whole of Northern India.
Badrinath is located at an elevation of around 3,100 m. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of the Alaknanda river, this sacred town lies between Nar and Narayana mountain rang
One of the most revered temple destinations of India, Kedarnath town is nestled in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas. The town, built around the revered Kedarnath temple, is located at an altitude of 3,580 m, near Chorabari glacier, which is the source of the Mandakini river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple has exquisite architecture and is built of extremely large but evenly shaped grey stone slabs.
A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his “Sadashiva” form. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, and is one of the 12 Jyotirli
Some locations in the world simply attracted you as a traveler and make an enduring impression on your soul. Kashi, commonly known as Varanasi or Banaras, is one of these holy locations. The holy city of Varanasi offers many beautiful places to the visitors. From the beauty of the Ghats to the spirituality of the temples people have a lot of things to discover.
Among all, the place that attracts visitors to the incredible city of Varanasi is “Kashi Vishwanath Temple”. The major god of this temple is known as Vishwanath or Vishveshvara, which means “Ruler of the World”. Because the city of Varanasi is also known as
Amritsar (means - the tank of nectar of immortality) was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das. The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, designed the Harmandir Sahib to be built in the centre of this holy tank, and upon its construction, installed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, inside the Harmandir Sahib.
The temple is surrounded by a small man-made lake which has a lot of fish in it.
Accordingly, as a gesture of this non-sectarian universalness of Sikhism, Guru Arjan had specially invited Muslim Sufi saint, Hazrat Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Harmandir Sahib. The four entrances (rep
Amarnath, located in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most important pilgrimage in India for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave has an enshrined Shivaling formed naturally with ice, which resembles Lord Shiva.
Amarnath is visited by millions of tourists every year from all across the world for a challenging mountainous trek called Amarnath Yatra. Legend has it that, this place is regarded to be the same cave where Lord Shiva revealed the secret of life and eternity to Goddess Parvati.
Amarnath Cave is accessible only during the Sharavan months of July-August. There are two routes
The second-most visited Hindu pilgrimage destination in India, Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple is situated in the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Hindu devotees from all over the world visit this famed religious site where the Mother Goddess or Mata Vaishno Devi is said to fulfill their wishes. This religious place is considered the most important Shaktipeeth as it is believed, here the skull of the Goddess Sati fell.
At Mata Vaishno Devi Cave, the goddess is in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock which has three heads or the Pindies. On Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, devotees make traditional offerings to Mata of chunri (a red
Akshardham means the divine abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and peace. Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi is a Mandir – an abode of God, a Hindu house of worship, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. Timeless Hindu spiritual messages, vibrant devotional traditions and ancient architecture all are echoed in its art and architecture.
The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830), the avatars, devas and great sages of Hinduism. The traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Mahar
An Architecture Marvel of Eastern India and A symbol of India's heritage, Konark Sun Temple, commonly known as Konark is situated in the eastern state of Odisha (earlier known as Orissa), India and is one of the eminent tourist attractions. Konark houses a massive temple dedicated to the Sun God.
The word 'Konark' is a combination of two words 'Kona' and 'Arka'. 'Kona' means 'Corner' and 'Arka' means 'Sun', so when combines it becomes 'Sun of the Corner'. Konark Sun Temple is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri and is dedicated to Sun God. Konark is also known as Arka khetra.
Odisha has four d
Brihadeeshwara Temple ( Peruvudaiyar Kovil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram. It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Dravidian architecture during the Chola period.
Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD, the temple turned 1000 years old in 2010. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, with the other two being the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Air
Exhibiting typical Kalinga-style temple architecture, the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar's Old Town is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It exhibits a fine confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism in its architectural style.
The imposing temple standing at 180 ft strikes awe and respect amongst its visitors. Built during the 11th century AD. The temple has been described as “One of the finest examples of purely Hindu Temple in India” by noted critic and historian James Fergusson (1808-1886).
The temple marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar which was the cradle of the Kalinga
The intricately carved honey-coloured Somnath temple on the western edge of the state is believed to be the place where the first of the twelve holy jyotirlingas emerged in India – a spot where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. The temples lies at the meeting of Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati rivers and the waves of the Arabian Sea ebb and flow touching the shore on which it is constructed.
The ancient temple’s timeline can be traced from 649 BC but is believed to be older than that. The present form was reconstructed in 1951. Colourful dioramas of the Shiva story line the north side of the temple garden, though it’s hard to see them through the hazy glas
Puri is famous for the world famous Shri Jagannath Temple & Longest Golden Beach. It is one of the Dhamas (Holiest of the holy place) out of four Dhamas i.e. Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar, in India. Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath alomg with sister Devi Subhadra and elder brother Mahaprabhu Shri Balabhadra are being worshipped in Puri (The Purusottama Kshetra).
The deities are seated on the Bejeweled Pedestal (Ratna Simhassana). Shri Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of the Indian State Odisha, was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century at the seashore Puri.
The m
The Kamakhya temple, located at a distance of 7 km from Guwahati, is one of the biggest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, this temple is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. It is also considered important as it is the temple where the beliefs and practices of the Aryan communities coincide with non-Aryan communities.
The former temple was destroyed by Kala Pahar, which was later reconstructed in 1565 by Chilarai, who was the reigning king of the Koch dynasty. This temple is dedicated to different forms of Mother Shakti, namely Sundari, Tripura, Tara, Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi and Chinnamasta. Comprising three major cha
Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan Shanishingnapur’s legend in Taluk Naivasa of District Ahmednagar is famous, far and wide, as the shrine of countless devotees. The number of its unbelievable miracles finds its place of pride in The Guinness book of World Records.
Ahmednagar’s population is known popularly as the place of saints. God Shani occupies a place of fear in the minds of most people in India. There is needless terror about God Shani in the minds of people.
Unlike other Gods in the pantheon, why are you scared of God Shani? Although he is your friend, and not your enemy? In our day to day life, there is a great place of importance for strength and mercy in
Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, is the Governing and Administrative body of the Shri Saibaba's Samadhi Temple and all others temples on this premise, and devoted towards development of Shirdi village.
Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, is the authorized body to control and manage the day-to-day activities at the Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple. It also provides various facilities like Accommodation, Meals (Free), refreshments, and lot more. The Sansthan Trust also runs School and Colleges(Junior and Senior), English Medium School from class Jr KG to Std X, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Drinking Water Supply, Hospitals (Shri Saibaba Superspecility Hospital and
The Mundeshwari Temple is located at Kaura in Kaimur district in the state of Bihar, India on the Mundeshwari Hills. Travelling on the Grand Trunk road between Varanasi and Gaya, one is sure to find boards which invite one to visit the oldest Hindu Temple at Mundeshwari.
Mundeshwari temple on a summit of an isolated hill about 600 feet high, at village Ramgarh, seven miles north-west of Bhabua is the oldest monument in Bihar and the earliest specimen of Nagara type of temple architecture in Bihar. While the locals are now quite aware about the existence of the ancient temple on the hilltop at Bhagwanpur in Kaimur, Bihar, most travelers are still not aware about the importance of
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres (109 mi) southeast of Jhansi. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over six square kilometer
Lord Sri Venkateswara, also known as Srinivasa, Balaji, and Veṅkaṭachalapati, made Tirumala his abode five thousand years ago. Even before him, it was Lord Varahaswami who had made Tirumala his abode. Since then, many devotees have continued to construct grand entrances on the ramparts of the temple over generations. The temple complex is spread over 16.2 acres of land.
In Tirumala, the East facing Sri Varahaswami temple is located in the North West corner of the temple tank - Swami Pushkarini. As per the temple legend, Lord Srinivasa sought a gift of land from Sri Varahaswami, which he readily granted.
In return, Srinivasa provided him with an agreement deed assur
Virupaksha Temple is the 7th century Shiva temple in Hampi, Central Karnataka. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lord Virupaksha, also referred to as Pampapathi is the main deity in Virupaksha Temple. Virupaksha Temple complex also houses shrines of Bhuvaneshwari and Vidyaranya.
Virupaksha Temple complex is surrounded by three gopuras (towers). The main tower, on the east is an imposing structure, 9 stories, 50 meters tall, built in the fifteenth century. Eastern tower forms the main entrance to Virupaksha Temple. Eastern tower has extensive craftsmanship on each of its floors featuring hundreds of Hindu gods and goddesses. The inverted shadow of t
The Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Prabhadevi in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha and was originally constructed in 1801 and is considered one of the richest temples of the country. Inside a little mandap is the shrine of Siddhivinayak with the wooden doors of the sanctum carved with figures of Ashtavinayak while its inner roof is plated with gold.
On the outside, the dome of the temple is beautifully lit up every evening with colourful lights and under which is the shrine of Lord Ganesha. The temple is open on all days of the week and for darshan on Wednesdays to Mondays you can visit at 05:30 am. On Tuesday, the Siddhivinayak Templ
Madurai is synonymous with Sri Meenakshi Amman temple. A famous pilgrimage spot, the temple is renowned for its classic architectural style, stupendous structures and carvings.
The temple abounds in legends and myths. It is believed that Indra discovered the presence of Swayambhu lingam during his trip through Madurai and he enshrined it. This temple finds mention in ancient texts and was completely devastated in 1310. The temple was restored to its original glory in the 14th century. It is quite an architectural marvel with 14 temple towers with a height ranging between 45-50 metres. A 1000 pillared hall is another major feature with exquisitely sculpted pillars. There are musi
The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. It is considered to be one of the largest and the most famous structure in Hampi. The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi, near the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
The iconic temple has amazing stone structures such as the incomparable stone chariot and the fascinating musical pillars. This predominant monument of Hampi is a major attraction of the ruined town and is a must-see for visitors and tourists.
The renowned Vittala Temple dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of Kin
The Holy abode of the Hindu God, Shri Ram (addressed so with all respect & humility) is a virtual paradise for the devout. No Hindu’s journey is complete without a pilgrimage to both Varanasi and Rameswaram for the culmination of his quest for salvation and is hallowed by the epic ‘Ramayana’. Folklore mentions about God Ram’s presence in this land, after his 14-year exile.
Local legend has it that Shri Ram was helped back into Rameswaram and into India by his brother Lakshman and Hanuman along with his band of thousands of monkeys, after finally emerging victorious against the demon – Ravana. They helped build a bridge with rocks from the sea an
There are some structures that would take your breath away in the very first glimpse. Here is one such wonder, so stunning and imposing. The Airavatesvara Temple is a splendid example of a place of worship rich in grandeur, history and divinity
Oh what a beauty it is – the grand Airavastesvara Temple in Darasuram. The temple located in Kumbakonam is a treasure-trove of history, facts and amazing art. The construction of the temple dates back to the 12th century CE and was built by the renowned Chola king Rajaraja Chola II. Architecture, sculptures, paintings, bronze casting – the temple reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Chola dynasty. The temple, dedicated t
Sanchi is just 46 kms Bhopal. It is more of a village than a town. Sanchi is a religious place with historical and Archaeological significance. Sanchi is a site for the numerous stupas which were built on a hill top. The place is related to Buddhism but not directly to the life of Buddha. It is more related to Ashoka than to Buddha. Ashoka built the first stupa and put up many pillars here. The crown of famous Ashoka pillars, with four lions standing back to back, has been adopted as the national emblem of India.
Sanchi adopted Buddhism which replaced the prominent Hinduism. But time took its toll and slowly both the stupas and the place were forgotten. In 1818 Sanchi was redisc
It is from Barkot that the road to Yamunotri starts wending its way along the banks of the Yamuna and the roads from Mussoorie and Kalsi meet here. There is motorable route up to Hanuman Chatti. This little Chatti is just 7 kilometres from Sayana Chatti and set against beautiful surroundings. A 13 kilometres trek to Yamunotri starts from here.
Two perilous routes connect Hanuman Chatti toYamunotri. The route along the right bank proceeds via Markendeya Tirtha, where the sage Markendeya wrote the Markendeya Puran. The route on the left bank goes to Kharsali. From here, the climb takes five or six hours. There are two kunds atYamunotri, at a height of 3292 metres: Surya Kund,
The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Bahá’í House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986, costing $10 million. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all Bahá’í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification.
The building is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals” arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides, with nine doors opening onto a central hall with a height of slightly over 40 metres and a capacity of 2,500 people. The Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural
The origin of the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is lost in antiquity. It is not possible to determine with any exactitude, from any reliable historical documents or other sources as to when and by whom the original idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was consecrated.
The Temple has references in Epics and Puranas. Srimad Bhagavatha says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham and made several offerings. Nammalwar, 9th century poet and one among the 12 Vaishnavite saints of the Alvar tradition, has composed ten hymns in praise of Lord Padmanabha.
Some well known scholars, writers and historians, like the late Dr. L.A.Ravi Varma of Travancore, have expresse
Dakshineswar Temple was founded on the 31st of May,1855;18 Jaistha 1262 b.s. The holy tithi was of Jagannath Deva Snanyatra. The Dakshineswar temple was founded on this auspicious day after facing many conflicts. The Rani Ma called by her people out of adoration, respect and love, installed Sri Jagadishwari Ma, the mother of the universe under the priesthood of Sri Rama Kumar Chattopadhaya .From young Gadadhar's coming to Dakshineshwar along with elder brother Rama Kumar to his transformation into the Avatar of the age, has become a legend now.
A series of 12 identical Shiva temples are established within the premises of the Devalaya. Opposite to the Kuthi Bari these temples
Decidedly the grandest Hindu temple among the Khajuraho Group of Temples, the origin of Kandariya Mahadev Temple traces back to 1050 BC. The temple was built as a tribute to the Hindu Lord Shiva and houses a magnificent Shiva Linga crafted with pure marble.
Adorned with intricate carvings and great sculptures, countless statues and spires grace the temples interiors, the most remarkable of which is the main spire that replicates Mount Kailash in miniature!
Timings: The temple is open from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
Entry Fee: The entry fee is INR 10 per person.
Location: Kandariya Mahadev Temple, S
Shravanabelagola is a Jain pilgrimage situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka state of India. It is a hilly terrain housing a giant statue of Lord Gomateshwara towering over the town. The place famous for its innumerable temples, is also blessed with greenery and serene ponds. Its Kannada name Shravanabelagola translates to ‘a white pond of Sravana’ as ‘bel’ means white and ‘kola’ means pond, which points to a beautiful pond in the town. Shravanabelagola, also known as Jainakashi, bears ancient and religiously important scripts carved on different sides of the hill.
The Karnataka Archeological Department has excavated around eight hundred
Chidambaram Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram,Tamil Nadu).The temple , 78 km south of Pondicherry and 235 Km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India. The Sangam classics refer to Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, respected clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, as being the chief architect of the temple renovation. There have been several renovations in its history, particularly during the days of Pallava/Chola emperors in ancient and pre-medieval periods.
Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the five natural elements; Chidamb
Sabarimala is situated 72 km from Pathanamthitta town, 191 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 km from Kochi. It is the ‘Sacred Abode of Lord Ayyappa’ and one of the most important Hindu pilgrim centre in the country.The traditional route to Sabarimala is from Erumeli (40 km.). Other routes are from Vandiperiyar, Uppupara and Chalakkayam via Plappally.
These routes are famous for these scenic splendour and mythological value. Sabarimala – The holy shrine is located amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of Western Ghats. Inhabited by various wildlife species. Millions of pilgrims from all over the Country assemble here during the most arduous festivals call
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The temple holds great religious significance and is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
The history of the Mahakaleshwar Temple dates back several centuries. According to legends, Ujjain is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga to bestow his divine blessings upon the people. The original temple is said to have been built during the prehistoric period.
Historical records mention that
The main draw for tourists coming to Dwarka, the Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir), is believed to have been established more than 2500 years ago by Lord Krishna’s great grandson, Vajranabh. The ancient temple has been renovated several times, especially leaving imprints of 16th and 19th centuries. The temple stands on a small hill accessed by 50 plus steps, with heavily sculptured walls that cocoon the sanctum with the main Krishna idol.
Around the complex lie other smaller shrines. The walls have intricately carved mythical characters and legends. The impressive 43 m high spire is topped with a flag made from 52 yards of cloth that flutters in the soft breeze from the Ar
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