Himavad Gopalaswamy temple
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple: A Divine Destination Amidst Nature’s Splendor, Located in the beautiful Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is a perfect amalgamation of spirituality and natural beauty. Set atop a picturesque hill called Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, in his infant form, also known as Gopalaswamy. One of the major attractions of this temple is its beautiful Dravidian style architecture and intricate carvings on the walls. The temple’s presiding deity, Lord Gopalaswamy, is believed to be very ancient and is made of Saligrama stone. Apart from its spiritual significance, the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is surrounded by dense forests and is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and deer. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the place and also go on a wildlife safari. One of the best times to visit the temple is during the annual Brahmotsavam festival, which is celebrated in the month of March/April. During this festival, the temple is adorned with colorful decorations and lights, and devotees from far and wide come to seek the blessings of Lord Gopalaswamy. For those interested in history and archaeology, the temple’s age-old inscriptions are a must-see. The temple is said to have been built during the reign of the Hoysala kings, and the inscriptions provide valuable insights into the temple’s history. Apart from the temple, the surrounding area offers numerous opportunities for adventure enthusiasts. The hill on which the temple is situated is a popular trekking destination, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. In conclusion, the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is a divine destination that offers the perfect blend of spirituality, natural beauty, and adventure. With its ancient history, beautiful architecture, and serene surroundings, this temple is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Karnataka.
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. Located in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is revered as one of the most important gods in Hindu mythology. The temple is built on the site where it is believed that Lord Krishna was born. The temple is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and attracts millions of devotees every year. It is also one of the seven most sacred places in Hinduism, known as the Sapta Puri. History of the Temple The history of the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple can be traced back to ancient times. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born in Mathura over 5,000 years ago. The exact location of his birthplace was identified by the great saint, Madhavendra Puri, who was a devotee of Lord Krishna. He established a small temple at the site, which was later expanded and renovated by various rulers over the centuries. The present-day temple was built by Raja Veer Singh of Orchha in the 16th century. The temple was further renovated by the Maratha ruler, Shrimant Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, in the 18th century. She added several new features to the temple, including the magnificent spires that are visible from afar. Architecture and Design The Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is a magnificent structure that blends Indian and Mughal architectural styles. The temple complex consists of several buildings, including the main shrine, the Keshav Dev Temple, the Garbha Griha, and the Bhagavata Bhavan. The main shrine houses the idol of Lord Krishna, along with his parents, Vasudeva and Devaki. The idol of Lord Krishna is depicted as a small child, lying in a basket. The Keshav Dev Temple is another important shrine in the complex, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Garbha Griha is the inner sanctum of the temple, where the idol of Lord Krishna is placed. The Bhagavata Bhavan is a museum that contains several artifacts and relics related to Lord Krishna and his life. It also has a library that contains ancient texts and manuscripts. Significance of the Temple The Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is of great significance to Hindus, as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The temple is also associated with several important events in Lord Krishna’s life, including his childhood and teenage years. The temple is especially important for devotees who follow the Vaishnavite tradition, as Lord Krishna is revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple also holds great historical and cultural significance, as it has been a center of art, literature, and music for centuries. Visiting the Temple The Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is open to visitors from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Visitors are required to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the temple complex. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple. Mathura is well-connected by road and rail, and there are several options for accommodation near the temple. The best time to visit the temple is during the festival of Janmashtami, which celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. In conclusion, the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is a magnificent temple that is of great significance to Hindus. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Hindu mythology, art, and culture. You can see more Shri Krishna Temple in Uttar Pradesh.
Shrinathji Temple
Shrinathji is the 7-year form of Lord Krishna. Shrinathji is a form of the Hindu god Krishna, appearing in the form of a seven-year-old boy. The main Shrinathji temple is located in the temple city of Nathdwara, 49 km northeast of the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. Shrinathji is the central presiding deity of the Vaishnava sect known as Pushtimarg (the way of grace) or the Vallabh sect founded by Vallabhacharya. Shrinathji is mainly worshiped by the followers of Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavas in Gujarat and Rajasthan and Bhatia and others. Vallabhacharya’s son, Vitthalnathji, institutionalized Shrinathji worship at Nathdwara. Due to the popularity of Shrinathji, the city of Nathdwara is known as ‘Shrinathji’. People also call it the city of Bawa (Shrinathji Bawa). Initially, the infantile form of Krishna was known as Devadaman (the conqueror of the gods, the superpower of Indra in the raising of the Govardhan hill by Krishna). Vallabhacharya named him Gopal and named his place of worship ‘Gopalpur’. Later, Vitthalnathji called him Shrinathji. The Shrinathji service is performed in 8 parts of the day. History Followers of Pushtimarg claim that the hand and face of the form first emerged from Govardhan Hill and then local residents (Vrajavasis) under the spiritual leadership of Madhavendra Puri began to worship the deity Gopal (Krishna). This Gopal deity was later called Shrinathji. Hence, Madhavendra Puri is recognized for discovering Gopal Devta near Govardhan, who was later adapted and worshiped as Shrinathji by Vallabhacharya. Initially, Madhavendra Puri worshiped the deity with raised hands and later, face. According to Pushtimarg literature, Shrinathji appeared to Shri Vallabhacharya at the Hindu Vikram Samvat of 1549 and instructed Vallabhacharya to begin worship on Mount Govardhan. Vallabhacharya arranged for the worship of that deity, and this tradition was carried on by his son Vitthalnathji. Shrinathji was brought to the Mewar region of Rajasthan via Agra and Gwalior to guard against the widespread destruction of Hindu temples during the oppressive reign of Aurangzeb. It is believed that the cart carrying the idol got stuck in the mud in the Sihar village of Mewar while traveling, and therefore the idol was installed in a temple with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar. According to religious myths, the Nathdwara Temple was built in the 17th century on a site marked by Shrinathji himself. The temple is also popularly called Shrinathji ki Haveli (Shrinathji’s house) because, like a normal house, it has the movement of a chariot (actually the original chariot in which Shrinathji was brought to Singhar), a place for milk. (Dushghar), a betel nut store (panghar), a sugar and sweet store (mishrighar and padghar), a flower store (phulghar), a functional kitchen (rasighar), a jewelry room (jewelry), a treasure (Kharcha Bhandar), a stable for chariot horses (Ashwashala), a hall (baithak), a gold and silver wheel (chakki). There are many important temples around the world where Shrinathji is worshiped. The “Nathdwara” of the Western Hemisphere is known as Vraj. It is located in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. More than 100,000 Hindus visit Vraj in a year. Temple priests and servants receive prasad instead of salary as a reward for their duties. Often this prasad is given or sold to guests who come to the temple for darshan. Followers of Shrinathji have a significant influence on Hindu arts, in the form of Pichwai paintings developed by him. These pictures can be in the form of cloth, paper, wall hangings or temples. These are fine and colorful devotional garments centered on the image of Shrinathji. Nathdwara Pichwai Kala is the center of Nathdwara painting. Nathdwara is known for the Rajasthani style of the city, called “Pichwai painting”. These Pichwai paintings are painted on the wall around the Nathdwara temple by renowned contemporary Nathdwara artists.