Binsar Mahadev Temple
Bindeshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as Binsar Devta or simply Binsar, is an ancient Hindu rock temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshiped as Bindeshwar, a popular deity in this region. At an altitude of 2480 meters above mean sea level, it is situated in the village of Bisaona, which is located in the Chauthan region of Thalisain Block in the Pauri Garhwal district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This temple is located in the middle of dense forests of birch, cedar and rhododendron. The original temple structure was of great archaeological significance, but it was demolished by politicians to create a new structure. The central chamber of the temple features the idols of Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, and Mahishasuramardini. A fair about Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is organized there every year. History It is believed That the temple was built by Maharaja Prithu in memory of his father, Bindu, in the 9th / 10th century. It is built in the Katyuri style. It was a contemporary of the Jageshwar and Adi Badri group of temples, but there is no documented history. Many rock-cut idols, shrines, and Shiva Lingams can be found within the valley where the temple is located. While many historians and researchers visited the site, no one produced accurate historical data related to the temple. Folklore The lack of a recorded history led to the rise of legends and folklore. According to one belief, the temple was built by the Pandavas in one night while they were in exile. Another legend says that the temple was built by a king named Bindu. Alternatively, the temple may have been built by Lord Vishwakarma. A strange inscribed symbol outside the temple is said to be handwritten. The temple was shrouded in mystery. Formerly, its central room housed a circular, narrow and deep reservoir of cold water, similar to a well. This formed the main sanctuary. Many idols were kept around him. A snake was said to inhabit the reservoir. In recent times, the well was covered with flat stones. Later, the water seeped from the rocks, suggesting a reservoir underneath. Climate The region experiences a mild climate during the summer season with pleasant days and cool nights. The monsoon brings rain and covers the surrounding forests with mist. The rainy season brings biodiversity, enriching it with green vegetation along with ferns, mosses, lichens, fungi, birds and insects. Rock temples turn green after being covered in moss and lichens. Winter brings snow, while the daytime temperature fluctuates. The days are warm, bright and pleasant with temperatures around 15 °, while the nights are cold. The sun rises late and sets early during this period, making the weather even colder during the hours of darkness. Frosts are common during this season and snowfall ranges from 1 foot (30 cm) to 4 feet (120 cm) and more. Geography The temple is hidden in a small valley in the vast Dudhatoli region. The altitude of the temple complex ranges from 2480 meters (8136 feet) to 2500 meters (8202 feet). The complex is located in a meadow. The forest around the temple is one of the densest temperate forests in Uttarakhand, with cedar cedar (Cedrus deodara) as the dominant tree species, further east becoming the only tree species. The valley is dotted with multiple springs of cold water, some of which are channeled into rock formations (known as Mangārā in the Garhwali language), while others flow naturally (known as dhārā). The surrounding ridges have an average elevation of 2,700 meters (8,860 feet) with dense, mixed, and broadleaf forests, including kharsu, oaks, hornbeams, maples, rhododendrons, hazelnuts, Corylus jacquemontii, and dozens of other tree species.
Tarkeshwar Dham
Tarkeshwar Mahadev is a village 36 km from Lansdowne and at an elevation of 1,800 m. The place is known for its temple dedicated to Shiva. Surrounded by thick forests of cedar and pine, it is an ideal place for those who seek beauty in nature. During Shivratri, a special worship is held. The temple committee provides a dharamshala for accommodation. In Lansdown you will find many hotels to stay. It is a good place for a 1-2 day family trip. People come here from far and wide to enjoy this place and the weather. In the winter months, the weather here looks like the plains of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Dehradun
The Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun, also known as the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Shiva. Located next to the forest, the main shivalinga of the temple is inside a natural cave. Drops of water from the ceiling of the cave fall on the shivalinga in a continuous downpour, creating an interesting spectacle. History The Tapkeshwar Mahadeva Temple owes its importance to a natural Shiva Linga in a nearby cave. Long ago, the river flowed through the caves and continuous drops of water fell on the Shiv Linga. This became a place of reverence for the local people. This is also believed to have been used as a residence by Guru Dronacharya, the esteemed teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyas. Hence, the cave is called Drona Cave after its name. Temple Features Tourists in Dehradun visit the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple located at a distance of 6 km from the main city. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is very popular as a pilgrimage site in Dehradun. The beautiful temple of Lord Shiva established between the two hills attracts hundreds of tourists from inland and around Dehradun throughout the year. Travelers from Uttarakhand and its surroundings visit Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple for its religious significance and adventurers go there to see the drops of water dripping on the Shiva ling in Drona cave, which is a spectacular sight. The falling water vanishes underground and can be seen just a few meters away in the form of a stream. At Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, cool springs of sulphurous water where devout pilgrims bathe before entering the temple. On Shivratri day a great festival takes place around the Tapkeshwar temple. A large number of people take part in the fair organized on the occasion of Shivratri and pay tribute to the deity every year. Drona Cave, surrounded by beautiful hills, is often full of hikers from Dehradun and nearby districts.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
The Neelkanth Temple is a Hindu temple in Rajgarh tehsil, in the Alwar district, Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Neelkanth is one of the names given to Shiva). It is situated on a secluded hill near the Sariska National Park, and can only be reached by a steep, rough road. It was built between the 6th and 9th century AD. It was built by Maharajadhiraja Mathanadeva, a local feudatory of Pratihara.
Bhutanatha (bhoothnath) group of temples, Badami
The Bhutanatha group of temples are 7th to 12th century Hindu temples east of Lake Agasthya in Badami, Karnataka state, India. It consists of two subgroups: one called the Eastern Bhutanatha group or main group of Bhutanatha from the 7th to the 8th century, mainly in the Dravida architectural style; the other called North Bhutanatha group or Mallikarjuna group from the 11th to 12th centuries mainly in Nagara architecture. The first illustrates Badami Chalukya architects, the second together with the nearby Yellamma temple by Kalyani Chalukya architects. Bhutanatha main group The Bhutanatha main group (700–725 CE) is the oldest group of Hindu shrines east of Agastya Teertha. The oldest temple in this group is the great main temple. It has a gudha-mandapa with four massive central pillars (partly octagonal, cubic and rounded around). This mandapa connects to a smaller square-plan shrine with a Shiva linga. At the top of the sanctuary is the Dravida-style tritala superstructure (three stories). The lower part consists of padabandha and kumbha. The vimana walls have karnas with Brahmakanta style pilasters. The nasis on the wall represent heads of kinnaras and gandharvas. The second floor of the superstructure repeats the largest lowest floor, and the third floor is half the second in size, and again repeats the same elements in rhythmic fashion. A square vedi topped with a short shikhara completes the superstructure. The picture niches on the wall of the shrine and the hall are now empty, although there are still some decorative elements such as makharas (mythical beast) with long tails. The mandapa has jali (perforated windows to illuminate the interior of the mantapa). On each side of the foot of the sanctuary door there is an image of the Ganges goddess in her vehicle, the makara, on the right, and on the left, that of the Yamuna goddesses riding the turtle. There is no dedicatory block on the lintel. Other works of art found nearby include Ganesha and Mahisasuramardini. A notable feature here is the inscription on the outer wall of the temple, announcing a gift from a Paingara family to the Sridharbuteswara (probably an epithet for the deity). This inscription can be dated to approximately the end of the 9th century. This suggests that the main temple was in active use at that time. The pillars of the portico have a square cross section that transforms into an octagonal cross section. Outside, there is a stepped ghat for devotees and pilgrims. The smaller shrines are in ruins and were added later, probably until the end of the 8th century. To the east of the complex, on a rock, there are four Shaiva reliefs with unusual architectural details – these are impressions of four architectural styles of the Shiva shrine with a panchakuta superstructure on a square plan. These may date from the late 7th or early 8th century, and help establish that this temple complex was a Shaiva complex from its origin. To the north of the main temple is a small shrine which, proposed by Henry Cousens in 1923, was originally consecrated to Vishnu. At some point, the temple was adopted by the followers of Lingayatism who built an outer hall and installed a Nandi (Shiva vehicle) and a Shiva linga inside the sanctuary. Mallikarjuna Group The Mallikarjuna group is close to the main Bhutanatha group, but located in the northern part of the artificial lake. It consists of several temples. These open to the south and are marked by its remarkable pyramidal superstructure in the Phamsana Nagara style of the 11th to 12th centuries. The largest temple was probably a Vishnu temple, it saw a period when these ruined temples were in disuse and was re-consecrated with Shiva linga while the remains of his historical artwork were preserved. These temples present the building ideas explored by Kalyani Chalukya architects. The largest temple has an open rectangular mandapa with eight pillars, which connects to an inner mandapa, antarala, and garbhagriya, all on a square plane. All the temples in this group have simpler walls, eaves angled over the open blanket (hall). The artwork found in this group includes both Vishnu and Shiva.
Shree Lakheshwar Shiva Temple, Kera
The Shiva Temple, Kera, also known as Kerakot’s Lakheshwara Temple, is located in the village of Kera near Bhuj of the Kutch district in Gujarat, India. The temple was built during the reign of the Chaulukya (Solankis) dynasty in the latter part of the 10th century (9th to 11th centuries) and is dedicated to Shiva. The temple has undergone severe earthquake damage during the 1819 earthquake and the 2001 Bhuj earthquake. But the temple spire, inner sanctuary and sculptures are still in an attractive state. Location The Shiva temple is located in the village of Kera in Bhuj of the Kutch district in Gujarat. Bhuj is the closest railway head with two express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express that operate between Bhuj, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Bhuj is also the airport that connects to Mumbai. It is well connected by road through several cities in the state and is located at a distance of about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Bhuj. History The Shiva temple is located in the village of Kera in Bhuj of the Kutch district in Gujarat. Bhuj is the closest railway head with two express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express that operate between Bhuj, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Bhuj is also the airport that connects to Mumbai. It is well connected by road through several cities in the state and is located at a distance of about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Bhuj. Features The inside of the temple is square in shape, each side 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m). The walls of the sanctuary are 0.79 m thick. The shrine has a circular passageway or pradakshina that is 2 feet 6 inches wide. This passage receives natural light from two open carved stone perforated windows. Of the original room or mandapa of the temple, which was 18 feet 9 inches (5.72 m) wide, only the north wall has survived. There are some well-carved sculptures on the wall. The temple spire is well executed with the ornamentation of eight triangle-shaped sculptures in the shape of chaitya windows on each face of the spire. Surrounded between the windows are well-crafted sculptures of human figures. These sculptural formations are repeated one on top of the other gradually reducing their size as the height of the spire increases. In the corners of the sanctuary, there are miniature spiers, and the same type is built on top of them in a recessed interior element found in the large main central spire. The external faces of the spiers are well ornamented with elegantly carved sculptures. There are many stone sculptures of Yakshas around the temple premises. An annual fair is held here, attended by a large number of devotees.
Surpur Temple
Surpur Temple is located in the Dungarpur district of Rajasthan state, this temple is situated on the banks of the Gangdi River, 3 km from Dungarpar. Tourists can see many attractions during their visit, such as hathiyo ki agad, many inscriptions and bhulbhlaiya near the temple. It is all located near this temple. A huge Ghat is also situated near Surpur temple.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rāmanātasvāmi Kōyil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located on Rameswaram Island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is also one of the twelve temples in Jyotirlinga. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three most revered Nayanars (Saivite saints), Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar, have glorified the temple with their songs. The temple was expanded during the 12th century by the Pandya dynasty, and the main shrine shrine was renovated by Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan and his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan from the kingdom of Jaffna. The temple has the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples in India. The temple is located in Rameswaram considered a sacred pilgrimage site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas. The presiding deity, the Lingam of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva), was established and worshiped by Rama before crossing the bridge from him to Lanka. Legend According to the Ramayana, Rama, who is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, prayed to the god Shiva to absolve him of the sin of killing a Brahmin committed during the war against King Rakshasa Ravana (who was a Brahmin, son of a vedic rishi in Sri Lanka. Rama wanted to have a great lingam to worship Shiva. He ordered Hanuman, his army lieutenant, to bring a lingam from the Himalayas. When Hanuman was late in bringing the lingam, devi Sita built a small lingam from the sand available on the seashore, which is believed to be the lingam at the shrine. Architecture The main deity of the temple is Ramanathaswamy (Shiva) in the form of a lingam. There are two lingams within the shrine: one built by Rama, of sand, who resides as the main deity, Ramalingam, and the one brought by Hanuman from Kailash called Vishwalingam. Rama instructed that the Vishwalingam should be worshiped first, as it was brought by Hanuman; the tradition continues even today. Like all ancient temples in South India, there is a high compound wall (madil) on all four sides of the temple compound measuring approximately 865 feet long from east to west and a furlong of 657 feet from north to south with huge towers (Gopurams) to the east and west and finished gate towers to the north and south. The temple has long, gaudy hallways inside, running between massive colonnades on platforms over five feet high. The second corridor is made up of pillars, beams and a sandstone roof. The crossing of the third corridor in the west and the paved path leading from the western gopuram to the Setumadhava shrine forms a unique checkerboard-shaped structure, popularly known as Chokkattan Madapam, where the deities of Utsava are adorned and kept during the Vasanthotsavam (spring festival) and the sixth day festival in Adi (July-August) and Masi (February-March) led by Setupati of Ramnad. The outer set of corridors is reputed to be the longest in the world, measuring about 6.9 m in height, 400 feet each in the east and west, and about 640 feet in the north and south. The interior corridors measure approximately 224 feet each in the east and west and approximately 352 feet each in the north and south. Its width ranges from 15.5 feet to 17 feet in the east and west to around 172 feet in the north and south with a width ranging from 14.5 feet to 17 feet. The total length of these aisles is therefore 3850 feet. There are about 1212 pillars in the outer corridor. Its height is about 30 feet from the ground to the center of the ceiling. The main tower or rajagopuram is 53 m high. Most of the pillars are carved with individual compositions. In the beginning, the Ramanathaswamy temple was a thatched roof shed. The current structure was the work of many people spread over several centuries. The place of honor in the establishment of the Temple is for the Setupatis of Ramanathapuram. In the 17th century, Dalavai Setupati built a part of the main eastern Gopuram. At the end of the 18th century, the third world-famous corridor was built by Muthuramalinga Setupati, who lived for forty-nine years and ruled between 1763 and 1795. The corridor was called “Chokkatan Mandapam”. The Mukhya Pradhani (Chief Minister) was Muthuirullappa Pillai and the Chinna Pradhani was Krishna Iyengar. The statue of Setupati and those of his two Pradhanis (ministers) can be seen at the western entrance of the third corridor. The composite columns of Virabhadra holding the sword and horn are found as additions to the Vijayanayagara kings in the early 16th century. Similar columns of Virabhadra are found in the Adikesava Perumal temple in Thiruvattaru, the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, the Nellaiappar temple in Tirunelveli, the Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi, the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, the Soundaradikombumal temple, Thaundaradjaperumal temple the Srdalivarmutamunta temple, the Sriknativa Perumal temple in Thadikombu. Temple of Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar in Thirukkurungudi. There are separate shrines for Ramanathaswamy and his goddess consort Parvathavardhini separated by a hall. There are separate shrines for the goddess Vishalakshi, the utsava images, sayanagriha, Vishnu, and Ganesha. There are several rooms within the temple, namely Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam. Tirathas of Rameswaram There are sixty-four Tīrthas (holy water bodies) in and around the island of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. According to Skānda Purāṇa, twenty-four of them are important. Bathing in these Tīrthas is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the Tīrthas are within the Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple. The number 22 indicates the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver. The first and major one is called Agni Theertham, the sea (Bay of Bengal). Rameswaram is one of the few temples that has the distinction of being the stala, Murthy, Theertham. Ramanathaswamy Temple Theertham is very special. There are 22 theerthams in the form of a pond and a well. These 22 theerthams represent the 22 arrows of Sri Rama. It is said that every devotee should
Airavatesvara Temple
The Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in Darasuram near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century, the temple has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangeikondacholiswaram Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram; These temples are known as the great and vibrant Chola temples. Mythology The Airavatesvara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is known here as Airavatesvara, since Lord Shiva was worshiped in this temple by Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, the king of the gods. It is believed that when Airavata was very sad to change his complexion due to the curse of the sage Durvasa, he recovered his complexion by bathing in the holy water of this temple. This belief is believed to be due to an image in the inner chamber of the temple in which Indra is seated at Airavata. It was from this incident that the temple and the presiding deity were named after him. It is said that Yama, the king of death, also worshiped Shiva here. According to tradition, Yama, who suffered burns all over his body due to the curse of a sage, was healed by Lord Airavatesvara. Yama bathed in the holy pool and got rid of his irritation. Since then that pond has been known as Yamatertham. Gods and Goddesses The wife of the main deity, Periya Nayaki Amman, has a separate temple that is located north of the Airavatesvara temple. It is possible that when the outer courtyard was completed, it may have been part of the main temple. At present, it stands alone as a separate temple with the goddess temple in the great courtyard. Architecture This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has magnificent stone carvings. Although this temple is much smaller than the Brihadisvara temple or the Gangeikondacholiswaram temple, it is more exquisite in details. This is because the temple is said to have been built with nitya-vinoda, “constant entertainment” in mind. The vimana (pillar) is 24 meters (80 feet) high. The southern part of the front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot with large stone wheels that is being drawn by horses. To the east of the inner courtyard is a group of finely carved buildings, one of which is called the Balipit (place of sacrifice). A small temple is built on the pedestal of Balipeet in which the image of Ganesha is inscribed. On the south side of the chowki there is a group of 3 stairs with magnificent carvings. Various musical sounds are produced when tapping the feet. In the southwest corner of the courtyard there is a mandapam with 4 shrines. One of them has the image of Yama. Surrounding this temple there is a huge stone rock on which the figures of Saptamatas (seven heavenly goddesses) have been made. Inscription in the temple There are several inscriptions in this temple. One of these inscriptions mentions the renovation of temples by Kulotunga Chola III. The north wall of the courtyard has 108 volumes of inscriptions, each with names, descriptions and images of Shivaacharya (saint who believes in Shiva) that represent the main events of his life. Another inscription near the gopura shows that a figure was brought from Kalyani, later renamed Kalyanapura by Rajadhiraja Chola I, after his defeat by the western Chalukya king (Someshvara I, his son Vikramaditya VI) and Someshnar. II captured the capital of the Chalukyas.
Shiv Mandir Titilagarh
There are many such mysterious places in India, where the presence of divine power is felt. But the miracle of God, which is realized in Titlagarh, Odisha, does not happen anywhere else. A mysterious temple where one feels cold even in summer, in the summer season many times a blanket is needed inside the temple. This miraculous Shiva temple is located in a small town Titlagarh which is located in Balangir District, state of Odisha. Titilagarh: Titilagarh is the hottest area of the eastern state of Odisha. Especially the Kumhra mountain here remains very hot. Because there is direct strong sunlight and there are rocky rocks. Because of which the feeling of heat is more here. But in the midst of this scorching heat, when you enter the Shiva Parvati temple located here, you directly feel the miracle of God. The mysterious ancient temple of Lord Shiva and Parvati is situated here. Which is famous for its mysterious divine consciousness. This temple is also an unsolved puzzle for science. This is a temple where there is a feeling of cold even in summer. There is a rocky mountain outside the temple. Where there is constant heat. But the temperature inside the Shiva temple always remains pleasant. There is no cooler or air conditioner installed in this temple. But still the temperature of this temple is always low. The special thing is that as the temperature outside increases. By the way, the temperature of the temple keeps on decreasing. In the month of May-June, when the outside temperature starts reaching 55 degrees many times. But under the same circumstances, the cold also increases inside the Titlagarh Shiva temple. Many times during the summer season, there is also a situation of covering the blanket inside the temple. This temple is situated on the Kumhra mountain. Whose stones become very hot. It is always cold inside the temple. Inside and outside the temple, the atmosphere changes completely within a few steps.