Alarnath Temple
Alarnath Temple: A Sacred Shrine in the Heart of Odisha The Alarnath Temple, located in the Puri district of Odisha, is one of the most sacred shrines in India. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple attracts thousands of devotees every year who come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the deity. The temple is situated in the idyllic surroundings of Brahmagiri, a small hill located about 25 km from the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri. The shrine is believed to have been established by King Brahmagiri, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. According to local legends, Lord Vishnu appeared in the king’s dream and instructed him to build a temple at the spot where he would find an image of the deity. The temple is built in the traditional Kalinga style of architecture and features intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology. The main sanctum sanctorum houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in his reclining form, also known as Anantashayana. The idol is made of black granite and is about five feet long. The Alarnath Temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, which is celebrated with great pomp and show. The festival is held during the month of Ashadha (June-July) and involves the procession of the deity on a chariot, which is pulled by devotees. The festival attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country, who come to witness the grand spectacle and seek blessings from the deity. Apart from the Rath Yatra, the temple also celebrates other festivals like Janmashtami, Diwali, and Kartik Purnima. During these festivals, the temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and special offerings are made to the deity. The Alarnath Temple is not only a place of religious significance but also a hub of cultural activities. The temple has been a patron of various art forms like Odissi dance, music, and theater. Many renowned artists have performed at the temple over the years, which has helped in promoting the rich cultural heritage of Odisha. In recent years, the temple has also become a popular tourist destination. The serene surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere make it an ideal place for those seeking solace and spiritual enlightenment. The temple also offers various amenities like accommodation and food for the convenience of the devotees and tourists. In conclusion, the Alarnath Temple is a testimony to the rich cultural and religious heritage of Odisha. The temple not only serves as a place of worship but also as a center of art and culture. Its annual Rath Yatra and other festivals attract thousands of devotees and tourists every year, making it one of the most visited temples in the state. A visit to the temple is a must for anyone looking to experience the rich traditions and spirituality of India.
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the town of Simhachalam in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deities Varaha, the boar-headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Narasimha, the lion-headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is also known as Simhachalam Temple or Simhadri Temple. The temple’s origin dates back to the 9th century AD, and it has undergone several renovations over the years. The main deity of the temple is Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, which is a combination of two deities – Varaha and Narasimha. The idol of the deity is about 5 feet tall and is made of black granite. The temple also has several other smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities. The temple is known for its unique architecture, which is a combination of both Dravidian and Orissan styles. The temple’s Gopuram (tower) is about 96 feet high and is decorated with beautiful sculptures and carvings. The temple’s annual Brahmotsavam festival is a major event, attracting thousands of devotees from all over the country. In addition to being a popular tourist destination, the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple is also considered a significant religious center for Hindus. It is believed that worshipping at the temple can bring blessings, good fortune, and spiritual well-being.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state of Kerala, is a temple that has garnered international attention in recent years. The temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is renowned for its opulence and wealth, which has been estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The temple’s origins date back to the 8th century when the city of Thiruvananthapuram was known as Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The temple was then renovated and expanded by various rulers throughout history, including the kings of the Travancore dynasty. The current structure of the temple is a fusion of Dravidian and Kerala architectural styles. The most striking feature of the temple is the deity of Lord Vishnu, which is depicted in a reclining position on the serpent Anantha. The idol is made of a rare combination of materials such as kadusharkara yogam, a herbal mix that was used to preserve the idol. The temple also has a 100-foot-high Gopuram or entrance tower, which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. In 2011, the temple gained global attention when a team of experts discovered six vaults inside the temple that were believed to contain unimaginable riches. The vaults had remained unopened for over a century, and their contents were shrouded in mystery. When they were finally opened, they revealed a vast collection of gold ornaments, precious stones, and artifacts, including a solid gold idol of Lord Vishnu that weighed over 30 kg. The discovery of the treasure sparked a massive controversy, with various parties staking claim to the wealth. The Indian government eventually took control of the temple’s assets and formed a committee to manage them. Apart from its wealth, Padmanabhaswamy Temple is also renowned for its religious significance. The temple hosts several festivals throughout the year, the most famous of which is the Navaratri festival, which is celebrated for ten days in September-October. The festival attracts thousands of devotees who come to witness the elaborate processions, music, and dance performances. In conclusion, Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a magnificent temple that is not only rich in wealth but also steeped in history and culture. Its intricate architecture, religious significance, and incredible treasure make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Thiruvananthapuram.
Sri Vaikuntanatha Temple
The Sri Vaikuntanatha Swamy Temple is a 500-year-old Vaishnavite temple located in the village of Therani in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is known as Vaikuntanatha. The temples were built during the 16th century on the banks of the Kushasthali River. The temple is 5 km from the city of Nagari and 50 km from the city of Tirupati. History The temple was built during the 16th century by Sudarsanachary, an expert in the royal court of Karvetinagaram, which was part of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple was very neglected and became a dilapidated structure over a period of time. The temple had undergone recent renovation work with donations from a devotee.
Janardhanaswamy Temple (Varkala Temple)
The Janardana Swami Temple is a 2,000-year-old temple situated in the Varkala township of Trivandrum. It is also known as Varkala Temple. Janardana Swami is a form of Lord Vishnu. It is a well-known temple in Kerala about 10.9 km west of Kallambalam on NH 66 near the sea, 25 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, 8 km south of the famous destination Kappil and 2 km from the railway station. from Varkala, 14 km northwest of Attingal municipality. It is situated near the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is known as Dakshin Kashi (Southern Benares). The temple is located near the Varkala beach, which is considered to have medicinal properties as the waters wash nearby medicinal plants. It is also a major Ayurveda treatment center. The temple has an ancient bell taken from a shipwreck, donated by the captain of the Dutch ship that sank without causing any casualties near Varkala. Varkala, an emerging seaside city of Trivandrum, also known as Janardanapuram or Udayamarthandapuram or Balit, is a sacred pilgrimage center situated in Trivandrum and is famous for its ancient Vishnu temple, popularly known as Janardana. In Sri Maha Bhavatham, it is mentioned that Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna, visited this shrine during this pilgrimage to Kanyakumari temple and some other temples in the south. It is also known as ‘Gaya of the South’. Varkala has many local attractions and attracts hundreds of pilgrims and visitors throughout the year. Sage Narada, after paying his respects to Lord Narayana, left Vaikuntam to see Brahma. Enraptured by Narada’s sweet music, Narayana followed him unobserved. When Narada reached Brahmaloka, Brahma saw Narayana following his son Narada and offered him greetings, whereupon Vishnu, realizing the awkward situation, suddenly disappeared. Brahma discovered that the person whom he had revered was his own son, Narada. The ‘Prajapathis’ who laughed at this incident were cursed by Brahma to be born on earth and suffer the miseries of human beings. Narada advised them to do penance at the place he himself would select for them. Narada threw his ‘Valkalam’ (bark upper garment) into the air and on the spot where he fell, they consecrated a temple for Janardanaswamy (a name of Vishnu). Thus the name Varkala is a corruption of ‘Valkala’, but the name came into prominent use. The Sri Janardana temple is situated on top of a plateau by the sea. It is located on one of the tops of the hills, which is reached by a long and tiring staircase and one feels tired when arriving at the feet of the Lord. At the entrance to the inner sanctuary are the idols of Hanuman and Garuda on each side and in the main sanctuary is the idol of Sri. Janardana with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. The Janardana temple is a fine example of Kerala art and architecture. The circular ‘Sanctum sanctorum’ topped by a conical cupola of copper sheets, the square ‘mandapa’ with beautiful Navagrahas woodcarvings on the ceiling and copper ceiling, the quadrangular enclosures (prakara) around it, a hall containing a ‘bali peetha’ in front of the inner temple are the characteristic features of Kerala’s architectural style. The construction period of this temple saw the rise of a highly ornate temple. One of the inscriptions indicates that the temple was improved during the reign of Umayamma Rani, who ruled this region during 1677-84 AD The main idol has a striking appearance with four arms bearing all the attributes of Vishnu In the south-west corner and in the Northeast side of the outer enclosure are the shrines of Sasta and Shiva with Nandi. To the scientist, Varkala is well known for its geological formation and has been carefully surveyed and examined by hordes of geologists and volumes of interesting literature are carefully preserved in the archives of the Government of India. In addition to the enchanting ocean view, there is the backwater ride down a canal carved into the tremendous heights of the hills on either side. The vegetation on both sides of the channel, rising in height is a magnificent spectacle, it has given rise to a series of springs from which crystal clear water flows throughout the year. It is admitted that the water has medicinal properties that cure certain ailments. Even a single swim is a tonic that no traveler or visitor should miss. History In times of old, Lord Brahma came to earth to perform a Yaga (Fire Sacrifice). He did it in the present Varkala. He was so immersed in making Yaga that he forgot about the work of creating it. Lord Vishnu came to Varkala to remind Lord Brahma in the form of an old man. The brahmins who attended Lord Brahma received the old man and gave him food. But no matter what he ate, his hunger was not sated. Lord Brahma’s attendants went and told him. Then Lord Brahma could understand that the guest was Lord Vishnu himself. He immediately approached Lord Vishnu and found him trying to eat Aabhojanam. Lord Brahma then stopped Lord Vishnu from eating it and said, “Lord, if you eat it, then the final deluge will swallow this world.” Lord Vishnu then asked Lord Brahma to stop the Yaga and resume the work of creating it. He also showed her the ‘Viswaroopa’ of him. After this day, Sage Narada followed by Lord Vishnu was walking in the sky above Varkala. Lord Brahma who arrived there greeted Lord Vishnu. The nine Prajapathis to whom only the sage Narada was visible laughed at Lord Brahma. Because they thought Lord Brahma was greeting his own son Sage Narada. Then Lord Brahma corrected them. They felt sad for having committed a sinful act. Lord Brahma told them that the sage Narada would show them the proper place to pray for his redemption. Sage Narada threw the Valkala (deerskin) that he was wearing towards the earth. He fell into the present Varkala. The Prajapathis wanted a pool to make atonement. Sage Narada
Jageshwar Dham, Almora
The Jageshwar Temples, also known as Jageswar Temples or Jageshwar Valley Temples, are a group of 124 ancient Hindu temples dating from between the 7th and 14th centuries near Almora, in the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The valley has several groups of temples, such as the Dandeshwar and Jageshwar sites. Some places have attracted the construction of new temples during the 20th century. Together, these groups above the valley consist of more than 200 structural temples built from carved stone. Many are small, while a few are substantial. They predominantly illustrate the Nagara architectural style of North India with a few exceptions showing South and Central Indian style designs, many are dedicated to the god Shiva, while others in the immediate vicinity are dedicated to the god Vishnu, the goddesses Shakti and Surya traditions of Hinduism. Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage city and one of the Dhams (pilgrimage region) in the tradition of Shaivism. The site is protected by Indian laws and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It includes the Dandeshwar Temple, the Chandi-ka Temple, the Jageshwar Temple, the Kuber Temple, the Mritunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, the Nava-grah Temple, a pyramid shrine, and the Surya Temple. The site celebrates the Jageshwar monsoon festival during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (overlaps with July-August) and the annual Maha Shivratri Mela (Shivratri festival), which takes place in early spring. History The origins of the site of the Jageshwar temples are unclear. Its remote location has limited his studies and academic attention. The site shows evidence of different architectural styles and construction periods for both temples and stone stelae, ranging from the 7th to the 12th century, and then into modern times. Estimates for the same temple or stela vary widely, sometimes 1,400 years. According to the ASI, some belong to the post-Gupta or the second half of the 1st millennium while others belong to the 2nd millennium. Some colonial-era conjectures attribute them to the Katyuri or Chand hill dynasties, but there is no textual or epigraphic evidence to support or refute these proposals. Another prevailing theory is that Adi Shankara built some of these temples, but again there is no textual or epigraphic evidence to support this claim. Instead, the architectural features and style of some of these Hindu temples are from the early 7th century, which is between 50 and 100 years before Adi Shankara (c. 788-820 CE) lived. The lack of systematic studies of Indian temples and ruins in many parts of the remote Himalayan regions limits what can be said about the chronological sequence of monuments in the Jageshwar Valley. According to Chanchani, the valley likely reached a prominent position in Indian architecture in the 10th century, with the earliest monuments from the 7th century. The valley has two main groups of Hindu temples and several roadside shrines. Of these, some 151 temples have been numbered by ASI as protected monuments prior to the 12th century. The two largest groups are locally called Dandeshwar group temples (Dandeshwar samuh mandir, 15 temples) and Jageshwar group temples (Jageshwar samuh mandir, 124 temples). Of these, temple numbers 37, 76, and 146 are the largest, all dating from the last centuries of the first millennium. In the historical text, Jageshwar is also known as Yageshvara. Jageshwar was once the center of Lakulish Shaivism, probably by monks and immigrants who left the plains of the Indian subcontinent from places like Gujarat and settled in the high mountains. [citation needed] The temple site, over time, positioned and grew as sacred geography in the form of the North (Uttara) Kashi (Varanasi). Description The Jageshwar group of temples is similar to a large historical group of Hindu temples found in the Indian subcontinent. For example, a similar group is seen near Bhubhaneswar, Odisha in the Lingaraja group of temples. Another large group of stone temples is illustrated in the Batesvar complex in the Chambal valley of Madhya Pradesh. Almost all the small and large temples in the Jageshwar Valley, says Chanchani, have “simple square-plan shrines bounded by smooth walls and stepped superstructures.” Some important monuments in the Jageshwar Valley include: Temple 47, located on the site of Jageshwar, is a Valabhi Nagara-style superstructure with a 7th or 8th century chariot vault. Its western wall was crowned with a stele of Vinadhara Shiva (lute with the legend of Shiva, Shaivism), the north wall with a stele of Ganesha (pan-Hindu) and the east wall with yoga interpreting Saptamatrikas (seven mothers, Shaktism tradition) . Temple 2, found on the site of Jageshwar, is another early temple with a stepped tower in the curvilinear Latin Nagara style. Its square sanctuary is preceded by a small vestibule (antarala). The platform and base molding resemble Temple 47. The tower is topped with a toothed disk (amalaka) and on top is a hypetral linga. The walls of this temple have niches, while above the door of the sanctuary there is an attic with the three-faced Shiva carved on it. The temple also has a relief carving from the 7th or 8th century that shows Lakulisa sitting on a lotus in the water, in a yoga asana doing meditation where the gods approach her from the heavens and the yogis surround her. El Templo 145, que se encuentra en el sitio de Dandeshwar, también es un templo de los siglos VII y VIII, pero exhibe un tercer estilo distinto que sugiere una aceptación y proliferación de la diversidad de artistas. Su torre consta de series apiladas de amalaka en forma de discos dentados de diámetro cada vez menor. Debajo está el santuario cuadrado (garbha griya) cuyo marco de puerta y mandapa están formados por pilares cuadrados. Dentro del lugar sagrado hay un chaturmukha Shiva linga, cada rostro mirando a una dirección cardinal. Temple 76, found at the Jageshwar site, is another first millennium temple on the site, but it is substantial. It is dedicated to the Mrityunjaya form of Shiva, or the one who conquered
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
The Chennakeshava Temple, also known as the Keshava, Kesava or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur, is a 12th century Hindu temple in the Hassan district of the state of Karnataka, India. It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, also called Velapura, one of the first capitals of the Hoysala Empire. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to complete. It was repeatedly damaged and looted during wars, repeatedly rebuilt and repaired throughout its history. It is located 35 km from Hassan city and about 200 km from Bangalore. Chennakesava (literally, “handsome Kesava”) is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu and has been an active Hindu temple since its founding. It is reverently described in medieval Hindu texts and remains an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism. The temple stands out for its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, friezes as well as for its iconography, inscriptions and history. The temple artwork depicts scenes from secular life in the 12th century, dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas through numerous friezes. It is a Vaishnava temple that reverently includes many themes from Shaivism and Shaktism, as well as images of a Jina from Jainism and the Buddha from Buddhism. The Chennakeshava Temple is a testament to the artistic, cultural and theological perspectives in 12th century South India and the rule of the Hoysala Empire. The Belur temple complex along with the nearby Hindu and Jain temples at Halebidu have been proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Location The Chennakeshava temple is located in Belur taluk in the Hassan district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northwest of Hassan. The temple is about 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) from the Halebidu temples. Belur does not have an airport nearby and is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Bengaluru (IATA code: BLR), about a 3.5 hour drive accessible by a four-lane NH75 highway. Hassan is the closest town near Belur which is connected by a railway network to the main cities of Karnataka. The Chennakeshava Temple is an active Hindu temple and an important Vaishnava pilgrimage site. It is located on the banks of the Yagachi River (also called the Badari River in historical texts), a tributary of the Hemavati River. History The Hoysala period of South Indian history began around 1000 CE and continued until 1346 CE. In this period, they built around 1,500 temples in 958 centers. Belur is called Beluhur, Velur or Velapura in ancient inscriptions and texts from medieval times. It was the first capital of the Hoysala kings. The city was so esteemed by the Hoysalas that it is known as “earthly Vaikuntha” (the abode of Vishnu) and “dakshina Varanasi” (southern holy city of the Hindus) in later inscriptions. One of the Hoyasala kings was Vishnuvardhana, who came to power in 1110 CE. He commissioned the Chennakeshava temple dedicated to Vishnu in 1117 CE, a temple considered to be one of the “five foundations” of his legacy. According to Dhaky, a student of Indian temple architecture and history, this temple reflects the growing opulence, political power, deep spiritual dedication to Ramanujacharya’s Sri Vaishnavism, and is his masterpiece. The main temple is called Vijaya-Narayana and the smaller temple next to it built by its queen Santala Devi is called Chennakesava in the inscriptions of her time, but these two temples are now called the Chennakesava temple and the Chennigaraya temple respectively. The main Chennakeshava temple at Belur was completed and consecrated in 1117 CE, although the complex continued to expand for 100 years. Vishnuvardhana moved the capital from him to Dorasamudra, (also known as Dvarasamudra, now Halebidu), famous for the Hoysaleswara Temple dedicated to Shiva. Construction of it continued until his death in 1140 CE. His legacy was continued by his descendants who completed the Hoysaleswara Temple in 1150 CE, and other temples some 200 kilometers away, such as the Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura in 1258 CE. The Hoysala employed many prominent architects and craftsmen who developed a new architectural tradition, which art historian Adam Hardy calls the Karnata Dravida tradition. The Hoysala Empire and its capital were invaded, looted, and destroyed in the early 14th century by Malik Kafur, a commander of the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji. Belur and Halebidu became the target of looting and destruction in 1326 CE by another army from the Delhi Sultanate. The territory was taken by the Vijayanagara Empire. The Hoysala style, claims James C. Harle, came to an end in the mid-14th century, when the King of Hoysala, Veera Ballala III, died in a war with the Muslim sultanate of Madurai followed by his son. Inscriptions Historians have found 118 inscriptions in the temple complex, dated between 1117 CE and the 18th century, providing a history of the temple, grants given to the Chennakeshava temple for its maintenance and repairs during later times. An inscription found on the east wall near the north entrance to the temple’s main mandapa (hall) indicates that Vishnuvardhana commissioned the temple for the god Vijayanarayana in 1117 CE. Some historians have interpreted this inscription to indicate that the Chennakeshava temple was completed in 1117 CE. The Chennigaraya Temple was built at the same time as the main temple and was sponsored by the Queen. The original temple had no boundary wall. The main mandapa was also open for devotees to view and appreciate the intricate carvings within the temple. For the security of the temple, a high wall was built around the temple, a wooden and brick entrance and doors added by Somayya Danayaka during the rule of Veera Ballala III (1292-1343), as well as the open mandapa covered with screens of perforated stone. The new screens darkened the interior of the temple making it difficult to