Ramdara Temple
Ramdara temple is an ancient temple located in Loni Kalbhor, just outside the bustling city of Pune. This temple was rebuilt in 1970s by Dhundhi Baba and is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati but is also famous for the Ram, Sita and Laxman idols and hence the name Ramdara. Murtis of Lord Hanuman, Dattatreya, Lakshmi, and Krishna are placed here. Additionally, explore the exquisitely crafted sculptures depicting Surdas, Meera, Ramadas, Tukaram, Sant Gyaneshwar, Swami Vivekananda, Nanakji (the spiritual guru of Sikhs), and Sage Vashisht adorning the temple’s other walls. The beauty of Ramdara Temple extends beyond its architectural marvels. A serene lake nestled beside the temple offers a picturesque backdrop for quiet contemplation. Visitors can stroll along the lake’s edge, soaking in the tranquility of the surroundings. Located at a convenient distance from Pune, Ramdara Temple makes for an ideal weekend getaway. Escape the city’s cacophony and immerse yourself in the temple’s peaceful ambiance. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a meal under the shade of the surrounding trees, or simply sit by the lake and watch the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and gold. Ramdara Temple comes alive during festivals like Mahashivaratri, Hanuman Jayanti, and Ram Navami. These occasions witness vibrant processions, devotional music, and a festive atmosphere that draws devotees from far and wide. Whether you’re a seeker of spirituality, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the daily grind, Ramdara Temple has something to offer everyone. So, pack your bags, embark on a journey to this serene haven, and discover the magic that lies within its ancient walls. Remember, Ramdara Temple is more than just a temple; it’s an experience. Come, feel the peace, witness the beauty, and discover yourself amidst the serene hills of Loni Kalbhor.
Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple Theur
Discover the Divine Charm of Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple Theur Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple Theur is a popular pilgrimage site located in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of obstacles and the lord of new beginnings. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple to seek blessings from the deity and experience the divine charm of the sacred place. The temple is believed to have been built in the 18th century by Peshwa Bajirao, one of the most prominent rulers of the Maratha Empire. The architecture of the temple is a beautiful blend of traditional Marathi and South Indian styles, with intricate carvings and a stunning Gopuram that adds to the grandeur of the temple. One of the main attractions of the temple is the idol of Lord Ganesha, also known as Chintamani Vinayaka. The idol is made of black stone and is believed to be a self-manifested one. According to legend, Lord Brahma performed a yagna at the site, and Lord Ganesha emerged from the yagna kund (sacred fire pit) in the form of the Chintamani Vinayaka idol. The temple is also surrounded by lush greenery and offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal place for meditation and spiritual contemplation. The temple is located on the banks of the Mula-Mutha River, and devotees can take a dip in the river as it is believed to cleanse one’s sins. Apart from the daily rituals and prayers, the temple also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which is celebrated with great pomp and show. During this festival, the temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and thousands of devotees throng the temple to seek blessings from the deity. In conclusion, Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple Theur is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a spiritual experience. The temple’s rich history, stunning architecture, and serene surroundings make it a unique and divine place that is sure to leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul. So, if you’re planning a trip to Maharashtra, be sure to add this sacred temple to your itinerary and experience the divine charm of Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple Theur.
The Kailasha Temple, Ellora
The Kailasha or Kailashanatha Temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples in the Ellora Caves, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India. A megalith carved out of a rocky cliff face, it is considered one of the most remarkable rock temples in the world for its size, architecture and sculptural treatment, and “the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture”. The top of the superstructure above the sanctuary is 32.6 meters (107 ft) above the level of the courtyard below, although the rock face slopes down from the rear of the temple to the front. Archaeologists believe that it was made from a single rock. Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the largest of the 34 Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves, which stretch for more than two kilometers (1.2 miles) along the cliff of tilted basalt at the site. Most of the excavation of the temple is generally attributed to the 8th century Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (rc 756 – 773), with some items completed later. The temple architecture shows traces of the Pallava and Chalukya styles. The temple contains a number of large-scale free-standing reliefs and sculptures equal to the architecture, though only traces of the paintings that originally decorated it remain. History The Kailasa temple lacks a dedicatory inscription, but there is no doubt that it was commissioned by a Rashtrakuta ruler. Its construction is generally attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (r. 756-773 CE), based on two epigraphs linking the temple to “Krishnaraja”: The Vadodara (c. 812-813 CE) copper plate inscription of Karkaraja II (a ruler of a Rashtrakuta branch of Gujarat) records the grant of a village in present-day Gujarat. He mentions Krishnaraja as patron of Kailasanatha and also mentions a Shiva temple at Elapura (Ellora). He claims that the king built such a marvelous temple that even the gods and the architect were amazed. Most scholars believe that this is a reference to the Kailasa Shiva temple in Elora. Govinda Prabhu Varsha’s Kadaba grant appears to credit Krishnaraja with the construction of the temple. However, the attribution of the temple to Krishna I is not entirely certain because these epigraphs are not physically connected to the caves and do not date from Krishnaraja’s reign. Furthermore, the land grants issued by Krishna’s successors do not contain any reference to the Kailasa temple. The Kailasa temple features the use of multiple different architectural and sculptural styles. This, combined with its relatively large size, has led some scholars to believe that its construction spanned the reigns of several kings. Some of the reliefs in the temple are in the same style as that used in the Dashavatara cave (Cave 15), which is adjacent to the temple. The Dashavatara cave contains an inscription of Krishna’s predecessor and nephew Dantidurga (c.735–756 CE). Based on this, the art historian Hermann Goetz (1952) theorized that the construction of the Kailasa temple began during the reign of Dantidurga. Krishna enshrined the first complete version of it, which was much smaller than the current temple. According to Goetz, Dantidurga’s role in the construction of the temple must have been deliberately suppressed, as Krishna sidelined Dantidurga’s sons to claim the throne after his death. Based on analysis of the different styles, Goetz further hypothesized that later Rashtrakuta rulers also expanded the temple. These rulers include Dhruva Dharavarsha, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha, and Krishna III. According to Goetz, the 11th century Paramara ruler Bhoja commissioned the elephant and lion frieze on the lower plinth during his invasion of the Deccan, adding a new layer of paintings. Finally, Ahilyabai Holkar commissioned the last layer of paintings in the temple. MK Dhavalikar (1982) reviewed the temple architecture and concluded that most of the temple was completed during the reign of Krishna I, although he agreed with Goetz that some other parts of the temple complex can be dated to later rulers. . . According to Dhavalikar, Krishna completed the following components: the main shrine, its gateway, the nandi-mandapa, the lower story, the elephant-lion frieze, the court elephants, and the victory pillars. Dhavalikar admits that the most important sculpture in the temple, depicting Ravana shaking Kailasa Mountain, seems to have been built after the main building. This sculpture is considered one of the greatest pieces of Indian art, and it is possible that the temple came to be known as Kailasa after it. Dhavalikar theorizes that this sculpture was carved around 3-4 decades after the completion of the main shrine, based on its similarity to the Tandava sculpture in the Lankeshvar cave. H. Goetz dated this relief to the reign of Krishna III. Like Goetz, Dhavalikar attributes some other structures in the temple complex to later rulers. These include the Lankeshvar cave and the sanctuary of the river goddesses (possibly built during the reign of Govinda III). Dhavalikar further theorizes that the excavation of the Dashavatara cave, which began during the reign of Dantidurga, was completed during the reign of Krishna I. This explains the similarities between the sculptures in the two caves. Pallava- chalukya influence Dhavalikar noted that no major part of the monolithic temple appears to have been an afterthought: architectural evidence suggests that the entire temple was planned early on. The main shrine is very similar (although much larger) to the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal, which itself is a replica of the Kailasa temple in Kanchi. The Pattadakal Virupaksha Temple was commissioned by the Badami Chalukyas to commemorate their victory over the Pallavas, who had built the Kailasa temple in Kanchi. According to Virupaksha temple inscriptions, the Chalukyas brought the Pallava artists to Pattadakal after defeating the Pallavas. Dhavalikar theorizes that after defeating the Chalukyas, Krishna must have been impressed by the Virupaksha Temple located in his territory. As a result, he brought the sculptors and architects of the Virupaksha Temple (including some Pallava artists) to his own territory and hired them for the construction of the Kailasa temple at Ellora. If the architects of the
Khandoba Temple, Jejuri
Jejuri is a city and municipal council in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The city has an important mandir of the Hindu lord Khandoba, the Khandoba Mandir, which is situated on a hill in this city. It is one of the most visited tirtha (holy places) in Maharashtra. Khandoba is a clan god for many castes and communities in Maharashtra, loved as a wish-granting god. His wives Mhalsa and Banai represent his caste groups, the Lingayat Vanya of Karnataka and the nomadic herdsmen, the Dhangar tribe. History Jejuri has lime deposits. The historic Shaniwar Wada Fort, the Peshawa headquarters of the Maratha Empire in Pune, was completed in 1732 by Bajirao I, at a total cost of Rs. 16,110, With lime mined from the Jejuri Lime Belts. In 1739 Chimaji Appa, a general of the Maratha Empire and brother of Peshwa Bajirao, defeated the Portuguese at the Battle of Vasai. After the war, Chimaji Appa and his Maratha soldiers took 38 church bells from there as souvenirs and installed them in 34 Hindu mandirs in Maharashtra. They installed one of these bells in the Khandoba mandir, where it still stands. The Khandoba temple is located in Jejuri, which is southeast of the Maharashtra city of Pune. The city is known for one of the most revered temples in the state, the Khandobachi Jejuri. The temple is dedicated to Khandoba, also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand or Mylaralinga. Khandoba is regarded as the ‘God of Jejuri’ and is held in great reverence by the Dhangars. The temple was the site of a historic treaty between Tarabai and Balaji Bajirao on September 14, 1752.