DIVYA DESHAM
1. Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple (Tirupati)
Sri Venkateshwara temple is located in the hill town of Tirumala, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. According to Hinduism, here “Lord Venkateshwara” have appeared to save the mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga, hence it became “Kaliyuga Vaikuntham”.
This temple is also known as “Tirupati temple”, “Balaji Temple”. Lord Venkateshwara is also known as “Balaji”, “Govinda”, “Srinivasa”.
This temple is maintained by “Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam”. This temple lies on the seventh peak (Venkatadri) of “Sheshachalam hill” (comprises seven peaks which represents seven heads of “Adishesha”) so it is known as “Temple of Seven Hills”.
This temple was constructed in Dravidian architecture from 300 AD. Here the main deity of “Lord Venkateshwara” is in standing posture in the “Garbha Griha” (Ananda Nilayam). It is considered as “Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetram”. Here Lord is worshiped by “Vaikhanasa Agama” Tradition. The thick wooden door of this temple is covered with Gold Gilt plates symbolizing the dash avataram of “Lord Vishnu”. This temple is the richest temple in the world.
2. Sri Ranganatha swamy Temple (Srirangam, Tamil Nadu)
Sri Ranganatha swamy temple located in Karnataka, India which is dedicated to “God Ranganatha” (a form of “Lord Vishnu”). Along the river Kaveri there are five pilgrimage sites (known as “Pancharanga Kshetram”). The deity in this temple is known as “Adi Ranga” as this is the first temple which was built starting from the upstream.
It is believed that this temple was first constructed in 984 AD.
In the “Garbha Griha” “Lord Vishnu” reclines in the coil of the snake “Adishesha” under a canopy of its seven hoods. He also has “Devi Lakshmi” sitting near his feet.
There are also other deities like “Sridevi”, “Bhudevi” and “Brahma”. There are also other small shrines of “Narasimha”, “Gopala Krishna”, “Srinivasa”, “Hanuman”, “Garuda” etc.
3. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala):-
Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram (The city of Lord Ananta), Kerala.
Here the presiding deity “Lord Padmanabhaswamy” (Form of “Lord Vishnu”) is enshrined in a “Ananta Shayana” posture (the eternal yogic sleep) on the Snake “Adishesha”.
This temple is considered as one of the main “Divya Desham” in Vaishnavism. It is believed that “Ananthapuram temple” is the “Moolasthanam” (main seat) of “Lord Padmanabhaswamy”. In “Dwapara Yuga” Parashurama purified and venerated the idol of “Lord Padmanabhaswamy”. Here the deity is made with 12008 “Shaligram Shila”. His right hand is placed on a “shiv Lingam”. “Sridevi”, “Lakshmi” and “Bhudevi” are present by his side. Here the Lord is covered with “Katusharkara Yogam” (A special ayurvedic mix that forms a plaster to keep the deity clean.)
This temple was built in an intricate fusion of Chera and Dravidian Style of architecture. It contains high walls and a 16th century “Gopura”.
“Alpashy festival” (October- November) and “Panguni festival” (March- April) is celebrated for 10 days in this temple. The main annual festival is Navaratri. The biggest festival is “Laksha Deepam” (once in 6 years), thousands of lamps are lit in the temple premises.
4. Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan)
Shri Banke Bihari temple dedicated to “Lord Krishna”, located in Mathura, Vrindavan. “Banke Bihari Ji” (“Banke” means bent in three places & “Bihari” means enjoyer) is originally worshiped at “Nidhivana”.
Here “Lord Krishna” stands in the “Trivanga” posture which is worshiped by founder “Swami Haridas” in the name of “Kunja- Bihari”.
On the main day of “Jhulan Yatra” (Swing festival), Lord Krishna was placed on a golden swing (Hindola). Here loud bells are not used to woke him in the morning, he is woken gently as a child. Even in arti no bells are used.
On Janmashtami only one day a year, Mangala Arti is done. During the Holi festival “Sri Banke Bihari” comes off his alter and can be seen in his full view in the last five days of Phalguna.
5. Prem Mandir (Mathura)
Prem Mandir (“Temple of divine love”), is a Hindu temple located in Vrindavan, Mathura, India. This temple is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishad, which is an international non-profit educational, spiritual, charitable trust. This temple is dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna & Sita-Ram.
The complex is located on a 55-acre site. This temple was founded by fifth Jagadguru, Kripalu Ji Maharaj, whose main ashram was at “Sri Vrindavan Dham”.
This mandir is made of Italian marble, 3.25 ft thick. Total dimensions of the temple is 125 ft high, 190 ft long, 128 ft wide raised platform serves as the seat of the two-storied white monument. The wall thickness of “Garbhagriha” is 8 ft to bear the weight of “Swarna Kalash”, Huge shikhara and the flag.
Numerous portraits of “Krishna Leela” and the miracles of “Lord Krishna” can also be found inside the temple. The temple complex ha large size depictions of four Leela’s of Sri Krishna– “Jhulan Leela”, “Govardhan Leela”, “Raas Leela”, “Kaliya nag Leela”.
6. Simhachalam Temple (Vishakhapatnam)
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple located in Simhachalam hill range. Here “Lord Vishnu” is worshiped as “Varaha Narsimha”. “Lord Vishnu” appeared in this form (Lion head and human body) after saving “Prahlada” from “Hiranyakashyapu”. This idol is covered with a sandalwood paste (Resembles a Lingam) throughout the year except “Akshaya Tritiya”. This is one of the important Narasimha temples for Vaishnavism.
This temple was built with the fusion of Kalinga, Chalukya, and Chola architecture. This temple faces west which signifies “victory”. There are two temple tanks like “Swami Pushkarini” and “Gangadhara”. This temple has many other sub shrines and “Mandapam”.
The religious practices and temple customs are formulated by Vaishnavite “Ramanuja”. This temple is the second largest temple. According to Hinduism, the deity is capable of giving progeny to the women and fulfils the wishes. Two major festival of this temple is “Kalyanotsava” and “Chandanotsava” followed by “Narasimha Jayanti”, “Navaratrotsava”, “Kamadahana”.
7. Ram Mandir (Ayodhya)
Ram mandir is located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It is to be built on “Ram Janmabhoomi” (Birthplace of Hindu God “Rama”). In 16th century Mughals constructed “Babri Masjid” at this place. After a long violent dispute, On 5th August 2020, the ground breaking ceremony was performed by Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi.
According to Hinduism, “Rama” (Incarnation of God Vishnu), was born in Ayodhya. The presiding deity of this temple is “Ram Lalla Virajman” (Infant form of Rama).
In 1988 the original temple was designed by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. This temple is designed in the Nagara style of Hindu architecture. The temple complex will be world third largest Hindu shrine. The temple will be 235 ft wide, 360 ft long, 161 ft high and built in a 10-acre area. The 57-acre temple complex will contain a “Ram Katha Kunj”, a “Vaidik Pathshala”, a “Saint Niwas” and a “Yatri Niwas”.
