Other Famous Temples
1. Gangotri (Uttaranchal)
Gangotri Temple is a Hindu pilgrim temple on the bank of the river “Bhagirathi” in Uttarakhand. It is the origin of river Ganges, on the greater Himalayan range at a height of 3100m. according to Hinduism, “Goddess Ganga” descended when “Lord Shiva” released the mighty river from the locks of his hair.
It is one of the four sites in “Chhota Char Dham” pilgrimage sites. According to Hinduism “Goddess Ganga” took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s predecessors.
Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa founded the original Gangotri temple.
“Gaumukh” is the origin of the holy river. This temple closes from “Diwali” every year and opened on “Akshaya Tritiya”.
2. Yamunotri (Uttaranchal)
Yamunotri is the seat of the “Goddess Yamuna” & the source of the “Yamuna” river. It is located at an altitude of 3293m in the Garhwal Himalayas and approx. 30 km north of Uttarkashi. “Yamunotri” is one of the India’s “Chhota Char Dham” pilgrimage sites.
Here the chief attraction is the “Yamunotri temple” devoted to “Goddess Yamuna” and the holy thermal springs at “Janki Chatti”. This temple was constructed by “Maharaja Pratap Shah” of Tehri Garhwal. Here the deity is made up of black marble.
Several hot water springs gushing out from mountains near this temple. One of the famous Kund is “Surya Kund”. “Divya Shila”, situated near the Kund is worshiped before offering puja to the deity.
Like the Ganges, Yamuna has been elevated to the status of a divine mother for the Hindus and has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization
3. Vaishno Devi (katra)
Mata Vaishno Devi temple is a Hindu Temple locate in Katra in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Here “Mata Vaishno Devi” (also known as “Mata Rani”, “Trikuta”, “Ambe”, “Vaishnavi”) is worshiped as Devi.
It is believed that “Goddess Vaishnavi” was formed from the combined energies of “Goddess Mahakali”, “Mahalakshmi” & “Maha Saraswati”. This temple is located at “Trikuta” mountain, which is 13km trek from base camp of Katra to Bhavan.
However, it is recommended to trek by foot, various modes like pony, helicopter and ropeway are available for each of devotees. Here “Mata Rani” appeared as eight-armed Goddess, riding on a lion.
It is believed that after destroying demons, “Mata” was requested to reside on earth, so that she may forever keep all evils at bay. In the cave there are three rocks which represents three Goddess. This shrine is lovingly called as “Vaishno Devi”. Here millions of devotees go every year to get the blessings from Goddess. She is also known as “Pahadawali”, “Jyotawali”, “Sherawali”, “Latawali”, “Meherawali”.
4. Kailash temple (Ellora, Aurangabad)
Kailash temple or “Kailashanatha” is located in “Ellora cave”, Maharashtra. This temple is the largest of the “Rock cut Hindu temple” because of its size, architectural and sculptural treatment. The temple architecture shows Pallava and Chalukya style. This temple construction is attributed to Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. This temple is famous for its “Vertical Excavation” (From top to downwards).
There is a low “Gopuram” at the entrance of the temple.
Deities on the left side of entrance are of “Shivaites” (Lord Shiva) and on the right side are of “Vaishnavites” (Lord Vishnu). There are some famous sculptures of Shiva like, “Shiva the ascetic”, “Shiva the dancer”, “River Goddess”, “Shiva warned by Parvati about Demon Ravana”.
There is a Lingam of “Lord Shiva” and “Nandi” In the center of the courtyard. This Mandapa is supported by 16 pillars and a Dravidian Shikhara. The curved base of this temple suggests that the elephants are holding the temple. Scenes of “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” are featured by the base of the temple
5. Meenakshi temple (Madurai)
Meenakshi temple is located in the temple city Madurai, Tamil Nadu on the southern bank of Vaigai river. This temple is dedicated to “Goddess Meenakshi” (a form of Parvati) and “Lord Sundareshwara” (Shiva). This temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1216 CE). There are shrines of “Surya” and “Natarajan” near the temple.
Here “Vishnu” is believed to be the brother of “Meenakshi”. “Ayyanar” (In East), “Vinayanagar” (In South), “Kariamalperumal” (In West), “Kali” (In North), and a “Maha Mandapam” is present in the temple. This is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivism and also includes Vishnu in many forms.
Millions of pilgrims visit the temple during the annual 10-day “Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival” which includes a “Rath” procession.
The temple complex is about 14 acres, with walls of 800 ft longer. This complex has a “Golden lotus” and “sacred pool” for bathing of the pilgrims.
Here the main event is the marriage of “Devi Meenakshi” and “Lord Sundareshwara”. Here “Goddess Meenakshi” is made with green stone and standing in a bent leg posture with raised hand holding a lotus and a parrot sitting on it. Here “Sundareshwara” has a stone Lingam which is shaded under a stone cobra hood. It is the largest shrine in the temple complex
6. Jalakandeshwar Temple (Vellore)
Jalakandeshwar temple is located in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to “Lord Shiva”. This temple was built by the King Sadashiv deva Maharaja in 1540-1572 CE. As the Lingam was surrounded by water so it is known as “Jalakandeshwar Temple”.
This temple was built in Vijayanagaram architecture. Its “Gopuram” has Exquisite carvings, richly carved stone pillars, Large wooden gates, Stunning Monolith and sculptures. The temple is built in the middle of a water tank. And the water resembles a garland.
The “Gopuram” of this temple is 100 ft in height. There is a “Mandapam” supported by Dragons, Horses, and yalis. There is a wedding hall (Kalyana Mandapam) inside the temple. There is a ancient well called “Ganga Gauri Teertham” whose water is used for bathing of the deity.
Some devotees worship the golden and silver lizard sculptures in the temple in order to get rid of “Sarpa Dosham”
7. Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar)
Har Ki Pauri is located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand on the bank of Ganges. “Har” means “Lord Shiva”, “Ki” means “Of” and “Pauri” means “Steps”. It is believed that Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu have visited “Brahma Kund”. This is the place where Ganges leave the mountains and enter in plains.
Here “Kumbh Mela” (every twelve year), “Adi Kumbh Mela” (every six years), “Punjabi festival” of “Vaisakhi”, a “harvest festival” occurs every year in April. Here every evening “Ganga Arti” (lights are set on the water to drift downstream) takes place which is known as most sacred.
It is believed that after the “Samudra Manthan” Amrit fell here from the sky, while being carried by the Garuda. In 19th century several temples have come up to the steps. Here people float Diya, and flowers in them as a symbol of hope and wishes.
8. Brahma Sarovar (Kurukshetra)
Brahma Sarovar is an ancient water pool, located in old Kurukshetra city of Haryana. According to Hinduism this lake is very significant for taking bath for internal and external purity. People belief that “Lord Brahma” created the universe from the land of Kurukshetra after a huge Yajna. Brahma Sarovar is believed to be the cradle of civilization.
It is also mentioned in Mahabharata as Duryodhana used this lake to hide himself during the war. A sacred shrine of “Lord Shiva” stands within the Sarovar which is accessible through a small bridge.
Here “Gita Jayanti” is celebrated during last week of November and early December. Then a “Deep Daan” ceremony of floating lamp in water occurs.
“Birla Gita Mandir” and “Baba Nath Haveli” are also main attraction near this Sarovar.
9. Akshardham (Delhi)
Swaminarayan Akshardham is located in New Delhi, India. It is a Hindu temple and a Spiritual-Cultural Campus as it displays traditional and modern Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture. This temple was constructed by “BAPS” under the inspiration of “Yogiji Maharaj” and created by “Pramukh Swami Maharaj”. This temple was officially opened on 6th November 2005.
At the center of this complex the temple (141 ft high, 316 ft wide, 356 ft long) was built according to Vaastu Shastra, carved with flora, fauna, dancers, musicians. This temple was built in Maharishi Vaastu Architecture with Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Canara Marble without any steel or concrete.
There is a 11 ft huge murti of “Swaminarayana” (Main deity) in Avaya mudra placed under the central dome of this temple. He is surrounded by images of Gurus depicted either in a devotional posture or in posture of service each made with “Pancha Dhatu”. The temple has 234 pillars, 9 domes, 20000 murtis of Swamis, Acharyas.
The temple complex contains “Sahajanand Darshan”, “Neelkanth Darshan”, musical fountain and a garden. There is a “Gajendra pith” in the temple with 148 elephants of 3000 tons.
This is awarded with “world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple”.
10. Belur Math (west Bengal)
Belur Math is the headquarter of Ramkrishna Math and Mission. It was founded by swami Vivekananda, chief disciple of “Ramkrishna Paramhansadev”. It is located in the west bank of Hooghly river in Belur, west Bengal. This temple is considered as the heart of the “Ramkrishna movement”. The architecture of this temple fuses Hindu, Christian, Islamic & Buddhist art motifs which is a symbol of unity of all religions.
This 40 acre’s campus includes temples dedicated to Sri Ramkrishna dev, Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda, in which their relics are enshrined. There is a museum contains articles connected with the history of Ramkrishna Math & Mission. They celebrate birthdays of Ramkrishna dev, Sarada Devi and swami Vivekananda and other monastic disciples. The tradition of “Kumari puja” and “Durga puja” started by Vivekananda is one of the main attractions.
They conduct medical service, work for women, education, rural uplift, relief, spiritual and cultural activities.
The Ex-president APJ ABDUL KALAM regarded this place as a “Place of heritage and national importance”
