\|/ The Temples Of India\|/ - Page 21

Jagannathi Temple is situated at Bhekhli, just 12 km from Kullu. It is a beautiful place with temple of Maa Bhuwaneshwari. From there one can have a wide view of the entire Kullu Valley and River Beas.

Bishweshwar Temple is located in the village Bajaura just 5 KM from Bhuntar towards south. It is the largest and the most attractive stone temple of Kullu Valley. This temple, built in the ninth century in pyramid style, is built on Shankaracharya Paddhati (style) of Panch Dev Puja. It is said that the Pandavas during their exile constructed this temple in just one day. Due to its wonderful architecture, it withstood the sever earthquake of 1905. This temple has been declared as a protected monument.

The temple of Bishweshwar Mahadev (or Vishveshvara Mahadev) is located at Bajaura 5 Km south from Bhuntar on National Highway No. 21. There are about twenty recorded stone-temples in Kullu of which the Bajaura temple of Lord Shiva (Lord of Universe) is the largest one. The famous archeologist, Dr Vogel has described this temple in detail in his report to the Archaeological Survey of India (1909-10). He says "The excellent workmanship of the large bas-reliefs and, in fact, all the sculptural decoration on Bajoura temple, points to an early date". [Bas-relief is a sort of sculpture where the sulpture has less depth behind the faces or figures than the actual faces or figures would have, when measured]

Mandanjeet Singh, an Indian art historian, in his book Himalayan Art (UNESCO, 1968), opines that the temple was built in eleventh century. The temple looks a bit squat with an unusually flat Shikhara. The outer surface of the temple is covered with the carvings.

There is no pillared hall attached to this temple though such adjuncts are common in Mandi temples. The sanctum of the temple called Garbha Griha is approached directly by an open doorway on the east side of the temple and contains the "linga" of Shiva set in the "yoni" of his female power (shakti), Devi, the daughter of Himalaya.

There are magnificent carvings of gods on the remaining three sides of the temple. The niche to the west has a standing figure of Vishnu. The niche to the south has a beautiful Ganesha.

And the side facing north (the eternal snows of Lahul) has Devi Durga with her eight arms wielding different kinds of weapons. Exquisite carvings on the bulging tower of temple. No animal sacrifice is made at the Bajaura temple.

Legend

The Mahamaya Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jammu. Recognized for its pure, simplistic design, the Mahamaya Temple is a truly laidback and peaceful setting. With calming dcor, it is unexpected to find that the overwhelming power of the location comes from the thousands of worshippers gathered inside of it.

The Mahamaya Temple is focused on the 2nd-3rd century idols of the goddess Mahamaya. Setting eyes on these fabulous, one of a kind constructions, you are sure to feel the presence of Jammu's great history. Visit today, and feel overcome with the feeling of community, religion and appreciation for these fabulous roots.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 02, 2009

This Shiva Temple has been a place of worship for the Kashmiri Royalty for years. The Temple houses a Shiv Lingam (a phallic representation of Lord Shiva) as well as an idol of Goddess Parvati. The temple was built by Mohini Bai Sisodhia ' wife of the last King of Kashmir ' Maharaja Hari Singh in 1915 and therefore the temple is also called the 'Mohineshwar Shivalaya'. The Temple was renovated in 1998 by the Dagger Division which is headquartered at Baramullah. It is currently managed by the 'Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust which is headed by Maharaja Hari Singh's son ' Dr. Karan Singh.

The security guard of this Shiva Temple used to be Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh's father who put in 40 years of service 'taking care of this temple. And when the militancy started in Kashmir, the Hindu priests of the temple fled suddenly abandoning this temple completely. And that's when Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh made a decision to perform the role of the Hindu priests and to ensure that the temple always remains open for its devotees. However, it was not easy to live with this decision as Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh faced threats from the Ultras to quit the Hindu rituals in the temple. Ghulam was also kidnapped by the Ultras and luckily was released later. But he continues to be the priest of theShiva Temple in Gulmarg. The temple attracts hundreds of curious Hindus and Muslims every summer.

facts about the temple and informations:

The Shiva Temple is open from 6 am to 9 pm and 'Aarti' is performed twice a day.

how to reach there:

The Shiva Temple can be accessed from any part of Gulmarg by taxis but it is highly recommended that you commute on horse-back. After all it's a matter of a couple of kilometres as Gulmarg is all of 5 square kilometres in area.

temple at winter

at summer

As per the writings on the temple wall this temple is believed to be constructed by the King Pulakesi II of Chalukya dynasty around 625 A.D to commemorate his victory over Vengi region of Andhra Desham. This can be observed from the square pillars used in the temple structure which were different from the circular pillars commonly used in temples constructed by Kakatiyas.

The Kakatiya kings of "Orugallu empire" which is the present Warangal town have adopted Goddess Bhadrakali as their "Kula Devatha" giving her preference over other gods. The lake was built later by Ganapathi Deva, a minister in Kakatiya Dynasty. A road leading to the temple was also added during that period.

Due to the fall of Kakatiya Dynasty to the Muslim ruler of Delhi Ala-ud-din Khilji, his general Malik Kafur and later to Ghias-ud-Din Tughlak, and during the rule of Bahamani Sultans and Golkonda rulers, the temple lost its prominence over the period and the place has become dilapidated.

Sri Ganapathi Sastri (a.k.a. B. S. Ganesh Rao) a Brahmin and devi upasaka (Devotee of Goddess Kali) from Karnataka has migrated to Warangal in 1940's. He noticed the old Bhadrakali temple and has taken interest in renovating the temple. He constructed a small house next to the temple and started living in this isolated place. He along with Sri Mudumbai Ramanujacharya sought the help of Sri Maganlal Sameja (a prominent local merchant) and other affluent locals and renovated the old temple in 1950. Many persons like Brahmasri Sri Hari Radhakrishnamurthy, Adluri Seetharama Shastry, Vangala Guravaiah, Thandra Venkata Rama Narsaiah, Mahatapaswini Mangalambika and Tankasala Narasimha Rao have lent their hands in the renovation work of the temple.

Before the temple was renovated in 1950 there were Animal Sacrifices at the temple (an old custom at Kali temples in India). This practice was stopped from 1950 onwards after the renovation of the temple. During the renovation, Chandi yantra was installed in the temple and amrutha beejaksharas (holy shlokas) were written on the deity's hanging tongue and modified the deity's fierce looking eyes and tongue to a pleasant looking face. Since then everyday poojas, Sharannavaratras, Vasantha navarathras are being conducted regularly as per the Vedic rites.

Sri Ganapathi Sastri, at the age of 113, died on 11 November 2011 in Warangal. He was survived by two sons and three daughters. He was the Bhadrakali's temple trustee at the time of his death. The temple and the people of Warangal has lost a great man who has developed the temple single handedly. His son Sri B. Seshagiri Rao has taken over the temple affairs as chief priest a few years ago.

ABOUT TEMPLE :-

The temple's main deity Goddess Bhadrakali's image is made in a 2.7x2.7 meters square stone facing west with pleasant looking eyes holding weapons in her eight hands with Shiva under her feet. 'Sree Chakram' and 'Utsava Vigrahas' of Bhadrakali are placed in front of the main deity.

A statue of Lion, Bhadrakali's vahana on which she rides, is placed opposite the sanctum sanctorum. The temple also has a Dhwaja Sthambam and Balipeetham.

Some of the oldest deities in the Maha Mantapam along with Bhadrakali are Uma Maheshwara images on stone in front of Shiva Linga, Subramanya Swamy statue, Hanuman statue and Navagrahas all carved in stone.

A new road was constructed in 1966 from the temple to the Warangal-Kazipet main road next to Government Polytechnic. The temple has been expanded in the 2000s with the addition of Alaya Shikaram, Maha Mantapam. Recently Sri Vallabha Ganapathi temple and temple parikrama have been added to the main temple.

The temple management is also running a Veda Pathasala (School for learning Vedas) near the temple.

There are 8 major and 12 minor temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple including Padmakshi temple, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha swamy temple and Sri Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy temple.

Bhadrakali Temple has become a major tourist place and people from many parts of India visit this temple.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS :-

The high point of Bhadrakali Temple is the lake adjoining the temple. The lake has a capacity of 160 million cubic feet (mcft). Earlier rain was the only source of water for this lake and during drought season the lake gets dried up completely. About 20 years ago pipelines were laid from Kakatiya Canal which brings water from Manair Dam in Karimnagar District and now the lake is full throughout the year. Bhadrakali lake is now used as one of the source of drinking water for Warangal and Hanamkonda cities. The AP Tourism has introduced boats in the lake and one can enjoy a good relaxing boat ride in the lake.

A number of natural rock formations in the surrounding area add to the spiritual charm of the temple and one can relax during a visit to temple in the evening with a beautiful sunset in to the hills.

GALLERY :-

A Painting of Goddess Bhadrakali :-

Bhadrakali temple complex at Warangal :-

Bhadrakali Temple at Warangal :-

Entrance Arch of the Bhadrakali temple :-

Painting of Bhadrakali Temple surroundings :-

A temple of Lord Shiva,one of the minor temples at the Bhadrakali temple :-

Sunset at Bhadrakali Lake, Warangal :-

Sunset at Bhadrakali Lake :-

Credit:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhadrakali_Temple

Maharagya was pleased with the devotion of Ravana and appeared before him and Ravana got an image of the Goddess installed in Sri Lanka. However, the Goddess became displeased with the vicious and licentious life of Ravana and so didn't want to stay in Sri Lanka. Therefore, she is believed to have instructed Lord Hanuman to get the image from Sri Lanka and install it at the holy spot of Tula Mulla.

The mention of Kheer Bhawani is found in Kalhana's Rajtarangini. Kalhana writes that the sacred spring of Tula Mula is situated in a marshy ground. The name of the spring is Mata Ragini Kund (pond).

Maharagini is the form of Durga Bhagvati. The brahmins of Kashmir worship this spring and pilgrims from every comer of the country visit to have the darshan of the place.

In Rajtarangini, Tula Mula and the spring of Maharagya has been considered very sacred and the brahmins of Tula Mula considered notable for their spiritual prowess. Thousands of years ago, many floods occurred in Kashmir and the sacred spring of Tula Mula was inundated under its sway and the holy place could nowhere be traced. At last, Kashmir's Yogi Krishna Pandit had a dream in which the Goddess appeared to him and directed that she would swim in the form of a snake at the proper place and that he should stick large poles to demarcate the holy spot in the marsh land. Subsequently, when the water subsided there the holy spot was discovered. This event happened during the Samvat 4041 (Hindu lunar date).

Abul-Fazal in his book Aini-Akbari mentions the area of Tula Mula extending over a region of hundred bighas (unit of land area) of land, which used to sink in the marshy lands during the summer season.

Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Vivekananda also visited here to have the darshan of the place.

In the past, with incessant offering of milk and sugar candy in the spring by pilgrims, a thick layer of offerings had accumulated at its base. When it was cleared, the ruins of an old temple and shrine slabs engraved with figures were discovered. Here many images were also found but nobody rebuilt the temple till the Samvat 1969 (Hindu lunar date) when Maharaja Pratap Singh who was the disciple of the Goddess, got a temple of marble made in the midst of the spring which shines like a pearl in a shell. The marble temple was completed in 1920s. Some people are of the opinion that there was a mulberry tree near holy spot of Kheer Bhawani which, in local language, is called tul mul. But tul mul is also derived from the Sanskrit word atulya mulya meaning great value. It is believed that Ravana, after his worship of the Goddess, offered her kheer (rice pudding), which she accepted and since then it is called Kheer Bhawani.

BIRTH of GODDESS in HUMAN Form :-

Pandit Prasad Joo Parimoo, a Kashmiri pandit, is believed to have been agrahasta (house-holder) saint of tall order and as such his peers would call himJada Bharata, who was a legendary saint of Puranas times. He used to live in Sekidafer area of Srinagar in Kashmir. He was married but didn't have any children so he is said to have finally adopted a son named Madhav Joo. He would regularly meditate at this holy spring and during one such occasion, while being in a meditative trance (samadhi), he is said to have had a vision of the deity of Mata Kheer Bhawani, who reprimanded him for his hasty decision of going for an adoption when she was herself desirous of taking birth in his family as his daughter. Nonetheless, she is said to have blessed him with the boon and eventually Pandit Prasad Joo Parimoo's wife did give birth to a daughter, who was named Haar Maal. Approximate year of her birth would be 1870-1880 (see notes). In the course of time, Smt Haar Maal got married to Pandit Narayan Joo Bhan and gave birth to a son in 1898 who later came to be called Bhagwan Gopinath during his lifetime.

SACRED SPRING :-

A unique septagonal spring dedicated to Goddess Kheir Bhawani flows from west(sheeror head section) to the east(padh or feet). The holy spring is known to change its colour with various hues of red, pink, orange, green, blue, white, etc. which was noted by Abul Fazal and Swami Vivekananda. A black shade of the spring water is believed to be inauspicious.

PROPOSED NEW LOOK:-

In early 2008, there were plans to modify the basic design of the marble structure. The project was sponsored by Capt. Kapil Raina and family. However, Dr. Karan Singh, who is the trustee of the Dharmarth Trust that looks after the affairs of this shrine and many other pandit-shrines of Kashmir, refused to carry this proposal forward. He believed that the native Kashmiri Pandit community, in general, won't be happy with the change of the look of the old structure.

PHOTOS:-

The Goddess in an Atmalinga form at Kheer Bhawani :-

Devotee at the Temple :-

Night view of the temple :-

Changing colors of the sacred spring :-

Kheer Bhawani temple :-

Kheer Bhawani temple-A closer look :-

Kheer Bhawani temple :-

Flowers in the holy spring :-

Kheer Bhawani temple-At Night :-

Credit :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kheer_bhawani