SRINATHJI TEMPLE NATHDWARA, RAJASTHAN-



SRINATHJI TEMPLE NATHDWARA,RAJASTHAN-

                                                                                                   

This is one of the representation of Srinathji, 
among several available in Nathdwara market

            Sri Nathji temple at Nathdwara is not only one of the six Nath Temples ,dedicated to Lord  Vishnu but also the  main centre of the followers of  Vallabh Sampradaya. This very important temple, is located about 50 km from Udaipur. The architecture of the temple looks like a large Haveli in which the sacred idol of Sri Nathji is caressed like a child by their devotees. It is believed that on the Govardhan Parvat, located at the border of states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, a cow while grazing over the hill used to pour her milk at a particular place every day. During a course of time people found an idol of Lord Srinathji emerging at that place. After complete appearance of the deity, the idol was originally installed at a temple at Jatipura village, where Lord Krishna  spent his childhood. During Moughal period when Aurangzeb attacked the Mathura-Vrindavan and his army started destroying the temples, the idol of Srinathji was moved to Agra and there after to so many places in Rajasthan for safety, before reaching to his final destination Sinhad,presently known as Nathdwara.It is said that the wheels of chariot carrying the deity struck at earth in this place and then the people believed that Srinathji finally wants to stay at this place.

                  Srinathji is a living deity in Nathdwara.  It will be necessary to mention  the traditional Puja  and offerings  performed during the different Jhankis or Darshan. During  Mangla in early morning, Lord is awakened and offered butter, snacks and fruits. During  Sringar darshan Lord is  dressed in a magnificent way and afterwards a mirror is shown to him and dry fruits are offered to  Srinathji. During Gwala darshan,at a time when Lord Krishna take exit with his cows, sweets and milk are offered to the deity.During Rajbhog(lunch time), Srinathji is offered different varieties of food. During Uthaapam,  when Lord Krishna is again awakened after his nap, fruits and milk is offered to him. Afterwards during Bhog, more food is offered to Srinathji.In evening, Sandhya Arti is performed and at Shayan ,Srinathji  is also offered betel(Paan) with food.

                      During unrest and attack at Nathdwara, Srinathji  also stayed  in a fort type temple at Ghasiyar,which is located in the Aravalli  hills, and was a dense forest in those days.This temple at Ghasiyar is located at Udaipur- Mount Abu national high way. Srinathji stayed at Ghasiyar for more than five years, afterwards  Lord returned  back to Nathdwara.

This temple at Ghasiyar 

 

This temple at Ghasiyar

                        Devotees visiting Nathdwara may also visit Shri Vallabh Sangharalaya (Museum) at Lalbagh,which is located about two kms from the main temple. Visitors can look here the  chariot (Rath) ,doli, old paintings and other antique items, which help them to understand the great culture and traditions of Nathdwara.

                                                                                             


Shri Vallabh Sangharalaya

                        Visitors, if they can spare some time , may also visit the famous temple of  Ekling  Mahadev temple,which is located about 25 kms from Nathdwara. This temple, at the bank of Indra Sarovar , has a impressive four faced Shiva Linga in black marble ,as main deity.

                                                                    

AMBAJI SHAKTIPEETH TEMPLE, GUJRAT-

AMBAJI SHAKTIPEETH TEMPLE, GUJRAT-

This temple is located at the Gujarat-Rajasthan border and is about 180 km from Ahmadabad .We found it convenient to visit this holy shrine from Mount Abu, as it is located only about 48 km  South East of Mount Abu. When we reached Ambaji town, we came to know that here, there are two temples dedicated to Goddess Ambaji. One temple is located at the centre of the town whereas there is another very important temple at the top of Gabbar Hill, which is said to be the ‘Original Shaktipeeth". It is believed that the heart of the mother goddess Sati fell on the top of this hill.  The main temple (located in town) is a beautiful structure in marble. The temple has carved pillars at its entrance and an ornamented circular ceiling inside the main sanctum. The hilltop temple is about 3 to 4 km from the town, where devotees have to climb 999 steps before reaching the shrine, alternately the rope ways trolley service is also available for the visitors.

   The significance of this temple is that here, the Deity is said to have been in pre-Aryan era also. In the Tretayug, during the ‘Banvas’ period, Lord Rama and Lakshman came to Gabbar Hill and worshipped Ambaji and in return they got the ‘Ajay Baan’ arrow to kill the Ravana. It is also believed that during the Dwaparyug , Nand and Yashoda came to this hill for the ‘Mundan’ of Lord Krishna. This shrine is among the 51 ancient Shakti Peetha Tirth, located in the  Indian sub continent.

   Some of the photographs of Ambaji are as follows-

Temple at Gabbar Hil

Significance of Ambaji Temple

Entrance Gate of Ambaji Temple

Rope ways to Gabbar Hill

HARIDWAR, A MOKSHADAYANI CITY-

A pilgrimage to Haridwar is very popular and significant in India .Not only Hindu but people from all parts of world visit this region for various reasons. For Hindus, Haridwar is a MOKSHA DAYANI PURI (there are only seven such holy cities in India) where as for others this is a place to understand Indian culture and traditions. Haridwar is about 200 km from Delhi and is located at the bank of holy river Ganga in the Uttaranchal State of India .
 Haridwar is also known as Mayapuri and it is a place, where the world famous Kumbh Mela (The largest religious gathering in India) is held periodically.Haridwar, also known as Hari Ka Dwar, is a gate for CHAR DHAM YATRA in Uttaranchal. Haridwar is also a very important place for SHAKTIUPASAK people due to existence of living Goddess Gangaji as well as the holy temples of Mansadevi and Chandidevi. Mansadevi and Chandidevi are the two hill top temples on either side of sacred river Ganga.The temple of Mayadevi is another important temple in Haridwar. Although there are several bathing ghats along Ganga river, but every Hindu has a lasting wish to take a holy dip at HAR KI PAURY, which is the most beautiful and popular bathing ghat in this region. It is believed that at Har Ki Pauri an AMRIT KALASH exists inside the river bed of Gangaji that is why it is supposed to be most sacred place in Haridwar .The impressive & traditional ARTI of Gangaji at sunset time is a must and unique life time experience for all tourists,irrespective of their faith.
Kankhal in Haridwar is a legendary place associated with Daksha Prajapati (Father in law of Lord Shiva) and his daughter Sati. A visit to Daksheswar Mahadev temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, is a must. In this shrine, beside the sacred Linga of lord Shiva the famous YAGYAKUND (Now known as SATIKUND) where Mata Sati jumped in to the flames, still exists.It is believed that while performing an important YAGYA,Daksha Prajapati intentionally did not invited Lord Shiva in the religious gathering so the Sati felt insulted and sacrificed her life .Afterwards when the whole incident came in the knowledge of Lord Shiva,he instructed his GANAS to destroy the yagya and to punish the Daksha Prajapati.There are also a small number of RUDRAKSHA trees in Kankhal area.Rudraksha is also associated with Lord Shiva.
Haridwar is a place also known for mediation, Yoga, learning of Vedas and Ayurveda .There are several institutes and ASHRAMS in Haridwar ,where such facilities are available.Several good and budget hotels are available in Haridwar but many devotees prefer to live in ASHRAMS, most of them very neat and clean. It will be worthwhile to mention that in Haridwar being a holy city, only vegetarian food is available.Some of the photographs of Haridwar are as follows -

 AN EVENING VIEW OF HAR KI PAURI

AN EVENING VIEW OF HAR KI PAURI

 

MAIN BATHING GHAT AT HAR KI PAURI

TOOTH TEMPLE IN KANDY-

TOOTH TEMPLE IN KANDY-

Tooth temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka is a world famous temple and it was the most important item of my Srilankan eternity.The tooth temple  is within the royal palace complex of Kandy,where the  Srilankan Sinhalese kings  protected the relic with great  respect and care. My guide ,who was himself a Buddhist,told me that the relic which is the left canine tooth of Lord Buddha rests within a solid gold lotus flower encased in  a jewelled casket.It is considered the only surviving relic of Lord Buddha and Sri Lankas most important possession.

When lord Buddha passed away and his last rites was  being performed in Kushinagar India,one of his follower got an opportunity to recover the pious tooth  from the sacred pyre. In due course of time, realising the importance and gravity of the tooth,he handed the relic to the king of Kalinga (located in Orrisa,present name is Odhisa),who was himself a Buddhist. Afterwards during  the unrest and war period, in view of the safety of  sacred tooth,the king Guhasiva decided to send  the relic to Sri Lanka  through his daughter Hemamala.Princess Hemamala  hiding the tooth in her hairs,with his husband prince Dantha brought it to Sri Lanka,as disguised traveller . When they arrived in Anuradhapura,the sacred tooth was handed to the king Kirti Sri Meghavarna and since then the relic remained in royal palaces of Sri Lanka,until it reached the last royal palace ,now located in Kandy.

  Some of the photographs of Tooth temple are as follows-                     

(Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha)



                            

(Temple view from a hilltop)

•                                                                 

MOKSHA (SALVATION) -

Although Hindu religion is very old but after the growth of Jainism and Buddhism, was brought back by Shankracharya along with his two associates Madhava and Ramanuj. Shankaracharya,born in Kerala travelled vastly throughout India. While reviving Hinduism,he also established four maths(monasteries i.e places of learning ) in four corners of India namely JyotIr Math in Uttaranchal; Govardhan Math in Orissa; Shringeri Math in Karnatak and Sharda Math in Gujrat. Shankaracharya's teaching placed great emphasis on the holy book Gita and Upanishads and the aspects of Atma and Parmatma.

Hindu religion expects every follower to adopt such a spiritual life which leads him to Moksha (Salvation).Attainment of Moksha is the ultimate aim of spiritual life, also the ultimate aim of every hindu. According to hindu religion, moksha is the liberation from suffering involved in being, subject to the cycle of repeated birth and death. One can attain Moksha only when he or she has either not committed any sin or is forgiven by the supreme God .In Kaliyug, people commit sins, knowingly or unknowingly. Sometimes our deeds hurt others; sometimes we could not lead a spiritual life due to present day’s lifestyle.

A pilgrimage is a journey to a shrine or other location of spiritual importance to a person’s belief and faith. India is the land of Gods, several deities and diverse religions. Great religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism have originated on the Indian soil. Pilgrimage is a path which leads us to attainment of Moksha.

ASHOK VATIKA IN SRI LANKA -

ASHOK VATIKA IN SRILANKA-

During my visit to Sri Lanka last week, I visited the legendary "ASHOK VATIKA" and at this holy place,we decided to stay in Grand Hotel (www.grandhotelnuwaraeliya.com), which is centrally located in Nuwara Eliya, adjacent to the  Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. 

This is a very important religious place for Hindus.This is the place where Ravana,the king of Lanka kept Mata Sita after her abduction.Even now an old hindu temple exists here with the sacred idols of the Lord Rama, Sitaji, Lakshman and Hanumanji.It is believed that in the Ramayan era, Sugriva the then ruler of monkey kingdom, located in south west of India, was a great friend and devotee of Lord Rama and he ordered his armies to search Mata Sita in all four corners of the earth. Hanuman with his divine powers,while searching for Mata Sita ,crossed the ocean and ultimately reached this place.  The "foot prints" of Hanumanji are marked hear and can still be seen very near to the main temple.This temple is known as "Seetha Eliya Sri Seethai Amman Temple" .Temple opening times are from 8.00am to 1.00pm and from 2.00pm to 6.30pm. This temple is located on Wellimada road in the Nuwara Eliya area, which is the highest as well as the most beautiful hill station of Sri Lanka Central Province.This shrine is about 6 to 7 km from the main Nuwara Eliya town and presently located  in Hakagala natural reserve.There is a temple committee to manage this temple.

Following are some of the photographs of Ashok Vatika are as follows-

                    

FOOT PRINTS OF HANUMANJI