Hinduism and India are conventionally associated with Vegetarianism, and the prasad (the food offering) distributed in Hindu temples is almost invariably vegetarian. However, believe it or not, this is only sometimes the case. There are, in fact, some temples in India that do distribute non-vegetarian prasad. Though these temples are only exceptions to the general rule of Hinduism’s commitment to Vegetarianism, they speak volumes of its diversity. Here we take a look at the five most prominent temples of India where non-vegetarian food is still distributed.
Five Hindu temples where nonveg prasad is distributed
The following are some of the Hindu temples where nonveg prasad is distributed:
1. Kamakhya Temple of Assam
The first and one of the most important temples in this list is the Kamakhya Temple of Assam. Located in the North-Eastern state’s capital Guwahati, it is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kamakhya. The temple is currently famous for the Ambubachi Mela, a fair during which a special prasad called “khasi” is offered to the goddess. Khasi is a goat sacrifice, and devotees believe that consuming this prasad brings blessings. Ambubachi Mela is an annual fair held during the monsoon season and the Assamese month of Ahaar.
According to Hindu mythology, Kamakhya Devi is believed to be an ancient Hindu Tantric goddess who originated from the body parts of Goddess Sati. According to legend, when Lord Shiva performed his Tandava (the cosmic dance of destruction) while carrying the lifeless body of Sati, her genital organ, known as the yoni, fell at the spot where the Kamakhya Temple stands today. The temple is thus one of the most important sites of temples dedicated to Devi Shakti. The devi is also associated with Devi Kali.
The temple also offers another unique prasad called “angadhak,” which is a piece of cloth supposedly stained with the menstrual blood of the devi. Devotees consider it sacred and auspicious. That is also peculiar as many Hindu traditions consider mensurating women impure and do not permit their entry into temples. The goddess is considered the goddess of fertility and is revered by the local population.
2. Kamakhya Temple of Himachal Pradesh
Another Kamakhya Temple in Himachal Pradesh, where non-vegetarian food is distributed, is located near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It also follows the tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad. Here, a goat is sacrificed, and the meat is cooked as prasad, which is distributed among devotees.
3. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain
The Kal Bhairav Temple, located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is dedicated to Lord Bhairava. Kal Bhairva is a fierce form of Lord Shiva that is popular among Tantric worshippers, and it is believed that offering liquor and meat to Lord Bhairava can please him. Non-vegetarian prasad, including alcohol, is offered to this deity, and devotees also receive a small portion as prasad.
4. Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple, Goa
When one thinks of Goa, one mostly thinks of its pristine beaches and Portuguese churches; however, it is home to many temples too. Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple is situated in the Anjuna area of Goa and is another temple known for its non-vegetarian food. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God of destruction, Lord Shiva. The main deity is thus lingam which is a traditional Hindu iconic presentation of Lord Shiva. It is known for its unique prasad distribution, as the temple offers fish prasad to devotees. This fish food is freshly caught and cooked as an offering.
Though the temple celebrates various Hindu festivals, Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important. During this festival when special rituals, prayers and cultural performances are held.
5. Baba Balak Nath Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Baba Balak Nath Temple is another temple known for non-vegetarian offerings. It is located in the Hamirpur district of Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh and is dedicated to Baba Balak Nath. Baba Balak Nath was a revered Hindu saint. The temple has a long tradition of offering goat sacrifices, and the meat of the sacrificed goat is cooked and distributed as prasad to devotees.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
There are several questions that the readers may have about non-vegetarian prasad offerings in temples. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s):
Question: Are there any other such Hindu temples that have non-veg prasad offerings?
Answer: Please note that the above list of temples is hardly exhaustive, and that offers non-vegetarian food, and there might be several other temples as well. Some other such temples include:
Kali Bari Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Bhairavnath Temple, Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir
Kottiyoor Temple, Kannur, Kerala
Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Sheetla Devi Temple, Gurugram, Haryana
Question: Why do these temples have non-vegetarian food offerings?
Answer: These temples have long traditions of non-vegetarian food offerings. They continue to uphold these traditions. The offerings are also associated with the tantric system of worship. Tantric worshippers worship Lord Shiva, Maa Kali, and their forms – and often use non-vegetarian food and alcohol for the purpose.
Question: Does this mean Hinduism supports Non-vegetarian food?
Answer: No, it doesn’t mean that, and the sacrifices in these temples are of symbolic form, just like prasada in all other temples. Hinduism doesn’t encourage violence against animals. Also, often, the impure form of food is itself the reason for choosing it – as it is seen as a way of sacrificing one’s worldly desires to Lord Shiva.
Question: What is the best time to visit these temples?
Answer: The best time to visit these temples is the festivals they are popular or renowned for if you are a spiritual person. In the case of most of these temples, it is Shivratri in particular and new moon day and full moon day in general.
Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism and has been called Mahadev or Supreme God. He is revered and worshipped across India and has numerous Shiva temples throughout the country, each with its own unique significance and architectural beauty. Today we bring you a list of the ten most famous Lord Shiva Temples of Inda.
Ten Most Prominent Shiva Temples of India
Somnath Temple
The first and one of the most famous Lord Shiva Temples in this list, Somnath Temple, is situated on the western coast of Gujarat. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Jyotiglingas are divine representations of Lord Shiva. It has a rich history and has been destroyed and reconstructed sixteen times throughout the centuries. The Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple.
The nearest airport is Diu Airport, and Veraval Railway Station is the closest railhead. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Somnath. Various state and private transport buses also connect Somnath with major cities in Gujarat.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Located in the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the holiest sites for Hindus and a prominent temple of Lord Shiva. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the centre of the universe.
The anxiety city of Varanasi enjoys good connectivity by air, rail, and road. The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, and Varanasi Junction is the major railway station. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local means of transportation to reach the temple.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Another famous Lord Shiva Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple, is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the Peruvudaiyar Kovil and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century and is still renowned for its magnificent architecture.
The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport, and Thanjavur Junction is the closest railway station. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.
Kedarnath Temple
Located in the Garwal Himalyan ranges of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Temple is another important pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and holds immense religious significance.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh. From there, you can travel to Gaurikund, the base camp for Kedarnath, by road and then undertake a trek or hire a helicopter to reach the temple
Amarnath Temple
Located in the beautiful Amarnath cave, Jammu and Kashmir, Amarnath Temple is famous and unique for its lingam, which is made of ice that forms naturally inside the cave.
It attracts thousands of devotees during the annual Amarnath Yatra. The temple is situated in the Amarnath cave, which is accessible through Pahalgam or Baltal. Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport, and Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the closest railhead. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the respective base camp.
Lingaraj Temple
Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is another prominent Lord Shiva Temple of India. Built-in the 11th century, it is dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Bhubaneswar has an airport, Biju Patnaik International Airport, and a railway station, Bhubaneswar Railway Station. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local means of transportation to reach the temple.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Located in Rameswaram, in the southernmost state of India, Tamil Nadu, Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the most sacred temples in this list. A famous Lord Shiva temple, it is visited, according to a mythical legend, by Lord Rama, the protagonist of the great India epic Ramayana (hence the name of the temple).
Rameswaram has good connectivity by road and rail. The nearest airport is Madurai International Airport, and Rameswaram Railway Station is the major railhead. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.
Nataraja Temple
Nataraja Temple is dedicated to the cosmic dancer form of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. It is renowned for its unique architecture and the Chidambara Rahasya, a hidden deity representation.
The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, and Chidambaram Railway Station is the closest railhead. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.
Mallikarjuna Temple
Situated on the banks of River Krishna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, this famous Lord Shiva Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna, a form of Lord Shiva. It is a significant pilgrimage site in South India. It is a place where Shakti Peetha and Jyotirlingam reside together. Adi Shankara composed his Shivananda Lahari here.
The nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, and Markapur Road Railway Station is the closest railhead. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Srisailam. State transport buses and private buses also connect Srisailam with major cities in Andhra Pradesh.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
There are several questions that the readers may have about the famous Shiva temples of the country. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s):
Question: Name the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Answer: The twelve Jyotirlingas are the following
Somnath
Mallikārjuna
Mahakaleshwar
Baidyanath
Omkareshwar
Bhimashankar
Vishwanath
Nageshwar
Kedarnath
Rameshwaram
Trimbakeshwar
Grishneshwar
Question: What is the best tie to visit these temples?
Answer: Except for Amarnath temple, almost all prominent Lord Shiva temples are best visited on Shivratri.
If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them here.
Kashi Vishwanath is one of the most prominent ancient temples in India. It is located in the holy city
of Varanasi, and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Thousands of
devotees every year come to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva here. If you're planning to visit Kashi
Vishwanath temple anytime soon, then you are on the right page, as you can get all the details here.
Darshan
The temple is open for darshan from early morning to late night. The timings depend on the day and
the occasion you visit. The temple is generally crowded, and you have to wait in long queues before
you can have the darshan. The temple administration has set up various types of queues for various
darshans like general darshan, VIP darshan, and special darshan if you are a senior citizen or a
physically challenged individual. You can go for online booking to avoid waiting in long queues.
Aarti
The temple offers different arti options throughout the day. If you're planning to visit the temple,
then you can get an opportunity to witness amazing aarti darshans like mangla aarti, blog aarti,
sandhya and Shayan Aarti. The timings of the arti depend on the occasion and the day you are
planning to visit the. You can go for special arti options also like Rudra Abhishek and Lagu Rudra
Abhishek. You should check the temple's website or inquire the temple office for the exact timings
of all the options.
Booking
Temple administration has set up a website where you can book your darshan and aarti. You can
choose from different types of darshans and arti options available and book your slots in advance.
The online booking system makes it very easy for you to get your hands on the information about
the rules and regulations so that you can make the right decision at the right time. You can also book
your slots at the temple office, but it is advisable to do it online so that you can have a seamless
experience.
Security measures
The temple administration has set strict measures to ensure your safety and maintain the sanctity of
the temple. You're not allowed to carry any electronic devices like cameras or other items inside the
temple. There is also a locker facility available where you can deposit your belongings before you
enter the temple.
Guided tour
You can go for guided tours of the temple, where an eligible guide will help you learn about the
information about the temple's history, architecture, and significance. The temple administration
offers your guided tour at a nominal fee, and you can book the tour at the temple office.
VIP darshan
if you are not want to go for the standard darshan, then you can go for VIP darshan also, where you
can skip the long queues. This version is available for a nominal fee, and you can book your slots
online or also visit the temple office. The VIP version option is available for aarti ceremonies also.
Special occasions
the temple celebrates different special occasions throughout the year, like Mahashivratri, Diwali,
and Karthik Purnima. On these occasions, the temple is decorated with plenty of lights and flowers,
and all discussion ceremonies are performed. The temple administration releases basically a
calendar of events at the beginning of the year so you can easily plan your visit.
Accommodation
The temple administration has set up different accommodation options for you where you can stay
near the temple. The option basically includes private hotels, guest houses, and Dharamshala. You
can book any accommodation as per your preference and budget. You can also book the
accommodation online or by visiting the temple office.
Medical assistance
The temple administration has set up medical facilities for visitors. If you need any medical
assistance, you can be stress-free. The medical facilities include a dispensary and an ambulance
service. You can avail of the services by contacting the temple office.
Some other attractions nearby
While you are in see, you can explore the rich history, culture, and spirituality of the place. You can
explore other attractions in the city apart from the Kashi Vishwanath temple, which includes Sankat
mochan hanuman temple and Durga Devi Temple. The city is prominent for its ghats which are
basically this series of steps leading down to the river Ganga.
Above all, visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple is a very important cultural experience, especially for
Hindu devotees. By following the proper dress code timing and security measures, you can have a
smooth and fulfilling temporal experience. Online booking guided tours and other facilities like food
accommodation and medical assistance is available easily so that you can have a comfortable
spiritual experience. Overall the temple is a memorable and enriching experience, but you should
experience it at least once in your lifetime.
India is known for its religious beliefs and astounding culture that we follow till now. There are 330 million gods and goddesses in our Hindu culture and many of them have their own shrines and stories that are so amazing to hear. There is also one story in our culture that left its mark in Indian history. It’s the story that lies behind the formation of our 51 major shrines that we call Shakti Peetha. In this article, we will discover the story behind the formation of Shakti Peetha and also talk about all 51 Shakti Peeth in India.
What is Shakti Peeth?
They are the Shrines or divine temples of Goddess Sati, they are believed to be the places that are blessed by the Goddess Sati when the body parts of her corpses fall there after her death.
The story behind the formation of Shakti Peeth
There are three main principal deities that created this world Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and the Lord shiva. The son of Lord Brahma who was Prajapati Daksha has a daughter named Sati. Now after Sati was bored she always heard stories about Lord Shiva and that is why she started worshipping Lord Shiva as well.
After she got to the age of marriage she married Lord Shiva even when it was against her father’s will. Prajapati Daksha didn’t like how Lord Shiva lived his life in such a simple way. Which is why he always hated him and never wanted her daughter to marry him. One day Prajapati Daksha held a Yagna where he invited all the great dignities including his father Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu but he didn’t invite Lord Shiva so he could insult him.
Once Goddess Sati heard about that she left for her parent’s home to see and talk to his father. Lord Shiva tried to stop Goddess Sati but she didn’t listen to him as she just went there. When she arrived everyone there started insulting Lord Shiva on his appearance and the way he lives his life. Hearing all those hateful words Goddess Sati couldn’t bear anymore and sacrificed herself there by jumping in the fire. When Lord Shiva realized that he went straight to the Prajapati Daksha house and when he saw Sati’s corpse he couldn’t control his anger.
He picked up the corpse and started doing ‘tandav’ the dance form of Lord Shiva to show his anger. From Lord Shiva’s steps, the whole world started to tremble and everyone other dignitaries started praying Lord Shiva to stop the tandav. Seeing this Lord Vishnu came in front of Lord Shiva and chopped the corpse of Goddess Sati into 51 pieces that fell in 51 different spots which are now known as the Shakti Peeth.
Shakti Peeth in India
Amarnath
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Body part: Throat
Opens on: July and August
Resides as: Shakti Mahamaya
This is the temple where Goddess Shakti’s throat is said to have fallen when Lord Vishnu chopped her corpse. The temple is situated just near Pahalgam and it is open for all the people during the month of July and August. The name of the temple Shakti Mayamaya is because Goddess Sati resides in this temple in the form of Shakti Mahamaya.
Attahasa
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Lips
Opens on: Almost every day of the year
Resides as: Shakti Phullara
The divine temple of Shakti Phullara is situated in the village of Attahasa in Birbhum district. Goddess Sati appeared here in the form of Shakti Phullara and this is why the temple is also named Shakti Phullara temple. It is one of the rituals to offer a ‘bhog’ to Goddess Shakti when you go inside the temple.
Bahula
Location: Banks of Ajay river, West Bengal
Body part: Left arm
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Bahula
This shrine of Goddess Bahula is situated in Ketugram land just near the Bardhaman District. It is believed that Goddess Sati’s left arm fell here in this holy land and then she resides here in the form of Goddess Bahula.
Bakershwar
Location: Banks of Paaphara River
Body part: Center part of eyebrows
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Mahishmardini
This divine temple of Goddess Mahishmardini is situated just the west of Siuri town. The Goddess Sati has blessed this land with the center part of her eyebrows. The shrine is famous for the natural 8 water hot springs, according to the people living there they say that the hot springs have some natural power to heal a person.
Bhairavparat
Location: In Madhya Pradesh at Bhairav hills
Body part: Upper lip
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Avanti
It is situated just near Ujjain at the banks of Shipra River, you can go there anytime you want. In this divine temple, Goddess Sati’s Upper lip was fallen and now she resides here in the form of Shakti Avanti.
6. Janasthaan
Location: Nashik
Body part: Chin
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Bhramari
In the city of Nashik at The valley of holy river Godavari lies this divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Bhramari. The location is blessed with the chin part of Goddess Sati this is why the locals also call Goddess Shakti Bhramari as Chibuka which also means chin.
7. Jwala
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Body part: Tongue
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Ambika is also known as Shakti Siddhida
This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Goddess Shakti Ambika is situated in the valley of Kangra. There is an interesting story that the Pandavas were the first ones to discover this shrine. Also, they say that she sits here in this holy land in the form of flame which keeps burning.
8. Kalighat
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Right toes
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Kalika
In the city of Kolkata lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Shakti Kalika. This holy place has been blessed with the parts of her right toe and since that time she resides here.
9. Kalmadhav
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Body part: Left Buttock
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti kali
This is one of the most famous divine temples which is situated at Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh. Goddess Shakti resides here in the form of Shakti kali that is known for her anger and destructive powers.
10. Kamakhya
Location: Assam
Body part: Genitals
Opens on: Almost every day other than 3 days in June or July.
Resides as: Shakti Kamakhya
This divine shrine is situated in the Guwahati Assam where the Goddess Sati resides in the form of Shakti Kamakhya. The reason that it’s closed for 3 days is that it is believed that during those 3 days the menstrual cycle of Goddess Shakti Kamakhya takes place.
11. Kankalitala
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Pelvis
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Devgarbha
This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Devgarbha is situated on the Bank of river Kopai. The locals also call this temple a Kankaleshwari temple.
12. Kanyashram
Location: Tamil Nadu
Body part: Spine
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Sravani
In the beautiful city of Kanyakumari lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Sravani.
13. Chamudeswari
Location: Mysuru
Body part: Both ears
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Jaya Durga
In the beautiful Hills of Chamundi lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Shakti Jaya Durga. Many people come every day to worship the Goddess Jaya Druga.
14. Kireet
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Crown
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Vimla
Just near the Lalbagh court road lies the divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Vimla. It is believed that the crown of Goddess Sati fell here in this holy land.
15. Ratnavali
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Right shoulder
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Kumari
At the bank of River Ratnakar in West Bengal lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where it’s believed that her Right shoulder fell and after that, she resides here in the form of Shakti Kumari. This temple is locally also known as the Anandamayee Temple.
16. Trisrota
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Left leg
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Bhramari
At the bank of Teesta River in Jalpaiguri lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where her left leg is believed to have fallen down and since that time she resides here in the form of Goddess Shakti Bhramari. The locals there also call this temple as the Bhramari Devi temple.
17. Manibandh
Location: Rajasthan
Body part: Wrists
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Gayatri
This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Gayatri is located in the Hills of Ajmer. It’s believed that in this holy land the two Manivediakas which are wrists had fallen and since that time people worship Goddess Sati in the form of Shakti Gayatri.
18.Mithila
Location: Border of India and Nepal
Body part: Left shoulder
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Uma
Just near the Janakpur Railway station, you will find this holy Shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Uma. It is believed that her Left shoulder was fallen down here in this holy land and since that time people worship her as Shakti Uma.
19. PanchSagar
Location: Uttar Pradesh
Body part: Lower teeth
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Varahi
In the beautiful city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti or Maa Varahi.
20. Prabhas
Location: Gujarat
Body part: Stomach
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Chandrabhaga
In the valley of Prabhas-Khetra just near the holy Somnath temple lies this divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by people in the form of Shakti Chandrabhaga.
21. Prayag
Location: Uttar Pradesh
Body part: Fingers
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Lalita
It has been believed that the fingers of both hands of Goddess Sati were fallen here in the holy land of Allahabad. Since that time it’s believed that Goddess Sati resides here in the form of Shakti Lalita.
22. Kurukshetra
Location: Haryana
Body part: The ankle bone
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Savitri
The holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Savitri also called Bhadra Kali and Maa Savitri is located in Kurukshetra Haryana.
23. Maihar
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Body part: Necklace
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Shivani
This holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Shivani is situated in Madhya Pradesh. The temple name is called Maihar because of the Necklace of Goddess Sati that fell here. As Mai means Mom or Mother and har means necklace so this is how it got known as Maihar.
24. Nandikeshwari
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Necklace
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Nandini
This shrine of Goddess Sati is situated in Birbhum district at Sainthia town and this holy temple also lies the part of Goddess Sati necklace and after that, she resides here in the form of Shakti Nandini.
25. Vishweshwari
Location: Banks of Godavari River
Body part: Cheeks
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Rakini
At the Kotilingeswar temple at the banks of Godavari River, you will find this Devine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and worshipped in the form of Goddess Shakti Rakini.\
26. Shondesh
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Body part: Right Buttock
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Narmada
At the point of River Narmada at the shondesh, Amarkantak lies the holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by many people in the form of Shakti Narmada. As this lies in the source point of the river Narmada the Goddess is also called Shakti Narmada.
27. Sri Sairam
Location: Andhra Pradesh
Body part: Right Anklet
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Sundari
In the city of Tripurantakam lies this holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Sundari. It is believed that in this holy land of Tripurantakam the right anklet of Goddess Sati or Maa Sati was fallen.
28. Shuchi
Location: Tamil Nadu
Body part: Upper Teeth
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Narayani
This holy shrine lies in the Suchindram just near Kanyakumari, it is believed that in this holy temple the upper teeth of Goddess Sati fell, and since that time she resides and is worshipped here in the form of Shakti Narayani.
29. Tripura
Location: Tripura
Body part: Right Foot
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Tripur Sundari
In the RadhaKishorepur village lies this beautiful divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti Tripur Sundari. This is the place where the Goddess Sati blessed this land with her right foot.
30. Ujjani
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Right wrists
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Mangal Chandika
At the village of Ujjani near the station of District Burdwan you will find this holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Mangal Chandika. This is the place that is believed to be blessed with the Right wrist of Goddess Sati.
31. Varanasi
Location: Uttar Pradesh
Body part: Earrings
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Vishalakshi
In the Manikarnika Ghat in the city Varanasi lies the divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vishalakshi. It is believed that this place was blessed with the Earrings of Goddess Sati.
32. Vibash
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Left Ankle
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Kapalini
This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Kapalini is situated in the district of Medinipur at Tamluk city. It’s believed that this place was blessed with Goddess Sati’s left ankle.
33. Bharatpur
Location: Rajasthan
Body part: Left Toes
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Ambika
In the Virat Nagar of the district Bharatpur lies the divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Ambika also called Maa Ambe. The temple is also known as Maa Ambe temple and it is believed that this temple was blessed with Goddess Sati’s left toes.
34. Vrindavan
Location: Uttar Pradesh
Body part: Ringlets of Hair
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Uma
In the city of Vrindavan at Bhuteshwar Temple lies this amazing shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Uma. This place is believed to be blessed with Goddess Sati’s Ringlets of Hair.
35. Jalandhar
Location: Punjab
Body part: Left breast
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Tripurmalini
This divine shrine is situated in the city of Jalandhar in Punjab, this is the place where the left part of Goddess Sati Breast fell and since that time she resides here and worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Tripurmalini.
36. Ambaji
Location: Gujarat
Body part: One part of her Heart
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Amba
This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Ambaji is situated at the peak of Gabbar Hills. This place is blessed with one part of Goddess Sati heart this is why it’s even called the Adi Shakti place and the Shakti Ambaji is also known as the name is Maa Ambaji or Maa Amba.
37. Jharkhand
Location: Jharkhand
Body part: Other half part of her heart
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Jai Durga
This shrine is no stranger to any Indian, this is one of the most important Divine places in the whole of India. The divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Jai Durga and also known as Maa Durga is situated in Deogarh. This is one of the most visited temples in the whole of India and always filled with many people.
38. Danteshwar
Location: Chhattisgarh
Body part: Tooth
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Danteshwari
This holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and worshipped in the form of Shakti Danteshwari is situated in Chhattisgarh. It is believed that this place is blessed with the tooth of Goddess Sati.
39. Biraj
Location: Jaipur
Body part: Navel
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Vimla
This holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vimla is situated near Bhubaneswar. It’s believed that this place is blessed with Goddess Sati’s Navel, which is why it’s also known as the Nabi Gaya Temple as in Hindi Nabi means Navel.
40. Jogadya
Location: West Bengal
Body part: Great Toe
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Jogadya
This Divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti Jogadya is situated at Kshirgram just near kaichar. This place is believed to be blessed by Goddess Sati Great toe.
41. Pithapuram
Location: Andhra Pradesh
Body part: Hip Part
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Purohotika
This holy shrine of Goddess Sati lies in the town of Pithapuram where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Purohotika. It is believed that this place is blessed with the hip part of the Goddess Sati.
42. Tara Tarini
Location: Odisha
Body part: Breast
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Taratarini
This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Taratarini is situated on the Kumari hills in Ganjam District. It’s believed that this place was blessed with the breast part of Goddess Sati.
43. Vimala Temple
Location: Odisha
Body part: Foot
Opens on: Almost every day
Resides as: Shakti Vimla
This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vimla is located in the Puri at Odisha. The temple is believed to be blessed with the foot of Goddess Sati.
One of the reasons why each one of us craves to visit Chennai at least once in our lifetime is the trail of temples. The city is popular for the ancient temples that have survived all the adversities of nature and still stand erect. These can truly be termed as the guardians as well as custodians of the rich past and legacy of Chennai. These amazing temples are spread across the city and each one of these has its own history to boast and each one of these stands elegantly in the glow of their architectural marvels. In one or the other way, by following the oldest temple rituals that are conducted in these temples, they tend to carry forward the ancient history and legacy.
Temple trail
Having read a lot of the temples of Chennai, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) also planned a trip to Chennai and decided to utilize most of our time exploring these beautiful temples. One thing that we would like to mention here is that even if you are not that devoted to the religious aspect of visiting the temples, still these temples deserve your time because of a lot of things that are hidden within them about our ancestors and more because they have a lot to reveal to us. History, unlike ever before, especially to people who share the same interests as we (Ghoomophiro sisters) do seem to be very exciting here. There are four major ancient temples that you must visit in Chennai and the best time to begin exploration is 6.30 am. it is not at all necessary to do the entire trail in a single go. However, we would like to mention that doing the same is possible if you hire a cab for the entire day. This saves a lot of time, especially if you have less time at your disposal.
1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore
We (Ghoomophiro Sisters) decided to begin our trail with Kapaleeshwarar Temple which is one of the most visited temples in the city. It finds a beautiful location in the Mylapore area and is basically an ancient shrine that is glorified via the Tamil hymns of Tirugnanasambandar dating back to 7th century CE. Paravati, the wife of Lord Shiva is worshiped here. Lord Shiva is the residing deity at this amazing temple. The lord is worshiped in the form of a Peacock named Mylai in Tamil.
History
Originally, Kapaleeshwarar Temple found the location on the shore quite close to the location where it is currently located. It was the destruction caused by the Portuguese that resulted in this shift. The current structure of the temples found its origin back in the 15th Century.
Best time to visit
The temple is open in the morning from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and in the evening at 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. The most appropriate time to visit the temple is early morning, the first instance when the gates are opened for the public. However, it is totally a personal choice. Early morning, there are mostly devout localities visiting the temple implying less crowd and less eagerness which further means that you have ample time to explore the temple in peace and calm.
Special occasional perks
Early morning visits also leave you with an opportunity to attend the typical Tamil marriage ceremony during early hours though you might not be allowed to click pictures of the same. This site is not guaranteed but depends on your luck. We were lucky enough to witness one.
2. Parthasarathy Temple, Tiruvallikeni
This is the oldest temple in Chennai built in the 8th Century dedicated to Lord Krishna. The second temple that we visited was the Parthasarathy temple. This temple is currently undergoing some restoration work because of which the major section of gopuram is somehow in current times covered restricting the sight of the temple. Somehow, out of all the temples on the list, this is one of the strictest temples on our list. you have to be extra careful while taking pictures also as certain areas of the temple might not be open for being clicked and on doing so you might get scolded. Again, there are weddings that take place in the temple but as already said not necessarily every day.
Best time to visit
Again, early morning visit to the temple is the best for the same obvious reasons as listed above. The temple is open in the morning from 5.50 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and in the evening from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m, so you ought to ensure that you do not land there in between these timings. As we visited it after already visiting another temple, so we missed the morning glory but no worries, we enjoyed our visit.
3. Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur
The third temple in our list was Marundeeswarar Temple, again one of the most amazing temples. Unlike the previous one, the atmosphere here is not that strict and hopefully, no one scolds you at taking the pictures also. This particular temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is spread across 1 acre having enough open spaces. There are two separate entrances to the temple, one is from the East Coast Road and the second is from West Tank Street. The two entries are adorned by five-tiered gopuram. There is a holy water tank that is located on West Tank Street. The side entrance has a beautiful hallway offering amazing fresco work on the ceiling. The ample open spaces facilitate taking some rest prior to heading to the next one in the list.
Best time to visit
The temple is open from 5.00 A.M in the morning to 12.00 P.M at the noon and then in the evening from 4.00 P.M to 9.00 P.M. Again if you are covering just one temple a day, we would recommend visiting it in the morning. If not, then visit it in the evening when the gates reopen for again the same obvious reasons as mentioned above. However, in the evening the temple remains to be more crowded.
4. Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur
Tiruvottiyur is one of the oldest parts of the Chennai and Thyagaraja Temple there also dates back to the 7th Century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a very interesting legend associated with it. Brahmā in the Hindu religion is considered to be the god of creation and is known to create all the gods and demons, a complete contradiction to one another. Here you will find a wishing tree of gods, named, makizha tree which over the time gained the title of being a sacred tree of this temple. There are some factors that differentiate this temple from other temples on the list. This temple is comparatively huge. Unlike other temples, the floor of this temple not paved with stones, it is ideally the sand as well as the mud because of which the walking around the temple becomes a bit difficult.
Best time to visit
You can visit the temple any hour of the day, there is no restriction but the early morning clause still goes well. if you are planning to cover all the four temples in one day then go in for covering this one in the evening.
We (Ghoomophiro sisters) had less time at our disposal so we decided to complete the entire trail in one day. However, it can get really exhausting at times. We would recommend you wear really comfortable clothes that cover most of your body because at times in temples it really gets embarrassing especially in front of elderlies who do not adore short western dresses. We are not asking you to change your preferences for others who don’t even matter to you but there is no harm modifying your preference if it saves you from some issues.
The birthplace of Lord Krishna – his old neighborhood loaded up with his precious recollections, his adoration, and Raas Leela with his immortal love Radha – everything is delighted perfectly in a small town of Vrindavan. The urban communities of Vrindavan and Mathura have massive significance among the Hindus particularly as they have been named in the religious epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
This makes Vrindavan one of the most beautiful religious destinations in India and also in the whole world. The city is generally lively and wonderful during the blessed Hindu celebrations of Lord Krishna’s birthday – known as Janmashtami and Holi (the celebration of colors).
There are tons of visitors or pilgrims who like to visit this place to achieve virtue. Moreover, there are also some visitors who like to visit this placeto experience the scenic beauty of nature. Are you on the same list and want to know the best places to visit in Vrindavan? Stay on this guide till the end and gather the detailed information associated with these visiting places.
Best Places to Visit in Vrindavan
Here, we are going to discuss the top 8 places where you can visit with your families or friends during your holiday. Let’s dig up.
Govind Deo Temple
Govind Deo Temple, one of the most visiting places in Vrindavan locates 1 kilometer away from the railway station and also popularly known as Govind Dev Ji temple. It is one of the most significant tourist temptations in the town. In the year 1590, Raja Man Sing (king of Amber) constructed this temple.
The construction of this temple is unique as it is an amalgamation of the Western, Hindu, and Muslim styles. This large temple is made of red sandstone and follows the Greek cross sign. The temple ascends to seven stories and is devoted to the love of Govind, another name of Lord Krishna.
In the year 1670, the Govind Deo Temple was attacked by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and for which the temple is only 3-storied now. The vast majority of the temple activities such as petition and puja happens at a littler temple (arranged behind the fundamental temple) because of the serious decimation,
A stairwell will lead you to the primary corridor and the roof decorates with a lotus totally hand etched. The internal sanctum of this temple is made of marble and silver. During the festivals of Holi and Janamashtami, the temple witnesses significant footfalls.
Visiting hours: Govind Deo temple opens every day from morning 8:30 am to noon at 12.30 pm and again open from 4:00 pm and close at 8.30 pm.
Prem Mandir
Prem Mandir, also known as Temple of love is one of the largest temples to visit in the Vrindavan and dedicatedto the glorification of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna. This temple is comparatively new and established in the year 2001. From the year 2012, tourists can visit this religious temple. According to local people, this temple circulates over a sprawling 55 acres of land.
Prem Mandir, made of marble and has a two-storied pattern. Apart from this, the temple walls are trimmed with an amazing painting depicting the Leela of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. More than eighty-two panels on the temple wall are hand-painted. The internal sanctum of the temple houses the divinities Krishna and Radha on the ground floor while the principal floor shows the deity of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
A large garden with lots of flowering plants and lights covers the entire temple. Apart from this, there are also vast statues of the Goddess and Gods in the garden. Moreover, every evening, the temple organizes a light show.
Visiting hours: the visiting hours of this temple are every day from 5:00 am to 12:30 pm and again from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Kesi Ghat
Kesi Ghat, known as one of the most essential ghats located at the banks of the Yamuna. Every morning, tourists visit this spot. According to Mythology, after killing the demon named Keshi, Lord Krishna took a dip into the Yamuna water. Therefore, Kesi Ghat, popularly known as one of the most attractive places to visit in Vrindavan.
Also, at the back, the large Madanmohan Temple provides an amazing environment. Here, you can even opt for a boat ride.
Visiting hours: Every day from morning 5:30 am to 8:00 pm.
Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari temple is another unique place that is also known as one of seven temples of Thakur of Vrindavan. The temple’s design is Rajasthani with curved windows and brilliantly etched stonework. The idol of Lord Krishna inside the Banke Bihari temple is also unique. The doll depicts the Lord as a youngster remaining in a ‘Tribhanga’ position.
Local people and purohit believe that Lord Krishna doesn’t like the sound of instruments and that’s why the temple has no bells or conch in its premises. Therefore, by their voice, people perform chants of Radha Krishna.
The word Banke means twisted at three spots. On the other hand, Bihari means a pleased soul. At three separate times of the day (Shringar, Rajbhog, and Shayan) – the entire routine of Lord Krishna has been performed. Shringar includes the Lord’s bath and dressing up. Rajbhog means a great meal and the Shayan means God’s rest time.
Visiting hours: Banke Bihari temple opens every day from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm and again from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Nidhivan
Nidhivan is a wonderful vast garden, commonly known as Seva Kung and one of the most visited places in the Vrindavan. This spot is crowded by individuals everywhere throughout the year. The same number of legends are related to this spot. According to some people, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha performed their Rash Leela in this garden.
Mythology says that, in the dark, Lord Krishna comes in the garden and dances with his Gopis. It is the cause why people do not have permission to enter the Nidhivan garden at night. There are more than 1500 tulsi trees in the garden premises of Nidhivan.
Visiting hours: Every day from morning 5:00 am till 8:00 pm.
ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan
ISKCON is one of the most visited temples in Vrindavan as well as in India also. This temple is commonly known as Krishna Balaram mandir. This temple was structured in 1975. The ISKCON temple is put forward with the sole objective of educating people on the Bhagavad Geeta and Vedas.
The inner of the ISKCON temple has three altars for the Radha Shyamsamundar, Balaram Krishna, and Sri Gour Nitai. After entering, an immense white marble opening leads to the samadhi of Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON.
Also, doors of the temple are vast in size and totally carved from wood. Tourists will be able to listen to the harmonious music of prayers – known as Kirtans. Besides that, the ISKCON temple provides residence at a very low cost. Therefore, if you are planning to stay here for a couple of days, you can visit their official website to book your room.
Visiting hours: ISKCON temple opens at 4:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm.
Sri Radha Damodar Mandir
Sri Radha Damodar temple is one of the tourist attractions in Vrindavan. This temple is located at the Loi Bazaar, near to the Seva Kunj. Local people say that Guru Srila Jiva Goswami ascertained this Sri Radha Damodar Mandir. The deities worshipped in the temple were blessed to Jiva Goswami by his master, Rupa Goswami. Damodar Mandir was roughly destructed by Aurangzeb, later on, all the idols of the temple shift to Jaipur.
Inside the mandir, there are two prominent divisions. These are Samadhi hall of Rupa Goswami and Bhajankutir or prayer hall. Within the temple premises, Jiva Goswami built a library in order to store the original manuscripts of the Goswamis.
Though the Damodar mandir lost many of its surprises, still some crucial religious aspects are exciting. For example, the Govardhan Shila (rock) and according to Puran, Lord Krishna’s footprints etched on the rock.
Visiting hours: Sri Radha Damodar Mandir opens every day from morning 6:00 am to 12.00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Rangaji Temple
Shri Rang Nath Ji (Rangaji) temple is one of the unique places to visit in Vrindavan. In the year 1851, this temple was established.
Rangaji temple dedicated to Lord Rangji, known as an incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. The main attraction of this temple is its 50 feets Dhwaja Stambha. Apart from this, beautiful gardens and a water tank are there in the temple premises.
In March and April, because of the Brahmotsavam Festival, maximum tourists visit the Rangaji temple.
Visiting hours: Every day from morning 5:30 am till 11:00 am and again from 3:00 pm till 9:00 pm.
Final Words
Why are you still waiting for? Take a breath and visit these famous places in Vrindavan with your family or friends and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Everyone long learns tales of Krishna and Mathura. Have you ever been to Mathura? It has the divine glimpse of Braj Bhoomi, Govardhan Parvat, and Holy river Yamuna. The Yamuna is worshipped as ‘Pattrani’ to Lord Krishna, and your visit here is incomplete without ‘Yamuna Poojan.’ We will talk here about an interesting ritual done at the Yamuna known as ‘Chunri Manorath’ that makes the Yamuna wear sari by the devotees. People make wishes here and do this manorath after their desires come true. It is a sacred way to worship this holy river.
Chunri Manorath- A unique way in which the Yamuna wear sari
Mathura is famous for its boat ride through the holy river ‘Yamuna.’ Chunri Manorath is a distinct celebration on the bank of the Yamuna to thank the Goddess Yamuna. Some people also follow rituals as they have a firm belief in the power of the water goddess.
What is Chuni Manorath?
Hindu meaning of manorath is a wish. Chunri is a traditional scarf of Indian women, which they adorn on festivals or auspicious occasions. No weddings, engagements, or baby shower is complete in India without a chunri. It’s a symbol of divine feminism that portrays the real gist of our grandeur and majesty of women here. People perform ‘Yamuna Poojan’ at the banks of this river, and they are often told to make a wish by ‘Pandits’ as the belief is everything you ask here gets accomplished. As a result, people with contended heart visit here from throughout the country to perform ‘Chuni Manorath’ Ritual when the river Yamuna wear sari.
Depending on your budget and the grandeur you wish to do, the number of sarees can be bought by you. Families collectively perform this ritual by collective movement in a line of boats from one side of the bank to another. Proper rituals and celebrations make an auspicious atmosphere that is sacred and embark on the liveliness and purity of this holy river. Beginning with 101 saris, families and devotees also bring up to 400 saris stitched together. People take the huge bundle of colorful and beautiful Indian attire sari through multiple boats, and the whole scene looks like the Yamuna wears a sari. People chant the name of Krishna and Yamuna to please them with holy offerings and devotion. Many families are performing this Chunri Manorath ritual from the past several generations.
Witness the unique ritual depicting the galore of this holy river
You need to hire the Pandit or a Brahmin who can help you perform this ritual with complete conviction and dedication. They provide you a list of ‘Samagri’ that is important for the Poojan, and you need to bring them all up. You can mostly find people all decked up in traditional attires like ‘Chundri’ or ‘Bandhani’ saris and men in authentic Kurta Pyjamas at the banks of Yamuna. It is a real sigh to view. Families come in a huge group as big as 90-100, and a couple starts with the Pooja. On Chunri Manorath ritual, many occasions like birthdays, weddings, or welcome of a new baby
Who does Chunri Manorath Ritual?
Anyone can perform this holy ritual where the Yamuna wears a sari, but people from Gujarat have a firm belief in this. Right from their ancestors, Vaishnavs from Gujarat or Rajasthan, who are also the followers of ‘Pushti Marg’ indulge in this and believe in blessings from this sacred river. The Yamuna is the main deity for them, and priests from Mathura help in the whole process with complete offerings. Popular celebrity and actress MP Hema Malini also underwent this ritual after winning the parliament seat from here. The sight when the long lane of stitched saris crosses the waters and the Yamuna wear sari is divine, and capturing this view can be a moment for a lifetime.
‘Vidhi’ or process of Chunri Manorath
Along the banks of the river, there are small shelters known as ‘Ghats’ where people often sit and start with the ritual to make the Yamuna wear sari. This is big ‘Poojan’ and requires one complete day. However, this is a distinct divine experience that you would cherish for the whole life. Families carry Chunri on heads and wear new clothes to start with Pooja. The sequence includes Ganesh Puja, Matrika Puja, Kalash Puja, and Yamuna Pooja. Two pots that depict Krishna and the Yamuna get decorated like the bride and groom, and then the process where the Yamuna wear sari starts up. Chants with ‘Yamuna Maiyya Ki Jai’ are in the air!
Final words
Although, there’s a lot more about the unique ritual where the Yamuna wear sari like the story behind it and why people have a firm belief for it. There are numerous tales associated with Lord Krishna and Yamuna right from his birth when he crossed the river in the basket. Mathura is a land of Gods, and such rituals add few more stars to its celestial culture that bestows in every moment you spend here!
Prachi Valley is prominent for its jaw-dropping history, antiquities, and the religious sanctuaries of Odisha. It is part of eastern India and the prominent destination too where people all over the world come. However, this valley is situated approximately 61 km from Bhubaneswar. In addition to it, Prachi Valley is an ideal destination for those masses that have an interest in history as well as archeology. Most people have a lot of questions about the history of Prachi Valley. In contrast to it, every person has unique views related to it. So, if you are a history lover, then you must visit this valley.
It is located on the bank of the Prachi River. Moreover, this river is known as the tertiary river of the river Mahanadi. If you will have an opportunity to explore the history of the Prachi Valley and the beauty of nature then don’t miss the chance. Furthermore, there are numerous monuments belong to the 7th century AD to the 15th Century AD. It gives the light to the ancient culture of Odisha. It is believed that Prachi Valley is older than the times of Mohen-jo-Daro as well as Harappan. The monuments designate the appropriate social life as well as the environmental scenario of the ancient time. Most people believe that this place holds the history of five years ago.
The Sacred Prachi River
The prominent and sacred Prachi River flows via the Prachi Valley. The main feature of the Prachi River is that: it is considered as the Saraswati of East India. It is a fact that the Saraswati River has become extinct. On the other hand, with limited conditions, the sacred Prachi River is flowing at the present date. This valley is famous for the alluring monuments and exciting history which is India famous for. If you visit the Prachi Valley, then you have a chance to see the immense monuments. All these monuments make your journey remarkable and mind-blowing. These include stone temples, mutts, brick-temples, tirthas, stepped-wells, Forts, Ghats, dunes, and many more.
In addition to it, Prachi Valley is proof of the co-existence of the numerous ideologies of the religious. These ideologies include Jainism, Buddhism, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism & Shaivism. Moreover, most of the monuments of Prachi Valley have been lost, and the rest of the monuments are placed in the living testimony. In addition to it, out of 150, two are under the ASI, while the state archaeology department has 15 monuments. Numerous dynasties are linked with the Prachi Valley. Moreover, it includes Kharvela’s Chedi Dynasty, Eastern Gangas, Gajapatis, and many more.
It is too fantastic to visit such a historic valley. It is the way to connect the masses with history. When you explore this place, then you will surely learn numerous things about it. The trip to Prachi Valley gives you an unforgettable experience of life. You will feel down to earth and closer to ancient times. Sometimes it is better to visit such peaceful places that give the unique peace of mind to the person.
A road trip of Odisha, Prachi Valley:
It is approximately fifteen kilometers from Bhubaneswar. It is the state capital city that touches the Khurda, Cuttack & Puri districts. You can reach here from the two different sides. The first one is Bhubaneswar-Phulnakhara-Adaspur side or from the Bhubaneswar-Uttara-Balipatna side. It is basically up to you which side you prefer. Mostly people prefer the first one. On the way, you can also try the fried Rasgullas. It is the special dish of the way. In addition to it, you can even taste the street food. In addition to it, there are numerous famous temples that you can visit. Here is the list of temples that you can visit to make your journey of Prachi Valley unique and exciting.
Sobhaneswar Temple:
A vast Nandi statue is situated at the entrance of Sobhaneswar Temple. It is located on the left side of the Prachi River and 48 feet high. The king of Eastern Ganga Dynasty Ananga Bhima Deva III built this beautiful temple. You can also take the blessing of Shivling. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, many devotees come here.
Madhavananda Temple:
You will be amazed by seeing the magnificent Madhavananda Temple. It is situated in Madhava village. It was built during the 13th century. Therefore do not miss the chance to visit this historic temple. The Janmashtami, Ram Navami as well as Dol Purnima are the major festivals that are celebrated here. In the afternoon, temple food is available but at the booking.
Angeswar Mahadev Temple:
It is situated at the Nua Pitapada in the district Cuttack. It is the 14.25-meter high east-facing temple that was built by Somvamsis during the 10th century. In addition to it, it is made from the burnt bricks. Therefore, you can also visit this temple. It is a historic cum religious place.
Apart from it, you visit the temples, as mentioned above, for the inner piece. Except for these temples, you will have an opportunity to visit Varahi Temple, Gangeswari Temple, Buddhanath temple, and many more. These visits make your journey tremendous, as well as fabulous.
Mahashivratri & Bada OSHA Festival:
These are the major as well as prominent festivals of Prachi Valley. It is believed that Maa Amrutalochani worshipped inside the temple. This ancient temple is located at approximately 24 KM’s from the Bhubaneswar. In addition to it, prefer the day tour as compared to the evening tour. The reason is that in the day time, you will be able to examine the heritage history of Prachi Valley deeply.
In addition to it, you can see the art, sculptures, monuments and many more things. Trip to Prachi Valley is a worthy investment of money at the right place. You can also visit the following places:
Kuruma Buddhist Site
Kakatpur Mangala Temple
Jayadev Peeth of Kenduli Village
Hirapur Chausathi Yogini Temple
Your trip to Prachi Valley is incomplete without visiting the places mentioned above. So explore these places too.
Tips related to this tour:
It is recommendable to hire a cab because on several sites there is no facility for public transport.
If you think that you will get the five-star hotels on the way to stay, you have the wrong myth. Even you will have to use public toilets.
It is advisable to carry the lunch along with you. The reason is that most of the sites are located in rural areas. It is quite impossible to find delicious food to eat.
You do not need to worry about the guidance. There is appropriate road signage that guides and shows the direction of sites.
You will enjoy the beauty of nature and rural areas too. You will feel like you are in a lap of nature as well as history.
In the end, there is no doubt that Prachi Valley is an exciting place to visit. Moreover, keep all the essential traveling tips in your mind to prevent any misguidance during the journey. So it is better to keep your food, water, and crucial things along with you on your journey. Due to this you and your travel mates will not face any problem.
As we ghoomophirosisters were on the journey from Manali to Kaza, we stopped for a while at Kunzum Mata temple at Kunzum Pass. Be it bike drivers, or the locals, basically, anyone passing through the Kunzum pass stops and take blessings from Mata for their treacherous journey ahead as the roads are definitely very tricky.
Needless to say, the colorful flags and the vibrant colors of the mandir are indeed a breath of fresh air as during the entire trip only three colors viz Brown, white and blue are common.
There is a big black stone that lies inside the temple, and as per the legendry fable behind this temple. It is believed, if you pray with complete faith and put the coin on the stone, your wishes are fulfilled and the coin will stick to the stone, else it will not. Important to note that stone is not a magnet stone.
Another legendary story says, once a thief stole this tone and ran away, but on the way, stone increased its size and thief could not run with it.
Whatever may be the reason, but the Kunzum Mata temple makes you feel empowered and energized.
Rukmini is well known as the first queen of Lord Krishna as he married her first followed by Jambavati and Satyabhama. However, it is also true that the most popular Shakti in his life and with who he gets associated the most is Radha, while Braj Bhumi it mostly about Radha, Dwarka is majorly about Rukmini.
Rukmini Temple, Dwarka
Rukmini Temple is situated nearly 2 km from the Dwarkadhish Temple in the beautiful city of Dwarka. To be more precise we (ghoomophirosisters) noticed that the temple is outside the city limits standing close to a small water body populated by birds. We were told that the temple dates back to 12th CE.
The elegant entrance of the temple
At the entry of the temple, there is a Shikhara holding old carvings with beautiful Madanikas on a panel going across the Shikhara. The base of the temple is basically an inverted lotus. We also noticed a row of elephants with niches having Vishnu images. You can also notice a saffron flag fluttering on the top of Shikhara. The mandapa has a dome roof indicating towards medieval addition.
Story of Rukmini
We (ghoomophirosisters) were taken inside the temple in batches where the priest tells you the story of Rukmini. The temple contains beautiful images of Rukmini as well as the legends associated with her. There are about 3-4 popular legends that are associated with her coming mostly from Srimad Bhagwat. Within the complex, there are other temples also dedicated to Amba Devi, the Kul Devi of Krishna.
Reason for Rukmini Temple being in the outskirts of the city
There is a story to support why this temple is situated at a location outside the main city and especially away from Dwarkadhish Temple. Krishna and Rukmini went over to invite Rishi Durvasa who was known for his short temper for food with all their chariots. He agreed but the condition was that the chariot would be drawn by Krishna and Rukmini to which the couple humbly accepted. On the way, Rukmini felt thirty and Lord Krishna immersed his foot into the earth and Ganga came out to quench the thirst of Rukmini. In her thirst, she forgot to offer water to Rishi Durvasa first. As a revert, Rishi Durvasa cursed the couple yelling that they would have to live separately. It is this story that priests use to back Rukmini’s temple being situated in the outskirts away from Dwarkadhish temple. At Dwarkadhish temple also she is present in the form of Mahalaxmi and a small temple is dedicated to her at Gopi Talaav also.
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Krishna – Rukmini Vivah
Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha was born to Bhishmaka and was supposed to be married to Sisupala, king of Chedi. However, based on what she heard from others and specifically from Sage Narada about Lord Krishna she was determined to tie the knot only with Sri Krishna regarding which she wrote a letter to him which is perceived to be the first love letter ever known to have been written. In the letter, she told Krishna Ji to kidnap her from the temple when she comes there as a routine for prayers. We (ghoomophirosisters) got to read the printed version of the letter in Red on white paper in the Hindi language. The saying goes that a lady who wishes to get married to the love of her life should read this letter for sure to seek blessings. As per the plan, Krishna kidnapped her and tied a knot at a village close to Porbandar on the 11th day of Chaitra month and later got married again at Dwarka. They had 9 sons and one daughter from this marriage.
Tulabhar- a ritual that still continues
Satyabhama the third wife of Krishna got tricked by Narada for making donations of wealth worth Krishan Ji’s weight. To determine this they used weighing balance but irrespective of all the wealth she was unable to get the result. Rukmini came to her rescue and placed a single leaf of Tulsi Plant on the weighing scale and it tilts showing that Lord desires only love. The tradition is still alive and devotees can donate grains worth their body weight.
Rukmini at Pandharpur
The story goes that once Radha disrespected Rukmini so she left Dwarka and acme to Dindirvan now known as Pandharpur. She was followed by Lord Krishna, his cows, Ganga, as well as Govardhan Parvat.
We (ghoomophirosisters) were amazed to pay a visit to this temple. There are plenty of hotels that you can book around this temple. However, we (ghoomophirosisters) preferred staying at VITS Devbhumi. The stay was awesome and within our budget. This is, after all, a must-visit temple especially if you are out on a spree to visit Dwarkadhish Temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
