One of the biggest tourist attractions of Ladakh is the Diskit Monastery of Nubra valley. It has gained popularity because of the famous 106 ft tall Maitreya Buddha it is home to. The statute in gold and red faces Shak river. It was consecrated by none other than the Dalai Lama in the year 2010 as a symbol of the values – world peace, prevention of more wars between India and Pakistan and protection of Dikshit village.
About the Monastery
The milky white Dikshit Gompa is located on a high hill and you must hike up the hill to reach it. It has beautiful paintings and images. The cupola or dome that adorns the roof depicts the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet. It also has a storehouse that preserves several Mongolian and Tibetian texts. At top of the monastery is Lachung temple with a large idol of Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. It also has a school for Tibetian children run with the help of an NGO called the Tibetian Support Group.
Other Attractions of the region
Another important attraction of the region is that you will get a chance to see Bactrian double-humped camels, The valley has greener vegetation in the whole of Ladakh which has earned it the title of the ‘Orchard of Ladakh’. The river and Hunder village that is located at a distance of 8 kilometers offer stunning views.
How to reach Dikshit Monastery?
It is located at a distance of 116 kilometers from the town of Leh and is best visited on a two-day trip. You can reach it using a cab or personal vehicle. You can also board a bus from Leh to Nubra and get a local taxi there.
Leh airport is the nearest airport and is well connected including to Delhi.
Railway travel is not a very good option as the nearest major railway station is Jammu Tawi which is 812 kilometers from Leh. You will have to depend on the taxi service to reach from there to Leh, this journey in itself takes 3 days and stops at Srinagar and Kargil for the night stay.
Best time to visit Diskit
May to September months is the best time to visit. But if you are willing to face harsher conditions, you might want to visit it in time for Dosmoche which is celebrated in the month of January or February.
Where to stay?
There are many decent accommodation options in Nubra and Hunder villages – guest houses, hotels, etc.
What to eat?
The world’s highest cafe is on the road from Leh but we recommend you start with a full belly and carry some food in the store. Nubra has some decent food option especially Tibetian food. Carry reusable water bottles to keep yourself hydrated but avoid littering.
Other precautions
Please note that photography is not allowed inside prayer hall and museum. Make sure you are following all the other rules of the place
The journey might be a strain on your health particularly causing AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness and precautions must be taken in this regard. Consult your doctor to know if you are healthy enough for the journey.
Mobile connectivity is an issue. BSNL and Airtel work well. And thus take your precautions accordingly
Conclusion
A trip to Dikshit Valley is one of the must-dos if you are planning a trip to Ladakh. The placing is an amalgamation of natural beauty, architectural genius, religion, culture and the pursuit of world peace. We hope this article will help you in planning your trip well.
Having a temple that is shaped like Om, Omkareshwar is of great spiritual importance to Hindus as well as offering a great aesthetic pleasure to secular travelers too.
The temple is located in a ridiculously small island lies on the river Narmada and its tributary Kaveri. It is also called Mandhata and Shivpuri but is popularly called Omkareshwar after its grandest temple.
What is the best time to visit
The extreme of summer (and preferably that of winter) should be avoided while visiting Madhya Pradesh. October-November is the best months to visit. Also, you may want to visit Omakareshwar on its two annual festivals – Narmada Jayanti and Mahashivratri. Omkareshwar and Maheshwar have their ghats adorned with lights and maha parties are performed at these ghats.
How to reach Omkareshwar?
Omkareshwar is not really well connected to the rest of the world. The nearest airport and railway station are both at Indore which is 78 kilometers away. From there you can catch the bus to the banks of the Narmada river. You can also catch a bus from Ujjain and Khandwa. We can’t say we liked the journey by bus a lot but it was worth the experience Omkareshwar had to offer. Once you have reached the shores of Narmada river, a streamer will take you to the island.
We highly recommend that you visit Omkareshwar when you are touring Indore – as a one day detour along with Maheshwar or a two-day detour that would include Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu.
Where to stay in Omkareshwar?
Like most places of religious importance, Omkareshwar offers accommodation options to people with all pocket sizes.
What to see in Omkareshwar?
1. The Scenic Beauty and spiritual importance of Island
The island itself, surrounded by waters of the Narmada and Kaveri on all sides, is full of mesmerizing views on all sides. We felt refreshed at the mere sight of the island.
This island is shaped like the sign OM, which is a spiritual symbol of Hindus. The sign ‘om’ is said to be the sound that was at the root of birth of the universe (the whole Hindu version of ‘In the beginning, there was a word’ philosophy).
There is a Hindu legend behind island having this shape according to which Vindya, the deity of the Vindyachal mountain range once created a sacred geometrical diagram and a Lingam made of sand and clay while worshipping Shiva. Shiva was so pleased with that he appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara, both of which have temples dedicated to them at the island.
According to Hindu Puranas, this island has been inhabited for fifty-five hundred years.
According to another Hindu myth, when it was once ruled by King Mandhata, an ancestor of Lord Rama who ruled the island, the whole island sparkled like a gem. This piqued the curiosity of the great celestial sage Narada who asked God Shiva about it. Lord Shiva answered that the island will decline in appearance according to declining times. In Satyuga (which was the age in which Mandhata was ruling), it was to be a giant gem, in Treta Yuga it would be a mountain of gold, in Dwapar Yuga it would be made entirely of copper and in Kaliyuga (which still goes on) it would be made of rock.
The Narmada, affectionately known locally as Maa Rewa, is of great spiritual importance in Hinduism. An important pilgrimage among Hindus, especially those of the region, is Narmada Parikrama which involves Parikrama of the holy Narmada river and Omakarehwar is one of the most important stops for these pilgrims. – in fact, it is one of two places to start the journey, the other alternative being Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada river. Omkareshwar happens to be midway between Amarkantak the source of Narmada river and its final destination which is near Bharuch where it enters the Arabian Sea and thus it is honored with the title ‘Nabhi Sthal’ (figuratively ‘the navel’) of the river’.
2. Omkareshwar Mahadev temple
The most popular and the most important temple of the area, Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple or Omkar Mandhata temple stands the Northern bank of Narmada. You will have to walk past the ghats and canopies of flower sellers to reach the temple.
Omakareshwar temple is one of the most important holy places for Hindus as, among other reasons, it is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The other Jyotirlingas are at Somnath in Gujarat, Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Deogarh in Jharkhand, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Nageswar at Dwarka in Gujarat, Kedarnath in Himalayas, in Uttrakhand state, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Triambakeshwar near Nashik in Maharashtra, Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, Maharashtra in Maharashtra. Needless to say, we have seen quite a few of these.
This name of ‘Omkar Mandhata temple’ comes from the Hindu belief that Ikshvaku king Mandhata, an ancestor of Lord Rama who ruled the island, brought the Shivalinga here. His gaddi or seat is still in the temple premises.
The whole temple is a wonder of architecture. The base or the ‘mandapa’ of this temple is made of 60 solid stone pillar carved with Yakshi figures. The images of different Devi Devatas adorn the temple walls.
The Shivalinga itself is made of a rock onto which water is constantly offered and is not, unusually, placed under the shikhara as is normally the custom among Shiva temples. An ‘Abhisheka’ of this majestic Shivlinga is done with milk, curd and Narmada water three times a day.
Just behind the Shivaling stands a beautiful Silver image of Goddess Parvati, Shiva’s wife. We visited the temple at night – around 8:30 PM just in time for night Arti which is held every and is quite popular locally. This arti is then followed by laying the bed for Lord Shiva and Parvati to spend their night on and a game of Cahupad is also placed for them to play before going to bed.
The Omkareshwar Mahadev temple is surrounded by small temples including a Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, a Dwarkadhish temple and a Shani temple.
Please note that unfortunately no photography is allowed inside the temple.
3. Mandhata Palace
Behind the temples, there is a flight of stairs (about eighty steps) which ascend to Mandhata Palace, now owned by Holkars. The palace is a White Hall only a part of it is opened to the public. The corridors of Hall are pillared like North Indian Havelis. The Durbar Hall on one end has a round ceiling with some remains of what was probably once really glass work on it. The highlight of the palace for us though was the overhanging windows or Jharakhas created for kings to look to have the majestic view of the island …. you could see why it could be considered the royal view.
4. Omkareshwar Parikrama
This is a sixteen-kilometer long Parikarma or circumambulation of the island walking on a path surrounding the Kshetra or region The parikrama is a common practice among Hindus devotees but it also a great way to enjoy the beauty of the island. You will pass Omkarnath Ashram, Khedapati Hanuman Mandir, Omkarnath Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Kedareshwar Temple, Narmada Kaveri Sangam, Narmada Kaveri Sangam, Markanda Ashram, Rin Mukteshwar Temple, Dharanraj Dwar, Gauri Somnath temple, Patali Hanuman temple, Sidhdhanath temple and a giant statue of Shiva.
The Markanda Ashram is home to a twelve-meter high image of Lord Krishna while Narmada Kaveri Sangam is, according to a Hindu legend, the place where Kubera meditated in order to get the boon that would make him the king of Yakshas.
Assuming there is enough water in Narmada river, we recommend you also do the Parikarma in boats and get a chance to take in the mesmerizing beauty of temple with its lights reflected in Narmada water at night time seeming to be like so many pearls adorning the beautiful river.
5. Mamleshwar Temple
The Mamleshwar temple dedicated to the other form of Shiva and is also known as Amleshwar temple or Amareshwar temple. It is located on the mainland on the southern bank of Narmada, near the Gomukh ghat. An Omkareshwar pilgrimage is said to be incomplete without visiting this temple. The temple has those beautiful stone walls and sculptures and we were also particularly impressed by a Nandi Mandap at the main temple. In practice of Lingarchana rat the temple, devotees worship the thousand Banlingas that are placed in concentric circles around the Shivalinga.
6. Govindeshwara or the Shankaracharya Cave at Omkareshwar
One of the greatest sages of Hinduism, Adi Shankaracharya began his career here. He was born in Kelady in Kerala and traveled across India and established four Mathas in four directions. But it was here, at Govindeshwara Guha in Omkareshwar where he studied Vedanta from his Guru Govind Bhagwatapada and wrote commentaries on Vedanta at the beginning of his career.The Govindeshwara Guha has two main entrances and has an idol of Adi Shankaracharya sits in the center.
Conclusion
According to a local legend, the parts called Shivpuri once combined with towns of Brahmpuri and Vishnupuri to form a trinity of Tripuri. Given how enchanting it looks now, One wonders what it must have been like in best of its days – especially when it used to spark like a gem. It is still awesome though J
Sun was one of the most worshipped gods in the ancient world. Whether it be Apollo of Greeks or ‘Sol Invictus’ of Romans or Ra in ancient Egypt. In Hinduism too, the Sun god Surya or Aditya occupies a prominent place. He had an active role to play in Mahabharata as the father of Karana. Several temples have been built to worship this source and sustainer of all life on Earth besides finding shrines in several temples dedicated to Shiva.
Unlike with other ancient civilizations mentioned above, the Indian Sun temples still attract faith and several pilgrims visit these temples and dip in the sacred tanks connected with them with belief that it would cure them of leprosy, blindness, skin diseases etc. Again, Sunday is the special day for worship and thus these temples are more crowded than is normal during those days. Besides being specimens of the brilliant architecture of ancient India, these temples are not without the cultural influence of other civilizations.
The remains of an ancient Sun temple are found at Martanda near Srinagar in Kashmir, so one wonders how many of the Sun temples have fallen prey to the tides of the time. The following ones though have survived:
Major Sun Temples
1.Konark Sun temple
A world heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of India, Konark Sun Temple of Odisha is grandest and one of the best-known sun temples of India. Built in the shape of a gigantic chariot and stone wheels, first rays of sunrise strikes the principal entrance in the temple. This seven-hundred-year-old temple is the best product of Orissian religious architect. The very name of the town ‘Konark’ means sun. It is situated 64 kilometers from Bhuvneshwar and twenty miles from Puri
Labeled as the Black Pagoda by European travelers for its blacktop, the Konark Sun temple is the most famous landmark of Orissa state. It is designed in the form of the suns chariot drawn by the seven horses symbolizing the 7 days of the week. The twenty-four large and magnificently carved wheels symbolize the hours of the day. This temple dream child of the Ganga ruler Narasimha Deva is still incomplete. The main idol of the Sun God is said to have been removed by some Portuguese navigators. The temple now consists only of the sabhamandap and the natamandir as the main temple crumbled down many years ago. Despite having seen its best of days, the temple continues to inspire awe among art lovers from all over the world.When viewed from inland at the time of sunrise,, the chariot-shaped temple appears to emerge right from the depths of the blue sea carrying the sun.
How to reach Konark Sun Temple?
Take the bus ride from Bhubaneshwar ISBT. The distance is about sixty-four kilometers.
2.Sun Temple, Gaya
The Magdha region has been mentioned repeatedly in ancient epics for Sun worship. Dakshinaarka Sun temple in Gaya is one of the ancient Sun temples in India. The Dakshinaarka temple at Gaya in Bihar is one of the most Sun temples in India. Offerings are made by hundreds of pilgrims to their ancestors at Dakshina Maanas tank – one of several spots on this temple complex. What might interest you is the way Sun god is dressed in the central image with a belt and boots in somewhat West Asian style.
Please note that Dakshinaarka Sun temple is not the only Sun temple in the region. Gaya is home to at least two more notable Sun temples – the Uttaraka temple located near the Uttara Maanas tank and the Gayaditya temple on the banks of river Falgu.
How to reach Dakshinaaka Sun Temple?
Gaya is a major junction in itself for both road and rail transport. After reaching Gaya, take a taxi to reach the temple.
3.Modhera Sun Temple
Built-in 1026, Modhera Sun temple stands on banks of Pushpavati river in Mehsana district of Gujarat. The architecture of the temple is such that, as in the case with Konark Sun temple, the rays of the Sun would fall on the image of Surya at the time of equinoxes. The splendid Shikaras are unfortunates no longer survive but Torana, stepwell, Pillars, Garbhagriha and a tank in front still survive. The carvings on the outside are simply amazing and are the stage for Modhera dance festival. Like With the Sun god at Dakshinaarka temple of Gaya, the image here shows Sun god with a belt and boots.
How to reach Modhera Sun Temple?
From Gandhinagar, drive for eighty-four kilometers on Ahmedabad-Palanpur road to reach Modhera.
4.Surya Pahar Temple, Assam
This ancient temple complex situated near Goalpara town of Assam has several sculptures of twelve-armed Vishnu, rock-cut Shivalingas and remains of the Ganesha and Hari Hara. A circular tables with 12 images of Sun god in a circle with his father. Kashyapa in the center is enshrined here. This Sun temple despite its artistic brilliance is, unfortunately, one of lesser-known Sun temples of the country.
How to reach Surya Pahar Sun Temple?
Goalpura town is 157 kilometers drive from Dispur, the capital of Assam.
5.Suryanar Temple, Kumbakonam
Suryanar Temple or Suryanar Kovil Temple is the historic temple complex in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. It enshrines all other planetary deities as well – Chandran, Angarakan, Brihaspati, Budhan, Sukran, Saniswaran, Rahu and Ketu. This Dravidian temple is at least eight centuries old and stands out from among the several hundred temples of the region.
How to reach Suryanar Sun Temple?
Drive 131 kilometers on National Highway 36 from Pondicherry to reach the holy town of Kumbakonam.
6.Surya Narayana Temple, Arasavalli
Shri Surya Narayana Swami Temple is located in Arasavalli in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. This magnificent temple is said to have been built by a Kalinga King and is really well persevered over 13 centuries of its existence.
How to reach Surya Narayana Temple Sun Temple?
Arasavali is connected with Hyderabad by airways, railways, and roadways. You can also drive to Arasavali from Hyderabad. Though the distance of 727 kilometers is too big.
7.The Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao in Madhya Pradesh
The Brahmana Dev (Baramju) Sun temple is located at Unao near Jhansi in Madhya Pradesh. The stone idol of the Sun God in this temple stands on a brick platform covered with black plates. Twenty-one triangles that symbolize the 21 phases of the sun are engraved in the shrine. A brass cover protects this idol.This temple was patronized by the Peshwas. Besides Sun temple, you can also visit Balaji temple of Unao, another popular tourist spot of the region.
How to reach Bhramanya Dev Sun Temple?
Jhansi is a major railway junction. It is about a hundred kilometers from Gwalior on National Highway 44. Jhansi is connected to Lucknow by railways as well as roadways. The roadways distance is about 315 kilometers (National Highway 27). Jhansi is also at more or less same distance from Bhopal (National Highway 44). Besides the advantage of being closer than the other two cities mentioned, Gwalior also has the advantage of boosting its own Sun temple which is discussed below.
From Jhansi, Unao is another thirty kilometers on Balaji Unao road.
8.Martand Sun temple, Jammu
This ruins of this temple are just five miles from Anantnag city of Jammu. The word ‘Martand’ is another name of Sun god, Surya. The temple was destroyed by Sutan Sikander Butshikan. Despite being in ruins, it has been considered a national monument and protected by the government.
How to reach Mortand Sun Temple?
There is no direct public transportation to Anantnag from Srinagar. Instead, hire a taxi or drive for two hours on National Highway 44.
9.Sun Temple, Gwalior
Sun Temple of Gwalior has a design similar to that of Konark Sun temple and is a famous pilgrimage center.
How to reach Gwalior Sun Temple?
Gwalior is really well connected to the world via airways, railways, and roadways.
Minor Sun Temples
1. Sun Temple, Ranchi
Situated on Tata-Ranchi road, 39 kilometers from Ranchi, this beautiful Sun Temple is one of the best tourist attractions of Jharkhand.
How to reach Ranchi Sun Temple?
Drive for thirty-nine kilometers on Tata-Ranchi road.
2.Sun Temple, Katarmal, Uttarakhand
Situated in the thick deodars forest of Kumaon hills near Almora, this Sun temple has beautifully carved pillars and wooden doors. If you ever decide to see Nanital, then this beautiful sun temple is not too far away
How to reach Katarmal Sun Temple?
The temple is 80 kilometers drive on National Highway 109. The location itself is full of a natural tranquility. The beauty of location rivals that of Nainital.
3. Surya Narayana Temple, Domlur
Located just 8 kilometers away from Banglore, this Sun temple is a must-visit if you ever travel to Bangalore.
How to reach Suryan Narayana Sun Temple of Domlur?
Drive for eight kilometers on HAL old airport road and MG road to reach Suryan Narayana Sun Temple of Domlur.
Conclusion
If you are inspired to visit these Sun temples, we advise you to plan your visit on Sundays if it is for religious reasons and on other days to avoid crowd if you are attracted to the architectural beauty of these temples.
Durga Puja is here and we #ghoomophirosisters could not resist ourselves hopping the best pandals in Delhi. We understand this is more than a puja, in fact, its pure emotion. This is one festival when Bengalis across India goes into a frenzy and showcase their best in the form of pandals. whole of India the whole of Bengal goes into a frenzy with the coming of Mother Goddess, and there are a lot of emotions attached to this festival.
We are sure, watching this video will inspire you to drive to CR park definitely.
The whole affair starts with shopping for each day, and then with the coming of puja, it turns into a celebration like no other. On Saptami, we decided to start pandal hopping from C R Park which is famously the capital’s mini-Kolkata, where there were life-size pandals with different themes. Some pandal committees like to keep it traditional and very native, where-as others brought a sense of uniqueness to their idols and sculptures and over-all pandal.
The first one was at Kali Bari, the ground where all Durga idols are being made. Our timing was perfect, as they just started with Durga aarti. We can hear the dhakis and the conch shells which are integral to Durga Puja. The ground was filled with a lot of eateries and shopping items. On the menu for bhog, this year dishes which will include Bengali delicacy Khichuri made with Gobindo Bhog rice and Soona moong dal(from Kolkata), Beguni, Laabra( Mixed veg) Payesh, Veg chop, Fried rice, Aloo Gobi, Shahi paneer, Sweets, Halwa, etc. are being prepared.
Another pandal in Chittaranjan Park is by Cooperative Ground Durga Puja Samiti, which is celebrating its 44th year of the Durga Puja festival with the Theme – Commemorating the Birth Centenary of two Legends of Indian Music, Hemanta Mukherjee, and Manna Dey, showcasing their work and their immense contribution towards Indian Cinema, Art and Culture. This is one of the most award-winning pandals from CR park. We could also witness Dhunuchi Nritya at this pandal.
Then we moved to K Block.
Then we moved to P block, this was our spontaneous find, while we were going back to M block. The whole pandal was based on the bamboo theme. Most of the pandals are eco-friendly this year, as part of which an artificial pond has been made to immerse the idol. Cultural Nights are the main attractions of these Puja Pandals. The nearest metro station to reach CR park is GK M Block. Also, if you are driving, make sure, you park your cars at GK M Block.
“The Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction.”
– Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India
Somnath temple is one of the most influential historical landmarks of India. Destroyed at least 17 times by Muslim and Portuguese invaders, the temple rises again from its ruins like the mythological phoenix who rises out of its ashes. This magical power, which has won it the title of the ‘shrine eternal’, arises out of love it holds among Hindu devotees for whom it is of great spiritual importance and a destination of pilgrimage being the very first of twelve jyotirlingas.
And it is this love which makes it such an amazing tourist attraction. We bring you here all you need to know to plan your trip to Somnath temple.
When to visit Somnath Temple?
The weather from October to March remains pleasant and is considered as the best time to visit Somnath. Summers may be too hot.
If you are interested in temples for devotional reasons, you must consider visiting it during Shivratri when spacial celebrations are held in the temple and a visit on those nights is considered especially auspicious. On the other, those interested in temples for purely aesthetic reasons might want to avoid crowds on those days.
The Darshana can be made at any time all days of the week or year between 6 a.m. and 9: 30 p.m. but the Artis are held thrice a day at 7 a.m., 12 noon and 7 p.m.
How to reach Somnath Temple?
The beautiful Somnath temple is located in a small town named Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Saurashtra region on the western coast of Gujarat. Its location is such that, according to an inscription in Sanskrit is found on the Bāṇastambha (literally Arrow Pillar) found within the temple, there is no land to North of it – that is to say, starting from the North Pole, it is the first point of the landmass on that particular longitude.
Keshod is the nearest airport to Veral located at a distance of 125 kilometers. The nearest railway station is located at a distance of only 5 kilometers. Direct trains to Veral also leave from Mumbai and Pune. An attractive option for those coming from North Indians could be to add a trip to Rajkot to the bargain as they can easily get a cab from there for the nearly 200 kilometers long road trip.
Locally, Gujrat enjoys powerful road connectivity through both public and private transportation.
What to buy at Somnath?
You can buy inexpensive handicrafts from the vendors outside the Somnath complex.
What to eat at Somnath?
Besides prasad, you can have coconuts, peanuts and other eatables from the vendors outside the complex.
Where to stay?
Being a popular tourist destination, Somnath offers plenty of accommodation options for travelers with kind of budgets. We recommend staying in lodging near to Temple to have the option of reaching the temple in time for aarti conveniently if you desire to.
History of Somnath
The site of Somnath has been a Hindu pilgrimage site from ancient times because of its being a Triveni Sangam (the place of confluence of three rivers: Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati).
The word ‘Somnath’ (or the alternative title ‘Somkareshwar’) means the ‘The Lord of Soma’ which is an epithet of Lord Shiva – Soma means ‘Moon’ . Soma or the Moon-god, according to the legend, had lost his luster due to a curse for having preferred one of his wives over others. Soma did penance at this place which won him the mercy of Lord Shiva. Upon the suggestion of Lord Shiva, he bathed in the Sarasvati River at this site to regain it. He thus created the temple in gold as a gesture of gratitude (According to legend, he built the temple in gold, while it was later constructed in silver by Ravan, in wood by Krishna and King Bhimdev built the temple in stone.) The myth tries to explain the waxing and waning of the tides at this seashore location. The name of the town of its location Prabhas itself means luster.
The temple also owes it’s reputation to its being home to one of the twelve jyotirlingas – the places where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. These jyotirlingas are taken as the supreme, ultimate and the undivided reality out of which Shiva partly appears. Each of these 12 jyotirlinga sites takes the name of a different manifestation of Shiva.
In addition to the one at Somnath, the other Jyotirlingas are at : Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, Baidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand, Nageshvara in Dwarka, Gujarat, Ramanathaswamy in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu and Grishneshwar in Ellora, Maharashtra.
There is no historical evidence to show when was the first temple built here but the second temple “Yadava kings” of Vallabhi around 649 CE. Ever since the temple was destroyed by Arab and Portuguese invaders again and again only to be reconstructed by Hindu Kings each time. The invasion by Mahmud was probably the most violent and probably most unpopular. The last time it was destroyed by Aurangzeb, ever since some restoration was done by Marathas and later British who had a particular interest in its treasures. The titular stone from English classic novel ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins was supposed to be stolen from Somnath temple.
The present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture by Government of India and was completed in May 1951. This reconstruction was started under the orders of first Home Minister of Independent India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, and was completed after his death.
A visit to the temple
The town doesn’t create a very good impression being full of dusty and crowded roads but the temple is all majesty from its very first sight. Designed in Chaulkya Hindu Temple architectural system; the seven-story structure stands 155 feet tall. It is topped bg a Kalash that together with the temple weighs 10 tonnes and above that stands a 37 feet long flag mast with a saffron-colored flag on it.
You are greeted by impressive carvings on the walls of the temple which shows Hindu sculpture genius. One also noticed how the temple is so far cleaner than the town outside and what tranquil peace one enjoys as one hears the sound of Arabian Sea beating on shores of India. You can have panoramic views of Arabian seas from within this Seaside temple.
The jyotirlinga itself is, of course, the biggest attraction of the temple. The sigh of it afloat on waters is astonishing. Though we don’t have the first clue who built it, though it was Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, who last established it here in 1951. And it is a work of metallurgical genius – being made of such material that it remains afloat over water and without losing its auspicious beauty.
Rules and tips
Unlike some other temples, there is no VIP line here, and everyone has to go through the same line. Also, please note that Cell phones, cameras, and electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the temple.
Other attractions of the town
Baldev Gufa
Situated 4 KM away from the Somnath temple, Bladev Gufa is one of the important sightseeing attractions that enjoy government patronage as well. According to a legend Baldev (also known as Balarama), Lord Krishna’s elder brother disappeared through this cave into the netherworld and returned to his original form of Sheshnag (the king of snakes).
Patan Museum
Somnath Prabhas Patan Museum is a local museum which is home to several artifacts from ancient India including amazing pillars, stone apsaras, statues of Lord Agni, Uma Maheshwara, Lord Vishnu, Parwati and Natra Bhairava. There is also in it a very unique section where the waters of many revered rivers like the Nile, St Lawrence, Danube, Tigris, Murray, etc are kept.
Triveni Sangam
Triveni Sangam is the point of confluence of three sacred rivers – Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and is at the very same sight where they also meet the Arabian Sea. The Laxminarayan and Gita Temple are located on the shores of this Triveni Sangam. It is also believed that Triveni Sangham was cementing the place of Lord Krishna.
Shashi Bhushan Temple
Constructed by an ancient priest of Somnath temple, Shri Bhav Brihaspati, Shahsibhushan Temple is one of few temples in India dedicated to Moon God Soma (Shashibhushana is an epithet of Moon God and means ‘the ornament of the night’).
Besides visiting above mentioned places, pilgrims can also enjoy camel ride and photography at the seashore of Somnath Temple.
Places of interest near Somnath Temple
Bhalka Tirtha
According to Mahabharta, shortly after the death of his elder brother (Balarama), Lord Krishna went into mourning and retired into the forest. While he was sitting under a tree, a hunter named Jara who was passing by mistook his partly visible foot as a deer. He shot an arrow which mortally wounded Lord Krishna. This legendary tree still passes through the roof of Bhalka Teerth.
Gir National Park
located at a distance of mere 70 kilometers, Gir National Park offers an amazing adventure to couple with the pilgrimage to Somnath temple. It offers an amazing opportunity to see regal lions among several other exotic animals.
You can also climb the 10000 steps to Girnir hill to have access to a panoramic view of Gir forests and visit the spirituality important temples there.
Diu
Located at a distance of mere two and a half kilometers, the union territory of Diu is full of incredibly beautiful seashores and has that same bit of laid back lifestyle which we are used to expecting from Goa. It is a bit of alcoholic heaven for Gujrati people living in a dry state. All the sights of the island worth seeing can be easily seen in a single day.
Dwarka
Though it is located at a distance of 236 kilometers, a trip to Dwarka is often coupled with that to Somnath. Once Lord Krishna’s kingdom, it offers sights of stunning natural beauty. The main temple is Dwarkadish temple (Lord of Dwarka) dedicated to Lord Krishna.
While here, visit Okha lighthouse to have a panoramic view of Arabian seas and from here take a ferry to Bet Dwarka, a small island. During your journey fluttering, seagulls will accompany you and you can also feed them.
Rajkot
The historical city of Rajkot is 200 kilometers from Somnath temple. It has several attractive places including libraries, gardens, historical landmarks, museums, etc and might be a welcome detour for those coming from or leaving Somnath temple in that direction.
Conclusion
A visit to Somnath temple is full of several other attractive opportunities. Does the trip attract you? Do write to us in comments below. 🙂
Amritsar in Punjab is more than just a city filled with history, it is the cultural capital of Punjab. When we planned to visit Amritsar, we just had 24 hours to explore the best of the city and since there was so much to do, we prioritized the top-places to see. We landed in Amritsar via road early morning at 6 am. The sky was filled with the hue of sunrise and the entrance of Amritsar is adorned by a beautiful dome-shaped welcome sight. Amritsar, the place that played an important role in Indian history during British Raj got its name derived from a lake surrounding the Golden Temple. Amrit Sarovar, literally meaning a holy pool of nectar surrounds the Harmandir Sahib. These stories were told to us by our cab driver who was a resident of Amritsar, so we left it up to him to let us experience the food, culture, sights of Amritsar in the best ways possible.
1 Golden Temple aka Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara
We started our day with a visit to the iconic Golden Temple. Thankfully, we were already dressed in traditional Indian clothes so we already had a dupatta to cover our heads which is mandatory before you enter the Gurudwara. Since it a popular pilgrimage and we were there on a Sunday, we had to wait in long queues before we got inside. But even there, we were just enjoying the architecture and observing how immersed people were in their prayers. After paying our respects, we moved to the langar area and had prasad. The community meals are offered to every person who visits the Gurudwara and the langar was delicious. Moreover, the halwa (known as kada in Punjabi) is given as prasad to everyone. The Gurudwara also allows people to stay there for free if they offer service at the temple in return. We did not have much time or we would have loved to experience that as well.
Jallianwala Bagh
The next stop on the tour was the infamous Jallianwala Bagh. Though Jallianwala Bagh is just one km away from the Golden Temple, it takes some time to reach there because that area remains quite crowded. As soon as we entered the garden, we were reminded of the heart-wrenching tragedy that took place there back during the British rule in 1919. There is a memorial in the garden commemorating the Martyrs who were massacred there. The well in which people jumped to save their lives can be seen but one look inside the dark well is enough to give you a nightmare for days. We could also see the bullet holes in walls and there are boards everywhere to help tourists who do not know what happened in Jallianwala Bagh. Paying our respects to the martyrs of Jallianwala, we refrained from clicking many pictures there as we usually do. But just being in that space reminded us of how far India has come and how many people have laid down their lives to make it independent.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
After Jallianwala Bagh left us reminiscing on the History, we visited the Maharaja Ranjit Singh palace which is now in the shape of a museum. The Palace is preserved as it was 400 years ago when the king used to live there. Now, the swords, armors and other historical artifacts are kept there for the visitors to see. There were many paintings in the Museum as well, along with other belongings of the King like the old currency. It was quite a quick visit to the museum before we went to the most-awaited spot on our visit to Amritsar- The Wagah Border.
The Indo-Pak Border
Right after our tour of the museum, we went to the Wagah Border. The Wagah Border has a parade that starts at 5 pm and we were lucky enough to reach there by 4:30 pm so we could still watch the hour-long parade live. We could not find good seats since people start coming in from 2 pm to find a seat. There is a huge rush on the Indian side of the border. There is tight security present there but we were allowed to carry essentials like water bottles, our sunglasses, and phones. The entire parade is a sight to behold and afterward, one the crowds started to disperse, we went and clicked some pictures with the soldiers. From the Wagah Border, we could easily see the other side- Pakistan and wondered why there wasn’t as big a crowd gathered on that side of the border as well.
Go shopping
No trip to Amritsar is complete without shopping for Amritsari jutti. There is a Kapra Bazaar near the Golden Temple where we went to buy the famous Phulkari cloth and look for Amritsari Jutti. The -Kameez, Dupatta or Phulkari-cloth. We also bought some dresses from the Kapra Bazaar but the best place to buy Amritsari Jutti, as suggested by many locals there is the Raunak Store in Pink plaza. Amritsari Jutti is leather footwear traditionally called Jutti. It complements the traditional Indian-wear and is a great ethnic-wear accessory.
What’s Punjab without Punjabi Food?
Throughout the day, we munched on local Amritsari cuisine. The day began with Aloo Parantha with extra butter and a glass of Lassi for breakfast at a local Dhaba. Then the langar at Golden Temple worked perfectly as lunch and for snacks, we had jalebi and Amritsari Lassi at a Dhaba near Golden Temple. For dinner, there are plenty of options in Amritsar but it is a bit hard to find pure vegetarian restaurants. There is a place called Brother’s Amritsari dhaba that serves delicious Paneer Butter Masala, Daal Makhani, Channa and Naan. We got the veg thali which had salad and raita as well as Amritsari Papad.
When it was finally time to leave Amritsar, we realized that within 24 hours, we had seen most of the popular places in Amritsar, shopped and enjoyed Punjabi delicacies while being entertained by our cab driver’s Punjabi commentary on everything.
Shri Manghesi (or Mangueshi or Mangesh) temple is one of Goa’s biggest, most visited and most important temples in the state. it is located in Mangueshi village in Priol, Linda taluk of Goa and is dedicated to Hindu god Lord Shiva. It is a temple of great spiritual importance to Hindus. Today, Ghoomophiro will tell you all you need to know about it.
How to reach?
The Mangueshi temple is located at a distance of mere 21 kilometers from the capital of Goa, Panaji. Like with most other spots in Goa, the best way to commute locally is two-wheeler through other means are easily available.
Best time to visit
All temples have their festivals for which they hold special prayers and celebrations. The best time to visit Mangheushi temple too would be on the day of a festival that has special celebrations in the temple. Special celebrations are held in this temple are held on the occasion of a lot of festivals like Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Magha Poornima Festival (Jatrotsav), Mahashivratri, etc. We recommend that you plan your trip accordingly.
If that is not possible, we highly recommend visiting it on a Monday evening when the idol of Mangeush (the chief diety) is taken out for a procession in the Palakhi accompanied by music before the evening Aarti.
Dress code
Ever since 2011, as with other temples in the region, the temple has a dress code of its own which is traditional wear.
History of the temple
The main temple at Mangueshi is dedicated to Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Shiva. He is worshipped here as linga. According to a legend, Shiva had manifested into a tiger to scare his wife Parvati. Paravati, upon being frightened at the sight of the tiger, went in search of Shiva and cried out, “Trahi Mam girisha!” (Oh Lord of Mountains, save me!). Upon hearing these words, Shiva turned himself back to his human form. The words “mam girisha” thus became associated with Shiva and over time they got abbreviated to Manguirisha or Manguesh. Lord Manguesh is the kuldevta (clan god) of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins.
Another mythological legend tells us of origin of the chief idol. It says that Manghesh Linga was consecrated on the mountain of Mangireesh (Mongir) on the banks of river Bhagirathi by Brahma. From there, the Saraswat Brahmins brought it to Trihotrapuri in Bihar. They then carried the linga to Gomantaka and settled it at Mormugao, on the banks of Zuari river present day called Sancoale and established their most sacred temple there.
The less mythological continuation of history states that the Mangeushi temple this had its origins in Kushasthali Cortalim, a village in Murmugao. The village fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543. In the year 1560, when the Portuguese government started converting people into Christianity in Mormugao taluka, the Saraswats of Kaundinya Gotra and Vatsa Gotra moved the Mangesh Linga from the original site at the Kushasthali or Cortalim on the banks of river Aghanashini (Zuari)(Sancoale) to its present location at Mangeshi in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka, which was at that time still under the rule of Hindu kings of Sonde of Antruz Mahal (Ponda), to be more secure. In fact, a lot of temples in Pond have a similar history.
The original site was a very simple structure, and the current structure was only built under Maratha rule, some 150 years after the linga had been moved. In 1739, the Peshwas, who then ruled the region, donated the village of Mangeshi to the temple on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a staunch follower of Shri Mangesh.
Our visit to the temple
The 450-year-old temple stands on a hill and could be seen from far as we approached it. Its simple structure has an innocent elegance to it. There were several domes, pilasters, and balustrades.
We were attracted to three prominent pieces of architecture. First, there was a prominent Nandi Bull – but then a Nandi Bull idol is something common to all temples of Lord Shiva.
Second, and this was perhaps the best part there was a beautiful seven-story deepstambha (literally ‘lamp tower’), which stands inside the temple complex which was used to light the lamps at the temple.
Third, the temple also has a magnificent water tank, which according to locals is the oldest part of the temple.
The Sabha Greha of the meeting hall is a really large one and has the capacity to hold up to 500 people.
Besides the idol of chief deity, the main complex has idols of other members of Lord Shiva’s family – Goddess Parvati and God Ganesha. The other deities in the temple include Nandikeshvar, Gajana, Bhagavati and the Gramapurusha Deva Sharma of the Kaudanya gotra.
There are also several important subsidiary shrines to the rear of the main building which shrines gods like Mulakeshwsar, Virabhadra, Saanteri, Lakshminarayana, Suryanarayan, Garuda and Kala Bhairav. One thing you would not want to miss the night view.
Conclusion
Goa’s temples continue to get ignored by the tourists to the state because of pull they feel for the state’s most exotic pleasures. Manghueshi temple is one of those temples that suffer most from this ignorance as it is really a temple worth visiting both for spiritual and aesthetic reasons. We hope you will consider visiting it on your next trip to Goa. J
Amarkantak is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of Madhya Pradesh. Besides being a beautiful hill station with mesmerising views of natural vegetation, being home to wildlife and a place of pilgrimage, the place is also of importance because it is the place where the fifteenth century poet Kabir whose couplets have grown proverbial at many places all over Indian, is said to have used it as the place of his meditation. Kabira is, in fact, not the only saint who used this place for meditation. Several other sages have used this place for purposes of meditation – Bhrigu, Darvasa, Kapil to name a few. And even after centuries of civilization, the place continues to hold a great deal of peace to it, as if it still continues to live in its golden age.
How to reach Amarkantak?
By air
The nearest airport is at Jabalpur which is located at a distance of nearly 300 kilometers
By rail
Located at a distance of about 40 km from Amarkantak., the Pendra Railway station is the nearest railhead.
By road
The best option to reach Amarakantak is via road. It enjoys good public transport connectivity with nearby places like Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur, etc. We recommend coming here by taking your bus from Pendra road which is just 17 kilometers away or Anupur which is located at a distance of 48 kilometers.
Where to stay?
Though there are no hotels worth special recommendation here, there are options enough that will help spend your time with ease. We recommend trying staying at Mrityunjay Ashram. The Ashram offers free accommodation with an option to donate any sum you may be inclined to. The peaceful atmosphere of the ashram was what attracted us to it. It is clean and had a serene atmosphere to it. However, you must adhere to the spirit of the Ashram and live in a relatively disciplined way during your stay here.
Places of attraction
Amarkantak is full of several major attractions. Let us take a look:
The Narmada Temple
The Narmada is considered the holiest of all the seven holy rivers of India. It is said that even the holy river Ganga takes a form of a black cow and takes a dip in the Narmada every once in a while in order to cleanse itself of sins of sinners that it has absolved.
According to Hindu Mythology, the Narmada, which is also affectionately called Maa Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, was born of the sweat of Lord Shiva when he was performing the great celestial dance of destruction of worlds – the Tandava Naritya. Thus it has been called the daughter of Lord Shiva or Shankari.
Amarkantak is the birthplace of river Narmada, Narmada Kund, is located and thus the Narmada Temple of great prestige among Hindu and an important place for pilgrimage among local Hindus.
The temple is surrounded by several other temples in the region. These temples are called Kalachuri temples – named after Kalachuri kings who constructed them.
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
Amarkantak is a part of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve whose extents entail Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary on one end and Kanha Tiger Reserve on the other hand. Tropical Moist Deciduous fill this reserve with rich vegetation and Teak and Bamboo are some of the recurring plants. Achankumar Wildlife Sanctuary is just 19 kilometers away from here.
A number of animals roam freely in this region including the royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, Indian jackal, chital, striped hyena, Ussuri dhole, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, blackbuck, Indian muntjac and wild boar, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, four varieties of monkeys among other species.
Kabir Chaubartra
One of the biggest attraction of Amarkantak for tourists is Kabir Chaurbarta. This relatively peaceful place is where the great saint-poet Kabir, the author od couplets called Dohas that have got the proverbial reputation in India, meditated. The place is a little unkept but overall a serene peace surrounds one here. Its location within jungles also offers a good trekking opportunity.
Kapil Dhara
Kapil Dhara is a waterfall located at a distance of mere 7 kilometers from Narmada temple. The serene beauty of this waterfall which got its name from Sage Kapil, from whose meditating place it was born, is what makes it worth seeing.
Dudh Dhara
Dudh Dhara is another waterfall located at a distance of about a kilometer from Kapil Dhara and is said to be located at the place where saint Durvasa meditated. It is a nice little spot, great for a family picnic.
Son Ungam Temple
Son Ungam literally means the origin of Son river. It is thus a small Shiva temple located at the source of Son river. The experience of some of the visitors can be pestered by monkeys. We recommend you only visit it if you are a Hindu devotee
Amareshwar Mahadev temple
Amareshwar Mahadev temple is a really big temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. What makes visiting this temple a memorable experience is the 11 feet long shivling. This temple like many others in the region is still under construction.
Bhrigu Kamandal
Bhrigu Kamandal is a deceptively small cave where, according to the legend, Saint Bhrigu used to stay during monsoon. He needed water for Pooja so he requested water from the rock. The rock gave him a hole and you could put your hand in it to get a bit of water. You can then pour this water on Shivling here. This rock that gives water is still there and is of great spiritual importance to Hindus. Even reaching here will involve some trekking experience
Conclusion
Amarkantak has the rare blessing of being unknown to much of the world. And thus, despite its countless attractions, it continues to enjoy the peacefulness missing in most attractive tourist spots. Thus if you are looking for a quiet holiday – especially if you are a devoted Hindu, we highly recommend a trip to Amarkantak. This is all from us today, we hope this helps you add Amarkantak to your travel plans. J
Maa Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most important of several manifestations of Adi Shakti. Its temple in Katra at the Trikuta Mountains in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is of great spiritual importance to Hindus. In December last year, we Ghoomophiro sisters decided to go on a pilgrimage and have Darshana (that is enjoying the privileged sight of), Vaishno Devi. Here we bring you an account of our journey along with all the details you will need to smoothen up your travel plans if you, too, intend to visit this glorious temple.
The location of the temple
Mata Vaishno Devi temple is located at a height of 1,560 m above sea level in Himalaya’s Trikuta hills in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. The nearest town to the temple is Katra which is in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir State.
What is the best time to visit Maa Vaishno Devi temple?
The Maa Vaishno Devi temple is opened throughout the year and meteorologically speaking the best time to visit is Summer (when the region offers a cool break from the heat of summers) and, in case you wish to enjoy the snow, around the new year. However, the temple is immensely popular among the North Indians and these are also times when the temple is too crowded and you might be asked to wait and this wait has been know to go up to 20 hours. This is because the capacity permitted for yatra is 30 to 35000 yatries and this capacity is easily reached during the peak seasons and no new registrations are made during the waiting period. The experience itself might feel rushed.
Thus, in our opinion, avoiding the crowds, in this case, should be a bigger consideration that choosing times of a good climate. The crowds peek during times it is likely to be school holidays – summer breaks, winter breaks (Christmas to the first week of the new year), end of the school year breaks, as well as the weekends of the peak summer season. Thus those are the times you should avoid if you wish for a smooth and comfortable journey. The best time to visit the temple is to check the shrine’s site (https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/) and check the yatries (pilgrims) visiting that day. If the number falls below 18000, you can expect a smooth journey.
We visited the temple within the first week of December. One of the major advantages of visiting the temple in the winter is that original Ma Vaishno Devi Cave is also opened in the winter and this cave offers a unique mystical experience.
Where to stay?
Katra has a number of accommodation options for pockets of all sizes. You can also get a rented accommodation at Enquiry and Reservation Counter at Niharika Complex near bus stand for staying at Katra, Adkuwari, Sanjichhat or Bhawan – and it is this option we took.
What to wear?
Wear the clothes according to the climate – bring raincoats and umbrellas in winters and warm woolen clothes in winters. An important point here is that you bring along good hiking shoes and, if need be, walking stick to assist you through the hike to the temple. These accessories (umbrellas, raincoats, walking sticks, etc) are also readily available in Katra and along the hiking route.
We made our trip in the first week of December
How to reach Maa Vaishno Devi temple?
By road
There is a 13.5-kilometer hike from Katra. If you are physically fit enough, we highly recommend making this hike on foot because that is how you lose yourself to the spirituality of the place. Anyway, this is what we did.
Katra is well connected to Jammu, New Delhi, etc (as well as many other parts of India) by bus service and Jammu, in its turn, is connected to major cities of India
By Rail
The nearest railhead is at Jammu but Katra’s railway station is well connected too.
By air
The nearest airport to Maa Vaishno Devi Temple is the Jammu Tawi airport. The airport is 46.7 km away via NH 144. Taxis on hire and Public Bus services are available from Jammu Tawi to the temple.
Commuting within the proximity
Please note that if you are traveling by air or rail, you will have to change the mode of transport from Jammu but in case you are traveling on road whether by public, owned or hired vehicle, the journey is shorter there is an option of taking a by-pass from Kunjwani which is nearly 10 km. off Jammu and head straight to the base camp in Katra. But that said, you might be interested in landmarks within the temple.
The Myth Behind the Holy Cave Temple
According to legend, a priest named Pandit Sridhar of Hansali village had organized a Bhandara as a religious offering to the goddess. The goddess Maa Vaishnavi was pleased with his devotion and gave her a Darshana before disappearing again. Pandit Sridhar was saddened by her disappearance and so he vowed to fast until death hoping for another Darshana. The goddess appeared again in his dreams and gave him instructions on how to reach her abode in the cave at the Trikuta Hills. Pandit Sridhar found the Holy Cave and was there met by Goddess Vaishnavi who appeared in her true form and blessed him with four sons. She also made him the official custodian of the Holy Cave and, it is his successors who continue to hold custody of temple.
The Hike
We reached Katra bus stop at 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon. We registered ourselves at Registration Counter near the Katra bus stop. The registration is done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which is the only authority legally permitted to register yatris. Upon registration, we are given Yatra Access Card/yatra slip/yatra parchi which is the written permission to start the yatra. Please note that you can not do the yatra without this permission.
The permission also includes a travel insurance against accidental death (a rare possibility) – for amounts up to 3 lakhs for grownups and 1 lakh for children. As you can see, Shrine is really thoughtful about pilgrims. It has also established information booths throughout the trek to assist pilgrims.
The time allotted was two hours later which was just enough time for us to check in at the accommodation we had rented and freshen up a little. Checking in now will save us from losing for a place of accommodation later when we come back from yatra tired after hours of hiking. It also helped to rid of extra luggage so we could hike lightly. You could also deposit your unnecessary luggage in a room kept specifically for the purpose and recollect them on way back.
Within allocated time, we were at Yatra camp and the atmosphere that is a common characteristic of all Hindu Devi pilgrim places greeted us. The Temple or Bhawan is 13.5 km from Katra. This hike is done by many of pilgrims on foot often wearing a head clip saying ‘Jai Mata Di’ – we wore those too, and singing devotional songs and sometimes even dancing a little. We hiked by foot and highly recommend you do the same – to have the full experience of the yatra.
However, if you still wish otherwise, there are a number of alternatives available – ponies, electric vehicles, ropeway, palki, etc. You can hire a Helicopter service which will cover 9.5 kilometers of the distance up to Sanjichhat.
At Ardkunvari, which is the midway point of the trek, you can take one of two paths. The first is a normal like like before or you can take a detour which will take you through Garbhjoom, a tiny cave which is said to symbolize the journey of a fetus in the womb of the mother.
Darshana
The hike lasted 5 hours for us (the time is variable depending on the speed with which you walk). Because of moving in the company of so many pilgrims, it doesn’t seem so long. The Maa Vaishno Devi temple that greeted us at the end was a sort of cave – which is rather narrow and thus it is not possible to visit it in groups – rather you take Darshana in a sort of perpetually moving queue.
The goddess appears in the form of three Pindies which stand for goddesses Mahakali. Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi. They are always adorned with fresh flowers and gold crowns. I offered my prayers and exited the cave, collecting Prasad on my way out.
The Darshana last only a short time but to a devoted mind that is enough.
Nearby sights – Bhairon temple
The Bhairon temple, dedicated to Lord Bhairava, a form of Lord Shiva, is further 1.5 km away from the Vaishnavi Devi shrine. It too is built inside a cave and some pilgrims consider their yatra incomplete without a visit here. After visiting Bhairon temple, we made our way – hiking down is quicker but it still needed us three hours.
Traveling tips
Confirm the rates of the Porters, Ponies, Palanquins, etc before hiring them and make sure that they carry a valid registration card – note down their registration number if you are entrusting them with your valuables.
Video cameras and other electronic equipment are not allowed on the track.
Respect the sanctity of the pilgrimage and respect the sentiment of fellow pilgrims. Avoid loud dresses, vulgar language or offensive talk or gestures.
Respect the sentiments of co-pilgrims.
Cooperate with the security agencies.
Avoid resting near landslide-prone areas.
Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco or betel leaves, spitting, spreading litter, playing cards, etc.
Consumption of liquor, intoxicants and non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited.
Do not litter
Beware of thieves and pickpockets. Don’t carry too much cash, jewelry or valuables.
Report unclaimed objects to security personnel.
Don’t encourage begging.
Obtain cash receipt for any cash paid at the Shrine Board outlets.
If you have high blood pressure or heart or asthmatic problems, you must first get clearance from your doctor before starting the journey. In that case, you should also avoid stairs
Proceed for Darshans only when the Group number is announced.
Don’t use soaps, shampoos, oils, etc while bathing at Ghats.
Wear clean clothes before leaving for the Darshans.
Maintain silence within the cave.
Make donations in boxes kept for the purpose only and not in front of idols or some person.
Do not offer or pay any tip or Dakshina to any employee of the shrine.
India is the land of temples. A number of spectacular temples are of religious importance and, even if you are of a secular orientation of mind, amazing architectural works and sites that boost of amazing legends. Ma Kamakhya Temple of Guwahati in Assam is one such temple. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Guwahati.
Ma Kamakhya Temple is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas and an important place of pilgrimage, especially among Tantric worshippers.
Today, Ghoomophiro is going to tell you all there is to tell you about this amazing temple:
Location of Ma Kamakhya Temple
Ma Kamakhya Temple is located in a temple complex on Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India. The complex has ten individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas of Saktism: Kali, Tara, Kamakya, Sodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Matangi, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, Kamalatmika, and Dhumavati.
Best time to visit Ma Kamakhya Temple?
An important event is Ambubachi Mela which is celebrated during the monsoon season around the middle of June. It is thought of as the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Kamakhya. Another important event is the navratras when Durga Pooja is held during a five-day long festival. However, the monsoon might cause transit problems. Guwahati has the most pleasant weather during the winter months from October to March. The temple is open all days of the year from 08:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. The temple is less crowded during the afternoon hours.
How to reach Ma Kamakhya Temple?
Guwahati boosts of its own international airport – Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. It also enjoys brilliant rail and road connectivity. Once in Guwahati, you can catch a bus from the main bus stand of the city that takes you to the temple. The city also has good taxi services.
Where to stay?
Guwahati offers hotels and accommodations services of all budgets and forms.
The mythological importance of Ma Kamakhya Temple
According to an important legend of Hinduism sourced from Kalika Purana, this was the place where Sati and Shiva held meetings for amorous relations.
The origin of worship ‘Shakti’ at the site is associated with the tragic end of GoessSati, the wife of the ascetic god Shiva and daughter of the Puranic king Daksha. Daksha, who was not pleased with his daughter’s choice of husband, did not invite Shiva or Sati when he performed a grand Yajna for all the deities. Enraged, Sati threw herself into the fire, knowing that this would make the sacrifice impure. Griefened and enraged by the loss of his wife, Shiva put her body over his shoulder and began his tandava – Shiva’s great dance of cosmic destruction. The other Gods, afraid of the destruction of the world, implored Lord Vishnu to pacify Shiva.
Vishnu sent his discus Sudarshana chakra to cut off, one by one, 51 parts of the corpse of Sati until Shiva was left without a body to carry. Upon noticing this, Shiva calmed down and settled to do Mahatapasya (great penance). ]Shive would later marry reincarnation of Goddess Sati, Parvati.
The places where each of 51 pieces of Sati’s corpse are known as ‘Shakti Peeth’. Ma Kamakhya temple is one such Shakti Peeth. It is the peeth where Sati’s yoni (‘womb’) fell to Earth. The name ‘Kamakhya’ figuratively means ‘renowned goddess of desire’.
Kalika Purana counts Ma Kamakya temple among one of the four primary shakti peeths. The other three include – the Vimala Temple within the famous Jagannath Temple complex in Puri, Odisha; Tara Tarini, Sthana Khanda, near Brahmapur, Odisha (that originated from the breasts of the Corpse of Mata Sati) and Dakshina Kalika in Kalighat, Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal, that originated from her limbs.
In other legends, the temple has been associated with the goddess Kali.
History of Ma Kamakhya Temple
Though the site might have attracted the pilgrim much earlier, the earlier part of the architecture dates back to ninth century A.D. It is in tenth century A.D. that the temple grew in prominence under later Palas, especially gaining the popularity among the tantric worshipers. Kalika Purana was composed around this period too. The temple was destroyed by invaders in the 16th century and was reconstructed by rulers of Koch density.
Entry Fee
The entry is free of cost but you can get a VIP ticket for some fee if you wish to avoid long queues.
The architectural design of Ma Kamakhya Temple
The Ma Kamakya temple consists of the following four chambers: one garbhagriha and three mandapas. These madapas are locally called calanta, pancharatna, and natamandira aligned from east to west.
The garbhagriha is the main part of the temple. It is a sort of cave below the ground level. It is rather small and dark (only a couple of lamps provide the light) and is reached by narrow steep stones starting from the main hall. The path is very narrow and no more than two or three people can pass it side by side.
The garbhagriha has no image or sculpture. All it has is Yoni or a vagina-shaped rock fissure about 10 inches deep, It usually remains covered with the flowers and other offerings, that is considered as the main deity This fixture keeps getting filled again and again with an underground water spring which pilgrims often carry back as a sort of prasad.
The temple is just one of several in the complex all of which are devoted to goddesses.
Food and Souvenirs
Like all major Hindu temples, Ma Kamakya temple boasts of shops outside its premises which sell souvenirs and different kinds of Prasad.
Things to remember
Though cameras and mobiles are allowed, photography is strictly forbidden. And of course, like most Hindu temples, shoes are not allowed. Though there is no dress code and you can wear western clothes, too much show of skin might attract frown from some of the narrow-minded pandas. Pandas, by the way, are the priests in orange-colored robes who offer their services at the place. Also, it might be disturbing to many, including Hindus, buts sacrifices of goats are regularly made in the temple complex and it can be a gruesome sight.
Conclusion
In a time where feminism of the country has finally learned to question the taboos surrounding the mensuration, a temple devoted to the ‘bleeding goddess’ (as Ma Kamakya is locally called) and that celebrates through a mela the annual mensuration cycle of a goddess gains great importance. One is forced to wonder whether the temple authorities forbidding the entry of mensurating women citing their ‘impurity’ are coloring Hinduism according to their own narrow-mindedness.
That is all from us regarding the most famous temple of Guwahati. We hope you enjoy this post.
