Radha Shyam Mandir, Kolkata, West Bengal, IN

Deities: Radha-Krishna
Location: Bishnupur, Kolkata
Built in: 1758
Built by: Chaitanya Singha

Heart is the symbol of Love.Love is Truth. Love is Power.Love is God. To love God is to love manand to love man is to worship God.
-Sri Swami Sivananda

Radha-Shyam Temple is one of the famous terracotta temples at Bishnupur in Bankura District of West Bengal. The temple was built by King Chaitanya Singha in 1758 and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple architecture consists of a square building with a curved roof and is crowned by a single tower. Located about 150 km northwest of Kolkata, Bishnupur is a city with a glorious past. The rich architecture of terracotta carved temples here is a striking legacy from the past. Bishnupur has over thirty brick and stone temples, dating from 17th to 18th centuries, dedicated to Radha and Lord Krishna.

Apart from temples, there are eight large tanks, locally known as bandhs, worth visiting. Lalbandh, Krishnabandh, and Pokabandh were built by the Malla kings. The Dhrupad school of Indian classical music was established here during 16th / 17th century.

Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu is said to have born to Devaki and Vasudeva in imprisonment, on the midnight of the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Shravan. The objective of the birth was to kill Kamsa, the cruel ruler of Mathura and Devaki's brother. To protect the baby from the king, Krishna was taken into the cowherd family of Yashodha and Nandagopan, where he grew up with his brother Balarama as the legendary naughty boy.

Krishna's youth, like his childhood, is immensely popular with devotees, and is spiritually significant. The Rasalila, or the dance of love, that he enjoyed with the gopikas, or cowherds, has been subject to much literary and philosophical interpretation. The Mahabharata describes the War of Kurukshetra in which Lord Krishna favored the Pandavas against the evil that their cousins Kauravas embodied. Krishna drove Arjuna's chariot in the war, and delivered the philosophical text Bhagavad Gita to the diffident Arjuna in the battlefield.

Krishna is usually represented as playing the flute, the music of love. He is dark (blue) in color, and wears yellow silk and flower garlands. The birthday of the lord, known as Janmashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti, is celebrated all over the country.

How to reach:
Kolkata is very well connected to the major Indian cities by air, rail and road.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Gundicha Mandir, Puri, Orissa, IN

Deity: Lord Krishna
Location: Northeastern side of the Jagannath temple, Puri, Orissa
Founded In: 16th century
Significance: Believed to be the dwelling place of Lord Krishna’s aunt
Best time to visit: October to April

Puri as known to the Hindus all over the world as a religious center and for the good stretch of the white sand beaches on the banks of Bay of Bengal. Puri is dominated by two great forces, one created by God, and the other by man.

Gundicha Temple was built by Gundicha Devi to commemorate the birth of his son Niladri Singh. A colossal statue of Lord Narasimhanath, installed in the sanctum of the temple, was built by King Prithiraj Singhdeo. Gundicha Temple is considered to be the home of the aunt of Lord Krishna. However, the temple has been named after the King Indradyumna, who was also known by the name ‘Gundicha’. This is because he was the one who laid the foundation for establishment of this temple.

The distance between the gates of Jagannath temple and the Gundicha temple, is exactly 2,688.0696 meters (8327 feet). The temple is surrounded by a wall and stands in the middle of garden. The compound has two walls, one outer and another inner in the middle of which stands the main shrine. Unlike any other Orissan temple design it is almost a dome with Vishnu's wheel on the top.

The inner and parts of the outer walls are full of murals and paintings belonging to the sixteenth century. A beautiful Garuda idol adorns the eastern most corner of the temple.

The images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are annually taken in a chariot procession to the place. The Jagannath triad stay here for seven days. The pious believe that a sight of the Lord here is equal to thousand visits to the main Jagannath temple.

This Temple is known otherwise as ‘Janak puri’ because, here according to Puranic legend the King Indradyaumna performed the sacrifices and the Lords, Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsana appeared on the altar.

During the Car-festival the Lords spend seven days and there after they go back to their own Temple .

The people believe according to tradition that these tortoises were human beings in their past life and had carried huge stones on their backs for the construction of the Temple of Jagannath (Bada deula). Therefore they became tortoises since them. So they are only the living witnesses of the building of Jagannath Temple by the legendary King Indrayaumna.

Other important Attraction:
Jagannath Temple:
Puri Beach
Temple of Child Krishna at Indradyumna Tank
Atharnala Bridge

How to Reach:
by Air: The nearest airport is in 56 km away, in Bhubaneswar, which has domestic flights to and from Bombay.
by Rail: Puri railway station is a major railway station and is well connected with almost all the major cities of India. The railway station is easily accessible from the main town area.
by Road: Well-connected to all the major cities of Orissa and surrounding areas through extensive network of roads.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Jagannath Puri Mandir, Puri, Orissa, IN

Location: Puri, Orissa
Built in: 12th century
Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra
Significance: One of the pilgrimages of the Hindus

The name Jagannath literally means “Lord of the Universe” It is said that the present temple was begun by King Chora Ganga Deva and finished by his descendant, Anangabhima Deva, during the 12th century.

Lord Jagannath is considered as the form of Lord Krishna.

The Blue Wheel - Jagannath Temple:
There is a wheel on top of the Jagannatha Temple made of an alloy of eight different metals known as 'Ashta - Dhatu'. It is known as the 'Nila Chakra' (blue wheel). It is 11 feet 8 inches high and has a circumference of about 36 feet. A flag is tied every day on a mast attached to the Nila Chakra. On every 'Ekadasi' day a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel. The main temple is surrounded by 30 different smaller temples. The 'Narasimha temple' adjacent to the western side of the 'Mukti-Mandapa' is said to have been constructed before the present temple.
In front of the main gate is an 11m pillar, called 'Aruna Stambha', which used to be in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Puri during the 18th century. The figure on top of the pillar is Aruna, the charioteer of the Sun God. In the passage room of this gate is a Deity of Lord Jagannatha called 'Patita Pavana' (Savior of the most fallen). This Deity is visible from the road so non Hindus can take 'Darshana' of the Lord.

History:
The origin of Jagannath Mandir can be traced in the medieval times. The ancient temple is vital for Vaishnavites/ Hindus. The Vishnu Chakra is the highest point of the temple. The red flag over the Chakra indicates that the Lord is within the shrine. The Jagmohana and the Vimana are believed to made during the reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev (1078 -1148 CE), who was the ruler of Kalinga.

Legend about the origin of Jagannath Temple:
The conventional legend says that the original image of Lord Jagannath (form of Lord Krishna) was found in the vicinity of a fig tree. The image was realized in the form of an Indranila (Blue Jewel). The sight of the image was so glittering that Dharma decided to bury it in the earth. Later, Kind Indradyumna of Malwa sought to locate the image. In order to find the image, he did strict penance and appeased the Lord. Subsequently, Lord Vishnu advised him to go to the Puri seashore, where he would get a floating log. From the log, he could make an image of Lord Jagannath. On finding the log, the King met two artists, who were none other than Lord Vishnu and Vishwakarma. They then made idols of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra from the log.

Also, during lunar months of Ashadh, the deities change their bodies. This is known as Navakalebar or New Body Ceremony. During this time, the temple is throbbed with innumerable devotees.

Festival:
There are as many as 24 festivals each year, the most important one of them being the Rath Yatra or the Chariot festival in the month June - July. The spectacular chariot festival involves the procession of three colossal chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra through the streets of Puri.Millions of devotees from every corner of the world gather round the temple during the 'Ratha Yatra' festival of Sri Jagannath.

The three of them are pulled in huge stringed chariots (Rathas) and the King of Puri himself sweeps the roads with a golden broom for the Lord of the World to pass.

Visiting Hours:
The temple gets open at 5am and is open till midnight. At 1 in noon the gates are closed for half an hour.

Entry Fee: Nil.

When to visit:
The best time to see the temple is during the Rath-Yatra. Else one can visit Puri during Oct.-April.Other Attractions near the Jagannath Puri Temple:Puri is a famous tourist spot. One can visit the Gundicha temple, Indradyumna tank, Siddha Hanuman temple nearby. Also in the vicinity are the Nandankanan Tiger safari and the famous Konark temple.

How to reach:
by Air: Puri can be reached by air as its nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, 56 km away. Regular buses and trains service is available from Bhubaneswar to Puri.
by Rail: Puri railway station is a major railway station and is well connected with almost all the major cities of India.
by Road: Puri is connected with Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Berhampur, Taptapani, Sambalpur and Kolkata by road.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Ashvakranta Mandir, Assam, IN

Deities: Lord Krishna
Location: Guwahati, Assam
Importance: It is believed that Ashvakranta is the site at which Krishna camped with his horses and army before he killed the demon Narakasura
Famous for: Images of Sri Krishna
STD Code: 0361

The land of Assam with its beautiful temples beckons all those who want to feel a divine connection. Sitting in the court of these temples as you meditate you feel a divine connection as nothing can beat the absolute tranquility that surrounds these temples. As far architecture goes, these carry the reflections of greater India.

The Ashvakranta temple in Guwahati in Assam is an ancient one and is associated with the legend of Krishna slaying the demon Narakasura.It is believed that Ashvakranta is the site at which Krishna camped with his horses and army before he killed the demon Narakasura, hence the name Ashvakranta.

According to the Naraka legend, Lord Vishnu placed him as the King of Pragjyotisa. At first Naraka was pious and ruled his country righteously. But soon he became friendly with Bana, King of Sonitpur, and a Shaivite king who had become all powerful by propitiating Lord Shiva.Legend has it that Naraka, the son of Krishna was appointed ruler of Assam. He fell into bad ways and began tormenting mortals and the Gods, especially under the influence of another demon Bana.

The sage Vashishta visited Kamarupa Desa with the intention of worshipping Kamakhya Devi. Naraka stopped him from doing so and hence the sage cursed him that he would be killed by his own father Vishnu.

As Narakasura's attrocities increased, Vishnu (Krishna) invaded Kamarupa (Pragjyotishapura) and vanquished the demon. Upon being slain, the remorseful demon pleaded with Krishna, that his death would be celebrated with fanfare by humanity, in the wee hours of the new moon morning in the month of Libra. This legend forms the basis of the grandest festival in India Diwali- the festival of Lights.

Also located near Guwahati is Vasishtashrama or the hermitage of Vasishta, where he is believed to have carried out penances meditating upon Shiva. Legend has it that Indra along with heavenly damsels, rendered the nearby streams impure, and incurred the wrath of Vasishta. As a result of which he was born on earth as a mortal, who later on rose to be the founder of the Ahom dynasty of Assam.

This friendship between the two resulted in King Naraka becoming irreligious and presumptuous. Possessed by demonic ideas ("Asuram Bhavamwadya"), Naraka began to harass the Brahmanas and even neglected the Goddess Kamakhya, who was greatly favoured by Lord Vishnu.

Near By Attraction:
Ashvakranta Temple.
Kamakhya Temple.
Madan Kamadeva.
Sukresvara Temple.
Navagraha Temple.
Umananda Temple.
Vasisthasrama.
Ugratara Temple.

How to reach:
Guwahati is well connected to the major cities. It is the hub of the road network to the north eastern region and to centers west of Assam. The distance between Guwahati and Kolkata is 1151 km and between Darjeeling and Guwahati is 627 km.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Bankey Bihari Mandir, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Deities: Lord Bankey Bihari (a form of Lord Krishna)
Location: Raman Reti, Vrindavan
Built by: Swami Haridas
Built in: 1864
Attraction: One of the most famous temples

Bankey Bihari Temple is the prime attraction and the highly revered shrine of Vrindavan. In Uttar Pradesh, Vrindavan is a small town that is celebrated for this holy shrine of Lord Krishna. Bankey Bihari Mandir is the popular temple amongst the Vaishnavites of India. The present temple was built by Swami Haridas in 1864. Here, Lord Krishna is observed in his phase of childhood. The services offered to the Lord are made in such style, as if, nurturing a small child.

In the phrase Bankey Bihari, the term 'Bankey' suggests 'bent at three places' and 'Bihari refers 'the Supreme enjoyer'. Thus, Bankey Bihari is the benefactor of bliss and pleasure. Lord Bankey Bihari is also known Thakurji, the owner of everything. The black wooden idol of Bankey Bihariji was brought in this temple from Nidhivan by Swami Haridas. The services made to deity are regarded as the 'sewa' of the deity. At that time, Swami Haridas tendered the 'sewa' of Bihariji to Goswami Jagannath.

Ever since, the 'sewa' of Bihariji is performed by the descendants of Goswami. Unlike other temples of the Hindus, this temple doesn't observe the 'Mangal Aarti' that is a kind of wishing good morning to the Lord because the child sleeps till late in the morning. Bihariji is worshipped in a different way, classifying the services into three parts, Shringar, Rajbhog and Shayan respectively. During Shringar, the lord is bathed, dressed and decorated with jewellery.

In the forenoon, Thakurji is offered Rajbhog, which is a feast including the best delicacies to satisfy the taste buds of the child. The third sewa is known as 'Shayan' and in this service; Bankey Bihari is made to sleep. This temple opens late in the morning because it is considered that the lord plays at night and gets up late. The divine aura of the shrine makes one to forget all his/her miseries and bestows the eternal bliss.

Another attraction of this temple is that the deity is clothed and offered food as per the season and occasion. During the months of 'Saawan' (monsoons), the temple is decorated with flowers and lights. This decoration of temple is called as 'Bangla' that suggests bungalow of the Lord. The temple doesn't comprise any bell or conch because the sound disturbs Bihariji.

The temple has many features that are unique in their own way. Bankey Bihari has a kind of magnetic appeal in his eyes and to prevent the attraction, a curtain is made after every 1 minute. The charisma of the Lord is really strong and it is believed that, if one stares into the eyes the God for a long time, the individual would lose his self-consciousness.

The only thing that is common throughout the temple is the chant of 'radhe radhe'. The Lord loves the name of 'Radha' that is why the shrine is always reverberated with the chant. The structure of the temple is imbibed from the Rajasthani style of architecture. Even after 150 years, the temple has not lost its charm. In fact, thousands of devotees come to visit this temple everyday.

The festival of 'Janmashtami' (Birthday of Lord Krishna) is celebrated here with full gusto and fervor. The whole temple is festooned with flowers and lights. For the day, the 'darshan' of the deity is not allowed as the Lord is said to be in the womb of her mother. The 'darshan' is allowed only when the clock strikes 12 in the night. During months of Sawan and Phagun, the altar of the Lord is brought out of the main shrine, so that devotees can get the 'darshan' of Bihariji.

Even in the month of Phagun, the temple observes much celebration. On Holi, Bankey Bihari is supposed to play Holi and the whole town of Vrindavan gets submerged in colours. Bankey Bihari Temple is also one of the richest temples of India. People donate huge amounts of money and gifts for the services of the Lord. Bankey Bihari is truly the epitome of devotion, dedication and is a 'must-visit'.

How to reach:
By taking local Buses, Rickshaws or by hiring Taxis from Vrindavan.

Visit www.etirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Iskcon Mandir, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Deities: Krishna-Balaram
Location: Raman Reti in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Built in: 1975
Also known as: Sri Krishna-Balrama Temple
Significance: First Temple made by ISKCON
Best time to visit: October to march

HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA, this name is probably amongst the first things that spring to a westerner's mind when one thinks of India or the spirituality connected to it. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (also known as Srila Prabhupada) established the movement officially known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Iskcon Temple dedicated to the Lord Krishna is built on a hilly place by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. The principal deity of the temple is the image of Krishna-Balrama, which happens to lure from the main entrance of the shrine.

The temple is situated in Raman Reti, Vrindavan, U.P., where the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna displayed His transcendental pastimes 5,000 years ago. Sri Krishna and Balaram would herd their cows at Raman Reti near the Yamuna River. Vrindavan Realizations is a place for sanga, association with bhaktas. Share your realizations about Vrindavan and your path to Hari. The magnificent temple has 'Shikharas' at a height of 90-feet above the ground level. The hall of the temple is centrally air-conditioned with a capacity to accommodate about 1,500 people. Beautiful would describe the architecture of the temple mildly… at the entrance are two statues of the guards of vekunth (the place where Shri Krishna resides). There are beautiful paintings of Russian artists on the different past times of Radha Krishna.

For the whole day, various rituals and ceremonies are conducted in the reverence of the Lord. Throughout the temple, one can see many foreigners that are actively involved in the religious and spiritual activities of the temple. These people have come from their homelands, to Vrindavan, for serving the Lord in his play land. The temple galleries adorn various pictures of Lord Krishna, depicting various frolicking scenes of his life.

At Vrindavan the ISKCON society also runs a boarding school on the lines of a Gurukul with classes being run from I to VII. A Gurukul is a holistic kind of educational system whereby students and teachers live in the same complex so students may learn by observing the teacher. There are guest houses for devotees within the premises so they may take part in the day to day activities of the temple.

It is customary for devotees to walk around the town of Vrindavana. There is a parikrama path that goes around the town. This path is one street over from the ISKCON temple. It usually takes two to three hours to go around Vrindavana. The parikrama path is 10 km (6 miles).

Some of the places passed on the way are: Mohana Ter, Kaliya Ghata, Madana Mohana Temple, Imli Tala, Sringara Vat, and Keshi Ghata. The main day that people do parikrama of Vrindavana is on Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon). It is customary to do this walk with bare feet, which is fairly painless, even for one who never walks in bare feet.

The temple wall is adorned with exquisite paintings and carvings depicting the life of Lord Krishna. Beautiful architecture, carved arches and immense spirituality make the place a divine destination in Vrindavan. Be prepared to listen to 'Hare Krishna' as everybody you will meet inside the temple premise will greet you with these two words.

Madan Mohana Temple, Radha-Ballava Temple, Radha-Damodara Temple and Radha-Gopinath Temple are some of famous temples of Vrindavan which you should not miss while you are in Vrindavan.

Festivals:
Every day is a new day at Iskcon Temple, where ceremonies and rituals keep the festivities alive. However, there are many festivals that are celebrated at a grand level in the temple. Amongst the festivals, Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Gaura Purnima, Diwali, Annakut, Chandan Yatra, Jhulan Yatra (Swing festival), Kartika (Oct/Nov), Gaura Purnima, Balaram Purnima, Radhashtami and Govardhana Puja are the major festivals that bring special celebration at Iskcon Temple.

Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is observed with full gusto and fervor. The whole temple is decorated with flowers, flags, ribbons and garlands. People keep fast for the whole day and at midnight; they take grain-less meal. At the time of Janmashtami, the whole of town of Vrindavan gets drenched in the gala of Lord Krishna's Birthday. The deities are dressed up in rich clothes and ornamented with dazzling jewellery.

How to reach:
by Air: the nearest airport is Agra which is 66 km away and is well connected to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi by regular flights services.
by Rail: Mathura Junction is well connected to Delhi by numerous trains including in its route. The nearest rail head is at Mathura that is 15km from Mathura and 145 kms from Delhi.
by Road: Mathura and Vrindavan are well connected with Agra, Delhi, Bharatpur, Alwar and Lucknow by well maintained road.

Address:
ISKCON Guesthouse
ISKCON Temple Vrindavan
Uttar Pradesh

Tel No: 0091-5664-442478, 0091-5664-442591

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Dwarkadhish Mandir, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Deities: Krishna, Balaram, Radha
Location: Eastern part of Mathura
Built by: Seth Gokul Das Parikh
Built in: 1814
Significance: One of the most visited temples of Mathura
Known as: Brajbhoomi, The birth place of Lord Krishna
Best time to visit: October to March

The land of love and Bhajans, Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna replete with imposing temples.

Mathura is as old as the Himalayas that was born two millions years ago out of the Tethys Sea. The main shrine embraces the images of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Apart from the image of Radha-Krishna, the shrine has images of other Gods of the Hindu Pantheon.

Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.Lakhs of tourists and devotees visit the holy state of Mathura each year from various parts of the world.

History:
The origin of Mathura is ancient. It is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and the area around it, including Vrindavan, are linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It later became a part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler, built a number of Buddhist monuments in and around Mathura in the third century. Between first century BC and first century AD, Mathura was the center for arts. The sculpture making and stone carving styles of this period are referred to as belonging to the Mathura School of Art. The main theme of these sculptures was inspired by the life of Lord Buddha.

The decline of Buddhism in this region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire saw the rise of Hindu influence. However, in the 11th century AD, Mahmud Ghazni destroyed a large number of Buddhist and Hindu shrines. In the 15th century, Sikandar Lodhi, one of the Sultans from Delhi, continued the pillage of this city. The last great Mughal ruler and a fanatic Muslim, Aurangzeb flattened the Kesava Deo temple and a built a mosque here. The Afghani marauder Ahmed Shah Abdali dealt the final blow in 1757, when he torched the city. It came under British rule in 1804.

Janmashtami in Mathura:
The main Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura take place at the birth place that is now converted into a big temple known as Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir. On this day, devotees keep a day long fast and break it at midnight after the birth time of Lord Krishna. At midnight the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with milk and curd and then rocked in a cradle. A popular belief is that if inhabitants make any wish while rocking the cradle then the wish will come true. Along with Rasleela, Jhanki the most important feature of the Mathura Janmashtami celebrations are the Jhulanotsav and Ghatas. This can only be seen in Mathura City. During Jhulanotsav, Swings are put in courtyard of temples and houses to welcome Lord Krishna's birth. It symbolizes cradling of Lord Krishna. Ropes of swings are decorated with flowers to give a festive look.

Major Attractions:
Katra Keshav Dev
Gita Mandir
Dwarkadhish Temple
The Vishram Ghat
Government Museum
Kusum Sarovar
Lake of Tears

How to reach:
by Air: The nearest airport is situated at Kheria in Agra at a distance of 62 km. The nearest international airport is in Delhi which is connected to almost every important city.
by Rail: Mathura is on the main lines of the Central and Western Railways and is connected with all the important cities of the state and country such as Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur and Gwalior.
by Road: Mathura is connected to all the major cities by National Highways. It is linked by the regular state bus services of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Iskcon Mandir, Delhi, IN

Deities: Radha-Krishna
Location: Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, In South Delhi, Near Lotus Temple
Famour for: Radha-Krishna Temple and Hare Krishna Temple
Time to Visit: Open on all days
Built in: 1998
Attraction: Robot Show
Admission Fee: Free and open to all

The ISKCON Temple of Delhi is located at Raja Dhirshain Marg, Sant Nagar, near the East of Kailash locality. It is one of the 40 temples in India that belongs to the International Society for Krishna. A part of the Hare Krishna Movement started by Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the devotees and followers of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna cult built this temple in 1998 to disseminate the message of the Bhagwad Gita.

The main shrine is a huge hall where three shrines are located under the three spires. These three shrines are dedicated to Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram and Guara-Nitai respectively. At once, the glimpse of these idols makes one to ponder over the celestial world. The idols are worth-seeing and admiring their sculpted beauty. Festooned with rich clothes and jewelry, the idols are adorned with great delicacy and care. In this hall, one can always hear the divine tune of Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Many lectures, kirtans and discourses are arranged for the benefit and spiritual upliftment of devotees. Behind these shrines, there is a 'parikrama' or compound, where pictures of Iskcon temples across the world are displayed. Apart from these pictures, paintings made by Russian painters, are also displayed depicting frolic scenes from the life-history of Radha-Krishna. Outside the shrine, there is an image of 'Garuda' facing the shrine of Radha-Krishna. Isckon Temple has one of the largest temple complexes in India. It comprises numerous rooms for the priest and service renders of this temple. It has many halls that are used for its administration purposes.

For most of the people this is a place for finding solace, peace and quiet. Sitting amongst Lord Krishna and his devotees with Hare Krishna chants going around is indeed an experience.

There are some great visionaries and dedicated saints who have kept the atmosphere of ISKCON lively and pure. No matter whom you are, from where you are, come to the place that has lot to say and lot of wisdom to offer. In the temple there are beautiful paintings by Russian artists on the different past times of Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, Laxman, Hanuman and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Special programs like kirtan, aarti, pravachan and prasadam are held every Sunday.

The Maha Mantra:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

How to reach:
by Road: One can easily reach Iskcon Temple by taking local Buses, Auto-rickshaws or by hiring taxis from Delhi
by Rail: Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station
by Air: Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Guruvayur Mandir, Kerala, IN

Deities: Lord Krishna
Location: Guruvayur, Thrissur District, Kerala
Significance: An ancient temple that is considered as the southern Dwarka
Best time to visit: October to March

OM NAMO BHAGAVATHEY VASUDEVAYA

Guruvayur is most famous for its temple, which is many centuries old and one of the most important in Kerala. The temple is famous as a site for pilgrimage and also a cultural centre as it is one of the centre-points along which Kerala literature and art-forms have been developed. The temple's deity is Lord Guruvayurappan. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple. The idol of the famous Sri Krishna Temple here is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself. Everyday, endless waves of men, women and children pour in for darshan (audience) of Lord Guruvayur (Lord Krishna). Besides pilgrims and tourists, brides and grooms with hundreds of guests flock here daily to get their weddings solemnized.

The Guruvayur Temple is unique, as it is not built in the typical South Indian style of temple architecture. For example, its architecture is not massive or grand but simple in keeping with the style of Kerala houses. Its four gateways lead to the main gopuram (where the idol is installed), protected by a slopping terracotta roof made of Mangalore tiles. Again, in true Kerala style, the temple owns 36 mighty elephants that live at Punnathur Fort, 4 km north of the temple. Its chief popular place for young couples to get married and marriage halls abound in the town. There are shops here that are open 24 hours a day and flower sellers do a boom trade in garlands for the pilgrims and the marriage parties alike.

History:
The Guruvayur temple was known as "Bhooloka Vaikuntha" and is believed to be at least 5,000 years old. The main idol is believed to have been installed by Brihaspati and Vayu, and to have been blessed by Shiva and Parvati. The temple is believed to be built by Vishvakarman, the divine architect. Over the years, Guruvayur has increased in popularity, especially after the 16th century when it became one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in Kerala. The famous work Naaraayaneeyam - authored in the 16th century was composed in the presence of the presiding deity here, and its author is believed to have been cured of an incurable bout of arthritis. At the time of the political turmoil that prevailed during the period of Tippu Sultan, the image of Krishna was taken to Ambalapuzha for safety and worshipped there for a period of 2 years. It was then brought back in 1789.

Legend has it that King Suthapa and his wife Prisna were childless.They worshipped Brahma devotedly for a child. Brahma then handed over this idol to them advising them to worship it ardently. Lord Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them that he himself will be born to them in three re-births, in thee different forms and in three different situations.

Festival:
During Onam, the harvest festival (August/September), the entire state wears a festive look. Festivals like Ulsavam, Vishu, Ashtami Rohini, Mandalam, Ekadasi, Kuchela's Day, Chembai Music Festival and Narayaneeyam day are the major occasions that observe special celebrations at Guruvayur Temple. On special events, the sacred images are brought out to take in a procession in Guruvayur town. At the time of festivals, the entire is decorated with inestimable butter lamps, which truly recreates the impression of the former age.

How to reach:
by Air: The nearest airport is Kochi, 90 km away.
by Rail: Thrissur, just 29 km away, is the nearest railway station.
by Road: Several state-owned and private buses as well as taxis regularly ply between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

Bus connections are also available to all the important towns of Kerala as well as neighboring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Iskcon Mandir, Bangalore, Karnataka, IN

Deities: Radha-Krishna
Location: On West of Chord Road, Bangalore
Built in: 1997
Also known as: Sri Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple
Attraction: Neo-classical style of architecture
Significance: Iskcon's largest temple complex across the World
Best time to visit: October to February

ISKCON, an abbreviation for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly called Hare Krishna after the mantra that they chant, is a worldwide religious organization founded by Prabhupada in 1966 in New York and is based on the Gaudiya Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism inspired by Chaitanya's life and teachings in the 16th century. The organization has the stated aim to foster bhakti (devotion) towards Krishna that it considers a personal God and the supreme Godhead.

The colossal shrine sprawls on seven-acres of 'Hare Krishna Hill’ Just like all other Iskcon temples, Bangalore Iskcon temple is also dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is situated to the west of the Chord Road, on a seven-acre hillock. The Iskcon temple of Bangalore was built to commemorate the birth centenary of the founder of ISKCON, Sri Prabhupada. It is built in the Neo-Classical style, which combines the conventional elements of temple architecture with modern high-tech amenities.

One enters the beautifully decorated Rajagopuram through patterned arches and brilliantly illuminated artificial waterfalls. There are four 'Gopurams' inside the temple, each of them connected to the other by a striking glazed-glass canopy. This entire complex forms the 'Hari Naam Kirtan', a 10,000 square feet hall adorned with magnificent ceiling-paintings.This temple was established in Bangalore in 1997. The temple spans across the length of 4-5 football grounds and is quite the sight to see. Massive pillars, very flamboyant idol for worship, laser shows and living quarters, class rooms, yoga centers, dance studios, gift shops and restaurants signify this place of worship. All lot of foreign visitors attend workshops and spiritual programs here.
The temple offers a bowl of 'Kichri' (made of rice and pulse) to its each visitor. The vast kitchen of the shrine is equipped with modern equipments and has the capacity to provide food for two thousand visitors per hour. Besides prasadam, the kitchen is also used to prepare variety of delicacies that are offered to the Lord.

Following the knowledge of the Vedas, the temple also promotes protection of cows. Being the primary element, Cows are essential for a prosperous and healthy society. Bangalore Iskcon 'Gaushala' retains not less than 40 cows. The milk of these cows is used in the making of various dishes and delicacies. The other attractions of the Bangalore Iskcon temple include ISKCON Vedic Theatre, Vedic museums and exhibit areas, a lecture hall and beautifully landscaped gardens. Multivision Cinema, Dakshinakriti, Srila Prabhupada Museum, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Goloka Seva Trust. There is also a unique open-air amphitheatre, where concerts and festivals are organized.

The huge shrine was started under the global project of ISKCON to memorialize the birthday of its founder, Sri Prabhupada. In May 1997, Bangalore Iskcon Temple was inaugurated by Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (former President of India). Ever since, the temple has been visited by far more than 5.1 million visitors. In the vein of other Iskcon Temples round the World, the shrine is mainly dedicated to Radha-Krishna.

The festival of 'Janmashtami' is the major festival that is celebrated here with loads of enthusiasm and devotion. The annual Rath Yathra, (Chariot Procession) of Krishna and Balrama is attended by thousands of devotees.

The beautifully ornamental arches and illuminated water jets escort to the richly decorated Rajagopuram (main shrine). The main shrine comprises the stunningly beautiful idols of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. Apart from the main shrine, the temple also comprises four additional shrines dedicated to Sri Krishna Balrama, Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Prahlada Narasimha and Sri Srinivasa Govinda respectively. The main hall that embraces the three shrines, including the main one, is a huge hall of 10,000 sq feet. The ceiling of the hall is festooned with remarkable paintings made by the Russian painters.

ArchitectureBuilt in neo-classical style of architecture, the temple bands together conventional architecture with ultra-modern services. The ardent devotees like Madhu Pandit Dasa (President and Project director) and Jagat Chandra Dasa designed the structure of this remarkable shrine, mingling the elements of traditional South-Indian with contemporary style of architecture. The elaborate temple complex is divided into various sections and sub-sections. The splendid structure of the temple is worth-seeing because the celestial grandeur cannot be bounded in words. Lush green gardens in the campus appear mesmerizing to the onlooker. The temple complex also has an open amphitheatre, where various festivals and concerts are observed.

Shata Koti Nama Japa Yajna In 2000, this religious program was started to promote world peace and harmony with an intention to chant 1 Billion holy names of Rama and Krishna. The venue for this 'Nama Japa' is 'Harinama Mandapa', which can be found ahead of the first temple of Prahlada Narasimha. Here, one can see two sets of 108 granite steps, where the devotee can chant the 'Hare Krishna Mahamantra' at each step. Following the chant of 'Mahamantra' for 108 times, the devotee can enter the Narsimha Temple.

FOLK Program:
This is an unusual program in which, bachelors between the age group of 19 and 29 can take part. The "Friends of Lord Krishna" (FOLK) has been organized to create an understanding of the Vedic culture among the youth of Bangalore. It is held on Saturdays and Sundays, where classes, discussions and practical sessions on Vedic philosophy and lifestyle are undertaken.

Other Attraction in Bangalore:
Attara Kacheri
Bangalore Aquarium
Bal Bhavan
Bangalore Palace
Cubbon Park
Gandhi Bhavan
Government Museum
Lalbagh Gardens
Nehru Planetarium
Tipu Sultan Fort
Ulsoor Lake
Visvesvaraya Museum

How to reach:
by Air: Bangalore airport is serviced by almost all the domestic airlines as well as a few international airlines. It is well connected with all the major cities of India.
by Rail: Bangalore City Railway Station has direct trains connecting it with all the key cities in the country. It is also serviced by a number of fast trains and daily express trains.
by Road: Bangalore is linked with the other cities through a number of National Highways. One can easily reach Iskcon Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring taxis from Bangalore.

Address:
Harikrishna Hill
1st R Block
West of Chord Road
Rajajinagar
Bangalore 560 010
Karnataka
INDIA

Tel: 0091-80-2347-1956

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Jagdish Mandir, Udaipur, Rajasthan, IN

Deities: Lord Laxmi Narayan
Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Built by: Maharana Jagat Singh
Built in: 1651 A.D
Highlights: Intricate carvings on pillars
Best time to visit: September to March
STD Code: 0294

If you are looking for some unique vacation destination then you may simply go for Udaipur. It is considered as one of the most colourful and beautiful holiday destinations of Rajasthan. A major tourist attraction of Udaipur is Jagdish Temple.

The Jagdish Temple is located at a distance of 150 meters from the City Palace Complex in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Maharana Jagat Singhji constructed this religious shrine in 1651. It took more than 1.5 million rupees to construct this stunning temple that dominates the Udaipur skyline.

The temple, 80 feet high, is on a 25 feet high platform accessible by a flight of 32 steps. The bold structure of the temple, representing the variety of scenes relating to the life on this Earth as well as the World beyond, is a delight to an architect who should minutely examine these figures engraved with all well-thought details. The ornamental decorum and the architectural beauty of the temple defies any description.

It is one of the largest Vishnu temples in the northern region of India. This elevated temple is easy to view from City Palace. The foothold of the Jagdish temple steps has two spotless white elephants on both the sides to greet you to the temple. The exterior wall of the holy temple is made up of local stone. The principal god in this pilgrimage center is lord Vishnu or Jagannath which is an idol of black stone.

A three-storied structure, the Jagdish Temple has three shrines. Spread across three storeys, Jagdish Temple has 50 pillars in both the first and second storeys. The main shrine dominates the center flanked by two smaller shrines. An excellent example of Indo-Aryan building styles, the Spire that is beautifully decorated with architectural ornaments of musicians, dancers, elephants and horses.

A huge brass image of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu stands guard in front of the main shrine. It houses a bronze figure of the mythological half-man, half-eagle creature that transported Lord Vishnu. This huge brass icon is said to be the largest and heaviest in India.

Jagdish Temple also has a mandap and porch. The interiors look stunning with intricate carvings and friezes-adorned walls. A Sanskrit inscription in the porch written by Krishna Bhatt in the year 1651gives a detailed history of the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh.

Four smaller temples stand around the boundary of the main shrine and are dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, Surya the Sun god, Amba (Ambika) the Mother Goddess, and Lord Shiva. A smaller temple dedicated to Krishna and his consort Radha is nearby.

Udaipur Temples:
Eklingji Temple
Jagat Temple
Jagdish Temple
Kankroli Temple
Nathdwara Temple
Ranakpur Temple
Rishabdeo Temple

How to reach:
by Air: Udaipur Airport namely Maharana Pratap Airport is located near Dabok at a distance of 22 kms from the city of Udaipur.
by Rail: Udaipur Railway Station is located at a comfortable distance from the city of Udaipur. Rajasthan Railways connects Udaipur station with all the other cities of Rajasthan as well as India.
by Road: Udaipur is well connected by road to major cities in India. Brilliant road network ensure people to enjoy a relaxed journey to and from Udaipur.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Shrinathji Mandir, Rajasthan, IN

Deities: Lord Krishna
Location: Nathdwara, Udaipur
Built in: 17th century
Significance: One of the pilgrimages of the Hindus/ Vaishnavites
Best time to visit: September to March
STD Code: 02953

Jay Shree Krishna

Nathdwara is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. This is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage shrines of India, enshrining Krishna as Govardhana Giridhari. Nathdwara is situated 48 km north east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the banks of the Banas River.

Nathdwara enshrines Shrinathji - an image of Krishna, which was originally, enshrined at the Vraja Bhoomi at Mount Govardhana near Mathura.The name Nathdwara means Gate of the Lord. The image was brought to Mewar, for the sake of protection during the period of Aurangazeb, the Moghul monarch.

It is the most renowned pilgrim of India.Nathdwara is also famous for the Pichhwai paintings - the most famous Rajasthani art. This art portrays the Lord Shrinathji & their activities.

This temple is the only major attraction Nathdwara. This 17th century temple houses the original statue of Shrinathji or Lord Krishna. According to history, the statue was brought to Mewar kingdom for the sake of safety in the period of Aurangazeb the Moghul monarch. The chariot shipping the statue was jammed here, and consequently a shrine was established with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar at Nathdwara.

In Shrinathji temple, worship (puja) is replaced by servitude (seva). The temple priests change the vestments and ornaments of Shrinathji daily with love and reverence. It is believed that he appears to his devotees in many forms: the divine child inspiring parental love, the flute playing good in the forests of Vrindavan luring maidens with the melody of his flute.

Darshans or glimpses of Srinathji can be sought 8 times in the day. Individually known as Ashtaya, the 8 darshans are as below:

Mangala
Shrungar
Gwal
Rajbhog
Uthhapan
Bhog
Sandhaya Aarti and
Shayan

In each of them the leelas (divine manifestations) of the Lord are described and harmonized with His daily routine. Millions of devotees come here every year, to make there wish and pray to the almighty Lord Krishna.

In the temple, enshrined is a unique image of Lord Krishna, which has been sculptured from a single piece of black marble. One of the arms of the life size image is raised in a manner so as to give an impression of holding the Govardhan Mountain. The other arm rests at the waist which seems not only a dance posture but also as if God is blessing the devotees.

Shrinathji Temple is one amongst the richest temples of India. It receives millions of rupees as offering to the Lord. The temple authorities possess approximately 500 cows and the milk of these cows, is used for the preparation of sweets and milk products. Among these cows, there is one cow that is considered as Shrinathji's cow.

Life in the town revolves around the "Haveli" term used for all the temples of the "Pushti Marga". This is one of the most colourful sects within the devotional side of Hinduism.The Havali is the centre of attraction in the Town. Temple servants still wear the clothes and costumes of the bygone era, serving the Lord of Nathadwara as the beloved prince and darling of Nanadaraj and Yashodaji.

Festival:
Various religious festivals are celebrated at the temple like Janmashtmi, Phooldol and Diwali. The Annakutta is famous worldwide where cooked rice is hurled at the devotees after the ceremony and is 'looted' by them. Non-Hindus are allowed to visit this temple, however with the exception of foreigners. Undoubtedly, Shrinathji Temple is a place worth-visiting and feeling the spiritual delight.

Other important temples in Udaipur:
Eklingji Temple
Jagat Temple
Jagdish Temple
Kankroli Temple
Nathdwara Temple
Ranakpur Temple
Rishabdeo Temple

How to reach:
by Air: Air-Indian Airlines and Jet Air are having flights up to Udaipur, from where it is one hour drive in Taxi or Bus.
by Road: Nathdwara is well connected by Mumbai/ Surat/ Baroda/ Ahmedabad with good motorable roads.
by Rail: Mavli rail junction is the closest to Nathdwara. Road: Well connected by road with Udaipur.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Govind Devji Mandir, Jaipur, Rajasthan, IN

Deities: Govind Devji (Lord Krishna)
Location: In City Palace Complex, Jaipur
Built by: 18th Century by Raja Sawai Jai Singh
Built In: 1890 by Raja Man Singh
STD Code: 0141
Best time to visit: October to March

Many temples are well known for their artistic beauty in Jaipur - the pink city, but Govind Devji Temple is the best attraction of pink city. It enshrines an idol which has been worshiped by the royal family of Jaipur ever since it was brought from Vinadavan to Jaipur in the 18th century. A vital part of the city Palace complex, this Krishna temple has been highly preserved by the erstwhile royal family.

Sawai Jai Singh installed the image of GOVIND DEV JI (an incarnation of lord Krishna) after it was brought from Vrindavan. In the real, this deity was established by Srila Rupa Goswami who was ordered by Lord Chaitanya to excavate all the lost holy places of Vrindavan. Five thousand years earlier, Lord Krishna's grandson, Vajranaba, installed a number of important deities in Vrindavan; Govind devji is one of them. Today, the temple attracts devotees, from all over the country.

The image brought from Vrindavan, is housed within the sanctum of this spireless temple. The image is unveiled seven times daily for AARTIES and BHOGS offered in the silver wares, consisting of sweets mostly. The idols of RADHA KRISHNA are dressed in different styles each time for the 'AARTI' procession where thousands of followers or 'Bhakt' gather around the courtyard for the Darshan.

Festival:
On the Krishna Janmashtmi (Birth of Lord Krishna), various religious programmes are held here.At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped. In the early morning, ladies draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home. After ablutions, morning prayers and worship, the devout break their fast with Prasadam, food that has first been offered to God. During the fore-noon hours, the "Dahi-Handi" custom is celebrated. This is followed by sumptuous mid-day feasts, where extended families customarily get together. Sweets made of milk and other dairy products, especially butter, are traditionally prepared on this occasion.

How to reach:
By Air: Jaipur Airport is located near Sanganer at a distance of 13 kms from the city of Jaipur. The airport has been granted the status of an international airport and connects to the foreign cities.
By Rail: Jaipur Railway Station is a central main station of the state of Rajasthan. There are numerous trains which run on a regular basis to and from Jaipur.
By Road: Jaipur is well connected by road to major cities in India. Regular bus services from nearby cities connect Jaipur to the other cities.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Dwarkadhish Mandir, Gujarat, IN

Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
Built in: 15th century
Dedicated to: Lord Krishna
Significance: One of the four pilgrimages of the Hindus
Also known as: Jagat Mandir, Mokshadham

India has 4 Main Dhaams, 7 Puris, 108 Devi Peeths, 4 Shardapeeths, 68 Tirth and 12 Jyotirlinga.

Out of 4 main Dhaam Dwarka & out of 12 Jyotirlinga Nageshwar are at Holy place Dwarka.

Introduction:
The world famous ancient town of Dwarka needs hardly any introduction. Located on the confluence of Gomati River and the Gulf of Kutchh between 22’ & 22.28’ N. latitude and 68.59’ E. longitude, Dwarka is Lord Krishna’s town. The original temple of lord Krishna is believed to be constructed by Vajranabhji, the great grand son of Lord Krishna. The existing temple is a 15th / 16th century structure constructed in Chalukya style in 27 m x 21 m area. Its tallest peak is 51.8 m high, its east-west length is 29 m and north-south width is 23m. It is said that Dwarka's pilgrim starts receiving fruits of Ashwamedh Yajna from the moment he commences his journey towards Dwarka. The city of Dwarka is regarded as the 'Gateway to Moksha (Salvation)'. The term 'Dwarkadhish' refers to Lord Krishna, who is regarded as the "Lord of Dwarka".

About Dwarkadhish:
In the main shrine, the central altar embraces the idol of Lord Dwarkadhish. The image is presented in the form of four-armed Vishnu (Lord Krishna is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu) known as Trivikrama. Apart from this main idol, there are idols of Baldevaji (Balrama), Pradyumna and Aniruddha (grandsons of Lord Krishna) too. There is a small shrine dedicated to Kuseswara Mahadeva (Shiva) also. Besides these, there are shrines dedicated to Devaki (mother of Lord Krishna), Veni-madhava (Lord Vishnu), Radhika, Jambuvati, Satyabhama, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Lakshmi-Narayan in the temple complex.

As Dwarka is derived from 'Dwar', a door, and in ancient times its flourishing port was considered to be the gateway to the main land. As 'Ka' means 'Brahma' meaning, gateway to Moksha. It is called Dwarkamati and Dwarkavati. Being adopted home and capital of Shri Krishna after he gave up Mathura. It is held in such a high esteem as a place of Hindu pilgrimage that it is considered to be one of the four principal holy places of chardham, it is also known as Mokhsapuri.

Festival:
It is every devotee's dream to visit the city on Janmashtami day. Krishna Janmotsav is celebrated with special flavor at Dakor, Mathura and Dwarka. As Dwarka is known at Mokshapuri it is very special event at Dwarka. Janmashtami (Krishna Janmotsav) is celebrated in a very special way. Devotees from across India and abroad come to celebrate this special festival. It is a historic event for them.

Rows of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are delivered and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. Dwarka is mainly based on his daily routine (Nitya Kram). There are several special occasions on this special day when Shriji gives darshan to its devotees. Rituals are performed by Aboti Brahmins; they belong to special caste of Brahmins who are performing this auspicious task since centuries. The importance of Shri Krishna's life and teachings was not limited to his contemporary period but is equally so to the posterity. That is why his birthday is remembered and celebrated today even after five thousand years. Not only Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu - Shri Krishna) but also all those who are interested in his philosophy celebrate his birthday with great devotion. The philosophy of his life has stood the test of time.

Architecture:
The majestic five-storied structure of Dwarkadhish Temple stands high on the confluence of Gomati River and Arabian Sea. Built with the support of 72 pillars, Dwarkadhish Mandir presents a sight to behold. Elevated to the height of 78.3 meters, the spire of temple dominates the skyline of Dwarka. An eighty-four foot long multicolored flag, adorned with the symbols of the sun and moon, waves from the dome of temple. It is said that originally the temple was built over the 'Hari-Griha' (Lord Krishna's residential place) by Vajranabhji, the grandson of Lord Krishna.

How to Reach:
The temple is connected by regular buses from various towns and cities in Gujarat. The nearest airport is located at Jamnagar that lies at a distance of 146 kms from Dwarka.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.

Girnar Mandirs, Gujarat, IN

Location: Junagadh DistrictDistance: 327 km from Ahmedabad
Altitude: 3660 feet above sea level
Attractions: Hindu and Jain Temples, mainly Neminath Temple
Best time to visit: October to March
STD Code: 0285

Girnar (also known as "Girnar Hill") is a collection of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India. The tallest of these rises to 945 meters (3600 feet), the highest peak in Gujarat. The five peaks of Girnar are topped by 866 intricately carved stone temples. A sturdy stone path a pilgrimage route for both Hindus and Jains climbs from peak to peak. It is claimed that there are exactly 9,999 steps from the trailhead to the last temple on the highest peak, but the actual number is roughly 8,000.

Every year, a race is held, running from the base of the mountain to the peak and back. The locals in nearby Junagadh insist that the fastest-ever time was 42.36 minutes. However, most people take 5-8 hours to climb the mountain.

In the Hindu religion, the legend is that climbing Girnar barefooted earns one a place in Heaven. There is one holy stone; it is said that if a person attempts suicide from that stone then he becomes a part of Heaven.

Rising up on the fortification around the temple is called Deva Kota and is associated with Rao Khegaji of Kutch. The enclosure is well filled with temples of both Hindu and Jain religions, but only 5 Jain temples are really impressive, though it is also worth looking at some smaller temples like the granite shrine .The temple complex of Mt Girnar has been an important place of Jain pilgrimage from the 3rd century BC.

At the foot of Mt Girnar, Damodar Kund is the place where lord Shiva and Goddess Parwatis’ garment fell during an ariel cruise. Bhavnath is an important Shiva temple at the foot of Mt Girnar.

The greatest of the temples on the summit is the rectangular Neminath Mandir, built from 1128 AD and completed in 1159 AD. The temple surrounds a collonaded courtyard, with delicate carvings of the Tithankars of Jainism. Further up from the Neminath temple, the Amba temple is where newely wed Hindus gather to pray for a happy marriage, and a Muslim shrine where childless women prey for children.

The trio of temples which forms Mallinath Mandir, shrine of the 22nd Tirthankar, was erected in 1231 AD by Vastupal and Tejpal, the 2 brothers responsible for such marvels in marble as the Dilwara temples of Mt Abu. The corbelled domes and beautifully carved interior domes are highlights of the temple. Other important temples lie to the left of Neminatha temple-the temple of Rishabdeo with 24 Tirthakaras carved in 1442, a 15th century Parshwanath temple called Meravaksi, the modern Panchbhai temple, 1803 AD Parshwanath temple with a cobra protecting the marble image and the 12th century temple built by Kumarapala of the Solanki dynasty, which is responsible for many of the finest Jain andindu temples.

Around half way down from the temple cluster, you can detour for the hill of Guru Dattatray whose very footprints are holy to 2Jains, the Kalika hill and Kamandal temple. At the foot of Mt Girnar is Damodar kund and the Bhavnath temple both of considerable importance to Hindu pilgrims.

The summit has been an important religious place since the 3rd century. Girnar temples present a true blend of art, religion and devotion. The sculptural art used in these temples is outstanding. They have stood the test the time and the cruelty of various invaders. Despite that, the art forms of the temples still retain their magnificence. The Jain temples at Girnar attract devotees of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects of Jainism. The Neminath Temple is the main attraction of Girnar.

According to Jain religious beliefs, Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar became an ascetic after he saw the slaughter of animals for food on his wedding. He renounced all worldly pleasures and came to Mount Girnar to attain salvation. Here, Bhagwan Neminath reached the highest state of enlightenment, Keval Gyan and Moksha, after great austerities. His bride-to-be also followed his path and founded the 'Sandhvi Sangh', the organization of women ascetics. The rectangular Neminath temple is the greatest temple here. It has an idol of Lord Neminath in black granite with jewelled eyes. There are quadrangle courtyards, corridors and other shrines. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of Jain Tirthankars. The ceilings bear carvings and sculptures of Dancing Goddesses. Apart from this, there is the Mallinath temple, which is dedicated to the 19th Tirthankar. It was constructed by Vastupal and Tejpal. Neminath in 1231 AD. The Lord is shown in blue color here. The Rishabhadev Temple, situated nearby, is in golden color.

The nearby Gir Forest serves as sanctuary for the last remaining Asiatic Lions. It is also famous for the Kathiawadi culture in the adjacent region.

Festival:
There are Hindu temples as well. It is an abode of Hindu ascetics. The annual Bhavnath fair dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva draws thousands of people.

Other Attraction near by:
Uparkot Fort
Famous in by gone times for its virtual inaccessibility, the Upar Kot or Upper Fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20m high. An ornate entrance gateway leads to the ruins. A mosque still stands in a state of preservation. A Nilamtope (canon) was acquired by the Nawab of Junagadh from a Turkish Sultan. There are also two stepwells, Jama Masjid and Buddhist caves in the fort premises.

Chorwad Beach
66 Kms. from Junagadh and 23 Kms. from the fishing centre of Veraval, Chorwad is a delightful resort on the sunny coast of Gujarat. And an excellent road connects it to Junagadh, Girnar, the Gir Forest Sanctuary and the famous temple of Somnath.

Sasan Gir Forest & Sanctuary
It is situated 65 Kms. from Junagadh via Keshod. It is connected both by Rail as well as Road. Sasan Gir Sanctuary provides refuge to that rare species-the Asiatic Lion. The sanctuary covers an area of 500 sq. miles of dry, open scrubland where the lions roam freely. They can be seen on guided jeep tours through the jungles.

Ahmadpur Mandvi
Close by the sea, with an option to entertaining oneself lazing on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports facilities, Ahmedapur Mandvi is one of the finest beaches of the country.

Damodar
A sacred tank marks the ascent to the Girnar temples.

Ashoka's Rock Edicts
On the way to Girnar, fourteen rock edicts of the Emperor Ashoka can be seen inscribed on a great boulder. The inscription carries Brahmi script in Pali language and dates back to 263 B.C. On the same rock are inscriptions in Sanskrit.

Maqbara
The mausolea of the Nawabs, the traditional rulers of Junagadh.

Tulsi Shyam
Hot SpringIn the heart of the Gir Forest 165 Kms. from Junagadh is the scenic spot of Tulsi Shyam with its hot spring.

Somnath
Situated 79 Kms. from Junagadh and 30 Kms from Chorwad, the legendary shore temple of Somnath is one of the twelve most sacred Shiva shrines in India. According to the legend, Somnath is as old as creation, built by none other than Soma, the Moon God himself. Somnath was destroyed seven times, and seven times, it was rebuilt. Mehmud of Gazni having heard of its fabulous treasure raided it in 1026 and carried away camel-loads of jewels and gold.

How to reach:
by Air: Nearest Airport is Keshod 40 km. Daily flight from Bombay to Keshod.
by Rail: 395 km. from Ahmedabad, meter gauge line.
by Road: 400 km. from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda, 43 km. from Veraval and 65 km. from Junagadh Via Mendarda. State Transport buses Available from Junagadh and Veraval.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.