Great Event on Earth: Kumbh Mela: Part: 2:

Kumbh Mela Timeline

10,000 bce: Historian S.B. Roy postulates presence of ritual river bathing.
600 bce: River Melas are mentioned in Buddhist writings.
400 bce: Greek envoy to Indian King Chandra Gupta reports on a Mela.
ca 300 ce: Roy believes the present form of Melas crystallizes at this time. Various Puranas, written texts based on ancient oral traditions, recount the dropping of the nectar of immortality at four sites after the "churning of the ocean."
547: Earliest recorded founding date of an akhara (order), the Abhana.
600: Chinese pilgrim and writer Hiuen-Tsang attends a Mela at Prayag (modern Allahabad), organized by King Harsha.
904: Founding of Niranjani Akhara.
1146: Founding of Juna Akhara.
1300: Kanphata Yogi militant ascetics are employed in the Rajasthan army.
1398: Timur lays waste to Delhi to punish the sultan's tolerance toward Hindus, then proceeds to Haridwar Mela and massacres thousands.
1565: Madhusudana Sarashwati organizes fighting units of Dasanami orders.
1684: Frenchman Tavernier estimates 1.2 million Hindu ascetics in India.
1690: Shaivites and Vaishnava sects battle at Nasik; 60,000 are killed.
1760: Shaivites and Vaishnava battle at Haridwar Mela; 1,800 die.
1780: British establish the order for royal bathing by the monastic groups.
1820: Stampede leaves 430 dead at the Haridwar Mela.
1906: British Calvary intercede in a Mela battle between sadhus.
1954: Four million people, 1 percent of India's population, attend the Mela at Allahabad; hundreds die in a stampede.
1989: Guinness Book of World Records proclaims the crowd of 15-million crowd at the February 6, Allahabad Mela "the largest-ever gathering of human beings for a single purpose."
1995: "Half-Mela" (at six-year interval) at Allahabad has 20 million pilgrims on January 30 bathing day.
1998: Haridwar attracts 25 million in four months; ten million on April 14.
2001: Mela at Allahabad attracts 70 million pilgrims in six weeks, 30 million on January 24 alone.
2003: Mela at Nasik attracts 6 million pilgrims on the main bathing day.
2004: Mela at Ujjain; main days are April 5, 19, 22, 24 and May 4.
2007: Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad. The holy city of Allahabad (Prayag) has hosted Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela (festival) from 3rd January 2007 to 26th February 2007.

Rituals of Kumbh

Maha Kumbh is the largest human gathering in history for the single cause, This auspicious time & space is attended by millions of people on a single day. Since the beginning of time Kumbh has been a center of Hindu culture & faith. The participants from all the walks of life attend this cosmic zone. Irrespective of all worldly barriers of caste, creed, region, the Kumbh Mela has wielded a mesmeric influence over the minds and the imagination of the ordinary Indian.

The devout believe that simply by bathing in the Ganges zone is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and religious assemblies where doctrines are debated and standardized. Kumbh Mela (especially the Maha Kumbh Mela) is the most sacred of all the Hindu pilgrimages. Millions of holy men and women (saints, monks, and sadhus) attend this spectacle of faith.

The Kumbh mela is huge gathering of Sadhus & Gurus from all over India & abroad. They come in Millions from all the corners for this common goal. There are thousands of sect in India the most common are two, Vaishnava (Followers of Vishnu) & Shaiva (Followers of Shiva). The greatest feature of this Mela are furious & exotic Naga Sadhus (The Naked ones) covered in ash, matted hairs. They are known as preserver of faith.

This holy event with such tremendous faith has gained international fame. Famous ancient traveller. Hiuen Tsiang of China, was the first to mention Kumbh Mela in his diary. His diary mentions the celebration of 75 days of Hindu month of Magha (January-February), which witnessed half a million devotee including sadhus, common man, rich & famous & kings.

Ever since than this Holy event has seen considerable increase in the attendance of devotees During days of Shankara back in 8th century the Kumbh Mela saw a growth to enormous proportions, In 1977 there were 15 million pilgrims, whereas in 1989 this number increased to 29 million & during 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela drew an estimated 70 million people over 44 days, making this the largest single gathering of humanity in recorded history.

Courtesy: www.Kumbh.org

According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius. Kumbh (Kumbh means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage. It takes place at the following four locations of India:

Prayag, Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)

Haridwar (Uttarakhand)

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

Nasik (Maharashtra)

History and Legend

The origin of the Kumbh is very old and dates back to the time when Kalash (pot of nectar of immortality) was recovered from Samudramanthan (during the churning of the primordial sea), for which a tense war between Devtas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) ensued. To prevent the Amrita Kalash being forcibly taken into possession by Asuras, who were more powerful than Devtas, its safety was entrusted to the Devtas Brahaspati, Surya, Chandra and Shani. The four Devtas ran away with the Amrita Kalash to hide it from the Asuras. Learning the conspiracy of Devtas, Asuras turned ferocious and chased the 4 Devtas running with Amrita Kalash. The chase, lasted 12 days and nights during which the Devtas and Asuras went round the earth and during this chase, Devtas put Amrita Kalash at Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik.

To commemorate this holy event of the Amrita Kalash 12 years. According to other Pauranic legends, actual fight in the Amrita Kalash being knocked, out of which Amrita being put at 4 places, Kumbh is celebrated every took place between Devtas and Asuras resulting (Nectar) fell down at the above 4 places.

The Religious Importance

Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh are the occasions when millions of people gather to take holy dip in the sacred waters. This is main reason for one to attend the Maha Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh festival. It is believed that a holy dip in sacred rivers during Maha Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh takes human out of the circle of life and death and one attains Moksha. Devotees, saints/Sadhus turn up in great number from all over the world to take a dip in the holy waters of rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythological Sarashwati at Prayag (Sangam). According to traditions these holy rivers offers purity, wealth, fertility and wash away the sins of all those who take bath.

The festival is religiously most important for the Hindus. At every Kumbh occasion, millions of Hindus take part in the celebrations. During 2004 Kumbh at Haridwar, more than 10 millions devotees gathered at the site. Saints, priests, and yogis from all corners of India, gathered to participate in Kumbh. Haridwar is considered very holy, due to the fact that Ganga enter plains from mountains here itself. The festival is visited by the most amazing saints from all across India. The Naga Sadhus are one such, who never wear any cloth and are smeared in ash. They have long matted hairs and are not at all affected by the extremes of heat and cold. Then there are the Urdhwavahurs, who believe in putting the body through severe austerities. There are the Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go about tinkling little bells to get people out of their way. The Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. Spending the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day, are the Kalpvasis. It is believed that bathing during Kumbh cures the bather of all sins and evils and grants the bather, salvation. It is also believed that at the time of Kumbh Yoga, the water of Ganga is charged with positive healing effects and that water at the time of Kumbh is charged positively by enhanced electromagnetic radiations of the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to positions and the phases of the moon, and also by the + and - signs of the sun spots. The following table shows the positions of the planets when the Kumbh Fair is held at four different places in India.

Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 14th January to 28th April 2010

30th January – Magh Purnima

12th February – Sri Mahashivrati Snan – Shahi Snan

15th March – Somvati Amavas – Shahi Snan

16th March – Navsamvatarambh Snan

24th March – Sri Ramnavmi Snan

16th March – Navsamvatarambh Snan

24th March – Sri Ramnavmi Snan

30th March – Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan) / Vaishnav Akhare Snan

14th April – Mesh Sakranti – Shahi Snan – Mukhya Snan Parv

28th April – Vaishakh Adhimas Purnima Snan

Here is a comprehensive list of Kumbh Mela dates with the names of the host cities. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every three years in each of four different locations (Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain), returning to each of four places every twelve years. Besides the regular Kumbh Mela, an Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela (festival) takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each location.

Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2010 (January 14th to April 28th)

Haridwar (the gateway to God) will host the Ardh Kumbh Mela in the year 2010

Allahabad (Prayag) Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (January 27th to February 25th)

The Maha Kumbh Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013.

Nasik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015 (August 15th to September 13th)

Nasik will host the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2015

Ujjain Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 (April 22nd to May 21st)

The Kumbh Mela in the year 2016 will be held at Ujjain.

HARI AUM

If you are planning to visit Kumbh Mela event, please email: myyatra@DivineTravellers.com, our team of expert will come up with comfort tour itineraries.

Great event on Earth: Kumbh Mela: Part: 1:

About Kumbh

They came by the millions! Some arrived on overcrowded trains carrying five times their normal capacity. Some came by bus, by car, some by ox drawn carts, and others rode on horses, camels, and even elephants. The rich and famous chartered private planes and helicopters, while the less affluent came on foot carrying their bed rolls and camping equipment in heavy bundles on their heads. Wave after wave, they formed a veritable river of humanity that flowed onto the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to celebrate the greatest spiritual festival ever held in the history of the world, the Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela has gained international fame as "the world's most massive act of faith." Pilgrims come to this holy event with such tremendous faith and in such overwhelming numbers that it boggles the mind. Faith is the most important thing for the pilgrims at Kumbh Mela, they have an "unflinching trust in something sublime". To understand the significance of the Kumbh Mela and the important role that it plays in the spirituality of India, it is helpful to know something about the background of the sacred Ganges River. The devout believe that simply by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Of course it is said that a pure lifestyle is also required after taking bath, otherwise one will again be burdened by karmic reactions .The pilgrims come from all walks of life, travelling long distances and tolerating many physical discomforts, such as sleeping in the open air in near freezing weather. They undergo these difficulties just to receive the benefit of taking a bath in the sacred river at Kumbh Mela.

This spectacle of faith has for many centuries attracted the curiosity of foreign travellers. Hiuen Tsiang of China, who lived during the seventh century, was the first to mention Kumbh Mela in his diary. He gave an eyewitness report that during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February) half a million people had gathered on the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to observe a celebration for 75 days. The pilgrims, writes Hiuen Tsiang, assembled along with their king, his ministers, scholars, philosophers, and sages. He also reports that the king had distributed enormous quantities of gold, silver, and jewels in charity for the purpose of acquiring good merit and thus assuring his place in heaven.

In the eight century, Shankara, a prominent Indian saint, popularized the Kumbh Mela among the common people, and soon the attendance began to grow to enormous proportions. Shankara placed special importance to the opportunity of associating with saintly persons while at Kumbh Mela. Both hearing from sadhus (holy men) and sacred bathing are still the two main focus at Kumbh Mela. By 1977, the number of pilgrims attending Kumbh Mela had to risen to 15 million! By 1989, the attendance was in the range of 29 million-nearly double that of the previous record. Photographer David Osborn and I contributed to this year's record participation by spending seven austere weeks living in a tent on the banks of the Ganges, observing the Kumbh Mela with wonder and admiration.

The ancient origin of the Kumbh Mela is described in the time honoured Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons produced the nectar of immortality.

The sages of old have related this story thus: once upon a time, the demigods and demons assembled together on the shore of the milk ocean which lies in a certain region of the cosmos. The demigods and demons desired to churn the ocean to produce the nectar of immortality, and agreed to share it afterwards. The Mandara Mountain was used as a churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. With the demigods at Vasuki's tail and the demons at his head, they churned the ocean for 1,000 years. A pot of nectar was eventually produced, and both the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, stole away the pot and hid it in four places on the Earth: Prayag (Allahabad) Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are believed to have acquired mystical power, and festivals are regularly held at each, Allahabad being the largest and most important.

Besides the Ganges, there are also two other sacred rivers located at Allahabad, the Yamuna and the Sarashwati. The Yamuna, like the Ganges has its earthly origin in the Himalayas. The Sarashwati, however, is a mystical river which has no physical form. Its is believed that the Sarashwati exists only on the ethereal or spiritual plane and is not visible to the human eye. This holy river is mentioned many times in India's sacred texts such as the Mahabharata and is said to be present at Allahabad where it joins the Yamuna and the Ganges. This confluence of India's three most sacred rivers at Allahabad is called the sangam. The combined sanctity of the three holy rivers, coupled with the spiritual powers obtained from the pot of nectar of immortality, has earned Allahabad the rank of Tirthraja, the king of holy places. The main highlight for most pilgrims during a Kumbh Mela is the observance of a sacred bath at the sangam. It is said that a bath in either of the sacred rivers has purifying effects, but where the three rivers meet, the bather's purification is increased one hundred times. Furthermore, it is said that when one takes a bath at the sangam during the Kumbh Mela, the influence is one thousand times increased.

According to astrological calculations, the Kumbh Mela is held every twelve years and begins on Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun and moon enter Capricorn and Jupiter enters Aries. The astrological configuration on Makar Sankranti is called "Kumbh Snan-yoga" and is considered to be especially auspicious, as it is said that the passage from Earth to the higher planets is open at that time, thus allowing the soul to easily attain the celestial world. For such reasons it is understandable why the Kumbh Mela has become so popular among all classes of transcendentalists in India This year Makar Sankranti fell on January 14th and the Kumbh Mela began with all the pomp and glory for which it is famous. The temperature dropped to 35 degrees Fahrenheit on the evening of the 13th, but bathers were not to be discouraged. Just past midnight, thousands began to enter the confluence of the three rivers, immersing themselves in the icy cold water. Loud chanting of "Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai (all glory to Mother Ganga)" filled the clear night air as the pilgrims washed away their bad karma. They came away from the bathing area wrapped in blankets and shivering from the cold. But as quickly as they came out of the water, thousands more came in their wake. With continual chants of "Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai" they entered the waters. At dawn the sky reddened and the sun rose to reveal a crowd of five million enthusiasts slowly advancing towards the sangam. From the center of that mass of humanity came a marvellous procession announcing the official beginning of the Kumbh Mela. Bands played, people danced in jubilation, and colourful flags and banners flew above the crowd.

At the head of the procession were the nagas, India's famed naked holy men. These holy men engage themselves in renunciation of the world in search of equilibrium. They hope to escape the world's concomitant reactions and suffering by their austere practices such as complete celibacy and non-accumulation of material possessions. Thus they are known as liberationists. With matted locks of hair, their bodies covered in ashes, and their tridents (the symbol of a follower of Shiva) raised high, they descended upon the bathing area. Entering the water in a tumult, blowing conch shells and singing "Shiva ki jai, Ganga ki jai," they splashed the sacred waters upon each other and played just like children. Indeed, they are said to be the very children of the Ganges.

Next came the Vaisnava vairagis, the wandering mendicants who dedicate everything to Vishnu, the Sustainers. These saints live a life of service and complete dedication. Then came the innumerable other sects of ascetics dressed in saffron coloured cloth and carrying their staffs of renunciation. All the centuries gone by of India's spiritual evolution were simultaneously there together in the procession. Each in turn bathed in the sangam.

Several hours passed before the procession had finished. Then began the mass bathing of the pilgrims. From the high banks of the river one could see the dark blue water of the Yamuna mixing with the silver gray water of the Ganges. Bathers, immersed up to the waist, scooped up water with folded palms and offered it to heaven in a timeless gesture. Boatmen rowed their boats full of pilgrims to a small sandbar in the middle of the sangam which soon disappeared under a cloud of bathers. There was none to young or old for this occasion. A young mother sprinkled a few drops of the rivers' water over the head of her newborn baby, asking God to bless her child with a good life and prosperity. In another place an elderly couple eased themselves into the cold water. Some bathers made offerings of flowers, sweets, and coloured dyes to the sacred waters, while others offered Vedic hymns. The chanting of AUM - the supreme combination of letters - and Sanskrit mantras issued from the lips of every pilgrim. As night fell, thousands of campfires could be seen burning along the riverbanks. In the central festival area, gaily decorated pandals (large tents) accommodated the thousands who listened to some of India's most exalted gurus lecturing on spiritual and philosophical topics. In some pandals there were Indian drama and classical dance groups whose exotic costumes and performances attracted large audiences. In other pandals there were elaborate displays and dioramas illustrating the stories from India's ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There was so much to see and do that there was never a dull moment. Some pilgrims prefer to come to the Kumbh Mela on the days of the big sacred baths like Makar Sankranti and then return home, while others prefer to set up camp and stay for the duration. This year at Kumbh Mela there was six scheduled days for important baths. Those who remained for the full 41 days of the festival and observe all the important baths are called kalpvasis.

This year the Indian government spent more than 8 million dollars on preliminary organization for the Kumbh Mela. According to national newspaper reports, arrangements provided 5,000 gallons of purified drinking water every minute;8,000 buses which shuttle pilgrims in and out of the festival area that spread over 3,00- acres; 16,000 outlets and 6,000 poles which provided electrical facilities; 6,000 sweepers and sanitation employees who worked around the clock to maintain health standards; 9 pontoon bridges which spanned the Ganges at intervals; 20,000 policemen, firemen, and the Indian National Guard who kept a constant vigil at checkpoints and with closed circuit TV guarded against traffic congestion and other possible outbreaks or disturbances; and 100 doctors and nurses on call at all times at medical assistance stations.

An entire city sprang up along the banks of the river during the Kumbh Mela complete with markets, hospitals, and even a tourist camp to accommodate visitors from foreign countries. The tourist camp informed me that they had sheltered over 1,000 visitors from abroad during the festivities, most being from Europe and South America. Some of these visitors from abroad had never been to India before. Others seemed as well acquainted with what was happening as did the Indians. In the market areas all the required necessities and luxuries of Kumbh Mela were for sale. In one place fruits and fresh vegetables were available. In another place wool blankets, which sold briskly, were piled in big stacks for easy selection. Along the main thoroughfares gypsies spread their wares which included different shapes and sizes of brass pots and bowls, beads for meditation, exotic perfumes, incense like kastori (musk) and chandan (sandalwood), and even tiger's claws set in gold. It was also interesting to note that all the food arrangements throughout the festival were vegetarian. There was not a trace f meant, fish or eggs to be found in any camp or in any public eating place. We learned that meat is strictly taboo amongst all types of transcendentalists in India.

For the novelty seekers there was also a wide selection of oddities in the market. For a rupee or two one could employ a snake charmer who, when playing on his pungi (snake charmer's flute) would make the cobras dance, swaying to and fro. It is a long standing belief that the cobra is charmed by the sound of the pungi. Having observed several of these performances , however, it was our conclusion that the snake charmer charms his audience rather than the snake.

Many palm readers and mystic soothsayers set up shop along the Ganges offering passers-by a look into the future. Astrology and palmistry are traditional sciences in India, but one could not help but think that some of these "mystics" were simply out to turn a fast rupee from a gullible public. No doubt that among the sincere and authentic spiritualists at Kumbh Mela there were also the cheaters and hence the cheated. Buyer beware.

The camel, a hardy beast of burden, used in India for centuries to transport cargo long distances and through difficult terrain, was the unsung hero of Kumbh Mela. Carrying heavy loads of firewood, tents, and foodstuffs on their raised backs these awkward creatures formed the very lifeline to the Kumbh Mela residents. In the soft sand, cars, trucks, and even horse carts often got stuck. But the camel was rugged and the goods always got through.

For everyone at Kumbh Mela, early mornings were the most austere time of day because it was always colder than at any other time. However, chilly sunrise is considered the most auspicious time of the day for spiritual practices. Every day at dawn , thousands arose early to bathe in the Ganges and return to their camps to change mantras and meditate. At the northern end of the festival grounds, cast against the still blue sky, stood a lone grass hut built upon sturdy stilts. This was the ashram of Devara Baba who, according to his followers, is more than 200 years old. Devara Baba is a lifelong vegetarian and celibate yogi. His admirers believe that his exceptional longevity is due to the fact that he only drinks and bathes in the Ganges, whose waters are considered very sacred. When we asked Devara Baba about his exact age, he replied, " I have lost count of the years. It has been a very long time."

Every morning and evening tens of thousands of pilgrims walked the two mile stretch along the Ganges to the ashram of Devara Baba with the hope that they might get a glimpse of this ancient sage. Much to their delight Devara Baba was always willing and even happy to accommodate them. Sitting on the veranda of his simple raised hut, the old sage relaxed in the warm rays of sunlight and blessed his visitors. Sometimes smiling or raising his hand in a gesture of grace Devara Baba radiated the aura of peacefulness. Some pilgrims brought offerings of fruits and flowers, while others came only with their prayers for blessings. It was our prayer to the sage that he allow us to take a few photographs, and in his usual gracious manner he consented. As prominent as Devara Baba was, we sensed that there were many great souls who went undetected in our midst. We photographed until we ran out of film and were left only with a feeling of helplessness. Kumbh Mela was indeed a magnificent and awesome encounter. It was impossible to capture the festival. Indeed, it was the festival that captured us. Words, film, print, and paper can not do justice to the event — it is one that has to be experienced personally.

HARI AUM

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Chintaman Ganesh Mandir, Madhya Pradesh, IN

Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Built by: Paramara Kings
Built in: 11th - 12th Century
Dedicated to: Lord Ganesha
Significance: Highly revered shrine of Lord Ganesha

Introduction:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is regarded as the Lord of beginnings as per the Hindu beliefs. In the traditional times, the Lord is known as 'Chintaharan', which literally means remover of all worries and tensions. The temple is thronged by crowds of people that come to do away with all their worries at the shrine of the Lord. The term 'Chintamani' is another name used for Lord Vishnu, who is considered as the preserver of the Universe as per Hindu Mythology.

About the Chintaman Ganesh:
Chintaman Ganesh is situated in the heart of the city market. The temple dates an age of 11th and 12th century. The shrine is the temple of Lord Ganesh who is also known as ‘the elephant god’. The temple was built under the rule of Paramara who ruled Malwa for years and left various ruins as the evidence. Inside the temple, the 'Garbhgriha' comprises the image of Lord Ganesha. The specialty of the temple is that the idol of the temple was not man-made; it is supposed to be 'swayambhu' (self-manifested). According to the Hindu mythology Ganesha was the first god who should be worshipped first than any other Hindu god and goddess. The idol of Ganesha is also named as Vighneshwar and thus the main essence of the idol of this place is that the idol represents the dissolve of all worries and obstacles of the devotees.

The very appearance of the temple suggests that it belongs to prehistoric times. Still, the temple has not lost its charm; in fact, it has become unique with its ancient origin. People visit this temple, in large numbers, to get the graceful blessings of Lord Ganesha.

How to Reach:
One can reach the Chintamani Ganesh Temple, Ujjain by plane to Indore or directly by train. So, after reaching the city you can come to the Chintamani Temple by hired bus or car.

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.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh, IN

Deities: Lord Shiva
Location: Omkareshwara, Madhya Pradesh
Famous for: One of the twelve jyotilinga of Lord Shiva
Best time to visit: July toMarch

Gods of all the Gods Lord Shiva’s Omkareshwar linga is situated on the mountain Mandhata.Shri Omkareshwar temple stands on a one mile long, half a mile wide island that has been formed by the fork of the Narmada.

The sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, `Om', has drawn a hundred generations of pilgrims. The white dome of the temple is constructed of soft soap stone displaying intricate carvings on the upper portions and stone roof of the temple. Verandhas with columns which are carved in circles, polygons and squares encircle the shrine. The tower or Shikhar was built in Nagara style and consists of 5 layers, each representing a different deity.

Before entering the temple one has to pass through 2 rooms. The Omkareshwar is not affixed to the ground, but is naturally installed there. There is always water around it. The significance of this linga is that the linga is not situated below the cupola. The idol of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple.

Situated on the banks of the Narmada, Omkareshwar is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is located at a distance of about 12 miles from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. The river Narmada spits into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The shape of the island resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar and one to Amareshwar.

Legend has it that the Vindhya mountain prayed to Shiva - Omkareshwara and was blessed here. Legend also has it that upon the request of the Devas, the Shivalinga split into two, one half being Omkareshwara and the other Amaleshwara or Amareshwar. King Mandhatha of the Ishvaku clan is believed to have worshiped Shiva here.

The name Omkareshwar derives from the word Om, which signifies the most sacred Hindu symbol. This island is shaped like the Om and is about 2km long and 1km wide. As you probably know by now, the lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva and there must be simply thousands of them in India. The jyotirlingam or the lingam of light, however, is special. It is believed to derive currents of power from within itself as opposed to an ordinary lingam which is ritually invested with mantra shakti (power invested by chants) by the priests.

Structure and Significance of Omkareshwar Temple
A special feature of the location of Omkareshwar Temple is that the river Narmada branches into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The Omkareshawar temple is built in the North Indian style of architecture, with high spires. Devotees consider worship to Panchamuga Ganesha, to be very auspicious.

The Omkareshwar Temple is built in the Nagara style and is characterized by a lofty shikhara. There are also shrines to Annapurna and Ganesha here. The Omkareshwar is not affixed to the ground but is naturally installed there. There is always water around it. The significance of this linga is that the linga is not situated below the cupola. The idol of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple.

Other Attraction:
Despite the damage done by Muslim invaders in the time of Mahmud of Ghazni (11th century), there are still many temples on this island, both Hindu and Jain. You can spot a huge Nandi Bull (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) carved in the hillside opposite the temple to Gauri Somnath at the western end of the island. Don’t miss the 24 Avatars, a group of Hindu and Jain temples, the 10th century Satmatrika Temples (6km) and the Kajal Rani Cave (9km), a lovely picnic spot with a great view and Shri Omkar Mandhata, Siddhnath Temple, 24 Avatars, Satmatrika Temples, Kajal Rani Cave.

Festival:
The Temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river. A huge fair is organised here on the day of Kartik Poornima.

How to reach:
By Air: Nearest airport is at Indore which is around 77 km away from here. You can take a bus or hire a cab to get here in around 2 hrs.
By Rail: Omkareshwar railhead is the nearest station from here at a distance of 12 km,hiring a taxi is the best way of commuting from station to the Omkareshwar city center.
By Road: There are regular buses in and out of Omkareshwar to all major cities of Madhya Pradesh.

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.

Teli ka Mandir, Madhya Pradesh, IN

Deities: Lord Vishnu
Location: In the complex of Gwalior Fort, Gwalior
Built in: 11th century
Also known as: Oil man’s temple
Significance: An Ancient Temple
Highlights: Fusion of Southern and Northern architectural styles of India
Best time to visit: July to March

The tallest structure in the fort, the 100 ft high Teli-ka-Mandir (oil man's temple) dates back to the 9th century, and is the most impressive of all the temples in the Gwalior fort. Constructed by the Pratihar Rajas, this Vishnu temple is an amalgamation of the Dravidian (from South India) and the Indo-Aryan (North Indian) architectural styles.

The roof is typically Dravidian but the sculptures and embellishing inside are Indo Aryan in nature. The10m high doorway has a Garuda statue on top. Although many opine that it is closer in design to the temples of Orissa than the South, there are several theories as to how the shrine acquired its name.

Although commanding in appearance, this temple consists only of the sanctuary with a porch and doorway leading into the inner chamber. There is no mandapa and no pillared hall which is so characteristic of the fully developed temple in this part of the country. This structure is a rare specimen of a Brahmanical sanctuary, for, the shape of its roof bears testimony to its Buddhist heritage. Instead of a spire it has a ridge of the type found on the vaulted roof of a Buddhist chaitya-hall.

The origin of the primordial shrine dates as far back as 8th or 9th century AD when Adivaraha Mihir Bhoj of Kannauj ruled over the dominions of Central India. The extraordinary temple is ensconced within the premises of the spectacular Gwalior Fort. The temple's architecture, design and layout are rather interesting and depict the consummate skill and expertise of the ancient craftsmen and architects. The temple represents a roundish barrel or a shikhar and presents a stunning sight. There are several surmises and conjectures regarding the construction of the venerable shrine.

The porch and the doorway are imprinted with elaborate carvings. One can trace figures of amorous couples, coiled serpents, gods and goddesses on the doorway. The central position on the doorway is dominated by the figure of flying Garuda. The weird and wonderful arrangement of two architectural styles attracts countless visitors throughout the year. Teli Ka Mandir boasts about the heritage and rich of India.

Also dedicated to Vishnu is the graceful little Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir, built in 11th century. Another landmark is the historic Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod built in the memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the 6th Sikh Guru who was imprisoned here by Jehangir for over two years. At the time of his release, he wanted 52 Hindu kings who were his fellow prisoners, released with him. Jehangir was very impressed with the Guru and agreed to his condition. And, finally, within the Fort complex, housed in the erstwhile barracks of the British soldiers, is Gwalior's unique gift to modern India Scindia School. Acknowledged as one of the finest schools in India, it is only fitting that the country's young citizens receive the best educational grounding surrounded by monuments to a past which is a constant inspiration.

Some believe it was so named because it was built in the Telengana style; others say this was because it was built by telis (oil merchants). A more recent study ascribes it to Telap Raj, a prime minister of the region. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, a garuda (mythical bird) can be seen on top of the 10-metre-high doorway.

Other Attractions:
Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir, The Sas-Bahu temples, The Chhatris, Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, Jai Vilas Palace, Surya Mandir (the replica of the Puri Sun Temple).

How to reach:
by Air: India Airlines flights connect Gwalior with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai thrice a week.
by Rail: Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai lines.
by Road: Gwalior is connected by regular bus service with Agra, Mathura, Jaipur, Delhi. One can easily reach Teli Ka Mandir by taking local Buses, Autos or by hiring Taxis from Gwalior.

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.

Khajuraho Mandir, Madhya Pradesh, IN

Location: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Built by: Chandela Rulers
Built in: During 950 - 1050 AD
Attraction: Erotic sculptures
Significance: Listed as World Heritage Site
Best time to visit: July to March

Khajuraho - Land Of The Moon God

Khajuraho is a village in the of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhattarpur District, about 385 miles (620 kilometres) southeast of Delhi.

The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word khajur meaning date palm.

Khajuraho Temples:
The Khajuraho village surrounded by the mountains of Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh is 395 Km southeast of Agra. Today this village remains with 22 temples, which give us a glimpse of a golden time of art and devotion at their peak. Out of 22 temples, two were made from sandstone. The stone blocks were first carved and then the interlocking pieces were assembled to form a temple. Each temple is different from one another.

Each temple has three main compartments that is the entrance (ardhamandapa), the assembly hall (mandapa) and the actual sanctum (garbha griha). According to their geographical location, the temples are divided into 3 groups, Western, Eastern and Southern.

Western Group:
The western group of temples is the best and the largest group of temples in Khajuraho. Located amidst the green fields and flowerbeds, the temples of western group have been elaborated by the Archaeological Survey of India. Incorporated in the World Heritage Site, these temples embrace the most passionate and outstanding sculptures of Khajuraho. Jagdambi Temple, Kandariya Mahadeva and Chitragupta Temples are the most excellent specimen of sculptures in India.

Kandariya Mahadeo
In the Western group, Kandariya Mahadeo is believed to be the largest temple. The temple has approximately 900 statues that boast about the excellent craftsmanship of the artisans The 31m high temples is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate and detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and goddesses. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines the 'linga'.

Chaunsath Yogini
The temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated Goddess Kali. It has the distinction of being the only granite temple here. The temple had 65 cells out of which only 35 are left. The image of Goddess Kali that used to enshrine in the temple, sadly couldn't resist the ravages of the time.

Chitragupta Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). It faces towards east or the rising sun and the imposing image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet and is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot. It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanath temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Vishwanath Temple
This temple has impressive entrances with magnificent stone guarding its northern steps and royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The northern doorway of the temple is guarded by a series of Lions, whereas huge elephants flank the southern steps. The shrine of Nandi bull lies in the opposite direction. The three-headed image of Lord Brahma in the temple is not less captivating.

Lakshmana Temple
A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. The shrine embraces three-headed images of Narasimha and Varaha, who are the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Matangeshwara Temple
Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction and the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines. There is an open-air Archaeological Museum that displays a marvelous assortment of statues and frescoes accumulated from the area.

Eastern Group:
Situated near the village of Khajuraho, the Eastern Group of temples consists of the renowned temples like Brahma, Vamana and Javari. The group further includes Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath (Jain pilgrims) that are located near the Khajuraho Sagar.

Parshvanatha Temple
The largest Jain temple of the Eastern group, Parsvanath temple has intricate stone carvings, especially, the sculptures on the northern outer wall of the temple are certainly praiseworthy is carved with sculptures; depicting the scenes of everyday activities. It enshrines a throne facing the bull emblem that represents the first tirthankara, Adinatha.

Ghantai Temple
This Jain temple has remarkable frescos depicting the 16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira at the time of his birth and a Jain goddess mounted on a winged Garuda.

Adinatha Temple
This temple is richly ornamented with delicate and pretty sculptures including those of yakshis. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara (saint), Adinath.

Hindu Temples
Most of the temple here belongs to Jain faith but there are three Hindu temples of the group the Brahma temple enshrining a four-faced linga, the Vamana temple with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in various poses adorning its outer walls and the Javari temple are the renowned shrines with a opulently carved doorway and ostentatious sculptures on its exteriors in the eastern group.

Southern Group:
The temples that fall under the southern group are located at a distance of approximately 5 km from the Khajuraho village. Amongst the temples of this group, Duladeo and Chaturbhuj Temples are the most famous.

Duladeo Temple
Built during 1100 -1150 AD, Duladeo Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This Shaiva temple is known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly ornamented figures.

Chaturbhuja Temple
It is the huge imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction of the temple. Who is regarded as the preserver of the world. The temple houses an elaborately carved image of Lord Vishnu.

Legend:
The past of Khajuraho is shrouded with mystery and conjecture. In the midst of the wilderness full of ferocious animals, there is the small town of Khajuraho standing alone in its solitude with its ancient temples. With hardly any written records and rare references to its origin, the history of Khajuraho has become trapped in the mythical folklore of the region. The beautiful artwork of these temples have gained the attention of the art lovers all over the world but the real purpose behind their construction is a mere guess work of the intellectuals. The These temples fire the imagination of the visitors with innumerable questions such as their significance and their position in the society, the reason behind using these temples as an art gallery, the whereabouts of the said kingdom and why only the temples have been found and there are no ruins of the mansions and palaces in the nearby area. The graphic representation of sexual and erotic postures in a religious place is bewildering too.

However, if the myth it is to be believed, Khajuraho was known as 'Khajur-vahika' or 'Khajjurpura' in the ancient times because of its golden date palms (known as 'khajur') that lined the gates of this city. It has been mentioned in the Mahoba-khand of Chandbardai's (the famous medieval court poet) 'Prithviraj Raso' that Hemraj, the royal priest of Kashi (the old name for Varanasi), had an exceptionally beautiful daughter named Hemvati, who was unfortunately a child widow. One summer night, while she was bathing in a lotus-filled pond, the Moon God was so dazed by her beauty that he descended to earth in human form full of lust and passion and ravished her. Later, he repented when the distressed Hemvati threatened to curse him for ruining her honor and dignity and blessed her with a valiant son who would later become a king and build the temples of Khajuraho. Hemvati left her home and gave birth to a brave and strong boy child in the tiny village of Khajjurpura. The child was named Chandravarman and it is said that by the time he was 16 years old, the glorious boy was strong and skilled enough to kill tigers or lions with his bare hands. With the blessings of the Moon God, his father he became a mighty king and built the fortress at Kalinjar. Then heeding to his mother's wishes he built 85 legendary temples surrounded by lakes and gardens at Khajuraho and also performed the bhandya yagya, to wash away the sins of his mother.

Yet another version of the above legend raises Hemvati as a dutiful daughter who sacrificed all her happiness and dignity for her father. Mani Ram, the royal priest of Kalinjar, miscalculated once and declared the dark night as the full moon night or Purnamasi in front of the king. Hemvati, his widowed daughter could not bear the possibility of any stigma on her father's reputation and prayed to the Moon God to uphold the word of the priest. However, she had to pay a heavy price for her wish being granted when the Moon God who was smitten by the lady's beauty ravished her in return for his favor. When Mani Ram came to know of this entire incident, he was so ashamed and grief-stricken that he cursed himself and turned into a stone. However, Hemvati got pregnant with the tryst and gave birth to a virtuous son by the name of sage Chandrateya who is believed to be the founder of the Chandela dynasty. Chandelas worshipped the Mani Ram-turned-stone as Maniya Dev.

Festival:
Held every year from 25th February to 2nd March, Khajuraho Dance Festival takes place at the open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are situated in the Western Group of temples, which is the largest, well maintained and most easily accessible temple group of Khajuraho. Started regularly since 2002, this weeklong festival has already become legendary with its outlandish classical dance performances presented in a dreamlike setting of splendidly illuminated temples. Khajuraho temples present sculptures depicting various skills and arts of courtly love including dance and music in stone and what venue can be more befitting to hold the cultural festival highlighting the various classical dances of India!

Some of the best artists and performers that have marked themselves in their fields come from the various states of India to participate in the festival and the performances including some of the best known dance styles.

With a graded rise secondary shikharas (spires) cluster to create an appropriate base for the main shikhara over the sanctum. Kandariya Mahadeva, one of the most accomplished temples of the Western group, comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level.

These shikharas -- subordinate and main -- attribute to the Khajuraho temples their unique splendor and special character.These temples of Khajuraho have sculptures that look very realistic and are studied even today.

The Saraswathi temple on the campus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India is modeled after the Khajuraho temple.

How to Reach:
by Air: Regular services link Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
by Rail: The nearest railheads are Harpalpur (94 Km) and Mahoba (61 Km). Mumbai-Allahabad line of the Central Railway for those coming from Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi.
by Road: Khajuraho is connected by regular buses. One can easily reach Khajuraho Temples by taking regular Buses or by hiring taxis from anywhere in Madhya Pradesh.

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.