Majestic Temples of India

Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Kshetra Udupi, Karnataka Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Kshetra is located in Udupi District of Karnataka. Vigneswara is in the standing position with four hands, two hands showing  Varada Hasta (offering divine boons), and other 2 hands are pointing downwards, which means Mukti.  Sthala Puranam says that once this place was affected by drought and Agasthya muni started to perform yagna to Varuna Deva. Kumbhasura, an asura tried to disrupt the yagna. For helping Agasthya Muni Vigneswara, send Bheema, one of the pancha Pandavas who were staying there during their exile. Ganesha blessed Bheema, with a sword, and thus Bheema destroyed the asura.  Hence the name Kumbashi. Anegudde comes from Aane (elephant) and Gudde (hillock). Vinayaka Chaturthi is the main festival celebrated here.  Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

Shri Kalika Devi Temple Belgaum, Karnataka Sirsangi Kalika Temple is located at Sirsangi, in Belgaum district of Karnataka. Kali Devi is worshipped here and Ugadi is popularly celebrated. The place name is mentioned as Rishishringapura or Hirishingi.  Story says that a rishi, Vrushya Shrunga was involved in tapasya in Vrushya Shrunga Tapovan, which is currently the place where the temple of Shri Kalika Devi is. But asuras like Narundasur, Bettasura and Nalundasur disturbed him. Devi destroyed these asuras hearing the prayers of Vrushya Shrunga and thus peace was maintained here. Devi later settled down here and hence Sirsangi Kalika Temple was constructed in Shirasangi. Tulaa Bhara Seva is very famous here.  Shri Maha Devyai Namah 

Vedapureeswarar Temple  Thiruverkadu, Tamil Nadu Vedapureeswarar Temple is located in Tiruvallur near Chennai of Tamil Nadu. Paramashiva is worshipped as Vedapureeswarar and Parvati Devi as Balambigai. Temple is one among Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam.  Sthala Puranam says that Agasthya Muni was unable to attend Shiva Parvathy Thirukalyanam, so Agasthya Muni prayed to Paramashiva here and expressed his wish to watch the marriage. Pleased by the devotion Paramshiva appeared here along with Parvathy Devi.  Agasthiya Muni was blessed to have Paramashiva's darshan from various places and Thiruverkadu is one of them. Mahavishnu and Adisesha worshipped Paramashiva here. Adisesha promised that anyone worshiping here will not face Naga Dosham or any snake bite. Thus the place  is also called Vidam Theenda Pathy means place where no snake bite occurs. Shivaratri is very famous here.  Om Namah Shivaye 

Mangaladevi Kshetra Mangalore, Karnataka Mahathobara Shree Mangaladevi Kshetra is located at Bolara of Mangalore, Karnataka. Shakti Devi is worshipped as Mangaladevi. Mangalore is named after Mangaladevi. Temple is said to have been built by Parashurama.  Sthala Puranam says that, this area was ruled by a King named Kundavarma. One day 2 rishis visited his Kingdom from Nepal. Hearing about their visit, King went to them and offered respects. From these rishis he came to know about this Kshetra, which was built by Parshurama.  The rishis then took King to a place and asked him to dig out for Devi's Vigraham. King did as he was asked to and a Vigraham of the Mangaladevi was found out. Kundavarma carried out the advice of the two sages and constructed a temple for Mangaladevi, and Prathista was done along with Nagas for protection. Navaratri is very famous here.  Shri Maha Devyai Namah 

Ghati Subramanya Temple Bengaluru, Karnataka  Ghati Subramanya Kshetra is a famous temple  for Subramanya Swamy and Narasimha Swamy. Subramanyar faces east and Narasimhar west. Narasimha Moorthy can be viewed through a mirror, kept in a place where both Vigrahams are viewed at a same time.  Story says that, Ghati Kshetra is the place where Subrahmanya did tapasya as a Snake. Murugar prayed to Narasimhar here to protect whole Naga family from Garuda, who is Mahavishnu's Vahanam. It is also said that Muruga prayed here before destroying Ghatikasura, a demon.  Childless couples prays here to get themselves relieved of any doshas. Ghati Subramanya is also a main parihara Sthala for Naga dosham. Narasimha Jayanti is very famous here. Muruganukku Harohara  Om Narasimha Swamine Namaha

Banashankari Amma Temple Bagalkot, Karnataka Banashankari Amma Temple is located in Bagalkot District of Karnataka. Devi is worshipped as Shakambhari or Banashankari. Temple is also called Vanashankari because it is located in the  Tilakaaranya forest. Devi here has 8 hands, and holds a Thrishul.  Skanda Purana mentions Banashankari amman. Sthala Puranam says that, once there lived an Asura in the area named Durgamasura, who killed many innocent people in the area. The Devas prayed to Paramashiva, who asked Parvathi Devi to destroy the asura.  Parvathi Devi took the Avataram of Banashankari and came to the area. She fought against the Asura and killed him, restoring peace in the area.  It is also said that during a severe famine, Devi provided vegetables and food for the people to survive and thus, she was given the name Shakambari. Rahu kala pooja is very famous here.  Shri Maha Devyai Namah 

Narasimha Jayanti  25-05-2021 नमस्ते नरसिंहाय प्रह्लादाह्लाद दायिने हिरण्यकशिपोर्वक्शः शिला-टंक नखालये Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated on Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi. Mahavishnu took Narasimha Avataram and appeared  this day to destroy Hiranyakashipu, an asura. Narasimha Jayanti signifies victory of good over evil.  Mahavishnu took Narasimha Avataram to save Prahlada, who was a great Bhakta, from Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu gained a wish that he should not be killed either in day or night, inside or outside, any Devas, man or animal or by any weapon.  So Mahavishnu took Narasimha Avatar, half man and half lion, destroys him during Sandhya time which is not day or night, on the door step which is neither inside or outside.  Praying to Narasimhar and doing pooja this day is very auspicious.  Narasimha Jayanthi Vratham is taken on this day for protection against any illness, to succeed in court issues, for wishes to be fulfilled, and to overcome all types of financial difficulties. Pr

Shri Dharma Lingeshwarar Kovil Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Shri Dharma Lingeshwarar Temple is located in Dharma Linga Malai near Madukkarai of Coimbatore District. Paramashiva is Swayambhu here and is worshipped as Dharma Lingeshwarar. Upadevas are Ganapathy Murugan and Navagrahas. Girivalam (Pradarshanam) is done around the hill on Poornima days. Muruga and Vinayaka are seen on both sides of Paramashiva.  There is an anthill in behind the Temple. It is said that, Nagas resides here, protecting the temple. Sthala Puranam says that, during Vanavasam of Pandavas, they came to this Temple and worshipped Paramashiva. It is believed that, while Yudhistira went uphill to the Temple, Bheema waited down at the foothill, guarding the mountain for his brother. Those who seeks success from court cases worship Dharma Lingeshwarar here.  Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree. There is a mango tree in the Temple that grows fruits with three different tastes. Shivaratri is very famous here.  Om Nama Shivaya

Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Kshetra Maddur, Karnataka Ugra Narasimha Kshetra is situated in Maddur of Karnataka. Narasimha Swamy is Ugra Bhavam here with Hiranyakashipu on his lap. Kadamba Rishi created a theertham and did tapasya here, so place is also called Kadamba Kshetram.  Sthala Puranam says that, once Arjuna requested Shri Krishna to witness Narasimha Avataram. But Krishna told that avathara could not be shown again. Understanding Arjuna's wish Shri Krishna asked Bhrama Deva to create a Vigraham exactly showing how Hiranyakashipu was destroyed and do the Prathista. Thus Prathista of Vigraham was done in Maddur which was earlier called Arjuna Puri.  Narasimha Swamy is seen with 8 hands and 3 eyes which is a very rare sight. Garuda is seen standing near feet of Narasimhar along with Prahlada. Once in a year Venna Kaapu ( butter ) is done to Swamy. Childless couples who pray here are blessed relieved from all doshas here. Om Narasimha Swamine Namah  

Arulmigu Jalantheeswarar Kovil Vellore, Tamil Nadu Jalantheeswarar Thirukovil is located at Thakkolam Village in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. Temple is one among the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. Paramashiva is worshipped as Jalantheeswarar and Parvathi Devi as Giriraja Kannikambal.  Sthala Puranam says that, Parvathi Devi returned here after the Daksha’s yagnam and Devi made a Shivalingam of sand here. Jalantheeswarar is worshipped as Prithvi Lingam. She was doing tapasya here and one day this place was flooded with water. To protect the Shivalingam Parvathi Devi embraced it. As Shivalingam is believed to have been embraced by Parvathi Devi, it is not touched by humans.  Poojas are performed without touching.  It is believed that Kamadhenu, the divine cow, is said to have worshipped Paramashiva here. Shivarathri and Pradosham are very famous here.  Om Nama Shivaya

Annapoorneshwari Kshetra  Hornadu, Karnataka Annapoorneshwari Kshetra is situated on the banks of River Bhadra, Hornadu, Chikamagalur. It is believed that Agasthya muni did the Prathista of  Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annapoorneshwari here. Temple is also known as Sri Kshetra Horanadu.  Sthala Puranam says that, once Paramashiva and Parvathi Devi had an argument about food. Paramashiva said that everything including food was maaya. Parvathi Devi wanted to prove this argument of Paramashiva wrong and thus, disappeared from there. When Devi disappeared neither climate changed nor plants grew, causing drought in the world. Devas started pleading Devi to return. Being a mother, she couldn't see suffering of all. Thus Parvathi Devi appeared and distributed food to all. Thus Paramashiva realising how wrong he was, took a bowl to seek food from Devi. It is believed that whoever seeks Devi's blessings would never have any scarcity for food.  Devi is seen here in in standing position with fo

Draksharamam Manikyamba Devi Kshetram  Daksharamam, Andhra Pradesh Draksharamam Manikyamba Devi Temple is located in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Temple is one among the 18 Shakti Sthalams. Shakti Devi is worshipped as Manikyamba Devi and Paramashiva as Bhimeswara Swamy. Bhimeswara swamy temple is one of the Pancharama kshetras.  Sthala Puranam says that,  Daksha Yagnam took place here. It is said that after Paramashiva performed the Taandava Nrityam. It is believed that Sati Devi's left cheek fell here and Prathista was done by Paramashiva. Adi Shankaracharya visited this temple and did Prathista of a powerful Sri Chakra here. Surya Deva and Saptharishis had worshipped Bhimeswara Swamy and Manikyamba Devi here. Vyasa Muni who performed tapasya here and  named as Dakshina Kasi. Temple pond is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven river pond ).  Shri Mahadevyai Namah 

Stories of  Guruvayurappan  Sri Krishna Leela This is a beautiful story of a girl Unnimaya and her Bhakthi. Unnimaya and her mother resided in a small hut near Guruvayur. Her father died very early and Unnimaya & her mother struggled for their living. Both were Devotees of Guruvayurappan and Unnimaya treated Krishna as her own brother. Whatever she gets, she will give a share to Shri Krishna.  One day her mother fell ill and Unnimaya was compelled to find a job to earn a living. But noone was willing to give job for a small girl. Walking tiredly she went near Guruvayur temple premises and there she saw a shop owned by Kelu. Boasting himself of a great devotee of Krishna, Kelu was talking about his Tulabharam in temple with bananas that day. Unnimaya asked Kelu for a job but he scolded her. While returning, Unnimaya saw 2 bananas there. With hunger she took that banana and ran from there. She stood before Guruvayurappan and gave him 1 banana as she does usually. Kelu caught her and