Majestic Temples of India

Maheshwaram Shri Shiva Parvathi Kshetram Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Maheshwaram Shiva Parvathi Kshetram or Chenkal Maheswara Kshetram is also called Dakshina Kailasam. Temple has the tallest Shivalingam in the world. Height of Shivalingam here is 111.2 feet. There are 108 Shivalingams and worshipped here in 64 Roopams. Vigraham of Paramashiva and Parvathi Devi is made of Panchaloham. Water, sand and soil from various holy place like Kashi, Gangotri, Rishikesh,  Rameswaram, Danushkodi, Badrinath, Gomukh, and Kailash were also mixed while construction There is Prathista of 12 Jyotirlingas in the Garba Griham.  Parvathi Devi and Paramashiva are worshipped together as Ardhanareeswara. Temple is one among the few Kshetrams in Kerala where one can worship complete Shivaparivaram. It is also said that while entering Maha Shivalinga chanting Panchakshari Manthra will give self realization.  Om Nama Shivaya

Shri Raja Rajeshwari Temple Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple is located on the banks of River Phalguni. Devi is worshipped here as Rajarajeshwari and Lalita Tripurasundari. Polali Chendu is a very famous festival where football is played to show victory of good over evil.  Area was originally called Pural which changed to Polali. Vigraham is made up of clay with medicinal properties. Sthala Puranam says that, King Suratha constructed the temple, did Prathista of Vigraham and placed his own crown to Devi as a gratitude of getting back his kingdom.  It is said that king lost many areas of his kingdom and as adviced by Sumedha Maharshi, he did tapasya here. When asuras started to attack people Devi Bhuvaneshwari took many forms like Kumari, Tripura, Kali and Durga and restored Dharma by destroying all asuras.  It is believed that chanting the Manthra "Namo Devyai Mahadevyai Namaha" is very beneficial to Devotees. It is also believed that Devi grants the w

Ranganathaswamy Temple Nellore, Andhra Pradesh Ranganathaswamy Temple or Talpagiri Ranganathaswamy temple  is located in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Ranganathar.  Temple is situated on the banks of river Pennar.  Sthala Puranam says that Mahavishnu wanted to visit Bhooloka along with Lakshmi Devi. Perumal asked Adisesha to be at the place where he wished to stay. Thus Adisesha took the form of a mountain here, and this place got the name Talpagiri Kshetram. It is also believed that Kashyapa Muni did Poundarika Yagna here on Ekadashi, and Mahavishnu blessed him. It is also believed that Shri Rama visited here during his Vanavasam. Vigraham of Ranganathar is 10 feet long, with Lakshmi Devi worshipped on his chest, and Brahma Deva  on a lotus coming from Ranganathar's Navel. Vishnu Sahasra Namavali (1000 different names of Lord Vishnu) are penned on the walls of Garbham. Vaikunta Ekadeshi is very famous here.  Om Namo Narayanaya 

Shri Vedanarayana Temple Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh Vedanarayana Temple or Matsya Narayana Temple  is located at Nagalapuram of Andhra Pradesh. Mahavishnu is worshipped in the form of Matsya roopam here, the first Avataram. Sthala Puranam says that, Mahavishnu is Swayambhu here. During Maha pralayam, Mahavishnu took Matsya Avataram and appeared before Satyavratha, and asked Satyavratha to save all vedas from Pralayam. It is said that Mahavishnu, in the form of Matsya, destroyed an asura, Somakudu here, and retrieved all the Vedas. As Perumal saved all Vedas here, Temple is called Veda Narayana Perumal. Mahavishnu resides here with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. Surya Pooja Utsavam is one of the important festivals in the temple during which the rays of Sun directly fall at the feet of Perumal on the first day, on the chest, the second day and on forehead on the third day. This happens once in a year. Temple was built by Krishna Deva Raya. Om Namo Narayanaya

Ashtabuja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Ashtabuja Perumal Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams. Mahavishnu is Aadhikesava Perumal and Lakshmi Devi as Alamelumangai here. Perumal appears with 8 hands, thus the name Ashta (8) Bhuja ( hand) perumal.  Sthala Puranam says that,  Bhrama Deva felt sad as he was not worshipped in Earth. So Brahma started a Yagna without inviting Saraswathi Devi. Devi felt angry and send many asuras to spoil yagam. Bhrama Deva prayed to Mahavishnu and perumal appeared as Ashtabuja Perumal to destroy all asuras.  Thus Bhrama Deva completes his Yagam. It is also said that Gajendra Moksham took place here. When Gajendra called Aadhi Moolame, Perumal came for his protection. Temple is also called Gajendra Varadar.Those who face issues in land prays here. Vaikunta Ekadeshi is very famous.  Om Namo Narayanaya

Hasanamba Kshetra Hassan, Karnataka Hasanamba Kshetra is located at Hassan District nearly 180 kms from Bangalore. Hassan city got it's name because of Hasanamba Devi. Shakti Devi is worshipped as Hasanamba here. Kshetra is open to devotees only once a year. during Deepavali time.   Sthala Puranam says that, once the Saptha Mathrukal were on their way through this place, when they got attracted by beauty of Hassan.  They decided to stay here, forever. Andhakasura obtained a wish from Brahma Deva and started to torture everyone.  Paramashiva created Yogeshwari, and along with sapta Matrukkal, asura was destroyed. Another story says that, four robbers attempted to steal jewels of Hasanamba and Devi turned them in to stones and these stones can still be seen in the Temple.  Sri Mahadevyai Namah

Devasnana Purnima Devasnana Purnima is observed on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month. It is this day Snan Yatra of Prabhu Jagannath Ji is celebrated. Prabhu Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Balabhadra Vigraham are brought out from temple to Snana Bedi.  108 pots of are used to perform the Snan ceremony. After Abhisheka Jagannath Ji gives darshan as Hathi Besha/ Gajanana Vesha. Story behind Gajanana Vesha is about Ganapathy Bhatta. There lived in South India a great devotee who decides to worship Prabhu Jagannath Ji. He strongly believed that Bhramman is in Puri. It was the day of Snan Yatra that Ganesha Bhatta reached Puri.  Ganesha bhatta strongly believed that Brahman had a face of Ganesha. Seeing Jagannath Ji, he became very sad and decided to leave Puri. He thought that Brahman is not there. Prabhu Jagannath Ji who was witnessing his devotee leaving with heavy heart, went to Mudirath a representative of King of Puri.  Prabhu asked Mudirath to stop Bhatta and ask him to worship P

Kolavilli Ramar Temple Tiruvelliyangudi, Tamil Nadu Kola Valvill Ramar Temple / Kolavilli Ramar is one among 108 Divya Deshams of Mahavishnu. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Kolavilli Ramar and Lakshmi Devi as Maragathavalli. Temple is situated on the banks of Pazhavaru River and also considered as one of the nine Vaishnava Navagraha temples. Famous for Shukra parihara Sthalam. Story says that, Mayan, who was sculptor for asuras wished to create a temple. Brahma adviced him to do Tapasya here to Mahavishnu. Pleased by his tapasya Mahavishnu appeared before him. Mayan requested Perumal to give him darshan as Ramar. Thus Mahavishnu gave darshan as Sri Rama here. It is also believed that, Shukracharya, who was king Mahabali's Guru tried to stop Mahabali from offering land to Vamana. He took the form of a bee and blocked the Kamandalu of Mahabali.  Vamana injured the eyes of the bee with a spear. Sukracharya, who lost his eyes, did tapasya here to regain it back. It is believed that t

Shenbagavalli Poovanathar Temple Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu Shenbagavalli Poovanathar Temple is located at Kovilpatti of Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu. Paramashiva is worshipped here as Poovanathar and Parvathi Devi as Shenbagavalli. Importance is given to Devi here.  Devi is in standing position here but alankaram is done as in sitting position. Sri Rama is said to have worshipped Paramashiva here. Paramashiva married Parvathi Devi at Himalayas and all Devas attended the function. So the balance in the earth was getting affected due to which the Earth was tilting to northern side. To set the balance coorectly Paramashiva advised Agasthya Muni to travel to South. During his travel Agasthya Muni destroyed Vilvalan and Vadhabi 2 asuras who were torturing people. Agasthya Muni worshipped Paramashiva Shiva here and constructed this temple. Theertham is Agasthya Theertham. Another story says about King Shenbagan constructed the temple. Thus Devi is worshipped as  He is said to have construc

Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple Thirukkoodaloor, Tamil Nadu Jakathrakshaka Perumal Temple is located at Thanjavur. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Jakath Rakshaka Perumal and Lakshmi Devi as Padmasanavalli. Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams.  Sthala Puranam says that, it is here that Mahavishnu appeared as Varaha Avataram to save Bhumi Devi from Hiranyaksha. As Mahavishnu protected the world here, perumal is  worshipped as Jakath Rakshaka Perumal.  It is believed that, King Ambarisha constructed this temple as Mahavishnu saved him from Durvasa Muni. Mahavishnu send Sri Chakra to save Ambarisha from Durvasa. So perumal is also called Ambarisha Varadhar. Jackfruit tree in the temple here has a mark of shanka which is created naturally. Another story says that, Kaveri River got herself purified after praying to Mahavishnu here.  Thus whoever visits and prays in this temple are protected by Perumal. Jagath Rakshaka means one who protects the world.  Om Namo Narayanaya

Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple is located in Thiruppullani of Tamil Nadu. Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Adi Jagannatha Perumal and Lakshmi Devi as Padmasini.  Sthala Puranam says that three Maharishis, Pullavar, Kalavar and Kannavar, came to this temple and covered forest with darba grass and started tapasya. Pleased with this, Mahavishnu appeared in the form of Arasa Maram. When rishi's requested to worship original form, perumal appeared as Adi Jagannatha Perumal. It is said that, Sri Rama prayed here to Samudra Rajan before proceeding to Sri Lanka. Samudra Rajan came and offered complete Sharanagathi. Temple is also called Sharanagathi Kshetram. Sri Rama is worshipped as Darbha sayaneswarar.  Perumal grants Putra Varam to childless couples those worship here. Vaikunta Ekadeshi, Sri Krishna Jayanthi and Deepavali are famous here.  Om Namo Narayanaya

Sree Krishna's 28 Names Once Arjuna asked Shri Krishna, "O Krishna ! You are worshipped by many names by all of us. Which name is most favourite to you ?" Krishna replied, "Arjuna ! With pure love and Bhakthi whatever name I am called is my favourite. But since you asking, there are 28 names which are very powerful & favourite to me. Anyone who chant these name with utmost Bhakthi will be very dear to me. These names are very important in kaliyuga because Namajapa is the only way to attain Mukti in Kaliyuga".  28 names of Shri Krishna 👇  मत्स्यं कूर्मं वराहं च, वमनं च जनार्दनम्  गोविन्दं पुण्डरीकाक्क्षं, माधवम् मधुसूदनम्  पत्मनाभं सहस्राक्षं, वनमाली हालायुदं गोवर्दनं ऋषीकेशं, वैकुण्डं पुरूषोत्तममं विश्वरूपं वासुदेवं, रामं नारायणं हरि  दामोदरं श्रीधरं च, वेदन्गं गरुडद्वजं अनन्तं कृष्णगोपालं, जपतो नास्ति पातकं Hare Krishna

Someshwara Temple Bengaluru, Karnataka Someshwara Temple is the oldest and famous temple located in Halasuru, which is also known as Ulsoor. Mahadeva is worshipped here as Someshwara.  Sthala Puranam says that, Kempe Gowda was ruling the area. He was on a hunt to the nearby forest, and felt tired, so decided to rest under a tree. Someshwara came in his dreams and instructed Kempe Gowda to construct a temple for Paramashiva with a Vigraham which is lying underground the area. Paramashiva also told to build the temple using buried treasure lying there.  Kempe Gowda soon found the Vigraham and treasure and thus constructed the temple. Temple has a square Garba Griham. It is believed that there is the presence of Ganga in the Kshetra Gopuram.  Ganga Devi is seen riding a crocodile here. Shivalingam here is same as worshipped by Mandavya Rishi.  Om Nama Shivaya