Majestic Temples of India

Sri Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar Temple Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu  Sri Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar Temple is located in Uppur of Ramanathapuram District. Temple is also called Suryapuri. The rays of the sun fall on the southern side of Vinayagar during Dakshinayanam and covering the other side during Utharayanam time.  Sthala Puranam says that, after the Daksha Yagam, Paramashiva was very angry with all the Devas who had participated in it and cursed Surya Deva. It is believed that Surya Deva came here to relieve himself of this curse. He went to Devipuram, Kalipuram and this temple and prayed to Ganapathy.  Ganapathy was pleased with his prayers and relieved Surya's curse and according to his request Vinayagar stayed here. As Vinayagar accepted Surya Devan's prayers, he is worshipped here as Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar.  Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

Iringol Kavu Ernakulam, Kerala Iringol Kavu, located in Perumbavoor of Ernakulam district is one among 108 Durga Temples in Kerala of which Prathista is done by Parasurama. Located amidst forests in the Kummathunad Taluk is the unique Iringole Kavu which have historic significance.  Sthala Puranam says that, after the birth of Krishna, Vasudeva took him to Vrindavan, towards the house of Nanda and Yashoda, and replaced their girl child and took her to prison.  Kamsa decided to kill the girl child. It is believed that the little baby who rose up from his hands as he attempted to kill, fell as a bright light. The place where the light  fell was called Irrunnol which is Iringole today. It is said that all the Devas surrounded Devi in the form of trees and plants here.  Devi is worshipped in 3 forms, Saraswati in the morning to Vanadurga in the afternoon &  Bhadrakali in evening.  Shri Mahadevyai Namaha 

Dwaraka Tirumala Temple West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh Dwaraka Tirumala Temple is located in West Godavari District. Sri Venkateswara is Kaliyuga Vaikunta Vasa. This place is also called Chinna Tirupati meaning Small Tirupathi. Place is called Dwaraka Tirumala after a Saint Dwaraka, who found out the Swayambhu Vigraham.  Aja Maharaja, the Grand father of Sri Rama worshiped Venkateswara Sway for his marriage. But on his way to the Swayamvaram with Indumati,  he did not offer worship even while passing the temple. Aja Maharaja was forced to face a battle with other kings, but soon realized his mistake. Raja prayed to Venkateswara swamy and suddenly all the Kings stopped the battle.  Those who are not able to worship in Tirumala, worship Venkateshwara Swamy in Chinna Tirupathi, which is considered equal. Temple is surrounded by rivers like Krishna and Godavari. Venkateshwara is Swayambhu here. Thiru Kalyanotsavam is very famous here.  Om Namo Venkateswaraya

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh  Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta is located in Kadapa District. Shri Rama is worshipped as Kodandarama here. This is one of the rare temples where there is no Anjaneya Vigraham in a Rama Kshetram.  Sthala Puranam says that during Vanavasam when Shri Rama, Mata Sita and Lakshmana spend some time when Mata Sita felt thirsty. Shri Rama shot an arrow in the earth and sweet water came out. Later these formed two tanks known as Rama theertham and Lakshmana Theertham.  It is believed that temple was built by Mittudu and Vontudu two robbers who turned into devotees. After construction of the temple both of them sacrificed their lives and transformed as statues in the temple itself. Seetha Rama Kalyanam on Sri Rama Navami festival is celebrated in a grand manner.  Jai Shri Ram  

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Thiruvonam Special Pathanamthitta, Kerala Aranmula Parthasarathy Kshetram located at Pathanamthitta on the banks of river Pamba is one among 108 Divya Desham. Mahavishnu is worshipped as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna. Prathishta of Vigraham was done by Arjuna, which one among 5 Kshetram in which Prathista us done by Pancha Pandavas.  Temple Vigraham was brought on a raft which was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, place is called as Aranmula, which means six bamboo pieces. It is also believed that, Arjuna did Prathishta of Vigraham here to relieve himself from dosha of killing Karna. Mahavishnu retrieved Vedas to Brahma Deva here. Pratyaksha Darshanam to Vyasa Muni.  Another story is about Mahabharata war where Bheeshma could be won only if he allows to. But Bheeshma was not ready to surrender and this made Krishna angry. Krishna took his Sudarshana Chakra aiming at Bheeshma, thus Bheeshma surrenders. It is this Roopam of Krishna, worshipped as V

Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple Tumkur, Karnataka  Mahalakshmi Temple is located in Goravanahalli of Tumkur District. Vigraham of Mahalakshmi is Swayambhu here. Those who cannot visit Kolhapur mahalakshmi temple, visit this temple and seek blessings.  Sthala Puranam says that, a villager Abbayya got the Vigraham of Mahalakshmi. He started to worship Devi at his home and he was blessed with wealth and all success. Abbayya used to feed poor in his house and his house was known as Lakshmi Nivasa.  Later his brother Thotadappa started doing pooja to Devi. One day, he had a dream where Mahalakshmi asked him to construct a temple for her. Thus temple was built here. It was forgotten abandoned later till Kamalamma arrived here and she started doing poojas. Mahalakshmi temple is very famous in Bangalore. Sri Mahadevyai Namaha

Sri Kodandarama Temple Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh  Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple is located in Tirupathi District of Andhra Pradesh. Sri Rama, Seethamma Thalli and Lakshmana are worshipped here. Seperate sannidhi for Anjaneyar is also there.  Sthala Puranam as mentioned in Varaha Puranam says that while returning from Lanka Sree Rama, along with Lakshmana, Sita Mata and Hanuman resided here. Temple was later built by Cholas. Temple Kulam is Ramachandra Pushkarini.  Hanumantha Vahana Seva, Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam and Sri Rama Pattabhisheka Mahotsavam are celebrated during Shri Rama Navami. Brahmotsavam is conducted on March - April.  Jai Shri Ram

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Dharmapuri, Telangana  Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam is located at Dharmapuri, Telangana State. The temple is on the banks of River Godavari. Narasimhar here is Swayambhu. Sthala Puranam says that Mahavishnu took Narasimha Avataram and destroyed Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha’s anger didn’t go down even after destroying the asura king. Prahalada and many Devatas prayed for Narasimhar to calm down.  Thus Narasimhar medidated here in this place in Yoga Mudra position. Later, King Dharma Varma an ardent devotee of Mahavishnu built the temple. Temple have sannidhi of Mahavishnu, Mahadeva and Brahma Deva so it is also called Trimurthi Kshetram.  Narasimha Jayanthi,  Vaikunta Ekadasi and Karthika Pournami days are very important here.  Om Narasimhaya Namaha

Sri Peddamma Thalli Temple Hyderabad, Telengana  Sri Peddamma Thalli Temple is located in Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad. Lakshmi Devi is worshipped here as Santhana Lakshmi, sitting on a lion. Peddamma comes from two words ‘ Pedda and amma, means mother of children or Supreme Mother  Sthala Puranam says that, after defeating Mahishasura, Devi is said to have come here to quench her thirst. A shepherd later noticed the Vigraham of Devi here and the villagers did Prathishta of Vigraham.  Mahishasura got Brahma Deva's blessings that neither man nor god could kill him. To put an end to his cruelties, Durga Devi fought with asura as requested by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the Trinity. Devi fought and destroyed asura in a battle, which lasted 10 days. Thus Durga pooja is celebrated as victory of good over evil.  Bonaalu festival is famous here where women carry earthen pots covered with neem leaves along with turmeric and kumkum, containing items such as rice, jaggery, milk etc.  Shri Mahad

Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy Temple East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh  Kumararama Samarlakota Bhimeswara Temple is one of the Pancharama Kshetras of Paramashiva, situated in East Godavari District. Other four temples are Amararama, Somarama and Draksharama Ksheerarama.  Paramashiva is worshipped here as Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy and Parvathi Devi as Balatripura Sundari.  During the Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Lingam which was in the throat of Tarakasura broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Bhimeswara Swamy Prathista was done by Karthikeya, who is also called Kumara Swamy. Thus name of temple became popular as Kumararama.   King Chalukya Bhima built the temple to record his history of 300 victories in wars. The main entrance of the temple is also popular as Surya Dwaram. Maha Shivarathri, Dusherha are very famous here. It is said that worshipping the Pancharama Kshetras one will attain Moksha.  Om Nama Shivaya

Tanot Mata Temple Jaisalmer, Rajasthan The temple of Tanot Mata is an eye witness to the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak war.  Temple is about 1200 years old. Tanot Mata is very close to the battle site of Longewala. In Indo Pak war more than 3000 of bombs were dropped in the vicinity of the temple, but none exploded. We can see some of those bombs in the Museum built by BSF inside the temple premises. Indian soldiers perform arti here at Tanot Mata Temple and offer their respects. Deity protected our soldiers Om Mata  

Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh  Gunupidi Someswara Janardhana Swami Temple, also known as Somarama is located near Bhimavaram of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Temple is one among the Pancharama Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh.   Sthala Puranam says that, Prathista of Shivalingam here was done by Chandran therefore Paramashiva is called Someswara. It is believed that the colour of the Vigraham here changes on full moon day and Amavasya. On full moon days, the Vigraham changes to white, and on Amavasya it changes to black. Parvathi Devi is worshipped here as Rajarajeswari Ammavaru. Annapoorneshwari Temple is situated just above the Garbhagriham of Paramashiva. The temple is situated on the banks of Godavari River. Mahashivaratri and Navaratri are famous in the temple.  Om Nama Shivaya

Naga Panchami  Naga Panchami is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Panchami during Shravan month. It is a day to worship to the Nag Devta. Naga Panchami is also called Garuda Panchami. Vratham is undertaken this day to reduce the effects of Naga Dosham.  Offering milk and doing poojas are done during Naga panchami. Women keep vratham and pray for the well being of their brothers and other family members. Many stories are connected with Naga panchami. It is said that people celebrate this day was the victory of Shri Krishna over Kalia a huge black serpent that was defeated by Krishna in the Yamuna river.  Another story is about Janamejaya who started sarpa yajna to destroy nagas, as his father Parikshit was killed by Takshak. Millions of Naga family was destroyed in the yaagam. But Astika came to Janamejaya and stopped him from doing Yajna and thus protected all Nagas. It is believed that this happened on Panchami of Shukla Paksha thus celebrated as Naga panchami.  अनन्तो वासुकिः शेषः पद्मनाभश