Majestic Temples of India

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple Mudigere, Karnataka Mudigere Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Hassan District of Karnataka. Narasimhar is seen in Yogasana posture and thus worshipped as Yoga Narasimhar about 7 ft tall. Lakshmi Varaha Sannidhi prathista is done to calm Narasimhar. Temple is constructed in Hoysala style architecture. Manjekaapu seva (turmeric) alankaram for Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy at this temple is very famous. Sthala Puranam is about the Ugra bhavam of Narasimhar. Before opening Garbha Griham people used to place green husk in front of the door. The green husk would catch fire because of the Ugra murthy. Thus to calm down ungra murthy, prathista of Lakshmi Varaha Swamy is done here. Before opening Narasimha sannidhi, Lakshmi Varaha sannidhi is opened first, and prathista is done such a way that drishti of Narasimhar falls straight to Lakshmi vahara murthy. Narasimha Jayanti is very famous here. Pillars in the temple depicts the brilliant Hoysala architectu...

Triprayar Ekadasi Utpanna Ekadasi/ Krishna Ekadasi Ekadasi tithi in the Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha month is called as Utpanna Ekadasi. In Kerala Ekadasi of Vrishchikam month is celebrated as Triprayar Ekadasi, in Triprayar Temple. Also called as Krishna Ekadasi, Ekadashi is said to have appeared on Margashirsha month from Mahavishnu to eliminate asura Murasura. Due to which this Ekadashi was named Utpanna Ekadashi. Taking vratham this day, one will attain Moksham with relieved with all the doshas. Triprayar Ekadasi Triprayar Shri Rama Temple is situated on the bank of river Theevra also called Purayar. Thus the place got the name Thirupurayar, later became Triprayar. Rama Vigraham at Thriprayar has four arms with Panchajanya, Sudarsana, Kodanda & a garland. Triprayar Ekadashi, one of main festival here is observed on the month of Vrishchikam. On the Ekadasi day, Shri Rama is taken in procession accompanied by twenty-one elephants. The temple along with 3 other temples of Laksh...

Navaneetha Krishna Temple Doddamallur, Karnataka Navaneetha Krishna Temple is situated at Doddamallur in Karnataka, is also called Ambegalu Navaneetha Krishna. This is only Temple where Krishna is in a crawling position with butter (navaneetha) in his hand. Prathistha of Vigraham is done by Veda Vyasa Muni. Krishna as a small crawling baby with butter in his hand is said to bless childless couples. Couples offer cradles here. There are many stories relating here, one is of a rich women who stayed in Bhadrachalam. She lost her eyesight and Krishna came in her dream & asked her to come here and serve him. She reached here and prayed to Krishna day & night. Thus she regained her eyesight. Another story is about King of Mysore, who, when visited here got attracted by this vigraham and took vigraham with him. Krishna came in his dream and ordered to return back to Temple. But King didn't obey and as a result part of Palace caught fire. King then returned the vigraham with dur r...

Why should we whisper in Nandi's Ear first Do you Know ? In Shiva temples before worshipping Shiva, we should pray & ask permission of Nandi first. Nandi always sits there & prays before Mahadev. There is a story behind of why we should whisper in Nandi's ear first. Once Parvati Devi lost her memories and due to this Mahadev wad very much worried. Mahadev along with Devi Parvati immersed themselves in prayers for peace of mind and Nandi also joined them. That time an asura Jalandharan came and took Maa Parvati away from Mahadev. Bhagwan who was in deep prayers didn't knew this. Devas who knew this conveyed the news to Ganesha to inform Mahadev. Eventhough Ganesha tried to woke Mahadev, he failed. Atlast Ganesha thought of a plan, he told everything to Nandi who was sitting straight to Mahadev. Nandi conveyed everything he heard to Mahadev. Atonce Mahadev woke from Tapasya and brought Devi back. From that day this practice is followed by all Devas and it is being tr...

Vaikom Ashtami Vaikom, Kerala Vaikathashtami is celebrated at Vaikom Mahadeva temple of Kottayam, Kerala, which is observed on Ashtami of Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. It is on this day Paramashiva along with Parvati Devi gave Darshan to Vyagarapada Muni. This place was thus called as Vyagrapadapuram which later came to known as Vaikom. Muruga ( Udayanapuram) who came after destroying Tarakasura is welcomed by Paramashiva (Vaikathappan) here. Vaikathappan is not offered any special poojas or Neivedyam on this day as it is said that Paramashiva observes vratham for his Son's ( Muruga) Victory. He waits for his Son's arrival after victory. Later, Muruga from Udayanapuram Temple arrive after defeating Tarakasura. Paramashiva welcomes his son in a grand manner. Later after all rituals Udayanapurathappan returns which is very emotional. Vaikathashtami is 13day function in which 12th day is Ashtami. Om Namah Shivaye

Sri Marikamba Temple Sirsi , Karnataka Shri Marikamba Temple located at Sirsi of Uttara Kannada District in Karnataka. Marikamba Maa is a form of Durga Devi, also called as Doddamma Temple, Devi is considerd as elder sister of all Mariamman. Vigraham is about 7ft high with 8 hands. Story says that 7ft vigraham was found in a pond near Hangal. Later King of Sonda, Sadashiva Rao gave orders to do prathista of the wooden deity here. Marikamba Temple is decorated with Kavi art on both sides of its walls. Marikamba Temple is well known for Marikamba Jathre, held once in two years which is considered one of the biggest Ratha festivals Karnataka. Jai Maa

Kodandarama Temple Golla Mamidada, Andhra Pradesh Kodandarama Temple is located in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh is really an Architectural Wonder of India. Also called as Konaseema Ayodhya, is very famous Shri Rama Temple, who is worshipped as Kodandarama here. Built on the banks of Tulyabhaga (Antharvahini), a tributary of Godavari River. The temple structure is architectural marvel with two gopurams, East Gopuram is 170 ft and West, about 200ft. Gopurams are adorned with many scriptures depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatam. Temple is also called as Chinna Bhadradi or Little Bhadrachalam, built by two brothers Dwarampudi Subbi Reddy and Rami Reddy. There is a mirror hall in the temple, which has a Scripture of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam. Sri Rama Navami is the most prominent festival celebrated. Jai Sree Ram

Sri Rama Chandra Temple Ammapalli, Telengana Ammapalli Seetha Rama Swamy Temple is located near Hyderabad. This village is called Ammapalli because of Seetha devi. There are two ponds in this temple, & Chakra theertha is of Shri Rama. Vigraham is said to be 1000 year old. There is a large image of Mahavishnu in sleeping posture above the gateway. At entrance to main temple there is Koorma avatar which is very rare. It is believed that this temple was built by vengi chalukyas in 13th century. Vigraham of Shri Rama along with Mata Seetha and Lakshmana is seen here. Hanuman Vigraham is not seen inside the Garbha Griham, but placed near Dwaja Sthambam facing Shri Ram. Shri Rama Navami festivals are performed in grand manner every year. Jai Shri Ram

Ranganatha Swamy Temple Nellore, Andhra Pradesh Ranganatha Swamy Temple, also called Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy is located at Nellore of Andhra Pradesh. Temple is situated on the banks of River Pennar. Ranganathar is seen in reclining position. Sthala Puranam says that once Mahavishnu wanted to visit Bhooloka along with Sridevi. Mahavishnu asked Adisesha to be the place of his residence at Bhoploka. Thus Adisesha took the form of a mountain in this place and the place got the name Talpagiri Kshetram, Talpa refers to Adisesha. It is believed that when Kashyapa muni performed Poundarika Yagna on the day of Ekadasi, Mahavishnu appeared and blessed him. Ranganatha Swamy is seen in reclining position on Adisesha. Vigraham of Ranganathar is 10 feet long, with Lakshmi Devi worshipped on his chest and Brahma Deva  on the lotus coming from Ranganathar's Navel. It is believed that Shri Rama visited this place during Vanavasam. Brahmotsavam and Ratha yatra are the festivals celebrated in a gr...

Shri Kalahasti Temple Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh Kalahasti Temple is situated at Chittoor district of AP. This is a Pancha bhoota Sthalam which represents Vayu & also Rahu Ketu Parihara Sthalam. Paramashiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshiped as Kalahasteeswara here. Vayu Deva observed tapasya to Karpura Lingam here and Mahadev blessed Vayu, as Lingam will be known in his name thus Karpura Vayu Lingam. Sri Kalahasteeswara is Swayambu lingam who gave moksham to Spider ( Sri), Snake ( Kala) & Elephant ( Hasti). Temple Nada will be opened even during eclipse. Sthala Puranam is about a great devotee Kannappa Swamy. He once saw blood coming out of Mahadev's eyes. To stop bleeding he took one of his eye and placed before Lingam. When he was about to take another eye, Shiva appeared and stopped him. Temple is very famous for Rahu Ketu Poojas and also called as Dakshina Kailasam

Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple is a cave temple situated on the Mangalagiri. Mangalagiri is one of the Ashta swayamvyaktha Kshetram of Maha Vishnu. Narasimhar is Swayambhu here. Sthala Puranam says that there was an asura, Namuchi, who was destroyed by Mahavishnu here. It is said that Mahavishnu has told Devas that offering Panakam will cool down his anger after slaying demon Namuchi, which happened in Krithayugam, he would be satisfied with ghee in Threthayugam, milk in Dwaparayugam & with panakam(Jaggery water) in Kaliyugam. We can pour Panakam to Wide open mouth of Narasimhar and a gargling sound is heard while pouring. This will happen every time we pour the jaggery water. There are no traces as to where this Panakam goes, also we cannot find any ant nearby. Narasimha Murthaye Namah

Srikurmam Kurmanathaswamy Temple Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh Sri Kurmanathaswamy Temple is located in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Kurmanathaswamy & Lakshmi Devi as Kurmanayaki. Mahavishnu is worshipped in the form of Kurma avatar here according to wishes of Swetha Chakravarthi. Sthala Puranam says that, a King called Swetha Chakravarthy was ruling the area. His wife Vishnu Priya was doing Tapas for Mahavishnu on Ekadashi, but king disturbed her. She prayed to Mahavishnu who created a flood & Swetha Chakravarthy was carried away. In this King's health began to deteriorate. Mahavishnu created a lake from his Sudharshana Chakra. The king bathed in the lake and got his health back & lake came to be known as Swetha Pushkarini. The king requested Mahavishnu to stay here & Mahavishnu resided as  Srikurmanathaswamy. This is only temple where Kurma avatar of Mahavishnu is worshipped. Om Namo Narayanaya

Sri Sampige Srinivasa Temple Tumkur, Karnataka Sampige Srinivasa Temple, located in Tumkur is very old temple dedicated to Srinivasa. The village was called as Champakapuri because of Champaka trees. Srinivasa Perumal Temple dates back to Dwapara Yuga. Temple was once worshipped by King Sudhanva who ruled there. After his rule temple became unnoticed and thus became an Anthill. It is said that Narada Muni would come & worship Srinivasa every night with Devas. Once a villager who was passing the way found bright light from the anthill and he discovered Vigraham here. Later he informed authorities who built a grant temple here. Ratholsavam is very famous here. Annual Brahmotsavam is held during May. Perumal is seen here holding Shanka, Chakra, Gadha. Om Namo Narayanaya

Dasarighatta Chowdeshwari Temple Tumkur, Karnataka Chowdeshwara temple is located at Dasarighatta of Tumkur district Karnataka. Shakti Devi is worshipped as Chowdeshwari Ammavaru here. Temple is said to be 300 years old, and Vigraham is of Panchaloham. Temple holds a great & beautiful speciality, in which we can write each and every question directly & Devi will answer our questions. It is believed that Devi answers all the questions even in the mind of a devotee. The question can be asked in any language of Kannada, Hindi, English, Telugu etc. The poojari is believed to write down the answers in the Kannada on  rice flour or ragi flour base. Sree Mahadevyai Namaha

  Why should we light a Diya / Deepam daily? दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः । दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥ Deepam not only removes the darkness from home but also from our mind & purifies us. The ghee/ Oil & the flame signifies Devi Lakshmi of Wealth. The brightness of the flame resembles Devi Saraswati, who bestows us with education and knowledge. The heat from the flame signifies Devi Durga, who burns away and destroys all evil. Lakshmi Devi enters home only in Diya lit houses. Lightning Deepam fills Positive energy at our home. Agni (one of Pancha bhoota) is the purest element because it never looses its purity when compared to other elements of Air, Water, Earth & Sky. After lighting Deepam in pooja room, one Diya should be kept near tulasi plant. दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh Yaganti temple is located in Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh. Agastya muni did Prathista here of Uma Maheswara. It is believed that no crows have been seen here in the cave temple as Agastya muni cursed them after being disturbed while in meditation. Story says that Agastya muni wanted to build a temple for Venkateswara here. However the toe nail of the Vigraham broke while making and he couldn't do Prathista. Agastya muni did tapasya feeling Saddened by this. Mahadev appeared here and instructed muni do do Shiva Prathista as this place resembles Kailash. Agastya muni requested Shiva to give him a Vigraham. Mahadev gave him Uma Maheswara Vigraham, thus was Prathista done here. Pushkarini, a small pond of water in temple premise, water is coming from Nandi's mouth but it's origin is not known. Interesting part is, Nandi here grows in size. According to ASI Nandi grows 1 inch every 20 years. Har Har Mahadev

Vaidyanathar Temple Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu Vaidyanathar Temple is located in Madavar Vilagam near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar of TN. Paramashiva is worshipped as Vaidyanathar who can cure any disease. Parvathi Devi is Shivakami Amman here. Sthala Puranam says that, Once king Thirumalai Nayakar was suffering from severe stomach pain. Hearing about Vaidyanatha Swamy he arrived here & stayed for 48 days. He had food only after completing poojas in temple & was completely cured of disease. Temple tank is called Siddhamirtham which is believed to have Amrit. Taking a dip in this tank is said to relieve from all illness. Another story is about a pregnant lady who was a great Shiva Bhakt. She asked her mother to come to help her but her mother was unable to reach her. The lady herself started to walk to her mother's home But on the way developed labour pain. She called out for Paramashiva who came as her mother and helped in delivering child. Thus this temple is also f...

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, located in Virudhunagar of Tamil Nadu is one among 108 Divya Desam & birth place of Andal & Periazhwar. Mahavishnu worshipped as Vadapathrasayi & Devi as Andal. Temple gopuram is used as  State Emblem of TN. Sthala Puranam here is associated with Andal, who is one among 12 Azhwars. Story is like this, Periyazhvaar, a great scholar & ardent devotee of Mahavishnu. He used to make beautiful garlands to Mahavishnu daily. One day, while collecting  flowers, he found a small girl in the garden. Periyazhvaar named her Andal & brought her up as his own daughter. One day, he saw that the Garland was worn by Andal before adorning to Mahavishnu. Periazhwar got angry & warned her not to repeat this. That night Mahavishnu came to his dream & asked him not to get angry with Andal and  said that hereafter garland must be first worn by Andal. Mahavishnu also adviced Periazhwar to...

Sri Vidya Rajagopalaswamy Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu Mannarkudi Rajagopalaswamy temple, also called Raja Mannargudi, Vasudeva Puri, Dakshina Dwaraka. Moolavar is Paravasudeva Perumal & Senkamala Thayar. Utsavar Rajagopalaswamy with Rukmini & Sathyabhama. Sthala Puranam says that Perumal came here for two rishis Sri Gopralaya & Gopila. Both rishis went to Dwaraka for Krishna Darshan but by that time Dwaraka was fully submerged & Krishna advices them to pray at Shenbagaranyam (forest of Shenbaga flowers) so this templeis also called Champakaranya Kshetram. Perumal first came as Paravasudevar & then Rajagopalar. Beautiful murthy, whom we cannot take our eyes from him wearing a half dhoti, holding a whip (chendu) in right hand in the company of cows and calves, all lovingly gazing at his lotus face. Temple Pushkarini is Haridra Nadhi. Story is about Shri Krishna & Gopis where a competition is held, whoever finishes bath & wears all ornaments will win. When Krishna s...

Story of Jagannath Prabhu One day the king of Puri went to have Darshan of Prabhu Jagannath. It was late in the evening and the temple was about to close. There was a flower vendor outside the temple who almost sold everything, she was left with one flower only. It is a custom that we should not go empty handed why Darshan at temple, so King went to flower vendor and asked for that remaining 1 flower. When she was about to give it a wealthy merchant came an offered double the rate, thus this started a debate and also auction for that flower. King who was ready to give anything for Jagannath Prabhu gave his entire Kingdom to the vendor to which merchant couldn't win. King offered flower to Jagannath and slept in the roadside losing his kingdom. That night Bhagwan Jagannath came in his dreams and asked to remove that flower from his head. The weight of it was unbearable for the prabhu. The king asked reason as to How  a flower is heavy for someone who can lift the entire creation. Ja...

Brahma Temple Pushkar, Rajasthan Pushkar is called Temple city of Rajasthan. There are more than 500 temples in this city. The only temple in the world for Brahma Deva is situated here. Brahma Deva once tried to kill an asura named Vajranabh with his lotus. After destroying the asura, Brahma  Deva wished to perform yajna to relieve himself from this. During the Yajna, Saraswati Devi wasn’t present there so to complete ritual Brahma invited Devi Gayatri, and completed the yajna. On arrival when Saraswati Devi came to know about Gayatri Devi, She got furious and cursed Brahma to not to be worshipped anywhere, but later feeling sad told that Brahma’s temple will be here in Pushkar only. According to the people the temple is more than 2000 years old. Om Brahma

Omkareshwar Temple Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh Omkareshwar Temple is located in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh in the banks of river Narmada. Temple is one among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Situated on the island in the shape of ॐ symbol, there are two temples for Paramashiva here, Omkareshwar &  Mamleshwar. Sthala Puranam says that, Vindya, who was controlling the Vindyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to relieve himself for the sins. He made a Vigraham of Paramashiva and worshipped it. Paramashiva was pleased with him and came before him as Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. Omkareshwar is worshipped here, while Amaleswara is worshipped in Mamleshwar. There is a cave here for Adi Shankaracharya here. Adi Shankaracharya met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada here just downside of the same Omkareshwar Jyothirlinga temple. Om Nama Shivaya

Mayureshwar Temple Morgaon, Maharashtra Mayureshwar Temple is located in Pune District of Maharashtra. Kshetra is one among the Ashta Vinayak Temples & also starting point of the Yatra. Mayureshwar is named after the village where lot of peacocks were found. Story says Ganesha came here on a peacock to defeat Sindhu asur. Ganesha fought with asura and atlast destroyed him here. As per Ganesha Purana this is one among three most important places for Ganesha. Seen in a sitting position with trunk turning towards left, Ganesha is with Siddhi and Buddhi. Once Nandi was taken on a cart for its Prathista in nearby Shivalaya. Suddenly the cart carrying Nandi broke in front of this temple & Nandi sat here forever. Eventhough people tried a lot to move Nandi, everyone failed. The man who carried Nandi Maharaj had a dream that Ganesha wish to stay here forever. Thus Prathishta of Nandi is made here in Mayureshwar Temple. Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

Kiranotsav of Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur, Maharashtra Mahalakshmi Temple is one among the Shakti Peethas, where eyes of Shakti  Devi are said to have fallen. Kiranotsav is celebrated 3 times in a year when Sun's rays falls directly on the Vigraham of Mahalakshmi Ambabai. Kiranotsav is a divine festival that has been going on since centuries. During sun set golden rays of Sun first touch Maa's feet, then chest and at last Face and entire body. All lights were kept off during this time and Maa Shines in Sun's rays

Trimbakeshwar Temple Nashik, Maharashtra Trimbakeshwar is one among twelve Jyotirlingas. The origin of the sacred river Godavari is here. Kusavarta kund in the temple premises is the source of the River. Jyotirlinga located here has 3 faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Story says that. Once there was a famine for many years and people were affected. However, Varuna Deva, pleased with Sage Gautama made rain every day in Gautama's Ashram which was in Trimbakeshwar. Gautama used to sow rice in the surrounding fields of his Ashram in the morning, reap Crop in the afternoon and with it fed all rishis, who took shelter in his Ashram. Once a cow was grazing in ashram, angered with this Gautama threw Dharbha at cow and it died. Thus to get rid of Paap from Gau Hatya Gautama prayed Shiva and according to Mahadev's instruction brought Godavari here. Gautama bathed there and he got rid of Dosham Har Har Mahadev

Bedi Anjaneya Temple Puri, Odisha Bedi Anjaneya Temple is located in Puri, Odisha. Temple is also called Dharia Mahavir Temple. Dharia meaning Sea, & Mahavir is Hanuman. Temple is situated near sea, & the story is connected with Jagannath Prabhu of Puri. It is believed that Daria Mahavir protects Puri city against the fury of sea. When Jagannath Temple was built, Varuna Deva, visited Maha Prabhu, to pay respects but sea water entered the city, causing damage to the city, as he is Deva who control sea. People prayed to Jagannatha to get rid of floods, Jagannatha Prabhu inturn asked Hanuman to protect the city against floods. But whenever Hanuman went to Ayodhya or he went to pray before Jagannatha sea water again entered Puri. To protect the city against the floods, Jagannatha chained Hanuman. When Hanuman tried to cut the chains he saw Rama Nama in the chain as to which he couldn't cut it. Jagannatha asked Hanuman to safeguard the city without leaving the place. Thus Bedi A...