Majestic Temples of India

Why is Vada Mala offered to Anjaneyar? यत्र यत्र रघुनाथ कीर्तनम् तत्र तत्र क्रितमस्त कान्जलिं बष्पावरी परीपूर्णलोचनम् मारुतिं नमश्च राक्षस अंतकम् Wherever Sri Rama nama are sung, with teary eyes Hanuman will be there hearing all. Maha Periyava has explained the importance of Offering Vada Malai. Once Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt was asked about the significance of Vada Malai to Anjaneyar. Why Anjaneyar is adorned with Vadai which is made of Urud dhal. Maha Periyava replied that when Hanuman was a child, he went to catch the Sun with his hand. At that time Rahu, was also nearing Sun during eclipse time. Hanuman, vayu Putra won against Rahu & thus Rahu promised that whoever worship Hanuman with food made of Urud dhal will get relieved from Rahu Doshas, also Rahu is like a serpent therfore Offering made in garland pleases him more. Jai Hanuman

Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple Warangal, Telangana Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple also called as Ramappa Temple is at Warangal, Telangana. Craftsmanship to its excellence this is a Shiva Temple built during Kakatiyan period under rulers Rudradeva & Recharla Rudra. This is A UNESCO World Heritage Site. When every Temple is named after the diety this is perhaps the only temple which is named after it's Craftsman Ramappa. The construction which is a challenge to the researchers as light weight bricks were used even on 12th century which can float on water and can also stand in earthquake prone areas. At the entrance of the temple, we can find a Nandi mandapam. Garba Griham is naturally lit as it is arranged in such a way that reflection comes from the outer pillars. The musical pillar generates the seven musical notes. Unique carvings surrounding the temple shows the skills of our ancestors, our glorious Past. Om Namah Shivaya

Maa Tara Tarini Temple Ganjam, Odisha Maa Tara tarini Temple, located on the Kumari Hills by the banks river Rushikulya in the Gunjam District of Odisha. This is one of the Shakti Peethas and Tantra Peethas. It is believed to be Sthana Peetha of Maa Shakti. Temple is also related to Mahabharata where Shri Krishna and Arjuna worshipped Bhadrakali for strength here. Temple dates back to Kalingas, who worshipped Adi Shakti. There are two dieties here, Tara and Tarini. Maa Tara and Tarini are represented by two separate idol wearing gold and silver ornaments and brass heads called Chalanti Pratima are placed between them. Chaitra Mela/Chaitra Yatra is the most important among the festival celebrated here. Jai Maa

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Nuggehalli, Karnataka                                                      Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is located at Nuggehalli, Hassan District of Karnataka. Built by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the Hoysala during the reign of King Vira Someshwara, this is a fabulous temple with Trikuta Vimana, having 3 shrines. Main shrine is of Lakshmi Narasimha, Keshava and Gopala sannidhi is also seen here. Lakshmi narasimha Swamy is said to be powerful as every wishes of devotees come true. This place was called before as Agrahara, the place of learning. Temple is Hoysala rich heritage which is built on a platform of around 4 ft also this is family deity to many. Temple is built using Soapstone, larger Mandapa was added later. 3 sannidhi are located around a closed Mantapa. Temple is excellent master piece for architectural brilliance that cannot be replicated today eventhough we have every modern equipments. Natya Saraswathi, Mahavishnu Murthy's are real wonder

Veera Narayana Temple Chikmaglur, Karnataka                                           Veera Narayana Temple is located at Belavadi in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Temple stands as the best example of Hoysala architecture. Built in 13th century by Veera Ballala II this is built in Trikuta style having 3 vimanas, which means 3 shrines. During Summer solstice rays of Sun falls directly on Veera Narayana Swamy, main diety. It is believed that it was in this place Bheema killed Bakasura and protected the villages. Veera narayana Swamy sannidhi is in the centre, to the right is Yoga Narasimha and left is Venugopala. Built with soapstone the temple is excellent in architecture while other Hoysala temples in Belur are famous for sculptures. There are a total of 108 Lathe tuned pillars in this temple. 8 ft tall Chaturbhuja Veeranarayana Swamy is made of Salagrama with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Om Namo Narayanaya                                             

Shri Chandramouleshwara Temple Unkal, Karnataka Chandramouleshwara Temple which is situated at Unkal of Karnataka is dedicated to Paramshiva. About 900 year old temple showcases architectural skill of Chalukyas. This is preserved by ASI due to the marvelous sculptures here. It is said that Chalukyas built the temple in the 11th and 12th century to show off their skills and power to their enemies. It is believed that this temple was built overnight by a group of skilled sculptors. It was planned to finish the work by morning, but they couldn't complete the work on said time and thus structure is incomplete. Temple does not have gopuram. Eventhough this is unfinished temple it's architecture is excellent. Temple have two Shivalingas, one is Chaturmugha Linga means four faced Shiva Linga. Several devotees arrive here to have darshan on Monday Om Namah Shivaye

Kote Anjaneya temple Tumkur, Karnataka Kote Anjaneya temple dedicated to Shri Hanuman. Temple is located at Tumkur district of Karnataka. At the entrance of the temple there is 75 Hanuman statue in standing position with Shri Ram and Lakshmana in shoulders. Prathista of Shri Anjaneya Vigraham was done by Sri Vyasaraja. Sri Vyasaraja is regarded as the Rajaguru of the Vijayanagar Empire also the guru of the renowned poets Kanakadasa & Purandaradasa. Anjaneya is said to be the guardian here. Jai Hanuman

Shri Rangji Temple Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh Shri Rangji Temple is the largest temple in Vrindavan dedicated to Sri Goda-Rangamannar or Ranganathar and Goda Devi is Andal of Srivilliputhur who composed Tiruppuvai. Mahavishnu as Ranganathar is in shayana position on Sesh Naag. Temple is exactly a mixture of North and south. Story says that Ranganathar answered Andal's prayers. In Rangji Temple Krishna is present in kalyana kolam( bridegroom) with a stick. To his right is Andal who is Goda Devi and left is Garuda. Andal had expressed 3 wishes, To spend her life at the feet of Krishna in Vrindavan. Krishna accept her as his bride Ranganathar be offered Ksheeranna (dessert made of rice and milk). That was also fulfilled by Sri Ramanujacharya. Hare Krishna

Sri Venkataramana Swamy Temple Gadidam, Karnataka Gadidam Sri Venkataramana Swamy Temple also called Second Tirumala is located at Bagepalli of Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka. Mahavishnu is worshipped as Bhooneeladevi Sahita Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy. Sthala Puranam is associated with Mahabharatha. It is believed that Temple was built by Raja Janamejaya, son of Parikshit maharaja who ruled Bharatha Varsha. Parikshit was cursed by Maharshi Shamika's son that he will die of a Poisonous Snake (Takshak) bite After Parikshit's death. Janamejaya became king and he vows to kill all the Snakes & conducted Sarpasatra to destroy all Snakes. Serpents including aadi sesha prayed for help and Astika Muni came and requested Janamejaya to stop satram. But doshas of destroying serpents remained in him and became ill. Adhi Sesha suggested Janamejaya to build Vishnu temples to get relieved from the doshas. Thus this temple was constructed. After this period, Chola king had a dream &

Gita Jayanti परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्‌ । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ Gita Jayanti is celebrated on Ekadasi tithi in the Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month. It is on this day Shri Krishna gave Geethopadesha to Arjuna during Mahabharata war. During the war when Arjuna sees his own relatives and Guru on the opposite side he becomes reluctant to fight the war. Shri Krishna who is the charioteer of Arjuna advices Gita at that time. Krishna advices on what constitutes right action, proper understanding & the meaning of life & nature of Divine. Also devotion is the path towards self recognition. Reading Bhagavad Gita solves all problems of our life, teaches importance of self control also do our Karma without any desire. There are 700 verses in 18 adhyay. Visada Yoga, Sankhya Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Vairagya Yoga, Abhyasa Yoga, Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga, Vibhuti Yoga, Visvarupa Darsana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Ksetra Vibhaga Yoga, Gunatraya Vibhaga Yog

Subramaniya Swamy Temple Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu is one among Arupadai Veedu ( 6 abodes) of Shri Muruga and also located at ground level near sea while all others are located on mountains. Historical name of the temple is Jayanthipuram. Sthala Puranam says that Tiruchendur Murugan destroyed asura Surapadman here. Parvati Devi gave Vel ayudham to Muruga, Surapadman who hide himself to tree was killed by Muruga using Vel ayudham. Soorasamharam is very famous which is celebrated as the last day of the auspicious . The day after Soorasamharam is celebrated as ‘Thirukalyanam’, which is the day when the marriage ceremony of Murugan and Devasena took place Om Saravanabhava

Kurudumale Ganesha Temple Kolar, Karnataka Kurudumale Ganesha Temple is located at Kurudumale of Kolar district. Tall Vigraham of about 13 ft is made of Salagrama sila which prathista is said to be done by Tri Murthy's Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev. The Tri Murthy's along with other Devas when came together are called Koodu male or Kootadri which later came to be known as Kurudumale. It is believed that Vigraham has been in earth since 4 yugas, Kritha, Tretha, Dwapara and Kali yuga. Mahadev worshipped the Vigraham and during the search of Ma Sita, Sri Rama has worshipped here. Shri Krishna has also said to have worshipped here. Vigraham was seen by villagers and informed to King Krishnadevaraya. Later temple was built here. Very powerful Ganesha who always bestows every wishes of the devotees. People worship here before new job or new phase of their life. Ganesh Chaturthi is very famous here. विघ्न विनायक पाद नमस्ते

Karmanghat Hanuman Temple Hyderabad, Telengana One among the oldest Temple which Hanuman protected from Invasion... Situated at Karmanghat of Hyderabad this is a famous Hanuman temple. Kakatiya ruler while hunting heard Chanting of Ram Naama and found this sitting position of Hanuman Vigraham & prathista was done here. Pawan Putra Hanuman showers his blessing to all here. Story is related to Aurangzeb Invasion, when he couldn't enter the temple premises. Aurangzeb ordered his army to destroy the temple, his army men tried to enter the temple but some strong force stopped them. When they informed the matter to Aurangzeb he himself went to check. When reached near he heard a voice saying मंदिर तोडना है तो पहले तुम करो मन घट meaning if you want to destroy the temple first make your mind stable and powerful. When Aurangazeb thought this would be done by someone to trick him, he saw a powerful light coming from that area. With fear he fled from that place. Karo Man Ghat later change

Here is the story behind Statue of Maraprabhu situated at Guruvayur                                               Once during Sandhya time Poonthanam Namoodiri, a great devotee was reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam. Melpathur Bhattathiri was praying there yo Guruvayurappan. Suddenly Poonthanam recited "Padmanabha Maraprabhu" Instead of "Padmanabha Amaraprabhu"- Amaraprabhu means whose devotee can never be destroyed. Who himself is immortal. Maraprabhu means which can be destroyed like a tree. Poonthanam understood his mistake and sat with his head down while all others laughed at him. That time from inside the temple a voice was heard saying I am also Maraprabhu, what Poonthanam told is perfectly right. With remembrance to this story statue was constructed here in Guruvayur.