Majestic Temples of India

Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu Panchamukhi (5) faced Hanuman, is situated at a distance of 2km from Ramanathaswamy Temple. Hanuman revealed 5 faces here such as Hanuman, Narasimha, Adi Varaha, Garuda & Hayagriva. During Ramayana war, Ravana sought help of Ahiravan, king of Patal Lok to attack Rama. Ahiravan disguised himself as Vibhishana took Rama & Lakshmana to Patal loka. Ahiravan could be killed only by extinguishing 5 lamps at same time which was in 5 directions. Hanuman took Panchamukha Anjaneya Avatar, destroyed Ahiravan & saved Rama Lakshmana. Floating stones are seen in temple tank, which was used to construct Sethu Bandanam from Rameswaram to Lanka.

Namdev Chi Payari (The step named after Namdev) Namadwar Story of First Step in Pandharpur Temple is named after Namdev.. An ardent Bhakt Namdev is a great Saint & an ardent bhakt of Pandharpur Panduranga. As a child once his mother asked Namdev to do Naivedya to Bhagwan. Namdev does offerings and waited for Vitthal to take. He keeps praying and requests God to come in person and accept the offering. Namdev started to cry holding Lotus feet of Vitthal to accept the offering. Moved by his innocence and Bhakti Vitthal arrives and had the Prasad. Vitthal welcomed Namdev to Vaikuntam with him. But Namdev requested Vithoba to stay as a step in the temple so that each of the devotee will step on him & dust of their feet will fall on him. That Ultimate Bhakti which refused Vaikuntam was highest than ever. Panduranga accepted & blessed Namdev with his wish. Thus the first step of the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur is called Namdev Chi Payari.

Kapaleshwar Mahadev Temple Nashik, Maharashtra Kapaleshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Panchavati, Nashik of Maharashtra. Situated near Godavari River & Ramkund this is a famous Shiva Temple & unique because Nandi Maharaj will not be seen here. Story goes about when Brahma Deva had 5 faces. Four faces used to worship God. But one face always used to do speak evil. Mahadeva separated that face and due to this he got Brahma hatya dosham. To get rid of dosha, Shiva travelled all places but he could not find a way. When he went to Someshvar, a calf not only told what to do but also took him here. That was Nandi who guided Mahadev. He asked Shiva to bath in Ramkund to get relieved from doshas. Therefore Mahadev treated Nandi as his Guru here and forbidded Nandi to sit before him as a mark of respect.

Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Temple Palani, Tamil Nadu Thaipoosam/Thaipooyam : Today Thaipooyam is a famous festival for Muruga, celebrated in Tamil month of Thai & pooyam Nakshatra. Thaipoosam is celebrated in grand manner at Palani Muruga temple Located at Palani of Tamil Nadu this is a famous temple of Subramanya also one among 6 abodes ( Arupadai Veedu) of Shri Muruga. Vigraham is made of Nava Paashanam made by Bogar. This have high medicinal value which can cure any disease. When Muruga failed to win the divine fruit from Ganesha, he became angry & went to Palani and stood here. Paramashiva consoled him by saying he himself is very divine. Pazham Nee name later changed to Palani. Agasthya Muni asked an asura called Idumba to to carry two hills in his shoulders to be placed in the South to create balance in earth which was disturbed due to marriage of Shiva Parvati. The Asura carried hills down south and rested in a place. When he tried to lift one of the hills, it didn't m...

Saranatha Perumal Temple Thirucherai, Tamil Nadu One among the 108 Divya Desam, Saranatha Perumal Temple in Thirucherai is located in Tamil Nadu. Perumal is worshipped as Saranathan & thayar Saranayaki. Perumal is worshipped with 5 thayar here Sridevi, Boomidevi, Neela devi, Mahalakshmi and Sara Naayagi During the time of Maha Pralaya, Brahma Deva requested Mahavishnu to protect tools for Srishti together with vedas. Vishnu asked to put vedas in a strong mud pot. Finally Brahma Deva found mud from here, Thirucherai & saved all vedas from Pralay. Thus this place which gave strong mud to protect all vedas is called Sara Shetram. Temple is one of Pancha Sara Kshetrams (Saranathan, Sara Nayagi, Sara Vimanam, Sara Theertham and Sara Kshetram thus Pancha Saara Kshetram ) Azhagiya Manavala Naicker ruled Tanjore, planned to build a temple for Rajagopala swamy in Mannarkudi. He appointed a minister to get stones from all places. Minister a great devotee of Saranatha Perumal wanted a tem...

Shri Vitthal Rukimini Temple Pandharpur, Maharashtra Vitthal temple is situated at Pandharpur, on the banks of River Chandrabhaga, Maharashtra. One of the important temple's where Mahavishnu is worshipped as Vitthal, Panduranga, Vithoba. Pandharpur is referred as Naada Bhrama Kshetra. This is the only temple where we can touch Mahavishnu's feet & keep our forehead in his Lotus Feet. Story says that once Devi Rukimini was disappointed with Krishna seeing his closeness towards Radha Rani. Ma Rukmini went to Dindir van and started tapasya. Krishna who followed Rukmini Devi & came here, tried to console her. Devi was upset & thus Krishna went to visit his Bhaktha Pundalik. When Krishna reached Pundalik's house he was taking care of his aged parents. Pundalik gave Krishna a brick and asked to wait. Krishna stood on the brick with his hands on hips watching Pundalik. Later Pundalik begged for pardon, satisfied Krishna granted him a wish. Pundalik asked Krishna to stay...

Srinivasa who resides at Saptha Giri (Seven Hills) सप्तगिरि वासा श्रीनिवासा Tirumala Venkateshwara Swamy resides at Saptha Giri ( 7 hills). The Seven Hills where Perumal resides are Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. Details👇 The Seven peaks of Tirupati represents 7 heads of Adhisesha Vrushabadri : Hill is the home of Nandi, Paramashiva's Vahana. Once there lived an Asura Vrushabhasura, who fought with Shiva who was defeated & he requested Paramashiva to name the hill after him which is Vrushabadri Anjanadri : Anjana Devi did tapasya here & Hanuman was born after vayu deva gave her divine fruit. Neeladri : Whoever donates hair here are blessed by Neela Devi as a wish received from Mahavishnu for offering her own hair. Giving our hair is the symbol of leaving our ego. Garudadri : Mahavishnu instructs Garuda, his Vahana to reside here. Seshadri: Hill is named after Adhisesha. When Vayu & Sesha had a fight, Vishnu asked ...

Male Mahadeshwara Temple Chamarajanagar, Karnataka Male Mahadeshwara Temple is located in Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. This is very popular temple which is situated in Hill range which constitutes 7 hills called as Elu Male. Mahadev is Swayambhu lingam here. Sthala Puranam is about Mahadeshwara who is believed an incarnation of Mahadev. Sri Mahadeshwara was born to poor parents. He then came here to do tapasya. Here he saw an asura, Shravana, who had captured many rishis. It is said that Sri Mahadeshwara killed asura and protected the sages who were in his prison. The place where they were kept captive is called Thavasere and the place where Shravana lived is called Shravana Boli. Sri Mahadeshwara then performed Tapas here. It is believed that he is still performing tapasya in the Garbha Gudi in the form of a Linga. The Temple of Mahadeshwara was built by Junje Gowda. Har Har Mahadev

Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy Temple Narayanavanam, Andhra Pradesh Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is located at Narayanavanam of Andhra Pradesh. Srinivasa resides here as Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy & Thayar Padmavathi. Sthala Puranam says that, this area was ruled by by Akasha Raja. He got a girl child from Lotus tank & Akasha Raja brought up her as own daughter, named her Padmavathi. This was the place where Padmavathi Ammavaru is married to Venkateshwara. As the marriage took place in Narayanavanam, Padmavathi’s brother built two Temples, one is here Narayanavanam & another in Tirumala. Here Venkateshwara Swamy and Padmavathi are worshiped together. There is a grinding stone in the temple, which was used for grinding turmeric during the marriage of Venkateshwara and Padmavati. The place was called as Narayana Puram before later changed to Narayanavanam. The temple was built during the Vijayanagara Period. The main festivals of the temple include Panguni Uttarotsavam, T...

Khadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Kadiri Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is located in Kadiri Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Narasimha Moorthy is Swayambhu here who emerged from the roots of Kadiri tree. Ka means Vishnu Padam & Aadri is Hill, it is believed that Narasimhar after destroying Hiranyakashyapu roamed in the forest with anger. Prahlada along with devas prayed to Narasimhar to calm him. Pleased with Prahlada's prayer Narasimhar became calm at this place. Daily after Abhishekam Vigraham sweats, even after continuous wiping. Vasantha Vallabha murthi ( Utsava Murthy) was found from Brughu Theertham, temple tank. It is said that this Utsavar was worshipped by Brighu Muni. Temple was constructed by Veera Bukka Rayalu of Vijayanagar dynasty, when Narasimhar appeared in his dream and revealed all about the Swayambhu Vigraham. Rathothsavam is celebrated in grand manner.

Chennakesava Temple Belur, Karnataka आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् । सर्व देव नमस्कार: केशवं प्रति गच्छति ॥ Like every drop of water falling from sky goes to Ocean, each prayers offered reaches Keshava. Chennakesava temple Belur, was originally the capital of the Hoysala Kingdom. King Vishnuvardhana built the temple which was originally named Vijayanarayana Temple. Hoysala time is considered as a golden period because of their influence on art & architecture. Temple is dedicated to Mahavishnu who is Chennakesava here, meaning very beautiful Kesava. Locally referred to as Kalasagar for its fine sculptures each bhavas are exactly reflected in the Murthy. Temple is star shaped structure called Jagati, which is said to have taken around 103 years to build. Temple was built as an important military victory by King Vishnuvardhan over the Cholas. The overhead panel on the main door to the temple depicts the ten avatars of Mahavishnu. The large Navrang Mandapa is with highly pol...

Lakshmi Devi Temple Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka Lakshmi Devi Temple is located in Doddagaddavalli of Hassan District, Karnataka. Temple was built during Hoyasala rule by King Vishnuvardhana. This has chaturkoota structure means consist of four Garba Griham. Main Sannidhi is of Lakshmi Devi. Mahavishnu, Mahadev & Maa Kali. This temple is considered to be most beautiful Hoysala architecture. Ceiling art of Shiva playing Rudra Veena is very beautiful. Like the other Hoysala temples, this temple is also constructed using Soap Stone, only one difference is, here there is no platform. Usually Hoysala temples contain square or star shaped platforms which can be used to do prathakshina. Carvings of each and every image is breathtaking. Agni riding on a one horned ram, holding his weapon. Only temple with soumya bhaava of Kaali. Yama riding his buffalo, Varuna riding a crocodile, also Indra Deva with wife Indrani on his Airavat elephant. Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli is thus an archi...

Kedareshwara Temple Halebidu, Karnataka Kedareshwara Temple situated at Halebidu on the Hassan District of Karnataka is a Hoysala architectural excellence, constructed by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. Mahadev is worshipped here called Ishwara here. Temple is protected by ASI. Construction is done using Soap Stone. The three sannidhi is connected to a square central hall called Mahamantapa. In the Pradakshina Path, there are many rows which depicts Cavalry forces, Elephants, lions fighting with each other story board of Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha etc. Samudra Manthana, Bheeshma sleeping on the bed made out of arrows, Abhimanyu entering the Chakravyuha etc. Beautiful Carvings of Mahavishnu, Mahishasura Mardhini, Krishna, Varaha, Ganesha, Saraswathi etc make the temple very rich in architecture. Bhava ( expressions) of each image is perfectly reflected in the pillars. Out Temple's which are magical inside is a must visit to realize about the skills our ancestors had. Om Namah...

Jagdish Temple Udaipur, Rajasthan Jagdish Temple is one among the famous temples of Udaipur. Temple is made of Indo Aryan style is an architectural marvel, built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled Udaipur. Temple is dedicated to Mahavishnu. Maharana Jagat Singh has renovated the structure because of Mughal Invasion. Mughals had destroyed many carvings here as a revenge against Rajput rulers. Three storied temple has beautifully carved pillars & decorated ceilings. Two huge elephants welcomes in the front of temple. Mahavishnu Vigraham is four armed image of Mahavishnu, carved out of a single black stone. It is believed that the marble slab in the Jagdish temple has magical powers that if we rub on it every pain disappears automatically Narayana

Lakshmi Narayan Temple Hosaholalu, Karnataka Lakshminarayana Temple in Hosaholalu was built by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala reign, dedicated to Mahavishnu. Beautiful carved Sculptures, interiors and designs made out of Soapstone makes this temple very unique. Precious gems were found buried underground here thus the name. Lakshmi Narayana Temple is Trikuta style means 3 Garba Griham. Temple is one among the gems of Hoysala architecture. It is said that a town used to exist here with majestic forts. Remains of same still exists around one side of the temple. Venugopalaswamy on left, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on right & Lakshmi Narayana in the middle. Temple is built on a platform which resembles of a star. Garuda carrying Ma Lakshmi & Mahavishnu, Indra Deva on his Airavat, Krishna playing his flute while Adisesha protecting him, all sculpture & carving is brilliant. Polished granite pillars are excellent work of artisans. Narayana