Showing posts with label Haridwar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haridwar. Show all posts

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Uttarakhand Tourism: Gateway of Heaven Haridwar


Often referred to as the ‘Gateway of Heaven’, Haridwar is considered as one of the holiest place in the country. Located at the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand, Haridwar attracts a large number of pilgrims from the country.

As quoted by Varun Paswan, a famous Hindi poet;

“पड़ी हुई है एक किनारे पर
होगी कोई नदी
कोई विस्तार पानी का
अपनी बैठक का कोई झोलदार कोना महज
जहाँ भटक के ना पहुंचा कोई मेहमान
ना ही टिका कोई मेज़बान

दूरियां पार करने को एक पुल है
उसके नीचे जो जलराशि है
वही गंगा कहती है”

Haridwar exhibits a perfect blend of spirituality and holiness. It opens the doors to Char Dham, ie, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and promises a worthwhile experience to the travellers. The age old streets of the city and countless number of temples transfer travelers into another world.

Places of interest

There are considerable numbers of mythologies associated with Haridwar, which makes it all the more interesting place. You can get first hand information by talking to the localities there. Haridwar is considered as among the seven most holy places in country. Along with Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad, it is one of the four sites where drops of ‘Amrit’ accidently spilled over while being carried by the divine bird ‘Garuda’. There are number places for tourists;
Haridwar-Junction
Haridwar-Junction

Har ki Pauri:

This Ganga ghat was built by King Vikramaditya. It is believed that at this point ganga takes entry into plains after having a rough journey from the mountains. The ghat is believed to have been visited by Lord Vishnu which is indicative by the name of the place. The place ideal to relax and have delicious samosa and chai.
Har-ki-Pauri–Haridwar
Har-ki-Pauri–Haridwar

Mansa Devi Temple:

The devoted status of Haridwar has also been derived by the presence of this temple. Mansa Devi is one of the shaktipeeth present in the country. It is believed that Goddess Mansa Devi fulfils the wishes of devotees visiting her. It is a must to experience the grandeur of the temple.
Mansa-Devi-Temple
Mansa-Devi-Temple

Udan Khatola:

Haridwar has one of the oldest ropeways in the country. It is also called as ‘ropeway to god’ as it transports one to the Chandi Devi temple located on the other side. While on the ropeway you can enjoy the marvellous greenery that Uttrakhand has to offer.
Udan-Khatola
Udan-Khatola

Haridwar is also a site for many religious festivals. Most importantly it is one of the destinations for the Kumbh Mela every 12 years which draws tourist from all over the world. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held in every 6 years. The Kanwar Mela and Somwati Amavasya are another significant festivals of Haridwar.
Kumbh-Mela-in-Haridwar
Kumbh-Mela-in-Haridwar

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Indian Temples: Durga Temple on Hill Top

Navratri, The nine divine night’s of festival, dedicated in the honor of Goddess Durga. The biggest annual festival is celebrated at every temple of Maa Durga across the country. There are innumerable temples throughout India, dedicated to Maa Durga. Some of the most famous Durga temples are Vaishno Devi, Chandi mandir Chandigarh, Kamakhya Temple, Dakshineswar Kali, Ambaji Mata temple and Edakkunni Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple. There are 51 Shakti Peeth of goddess Shakti or Parvati,located throughout India and neighbor countries.

Chamundeshwari Temple:

The Chamundeshwari Temple is situated on the heights of Chamundi Hills at Mysore in the state of Karnataka. The Chamundedshwari Temple is considered to be a very religious temple having large silver gates and golden idols. Chamundi Hills is one of the best tourist attractions in Mysore, Other religious tourist attractions are Devarayanadurga, Hidimbeshwara Temple and Ekanatha Temple.

Chamundeshwari-Temple
Chamundeshwari-Temple, Maysore

 

Mansa Devi Temple:

Mansa Devi is one of the most visited and most popular temple, dedicated to goddess Mansa in the holy city of Haridwar, in the Uttarakhand state. The temple is located at top of Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, a mountain chain of the Himalayas. The Shakti Peeth is one of the famous siddh peethas along with other two Peethas are Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple located in Haridwar.
Mansa-Devi-Temple
Mansa-Devi-Temple,Haridwar

Adhar Devi Temple:

The Adhar Devi Temple is one of the popular religious destinations, Located in the Mount Abu region of Royal state Rajasthan. The temple is situated in a cave  with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The Adhar Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga, another world famous temple in Rajasthan is Karni Mata Temple.
adhar devi
Adhar-Devi-Temple, Mount Abu Rajasthan

Bamleshwari Devi Temple:

Maa Bamleshwari Temple is situated on a hilltop which is 1,600 ft high at Dongargarh in the state of Chhattisgarh. Dongargarh is one of the major tourist attraction as well as the main pilgrimage of the district and the prominent places of worship. The goddess Maa Bamleshwari temple refferd as Badi Bamleshwari, Another temple at ground level is situated about 1/2 km from the main temple is referred as Chhoti Bamleshwar. The tribal state also host one of the most famous temple called Danteshwari Temple.
Bamleshwari-Devi-Temple
Bamleshwari-Devi-Temple, Dongargarh Chhattisgarh

Saptashrungi Devi Temple:

The Saptashrungi Devi temple is located at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This temple is also one among the 51 Shakti peethas located on the Indian subcontinent. The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons, A large number of devotees visit every year. Renuka/Anusuya  Devi Temple, Ekvira Devi and Tulja Bhavani Temple are few famous temples of Goddess Durga in Maharashtra.
Saptashrungi-Devi-Temple
Saptashrungi-Devi-Temple, Nashik Maharashtra

Tara Tarini Temple:

The Shakti peeth is situated on the holy taratarini hill in the tribal state, Orissa. The Taratarini Temple is one of the most ancient shakti shrines of India, dedicated to the twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini worshiped as manifestations of Adi Shakti. The taratarini hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India.
Tara-Tarini-Maa-Temple
Tara-Tarini-Maa-Temple, Orissa

Vaishno Devi Temple:

The world famous and most religious pilgrimage destination in India, Vaishno Devi Mandir is located at the height of 5300 ft on in the trikuta hills of state Jammu and Kashmir. The holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located inside a cave in a hill,  It is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Approximately 8 million yatris visit the temple every year. There is another famous hill temple known as Mata Balaji Sundri Temple in kathua, Jammu and Kashmir.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu

Sharda Mata Temple:

Maihar wali Mata Temple is situated on a trikuta hill of maihar in the state called heart of India. The sacred and holy temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth of goddess Parvati,where the necklace of Sati fell. The temple is well known for the 1063 steps to the top, Millions of devotees throng the temple all round the year. Other most famous Durga temples in Madhya Pradesh are Ratangarh Wali Mata, Tulja Bhavani Devas and Salkanpur.
Sharada-Devi-Temple
Sharada-Devi-Temple, Madhyapradesh

Tara Devi Temple:

The Tara Devi Temple is situated at the top of a hill called the Tara Devi Mountain in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the famous temple and most popular tourist attraction of the city,surrounded by lush green devdar trees, green forests and green meadow. The temple was built approximately 250 years ago, Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Tara Devi temple. Himachal Pradesh also has two other most popular Hindu temples Chamunda Devi Temple and Jawala Ji temple.
Tara-Devi-Temple
Tara-Devi-Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Kanaka Durga Temple:

The famous Hindu temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The Kanaka Durga Templeis dedicated to Goddess Kanak Durgeshwari, situated on a hill top of Indrakiladri mountain on the banks of river Krishna. It is one of the most important and second largest temple in Andhra Pradesh, Other temples are Tirupati Balaji Temple and Bhadrakali Temple.
Kanaka-Durga-Temple
Kanaka-Durga-Temple, Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Kumbh Mela 2013 - Photos

Millions of Hindus gathered at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, yesterday for Makar Sankranti and first the day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, India.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam
Ganga Arti Blessings - Haridwar - Maha Kumbh

Ganga Arti - Haridwar - Maha Kumbh

Devotees arriving for Kumbh Mela 2013

Young gun's of India enjoying Maha Kumbh bath in Ganges - Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Sadhu ganges dip at Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Naga Baba's arriving at Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Naga Baba's first dip in Maha Kumbh - Kumbh Mela 2013

Devotees paying respect to Ma Gange - Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Baba Ramdev arriving at Maha Kumbh - Kumbh Mela 2013

Har Har Gange -- Naga babas jumping for holy dip in Ganges - Kumbh Mela 2013

Naga Baba smooking Ganja - Kumbh Mela 2013

Naga baba's chanting "Har Har gange" and taking a Holy Dip - Kumbh Mela 2013

Another one at Maha Kumbh 2013

Woman's praying to Ma Gange and taking Holy Dip during Maha Kumbh 

Sadhu walking to Ganges for Holy Dip - Kumbh Mela 2013

Sadhu's at Maha Kumbh 2013

Woman's drying cloths after Holy dip in Ganges - Kumbh Mela 2013

Couple's enjoying Holy Dip together during Maha Kumbh - 2013