Best place to learn Yoga in India

India has always been looked at as a cathartic destination for those seeking inner peace or enlightenment. With a rich lineage of Gurus and other Yoga practitioners, there are a number of credible institutes and ashrams that are known for their expertise. Yoga has roots deeply entrenched in everyday life in India, making it one of the most sought after yoga destinations in the world, attracting many travellers and students. Here are some top yoga destinations that you might want to explore.

Yoga Practice in India

Alleppey

Kerala has always been synonymous with Ayurveda and other forms of healing. Due to the popularity, the concept has been plagiarised by many so choose your learning centre carefully if you are looking for an authentic experience. Keraleeyam, in Alleppey, is one of the most eminent destinations for Yoga.

Meditation on Beach

Pune

Guru B.K.S Iyengar has etched the name of Yoga across international boundaries and can certainly be called the ‘grand old man of Indian Yoga’. His institute in Pune, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial, is a prestigious centre for Hatha Yoga. Classes are held for both adults and children and sometimes getting into the institute can be quite a feat – people have known to queue up for 2 years. This is an advanced learning centre and one has to have some amount of prior expertise.

Yoga Abhyaas

Rishikesh

Parmarth Niketan, yet another stunning institute, is nestled in the verdant environs of Rishikesh. The ashram has over 1000 rooms on the 8 acres campus. If you want to be a visiting student, you can choose to stay in Rishikesh and visit the centre for classes. An international Yoga festival held in March sees a number of yoga enthusiasts visit from all over the world.

Quite Meditation at Ganges

Chennai

Chennai has always been strongly associated with the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, which is run by the kin of T. Krishnamacharya. This Yoga Centre is known for Viniyoga. There are a number of courses available for one to choose from. The most popular ones are the Non-residential Pilgrimage of Sound Vedic Chanting, Heart of Yoga, and Pranayama courses that are opened bi-annually for students around the world.

Munger

The 1960s was the decade of discovery of India by the Western World. The Beatles might have started the trend, but the rage has never died out. One such institute that was started in the 1960s was The Bihar School of Yoga, Munger. Till this day and date, the school is considered as one of the best in the country. Though the main school has a rigorous schedule, for those who are interested in lighter and short duration yoga classes can look out for the one of the branches of the same, the Bihar Yoga Bharati Institute.

Yoga Group

Temple where Enfield Bullet is God

India is of course the land of uncountable mysteries and legends… but among all, this one is quite intriguing – it is about a peculiar deity that cannot be found anywhere in the world!

Hindu mythology, the belief India’s dominant religion, stated about 33 million gods (though it can be termed that all of them are different manifestations of one supreme deity). These 33 million takes vastly different forms and appearances of which the popular ones are the God with Elephant head, Lord Ganesha and the Monkey God, Lord Hanuman. But this above mentioned ‘God’ doesn’t belong to this 33 million — because it is a 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet!

Enfield Bullet - Power Motorbike from India

This may seem unbelievable. But the temple really exists. The place is a small village, Chottila’, located on the National Highway between Jodhpur and Pali, in the state of Rajasthan, Northwest India. Here the deity is the Enfield Bullet. The birth of this temple owes a very exciting legend.

Legend of Bullet Temple:

Not so long ago, in 1991 to be precise, there lived a young man named Om Singh Rathore popularly known as Om Banna. He was the son of Jog Singh, head of Chottila village. Om Singh alias Om Banna was passionate about Enfield Bullet as well as local alcoholic beverage. One fateful night, a drunken Om Singh was returning to Chottila in his new bullet, when he met with a terrible accident. His speedy vehicle struck a roadside tree and he was thrown into a nearby pit, of some 20 feet deep, where he died. Next day his body was recovered by the Police who took the bullet to the police station as a part of routine investigation formalities. That was the beginning of a series of nerve testers which rattled the entire village.

At the police station, the bullet disappeared on the very night. Next day it was found at the accident spot. Thinking as a silly act of mischief, the police bought back the bullet to the station. But again the bullet disappeared in the night; only to be found right back at the fateful spot. The angered police men once again took the bullet back to station, emptied its fuel tank and kept the vehicle tightly bound with iron chains. But the ‘jinx’ continued in the night… the bullet was back in its favorite spot like an iron nail to a magnet. The bewildered police handed the bullet back to Om Singh’s relatives. But the ‘troubles’ didn’t end. The same routine continued with villagers often hearing the roaring sound of the bullet in the night time. Om Singh’s relatives sold the bullet to a person in the far away Gujarat state. But still, the bullet mysteriously came back at its favorite accident spot, covering a distance of hundreds of kilometers! The new owner subsequently abandoned the bullet.

Another legend states… in that eventful night after the accident occurred, some kilometers away Om Singh (his spirit) asked for a lift to a truck driver. Who without knowing all these took him along. On reaching the accident spot Om Singh asked driver to blow the horn to fulfill any purpose and to make the journey an accident-free one, and subsequently vanished! All these events made the Chottila villagers to consecrate a temple dedicated to the Bullet at the eventful spot.

Bullet-temple

One more testimony is, a truck met with an accident at this spot and the driver, though injured, survived. He said the spirit of Om Singh appeared and lifted him out of the badly damaged vehicle; otherwise he couldn’t have been survived.

Afterwards the highway drivers took this legend seriously and all made a point to blow horn, as an offering to the bullet deity, when they pass through this spot. Then the journey will be free from mishaps!

In due course of time and fame of bullet deity (Bullet Baba) spread and, not only Chottila village folk but also many from neighboring villages and even faraway places come to offer prayers at this unique temple. This shrine continues to be a very simple one, without any architectural splendor. Here the ‘hero’ bullet stands decorated with garlands. Nearby is a platform (‘peeth’) on which Om Singh’s richly garlanded photo is placed, with a sacred fireplace (‘homa-kund’) in front. The legendary tree, the accident-cause, is also near majestically decorated with garlands, ornaments and colored ashes.

Bullet Baba

Devotees mainly come here for granting of wishes and also making the life’s onward journey problem free. An interesting thing is the increasing numbers of newlyweds and parents with new born babies. The main offering here is also one-of-a-kind… the locally brewed alcoholic beverage – beer (that was supposed to be the late Om Baba’s favorite). The beer bears the typical trademark ‘bullet’.

Bullet drink

Here people usually offer worship by prostrating, circumferencing the bullet, garlanding Om Singh’s portrait and bullet, lighting ‘ararbattis’ (incense sticks), and pouring beer to the sacred fire place.

Bullet devotee

There are many who are ready to swear by the wish granting miracles of the ‘Bullet deity’. At night the villages hear (if not always but still!) the roaring sound of the Bullet which now stands with rusted fuel tank!

Holy-bullet-at-the-temple

Well… be those legends are true or false, the Bullet Temple’s fame continues to spread far and wide and devotes are increasing in numbers. Practically no driver dares to cross this spot without slowing down the vehicle and blow horn as offering to the Bullet Baba! Among the uncountable legends and myths in this fascinating country, the Bullet Baba’s legacy also lives on and on.

Here people live with no doors & locks - Shani Shingnapur

In the modern times where, together with the technology advances, crimes too become more sophisticated and the concerns for more and more security measures gains priority, is it possible to imagine a place where people live in harmony in no-door-no-locks-houses ? It may seem unbelievable but as a matter of fact, true! There is indeed a tiny hamlet where houses and other buildings like shops have no doors, and that place is in the country of countless legends and myths – India.

Way to Shani-Shingnapur

That peculiar place is ‘Shani Shingnapur’, a village located in Maharashtra state about 350 kilometers away from the state capital Mumbai and 60 kilometers from the popular pilgrim place Shirdi.

Shani-Shingnapur Village

In this tiny village consisting of some 400+ families, people’s life literally revolves around the celebrated village temple – Temple of Lord Shani, one of the most sacred abode of Shani (Hindu God of planet Saturn) in the whole country. Before throwing light to this strange village life, it is essential to get some awareness about Lord Shani or Saturn.

Shani-Shingnapur Temple

According to Hindu mythology, the influence period of planet Saturn (‘Shani-Dasa’ in local) is overall a troublesome part in one’s life, generally giving a torrid time. This can vary in length – from 2 years to 20 years – with further variant periods like ‘Kandaka Shani’ (two and half years), ‘Ezhara-Shani’ (seven and half years), etc. To survive this ordeal, appeasing Lord Shani is a must. For that, visiting sacred Shani temples and offering prayers is a common practice. Among the herds of people who seek Lord Shani’s abode, Temple at Shani Shingnapur village holds high significance.

Idol of Lord Shani at Shani-Shingnapur

This is not like a traditional architectural-marvel Indian shrine; but simple to the core – with no roof and doors! An open shrine where a five feet high black stone (which represents Lord Shani) is placed on an uncovered platform. Here very peculiar system of worship is followed… Devotees should take bath first and wear saffron colored cloths. Only men are allowed to go near the idol, women can pray only from a distance. The worship is offered by pouring oil (gingerly oil is supposed to be the favorite offering) over the idol.

Worship at Shani-shinapur temple

Unlike the typical temples, here there is no time limit for worship – it can be done round-the-clock! Village legends state, Lord Shani doesn’t like to be covered and no need for doors either. So a normal temple is not built.

Houses in Shani-Shingnapur

Adhering to the strong belief over the prowess of Shani God, devotes who come to this temple from faraway places go for worship without locking their cars / vehicles. Their belongings are kept unguarded.

In Shani Shingnapur village, people live in houses with no doors for generations! Here one can find only curtains (that is also rare) in the place of doors. The only temporary guard is barriers – that too to keep off stray animals. Here villagers get to their daily routines without bothering about their house’s security or fear of thieves. For them, everything is dedicated to the Lord Shani. The belief is, whoever steals anything from this place will incur the wrath of Shani God and will have to pay for his/her sins very dearly. When Shani Shingnapur natives go outside their village, they don’t ask their neighbors to keep vigil on their house & belongings. There is no Police station in this village too. They have no role here!

A house in Shani-Shingnapur Village

Furnitures like cupboards were strange to the village folk for quite a long time. Nowadays few cupboards started appearing in some houses, but they too are without locks! Recently a Bank started functioning in Shani Shingnapur. Staying true to this village custom, this Bank too has no doors or locks. However the bank authorities don’t keep the cash here at night (that is taken to their nearby branch after working hours).

Hut in Shani-Shingnapur

This fairy-tale-like village has its own share of controversies as well. Few months back a theft has been reported, which the majority folk swore as the very first one in the village’s history. But villagers faith remained unshaken – no official complaint was made and police investigation was not sought. All folks, in unison, believe the thief will be bought to book by the sheer power of Lord Shani – sooner or later. On the contrary, some critics question this, stating that several thefts were made during the last one year but the blind faith of villagers hushed up those issues. And, moreover this sort of staunch belief is not genuine but sort of a brand building for the village, as the peoples lives are largely dependent from the fortunes of the Temple. Though the situation goes like this, the number of devotees to Shani Shingnapur temple is always on the rise.

Market in Shani-Shingnapur

Whether this is a blind belief or a brand building process, or, will Lord Shani’s punishment will ultimately befall on the thieves who committed the so-called first crime … only time can tell. So far interesting legends thrive on !

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple - Hidden in secret

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the most celebrated and legendary Temple in Kerala’s state capital is Thiruvananthapuram nowadays  constantly hitting the headlines of national & international newspapers & media alike on account of the vast treasures discovered in its secret chambers. As countless debates continue about the treasure values (estimated to be in many billion-dollars) and the temple being the richest in not only India but all over the world, an insight into this sacred shrine’s flashback unearths the time-tested unshaken bond between a bygone royal dynasty and their state shrine.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Enterance to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Looking Back

Regarded as one among the holiest 108 Vaishnava Thirupa (sacred abodes of Lord Vishnu) in India, the exact age of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is still debated. This temple is mentioned in several ancient Hindu ‘puranas’ (epics) though officially recorded facts dated back to 7th / 8th centuries. Legends states, Anantha Padmanabha – the deity of this Temple – was originally at the Anantha Padmanabha Lake Temple in Kasargod  district, North Kerala. A tryst with an ardent devotee, Sage Vilwamangalam, saw the Lord shifting his base to the Southern zone.

Road to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The present Temple was built in the forested land Ananthan-kadu. In due course of time the city was known by the Temple’s name – ‘Thiru Anantha Puram’ meaning the ‘Land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy’. It was the chief shrine of then-dynasty Aayi Kings, predecessors of Venad Kings. Before the Venad rulers gained foothold the Temple was under ‘Ettera-yogam’ – Association of Ettu Veettil Pillamaar, a powerful group of 8 feudal lords that held sway over Venad in 15th – 16th centuries. With the local feudal lords at one end and emerging European trading powers at the other, the domestic situation was in turmoil and it was left over to Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma the then- crown-prince to bring the situation under Kerala control. His accession to the throne was an eventful chapter in History which saw the annihilation of feudal powers and checking of colonial traders’ advances in the South.

Anantha Padmanabha Lake Temple

Widely considered as the valiant & powerful King of his generation, Marthanda Varma had high regards for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. During his reign (1729-58) he conquered neighboring provinces and turned the tiny Venad into a powerful Kingdom of Travancore. After firmly establishing his Kingdom, Marthanda Varma reconstructed & enlarged Padmanabhaswamy Temple and, performed the exemplary act of ‘Thrippadi danam’ – dedicating his Kingdom & wealth to the Lord and rule on behalf of the Lord’s will – to Sree Padmanabha in 1750 AD. Thereafter, Travancore Kingdom was regarded as the sole property of Lord Padmanabhaswamy and the King became Padmanabha-dasa alias ‘In service of Lord Sree Padmanabha’.

Anizham Thirunal Marthanda

Marthanda Varma and his succeeding Travancore Kings considered their assets as offerings to Lord Padmanabha. Even the small kingdoms under Travancore considered the Lord as their master and offered their valuables to the Temple as tokens of devotion & regards. Apart from the Travancore Kings, who wholeheartedly bestowed so many priceless assets (gold, silver, diamonds …) to their State Temple, several Royals from different parts of India and foreign rulers too, donated countless invaluable souvenirs to Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The reigning King(s) safely guarded the Temple’s treasures and ruled without eyeing their dizzy value, as they considered it as God’s own property for which it’s their duty to protect. In fact, as they treated themselves as the servants of the Lord, Travancore Kings never wore a Crown (except for a brief time during their swearing-in ceremony). Such was the Travancore Royal clan’s bonding with Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Even old testimonies state, the Kings served their people without making use of any Temple’s treasures and even without imposing unnecessary taxes  – a sharp contrast to the present governing system of Kerala where the word ‘corruption’ is more like a brand name!

Lake behind Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The rituals and customs introduced by King Marthanda Varma were voluntarily followed by all the successors to the throne of Travancore… until the Kings lost their authority with the formation of Independent India in 1947. However the last reigning King of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma continued his duties & services to the Temple, strictly in accordance with earlier customs, till his death and now the Temple administration is handled by the present head of the royal clan, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma.

Festival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Temple Specialties

The royal legacy of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple cannot be complete without mentioning its unique features. The Temple architecture itself is one-of-a-kind. Distinctly different from traditional Kerala architectural style, Padmanabhaswamy Temple showcases a nice blend of Dravidian-Kerala structural combination, which can be found nowhere else in the state.

Unique features of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Temple complex is flanked by ‘Padma Theertham’ (means, Lotus Pond), a sacred pond which is considered as old as the Temple itself. On the north-east side of the pond, lies a cave inside which a small Lord Shiva Temple is located. The most interesting feature of this pond is a raised stone at its center, which is believed to bear the footmarks of Lord Vishnu (Sree Padmanabhaswamy). Devotees cleanse themselves in Padma Theertham before proceeding for Temple worship. Also they feed the fishes in this pond as a mark of devotion.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple with pond

Inside the Temple complex, what stand amongst the numerous sculptural beauties are the ‘the Bali Peeda Mandapam’ and ‘Mukha Mandapam’, two artistically sculptured halls dating back to the era of King Marthanda Varma. Another notable feature here is the ‘Navagraha Mandapa’, where the ceiling displays the Navagrahas (Nine Planets, which according to Hindu philosophy signifies different stages in human life) – something rarely seen typical Kerala Temples.

Padma Theertham aka Lotus Pond

The chief deity, Lord Anatha Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu in a reclining position on the Serpant Anantha), is consecrated in a unique way. The 18 feet long idol is built with 10,008 precious saligram stones, and can be viewed through three doors – Lord’s head and his right hand, hanging over the Shivalingam, thro’ first door, the middle portion with Lord Brahma seated on a lotus (which comes from the navel of Lord Vishnu) thro’ the second door and, Lord’s feet thro’ the third door.

Bali Peeda Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam

As with the ancient legendary Temples around the world, Padmanabhaswamy Temple too has got its own share of distinct murals and wood-works. For the people who throng to the Temple at all times, it’s a feast for eyes as well as mind.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple in night

With the recent discovery of Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s immense treasure trove led to a new twist over the Temple affairs. The legal battles for Temple management go on and people continue to ponder over the fate of the treasure… Whatever be the outcome; staunch devotees are certain that Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy continues to grace his subjects and Thriuvananthapuram (and Kerala) will remain ‘God’s Own Country’ forever as the ‘Land of Sree Padmanabhaswamy’, to be precise the.

Idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy