Badrinath – The Abode of Saints and Seers Pilgrimage near Uttar Pradesh India

Badrinath in Uttar Pradesh is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is well known across the world as the land of meditation and penance where a number of saints and seers come to achieve spiritual awakening. It is known by different names such as Tapobhumi and Bhubaikunth or heaven on earth. It is one of the four Dhams and a visit to this place is believed to help a person attain salvation or freedom from the cycle of rebirth. This religious site dates back to the ninth century when it was founded by Sri Shankaracharya. He also laid the foundation of Badri Narayan Temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Badrinath is flanked by two mountain ranges on either side. These are known as the Nar and Narayan Range that add to the scenic beauty of the place. A hot water spring called Tapt Kund faces Badri Narayan Temple and devotees often carry back the water from this spring, as it is believed to have healing properties. There are many other springs in the area that is also dotted with several small temples. While in Badrinath, make sure that you visit the religious center of Joshimath that was established by Adi Shankaracharya.

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Ayodhya – The Birthplace of Lord Rama

A devout Hindu does not need an introduction to the legend of Lord Rama or his city of birth – Ayodhya. Also known as Awadh city or Oudh, Ayodhya is located in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This city is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and is one of the Seven Sacred Cities of Hindus in the country. A number of devotees come to this city all round the year though the crowd swells in numbers during festivals such as Ram Navami and important religious ceremonies. There are approximately seven thousand temples in Ayodhaya, of which a hundred are more significant.

Though it is not possible to visit all these temples on your trip to the city, you should at least pay homage at the Janmabhoomi Temple that marks the site of birth of Lord Rama and offer prayers at Ramkot, the chief place of worship in the city. Furthermore, do not forget to take a dip in the sacred Saryu River that flows through the city. Another must-visit holy shrine in Ayodhaya is Hanuman Garhi that is located in the heart of the city. There are a number of temples located along Guptar Ghat such as Chakra Harji Vishnu Temple and Raja Mandir.

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The Golden Temple in Amritsar Welcomes All

India is dotted with gurudwaras that echo the sound of the melodious Gurbani from the sacred book of Adi Granth. However, a few Sikh religious sites in the country receive as much footfall as the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Located in the city of Amritsar, the Golden Temple was originally known as the Hari Mandir or the Temple of God when it was first constructed in the year 1601.

However, Ahmed Shah Abdali plundered the surrounding town of Ramdas and the temple in 1762 and razed the temple to the ground. When the temple was rebuilt in the year 1764, its domes were plated in gold, thus giving it the name of Swarna Mandir or the Golden Temple. People of all faiths come here to pay their respects and to seek the blessings of Sikh gurus.

The best time to visit the temple is during early morning hours when you can see the sunlight reflecting from the domes, which lend a brilliant golden hue to the temple complex. Do not forget to take a dip in the ancient lake located within the temple complex. Its waters are believed to have magical healing powers and taking a dip in this sacred lake is expected to cleanse the soul and lead it on the path of spiritual enlightenment.

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Amarnath – Enjoy the Yatra

The Amarnath cave is one of the holiest pilgrim sites for Hindus around the world. This cave is located in Amarnath Mountain in Jammu and Kashmir in India and is more than five thousand years old. This shrine is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The cave remains covered with snow for most part of the year and opens for pilgrims only for a short time during the summer months.

The 130 feet high Amarnath cave houses the Shiva Linga that reaches its maximum height during the summer festival. This is the best time to visit this religious place that has special reverence in Hindu mythology as it is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to Goddess Parvati.

The cave is located at a distance of 141 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and the entire region is manned by the personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indian Army, and the Indian Paramilitary Forces due to security reasons. The Amarnath yatra is a four to five days journey that begins from Pahalgam and requires pilgrims to cover a distance of approximately forty-two kilometers on foot.

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Allahabad Pilgrimage Tour

The holy city of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh is often referred to as the pilgrim site of Prayag in various Indian epics. Prayag is located at the meeting point of three sacred Hindu rivers, namely the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The place where these rivers merge is known as Sangam and is located at a distance of approximately seven kilometers from the city center.

This place is the site of annual Magha Mela that attracts millions of devotees from all over the country. Allahabad is called the “Tirtha Raj” or the king of pilgrimage sites in India and deservedly so. The city is home to numerous temples and shrines and is one of the four sites of the famous Kumbh Mela that is held once in every twelve years. An important cultural and commercial hub, Prayag was named Allahabad by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and has retained this name until date.

Some popular places of worship in this city include the Patalpuri Temple, Bade Hanumanji Mandir, Mankameshwar Temple, Benimadhav Temple, and Kalyani Devi Temple that is one of the fifty-one shaktipeeths in the country. The Alepidevi Temple in the city does not have any idol but just a swing that is believed to have been used by the revered goddess.

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Feel the Blessings of a Sufi Saint at Ajmer Sharif

Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan is situated at a distance of 135 kilometers from the city of Jaipur. It is one of the most sacred places for Muslims and is the burial site of Sufi saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti. Hundreds of people of all faiths visit the tomb of this Sufi saint all round the year. Though the saint died in the year 1236, Humayun erected a shrine in his honor a few years later. Thereafter, many Mughal rulers added more mosques in this Dargah complex. Indian Emperor Akbar was a staunch follower of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti and made annual pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif from Agra.

One of the main highlights of this religious site is that all the donations made in the cauldrons present in the Dargah are later divided among the poor. Every devotee who enters the Dargah should cover his or her head with a piece of cloth. The main entrance of this Muslim pilgrimage site is from the Dargah Bazar and it opens into the first courtyard. The saint’s tomb is present in the second courtyard, right in its center. Ajmer Sharif attracts huge crowds on the death anniversary of the saint. You can plan your visit to coincide with this day or the Urs festival.

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About chidabaram south india pilgrimage

The island of Rameswaram on the Gulf of Mannar is one of the main fishing villages in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, it is a major pilgrimage centre for pious Hindus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu known respectively as Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

Navaligam Temple, ChidambaramMost visitors come to see the impressive Rameswaram Temple, famous the world over for its lengthy and ornate corridors, representing fine architectural masterpieces. Rameswaram also boasts of fabulous beaches edging its coral reef waters abundant with exotic marine life, making it a haven for adventure seekers.

The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry greets the visitors, with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Chidambaram is also called Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. A unique feature of Chidambaram is that a person of any race or religion can visit the shrine and pray.

History

Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. According to legend, it was once a forest of tillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was once a small shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that their penance attained fruition with the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.

The golden hall of dance was built and covered with gold plates by Jatavarman Sundra Pandya (ad 1251-1272). He was very proud of his achievement, and as such assumed the title of Hemchandandana Raja (literally the king who covered the temple with gold).

Pilgrimage Attractions

    * The Nataraja Temple

      The Nataraja TempleThe temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. 108 Bharatha Natyam dance gestures can be seen on the Eatern towers as well as Western tower. The Northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 metres. The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the temple.

    * Kali Temple

      The Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.

    * Viadanatheeswarar Temple

      About 25km. south of Chidambaram, Vaitheeswarankoil is well known for its Viadanatheeswarar Temple, dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. People come bathe in the tank waters in the belief that illnesses will be cured.

Festival at Chidambaram

The Natyanjali festival, which brings all the prominent dancers of India, together on the same platform, opens on the auspicious occasion of Mahasivaratri, in the month of February. It is performed at the 'Prakara' of the temple, and the dancers, full of intense bliss and devotion, with their evocative abhinaya, offer their dance to the great divinity, Lord Nataraja.

Location

The town of Chidambaram is situated in the east-central part of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India extending 11.24°N and 79.44°E. The town is in the Coleroon River Valley on the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system.

Climate

The climate of Chidambaram is tropical with mercury touching up to 37°C in the summers and around 20°C in the winters.

Area : 5 sq km Population : 58,740 (1991) Languages : Tamil and Hindi Best time to visit : Throughout the year Altitude : 5.97 m

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