ISKCON Temple, Bangalore

ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was established in the year 1997 and is one of the cultural juncture in the South India. The temple symbolizes the Neo-classical style of sculptures and its surrounding is padded with water jets and arches. The spiritual environment within the holy complex greets tourist, who persists in search of peaceful temple tour in India.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is devoted to more than just a place of worship. It was founded by the A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the shrine is an organization for religious education. It aims to form a religious and cultural chain among all age group in all classes of the social group. Chanting of religious songs, inspirational sayings goes on round the year. During festivals, the number of visitors in the temple goes beyond anticipations. Every year devotees, regardless of caste, religion and creed take a trip to the Krishna temple and purify their thought process with holy mantras and bhajans.

 

The entire ISKCON complex embraces an area of over 7 acres. There are altogether 5 temples, a multi-vision theater, an organic products outlet, an open-air auditorium, Vedic library and an art and craft outlet. Also, there are Akshaya Patra outfitted kitchen and a pure vegetarian restaurant, which provides luxurious food to foodies. Tourist, who are member of the temple, can manage to have accommodation for some days at the guest house and residential complexes. The structure blends Dravidian and modern architectural styles jointly creating a impressive building dedicated to Lord Krishna. The structure is also designed fantastically with modern facilities such as multi-vision cinema theatre, computer aided presentation theatres, vedic library and a preaching library. If you want to know more about the temple and its founder, Swami Prabhupada, tourist can interact with officials at the administrative offices. The revered temple sits a top Hare Krishna hill in Rajainagar, situated nearly 10 Km away from Vidhana Soudha. It is located 7 Km from the Bengaluru railway station and 35 Km from the Bangalore International Airport. Travelers can easily visit the temple when in the city.

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Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, Kerala

The Guruvayoor Temple is nearly 29 km north-west in the Thrissur. The Guruvayoor temple got its name from the word Guruvayoorappan meaning Lord of Guruvayur. It is a most popular Krishna temple which is considered to be very inspirational to the Hindus. Interestingly, though it is known to be one of porous one for Vaishnavites, the shrine does not feature in the 108 Divya Desams. The beautiful idol of Sree Krishna placed in the temple discloses four arms holding the mace Kaumodaki, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the lotus and the gastropod Panchajanya. 

The temple is almost 5000 year old. According to the historic records, this temple was built by an architect named Vishwakarman. It is said that the grand son of Arjuna of Mahabharata prayed to lord Krishna at this temple and got cured of leprosy. The place is also famous as Dwarka of the south as the idol here represents the splendid form of Vishnu that was disclosed to Devaki and Vasudeva. The idol seen is decorated with the sacred Tulsi garland. What makes the idol of this temple even more enticing is the fact that it has been inscribed from Pathalanjana Sila, which is evidently a very holy material. The sculpture of this divine shrine has designed it such that on summer days, the first rays of the sun are seen washing the Lord's feet. 

Maha Vishnu is the controlling divinity in the sanctum-sanctorum facing towards the east. The pooja of this idol is executed as per the routines put forth by Adi Sankaracharya which were ceremonially written in the Tantric manner by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri. The latter are considered to be the traditional Tantris of the Guruvayoor temple. The routine involves the Chief Priest or Melsanti  stepping into the Sri Kovil at around 2:30 a.m. and not consuming even water until the noon poojas have been completed around 12:30 p.m. The Guruvayoor Temple Tank in the temple's northern side is considered to be a divine place too. Apparently Lord Shiva did his tapas while worshiping Lord Vishnu below the waters of this holy tank. The tank is so called as Rudra-Theertham. This beautiful temple boasts of mesmerizing paintings, nakkashi and murals depicting the life stages and stories of Lord Krishna. Only Hindus are allowed to enter this temple. Marriages are also conducted here. The temple can be visited all through the year with special days like 'Ekadasi'. In terms of climatic conditions, December to February is great for tourists.

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Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple , Kerala

Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most oldest and spectacular Sastha temples in the country. Situated in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu Shrine in India that is opened to all religions. The temple of Sabarimala is one of the most distant shrines in southern India yet it still attracts nearly 3-4 million pilgrims each year. It is almost surrounded by dense forest and mountains, Sabarimala is considered to be the place where Lord Ayyappan meditated. Likewise, the most popular pilgrimage place in Kerala is Sabarimala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most renowned and outstanding among all the Sastha Temples. It is thought that "Parasurama Maharshi" who conquered Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, put in the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

The pilgrimage starts in the month of November and finishes in the month of January. The temple draws pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other portions of the country and overseas. The shrine gets crowded with devotees particularly during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandala pooja held on December12, 2011 and Makaravilakku held on January 15, 2012 are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple usually remains closed during the remaining of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu in the month of April.

Particular customs are to be rigorously observed if one has to pioneer a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim who is attending the Mandalapooja should observe asceticism for total of 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should refrain himself from non-vegetarian food and carnal delights. Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth packet called Irumudi kettu comprising traditional offerings. Like certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no regulations or limitation of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either crossed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty. The easiest way is through Chalakkayam, where one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the major halting spot on the way to Sabarimala. From this place, one has to trek nearly 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.

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Kailasanathar Siva Temple

The Kailasanathar Siva temple is situated in the temple town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. It was constructed by the Pallavas in the early 8th century. It is renowned for its glorious Vimana. It also contains many panels displaying Lord Siva as Nataraja in various positions. This temple was constructed by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II  known as Rajasimhan. The King Rajaraja who was the Ist Chola ruler visited this temple and titled this temple as Kachipettu Periya Thirukatrali also known as Stone Temple of Kachipettu.

 It is considered by many archeologists that this Kailasanathar Temple must be the divine guidance for Rajaraja Chola I to built the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar temple. The temple has huge kneeling Nandi stands in the front facing the temple and it clearly points out that it must have been painted in beautiful colors before. In those days, all the architectures were painted brightly. Now only shadows are seen and they are not humble to those of Ajanta. Though the construction of the Kailasanathar Temple was started by Rajasimha Pallava, it was his son Mahendra Varma Pallava who completed the construction. Local people thought that the temple Kailasanathar served the purpose of a shelter for the king during the time of the battles. 

The origin or the legend behind building this temple is lost in the distant past. This is a specific example of Dravidian style of architecture as it is built mostly by sandstone. Parts of 8th century's partition art are still visible in the reminder of temple's sculptures. The walls and the Vimana of this temple are stuffed with great art works in form of sculptures and paintings. Possibly it is most beautiful temple in Kanchipuram, this temple is pointed more as an architectural wonder rather than as a holy place. Currently, the temple is well preserved by Archaeological Survey of India. Kanchipuram's Kailasanathar Temple can be accounted as the replacement of the rock temples at Mahabalipuram. The foundations of the pillars in Mahabalipuram temples have seated lions while the Kailasanathar temple has overconfident facing lions standing on their hind leg. Kailasanathar Temple is a perfect example of complex architecture typical to South India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has unique look by the Pallava King Rayasimha. Till today, the quality and originality of the temple has been reserved by the 8th century paintings which exist even today.

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Sun temple – Black Pagoda

Sun Temple is located in Konark and has become the most widely visited place in Orissa. Sun Temple is also famous as 'Black Pagoda' because it is made up of black granite. The temple mainly focused on Sun God and was build like a chariot to him with wheels on every side of the temple. It is place where Sun God was worshiped. Although, some parts of the temple have devastated, but nevertheless the elegance from the temple is preserved. Konark remains as active port and many ships came to the place. It was landmark to Europeans who started calling the temple as Black Pagoda. Sun Temple is acknowledged as a wonder among other temples and it has been the inspiration for many poets and writers. Many articles and books related the background and architecture happen to be written.

It is believed that Sun Temple is the spot where Samba one of the son of Lord Krishna worshiped Sun God for being freed from the curse of his father. Also believed that Samba was proud about his beauty and usually made fun of the great sage, Narad Muni. Narad Muni planned to take revenge from Samba. He once forced Samba to visit the lake where his step mothers were taking bath. Lord Krishna saw this  unacceptable act by his son. Enraged, he cursed his son with Leprosy. When Lord Krishna observed that his son was gimmick by Sage Narada, he asked Samba to worship Sun God, who was the healer of diseases. Samba worshiped Lord Surya near the sea coast. He overall spent 12 many years of repentance worshiping the Sun God. After prolonged time, Lord Surya God appeared and asked Samba to take a holy dip in Konark. After taking dip in Konark, he was eased of Leprosy, so he planned to built a temple focused on Sun God in the same place where Lord Surya appeared.

Sun Temple is truly a kind of Vahana (vehicle) style because it has the shape of chariot. There are many such temples in India, but none are compared to the excellence of Sun Temple. You can find 12 wheels molded on both sides of the platform. Each wheels are as much as 10 feet tall. The spokes of the wheels are sundials promising the precise duration of your day. To fulfill the chariot, you will find artifacts of 7 galloping horses in the entrance of the temple. These seven large size horses really are main attraction of the temple. You can also see the intricate carvings which have been done on the walls. You will find images of men, women, God, Goddesses, warriors and scenes of daily life. It is believed that the temple was not build the way it was predicated. However, many says that it had been build exactly the way it had been planned.

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Dwarka -Dwelling place of Lord Krishna

Dwarka is one of the important place for Hindu Pilgrimage. As per mythology, this place was kingdom of Lord Krishna. The entire city was disclose by water excavations. The Dwarka city is famous because it was once the capital of Lord Krishna's kingdom. Lord Krishna is considered to have accomplish here after leaving Mathura around 1000 years ago. The site is truly ancient but its union with Lord Krishna gives it a holiness which draws many number of pilgrims.

The name ‘Dwarka’ came from two words that is dwara means door and ka means Brahma who stood as entrance to the religious union with Brahma. According to myths, Dwarka was sunk in water after the death of Lord Krishna and it was the end of the Yadava Dynasty. The present day Dwarka was the Kushasthali of the ancient times which savored a beaming spot along the Saurashtra coast.

In the great battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna started his journey from Dwarka to the site of the battle to guide Arjuna, the Pandava, and these instructions form the text of the Bhagavad Gita. Famous for his sacred sympathy, Krishna was dedicated to those whom he loved. When Sudama, the close friend of his childhood, visited him indecisively at Dwarka, he was received as royal prince by Lord Krishna and his queen, Rukmini. There are many great legends linked with Dwarka. It is said that when the Lord Krishna finally uninhabited his body, the city blundered into the sea and its waves blocked over it for ever.

It is clear that Dwarka was a famous town with buildings built with brick and stone, even before the Christian period. Its archaeological remains point to a level of good fortune. Throughout the centuries, Dwarka has been visited by many well famed persons like Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Narsinh Mehta, Mira, the religious princess from Chitor, and the great saints Kabir and Nanak. Other places to visit are:

Jagat Mandir: Dwarka is renowned for the temple of Dwarkadhish, the Lord of Dwarka, also called as Jagat Mandir. It is expected to have been built over 1400 years ago. It is a domicile of image of Lord Krishna and is the lighthouse which pull many visitors from all over India and abroad. Famously, built on traditional shapes, the temple has 5 floors and is copiously engraved from base to peak. The festival of Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated in this place every year in the month of Shravan with great luster and amidst great prideful. Navratri and other festivals celebrated every year callback special events in the Lord's life.

The Sharada Peetha: This is one of the 4 Mathas setup by Jagat guru Shankaracharya. The Matha runs an arts college, Sanskrit Academy and educational society which prepares scholars for doctorates in Indology and Sanskrit.

Bet Dwarka: Also famous as Bet Shankhoddar, Bet Dwarka is around 5 kms from Okha Junction in sea and Okha is nearly 30 kms from Dwarka. It is believed that this is a place where Lord Krishna lived along with his family when the ruled at Dwarka. It is also the place where Vishnu killed the demon  Shankhasura.

Nageswar Mahadev: The Puranas reference 12 Jyotirlingas or arrays of light representing Lord Shiva, who pretended himself in that form in different parts of India.

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Jagannath Puri Pilgrimage Tour to Orissa

The abode of Lord Jagannath is the Jagannath Puri and it is also called Jagannath Dham. It is one of the four major dhams of India besides Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Badrinath. It serves as one of the most divine places for all the Hindus around the world. Located in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, Jagannath Puri is popular for the beautiful Jagannath Temple, the marvelous Rath Yatra, immensely famous Puri Beach Festival and the holy festival of Nava Kalebara.

The immense temple complex is outspread over an area of 400,000 square feet and is encompassed within walls. With 120 shrines and temples, the temple complex is one of the wonders of the world though it is not included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. The temple complex is on the Nilgiri Hills and on an raised platform. Shrines, Structures, Hall of Offerings, and Pillared Hall of Dance comprise the straggling Jagannath Temple Complex. The temple complex has four main gates that is southern, northern, eastern and western gates named as the Lion, the Tiger, the Horse and the Elephant Gate predominately.

The precisest example of the Orissan style of architecture is the Jagannnath Temple that has the wooden sculptures of its leading god Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna) along with the sculptures of the lord's Balabhadra (brother) and spouse Subhadra in its inner sanctum. The Lord Jagganth is offered with 56 varieties of food offerings. The offerings are made without using chilies, onions and garlic and certain vegetables are made in the largest kitchen of the world which is right there in the Jagannath Temple Complex. The offerings are then devoted to the Goddess Bimala Devi after which they become Mahaprasada and become available for the general public and the devotees. Every year, in the month of June, the most popular Chariot Festival is held at Puri that brings the visitors and pilgrims from far places. The fascinating Rath Yatra covers a distance of 2 km from the main temple to Gundicha Ghar which is considered as the home of the Lord's aunt.

The statues of the Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are moved in good decorated and colorful palanquins in an open procession at the time of Chariot Festival. It is believed that one who witnesses the Lord's statue during the Rath Yatra is freed from the eternal cycles of birth and death and gets salvation.

The Puri Beach Festival is held in the November month every year at Jagannath Puri and is another attraction of Puri. The cuisines, crafts and culture of the state are the attractions of the festival which pulls large number of visitors from all over India and overseas. The interesting religious festival of Nava Kalebara is held every 12 to 19 years at Jagannath Puri in which the statues of the leading gods of the Jagannath Temple get new physical forms carved out of the Chandan and Neem wood by master craftsmen, in contend silence and in blessed surroundings.

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