Laxmi Narayan Temple, Himachal Pradesh

The Laxmi Narayan Temple is considered as the one of the oldest as well as the largest temple in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. This temple attracts many pilgrims throughout the year. The six different temples in the Laxmi Narayan Temple complex are organized from north to south and are consecrated to either Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. There are also several other temples dwelt in the complex which collective make it highly captivating. These other shrines include the temple of Shiva Temple of Chandergupta, Gauri Shankar Temple and Radha Krishna. 

Though this temple was built in the 10th century, the Laxmi Narayan Temple seemed to be adorned by kings who engaged the throne of Chamba subsequently. Raja Balabhadra Verma made the metallic icon of Garuda on a high pillar at the main entrance gate of the temple while Raja Chhatra Singh added the specious steeples on the temple tops. The latter was done as a objection against the commands of Aurangzeb to demolish the temple. The legend of the temple authorizes that Raja Sahil Verma, who built the temple, sent nine of his sons to the Vindhyas peaks to get marble which was appropriate for the construction of the Vishnu idol. 

The marble that were brought contained a frog. This was considered unfortunate and the sons were again sent back to get back the marble blocks. However, all the sons died while on their way back. The king did not gave up and he again sent his eldest son to get the marble. He was also onslaught by the robbers, but with the aid of a saint succeeded to save himself and kill his attackers. Yugkara, the eldest prince came back safely with the needful slab which was used to make the idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple. The temple is built in the Shikhara style. There is Bimana that is Shikhara, garbhgriha and also a mandapa like construction. The wooden chattris and the shield roofs indicate the climactic condition of the place where snowfall is quiet anticipated. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple complex is opened between 6 am to 12.30 pm and then from 2.30 to 8.30 pm. In between this period, the divinities are expected to be taking rest and at night they retire to the indoors of the temple for rest.

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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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Temples in Northern India

The temples in North India which can be described as the typical Nagara style. These temples escaped the destruction due to invasion. The temples as well as the literature laying down the rules and mode of construction have been well preserved in Orissa. In this style, the structure consists 0f two buildings, the main shrine taller and an adjoining shorter mandapa. The main difference between the two is the shape of the Sikhara. In the main shrine, a bell shaped structure adds to the height. As is usual in all Hindu temples, there is the kalasa at the top and the ayudha or emblem of the presiding deity. 

The basic structure of temples in India is a room or Garbhagriha (sanctum sanatorium) where the idol of the main deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temples, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbhagriha, and dominates the surroundings. As time went, by small temples grew into temple complexes. Some temples have a hall or mandap from where one can reach the sanctum sanctorum.

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