Annamalaiyar (Tiruvannamalai) Lord Shiva Temple

Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at the base of Annamalai hills in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of fire, or Agni.


Shiva is worshiped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar, and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Agni lingam.

Thiruvannamalai, located at the foot of a hill is 187 kms from Chennai. It is one of the major pilgrim centers in India. Five different temples were dedicated to lord Siva for worshipping Him in the form of five elements of nature, namely, earth, water, wind, ire and ether. 

The temple complex covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period.

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated during the day of the full moon between November and December, and a huge beacon is lit atop the hill. It can be seen from miles around, and symbolizes the Shiva lingam of fire joining the sky. The event is witnessed by three million pilgrims. On the day preceding each full moon, pilgrims circumnavigate the temple base and the Annamalai hills in a worship called Girivalam, a practice carried out by one million pilgrims yearly. 

Location:-The Annamalaiyar (Tiruvannamalai)  is a Hindu dedicated to  Lord Shiva, located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu,Approx.187KM Away From Chennai.


How To Go:-

Nearest Airport is Chennai. The Temple is approx.187 KM Away from Airport.
The Airport is well connected from Mumbai/Chennai/Pune/Jaipur/Ahmadabad/Delhi.

Nearest Railway Station is Chennai Junction Which well connected with all Major Stations.

You can get State Transport Buses Connected to Temple.







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Where To Stay:- Better you can Book the Hotel Via TTDC.

Shree Kshetra Narayanpur (Ek Mukhi Duttatraya Temple) - Pune

EK Mukhi Dutta

Shri kshetra Narayanpur is famous for their Lord Ek Mukhi Dutta. Usually lord Dutta has 3 faces but in Narayanpur there is Ek Mukhi Dutta. The statue of Lord Ek Mukhi Dutta.

The idol is with six arms holding Damaru, Shakha (conch), Chakra (a holy weapon), Rudraksha Mala, Kamandalu (holy pot), Kaumodaki Gada (mace) and one hand in Abhaya Mudra.

Devotees can see the Padukas of Lord Duttatraya in temple. It is believed that Lord Duttatraya himself placed these in the sanctum before he left for Samadhi. Thursdays is considered an important date to worship Lord Duttatraya.
 Narayanpur is village of Changdev Maharaj. A tree of "Audumbar" here is very old and is worshiped by pilgrims Guru Purnima and Dutta Jayanti are the important festivals celebrated at Ek Mukhi Duttatraya Temple.





How To Go:-

Shree Kshetra Narayanpur is  35 KM Away from Pune.



 

Pune is the nearest Airport to reach the Narayanpur.

Pune is the nearest railway station near Narayanpur which is connected to all parts on the country.

Regular city buses are available from Swargate Pune to Saswad. Narayanpur is 8 KM away from Saswad.

Near By Places:- Balaji Temple(Prati-Balaji) - Narayanpur| Purander Fort

Nageshwar Temple - Pune

Nageshwar Temple, the temple of Lord Shiva, is located in Somwar Peth, Pune.This is Very old Temple around 700 years.

 

Shivlinga

The Shiv Ling is situated around 5 Feet Deep.

Entrance

The Nageshwar temple is one of the oldest temples in Maharashtra and was built dates back to the 13th century in Yadava style of architecture.

The entire structure of the temple is made of wood while the sanctum Sanctorum is made of stone where the Shiv Linga is installed. The spire of the temple is made in the Nagara Style of Architecture with gypsum, lime and plaster. In the premises of the temple you can also find many other shrines includes Lord Vishnu, Almighty Maruti and Shree Dattatreya.

 

Prayer Hall

There are Several renovations and additions have been made the temple over the years. 

Deo@Nageshwar Temple

Pune Municipal Corporation has undertaken the restoration work of the Temple and it is completed by the end of 2013.


How To Go:-

Somwar Peth Pune, Maharashtra 411011

The Temple is situated  around 1 Km away from Pune Railway Station.

Bijasan Mata Mandir Indore (KULDEVI of Hindu Gadariya)

Bijasan is one of the temples of the Hindu goddess Durga, situated in Indore District of Madhya Pradesh. Here a tekri has a small temple of Bijasen Mata, built in 1920 By Holkars. Mela is held here during Navaratri.

Temple Entrance

A good picnic spot, with a breathtaking view of Indore city by night.


Perched on top of the hill was a guest house of the Holkars, now converted into a Border Security Force Arms Museum. Surrounding area is being developed into gardens with a small lake.
The Devotees believes that after feeding to fish in this lake their wishes are fulfilled.

Temple Timings :- 06:00 to 20:00 (All days of the week).




How To Go:-

 Temple is 9 Km away & well connect by road from Indore Station.

The Temple is near by Indore Airport(Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport).

Near By Places To Visit :- Kanch Mandir | Pattal Pani Water Fall

Shree Kshetra Tuljabhavani Temple - Maharashtra

Tuljapur is located in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra and is considered as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas.

Godess Tuljabhavani

The temple was built in 12th century CE. The Goddess is called swayambhu.

Temple

 Goddess TuljaBhavani of Tulajapur is one of the complete Jagrut Shakti Peeth of the Goddess. This deity is famous as Devi Bagvati (Bhavani).

She is the tutelary Goddess of Maharashtra, being the inspirational, motivating deity who was revered by King Shivaji who established his kingdom.

This village is located on a ridge of BalaGhat. Some part of the temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture. Historically, this temple is considered to be built either by Rashtrakut or the Yadava. Some even consider it to be built in the seventeenth to eighteenth century.
The Sahyadri section of the Skanda Purana contains the story of this deity: in the KritaYug(1,728,000 years ago), when Rishi Kardam’s wife Anubhuti was meditating, the demon Kukar tried to assault her. The devotee Anubhuti entreated Goddess Bhagvati to save her. Goddess Bhagvati revealed herself and fought with the demon Kukar and killed him. On Anubhuti’s further entreaty, the Goddess agreed to reside on the mountain ridges. This Goddess is also called asDevi Twarita-Turja-Tulaja (Bhavani ) : Goddess who rushes to the aid of a devotee and fulfils wishes.

This Goddess is recognized in the entire nation as a family deity. This Goddess has been the inspirational, motivating deity who came to the aid of her devotee in each of the Yuga : Anubhuti in KrutaYuga, King Ramchandra (of Ramayana) in TretaYuga (1,296,000 years ago), King DharmaRaja in DwarpaYuga (864,000 years ago) and King Shivaji in the KaliYug (the current Yug). Devotees from various castes and sects from various States visit here.

The south facing entrance of the temple here is called Parmar doorway. The door has a edict carved on it which says that a great devotee by the name of Jagdev Parmar offered his head at the feet of the deity seven times. The inner sanctum is to the west of the community hall in which the artistic and pleasing idol of the deity is seated on a silver throne facing east. The idol is carved out of a stone found in the Gandaki river bed and is proportionate in form. The deity is recognized as AshtaBhuja MahishasurMardini (Eight handed Goddess who killed the demon Mahishasur). The walls of the inner sanctum have small beautiful carvings.
The idol here is also unique in that it can be moved. To the north of the community hall is the deity’s bedroom in which there is a silver bed. Thrice in a year, the idol is rested on a bed. This isn’t found anywhere else. Devotees believe that perambulation around this bed blesses them with progeny.

Holy Places Around the Temple-like Kallol Teerth, Gaumukh Teerth, SiddhiVinayak temple, Shri Bahavani Shankar temple, HomKund, other small temples of Gods and Goddesses, Matangi temple,


Location:-The Temple is situated  on the way of Pune-Solapur highway.Approx.290 KM

How To Go:-

  

Tuljapur to Osmanabad (Every 30 Min.)
Tuljapur to Solapur(Every 30 Min.)
Tuljapur to Barshi(Every 30 Min.)
Tuljapur to Latur(Every 30 Min.)

Nearest Railway stations(Distance from Tuljapur)

1. Osmanabad - 30 km (Enquiry no.02472- 240299)
2. Solapur - 47 km (0217 - 2318792)
3. Latur - 72 km (02382 - 224640)

Nearest Airport(Distance from Tuljapur)

1. Solapur Airport - 52 km
2. Latur Airport - 80 km
3. Nanded Airport - 212 km
4. Aurangabad Airport - 269 km

Pandharpur - Pilgrimage city(Palkhi Wari)

Pandharpur is a pilgrimage city on the banks of Bhima river which is alternatively known as Chandrabhaga  in Solapur district, Maharashtra.
The Vithoba temple attracts about a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yatra in the month of Ashadh (June–July).
Viththal/Vithoba, who is regarded as a form of Lord Krishna. Krishna is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Rakhumai or Rukmini is Viththal's consort in the temple.
The Pandharpur temple covers a large area and has six gates. The eastern gate is known as the "Namdev Gate."



Vitthal Rukhmini

PandharPur Temple

Pandharpur hosts four annual pilgrimages/yatras of Hindu devotees.
1.Ashadh (June–July) in the Hindu calendar attracts the largest number of pilgrims—around 500,000 to 700,000 people.
2.Month of Kartik (October–November),
3.Month of Magh (January–February)
4.Month of Shravan (July–August)
attract the second, third and fourth largest numbers of pilgrims respectively. Pandharpur palkhi is a famous traditional event of Maharashtra. It is also known as "Pandharpur Wari".
This is a 1000-year-old tradition, which has been following by the warkaris. Warkaris are nothing but the farmers of different regions of Maharashtra. In this palkhi all warkaries  start walking with Palkhi towards pandharpur.

This is around 250 km distance they travel in 21-22 days.
At the time of Ashadhi Ekadshi there are around 5 lac people gather at Pandharpur Vithal-Rukmini Temple.

There are two main Palkhi :
1.Sant Dayaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi
2.sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi

Sant Tukaram Palkhi starts from Dehu (Pune) and sant Dayaneshwar Palkhi starts from Alandi.

Top View Of Palkhi

Palkhi @ Dive ghat

Palkhi Pic

The total duration for this Palkhi festival is around 22 days.In this wari, chants of "Jai Hari Vitthala" and "Gyanba Tukaram" filled the temple town of Pandharpur with culmination of the 23-day "wari" pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of pilgrims from across Maharashtra on July 11th on the occasion of Ashadi Ekadashi.

On their way, the pilgrims played musical instruments like veenas, mridungas, dholkis and chiplis. The pilgrims also played the traditional folk dance "fugdi" with their infectious enthusiasm and energy.



How to Reach:-

1. Pune To Pandharpur


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2. Solapur To Pandharpur

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Pandharpur is 250 KM Away from Pune airport.

Pandharpur is 74  KM Away from Solapur Railway Station which is well connected with Most of the cities.

Pandharpur is around 205 KM away from Pune, 74 km away from Solapur.



Where To Stay:- 
There are a number of dharmashalas (sanatoriums) in Pandharpur. These belong to various trusts and provide you with free lodgings.
There are also a number of ashrams in Pandharpur.The fares to these rooms are very less and they have just the basic amenities like a bed, fan, mirror and toilet facilities.

Near By Places to Visit:- Tuljabhavani Temple| Shri Kshetra Akkalkot  Swami Samarth Temple



Pushkar - The Holy Place In Rajasthan

Brahma Temple@Pushkar

Brahma Temple@Pushkar

Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated 14 km northwest of Ajmer and is one of the five sacred dhams for devout Hindus. Pushkar has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists.


It lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake.

Pushkar

Pushkar

Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples are not very old because many temples were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt.
The most famous among all is the Brahma Temple built during the 14th century, Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the world.
Other temples of Brahma include Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh,Khedbrahma in Gujarat, village Asotra near Balotra city of Barmer district in Rajasthan;Uttamar Kovil (one of the Divya Desams) near Srirangam, Tamil Nadu; Mother Temple of Besakih in Bali, Indonesia; and Prambanan in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The Pushkar lake has 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

Ghat@Pushkar

Pushkar is also famous for its annual fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) held in November.

Pushkar fair continues for five days and these five days are a period of relaxation and merry-making for the villagers.
This fair time is the most busy time for them, as this is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country.

Animals, including over 50,000 camels, are brought from miles around to be traded and sold. Trading is brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands.
All the camels are cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns, and special stalls are set up selling finery and jewellery for the camels.
Camels at the Pushkar fair are decorated with great care. They wear jewellery of silver and beads.
There are silver bells and bangles around their ankles that jangle when they walk.

An interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose. It has more than 400 temples including the only one temple in India dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe.

Camel Safari in Pushkar

Tourists can explore the rugged terrain of the Great Indian Desert of Thar using camels. The Aravalli Range here is one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, and has sandy fields, small dunes, beautiful hills and mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets.

The camel safaris in Pushkar will take tourists to destinations where they will witnesses small villages along the way and during crop harvesting, the views are exceptionally enticing.










How to Reach:-


1.Ajmer to Pushkar

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2.Jaipur To Pushkar
 
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 Puskar is Around 146 Km Away from Sanganer Airport at Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected with all the major cities in India.

Nearest Railway station is Pushkar and connects to the nearest large railway station, Ajmer. Ajmer railway junction is connected to almost all cities of India.

Bus service operates from Ajmer to key destinations around.


Where To Stay:- The Budget Hotels and Guest house.

Name	Phone number
Hotel Amar	0145-2772819, 09414415232
Green park resort	0145-2773532, 09414415232
Hotel OM	0145-2772672, 09414840735
Hotel Paradise INN	0145-2772396
Hotel Pushkar INN.	0145-2772010, 09414006110
Raghav Resort	0145-2772207, 09829270855
Ram Kuteer	0145-2772239
Saibaba	0145-5105161, 09414006150
Sajjan Bagh Resort	0145-2773821, 09414006150
Hotel Seventh Heven	0145-5105455
Shiva Guest house	0145-2772120
Shriya G.H.	0145-2773974
Shyam Krishna G.H.	0145-2772461, 09414666683
Sun N Moon	0145-2772883, 09414354864
Hotel Sunset	0145-2772382, 09828172382
V.k. Palace	0145-2772174
Hotel Venus	0145-2772323, 09414300143
R.T.D.C. Tourist Village	0145-2772074
Chand Palace	0145-2773464, 09414415264
Hotel Hill view	0145-2773141, 09829110521
Hotel Kanehaya	0145-2772146, 09414364046
Hotel Lake View	0145-2772106, 09829270855
Mansarovar	0145-2772130
Milkman Guest House	0145-2773452, 09828355245
Hotel Moon	0145-2773357
Narayan Palace	0145-2773231, 09414415231
Hotel Natural View	0145-2772872, 09414667252
Hotel Paramount	0145-2772428 ,0145-2773441
Hotel Pink Floyd	0145-2772317, 09414300219
Raj palace	0145-2772600, 09414666975
Hotel Ritu Raj	0145-2772875
Paradise Seen	0145-2773695
Pushkar Vilas Resort	0145-2772689 ,0145-2773640