Maha Vishnu sleeps?

It is often depicted that God like Vishnu sleeps and wakes after His sleep in Puranas?

Sleeping of God should not be considered like a ordinary task like humans. It is called Yoga-Nidra. Lord Vishnu Himself tells the secret behind this Yoga-Nidra in Gita Mahatmya: Chapter One. Please read it below:

Lord Vishnu said, “My dear Lakshmi, I am not sleeping, but I am watching how wonderfully My energy is working. It is by this wonderful energy of Mine, by which I am controlling all things, and yet remain separate (which is the leela of God who is one and only one). And it is by remembering these divine activities or power of Mine, that the great devotees and yogis manage to free themselves from the wheel of birth and death, and attain that transcendental nature of Mine, which is eternal and free from all qualities.”

Lakshmi said, “O, controller of all things. You are the goal of the meditation of great yogis. Nothing can go on without You. And yet You are separate. You are the cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of all the material universes. Kindly inform me about the workings of Your wonderful energies, which are so attractive, that even You are lying here, meditating upon them”

Lord Vishnu said, “My dear Lakshmi, the workings of My multi-fold energies, and how to become free from the bonds of birth and death, and attain My eternal Nature, can only be understood by one of pure intelligence, who has an inclination to render service unto Me. This transcendental knowledge is fully explained in the Srimad Bhagavad-gita”.

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Har Ki Pauri

Hindi: हर की पौडी़, हरिद्वार - CLICK TO SEE HINDI DESCRIPTION

हरिद्वार मे अधिकतर लोग हर की पौडी़ पर ही स्नान करते है। कहा जाता है की इसी जगह पर अमृत गिरा था! यह स्थान भारत के सबसे पवित्र घाटों में एक है। इस घाट को ब्रह्मकुण्ड के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। माना जाता है की राजा श्वेत ने हर की पौड़ी में भगवान ब्रह्मा जी की पूजा की और राजा की तपस्या एवं भक्ति से प्रसन्न होकर ब्रह्मा जी ने उन्हें दर्शन दिए और तब से हर की पौड़ी के जल को ब्रह्मकुण्ड के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। हर की पौडी़ में स्नान करने से समस्त पाप धुल जाते हैं।

सूर्यास्त के समय यहां नियमित रूप से गंगाजी की आरती की जाती है और लोग उस समय नदी में दीप दान करते हैं। गंगा नदी मे प्रवाहित किए जाने वाले यह दीपक एक अलौकिक दृश्य उत्पन्न करते हैं। गंगा नदी में बहते असंख्य दीपों की आभा देखते ही बनती है यह बहुत ही रमणीय दृश्य होता है।

Location:	In Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Famous For:	Being the point where the Ganges enters plains

One of the most famous and most visited sites of Haridwar, Har ki Pauri is considered as one of its five main holy sites. It is believed to be the sacred place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, two great Hindu Gods, appeared in the Vedic era. This place is considered equivalent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras, in religious terms. It is also said that Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation, performed a yagna at the Har ki Pauri. The ghat is also said to have the holy footprints of Lord Vishnu.

Har ki pauri is believed to be the exit point of the river Ganges from the mountains and its entry into the plains. A dip in the holy water of the ghat is said to relieve a person of all his sins. The place is surrounded by some ancient and some newly build temples. Throughout the year, religious rituals like 'upanayan' or the initiation ritual, 'mundan' or the head tonsuring ritual, 'asthi visarjan' or immersion of the ashes of the dead and 'shraddha' or prayers appeasing one's ancestors take place here.

Har ki pauri is always crowded with devotees and priests, offering prayers to the Sun God and the holy Ganges. This place is the perfect destination for people deeply in love with religion, philosophy and spiritualism. The auspicious fair of Hindus, the Kumbh mela, is held at Har ki Pauri, after every 3 years. This sacred ghat was built on the bank of Ganges, by King Vikramaditya, in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. Har ki pauri is famous for Ganga Aarti, a holy ritual of offering prayers to the Ganges.

Ganga Aarti takes place on the ghat in the evening, after sunset. A group of Brahmans hold huge fire bowls in their hands and offer their holy mantras to river Ganges, Shiva - the Hindu God of destruction, Surya - the Sun God and the entire Universe. The devotees then offer flowers and earthen lamps - diyas - to river Ganges, in order to pay due regards to their ancestors in heaven. The scenario at Har ki pauri at the time of Ganga-Aarti is mesmerizing.

Har Ki Pauri is the place where the divine nectar fell from celestial Kumbh. The Kumbh mela is held here (last held in 1998, next in 2010). The holy river Ganga, enters Brahmakund from one side and exits from the other. Though the water here is around waist-high, one has to be very cautious while bathing on the Ghats since the flow is swift and speedy. Chains and rails have been provided to enable devotees to catch on safely while they take a holy dip. Famous temples - Ganga Mandir and Haricharan mandir are also located here.

Har Ki Pauri gets its name from the feet (Pauri) of lord (Hari). Vishnucharanpaduka, the footprints of the Lord, are believed to be imprinted on the wall beneath the waters of Ganga here and with the guidance of a priest, it is also possible to touch it.

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Temples in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh

• Ram Janki temple,Hardoi
• Balaji temple,Hardoi
• Baba temple,Hardoi
• Mangladevi temple,sandi ,Hardoi
• Sharwandevi temple,Hardoi
• Hatyaharan pilgrim ,sandila, Hardoi

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= Sree Ram Janaki Temple, Hardoi

= Baba temple,Hardoi

= Mangladevi temple,sandi ,Hardoi

=  Sharwandevi temple,Hardoi

 =Hatyaharan Pilgrim, Sandila

HARDOI

Geography

Hardoi is located at 27.42°N 80.12°E. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 feet).Hardoi district is contiguous of Shahjahanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri districts on the north, Lucknow and Unnao districts on the south, Kanpur and Farrukhabad districts on the west and Sitapur district on the east. Hardoi is located at 110 km from Lucknow (capital of Uttar Pradesh) and 394 from New Delhi (capital of India). The Ganges and several of its tributaries are crossing the south of Hardoi district. Its area is 5947 km². The record height is 500 ft. In 1995, Hardoi district had 5 km² of dense forest and 13 km² of open forest.

The great temple of God Shiva called as 'Baba Sunasirnath' is one of most alluring and venerated place in Mallawan region, people not only from Hardoi but even from other districts come to visit this heavenly place. According to people, some British officers tried to demolish this temple along with the 'shivalinga' but as soon as they hit the shivalinga, large no of snakes, bees and other poisonous creatures attacked them. All the Britishers fled away from that place and could never forget the horrific experiences of Sunasirnath temple.

Since then the region witnesses great rush mostly in the "sawan" month and local people worship the shivalinga everyday.

History

Name origin

People believe that the name Hardoi comes from distorted version of its earlier name Haridrohi, which is a Hindi word that means "anti to the God". According to a mythological story in past it was ruled by a king Hirnakashyap, who didn’t have faith in God, but instead declared himself as God. He wanted the people should pray him but later his own son Prahlad rebelled. He tried to kill his own son by various means but he was unsuccessful. Later, to save Prahlad, God himself came in disguise, such that he was neither human nor animal, and killed "HIRNAKASHYAP". According to some scholars the term "Hardoi" originated from the term "Haridwaya" which means two Gods. Since there were two Gods Baman bhagvan (in the regime of King 'BALI) and Narsimha Bhagvan (in the regime of King HIRANYAKASHIPU) had been incarnated hence the place called Haridwaya and later called Hardoi.

 

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Kalighat Kali Temple

Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Maa Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river (Bhāgirathi) in the city of Calcutta. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hoogly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hoogly (Ganga). Hence the name Adi (original) Ganga.

Coordinates:	22°31′12″N 88°20′31″E
Name
Proper name:	Kalighat Kali Temple
Devanagari:	काळिघाट् काळि मन्दिर्
Sanskrit transliteration:	kaaLiGaaT kaaLi mandir
Tamil:	காளிகாட் காளி கோவில்
Bengali:	কালীঘাট কালী মন্দির
Location
Country:	India
State:	West Bengal
Location:	On the bank of Adi Ganga river, Calcutta
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Kali
Architectural styles:	Typical Medieval Bengal architecture

Worship

The temple is visited by pilgrims from all over India irrespective of sectarian differences. The thousands of pilgrims who flock daily to the Kalighat temple treat Kali very much like a human mother, bringing her their domestic problems and prayers for prosperity, and returning when their prayers are fulfilled to express their gratitude. Their attitude towards the Goddess is guided by their religious traditions and training, their spiritual and intellectual capacities, and the guidance of their temple priests.

Legend

Kalighat is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Dakshayani or Sati fell. Legend has it that a devotee discovered a luminant ray of light coming from the Bhāgirathi river bed, and upon investigating its source came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human toe. He also found a Svayambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav nearby, and started worshiping Kaali in the midst of a thick jungle.

Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.

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History

The Kalighat temple in its present form is only about 200 years old, although it has been referred to in Mansar Bhasan composed in the 15th century, and in Kavi Kankan Chandi of the 17th century. Only two types of coins of Chandragupta II, who incorporated Vanga in the Gupta Empire, are known from Bengal. His Archer type coins, which became the most popular type of coinage with the Gupta rulers after Kumaragupta I, have been found in Kalighat. This is evidence of the antiquity of the place.

The original temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The present temple was erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Barisha. It was completed in 1809. The Haldar family claims to be the original owners of the temple property. But this was disputed by the Chowdhrys of Barisha. In the nineteen sixties a committee was formed for the administrative management of the temple with representation from the Government and the Haldar family. The responsibility of conducting the worship rests with the Haldars and their heirs, generally known as shebaits.

The image of Kali

The image of Kali in this temple is unique. It does not follow the pattern of other Kali images in Bengal. The present idol of touchstone was created by two saints - Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri. Three huge eyes, long protruding tongue made of gold and four hands. Two of these hands holding a sword and a severed head. The Sword signifies Divine Knowledge and the Human Head signifies human Ego which much be slain by Divine Knowledge in order to attain Moksha. The other two hands are in the abhaya and varada mudras or blessings, which means her initiated devotees (or anyone worshiping her with a true heart) will be saved as she will guide them here and in the hereafter.

Temple Details

Natmondir

A large rectangular covered platform called Natmondir has been erected adjacent to the main temple, from where the face of the image can be seen. This was originally built by Zamindar Kasinath Roy in 1835. It has been subsequently renovated often.

Jor-bangla

The spacious varandah of the main temple Facing the image is known as Jor Bangla. Rituals occurring inside the sanctum sanctorum are visible from the Natmondir through the Jor-bangla.

Sosthi Tala

This is a rectangular altar about three feet high bearing a small cactus plant. Beneath the tree, on an altar three stones are placed side by side - left to right representing the Goddesses "Sosthi", "Sitola", and "Mongol Chandi". This sacred spot is known as Sosthi Tala or Monosha Tala. This altar was constructed by Gobinda Das Mondal in 1880. The place of the altar is the Samadhi of Brahmananda Giri. Here all the priests are female. No daily worship or offering of Bhog (food offering) is done here. The Goddesses here are considered as part of Maa Kali.

Harkath Tala

This is the spot adjacent to the Natmondir, southwards meant for Bali (sacrifice). There are two Sacrificial altars for animal sacrifices side by side. These are known as Hari- Kath.

The bigger one is for buffalo sacrifices and the smaller one for goats and sheep. The animals are sacrificed with a single stroke of the knife and there is very little cruelty to animals when compared to the professional abattoirs.

Radha-Krishna Temple

This temple is known as Shamo-ray temple and is situated inside the temple at the west side of the main temple. In 1723, a settlement officer of Mushirabad district first erected a separate temple for Radha-Krishna. In 1843 a Zamindar called Udoy Narayan Mondal erected the present temple in the same spot. The Dolmancho was founded in 1858 by Madan Koley of Saha Nagar. There is a separate kitchen for preparation of vegetarian Bhog (food offering) for Radha-Krishna.

Kundupukur

This is the sacred tank situated in the south-east of the temple outside the boundary walls. Present area of the tank is approximately 10 cottahs. In the past it was bigger and called 'Kaku-Kunda'. In sixteenth century 'Sati-Ango' ( the right toe of Sati) was discovered from this tank. This tank is well known for its power to bestow the boon of a child. The water from this tank is regarded as sacred as that of the Ganges. Efforts at draining the water from the tank for cleaning has failed in the past showing the possibility of a subterranean with Adi Ganga.

Associated Temples

Nakhuleshwar Mahadev Temple

This Siva temple is dedicated to the consort of Maa Kali. It is situated in Haldar Para lane on the opposite side of the temple behind the police station. This temple is also very old and mentioned in the history.

The four Shiva temples inside the temple were constructed by different shebait families who retain control over them.

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Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata

The Dakshineswar Kali Temple (Bengali: দক্ষিনেশ্বর কালী মন্দির Dokkhineshshôr Kali Mondir, Sanskrit: दक्षिनेश्वर काली मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali, meaning, 'She who liberates Her devotees from the ocean of existence i.e Saṃsāra'. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Ramakrishna a mystic of 19th Century Bengal.

Coordinates:	22°39′18″N 88°21′28″E
Name
Proper name:	Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Location
Country:	India
State:	West Bengal
Location:	Kolkata
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Bhavatarini Kali
Architectural styles:	Bengal architecture
History
Date built: (Current structure)	1855
Creator:	Rani Rashmoni

The temple compound, apart from the nine-spired main temple, contains a large courtyard surrounding the temple, with rooms along the boundary walls. There are twelve shrines dedicated to Shiva—Kali's companion—along the riverfront, a temple to Radha-Krishna, a bathing ghat on the river, a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. The chamber in the northwestern corner just beyond the last of the Shiva temples, is where Ramakrishna spent a considerable part of his life.

History

The presiding temple deity, Bhavatarini, with a foot over Shiva

Ramakrishna came to the temple in 1855, as an assistant to his elder brother, Ramkumar, the head priest, a job he took over the next year, after Ramkumar's death.

The Dakshineswar Kali Temple was founded around the middle of the 19th Century by Rani Rashmoni. Rani Rashmoni belonged to Kaivarta caste and was well known for her philanthropic activities. In the year 1847, Rashmoni, prepared to go upon a long pilgrimage to the sacred Hindu city of Kashi to express her devotions to the Divine Mother. Rani was to travel in twenty four boats, carrying relatives, servants and supplies. According to traditional accounts, the night before the pilgrimage began, Rashmoni had a vision of the Divine Mother, in the form of the goddess Kali in a dream and reportedly said,

“

There is no need to go to Banaras. Install my statue in a beautiful temple on the banks of the Ganges river and arrange for my worship there. Then I shall manifest myself in the image and accept worship at that place.

”

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Profoundly affected by the dream, Rani immediately looked for and purchased land, and promptly began construction of the temple. The large temple complex was built between 1847 and 1855. The 20-acre (81,000 m²) plot was bought from an Englishman, John Hastie and was then popularly known as Saheban Bagicha, partly old Muslim burial ground shaped like a tortoise, considered befitting for the worship of Shakti according to Tantra traditions, it took eight years and nine hundred thousand rupees to complete the construction, and finally the idol of Goddess Kali was installed 31st May 1855, amid festivities at the temple formally known as Sri Sri Jagadishwari Mahakali, with Ramkumar Chhattopadhyay as the head priest; soon his younger brother Gadai or Gadadhar (later known as Ramakrishna) moved in and so did nephew Hriday to assist him. 

The next year, Ramkumar Chhattopadhyay died, the position was given to Ramakrishna, along with his wife Sarada Devi, who stayed in the south side of the Nahabat (music room), in a small room on the ground floor, which now a shrine dedicated to her.

From then until his death 30 years later in 1886, Ramakrishna was responsible for bringing much in the way of both fame and pilgrims to the temple.

Architecture

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, built on a raised platform.

Built in the traditional 'Nava-ratna' or nine spires style of Bengal architecture, the three-storeyed south-facing temple has nine spires distributed in upper two storeys, and stands on a high platform with a flight of stairs, over all it measures 46 feet (14 m) square and rises over 100 feet (30 m) high.

The garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) houses an idol of goddess Kali idol, known as Bhavataraini, standing on the chest of a lying Shiva, and the two idols are placed on a thousand-petaled lotus made of silver.

Close to the main temple are the row of twelve identical Shiva temples built facing the east in the typical ‘Aat Chala’ Bengal architecture, they are built on either side of the ghat on the Hoogly river. To the North east of the Temple Complex is the Vishnu Temple or the Radha Kanta’s Temple. A flight of steps lead to the columned verandah and into the temple where a silver throne rests with a 21 and half inches idol of Lord Krishna and 16 inches (410 mm) idol of Radha.

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Lakshmi Narayan temple ( Birla Mandir)

Birla Mandir in Kolkata, India, is a Hindu temple on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, built by the industrialist Birla family. This temple is open in the morning from 5.30 A.M. to 11 A.M. and in the evening from 4 .30 P.M. to 9 P.M. On Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna, devotees come from far away places to pay their respect to the deities.

Coordinates: 22°31′50″N 88°21′54″E Location Country: India State: West Bengal Location: Kolkata Architecture and culture Primary deity: Lakshminarayan Architectural styles: Mandir

History

The construction of the temple began in 1970. It took 26 years to complete the entire structure. On Wednesday, the 21st of February, 1996, the Pran Prathistha was done by Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj in the morning. Dr. Karan Singh inaugurated the temple the same day.

Temple

• The main temple houses statues of deities Krishna and Radha.
• The left side temple shikhar (dome) houses goddess Durga, the Hindu goddess of Shakti, the power.
• The right side dome of the temple houses Shiva in meditation mode.
• Spread on 44 kathas of land, this temple built of white marble bears resemblance to the renowned Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. Birla Mandir also showcases pictorial depiction of scriptures of Bhagavad Gita in its stone engravings and some intricate Rajasthani temple architecture.

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Hangseshwari temple, Bansberia

Hanseswari temple is a Hindu Temple of goddess kali in the town of Banshberia at Hooghly District, Indian state of West Bengal. Basberia presently an industrial town positioned in between Bandel and Tribeni. The temple complex has another temple — Ananta Basudeba temple — besides the main temple. Also near is the Swanbhaba Kali temple built by Raja Nrisinhadeb Roy Mahasay in 1788. The Hanseswari temple has a distinctive architecture different from the usual pattern present in this area, consisting 13 minars or Ratnas, each built as a blooming lotus bud. The inner structure of the building resembles human anatomy.It was started by Raja Nrishinghadeb Roy Mahasay and later completed by his widow wife Rani Sankari.

Dates back to the 19th century with ornate arches. The main deity is the blue neem-wood idol of the four-armed goddess Hanseswari, a manifestation of Goddess Kali.The temple is 21 m high and has 13 towers. The peak of each tower is shaped as a lotus flower. Built according to Tantric principles, this five-storey shrine follows the structure of a human body - Ira, Pingala, Bajraksha, Sushumna and Chitrini. 

Vasudeva Temple and Swanbhaba Kali Temple are nearby. Bansberia Railway Station on the Howrah-Katwa main line is the nearest railway station

The architecture of the temples is the representation of "Tantrik Satchakrabhed".

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Ananta Basudeba temple, Bansberia

Ananta Basudeba temple is a temple of Lord Krishna in the Hangseshwari temple complex in Banshberia, in the Hooghly District in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built by Raja Rameswar Datta in 1679, this temple is noted for the exquisite terra cotta works on its walls.

It is built in the traditional eka-ratna style,with curved cornices.The tower on top of the temple is octagonal. The terracota works depict stories from the great Indian epics , Ramayana & Mahabharata, as well as from Krishnalila.

 Here also exist RASHA MANDALA, unlikely Shyam Rai Temple of Bishnupur. Small but beautiful Rasha Mandal in the wall of Ananta Vasudeva Temple of Bansberia.

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Shiva temple, Tarakeswar

Taraknath Temple of Tarakeshwar is one of the prominent pilgrimage centers in Bengal. Tarakeshwar is located near Serampore near Calcutta in Bengal. This temple dates back to the 18th century. Legend has it that a devotee by name Vishnu Das emigrated with his clan from Oude (Ayodhya) and was viewed with suspicion by the locals. It is believed that he proved his innocence by holding in his hand a red hot iron bar. Later, his brother discovered a site in the nearby jungle, where cattle discharged the contents of their udders (milk) at a particular spot each day. Upon investigation, they discovered a Shivalingam. A dream is said to have revealed to them that this Shivalingam was a manifestation of Tarakeshwar - Lord Shiva ... the Param Bramh... the primordial and ultimate force of the universe...the source of everything. A temple was built at this spot, and was renovated in subsequent years.

Coordinates	22°53′N 88°01′E
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	Hoogly
Parliamentary constituency	Arambag
Assembly constituency	Tarakeswar
Population	28,178 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30

Tarakeswar (Bengali: তারকেশ্বর Tarokeshshor) is a town and a municipality in Hooghly District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a police station in Chandannagar subdivision. Tarakeswar is a renowned place of pilgrimage and the greatest centre of the Shiva sect in West Bengal. 58 km away from Kolkata, Tarakeswar can be reached conveniently by train.

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Temple of Taraknath

The principal attraction is the temple of Taraknath, an 'atchala' structure with a 'natmandir' in front. Close by are the shrines of Kali and Lakshmi-Narayan. Dudhpukur, a tank to the north of the Shiva temple is believed to fulfil the prayers of those taking a dip in it.


Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year, especially on Mondays. But thousands of pilgrims visit Tarakeswar on the occasions of 'Shivaratri' and 'Gajan', the former taking place in Falgun (Feb-March) while the latter lasts for five days ending on the last day of Chaitra (mid-April). The month of Sravana (mid-July to mid-August) is auspicious for Shiva when celebrations are held on each Monday.
 

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Mayapur (Nadia district)

Mayapur (Bengali: মায়াপুর) is located on the banks of the Ganges river, at the point of its confluence with the Jalangi, near Navadvip, West Bengal, India, 130 km north of Kolkata (Calcutta). It is The Head Quarters of ISKCON and is considered a holy place by a number of other traditions within Hinduism, but is of special significance to followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, regarded as a special incarnation of Krishna in the mood of Radha. It is visited by over a million pilgrims annually.

Coordinates 23°26′18″N 88°23′34″E Country India State West Bengal District(s) Nadia Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)

Travel

It can be reached by boat ride and, more commonly, by train or a bus. ISKCON Kolkata operates regular bus service from Kolkata to Mayapur. For getting more details kindly visit http://www.visitmayapur.com, or you can also call on the numbers +91-9474751202 +91-33-64588777 or +91-33-32488041.

Frequent train service available to Krishnanagar from Sealdah Station, after reaching Krishnanagar, have to take a ride of Auto or Cycle rikshaw to reach Mayapur. During the visit one can see "the huge headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness" and "a long stream of saffron-robed devotees chanting" Hare Krishna mantra.

Memorials

Samadhi Mandir of Srila Prabhupada

There are one of the main attraction is Sri la Prabhupada's Samadhi Mandir. Also represented as a Museum, describing whole life of Prabhu using glass fabric models. The work has unforgettable finish. Along with traditional samadhis, International Society of Krishna Consciousness is planning to construct a garden in memory of George Harrison.

Gaudiya Vaishnava temples

The Ganges river at Mayapur

The headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have been located in Mayapur since the 1970s. In addition, there are a number of other Gaudiya Vaishnava organisations in Mayapur, such as the Gaudiya Math. The town is heavily centred around this particular Vaishnava religious tradition, officially known as the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya, with temples devoted to Radha and Krishna or Gaura-Nitai throughout; however, there is a sizeable Muslim population in the historical centre, previously called Miyapur.

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Temples in West Bengal

• Kolkata
  • Kalighat Kali Temple
  • Dakshineswar Kali Temple
  • Lakshmi Narayan temple
• Hooghly district
  • Hangseshwari temple, Bansberia
  • Ananta Basudeba temple, Bansberia
  • Shiva temple, Tarakeswar
• Nadia district
  • Mayapur
• Belur Math, Belur
• Kalyaneshwari temple, Bardhaman district
• Tarapith
• Jalpeshwar Shiva Temple, Jalpaiguri district
• Bakreshwar Shiva temple
• Mulajor Kalibari, Shyamnagar

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Anantasana- Sleeping Vishnu Pose

"Ananta" is another name for Vishnu. This pose reflects the sleeping pose of Vishnu on his serpent.

Sequence:

1. Lie down on the floor on your back, legs extended and hands by the side.
2. Turn to the left, fold your left hand at the elbow.
3. Place the elbow on the ground.
4. Raise your head and support it with the left palm.
5. Place your right hand in front of the chest.
6. Breathe normally.
7. Fold the right leg at the knee and place the toes of right foot on the upper left thigh.
8. Keep the right leg straight so that the knee is pointing up..
9. Hold the big toe of the right leg with your right hand.
10. Breathing normally, hold this posture for about a minute
11. Release the right leg and slowly return to supine position.
12. Turn on the other side and repeat by alternating legs.

Benefits:

• Anantasana can improve blood circulation.
• This yoga pose helps stretch hamstring and calves.

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