Bhuvaneswari Temple, Tripura

State : Tripura, in the north east of India.

Best time to Travel : Through out the year.

Significance : The Pilgrimage Centre.

Location : It is situated on the northern bank of the river Gomati at Udaipur. It is located at a distance of 55 km from Agartala, the capital city of India.

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The Fourteen Goddess Temple In Tripura, Northeast India

The Fourteen Goddess Temple At Tripura Tripura is a land of beautiful and picturesque landscape, festivals, lakes and rich culture. This princely state of India houses many sacred and historically important temples. One such significant and holy temple in Tripura is the Fourteen Goddess Temple. This temple is considered as one of the most blessed and peaceful worshipping places to the Tripurians. This Fourteen Goddess Temple is situated in Old Agartala. The history depicts that during a face of war with Samser Gazi, the maharaja of Tripura, Krishna Manikya had shifted his capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. The temple is located at a distance of just 14 Kms from the existing capital of Tripura.  How to reach: Agartala is the nearest airport and railhead to this temple. It is easily accessible by buses and taxis. ________________________________________________________

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Kamalasagar Kali Temple

State : Tripura, in the north east of India.
Best time to Travel : Through out the year.
Significance : The Pilgrimage Centre.

The Kali temple of Kasba also known as Kasba Kali Bari is about 27 kms from Agartala and is situated on a hillock over looking a wide pool of water called Kamala Sagar. The image of the goddess resembles that of Dasabhuja Durga or Mahishasurmardini. Made up of sand stone, the goddess is worshipped in the temple as Kali and the presence of a Shivalinga at its feet has led to the naming of the temple as Kalibari. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country and neighbouring country Bangladesh visit this sacred temple during festival. The huge Kamalasagar Lake situated here was excavated by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Bahadur in the late 15th Century AD., and the Kamalasagar Kali Temple at the top of the hillock dates back to the 17th Century.

Getting There

Airport : The nearest airport is situated at Agartala, the state capital. Located almost 27 km from the temple, one can easily reach the temple from here by bus or taxi.

Railhead : The nearest railhead is at Kumarghat. From here you can easily reach the temple by road.

Road Transport : A well defined road connects the temple with Agartala and other major towns of the Tripura and neighbouring states.  

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Mata Tripureswari Temple - Agartala

This temple is one of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu mythology. As per mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces by Sudarshana Chakra and all these pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these places are known as pithasthans. It is said that 'right foot' of Mata Sati fell at Matabari. One of the 51 pithas of Hindu pilgrims was built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501 A.D. It consists of an squere type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut type. The lake in front of the temple added to its beauty. It is located 55km from Agartala.

This pithasthan is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises resembles to that of "Kurma" namely tortoise. Inside the temple, the idol of Maa Kali is kept which is made of 'reddish black Kastic pathar.' Maa Kali is worshipped in her 'Soroshi' form in this temple. There is an idol of smaller size of Maa Kali called 'Chotto Maa 'and this image used to be carried by Maharajas of Tripura during "Mrigaya" namely hunting and also during war. In the eastern side of the temple there is a famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with "muri" and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar.


The most exclusive thing here are the TORTOISE present in the lake in huge numbers specially worshipped by the local persons .You can feed them with food and if you are lucky then you can worship them when they are on the bank of the Saagar i.e. river. Every year on Dewali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is visited by more than two lakhs pilgrims.

Mata Tripureswari Temple Address 55 kms From Agartala City Agartala State Tripura Location East India Year of Construction 1501 A.D Constructed By Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Type of Construction Ancient Type of Building Temple Religion Hinduism Importance One of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu mythology Famous For Festival Diwali Accomodation Accomodations are available at Agarthala. Accesibility Agartala is well connected with other nearby cities. Nearby Cities Udaipur

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Chaturdasha Devta Temple

Chaturdasha Devta Temple (14 kms away from Agartala at old Agartala) It is situated about 14 kms away from Agartala at old Agartala. The Chaturdasha Devata Temple of old Agartala goes back not to a very distant past, but from the historical point of view, it has a special importance. Udaipur fell before Samser Gaji, compelling Maharaja Krishna Manikya to shift his capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. The royal palace of Old Agartala, now in ruins, still attracts visitors. The temple of Chaturdasha Devata was built for the fourteen head images of Gods and Goddesses called 'Chaturadasha Devta' by the King Krishna Manikya and these head images are ceremoniously worshipped during the 'Kharchi Puja'. The images present in the temple represent only the heads of the gods and goddesses worshiped. It is only during Karachi Puja that all the fourteen gods are brought in the open for devotion in public. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees from tribal and non-tribal communities visit this place during festival. The temple consists of a Nat Mandapa and Garbhagriha. The roof of the temple is flat, on which rise two tapering domes, the upper one stepped slightly behind the lower one. The top of the dome is crowned with Kalasa (pitcher) including Pataka (flag). SEE IN MAP : http://g.co/maps/hxjeq _______________________________________________________________________

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Tripura Sundari Temple

WEBSITE : http://shreetripurasundari.org/

This temple is one of the 51 holiest ‘Shaktipeeths’ (Shrine of the goddess of power ) in India as per Hindu mythology.

According to mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces with his ‘Sudarshana Chakra’ and all these pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these places are known as ‘Shaktipeeths’. It is said that 'right foot' of Mata Sati fell at Matabari on the southwestern outskirts of Udaipur town, headquarter of present south Tripura district of the state. This ‘pithasthan’ (centre of pilgrimage) is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises resembles that of "Kurma" or tortoise. The idol of ‘Maa Kali’, presiding deity of the temple, stands in the sanctum sanctorum and it is made of reddish black stone, popularly known in Bengali as ‘Kashtipathar’.

The Goddess ‘Kali’ is worshipped in her incarnation as ‘Shoroshi’ (sixteen year old girl) in the temple by professional priests. An idol of smaller size of Maa Kali called 'Chotto Maa’who stands beside the presiding deity used to be reportedly carried along by the kings during hunting expeditions and also during war for improrptu worship in tents. The temple consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut structure with a conical dome. The temple was constructed in 1501 A.D. by the then Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.In the eastern side of the temple there is the famous ‘Kalyan Sagar’ lake where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with "Muri" (puffed rice) and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar.Every year on ‘Diwali’, a famous ‘Mela’ or fair takes place near the temple which is visited by more than two lakh pilgrims.


Location: 55 km away from agartala and 3 km from Udaipur 
Accommodation : Gunabati Tourist Lodge and Gomati Yatriniwas 
How to go to Tripureswari Temple : By bus from Agartala to Tripura Sundari Temple at Udaipur only

SEE IN MAP : http://g.co/maps/g6umf

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Unakoti, North Tripura

It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries if not earlier. The marvelous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty, waterfalls are not to be missed. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images as a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.These carvings are located at a beautifully landscaped forest area with green vegetation all around which add to the beauty of the carvings. The images found at Unakoti are of two types namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti. Every year a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Location :  178 k.m. from Agartala.  8 k.m. from Kailashahar, district head quarter of North Tripura District.

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List of Temples in Tripura

• Bhuvaneswari Hindu Temple - Udaipur Tripura
• Fourteen Goddess Temple - Agartala
• Kamalasagar Kali Temple - Kasba , Tripura
• Mata Tripureswari Temple - Agartala
• Temple of Chaturdasa Devata, Tripura
• Tripura Sundari temple
• Unokoti-North Tripura

ANY TEMPLE MISSING?? ADD IT HERE!

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Bindumadhav Temple, Varanasi

Vishnu Stuti.mp3

(Recitation by Pt. Nageshwara Rao of Hyderabad.

Please put on the speakers attached to your System and click on the mp3 file above).

As per directions of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu travelled from Mandarachal to Kashi with a divine mission of making King Divodas leave Kashi (Kindly read Divodaseshwar).

After having accomplished his mission, Lord Vishnu was enjoying the serene beauty of Kashi, Pancha Nada Teerth, Padodak Teerth and other places.  At Pancha Nada Teerth, he came across one extremely lean looking Sage who was undergoing Tapas.

Lord Vishnu in his divine form approached the Sage whose name was Agni Bindu and stood in front of him.  The Sage, on seeing the Lord in person, was ecstatic and he prostrated before the Lord.  The Sage then started singing praises of the Lord.

The Sage addressed the Lord by various names like Mukunda, Madusudan, Madhav, Narayan, Rama Bhadran, Chatur Bhuj, Janardhan etc.  The Sage also mentioned that those who worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves or garland made of Tulsi Leaves will get lots of blessings.

After having sung all praises about Lord Vishnu, Agni Bindu Rishi stood silently with folded hands. Lord Vishnu asked the Sage to seek any divine boon. The Sage, in reply, sought only one thing: that  Lord Vishnu should always be available in the vicinity of Pancha Nada Teerth.

Lord Vishnu granted accordingly.  He further stated that Kashi is a Punya Kshetra and devotees can achieve several kinds of Siddhi by staying in Kashi.  Lord Vishnu further told that he would stay in Kashi as long as Kashi is present and there will be no destruction of Kashi, as this holy city is situated atop the Trishul (Trident) of Lord Shiva.  Therefore, even Maha Pralay (great deluge) cannot destroy the city.

Agni Bindu Rishi was extremely happy at this and sought one more divine boon from Lord Vishnu. He desired that Lord Vishnu should always be available in the vicinity of Pancha Nada Teerth in the name of the Sage. Further, a devotee who takes bath in Pancha Nada Teerth and even if he dies elsewhere, he should attain Moksha.  The Sage also sought that a devotee who bathes in Pacha Nada Teerth and worships Lord Vishnu should be blessed with wealth and prosperity.

Lord Vishnu agreed to the request of the Sage.  He stated that henceforth he (Lord) will be known as Bindu Madhav in Pancha Nada Teerth.  By his presence, the Teerth will be extremely Sacred and devotees who bathe in this Teerth and honour learned persons, will be blessed with wealth and prosperity.

The Teerth, which is capable of cleansing all Sins, will be called as Bindu Teerth.  A person may have committed various sins, knowingly or unknowingly.  But if, during the Kartik Month, he religiously bathes in Pancha Nada Teerth and worships Bindu Madhav, he will attain Mukti.

Bindu Madhav

Kashi Khand, Chapter 60 has given in detail the importance of Kartik Month in respect to Pancha Nada Teerth.  Lord Visweshwar himself regularly takes bath in this Teerth during Kartik Month.

Lord Vishnu further stated that he (Lord) was called as Aadi Madhav in Sat Yug, he should be worshipped as Ananda Madhav in Tretha Yug, he would present himself in Dwapar Yug as Shree Madhav. In Kali Yug the Lord should be known by the name of Bindu Madhav.

Agni Bindu Rishi was extremely happy at the direct worship of Lord Vishnu and he prostrated before the Lord.

LOCATION OF BINDU MADHAV

Bindu Madhav is located at No. K.22/37, Panch Ganga Ghat.  Devotees can approach this place by traveling upto Bhaironath in a rickshaw and walking on foot to this place. This is a famous temple.  Alternatively, they can travel by boat upto Panch Ganga Ghat and climb the steps.

Panch Nada Teerth is now known as Panch Ganga Ghat and there is lot of divinity attached to this month, especially during the month of Kartik.  For details refer to Pancha Ganga Ghat mentioned elsewhere.

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Gowdi Matha Temple, Varanasi

Gowdi Matha Temple - There is a tradition to visit this temple before you leave Kashi. Gowdi Matha is believed to be the sister of Lord Kashi Vishwanath.

Varanasi, famously known as City of Temples is important pilgrimage travel destinations in Uttar Pradesh, India. Varanasi is one of the oldest city in India and is considered holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Every years thousands of devotee travel Varanasi.

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Jagannath Temple, Varanasi

The 200-year old Jagannath Temple in Varanasi looks to be a replica of Puri Jagannath Mandir in Orissa. The temple has similar architecture, same idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram. Rathyatra is celebrated in Varanasi city when Lakha Mela held.


Times of India published an interesting article about the Jagannath Mandir of Varanasi. The article describes the history and architecture, location of the temple, and rituals and celebrations in the Mandir. The article goes like this……


Set against the backdrop of holy Ganga near the old Asi ghat in the city, the over 200-year-old Jagannath Temple looks to be a replica of the world famous temple at Puri (Orissa). The temple has idols of trio siblings – Lord Jagannath, sister Subhadra and elder brother Balram. Other resemblance could be found in the architectures of both the temples.


As per head priest Shri Ram Sharma, the Jagannath Temple is not only more than 200 years old, it also has imprints of the world famous temple at Puri. It witnesses traditional worshipping of Lord Jagannath much like the Puri temple. The only difference is in the size of the temple, as it is much smaller in comparison to the Puri temple, he added.



इससे बड़ा नक्शा देखें The Jagannath Temple witnesses a number of rituals on the occasion of Rathyatra festivity when the ‘lakha mela’ (fair that attracts lakhs of people) is organised in the city. The procession of deities is carried out with fanfare in decorated palanquins and later the idols are placed in the temple and darshan (viewing) is prohibited for a fortnight. The deities recover from the illness after a fortnight and three-day fair begins in the city, added the head priest of the temple.


It may be mentioned here that a special medicinal juice in the form of ‘kadha’ is also offered to the deities for 15 days. The juice is made from basil leaves and cloves mixed in holy Ganga water.


During the Rathyatra mela, traditional cookies like naankhatai, prepared from refined flour and sugar, are in high demand. The cookies are available in various flavours like coconut and cashewnut etc. Besides, the Rathyatra also marks the beginning of the festive season, as it is followed by holy Shrawan month. Lakhs of devotees throng the city for offering Ganga water to Lord Vishwanath.

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Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi

Long time back several great Sages sitting atop Sumeru Mountain desired to know from Lord Brahma as to who was indestructible and supreme.  Lord Brahma proclaimed himself to be that superior person.  On hearing this, Yagyeshwar (symbolic of Narayan) reprimanded Lord Brahma for his hasty and audacious utterances.

Both of them asked the same question to the four Vedas.  Rig Veda replied that the omnipotent deity who controls all living beings, named Rudra is supreme.  Yajur Veda replied that He, whom we worship through various Yagnas (Yagam) and other such rigorous rituals, is none other than Shiva, who is supreme.  Sam Veda stated that the respected figure who is worshipped by various Yogis and that Person who controls the entire world is none other than Triambakam.  Finally, Atharva Veda said, all human beings can see the Lord through Bhakti Marg and such a deity who can remove all the worries of human beings is indeed Shankar.  In a nut shell, all the four Vedas proclaimed that Lord Shiva is the ultimate being.

Both Lord Brahma and Yagya Narayan started laughing in disbelief. Shortly Lord Shiva appeared as a powerful divine light in their midst.  Lord Brahma stared at that Being furiously with his fifth head.  Lord Shiva immediately created one living being and stated that he (the new being) will be King of Kaal and will be known as Kaal Bhairav.  (Here Kaal is denoted to mean the final time viz. death). Lord Shiva further stated Kaal Bhairav will always be in Kashi, removing all sins of the devotees and therefore, he will be known as Paap Bhakshak.

Meanwhile, Lord Brahma’s fifth head was still burning with fury and Kaal Bhairav plucked that head (just as we pluck flowers from the garden).  Immediately all the people present there started singing praises of Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva directed Bhairav to go around various places but Brahma Hatya Dosh (affliction on account of hurting a Brahmin) will always follow him.  Lord Shiva created a dangerous and fierce looking female figure, named Brahma Hatya and asked her to follow Kaal Bhairav wherever he went.

Kaal Bhairav, with Brahma’s head in his hand, started going around various places in the world, took bath in various Teerths, worshipped various Lords, nevertheless saw that Brahma Hatya was following him all along.  He could not get rid of that affliction.

Finally, Kaal Bhairav reached the Moksha Puri, Kashi. The moment Kaal Bhairav entered Kashi, Brahma Hatya started shouting, screaming and finally disappeared into the netherworld.  The head of Brahma, (Kapal) fell at a place which was called Kapal Mochan and there was a Teerth which was later called  Kapal Mochan Teerth. Then onwards Kaal Bhairav stationed himself permanently in Kashi, giving shelter to all his devotees.  Those living in or visiting Kashi, must worship Kaal Bhairav and he grants protection to all his devotees.

Ashtami day (eighth day after Poornima) in the month of Margashirsha is an important day for worshipping Kaal Bhairav.  Besides, Sundays, Tuesdays, Ashtami and Chaturdasi days are very important for worshipping Kaal Bhairav.  A person who circumabulates Lord Kaal Bhairav eight times will be absolved of all the sins committed by him.  A devotee who worships Kaal Bhairav for six months will attain all types of Siddhi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 31).

Old timers in Kashi believe whenever residents of Kashi leave the city for short journeys, they worship Kaal Bhairav (taking his permission) and on return back to Kashi, they again worship Kaal Bhairav.

LOCATION OF KAAL BHAIRAV

Kaal Bhairav is located at K-32/22, Bhaironath.  People can approach this place by rickshaw either through Bisheshwarganj cross roads or through Golghar (Maidagin).  This is a very famous temple and devotees will be guided by the local residents.

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Kamakhya Temple, Varanasi

The most famous among the goddess pithas (“benches”) in India is Kamakhya Devi whose temple is at the Kamaksha suburb of Guwahati city in Assam (northeast India). She is represented in Kashi in the neighbourhood named after her, Kamachha. Here she resides in a temple, which is small but very popular among the local dwellers. Devotees believe that the goddess came to Kashi directly from Kamaksha at the request of one of her devotees from Kashi who by his arduous austerity and rituals persuaded the goddess to come and settle in Kashi. Her image is installed over an altar of Shri Yantra. She is eulogised as one of the Shaktis (” great power”), and as one of the Yoginis. Among the devotees who are followers of Tantrism, Kamaksha Devi is the pre-eminent deity. During nine-nights of the waxing fortnight of Ashvina (September-October), special decorations and celebrations are performed by the devotees.

In the Kamaksha Devi temple is the image of her partner Krodhana Bhairava (“the angry Bhairava”), representing one among the eight forms of Bhairava, the terrifying form of Shiva, who protects the inner city in all the eight directions. Nearby is another form of Bhairava, called Batuka (“boy”). In the veranda of the Batuka Bhairava temple is the image of Ghrishaneshvara linga, representing one among the 12 Jyotira lingas of Shiva.

A little walk to the further west along the main lane is Vaidyanatha (“Lord of Physicians”), another among the 12 Jyotira lingas like the one mentioned above. Vaidyanatha, with many miracles to his credit, is very popular in the neighbourhood, which is named after him as Baijnattha. In this temple compound are the lingas of Kaholeshvara and Brahmapadeshvara.

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Kamakoteeswarar Temple, Varanasi

Kamakoteeswarar temple: The temple was constructed by Kanchi matt. The temple is constructed in south indian style according to panchayadhana rules.

Main deity Lord Siva is known as Kamakoteeswarar, and Goddess Kamakoti devi. Siva Lingam is of Narmadha stone, Goddess Kamakoti is of emerald. We see sanctum of Lord Ganesha, Thirumal and Sooryanarayanar. Ganesha and soorya idol is of red stone. To one side we see pallikondasivan in different sanctum. The temple is near Hanuman ghat(SEE BELOW).

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