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Showing posts with label shakti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shakti. Show all posts

Monday, 12 December 2011

Tripura Sundari Temple


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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Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Chandi Devi Temple


Location:Neel Parvat, Haridwar
Constructed In:1929
Constructed By:Suchat Singh


Situated on the top of Neel Parvat, in Haridwar, Chandi Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples of India. Considered to be one of the Shaktipeeths of North India, this place is of great religious significance. It is said to have the power to fulfill the wishes of devotees and this is why it is also known as Siddhpeetha. As per a legend associated with the temple, Goddess Chandika Devi rested on at Neel Parvat, for a short while, after slayings Demon kings - Shumbh and Nishumbha. The temple was built to welcome her back. The presiding deity of this temple is 'Chandi Devi', a form of Shakti.


Chandi Devi Temple was built by the reigning king of Kashmir - Suchat Singh, in 1929. However, the main idol at the temple is said to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu priests, in the 8th century. The temple is open throughout the year for the devotees, from 6 am to 8 pm, on a normal day. The morning aarti at the temple begins at 5.30 in the morning. Right now, Chandi Devi Temple is managed by the Mahants. However, it is in the process of forming a trust for its management.

CLICK HERE FOR HINDI DESCRIPTION
नील पर्वत के चोटी पर बना चण्डी देवी का मंदिर यहां आने वाले तीर्थ यात्रियों को अपनी और खींचता है। 1929 कश्मीर के राजा शुचात सिंह द्वारा निर्मित यह मन्दिर चण्डी घाट से तीन किलोमीटर की दूरी पर है। स्कन्द पुराण के अनुसार असुर राज शुंभ-अशुंभ के सेनापति चण्ड-मुण्ड को मारने के बाद देवी का नाम चण्डी देवी पड़ा। इस मन्दिर की स्थापना आदि गुरू शंकराचार्य द्वारा आठवीं शताब्दी में की गई थी। यहां जाने के लिए पहले चण्डी घाट जाना पड़ता है उसके बाद पैदल या रोप -वे द्वारा यहां पहुंचा जा सकता है। जंगली जानवरो के डर के कारण देवी के दर्शन सुबाह आठ बजे से शाम छह बजे तक ही किये जा सकते हैं।


You can get auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw, tongas and taxis for reaching Chandi Devi temple, from any part of Haridwar. You can also opt for the trekking-route, of about 3 km, from Chandighat. Another mode of reaching the main shrine is through the cable car, which is less time taking as well as adventurous. It hardly takes 20-25 minutes to reach the holy shrine this way. Pilgrims visit this temple throughout the year to seek the holy blessings of Goddess Chandi. The temple of Anjana Devi, the mother of Lord Hanuman is merely 200 meter from this temple.

Monday, 14 November 2011

Mansa Devi Temple


CLICK HERE FOR HINDI DESCRIPTION
हरिद्वार में हरकी पैड़ी के पास गंगा किनारे पहाड़ी पर स्थित मनसा देवी का मंदिर आस्था का केन्द्र है। ट्राम के होने से यह देवस्थान लुभावना धार्मिक पर्यटन स्थल बन गया है।

दुर्गम पहाड़ियों और पवित्र गंगा के किनारे स्थित मनसा देवी का उल्लेख पुराणों में है। 'मनसा' शब्द का प्रचलित अर्थ इच्छा है। कहा जाता है कि माँ मनसा सच्चे मन वाले हर श्रद्धालु की इच्छा को पूरा करती हैं।

मान्यता है कि मनसा देवी का जन्म संत कश्यप के मस्तिष्क से हुआ है। उन्हें नाग राजा वासुकी की पत्नी भी माना जाता है। हरिद्वार के चंडी देवी और माया देवी के साथ मनसा देवी को भी सिद्ध पीठों में प्रमुख माना जाता है। मनसा भगवान शंकर की कठोर तपस्या करके वेदों का अध्ययन किया और कृष्ण मंत्र प्राप्त किया, जो कल्पतरु मंत्र कहलाता है। इसके बाद देवी ने कई युगों तक पुष्कर में तप किया। भगवान कृष्ण ने दर्शन देकर वरदान दिया कि तीनों लोकों में तुम्हारी पूजा होगी।

देवी की पूजा गंगा दशहरा के दिन बंगाल में भी की जाती है। कहीं-कहीं कृष्णपक्ष पंचमी को भी देवी पूजी जाती हैं। मान्यता है कि इस दिन घर के आँगन में नागफनी की शाखा पर मनसा देवी की पूजा करने से विष का भय नहीं रह जाता।

मनसा देवी की पूजा के बाद ही नागों की पूजा होती है।

Location: At the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill)
Dedicated to: Mansa Devi (a form of Shakti)
Significance: One of the Siddha Peethas
How to reach: One can easily reach Mansa Devi Temple by taking local Buses, rickshaws, Tongas or by hiring taxis from Haridwar

Mansa Devi is one of the most popular and most visited temples of Haridwar, Uttaranchal. The temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Power). Located at the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill), Mansa Devi Temple can be reached by taking local buses, rickshaws or by hiring from Haridwar. In order to reach the hill-top, one can either go for trekking or for cable-car.

Mansa Devi Temple is an ancient temple that attracts people from both far and near due to its significance. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills all the wishes of a sincere devotee. Actually, the term 'Mansa' is the altered form of word 'Mansha', which means 'wish'. On the top of the hill, there are many shops where coconuts, fruits, marigold garlands and incense sticks are available. These things are offered to the Goddess.

To visit the temple, pilgrims have to follow a queue for the 'darshan' of the Goddess. Mansadevi is said have born from the mind of Saint Kashyap. She is regarded as the wife of Nag Raja Vasuki. This temple is one of the most prominent temples of North India. Mansa Devi is one of the famous Siddh Peethas (Holy Places where one's wishes are fulfilled) along with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi in Haridwar.

People usually tie threads on a holy tree that is located in the vicinity of the temple asking the Goddess to fulfill their wishes. On the fulfillment of the wishes, people come to untie the thread from the same tree once again. The temple is of great importance to the followers of Hinduism. One can have a panoramic view of Haridwar from the top of Bilwa Hill.

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Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar


Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar 
Hindi: माया देवी मंदिर, हरिद्वार

माया देवी मंदिर भारत के प्रमुख शक्तिपीठों में एक है। मायादेवी हरिद्वार की अधिष्ठात्री देवी हैं। कहा जाता है कि शिव की पत्नी सती का ह्रदय और नाभि यहीं गिरा था।

It is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Maya in the holy city of Haridwar of Uttarakhand state in India. It is believed that the heart and navel of goddess Sati fell in the region where the temple stands today and thus it is sometimes referred to as a Shakti Peetha.

Goddess Maya is the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. She is a three-headed and four-armed deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri in reverence to this deity. The temple is a Siddh Peetha which are the places of worship where desires get fulfilled. It is one of three such Peethas located in Haridwar, the other two being Chandi Devi Temple and Mansa Devi Temple.

The Temple

The temple dates back to the eleventh century. It is one of the three ancient temples of Haridwar which are still intact, the other two being Narayana-shila and Bhairava Temple. The inner shrine consists of murtis (icons) of goddesses Maya in the centre, Kali on the left, Kamakhya on the right. There are also two other goddesses who are also forms of Shakti, present in the inner shrine. The temple is located to the east of Har ki Pauri and is easily accessible by buses and auto rickshaws. It is regarded as a must visit for devotees going to Haridwar. The temple is visited by many devotees from various parts of the country especially during the Navratra and the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar.





Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Hat Kalika Temple


Hat Kalika temple is situated amidst deodar forests, the Janhavi Naula (a covered spring) and temple complex. Twice a year in Chaitra and Ashuj on the eight day of the Navratras, a large fair is held at the Kalika temple.

Adi Guru Shankaracharya had established this temple as one of the 108 Shakti Peeths. The area gives a feeling of strength and spiritualism and thus is a favourite tourist spot. Among the Shakti Peeths, the most popular is this temple of Kalika. It is seen with a body beneath its right foot. Close ot the idol is the idol of Nandi, to its left is Ganesh and Bhairav. A Shri-Yantra established by Shankaracharaya is covered by a Sailgram, topped by a copper sheet. A ‘Trishul’ stands on top of itwhich is covered yb silver ‘Chatras’. About 50 years of age now, this temple at the time of its establishment was very small. A sage, Laxman Baba who was popularly known as Jangambaba, had renovated the temple
The temple is, however, more remarkable for the grove of noble deodars within which it stands. Close by. To the south-west are the remains of a few old temples and a masonry well bearing, an inscription apparently of some age.