Asha Purani Mandir - Kathua District

 ASHA PURANI MANDIR, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Asha purani mandir)

(Source- facebook.com

Asha Purani Mandir is poppularly known as the Prachin Mandir which is situated in the center of Kathua City. The famous temple was constructed by the ex-minister of the state or Mata Durga devotee Shri Bhagat Chajju Ram in 1949. The presiding deity of Asha Purani Temple is Hindu Goddess Durga. The Mandir Bhawan (temple building) is around 30 ft. in height. The idol of the deity goddess is around 10 ft. tall and is positioned on the top of the building of the temple.

(Source- Facebook.com)

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Asha Purani Temple is placed on the spot where the veins (ashes) of the goddess Durga were thrown out by the discus (Sudershan Chakra), a spinning disk like ordnance of the Hindu God of Preservation, Lord Vishnu. Thus, this temple is known as the Asha Purani Temple. Various tourists come here to visit the temple every year to seek blessings from the presiding deity.

(Source- tripadvisor.com)

Kathua District is a place that is well attached to the neighboring towns and cities in the states of Jammu and Kashmir. Buses towards the site could be en route from the neighboring districts of Udhampur, Katra, Jammu, and Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) bus services are also accessible for the destination, which are quite reasonable. Public transport services or taxis could be hired to reach Bani from Kathua district as the same are found playing the route. Kathua district has its railway station that is situated at a distance of around 7 kilometers away from the city center. Sheikh ul Alam Airport which is commonly known as the Srinagar Airport is the nearest International airport to Kathua District.

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

Agastya Rishi Ashram, Bhandardara

Location- Akole, 40 km from Bhandardara

District - Ahmednagar

State - Maharashtra

What to visit in the Ashram -

• Ram kund

• Lord Ram temple

• Agastya Rishi Ashram hall

• Agastya Rishi temple 

Events to attend - 

• Ram Navmi

• MahaShivratri

• Akhand Harinaam Saptah held every three months

Agastya Rishi Ashram is a religious place located in Akole taluka, on the banks of the holy river Pravara in Bhandardara.

The Ashram has been mentioned in the Hindu epic, Ramayana and the Puranas.

The Ashram has much religious significance for the Hindus who visit here to pay their respects to the great Hindu Sage, Agastya who resided here. 

He was very earnest in his penance, and pleased with his meditation and devotion, God blessed him with a stream of the holy river Ganga, called as Amrit Vahini which is now known by the name Pravara.

As per the mention in the Ramayana, Lord Ram and his brother visited the revered Sage for his blessings in their battle with the King of Lanka, Ravana who had abducted Lord Ram's wife Sita.

The Sage gave him an arrow blessed by him that would kill Ravana.

The underground cave through which they had come is still there and it's exit is visible from the temple.

The Ashram is full of peace, natural beauty, tranquility and calm. It rejuvenates the heart and mind of the visitor, both the devotee and the history-lover.

The events worth attending are Mahashivratri, Ramnavmi and Akhand Harinam Saptah that is arranged by the Ashram Committee every three months. Devotees throng here on such events with their offerings and prayers. 

The Ashram also arranges three Dindi ( Marathi word for Annual pilgrimage ) to the holy places, Alandi, Pandharpur and Trimbakeshwar.

Nowadays, the hall is used to hold functions, public gatherings, marriage ceremonies and receptions etc.

Pictures sources -

• Agastya Rishi - wikipedia

• Agastya Rishi Ashram - Akole.in

12 Jyothirlinga Temples of India

 Lard Shiva is always considered to be the one who creates, saves and destroys not just the physical form but also the various illness both mental and physical that any human being has. In most parts of India, the Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shiva Linga.

Legend says - that once there was a fight between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu as to who is the supreme one and to settle the debate Lord Shiva appeared as a very huge pillar of light and asked them to find the tip of his head and toe. That light later cooled down and became the holy hill of Arunachala - in Tamilnadu. 

Both Brahma and Vishnu then split themselves to the upper and the lower world to find the tip of the head and feet respectively and when Brahma returned and lied that he saw the tip of Shiva's head The story goes that the fragrant screw pine flower - Thazhampoo in Tamil was falling down from Shiva's head and when Brahma saw that he requested the flower to lie to Shiva that he took it from his head and as the flower did so, both Brahma and the flower were cursed by Lord Shiva. That the flower will not be used for Shiva's pooja any more and that Lord Brahma though the creator of the world will not have physical temples to worship.  

Jyothirlingas are the 12 Shivalinga moorthis of Lord Shiva strategically placed across the country in 12 different locations. The word Jyothi means the light. The Shiva Purana mentions 64 Jyothirlingas but amongst them 12 are more sacred and they are called Maha Jyothirlingas. 

The places where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of light are regarded as the Jyothirlinga temple sites. The primary idol in all these temples are Shivalinga representing the beginningless and the endless sthamba - the pillar which represents the infinite nature of Lord Shiva. 

The 12 Maha Jyothirlingas are located in the following places:

1. Somnath, Veeruval, Gujarat

2. Rameshwar, Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu

3. Kedarnath, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

4. Nageshwar, Near Dwaraka, Gujarat

5. Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

6. Mallikarjuna, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

7. Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Madhyapradesh

8. Viswanath, Kasi, Uttarpradesh

9. Bhimshankar, Pune, Maharashtra

10. Triambakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra

11. Baidhyanath, Deoghar, Jharkhand

12. Grishneshwar, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Though these 12 places of worship of Lord Shiva are Jyothirlinga sites, still there are no individual significant marking to give these places a special reverence. 

Sapt Sarober Mandir - Kathua

 SAPT SAROBER MANDIR, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Sapt Sarober Mandir is located in the Krishna Nagar region of the Kathua District. The Sapt Sarober Temple was erected by the former minister of the state Bhagat Chajju Ram in the year 1969. Choudhary Hari Singh and Choudhary Devidutta had donated their land for the holy temple. 

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

The name of the temple is derived from “Sapt Rishis”, after the popular seven sages. There is a hollowed lake (Sapt Sarober) which is situated nearby the temple complex. The Pathshala (school) is also housed for tourists in the vicinity of the temple. A Dharamshala (rest houses for the tourists) is also being erected near the temple. 

The Sapt Sarober Mandir is accessible from the Kathua District, on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway. The closest railhead to the Sapt Sarober Temple is the Kathua Railway Station.

Dhoula Wali Mata Religious Center - Katua

 DHOULA WALI MATA OF KATHUA DISTRICT IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Dhoula wali mata temple)

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

Dhoula Wali Mata temple is a religious site. Dhoula Wali Mata Temple is situated at an elevation of around 6000 ft. in the Kathua District. Dhoula Wali Mata Temple is located at a distance of around 10 kilometers away from the Jodiya Di Mata Temple. Dhoula Wali Mata temple is easily accessible by trekking. Pilgrims can trek this beautiful spot Dhoula Wali Mata Temple from Katli (Billawar). Banhore (Mahanpur), and Bhoond (Basohli). 

(Dhoula wali mata religious center)

(Source- higglu.com)

According to the Legends, a Shepherd once had a dream of Mata coming to Madhi Dhar. He went to the place where the goddess appeared and gave Darshan to him in the form of a little girl. Since then he started going regularly to Madhi Dhar for worshipping the goddess. Once there was a heavy snowfall, the Shepherd who was a regular worshiper ran to Madhi Dhar to worship the goddess. After realizing the difficulty of the Shepherd the goddess decided to go to the place where Dhouli Wali Mata is located now. The Shepherd erected the temple at that site dedicated to the goddess. A large number of devotees come and offer their prayers. Most people visit the Dhoula Wali Mata Temple during the festival of Navratras, a nine-day Hindu festival that is celebrated twice a year in the months of April and October. 

(Source- tripadvisor.com)

Bus services are also available for the devotees. They can take regular buses from Jammu, Udhampur, Pathankot, and Kathua for Billawar, Mahanpur, Basohli, and Bhoond. Sarais are also available for travelers at the temple.

Mahabilvakeshwar Temple - Kathua

 MAHABILVAKESHWAR TEMPLE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Source- m.facebook.com)

Mahabilvakeshwar temple is committed to the Hindu God of Destruction- Lord Shiva. Mahabilvakeshwar temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir. Formerly this temple is known as the Hari Hara Temple. This temple is situated in the heart of Billawar Town so this temple has derived its name Mahabivakeshwar from the place that is covered by the various bael trees. The devotees offer bael leaves to Lord Shiva because it is trusted that Lord Shiva is highly pleased when bael leaves which are commonly known as Bael-Patri in local parlance are offered to him.

(Idols inside the temple)(Source- kashmirhills.com)

The temple spire is around 60 ft high and is ascended on a square-shaped sanctum. The temple has various other idols of Hindu Gods like Ganesha, Bhairava, Brahma, and Vishnu and along with the five-headed sculpture of Shiva. According to the famous folklore, it is said that the Pandavas used this site as their worship place during their period of exile. Several devotees come here to visit this pious site to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.

(Source- mapio.net)

It is also said that this temple is very much related to the family of Maharaja Hari Singh because the former said that there is a casualty in this royal family, a brick falls from the temple which has a spot of blood on that brick.

Gorakhnath Temple

 Gorakhpur city in Uttar Pradesh has been named after the medieval saint Guru Gorakhnath. It forms an important administrative and industrial landmark of Uttar Pradesh that is dominated by locals and visitors alike. Number of shrines including mosques and monasteries have pulled in a major chunk of pilgrim tourists to Gorakpur. 

 The famous Gorakhnath Temple epitomizes the identity of Gorakhpur. This is one of the prominent tourist attractions that enjoys a legendary location in the old part of the city on Gorakhpur Sunauli National Highway. One of the popular legend associated with this temple and Guru Gorakhnath is that devotees chanting Gorakhnath chalisa 12 times are blessed with the divya jyoti or the miraculous flame.

History of Gorakhpur Temple-

The temple was built on the spot where Gorakhnath did meditation in Treta Yug. 

In the records of the temple it is revealed that the Gorakhpur Gorakhnath Temple structure and shape was transformed over the period of time. In fact many attempts were made to destroy this temple during the rule of the Sultanate and Mughal era. First it was the Alaudin Khilji who destroyed the Gorakhnath temple in 14th century and later it was destroyed by yet another devout Islamic ruler of India Aurangzeb in 18th century.

The design of this temple seen today is conceptualized by late Mahant Digvijaynath and the current Mahant Avedyanathji during the 19th century. The large complex of Gorakhnath Temple houses some shrines, temples, cowshed and pond.

Festivals celebrated here include-

The Khichdi Parv is observed every year on Makar Sankranti. Devotees visit the temple on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and offer khichdi to Gorakhnath Baba.Khichdi Parv is celebrated every year with dedication.

The beautiful structure of Gorakhnath temple-

The temple grounds reach across 52 acres of land in the heart of Gorakhpur. Within the temple are various hallways and rooms celebrating a variety of deities. First is Gorakhnath's personal chamber samadhi. The room once housed a statue of him but has since been replaced with footprints.Leading out of the chamber is a gallery of statues including Siva, Ganesh, Kali and Bhairav. Another room contains the nine Naths found in statue form accompanied with other statues.

 When exiting the gallery surrounding Gorakhnath temple, there are other rooms and portraits allocated for other Hindu deities. Not only is the seat of Gorakhnath a defining feature of the temple, the eternal flame (Divya Jyoti) is also held in the temple. The temple maintains a cow shed Goshala on the premises as one of the many references to the life of Gorakhnath and the goals of maintaining the animal life. Away from the main temple, the residential spaces for current practicing ascetics can be found.

Gorakhnath Idol-

Important information-

Timings- 3AM to 10PM

Open- All days of week

After visiting the most prominent Gorakhdham Mandir in Gorakhpur, you can also explore other famous places that fall within the range of 5 kilometres and include Vishu Mandir, Kushmi Forest, Ambedkar Park, Railway Museum, and Nir Nikunj. 

Image credits- google

Narsingh Ji Temple -Kathua

 NARSINGH JI TEMPLE, KATHUA, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Narsingh Ji Temple)(source- justdial.com)

Narsingh Ji Temple is an ancient temple. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Narsingh or Narshima, which is a form of Hindu God of Preservation, Lord Vishnu. Narsingh Ji Temple is a 1600-year temple which is located in the town of Ghagwal in the district of Kathua. 

(Foremost view of Narsingh Ji Temple)

(Source- justdial.com)

The Narsingh Ji Temple represents three idols namely, Narsingh Roop, Narsingh Avatar, Annpurana. Narsingh Ji Temple is the temple of Ghagwal where these three idols can only be spotted together. A large water pond can be spotted by the visitors in propinquity to this temple.

(Inner beauty of Narsingh Ji temple)

(Source- justdial.com)

Travelers can also see in the complex a Jinda Samadhi of Baba Nar Hari Dass Ji Maharaji in this Narsingh Ji Temple. Another thing the pilgrims can spot is a Maha Mandleshwar Gaddi which is popularly known as Shri Amarnath Jammu and Kashmir Nagar Khalsa at this religious center.

(Narsingh Ji temple, Kathua)

(Source- justdial.com)

At this site, the meal of all time (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided daily for more than 200 people. This religious site is thronged during the occasion of Ratha Khara, Makarsakranti, and Janamasthmi. During the special occasions, a fair is held in which people from the hilly areas come and sell their woolen items which include blankets, and handicrafts.

(Inner view of temple)

(Source- Facebook.com)

People can find this Narsingh Ji Temple in Jammu city by the official address: Kathua Ho, Kathua-184101

Vaishno Devi Temple during Navratri festival

 SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE DURING NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

(Vaishno Devi Temple)(source-Google)

‘Navratri’ or ‘Navratra’ is a united word that means Nine Nights. ‘Nav’ means Nine and ‘Ratri’ means Night so together it means Navratri or Nine Nights. This festival is known as ‘Navratri’ in the Northern part of India. During the first three days of Navratri, the Goddess is blessed as a spiritual force known as Durga who is also called Kali to demolish all our immorality, defects, and impurities.

During the second three days of Navratri, the Mother Goddess is admired as a giver of spiritual wealth called Lakshmi, who is observed to have the power of bestowing on her devotees’ unlimited wealth. She is known as The Goddess of Wealth. And the set of the last three days of Navratri is consumed in worshipping of the Goddess of Wisdom, Mata Saraswati.

Though the yatra to the temple of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is the entire year event the one undertaken during the Navratri time it is considered to be the most favorable. To have extensive success in life, believers look for the blessings of all the three characteristics of the divine femininity during the period of nine nights in Navratri.

(Decoration of temple during Navratri)

(Source- Google)

(Aarti view of the temple)(source- Google)

To expose and highlight the heritage, regional culture, and traditions of the area during the time of Navratri the Jammu and Kashmir State Tourism Department has going to introduce the Navratri Festival as an annual event which is going to be held for all nine favorable days of the Navratris.

During the Navratri period, a large number of devotees and tourists pay their homage to the deity. During the time of Navratri, this festival exposes the religious traditions as well as the famous culture of the Jammu Region among the millions of devotees who visit the Vaishno Devi Shrine.

(Crowd during Navratri)(source- Google)

A ‘Shobha Yatra’ was departed in Katra Town, the base camp for the devotees who came to visit the temple of Vaishno Devi. According to the officials, complex arrangements have been made by the local administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for the pilgrims. On the way to the temple, sanitation facilities, and requisite water facilities have been administered. Special food will be provided at Shrine Board eateries for the devotees who are fasting in Navratri. During the Navratri celebration, tight security has been commenced on the way to the temple.

(New route to the temple)(source- Google)

(Vaishno Devi Shrine Board)(source-google)

Peer Kho Cave

 PEER KHO CAVE- the oldest one

(Peer Kho Cave Temple)(source- Google)

The Peer Kho Cave is a temple that is raised as the highlight in the tourist places list of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the archaeological records, the Peer Kho Cave Temple was established in the fifteenth century when Raja Ajaib Dev was under rule. Peer Kho Cave temple is one of the other well-known Shiva temples in the Jammu region. Acacia forests and igneous rocks set out as the backdrop to this cave temple. These trees make the environment more acceptable for God’s worship. Even though various famous legends are connected to the Peer Kho Cave Temple. The antiquity of the temple cannot yet be dated with confidence. Some people considered that this is one of the oldest historic places in the Shiwalik Region. The story of the temple goes that the Jamvant who is the bear God who played a key role in helping Lord Rama in conquering the Demon Ravana in the populous epic Ramayana had cogitated in the Peer Kho Cave temple for a long duration. That is why this temple is also called the Jamvant Cave. It is widely believed that the Shiva Lingam was established naturally in the cave of Peer Kho Temple and the people of the Jammu region began worshipping it conscientiously with a lot of respect.

Peer Kho Cave is situated around 3.5 kilometers away from Jammu City. This cave temple is located on the busy circular road but this temple is easily attainable from different corners of Jammu City.

Inside the temple, there are two natural caves each of the caves is having a depth of about 20 to 30 feet. Peer Kho Cave temple experiences the huge inundation of devotees which grows during the celebration of Shivratri and other Hindu Festivals. The Aap Shambu Temple, The Ranbireshwar Temple, and The Panjbakhtar Temple are the other temples that are situated in proximity to the Peer Kho Cave Temple.

Entry fees- None

Timings- From 5 am to 7 pm

Famous for- The splendid sight of spirituality where sadhus are totally in their zone and being the oldest temple in the Jammu city.

(Peer Kho Cave)(source- Google)

Kashi vishwanath Temple-Uttar Pradesh

 Varanasi is known by the old name Kashi. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites of India. Varanasi is known all over the world for it’s famed Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva has various synonyms such as Vishwanath or Vishweshwar signifying the “ruler of the universe. The localities believe Lord Shiva to the King of Kashi. This is located on the Western bank of the holy river Ganges.The main deity is known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Vishveshvara) literally meaning Lord of the Universe. 

District-Varanasi

Diety-Vishwanath(Shiva) 

State-Uttar Pradesh

Creator-Raj Man Singh, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar

Completed-1780

History-

The Kashi temple was first razed to the ground by the army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1194 AD when he defeated the Raja of Kannauj. It was rebuilt again during Iltutmish's reign but was brought down again. It was rebuilt again by Raja Mann Singh under Akbar's patronage. But local Hindus boycotted the temple because the Raja had allowed Mughals to marry with his family. Nevertheless, the temple was further restored by Raja Torad Mal.The temple, as it stands today, was finally built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar a Maratha ruler who constructed the present temple adjacent to the mosque circa 1780.

Cultural Events-

Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi is celebrated as Rangabhari Ekadashi, that is, colors. According to tradition, before Holi, Baba Vishwanath comes back to Kashi after having a cow in the form of mother Bhagwati. The temple complex is echoed by the echo of dozens of Damroos. This tradition has been performed for over 200 years. On Basant Panchami Baba's Tilak is performed, Shivaratri marriage and Rangbhari Ekadashi marks parvati leaving with shiva. These traditions are carried out by the erstwhile Mahant family of the temple for over a century. 

Structure-

The temple complex consists of a series of smaller shrines, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river.There are small temples for Kaalbhairav, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Virupaksh Gauri in the complex.Structure of the Mandir is composed of three parts. The first compromise a spire on the Mandir of Lord Vishwanath or Mahadeva. The second is a gold dome and the third is the gold spire atop Lord Vishwanath carrying a flag and a trident. 

How to Reach-

By Air-There is direct daily flight connection between Varanasi and New Delhi. 

By Train-Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is served by trains from all metros and major cities across the country. 

By Road-Some important road distances are: Agra 565 km., Allahabad 128 km., Bhopal 791 km., Bodhgaya 240 km., Kanpur 330 km., Khajuraho 405 km., Lucknow 286 km., patna 246 km., Sarnath 10 km., Lumbini (Napal) 386 km., Kushi Nagar 250 km. (via Gorkhpur), UPSRTC Bus Stand, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Golgadda Bus Stand.

Address-Dashaswmedh Road, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India.

Image credits-google

Vaishno Devi Temple

 VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE- A Popular Site

(Vaishno Devi Temple)(source- Google)

The crusade Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is observed to be one of the holiest crusades of earlier times. Vaishno Devi temple is popular in the World as ‘ Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata’ which means the mother who attains whatever her children wish for. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji lives in a Holy Cave which is situated in the folds of the three-peaked mountain named Trikuta which is also known as Trikoot. The Holy cave fascinates millions of devotees every year. But now the number of yatris who visit this Holy Shrine annually exceeds one crore. This is due to the determined faith of the devotees who assemblage the shrine from all parts of India and Abroad.

Since the year 1986, when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was established, the management of the shrine and adjustment of the Yatra has been endowed in the Board. The Board has tackled the number of developmental activities aimed at making the Yatra comfortable and satisfying for the Yatris. The Board resumes reinvesting the offerings and donations received in carrying out refinements in various kinds of Yatri facilities. 

The Call of Mata

The trip to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji begins with the Call of Mata. It is not only the faith but also a strong experience of one and all that the Divine Mother dispatches a call to her children. Once a person receives a message of the Mother wherever he is, bound to visit the temple of the Mother to receives her unlimited love and blessings. A popular slogan beautifully expresses it- ‘Maan  Aap Bulandi’ which means that The Mother Calls Herself. It is the best experience of all the people who visit the holy shrine upon the Call of Mata. If a person needs to take just a step towards her and leave the rest to her so the journey of those people gets completed with the divine blessings of the Mother.

Simultaneously, it is also believed that the Call or Bulawa does not receive by the Mother no one can visit the temple or have her blessings.

Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most visited Hindu Temples in the whole world. The Vaishno Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Mahalakshmi. The belief over the Mother of millions of people is real. They all know that whatever you want or wish for here gets granted. The cave-styled temple is situated at an altitude of about 5200 ft above sea level. So the people have an opportunity to trek to the top from a point. For the route of climbing, there are few options other than walking are helicopter services, palanquin, or pony ride to reach the Vaishno Devi Temple.

Entry fee: None

Timing: from 5 pm to 12 pm, from 4 pm to 9 pm

Famous for- Being the most important religious site in the Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir.

Phone number- 01991234053

Address- Bhavan, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182301

Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, Pune

 Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandir is located in Pune district of Maharashtra

City - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Religious auspicious days - 

• Sankashti Chaturthi

• Angarki Chaturthi

• Ganeshotsav

Address - 

250, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road,    

Mehunpara, 

Budhwar peth,

Pune - 411 002

Phone number - 020 - 24479222

Mahesh MV unsplash.com 

One of the most iconic and representative landmarks of Pune city is the Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Mandir . It is a 128 yearsold Lord Ganpati temple and one of the most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites. A rough estimate gives the number of visitors to around 20 lakhs in a year. It is located in the busy Budhwarpeth and is surrounded by the local market. Already bustling market street becomes super congested due to the heavy number of devotees to the temple and it leads to problems like lack of parking space etc.

Built by a well known Pune citizen, Shrimant Dagduseth Shinde who had become popular as a Halwai, the temple was dedicated to his son who had died in the Pune plague epidemic. It was in this increasingly popular temple that the renowned freedom fighter, Lokmanya Tilak thought of a way of uniting the Hindus against the British rule by starting and popularising Sarvajanik Ganpati Pandals. 

 The temple is managed by Shreemanth Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust.

The temple is constructed in such a way that the interior as well as the Lord's idol is visible even from the street. In this way the devotees waiting in the queue for their turn feel a part of the ongoings. 

The present  idol of Lord Ganpati is 7.25 feet in height and 3.28 feet in width ( 2 m by 1 m ) and is made of Silver. The idol is adorned with gold ornaments and jewellery weighing up to 40 kilograms encrusted with precious jewels, diamonds and rubies leading to the idol being insured for the amount of 1 crore rupees.. Additionally, scores of devotees regularly offer gold, precious gems, cash donations which amount to huge numbers making the temple trust one of the richest in the state of Maharashtra.

Hence ,right from the initial days of popularity of the temple, the then members had started a number of social service activities like opening an Old age Home, providing financial aid and education opportunities to poor and needy children. In fact the Old Age Home itself houses 400 such students at any given time. The other services provided are Ambulances for the poor, Health clinics for the tribal people in the district of Pune. 

The occasion of Ganeshotsav is the most busy time as the temple gets thousands of devotees with even the State CM, high profile people, actors and celebrities dropping in as well. 

The idol of the Lord is installed at Kotwal Chawri near Dutt Mandir and the decorations are unique, beautiful and spectacular to say the least.

Past decors have reconstructed some of India's major cultural monuments, palaces and Hindu pilgrimage temples such as Surya Temple of Orissa, Shree Mahalakshmi Temple , Kolhapur, Madhura - Meenakshi temple, Madurai, the Angola palace of Rajasthan and the Mysore Palace to name a few.

Socially relevant themes and topics are also depicted to raise awareness among the visitors.

Thousands of volunteers work day and night to run the show smoothly. The Visarjan procession is glorious with traditional Dhol - Tasha and the Idol of the Lord placed in a gleaming silver chariot. The energy of the devotees and performers is amazing, giving it a surreal feel. 

Nowadays, the temples schedule for prayers, Abhishek and timing for darshan etc are available on their website with live telecast across all the platforms like Facebook, Youtube etc. 

Slots for performing pooja in the temple can also be booked. 

In conclusion, a visit to Pune city without a darshan at the Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Mandir is unimaginable. 

Second and third picture is by Mohnish Langde, unsplash.com

Goddess Chattushringi Temple, Pune

 The temple of Goddess Chatturshringi Temple is located in the district of Pune, Maharashtra

City - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from - 

• Shivajinagar railway station - 4km

• Pune Junction - 7 km

• Pune International Airport - 14 km

How to reach -

• Rental cars, private vehicles, Auto rickshaws, Buses

• Online booking of Yatra buses from many cities to the temple, especially during major festivals is arranged by the temple trust

Time - 

• 6 a.m to 9 p.m.

• 6 a.m to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays as the devotees crowd is much more.

Other names of the Goddess - Ambareshwari, MahaLaksmee, Mahakalee, Mahasaraswatee

Goddess Chattushringi temple is located in the north west of Pune city on a  slope of a group of 4 hills hence the name since Chattu means 4.

The temple is quite big with a height of 90 feet and a width of 125 feet. It represents the strength, power of the Goddess and the faith of her devotees.

The temple premises have temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganpati. Lord Ganpati's temple has 8 miniature idols of Ashtavinayaka.

There is a smaller version of the temple right at the main entrance which is also visited by the devotees.

Goddess Chattushringi and Lord Ganpati are the presiding dieties of the city of Pune and hence have innumerable followers and devotees.

Apparently the story regarding the construction of the temple goes like this. A rich Peshwa merchant, Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan, in the times of Maratha rule was an ardent devotee of the Goddess and would regularly visit the Vani devi temple. As he grew older he was unable to travel and this troubled him a lot. Pleased with his faith and devotion, the Goddess appeared in his dream and gave him a location in Pune itself for finding her idol and where he should construct her temple so that he may visit her again regularly. Accordingly on digging up the said place an idol of the Goddess was revealed ( Swayambhu devi ). The merchant got a grand temple built for her as per her instructions. This tale is about 250 - 300 years old. Down the ages the temple has been repaired and restored many times.

The temple is managed by a trust by the name of 

Chattushringi Devasthan Trust. ( श्री चत्तुशृंगी देवस्थान ). The trust has done a good job of maintaining the premises, surroundings, stairs etc. The 100 plus steps are well made and after every 6 steps a sitting and resting point is constructed. The trust has also made provisions for a dharamshala, drinking water, waterfalls, fountains and water banks for the convenience of the thousands of devotees who visit every year. 

The festival of Navratri is celebrated lavishly with the whole temple complex being lit with tradtional oil lamps. Every year the trust also does something unique to add to the festivities, like dropping hundreds of flower petals from a helicopter on the temple premises. 

On Dussehra day, a silver idol is placed in a silver chariot and taken around in a procession for the devotees to pay their respects. 

The trust is also planning to bring about more amenities lik free Wi-Fi, CCTVs, LED TVs at the entrance that will show the inner sanctum for the waiting devotees along with loudspeakers for important announcents and playing devotional songs. A firebrigade , ambulances with trained Doctors is also to be provided during auspicious days and major festival periods. 

Videography and Pictures are not allowed inside the temple.

Picture source - 

• Temple, wikipedia

• Goddess Chaturshringi 

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