Buddha Mahotsav-Uttar Pradesh

 Buddha is one of the many epithets of a teacher who lived in northern India sometime between the 6th and the 4th century before the Common Era.His followers, known as Buddhists, propagated the religion that is known today as Buddhism

 The title buddha was used by a number of religious groups in ancient India and had a range of meanings, but it came to be associated most strongly with the tradition of Buddhism and to mean an enlightened being, one who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and achieved freedom from suffering.

History of Buddha Mahotsav-

The story of his enlightenment; of his renounce and sacrifices; and his transformation from Prince Siddhartha to the Buddha continues to inspire people to this day. The mighty mystic became the establisher of the religion of Buddhism - an ideology which once dominated the minds of the major section of the population of the Indian subcontinent. It is said that all the three important events in the life of Gautama Buddha – his birth, enlightenment and salvation – fall on the same day of the year. Owing to this happenstance, the day holds immense value in Buddhism. The decision to celebrate Buddha’s birth anniversary on the first full moon day of Vaisakha was taken by the World Fellowship of Buddhists in May, 1960.

Buddha Mahotsav as the name suggests the festival is commemorated to honor and celebrate Lord Buddha. The festival is celebrated in Kushinagar, which is known to be the place where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment.Celebrated to honor Lord Buddha, the festival is celebrated each year in the month of December from 29th to 31st. Lord Buddha was born on the Puranmashi (Full moon) in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC. 

The Buddha Mahotsav is held at Kushinagar, Sarnath and Varanasi to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha. Buddha got enlightenment the same day he was born and on the same day is marked as the death anniversary of Gautama Buddha.

How is it Celebrated?

 
Sermons and reading of the Buddhist scriptures are another significant spiritual activities carried out by the devotees at Sarnath. They put forward fruits, flowers, candles, etc in front of the statues of the Lord Buddha according to their beliefs and customs. Decoration of the whole area at Sarnath with the earthen lamps takes place in the evening of the day.

There is also a tradition of taking dips in the holy river Ganga as it is believed this washes away sins.On this day, followers of Buddhism wear white clothes and meditate. They consume only vegetarian food. Often, people also celebrate it by preparing ‘kheer’- an Indian sweet dish, at their homes. Offerings are made to the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, and alms are also distributed to the needy and poor.

Buddha Mahotsav was first started at the Sarnath in the year 1998 by the UP tourism and Ministry of Tourism of Government of India. K. R.

The annual Buddha Purnima Mahotsav is held at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. 
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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. 

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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.

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Vrindavan-The Land of Lord Krishna

 Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna was born. It is the place where Lord Krishna performed his divine activities and played tricks with the gopis (the milkmaids).The presence of Lord Krishna is something you will instantly grasp from the very moment you step foot into Vrindavan. From the walls to the gardens, to the roads, everything here feels as if it has been touched by Lord Krishna. The name 'Vrindavan' is a derivative of the term 'Vrinda', which is akin to Tulsi plant that grows profusely throughout the length and breadth of the city. Legend says that the entire surroundings were a tulsi coppice at one time. Some others believe that the term Vrindavan stands for Vrinda Devi, one among the milkmaids. Lets explore some of the places and temples to visit in this spiritual and peaceful place-

1.Prem Mandir-Radha & Krishna Sita & Ram the epitome of eternal love and unfathomed devotion! Prem Mandir Vrindavan is an ode to their celestial love, reflecting unprecedented beauty and marvel. The beautiful Prem Mandir emanates exactly what it is named as. Love or Prem, this temple is located on the outskirts of Vrindavan. The temple is a true delight for Lord Krishna’s followers, exhibiting supreme power and devotion. The magnificent abode of love is a must visit on your tour to Vrindavan.

2.Banke Bihari Mandir-Banke Bihari temple is one of the most revered temples of Vrindavan. Banke Bihari, the presiding deity, means bent in three places. The idol of Lord Krishna at this temple can be seen standing in a unique posture, justifying the naming of this temple.Swami Harida installed this idol in Nidhivan an he was also the Guru of iconic singer Tansen. It was later brought to Banke Bihari Temple.. It is believed that the idol was handed over to Swami Haridas by Lord Krishna himself!

3.ISKCON Vrindavan-The first popular temple is the ISKCON (International Society on Krishna Consciousness) Temple was built on the orders of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON. In the open hall outside the sanctum sanatorium, a number of foreigners and Indians wearing saffron and white clothes are enjoying the high of Hare Rama Hare Krishna kirtan that goes on for 24 hours a dayopen hall outside the sanctum sanatorium, a number of foreigners and Indians wearing saffron and white clothes are enjoying the high of Hare Rama Hare Krishna kirtan that goes on for 24 hours a day.

4.Nidhivan-As the name says Nidhivan, is a block of the thick forest where Lord Krishna used to do Raas Leela with Radha and Gopis.It is believed by the devotees and people that not only Lord Krishna visits this place but also performs Ras Leela with the Gopis here every night. This is the reason why after the evening Aarti at 7pm, the doors of Nidhivan shut down for the devotees as well as priests. Even it is believed, the animals and birds that are sighted here all through the day also leave the premises in the evening. Truly, Nidhivan is one mysterious place that catches the attention of all kinds of travellers from around the world. Though, it seems impossible to learn more about this place, it is still one destination that awaits more exploration.

5.Shri Shri Krishna Balram Temple-the impressive temple of Krishna Balram ISKCON temple enveloped in a rarified air of stillness that seems to radiate off its beatific white marble structure. The main temple hall has 3 altars, each enshrining beautifully decorated deities of Gaura Nitai, Krishna Balram and Radha Shyamsundar in their most beautiful form. Do visit this temple to take a look at this beautiful place.

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