ANCIENT TEMPLES OF INDIA – MYTHOLOGY, HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
STATE- WEST BENGAL
KALI TEMPLE KALIGHAT
The Temple belongs to the Hindu Goddess Kali. Kali Temple is
situated at Kalighat in Kolkata at the banks of Adi Ganga. Adi Ganga is a small
canal which connects to the Hoogly River . Adi means original, canal called Adi
Ganga due to original course of river Hoogly. This is one of the 51 Shakti
Peeths on earth.
Mythology
The Mythology behind this temple is Rudra Tandav of Shiv after Sati’s
self immolation . Sati was not invited at her father residence for a pooja
ceremony so she had an altercation with
her father after that she self immolated
.
Shiv did Tandav while carried
Sati’s burnt body so various parts of Goddess’s body fell on the earth. The
right toes of Goddess fell at Kalighat, and the Temple of Kali was built at
that place. After goddess’s name city named as Kolkata.
Another legend is that a Brahmin seen a ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi river bed, on searching it is found that light is coming from a piece of stone in the shape of human toe.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
The original Temple was a small hut. In the beginning of 16th
century a temple was built by the king
Manasingha. The present temple of Kali at Kalighat, Kolkata was built under the
patronage of Sabarna Roy Choudhary family of Barisha in 1809.
The pattern of Goddess Idol in this temple is different from the other
kali idols in Bengal.The Idol created as per Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri.
The Idol has three eyes, long tongue made of gold and four hands also made of
gold.
Two of her hands hold a sharp sword like weapon and a severed head of
asura king Sumbha . Sword signifies divine knowledge and head of Sumbha
human ego which must be slain by divine
khowledge.
The other two hands showing abhaya and varada mudra. It means
anyone who will worship Goddess with sincerity will be saved as her guidance
always with them.
Other Places to Visit
In the temple and outside there are number of
shrines.
Sosti Tala : There are three stones placed
side by side representing the goddess Sosti, Sitola and Mongol Chandi.
Natmondir : A large rectangular covered platform called Natmondir has been erected from where the face of the kali Icon can be seen.
Jor Bangala : A large verandah of the main temples facing the kali icon is known as Jor Bangla it connects the temple bathing ghat.
Kundupukur : This the scared tank of the kali ghat temple. Situated in the south east of the temple outside of the boundary walls. In the past it was bigger and called kaku-kunda. In the 16th centuary Sati
Ango was discovered from this tank
Best time to visit : Avoid
rainy season other wise there is no problem whole year.
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STATE- KARNATAKA
Kollur known for small
Temple town in Kundapur Taluk of Udipi
district in Karnataka. This village is famous for MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE which is a
Hindu pilgrim centre situated at the foot of Western Ghats. The Village Kollur
has distance of 38 km from Kundapur.
MYTHOLOGY
The goddess slain the demon
Mookasura so that she is called Mookambika. She is described in
the form of jyotirlinga having both Siva and sakti and manifestation of
trigunas. The sikhara of the temple gilded with gold donated by Sankanna
Savanta.
The Chandramoulisvara icon
said to be installed by Adi Sankara. The Kollur is an important seat of Sakti worship. A maharishi kola perform penance on a rock.
Lord shiva delighted with kola appeared and blessed him. The Maharishi prayed
for the welfare of mankind only. The lord happy with kola granted him his wish.
He assured that a Svmyambhu Linga would appear for his daily worship.
Kola wanted to worship Devi so a svaran rekha appeared on the lingum signifying sakti so that Siva and sakti are worshipped together in the lingam. It is believed that goddesses of hindu pantheon resides aroopa in the lingam.
Kollur is in the group of Seven pilgrim centres created by the Parushram, a hindu mythological figure, the other pilgrim centres created by him devoted to lord Siva, lord subhramanyam and lord Ganesha . This is devoted to goddess Parvati
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
The history of Mookambika temple dates back to around 800 A.D. The Temple is in the middle of a forest and on the bank of
the souparnika river. The peak kodachadri and mountain are visible from here.
The original temple is on the peak and for the convenience of pilgrim to offer
pooja temple was constructed at Kollur.
The idol in Mookambika temple is made up of Panchaloha i.e. a combination of five metals namely Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron and Lead. Venkanna Savantha built the stone structure of the temple in 11th century A.D belonged to kings of Hosangadi
The east side entrance has gold plated Dhwajasthambha and a Deepasthambha having image of Ganasha sculpture on the pillar. The devotees before entering temple for darshan in the temple first visit here and offer their prayers. The idol of Mookambika has four arms. The upper hands hold Shankha and Chakra and the palms of the lower two arms in the position of blessing to the devotees with the Abhaya and Varada Hastha Position.
Other Places to Visit
Kodachadri
Mountain
It is the tenth highest peak of Karnataka and we can see view of Arabian sea from the peak of Kodachadri Mountain. Mountains are located in the western ghats region having evergreen forest.
Souparnika
River Souparnika is one of the holy river of India. This river is famous for the holy dip taken by the people who come here.
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STATE- ASSAM
SHRI SURYA PAHAR TEMPLE ASSAM
Shri Surya Pahar , Goalpara in the state of Assam is a Temple of Sun God. It is an ancient sun worship centre. The temple situated in the hilly terrain where rock-cut shivalingas, votive stupas, deities of hindu, buddhist and jain pantheon are scattered in the area of 1 km.
MYTHOLOGY
According to the
Kalika puran about 10 BC Brahma created Pragjyotishpura as a city equal to city
of Indra . Prag means east and Jyotisha
means star astrology. So it is called ‘eastern city of astrology.
There were 99999 Siva
Lingas engraved by Veda Vyasa in order to build up another kashi where 100000
Shiv Lingas engraved. The exact figures of Siva Linga and other deity is yet to
be accounted scientifically. Account of famous Chinese traveller Huen Tsang
referred Shri Surya Pahar as the ancient land of Pragjyotisha, the capital of
the kingdom of Kumar Bhaskara Varman (600-650).
As per new findings there are a few shiv Lingas and a few house like structure existed at Surya Pahar which confirmed civilization existed at Sri Surya Pahar centuries ago. It is believed due to design of houses and use of bricks.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
From the name it is clearly shows that the site is associated with worship of Sun. Hindus worshiped God Surya. As per Kalika Puran ( 10 centuary ) there were two seats of sun worship, one of the centre is Sri surya Pahar. The First Tirthankars, Adinath carved in the sitting posture relates to 9 century AD.
There are 25 votive stupas of different sizes having Hinduism Jainism and Buddhism effect in their making. The other sculpture is of Mahishasuramandini, decorative objects, terracotta plaques and carved bricks. People worshipped a carved stone slab kept in temple as surya. The Central carving of the slab in circle is described as Prajapati and surrounding of circle has twelve Lotus petal. Each Petal has seated figure of Aditya. These twelve Adityas are described as twelve solar divinities namely Dhatri, Mitra, Aryaman, Rudra, Varuna, Surya, Bhaga, Vivasvan, Pushan, Savitri, Tvastri and Vishnu.
There are rock carving of Hindu deities found at the foothills of Sri Surya Pahar. Sculpture of shiva and Vishnu are main. The twelve armed Vishnu worshiped as Dasbhuja Durga. The other remains are there in the combination Ganesha, Hari Hara, Vishnupadas, etc. The remains belonged to 9 th centuary AD. Just like surya chakra there is Chandra Chakra but passage of time and natural wear & tear damaged the chakra.
Best time to
visit is the Winter
season i.e. October -February.
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STATE- TAMILNADU
Tiruvalangadu is a village 60 km from Chennai. Temple is
situated at a distance of 5 km from the last railway station on Chennai-Arakkonam
Route.
This temple is dedicated to shiva, worshipped in the name
of Vataranyeshvar. Vata is Sanskrit name
of Banyan tree and aranya is forest. The
Temple is situated in a peaceful village which was at a time thick forest of
banyan tree . This temple was existed in 7th centuary A.D. during
the reign of Pallava dynasty. Its structure had been increased during the chola
dynasty and in later years as well.
MYTHOLOGY
The
Tiruvalangadu Temple known for dance contest Shiva as Nataraj and Goddess Kali,
the other form of Goddess Durga. This incident narrated in the puranas to
convey the limit to one’s ego and drain out of demonic fire of body by the
cosmic force. According to incident shiva gave the challenge to Kali by
performing 17 difficult Tandavas, the goddess kali performed all well. Finally
the lord shiva performed Urdhva Tandava in which he had lift up his right leg
vertically up, his earing fell down which he picked up by toe and put back in
his ear. Kali not able to perform this feat and accepted defeat.
There
is small temple for Kali close to the temple. According to traditional practice
devotees first worshipped Kali then enter the main Shiva temple.
History And Architecture
The main temple has a
svayambhu or self manifest linga and place for eight armed Nataraja appearing
in his unique dancing position of Uradhva Tandava with his left leg raised.The
temple has several entrance ways, pillared halls and small sanctums.
Tiruvalangad temple recording various donation over the
centuries on the stone walls. An important chola epigraph dated 1018
A.D. engrave on 31 sheets of Copper found in 1905. A grand bronze Idol of
Nataraja dated 1000 A.D. was also found in Temple which is now in the custody
of government museum . The temple has
been built in all respects in accordance
with the traditional Cholan temple architecture that is typical of a Shaivaite
shrine.
Shivraathri (during Makara) and
Thiruvadirai (during Dhanur) festivals are celebrated in a grand manner in this
temple.
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STATE- GUJRAT
Stambheshvar
Mahadev Temple known as the Disappearing Temple of Lord Shiva. It is situated
in the small town Kavi Kamboi in the west of Varodara district of Gujarat State.
The Temple is 150 years old. Its
specialty is that it is in the middle of the Arabian Sea in the bay of Cambay.
It
is called Disappearing Temple of Lord Shiva because as the sea level rises and falls twice in a day,
the temple hides in the water. When water recedes it again appears and 4 ft
high shiva lingam becomes visible.
MYTHOLOGY
We found reference of this Temple in Skanda Puran. Lord Kartikeyahas built this temple and installed Shivalinga. A Demon named Tarakasur who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva killed by the Lord Kartikeya. He wanted to be powerful forceso he had become fully devotional to lord Brahma to please him. He asked boonfrom Lord Brahma to shield him from the death. Lord Brahma asked Tarakasur foranother boon. This time asked death from the hands of six year old son of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma granted him. Now Tarakasur become assured that no one can harm him and started cruelty towards Devas (God). To stop Tarakasur from doing menace Lord Shiva created his son Kartikeya from his third eye. On becoming six years of age Kartikeya killed Tarakasur by a spear. After killing Tarakasur, kartikeya regretted his act as Tarakasur was a worshipper of Lord Shiva and atonement for his sins.
Lord
Vishnu consoled him as he killed a cruel
person. On adviseof Lord Vishnu Kartikeya established Shivlingas and started
their worshipping with devotion. Kartikeye installed such Shiv Lingas at
different places of the country. Stambheshwar is one of them. So by doing this
Kartikeya absolved himself from his sin.
It is very beautiful sight to watch the temple and the Shivalinga in the darkness of the sea and quietness of night.
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STATE- GUJRAT
Kotesvar is a small village which is one of the pilgrim place of India due to presence of an ancient Shiv Temple . The temple situated near the mouth of the kori creek in Arebian sea at western end of kutch in Gujarat.
The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang written about it . Koteshwar port existed in boundary of 5 miles near the mouth of the river Indus.
MYTHOLOGY
Mythological fact behind the Koteshvar temple is that
Ravana had won a boon from Lord Shiva for an outstanding display of piety. In
gift he got Shiv Linga of great spiritual power. But accidentally he dropped it
in haste and arrogance and it fell on the earth at Koteshvar. Linga turned in
to a thousand identical copies to punish Ravana.
As Ravana unable to identified original, he had taken one Linga and left, leaving the original one here, around which Koteshwar Temple was built.
The Temple of Koteshwar
situated at Sea- shore. The fort and temple built in 1820 by Sheth Sundarji and
Jetha Shivji Brahmakshatriya by their caste
as per writing on the left side of the gate.
In the koteshwar around
80 monasteries with 5000 monks were present at that time. There were thirteen
temples of which Mahesh Mandir was full of monuments. Now the ruins shows its
greatness.
In the centre a stone
temple of Mahadev called kotesvar. There are three domes . Under the central
dome a large and beautiful cheek bull presented by the Rao Desaiji, in the
right dome there is a large stone image
of Hanuman and in the left dome there is
a large stone image of Ganapati.Various rulers of kutch have renovated temples
over many centuries through local Kutch artisans.
Near the Koteshvar
temple a smaller temple built by the same artisans in the memory of Kalyaneswar. Near small temple Hindu also
perform Sraddh ceromany and take bathe in a pool filled by every high tide.
In the clear night the
glow of night from Karachi can be seen.
It is also an sunset point.
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STATE - MAHARASTRA
For
this Temple it is believed that lord shiva appeared here to wipe out sin of Go
hataya of Gautama Rishi at request. There are 750 stone steps to reach at the
source point of Godavari.
MYTHOLOGY
There
were some sages who jealously sent cow to graze near the hermitage of Gautama
Rishi. As Rishi tried to drive the cow away ,the cow fell down dead. At the
request of Rishi lord Shiva appeared and
let out a stream of Ganga water from his
hair and asked Gautama to bathe in it to wipe out sin of Go-hataya. Shiva came
to be known here as Tryambakesvar. The Ganga came to this region after the
tapsya of Gautama Rishi.
The Gautama surrounded the river with Kush grass and put
a vow to her. The flow stopped there and the tirtha thus came to be called
Kushavarta. This place is called Gautami
and also known as Ganga dvara.It is from this Kushavarta that the river Godavari flows
up to the sea. The sin of killing a cow by Gautama was wiped off here.
The Temple is surrounded by the three hills Brahmagiri,Nilagiri and
Kalagiri. The lord in
this temple in the trinity form of Brahma.Vishnu and Shiva.
History
And Architecture
The temple tank is called Amritavarshini, which measured 28 m
(92 ft) by 30 m (98 ft). There are three other bodies of water,
namely, Bilvatirtha, Viswanantirtha and Mukundatirtha. There are images of
various deities, namely, Gangadevi, Jaleswara, Rameswara, Gautameswara,
Kedarnatha, Rama, Krishna, Parasurama and Lakshmi
Narayana. The temple has also several monasteries and samadhis of saints.
The existing temple was built out of basalt after it was commissioned
by Peshwa Nanasaheb. It so happens that the Peshwa made a bet on whether the
stone surrounding the Jyotirlinga, is hollow from the inside or not. The stone was proved
to be hollow, and on losing the bet, the Peshwa built a marvelous temple out of
it. The old temple situated here was
renovated in the 18th century by Baji Rao, the third Peshava king.
The Shiva deity of the temple consisted of the
world-famous Nassak Diamond. It was looted by the British in
The third anglo maratha war and lies with one owner
or the other ever since.
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STATE- MADHYA PRADESH
It
is a Shiv temple and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, situated on an
island in the Narmada River known as Mandhata or Shivpuri which is shaped like the Hindu symbol “om”. There
are two temples are one is Omkaresvar
(Lord of the Om Sound) and another is Amaresvar ( Mamlesvar)(Lord of Immortals
i.e. Devas). Mamlesvar is a jyotirilinga which is on the other side of
river narmada.
Located
in Khandawa district of Madhya Pradesh. It is about 16km from Barwaha in Madhya
Pradesh. The Temple is situated on Mandhata or Shivpuri island on the banks of
Narmada and river kaveri. The Island is 4km long can be approached by boat and
bridge.
MYTHOLOGY
The Omkaresvar Jyotirlinga has its own different stories. Narada, son of Lord Brahma visited Vindhya Parvat and told about the greatness of mount Meru.
Due
to jealous of Meru Vindhya Parvat
decided to grow bigger. For this he worshiped lord siva and Prithivlinga
made from physical material. And he also worshipped Omkaresvar. His worship
pleased Shiva and lord granted boon to grow bigger. It is believed that Lord
Shiva made the linga in two parts. One half called Omkaresvara and other
Mamalesvara.
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STATE- UTTRAKHAND
MUKESHWAR
SHIVA TEMPLE
Mukteshwar
is a village in the Nainital district of Uttrakhand. It is 51 km from the Nainital
district. There is 350 years old temple
of Lord Shiva known as Mukteshwar Dham situated at the highest point in the
town. It is nearby Chauli-Ki-Jali, used for rock climbing and a best view point
of velly.
MYTHOLOGY
It
is believed that t is believed the
lord Shiva killed a demon here and granted him salvation (Mukti), hence the
name Mukteshwar. This place is blessed by Lord Shiva and any devotee who
comes with dedication and faith is
blessed with whatever he/she desires.
Mukeshwar is famous for its Water falls such as Bhalu Ghaad, Tarikhet ,Rudradhari and Donkey waterfall. And also nature beauty can be enjoyed by going through deodar forest, birds , hill road side views, trees laden with fruits like apple, khubani etc. and trees of apricot.
The rainy season must be avoided to
visit Mukteshwar.
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