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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

ALONG THE COURSE OF THE SACRED RIVER GANGES

Steeped in history and religious traditions, the Gangetic Plains comprising the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh become devotees with a rich offering of temple towns and pilgrim centers. The river Ganges-the most sacred of all rivers- flows through these two states and there are several major temple towns along its path. The states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are also home to a number of places associated with the life and teaching of Buddha. This makes the3m sacred destinations for Buddhist pilgrims.

Varanasi. In Uttar Pradesh, is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India . Enshrining one of the 12 Jyotirlingames of Shiva, THE Vishwanath Temple, is the goal of millions of pilgrims who converge here. Also of significance here is the Annapoorna Temple and five other sacred spots: the Asi- Ganga Sangamam at Lolarka with a temple to the Sun God’ the convergence of River Ganges and River Varuna where there is a shrine to Kesava., the Panchaganga Ghat with a temple dedicated to Bindu- Madhava, the Dasaswamedha Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi in Hindu scriptures, has several other prominent temples and shrines. 135 km west of Varanasi is Allahabad. It is here that the River Ganges meets River Yammuna and the mythical River Saraswati. The confluence, known as Triveni Sangam, has great religious significance. Bathing here is believed to absolve one of all sins. This is also the site of the Kumbha Mela., held once in 12 years. Ayodhya, one of the seven Mukti Sthalams of India, is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is also connected with many events in the Ramayana. There are several imnprotant Temples and shrines related to Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hannuman here. The Ammaji Temple, built at a later date, on the banks of River Sarayu, is in the South Indian architectural style. The temple enshrines Lord RangANATHA AND Lord Rama. 47 Km north –west of Agra., Mathura, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It lies at the heart of Braj Bhoomi, a land imbued with sanctity, for it was here that the young Krishna was nurtured. Virtually every site in Mathura is associated with legends related to Krishna.

The splendid Katra Keshav Dev Temple is built over the little prison cell believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishana. The Gita Mandir has a fine image of Lord Krishna, with the Bhagvad Gita inscribed on its walls, Mathura’s most popular shrine is the Dwaradeesh Temple built in 1815.

There are about 25 splendid ghats along River Yammuna, that flows through the city. Of these, the most important is the Vishram Ghat, where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested afte3r killing Kansa. 15 Km from Matura is Vrindavan, closely linked to Lord Krishna’s youth and stories of his playful pranks. Today, it is a temple town with ghats along the river and numerous shrines. The most important of these are the Govind Deo Temple, built in 1590, The Rangaji Temple built in the Dravidian style, the Madan Mohan Temple- oldest in Vrindavan, the popular Banke Bihari Temple, the famous Radha Vallabh Temple and the ornate Shahji Temple. The incredible white marble Krishna Balram Temple complex, built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is also a ‘must –see’. 15 km south of Mathura is Gokul, where Krishna was brought up in secrecy by his foster parents Nand and Yashoda. There are a number of interesting temples here.

4 km from Gokul Mahavan, another location linked to Krishna’s childhood. The temple of Mathuranathji is well worth a visit. Just 8.5 km from Mahavan is Baldeo, famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna’s brother Baldeo. 26 Km west of Mathura is Govardhan, where Lord Krishna is said to have lifted the Giriraqj Hill to protect his people from a deluge of rain sent down by Lord Indra. This is also the site of the 400 year old sandstone Temple of Haridev.

Barsana is about 50 km from Matura. Noted for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, the town has temples dedicated to the divine couple. These are the only temples in India, where Radha is worshipped. Chief among them is the Radha Rani Temple, built in 1675.

56 Km from Matura is Nandgaon, the home of Lord Krishna;s father Nand. The spacious temple of Nand Rai is located on a hill. 65 km north of Lucknow, is Naimisaranya, mentioned frequency in the Ramayana and the Mahabaratha. The forest here is considered to have been the abode of 60,000 sages. This place has also been visited by Adi Shankaracharya. Surdas resided here. The Lalitha Temple, the Purna Mandir and shrines dedicated to Sage Veda Vyasa, Chakranarayana, Ganesh Rama and Lakshman adorn this town. There are also several sacred tanks, the most important being the Chakra Teertham.

Once the seat of powerful empires, Bihar was also a great religious centre for Jains. Hindusand more importantly Buddhist’s. Today the temples, Shrines and Stupas of the state bear mute testimony to the religious significance of Bihar.

Adjacent to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, is the Shaivaite Monastery with a cluster of four temples. The Jagannath Temple nearby, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has his statue carved in glistening black stone.

Gaya, an important pilgrim centre since time immemorial, is home to the Vihnupada Temple, one of the greatest Vaishnavaite Temples and the most sacred Pinda Daana Vedi (site of offerings to the ancestors). Vishnu’s footprint stamped on the a rock called Dharmashilla is the object of worship.

Other important temples in Gaya are the Prapitaamaheshwara Temple, where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Linga., the Dakshinaarka Temple, an ancient shrine to the Sun God and the Mangalagowri Temple, dedicated to Shakti or the mother goddess. Gaya also has several Buddhist Temples like the Sujatha Sthan or Durgeshwari Temple.

The Chaumukhi Mahadeva at Vaishali is a Linga carved with four faces of Lord Shiva. At the Bhawan Pakhar Temple, a number of Hindu deities are enshrined at one place and worshipped together.

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