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Sunday, May 20, 2007

A Spiritual Expedition in The Lap of The Himalayas : The Pilgrim Centres of Northern India.

For centuries the mighty Himalayas, crowning the Indian sub-continent, have been revered as the abode of divinity. Himalayas of shrines and pilgrim sites dot the Himalayas footbills and the lofty ice clad peaks many of them associated with the Indian epics. The sacred River Ganges originates here winding its way down to the plains. Also in the Himalayas are the prayags or the sacred confluences of the various river that feed the River Ganges.

The picturesque state of Jammu & Kashmir is home to several sacred shrines and pilgrim centres. Hindu Temples Muslim shrines, Sikh Gurudwaras and Buddhist Monasteries add to the cultural of this beautiful state. The most outstanding landmark in Jammu the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir is the Raghunath Temple dedicated to lord Rama. The impressive shrine was built in 1835. Surrounded by snow-clad mountains, Amarnath, in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is one the most revered pilgrim centres of India. Located 140 Km north east of Srinagar, at a height of 13,000 feet above sea level, the Amarnath Cave enshrines a natural Shivalingam of ice. To the left of the Shivalingam is another ice block representing Ganesha, and to the right of the Shivalingam are blocks reprinting Parvati and Bhairava.

Inside the Amaranth cave is another small cave on the left of the image, from which a chalk like substance is given out to pilgrims as Vibhuti (Holy Ash). Open only for a few months during the year, Amarnath is reached after a strenuous hike through the Himalayas. In Amarnath the Vaishno Devi Temple too, requires an arduous trek, Situated about 60 Km north east of Jammu, on the triangular hill Trikoota Bhagwati, this shrine I sat an altitude of 5,300 feet and at a distance of 12 Km from Latra the last motorable point, The temple enshrines Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the three forms of Goddess Shakti-Mahalakshmi, Maha Parvati and Maha Saraswati. Nestling in the northern lap of the Himalaya Ranges, Himachal Pradesh, literally means the land of the snow. Valleys overflowing with exotic flowers, snow-capped peaks and green hills, gushing rivers and streams. Himachal Pradesh is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also home to several temple and Buddhist is also home to several temples and Buddhist monasteries.

Mashobra, 11 Km from shimla has a wooden temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. About 15 Km north of Mashobra is the village of Naldhera, famous for its Mahunag Mandir. Rampur has several interesting temples including the ancient Raghunath Temple. Also worth a visit are the Purohit Mandir and the Sri sat Narain Temple. Sarahan is home to the Bhimakli Temple. This ancient temple complex is regarded as one of the finest examples of Himachal architecture. The two main temples are built in the form of towers, with elaborately carved overhanging upper storey. While the presiding deity is Bhimakali, the temple also house images of Paravati, Buddha and Annapoorna, among others Also in the courtyard is the Lankra Vir Temple.

The spectacular mountain village of Kalpa, is the legendary winter home of Lord Shiva. The village offers breathtaking views of Mt. kinnaur Kailash. The Narayan-Nagin Temple Complex here includes shrines of Hindu, Buddhism and Local deities. Kangra was once the capital of the princely state of Kangra. Today it is most famous for the Temple of Bajreshwari. It is said that the legendary wealth of this temple, tempted dozens of invaders. But the temple re-emerged from each invasion and in Jehangir’s time it was paved in plates of silver. About 34 Km south of Kangra is the temple of Jwalamukhi, the goddess of light. This temple is one of the most sacred sites in the Kangra vally and is topped by a golden dome and spire. Baijunath, 46 Km south-east of Dharamasala, is an important pilgrim centre. The ancient Baidyanth Temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his incarnation as Vaidyanath Lord of the Physicians. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. Believed to date from 804 AD, this temple said to have been built by the Pandavas, is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage spot. 56 Km from Dalhouse is Chamba, a picturesque village with narrow streets and ancient temple. The six shikara-style temples in the Lakshmi Narayan Complex feature exquisite sculptures and date from the 10th century all the way up to the 19th century. The largest and oldest temple in this group is that of Lakshmi Narayan(Vishnu). Mandi, the Gateway to the Kullu Valley has more than 80 temple of Varying ages scattered around the hillside. The more well-known of these are the 16th century Bhutnath Temple, the 17th century Syamkali Temple (also called the Tarna Devi Temple), the Triloknath and the Panjvaktra Temples.

About 24 Km South west of Mandi is the Rewalsar Lake, of religious significance to Buddhist Sikh and Hindus. There are several Gompas here a huge Guru Govind Singh Gurudwar and three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to Rishi Lomas, Shiva and Krishna. 15 Km south of Kullu in the village of Bajaura is the 8th century Basheshar Mahadev, the largest stone temples in the kullu valley. The Temples has fine carving and sculptures. The Ragunath Temple is Kullu is dedicated to the principals God in the valley. Avoid 3 Km from Kullu in the village of bhekhli is the Jaganathi Devi Temple. Dusshera celebrations at Kullu are truly memorable. During the festival lord Rama is worshipped in his form as Raghunath whose image is borne though the streets in a grand rath. Famous for its hot springs, mannikaran, means jewel from the ear. Legend has it that a giant snake took earrings from Paravati while she was bathing and then snorted them through its nose to create spaces where the hot springs spewed fourth. It is a place revered by both Hindus and Sikhs. There is a monumental Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara here.

The lovely little village of Naggar is known for its ancient temples, including the Temple of Gauri Shankar, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Chatur Bhuj Temple dedicated to Vishnu, the pagoda-like Trioura Sundari Devi Temple with its ornate carvings and the Muralidhar Krishna Temple. Punjab and Haryana have been the cradle of early Aryan civilization. It was on the banks of the Punjab rivers that ancient Hindu sages had sung the Vedic hymns and authored for the Vedas. It was at Kurukshetra, now in Haryana, that the epic battle of Mahabharata was fought and Lord Krishna gave his advice to Arjuna, encapsulated in the Bhagvad Gita. This sacred book spells out the essence of Hinduism.

Near the Golden Temple in Amritsar is the 16th century Durgiana Temple, with a golden dome and silver portals. Dedicated to goddess Durga, this temple is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Close by is a larger temple, built like the golden temple, the centre of a pool. This temple is dedicated to Lakshmi and Narayan.

Kurukshetra. In Haryana, is held in great reverence by Hindus. It is here that thousands of devotees converge to have a holy dip in the Sarovar, on the occasion of festivals and other auspicious days.

In Delhi, the capital city of India, is the Laksmi Narayan Temple. A modern temple, built by the Birlas in 1938, the temple houses the images of Naryan (Vishnu) and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. The Temple also has images of other deities as well .

Adjoining the Qutub Minar is the famous Jogmaya Temple. Special worship is performed here at the time of the ‘Phoolwalon Ki Sair’

The recently formed state of Uttaranchal is a land of rolling hills, snow covered mountains, pristine, forests, high altitude meadows and glacial streams. It is also home to some of Hinduism’s most sacred sites.

Located at the point where the River Ganges emerges from the Himalayas, Haridwar is one of the most sacred cities of India. Haridwar ( and Rishikesh) represent the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Haridwar is also the venue of the Kumbha Mela, held once in twelve years.

The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at Haridwar is known as Hari- Ki – Pauri (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall). Nearby is the Gangadwara Temple, the most important of the several temples that dot this town. Also of significance are Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Pareshwar Mahadev Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Pawan Dhama Temple and the Lal Mata Temple, a perfect replica of the Vaishno Devi Temple in Kashmir.

The Ganga Aarti which is performed every evening is a spectacular sight. The Aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar at the same time. Lamps and flowers are offered to River Ganges immediately after the Aarti. Near Haridwar are the towns of Mayapuri and Kankhal. The latter houses the Daksheswar Temple, said to be the site of Daksha’s yagna, which was destroyed by Shiva. 24 Km from Haridwar, is Rishikesh, on the banks of River Ganges. It is surrounded by the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas on three sides. This is the starting point for the Char Dham Yatra. Triveni Ghat, believed to be the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati river, is a sacred bathing spot. After sunset, as part of the Aarti ceremony lamps are set afloat on the water offering a spectacular view. Also of significance at Rishikesh are the Lakshman Jhoola and the Ram Jhoola, the Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Mandir dedicated to the brothers of Lord Rama, the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan temples. 12 Km away from Rishikesh is located the Nilkanth Mahadeo Temple at a height of about 5,000 feet, commanding spectacular views of the region. 70 km from Rishikesh enrooted to Badrinath is the ancient pilgrim centre of Devaprayag, at the confluence of the River Alaknanda Bhagirathi. There is an ancient temple established by Adi Shankaracharya here enshrining Rama (Reghunathji). There are also shrines of Hanuman, Badrinathi, Kaal Bhairav and Shiva. Brahma, Dasharatha and Rama are said to have prayed here. 155 Km from Rishikesh, on the banks of River Ganges is Uttarkashi, an important stop on the way north to the Char Dham. There are numerous temple here, the most important being the Vishwananth Temple, sacred to Shiva. He gateway to the Dham of Badrinath, Joshi Mutt is home to the first Mutt established by Adi Shankaracharya. The temples of Narasimha and Vasudeva were also built by Adi Shankaracharya.

The char Dham High up in the Harhwal Himalayas, these four ancient temple mark the spiritual sources of the four sacred river of Hinduism the Yamuna (Yamunotri), the Ganges (Gangotri), the Mandakini (Kedarnath) and the Alaknanda (Badrinath). All have spectacular locations and draw thousands of pilgrims every year. Yamunotri is the source of River Yamuna, the second most sacred river in India. The river emerges from a frozen lake of ice and glacis on the Kalinda Parvat mountain at an altitude of 4421 metres. As the sources of the Ganges (Know as Bhagirathi until it reaches Devaprayag), Gangotri is one of the holiest places in India.

The 18th century Gangotri Temple has a ghat where the devout bathe. Nearby is the rock on which Lord Shiva is said to have received the Ganga in his matted locks. Kedarnath is the course of River mandakini. One of the best known Shivaasthalams in India, Kedarnath is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingams. This ancient shrine is accessible only on foot six months in a year. Sacred to Lord Vishnu, the ancient pilgrim centre of Badrinath represents the source of the Alaknanda River. Of Badrinath, it has been said “there are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether worl, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be”.

Open only for six months a year, this temple has an image of Badrinarayan, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narada, Narayana and Nara. Mahalakshmi (refered to as Aravindavalli in the sri Vaishnava tradition) has a sanctum in the prakaram. There is also a shrine of Adi Shankaracharya. Ritual offerings to Pitrus (Souls of the dead) are performed at Brahma Kapalam (located at a distance of 200 ft from the main shrine) on the banks of Alaknanda.

Mount Kailash the Abode of Shiva : An arduos trek though the snow clad Himalayas leads a pilgrim to Mt Kailash (also known as hemakootam) in the Himalayas. This towering peak situated north of the Manasarovar lake (considered as one the Shakthi Peethams) is hailed as the Abode of Lord Shiva. Mt Kailash is one of the four Shiva in the Himalayas the other three being Gowrikund, Kedarnath and Indraneela Parvatha. Several major rivers have their source around the Manasarovar Lake and Mt Kailash.

Mt Kailash appearing like a giant Shivafingam placed in a 16 pedaled lotus, is regarded by Hindus as an embodiment of Shiva and parvati. The Buddhists refer to the sacred mountain as Kangri Karchchak they regard the presiding deity of Mt Kailash as the deity with three eyes, holding the Damaru and the Trishul his consort is referred to as Dorje Fangmo. The jains regard Mt Kailash as the Ashtapada mountain where the first Thirthankara Adinath (Rishabhadeva) attained Nirvana.

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