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>> Thursday, October 22, 2009
Vithala Temple Hampi Karnataka
>> Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Temple Chittoor.
Name: Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple
Date built: 12th century by Pallava Nolamba kings
Primary deity: Lord Hanuman
Location: Aragonda Village, Chittoor Dt. Andhra Pradesh
Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple is located one and a half km. up of the hill in Aragonda village, Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh, 15 km away from Kanipakam.
According to legend, during Tretayuga, Hanuman brought Sanjeeva Parvatham in order to save Lakshmana during a war when Lakshmana fell unconscious. During the journey, half of Sanjeeva Parvatham fell, and the place where it landed came is known as Aragonda. Aragonda, initially is called as Arakonda (In telugu language, "Ara" (sounds A'raw)means 'Half' and "Konda" (sounds Kon'Da) means Hill or Mountain). With the time, the people changed their way of pronouncing this word "Arakonda" as "Aragonda" which is now the name of the village under this hill. This hill is famous with name "Ardhagiri" (Ardha means Half and Ge'ree means mountain). In Ardhagiri, it is believed that Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini (pond containing the holy water) never gets dried nor spoiled, even when kept for long periods of time. When devotees drink this theerham (or holy water) from the Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini, all types of diseases are getting cured.
Mr. Paimagham Sugunakara Reddy, Chairman of the above Ardhagiri Shree Veeranganeya Swamy Temple, is responsible for the development of this ancient temple, which did not have proper road, electricity, and other infrastructure facilities earlier.
Everyday, about 3-5 thousand devotees visit the temple and every month on the Pournami day, about 30,000 devotees come to the temple and stay there overnight. Read more...
BhattiProlu Budha Great Stupa Guntur.
Bhattiprolu is a small village in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh State in Southern India
History:
The original name of Bhattiprolu was Pratipalapura, a flourishing Buddhist town in the ancient Sala kingdom that predated Andhra Satavahanas. From available inscriptional evidence, King Kuberaka was ruling over Bhattiprolu around 230 BC. Bhattiprolu is well known for its Buddha stupa (Vikramarka kota dibba) built about 3rd-2nd century BC. During excavations at Bhattiprolu there has been found linguistic evidence of a Telugu language that belongs to 3rd Century BC, and the progenitor of Brahmi script, well known as Bhattiprolu Script to historians. Merchants took the script to Southeast Asia where it parented the scripts of Mon, Burmese, Thai, Khmer, Javanese and Balinese languages. Their similarities to Telugu script can be discerned even today.
Stupa:
Three mounds were discovered in Bhattiprolu in 1870. In 1892 when excavations were undertaken by Alexander Rea, three inscribed stone relic caskets containing crystal caskets, relics of Buddha and jewels were found. The stupa was found to be 40 meters in diameter with an additional basement of 2.4 meters wide running all around. The most significant discovery is the crystal relic casket of sarira dhatu of the Buddha from the central mass of the stupas. The Mahachaitya (great stupa) remains of a large pillared hall, a large group of ruined votive stupas with several images of Buddha, a stone receptacle containing copper vessel, which in turn, contained two more, a silver casket and with in it, a gold casket enclosing beads of bone and crystal were found
Villages:
Some of the villages in Bhattiprolu mandal are Addepalli,Vellatur,Voleru, Chintamotu, PEDAPULIVARRU, Gorigapudi, Guttavaripalem, Pesarlanka, Pedalanka, Pallekona, Allamudi Gudavalli and Kanagala
Sanghi Temple Ramoji Filmcity Hayath nagar.
Located about 25 kms from the heart of Hyderabad city is located the picturesque Sanghi Nagar, an industrial suburb. Seen from several kilometers away is the Sanghi Temple complex with its 15 feet tall sacred Raja Gopuram. This beautiful temple complex atop the hillock Paramanand Giri beckons the faithful devotees who seek gods infinite blessings. The aura of divinity and the verdant slope around the temple complex is panoramic and breathtaking.
As one approaches the road leading to the Paramanand Giri, a huge Maha Dwaram or gateway welcomes the visitors. A little further away, a long flight of steps leads to the entrance of the temple complex. Stone elephant heads form the banisters of the stairway. Standing at the foot of the hillock, one is awestruck to see the three Gopurams towering into the blue sky. And before ascending to the temple complex on top, one stops by at the shrine of Lord Anjaneya, son of the wind God, who is believed to guide the devotees to the abode of Gods. The red-faced Lord Anjaneya is the embodiment of death to the demons and his very name drives away all evils.
Once on top of the hillock, a heavy, beautifully carved door forms the main entrance of the temple complex. The majestic temple complex is built in the Chola-Chalukya style of architecture.
Lord Venkateswara, known as the bestower of piety and plenty is the presiding deity of the complex. The 9 1/2 feet tall idol of the deity is a true replica of the one at Tirumala and resides in the imposing sanctum sanctorum in the center of the complex. Alankaram and abhishekam are regularly performed to the Lord at the Balaji temple.
To the right of the Balaji temple, stands the abode of Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. The Vimanam of Padmavathi Temple is 32 feet. Described as the epitome of love, mercy and compassion, the deity here is seated on a lotus and is also holding lotuses in her hand.
Residing on the left of the Balaji temple is Lord Shiva or the "destroyer" among the trinity. This all powerful Lord is seated on a lotus with a crescent moon decorating his hair and a trident in his right hand. Standing next to the Lord is "Shakti Swaroopini" Kamalambika.
Close to the shrine of Lord Venkateswara, is the temple of Lord Rama, the symbol of man's conquest over evil. Accompanying the Lord are his faithful consort Sita, devoted brother Lakshmana and fervent devotee Hanuman, who is seated at the feet of the Lord with folded hands.The temple of Lord Vijayganapathi is next to the Rama temple. Known as the remover of all obstacles, his blessings are invoked prior to commencing any activity.
The Navagraha deities are the only ones that are in an open temple. Surya, the Sun God stands in the center and other Grahas surround him, each facing a direction over which he rules.The abode of Kartikeya is on the left of the Ganesh temple, fulfilling the tradition of his being on a hill top. Holding a staff in his right hand and resting his left hand on his waist, the loin clothed Kartikeya is like a Kalpavriksha fulfilling the desires of his devotees.Further away is the temple of Goddess Durga. The dark moon faced deity clad in a saffron robe has three eyes. Decorated with ornaments and hibiscus flower garlands, the Goddess holds a lotus in her right hand and the left hand reposes downward.The Ashtalakshmi temple is between the Balaji and Padmavathi temples. Bedecked with jewellery and garlands, Goddess Aadilakshmi in eight facets is seated holding a lotus and Abhaya mudra in her two hands and a lotus and Vara mudra (offering boons) in her other two hands.
The exotic flowers for the Gods in the temple are grown in the Pavitra Vanam or "Holy Garden". Plots have been demarcated for each deity and special leaves and flowers are grown for performing poojas. The temple complex also houses a Kalyan Mandapam where marriages and other auspicious ceremonies are performed. The Mandapam is a raised platform with a decorated canopy over it. It is built in a style similar to the temples in the complex and blends perfectly into its surroundings. A well tended lawn in front provides plenty of open space for seating the spectators.Different poojas are performed each day. Besides, the temple at Sanghi offers special poojas during festivals.
The temple opens in the early morning at 5.00 am. For one hour, Suprabhatham is done followed by archana to the deities from 6 am to 8 am. General darshan for the devotees is allowed from 8.30 am to 10.30 am. and 4 pm to 6 pm. Poojas and sevas are held between 6 pm and 8 pm. The temple remains closed between 12 am and 4 pm and after 8 pm.
Weekly abhishekam is performed to the deities between 8 am and 9 am - Sri Ramalingeswara (Mondays), Sri Hanuman (Tuesdays), Sri Venkateswara, Ashtalakshmi, Parvathi, Padmavathi, and Rama (Fridays).
Festivals like Sivaratri, Sri Rama Navami, Krishnashtami, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Dussera, Hanuman Jayanthi and Brahmotsavams are performed with religious fervor and gaiety. A visit to the Sanghi temple is indeed refreshing and leaves the visitors with a feeling of divinity Read more...
>> Saturday, October 17, 2009
Gnana Saraswathi Temple BASARA (AP)
Basar is a census town in the Adilabad district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is about 50 km (31 mi) from Nizamabad, 70 km (43 mi) from Nirmal, and 205 km (127 mi) from Hyderabad.
According to legend, Maharishi Vyasa and his disciples and sage Suka decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere after the Kurukshetra War. In the quest for a peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and, pleased with serenity of the region, selected this place. After his ablutions in the Godavari, Maharishi Vyasa used to bring three fistful of sand and place it in three small heaps and made images of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali with his mystic power and later conducted prayers. This idol made of sand has its face smeared with turmeric. Eating a little bit of this turmeric paste, it is believed, will enhance one's wisdom and knowledge. Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called "Vasara" and turned into Basara due to the influence of the Marathi language in the region.
However, according to the Brahmanda Purana, the poet Valmiki installed Saraswati and wrote Ramayana here. There is a marble image of Valmiki and his Samadhi near the temple.
It is also believed that this temple is one of the three temples constructed near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers by Ashtrakutas.
Historically, 'Bijialudu' a Karnataka king, who ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century, constructed the temple at Basara.
Many pilgrims come to Basara to perform the "Akshara abhyasam" ceremony for the children before they start formal school education. The children perform the exercise of letters, and devote books, pens, pencils notebooks to the goddess of knowledge. The Puja at the temple starts at 4 am in morning with Abhishekam which carries on for an hour. At 5 o'clock they start the Alankarana whereby the new sarees are adorned to the goddesses. The whole atmosphere is very pious and pure. At 6 am, in the rays of the morning sun, the aarti starts at the temple after which the prasadam is given to the devotees.
Special poojas and celebrations are held at the temple during Maha Shivaratri, beginning 15 days before (Vasantha Panchami) and continuing 3 days after the festival. Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days during Dasara.
The temple also has a Mahalakshmi idol situated on the 1st floor very near to the main temple. Devotees often go to the nearby mountain which has an Idol of Goddess Saraswati on the top of the rock. The image of Lakshmi stands besides the Goddess Saraswati in the sanctum sanctorum. Due to the presence of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali, Basara is considered as the abode of the divine trinity
Images of Gnana Saraswathi
Route Map Read more...
The Brihadishwara Temple was built to be the royal temple to display the emperor's vision of his power and his relationship to the universal order. The temple was the site of the major royal ceremonies such as anointed the emperor and linking him with its deity, Shiva, and the daily rituals of the deities were mirrored by those of the king. The temple maintained a staff of 600 people in various capacities citation needed. Besides the Brahmin priest, these included record-keepers, musicians, scholars, and craftsman of every type as well as housekeeping staff. Even today, the Brihadishwara Temple remains India's largest.
The temple is an example of the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple architecture and representative of the Chola Empire ideology and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India. The temples "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting".
Undavalli Caves Near Vijayawada..
The Undavalli Caves, and example of Indian rock-cut architecture are located in the village of Undavalli in Guntur District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The caves are 6km south west of Vijayawada, 22km north west of Guntur City and about 280 km from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
The walls of the caves display sculptures carved by skilled local craftsmen. The structure of these caves resemble the Buddhist viharas in their architectural and sculptural proficiency, and can be seen as signs of a past Buddhist culture. The caves are surrounded by the green countryside
The caves are associated with the Vishnukundina kings of 420 to 620 A.D. They are dedicated to Anantapadmanabha Swamy and Narisimha Swamy.From the high hill above the cave overlooking the Krishna river many fine specimens of rock cut Hindu architecture can be seen. Read more...
>> Friday, October 16, 2009
Akshardham Temple:
Akshardham temple is a Largest Comprehensive in the world.
South India is very different from the north. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ancient temples were destroyed during Islamic rule in India (especially in North India) between 1200 CE and 1700 CE. South India therefore has more large temples still standing.
During the ritual consecration of a temple, the presence of the universal all-encompassing Brahman, is invoked into the main stone deity of the temple, through ritual, thereby making the deity and the temple sacred and divine. Read more...
>> Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thousend Pillar Temple Hanmakonda, Warangal
The Thousand Pillar Temple is one of the very old temples of south India built by the Kakatiyans of Chalukyan dynasty. It is believed that the marvelous thousand pillared temple was built by King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD. The Thousand Pillar Temple is a specimen of the Kakatiyan style of architecture of the 12th century
Route Map Read more...
Hanuman Temple Kondagattu, Karim Nagar, AP
Kondagattu is a temple about 35 km from Karimnagar, dedicated to Lord Anjaneya Swamy. According to the folklore, the temple was constructed by a cowherd some 300 years ago. The present day temple has been built 160 years ago by Krishna Rao Deshmukh. It is believed that if a women offers puja for 40 days at this temple then she will be blessed with a child. It is about 30 km from vemulavada, another well known temple in Karimnagar. There is a Ghatroad from hilltop to base station