Ranjus travel blog

After a day in Shillong we reached Guwahati saw Purva Thirupathi Balaji temple and Bhimashankar jyothirlingam and stayed at Hotel Prag Continental.

The next day early morning we took auto and went to near by Jaganath temple and took a holy dip in the Brahmaputra flowing at the backside of this temple there are steps to get down in to the river . Then we changed our dresses at adjacent cloak room and left back to the Hotel .

After having breakfast we again came as a group in the mini van bought flowers diyas and offered our tributes to river Brahmaputra and then went to Jagnath temple and opposite to it a few steps to climb is a Sukleshwar temple of Lord Shiva .

Having the divine dharshan of both Jaganath and Sukleshwar we went to Umananda temple .

As our tour group was of 32 members our organizer arranged a boat and we travelled to Umanand temple.

This temple is a must visit as it is located on an island called “Peacock Island” in the middle of the Brahmaputra river in the northern part of Guwahati. One has to go in a ferry or boat to reach this temple which is seen on a hillock called Bhasmachala or Bhasmakuta.

One has to climb more than 150 steps to reach the temple. One can book ferry ride from Uzan Ferry Ghat (Kachari Ghat) managed by Inland Water transport. The fee is 20/- per person. This official boat service is available from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. One can go to Umananda from Shukleswar Ghat and Fancy Bazar Ghat also. The ferry ride gives you a beautiful view of the flowing Brahmaputra River with distant view of hills and greenery. The journey takes just 15 to 20 minutes to reach the foot of the Bhasmakuta hill.

While climbing steps one can see an abundant number of trees and different kinds of birds also. According to bird-watchers there are nearly twenty species of birds in this area. The golden langurs one of the rarest type of monkeys are seen on this island only.

As per legend this island was created by Lord Shiva to make His spouse, Uma happy. So this place is called Umananda. The British people named this island as peacock island as the shape of the island looks like splayed feathers of a peacock. This island is regarded as the smallest river island in the world. Lord Shiva while doing penance here was disturbed by Kama’s arrows. So Shiva became angry and burnt him to ashes with his blazing third eye. So this hill is named as Bhasmachal or Bhasmakut.

The temple of Umanada was built in Kamarupa style with a red colored dome. One has to descend a few steps to see the Lord as the sanctum is at a deeper level. Only diya were lit with that lamps the priest showed us the lingam form .The passage to the sanctum is very narrow and every time five to six devotees are allowed to climb down the steps. Inside the sanctum a tiny Shiva Ling is seen with a pedestal on the ground level. The priest there told us the Lingam is Swayambu and its Arthanari (both lord Shiva and Goddess Shakthi form) .The sculptures of Ganesha, Shiva and Devi (with a scorpion as an emblem) are carved on the rocky walls of the temple showing the architectural skills of the local sculptors . The temple is crowded during Mondays and Mahashiva ratri. During Shiva Chaturdasi a colorful festival is held here. People believe that pooja offered to Lord Shiva on Monday with Amavasya Thithi brings highest merit and bliss to the devotees. The temple timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Near the entrance of the temple premises there is Ganesha’s shrine with a big sculpture of a rat in sitting position facing the idol of Ganesha in the shrine. There is a Hanuman temple beside the temple. Another Shiva shrine called Chandrasekhara shrine is seen beside the main shrine. The dasavataras of Vishnu are seen on the outer walls of newly constructed temple walls. The calm surroundings with beautiful scenes of trees and birds makes one feel very happy and relaxed.

After the dharshan we relaxed in the temple complex and again travelled back on the river Brahmaputra by boat .

After having lunch started to Guwahati airport to reach Chennai .

This temple is admist of the busy Vijaywada town on the banks of river Krishna .

The temple of Kanaka Durga the Goddess of power, riches and benevolence and the presiding deity of Vijayawada, is swarmed by lakhs of pilgrims for worship during the “Navarathri” festival which is celebrated with Religious fervour, pomp and festivity. The small but ancient temple of Kanaka Durga , a top the Indrakeeladri hill on the banks of the Sacred river Krishna in Vijayawada abounds with legends of historical interest.

Indrakeeladri is unique in that it has been the chosen abode of Kanaka Durga and Her consort Malleswara as Swayambhu (the self-existent one). Here Durga is one the right side of Malleswara as against the tradition of Goddesses taking their position on the left of their consorts. This shows that Shakthi is predominant on the Indrakeeladri.

Legend has it that the demons acquired great powers by appeasing the Gods and began harassing the sages on the earth. Goddess Parvathi assumed various forms to kill these demons. It was kausiki to kill Sumbhu and Nisambhu, Mahisasura Mardini to kill Mahishasura and Durga to kill Durgamasura. “Kanaka Durga because she was a glow with golden hues, and prayed Her to stay on earth and bless them.

Kanaka Durga asked Keeludu an ardent devotee to take the form of hill to enable Her stay on him. Thus Keeladri became the abode of Durga. She took the form of Mahisasura Mardini with eight arms holding different weapons, riding on a lion and trampling Mahishasura on the hill of Indrakeeladri. Her consort Shiva took his place on an adjacent hillrock as Jyothirlinga. He was worshipped by Lord Brahma with jasmines (Mallelu) whereby he got the name of Malleswara Swamy. As celestial beings like Indra visited the place, the hill came to be called Indrakeeladri.

Here it was according to another legend, that Arjuna performed penance and fought with Lord Shiva, who had appeared in the guise of Kiratha to win pasupathastra, the most powerful weapon. So this place is also called phalguna theertha.

When Indrakeeladri came in the way of the River Krishna the Gods requested the hill to allow the river to pass through it to join the sea. Keeludu obliged and gave a small passage for the river. But the ferocious Krishna made the passage larger than permitted and carried a part of the hill four miles downstream to Yanamalakuduru, where there is now a hillrock called “Thelukonda” or floating hillrock.

According to another legend, Kanaka Durga borrowed the nose-stud of the Krishna and to avoid returning it jumped up the hill. Krishna vowed to take back her ornament by raising her level to the hill top by the end of kaliyuga

Adi-Sankaracharya visited the temple and installed the Srichakra and initiated workship of Kanaka Durga in vedic ways.

Lift facilities are available and they charge Rs 25 for it . As it was crowded we went in special dharshan Rs. 100 person . Rope car work too was undergoing when we went . Mobiles are not allowed inside the temple. There are cloak room at the foothills mobile lockers and chappel stands .

On the final day of our nava Dwaraka trip being a Friday we had an opportunity to visit chamunda devi temple and kali temple in Chotila in Surendranagar district in Gujarat .

We were on the way to Ahmedabad airport . The time was about 10.00 am . All were happy being a Friday visiting one more temple in addition.

The temples of Goddess are mostly located at the top of the hills and Chamunda Devi temple is not different. Chamunda Devi is the Kuldevi of many Hindu families in Gujarat. The temple is situated at the top of the Chotila hill in Surendranagar district of Gujarat. The reason is that if the devotees want to visit the temple of Goddess, they will have to undergo some physical strain. It is the worship place for Mata Chamunda, which is one of the 64 Avatars of Shakti. Initially, there were around 366 footsteps. After renovation, the temple can be reached by climbing around 700 footsteps. A huge statue of a Lion is seen in the temple premises as it is Devi’s mount.

Though we dint climb there is a temple of Goddess Chamunda devi and Kali on the foot hill .

Inside the temple there was idols of many Gods, Lord Ganesha, Hanuman , Lakshmi Saraswathy Sani mahadev and many more even Saibaba.

The idol of Goddess Chamunda at this temple is self-manifested. There is an interesting story behind the existence of this temple. As per the folklore, a man had a dream in which he was told by Goddess that she was buried under the earth on Chotila hill. He was instructed to dig in a certain place and Goddess would appear there. He followed the instructions and found a beautiful idol of Goddess Chamunda. Later, a temple was consecrated at that spot.

Temple Legend

It is said that when the demons Chand and Mund came to attack Goddess Mahakali, she chopped their heads and presented it to Goddess Ambika, who in turn told Mahakali that she will be worshiped as Goddess Chamunda. There is a big market for tourists on the downside around the mountain where tourists can buy offerings and Prasad for Goddess. Chamunda Mataji Temple has a dinning hall, guest room, and beautiful garden. Free parking facility is being provided by temple trust.

This temple in Wayanad with Lord Vishnu as the main deity is said to be Lord Rama gave 4th year pithru tharpanam to His father Dasaratha during their exile .

The temple has a step of 100 so one has to climb those steps for the dharshan of the Lord.

This is a famous temple in Kerala where the worship of Pithrus (a ritual done for our dead ancestors) is done. It is 32 Km from the Manandavadi town of Wayanad district, which is a dense tribal area of Kerala. The nearest Railway station is Kozhikode in Kerala, which is 72 Km from this place.

It is in a valley called “Brahma Giri” (Mountain of Brahma) It is believed that Lord Brahma did a great fire sacrifice here and because of that, this place is divine.

According to legends, once upon a time, some Brahmins happened to travel through these dense forests. When they were very hungry and had nothing to eat, they called Lord Vishnu for their help. Then they saw a goose berry tree. (Called Nelli in Malayalam), which was laden with fruits. All of them satiated their hunger by eating fruits of this tree. Suddenly their hunger and thirst was satiated and they felt the divine presence. Then they decided to call the place as “Thiru Nelli (sacred Gooseberry). “ Records exist to prove that this temple of Lord Vishnu is at least 1000 years old. It is also referred in Unni neeli Charitham which is the first book written in Malayalam. The temple is a very simple structure made of granite stone. The idol consecrated in this temple is that of Lord Vishnu with four arms. The walls of this temple are also made of granite. On these walls, very beautiful etchings are there. It seems one king of Coorg, tried to renovate this temple. When he was half through, the Vellattiri king who owned the temple objected. The renovation was discontinued. Even today we can see proof of the half finished renovation work. There are no wells in this temple. Water is being brought by a stone aqueduct from a stream in the Brahma Giri valley.

Very near the temple , there is a river called Papa Nasini (killer of sins) . It is believed that if we do rituals to the pithrus ( rituals done to our dead ancestors), they would get salvation. It is believed that the good effect is equivalent to doing Karmas (Rituals) in Gaya. The Pindas (rice balls ) are placed in the stream after the worship. People believe that both Lord Rama and Lord Parasurama did the Pithru Karmas here also in the vicinity is a sacred rock where ritual offerings (known as bali) are made for the ancestors on the New Moon days of the Malayalam months Karkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham. Besides the rituals during the two-day festival, art forms like Kathakali and Ottanthullal are performed. Very near the Papa Nasini is the Padma Theertha pond. . In the middle of it on a raised stone, you find the marks of Lord Vishnu’s feet. People believe that Lord Vishnu stood on this rock and gave divine advice to Lord Brahma. Nearby in a cave there is a Shiva temple also. All the people who do Pithru Karma visit this temple on their way back.

During our visit we stayed in the devasom lodge opposite to the temple small mess are near the temple .
The temple itself offers morning breakfast afternoon lunch and night dinner too . The plates are kept we had to take after having food should wash and place it the same place. They are maintaining it very neatly . The washing place is a square opened tank where water is stored .

There are other places of interest such as pookot lake athirapally falls edakkal caves .

Gomati Ghat is located at the mouth of River Gomati and falls within the city of Dwarka and within the district of Dwarka in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

One has go down a flight of 56 steps from Dwarkadheesh temple’s Swarga Dwar in order to reach the Gomati Ghat which is located 20mins away from Dwarka city centre.

Gomti River flows past the Gomati Ghat Dwarka and that makes the Ghat a real holy place and River Gomati is the tributary of Holy Ganges, the most sacred river for all Hindus.

The river originates in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal and flows down across many Indian states with Gujarat being one of those.

In lord Krishna’s legendary city Dwarka, Gomati Ghat is an important haunt for all devout pilgrims. It is also referred to as Gomati Sangam Ghat as the river flows past the Gomati Ghat and soon afterwards meets the Arabian Sea at the Chakratirtha Ghat.

Significance
Gomti Ghat comes with great religious and mythological significance. According to myths River Gomati is the daughter of Sage Vashishtha and her waters are powerful enough to purge one’s mortal sins. Thus pilgrims make it a point to bathe in River Gomti and they usually take their holy dip into the Gomati Kund, the point of confluence of River Gomti and the sea. Gomti Kund is located very close to the Gomati Sangam Ghat of Dwarka. Also, River Gomti is believed to be the ‘descending Ganges’, a river that descends straight down from heaven which is why it is a river that can wash away every sin as per Hindu mythology.

It has become one of the tourist attractions now they collect rs.10 per person at the entrance and a bridge is built and camel rides are also there to take near the Gomathi river . As we went by evening sunset view was awesome .