Temples and Holy Places

Yesterday we got a call from Radha Kunda that Kankan Kunda has finally been revealed. The cleaning of Radha Kunda had recently been started as Shyama Kunda cleaning is complete. Everyone was anticipating when we would get darshan of the original Kunda excavated by Srimati Radharani and Her sakhis with their golden bangles, kankans. However the pumps that were pumping out the water were getting clogged with mud and each time they got close, they would break down. The poor contractor was at loss what to do as his pumps are made for pumping water, not sludge.
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Like earliest civilizations - the Aryan, Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian which were established on the banks of rivers, Prachi Valley Civilization, one of the glorious civilizations of Orissa, flourished on the banks of Prachi. No one can be able to imagine about the greatness of such a splendid civilization without thorough investigation. Though small in size as compared to big rivers of Orissa like Mahanadi, Brahmani, Birupa, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, it contains the hidden treasure of a magnificent past. Originated from the river Kuakhai and covering approximately 48 kilometers, it falls into the sea near Keutajanga village of Kakatpur P.S.
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The River Ganga has a long history of reverence in India and is worshipped by Hindus as an embodiment of the transcendental personality, Ganga Ma. The total length of the river is about 2,510 km (1,557 miles). Along with the Yamuna River, it forms a large and fertile basin known as the Gangetic plains, stretching across north India and Bangladesh, supporting one of the highest densities of human population in the world. ...

Thirthraj is famous in the history of Prayag and also has a relationship with the citizens of Prayag. Prayagwal is a Brahmin of high society, which includes citizens of both Saryupari and Kanyakubj. The descendents of Tirth Purohit of Prayag, who were chosen by Lord Ram as Tirth Purohit of his Raghukul after his victory over Lanka in Treta yuga, are still living in Kavirapur, Battupur of District Ayodhya.
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The area of Prayag is known as the land of Prajapati. From Prayag to Pratishthanpur till the limits of Jhusi, this is said to be the land of serpents, from Vasuki, Kambal and Ashwatar, linked to Nag-bhumi or Sheshnag. This region is said to be spread over 20 kos that encompasses Parna Muni ashram, Panasa across the Yamuna, Shringverpur across the Ganga and the Durvasa ashram. Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Mahesh are the presiding Deities of this region. The holy sites here are divided into three categories: Antarvedi, Madhyavedi and Bahirvedi.
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Kalpvaas has a special significance in Prayag. It holds special significance in the month of Magh, and it lasts from the 11th day of the month of Paush till the 12th day of the month of Magh. Kalpavas is marked by patience, non-violence and devotion, and meals are to be partaken only once a day. It is believed that Kalpavasis who fulfill all the vows get reborn as a king.
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Composition of the Maha-bharata was begun in the early years of the Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC) founded by Candragupta, and it describes a war between the Kauravas (descendants of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas (descendants of Pandu), who were both sons of Kuru, himself a descendant of King Bharata, the ancient father of the race.
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Dakor, in its earlier phases as pilgrimage center in Gujarat, was famous for the Danknath temple, a place of Shiva worship. In the later phases it developed into a Vaishnavite center with the growing fame of Ranchhodraiji temple, which was built in 1772 A.D. Over the years, much has changed at Dakor, Gujarat. From a small village of Dankapur, it has now transformed itself into a major center of religious and commercial activity in the region. Dakor is home to Lord Sri Krsna Ranchhodraj, and pilgrims throng here to offer Him worship.
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The Mahavir temple of Siruli is an important Hanuman shrine of Orissa. It is situated about 27 kms on the north east of Puri town. The shrine is also located exactly at a distance of 12 kms from the Chandanpur Chhak of the main road, which lies between Puri and Bhubaneswar. It is a small temple, which is dedicated to Lord Mahavir Hanumana.
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Who would not like to visit Dwarka dhama, which gives refuge even to the monsters, demons and titans, and which is never left by the son of Devaki, Lord Sri Krsna? The mere thought of going on pilgrimage to Dwarka liberates the devotee and his ancestors from their sinful activities. Each step taken on the path of devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna gives one virtues similar to that of ashwamedha yagya, as performed by Bali Maharaja at Kurukshetra. ...

About five hundred years ago, Sri Chaitanya on his pilgrimage to Puri from Nadia Navadweep visited Gopinath Temple at Remuna, situated in the Balasore district of Orissa. During the aforesaid pilgrimage, the Lord stayed for some time in the tiny Gadjat kingdom of Mangalpur, about 30 km away from Remuna. The king of the said tiny kingdom was initiated by Sri Mahaprabhu into the Vaishnava cult. ...

Bishnupur, formerly known as MallaBhum, is famously known as the temple town of West Bengal for its architecturally exclusive temples, built by the Malla Rulers from AD 695 onwards. The town remained as the capital of MallaBhum, ranging as a territory containing the entire of the Bankura District and extending up to a quantitative part of today’s districts of Bardhamman and Midnapore. ...

The Gopuram (literally Cow-Gate), was erected primarily to emphasize the importance of the temple within the city precincts without in any way altering the form of the temple itself. The formal aspects of the Gopuram were evolved slowly over time. It had to be towering, massive and impressive. But it was not felt necessary to repeat verbatim the square-based form of the temple Vimana. ...

At an altitude of 2,150 ft, Kapilash Temple is known fondly by the devotees as the 'Kailash of Orissa'. The temple is located atop a lush green hill at Dhenkanal district, a region that was once part of the ancient capital of Keshari kingdom, known as Chowduar.
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Sonamukhi, a municipal town located 42 km from Bankura and 36 km from Bishnupur, is connected by motorable roads, and regular bus service makes the area easily accessible to pilgrims and visitors. This town was mentioned in 17th century manuscript, Deshaabali-bibriti written by Jaganmohan Pundit, as a village of weavers (Tanti). Even during East India Company rule this was a very big trading centre for cotton, silk, lac and neel. According to local people, the name Sonamukhi is derived from the ancient village deity, "Swarnamukhi", a Saalagram Shila Who is still worshiped in a brick built Dalan mandir in the centre of the town.
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Rajarajesvaram in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu has often been called 'the temple of temples'. Built round the turn of the first millennium A. D. during the heyday of Chola rule, it is perhaps one of the best expressions of artistic excellence that could be conceived of. For the Cholas, temple building was not merely an outpouring of artistic talent but also a way of life, for the entire fabric of the society was woven round the temple.
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Located in the western Godavari district, the village Antarvedi is located 15 km. from Sakhinetipalli mandal and 10 km. from Narsapur. The village is placed at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Vasishta Godavari, one of the seven branches of the Godavari River. It is said that the sage Vasistha brought the River Godavari to its place, and this is one of the most sacred bathing spots in the entire Godavari delta. The place of confluence is known as the Sapta Sagara Sangam Pradesam. Antarvedi is the last and the most important of the seven sacred bathing spots positioned along the river here. Because of its sacred nature, it is also called "dakshina Kasi" (southern Kashi).
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In the East Godavari region, Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, is the village of Korukonda, an ancient and historical temple and Vaisnava divya kshetra that is home to Sri Laksmi Harasimha Swami. Korukonda is approximately 20 km. from Rajhmundry and 60 km. from Kakinada.
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The holy dhama of Ahobilam is populated by nine prominent Forms of Lord Narasimha, worshipped throughout the Ahobilam Hills. These Nava Narasimha Kshetra manifestations of the Lord are surrounded by many other Nrsimhadeva shrines located throughout the countryside of Andhra Pradesh.
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