Viswanathar Temple, Kasi (Varanasi)

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha.

Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world.

A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India.

Tradition has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodinent of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values.

The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace and harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as well as global levels.

The history of Vishwanath Temple that is also called Golden Temple at times is full of ups and downs. The temple has been built and razed to the ground several times in the history. It was first destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 13th century and was later rebuild.

This temple was destroyed several times by the rulers like Mohammed Ghori, Aurangzeb, and Warren Hastngs and was rebuilt several times. The temple was once completely destroyed by the Muslim Emperor Aurangzeb, a fundamentalist who hated every possible religion and built a mosque over it.

Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the present temple that stands in Varanasi, in the year 1776. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore donated the 800-kilogram Gold-plating of the towers that gives the temple its colloquial name. Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of worlds and the presiding deity of the city.

It is said and believed that Varanasi is the spot at which the first 'Jyotirlinga' broke through the earth's crust and flared towards the heaven. Next to the temple is the Well of Knowledge where, as legend goes, the original Shiva lingam lies hidden. More than the Ghats and even the Ganges, the Shiva lingam installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi.

Location

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

How to reach

It is very well connected to most of the important cities in India by all the ways of transport; namely road, railway and air. Flights to Varanasi are obtainable everyday from the cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow.

Varanasi is 1779 kms from Bangalore, 1813 kms from Chennai, 780 kms from Delhi, 680 kms from Calcutta, 1593 kms from Mumbai.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy, Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. Rameshwaram happens to one of the most visited pilgrim sites in India and a very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. A Pilgrimage To Kashi Is Not Considered Complete Without A Pilgrimage To Rameshwaram.

This religious island is spread in an area of 61.8 square kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. The Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameshwaram. The masterpiece of Dravidian architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India.

According to the Hindu mythology i.e. the story of Ramayana, Lord Rama performed thanksgiving rituals to Lord Shiva after the battle at Sri Lanka and his triumph over the demon king Ravana. Sri Lanka is at a distance of 24 kilometers from Rameshwaram.

Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. In fact the entire area of Rameshwaram is associated with various incidents from the Ramayana.

Different rulers built the Ramanatha Swamy Temple over a period of time starting from the 12th century. The temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other. Ramnathswamy temple was completely built in the 17th century.

Situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54 metre tall gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 metres of magnificent corridors and the flamboyant columns embellish and render fame to the temple.

Rameshwaram is also known as the Varanasi the south. Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory.

Location

Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu, India.

How to reach

The nearest airport is Madurai, 173 kms away.

Rameswaram has rail connections with all major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Tanjavur.

Connected with all the important towns of Tamil Nadu.

Rameshwaram is 601 kms from Bangalore, 2268 kms from Kolkata, 592 kms from Chennai, 2662 kms from Delhi, 1599 kms from Mumbai.

Meenakshi Sundereshwarar Temple, Madurai

According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods `Indiran' at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of `Indira' in this temple is said to be proof for this.

Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D. Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The lord has been described as `Aalavai Iraivan' in his songs.

The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic coqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculputures of the temple.

The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt.The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple.

Madurai is the mighty ancient Capital of the Pandya kingdom. It is called the temple city in the name of Goddess Meenakshi and God Sundareswarar.It is known as the Athens of South India on account of its greatness and beauty. This city is now well known to the world.

The Greek Ambassador Megastaneese who adorned the court of Chandra Guptha Mauria (B.C. 302) had left a note that a Pandya princess was ruling at Madurai. Evidence is not wanting to show that there was pleasing trade between Pandya Country, Rome, and Greece in the west.

It was here that the Third Tamil Sangam or the assemply of the poets existed. The world famous poet Thiruvalluvar secured the approval of the sangam for his great work “Thirukkural” in Madurai.

Location
Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.

How to Reach
Madurai City is well connected with Road, Rail and Air.
There are many trains passing through Madurai. The detailed information can be viewed at http://www.srailway.com/
Regular bus facility available from almost all towns of Tamilnadu State and few cities of neighboring states.

Madurai is 446 kms from Bangalore, 444 kms from Chennai, 2507 kms from Delhi, 1008 kms from Hyderabad, 1441 kms from Mumbai and 2120 kms from Kolkata.

Thirupathi

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara. He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice. The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the main temple every day.


Location

Thirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India.

How to Reach

You can reach Tirupati by air, rail or road.

Tirupati is 258 kms from Bangalore, 145 kms from Chennai , 562 kms from Hyderabad , 2887 kms from Calcutta, 1261 kms from Mumbai, 1800 kms from New Delhi.