Jhakhu Temple - Shimla

The beautiful tranquility of Jhakhu Hill is unquestionable and to this beauty is added the other grandeur, the Jhakhu Temple. This hill impends over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus.

Dedicated to the monkey god, Lord Hanuman, the Jhakhu Temple is located east of the town center near the highest point of Shimla.

According to a legend, Hanuman, the faithful follower of Lord Rama rested at Jhakhu Hill after he had collected the mythical medicinal `sanjivani` for Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama, from the Himalayas.

As Lakshmana was injured in a battle with Ravana`s forces, Lord Rama ordered Hanuman to bring `sanjivani` to save Lakshmana. Not surprisingly, there are many monkeys around the temple.

The temple can be approached through a dense forest of Deodars. Ponies are also available to reach the temple. The temple is made of red and yellow brick with fairy lights and tinsel.

There are prints inside the shrine, which are believed to be the footprints of Hanuman.

Location
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
North India

Chamunda Devi Temple - Kangra

Legend of the temple is related with two demons Chanda and Munda of Shumbh Nishumbh, the notorious demon king. With their wicked mind, they try to harass the goddess Ambika, which turned out in the form of battle between the gods and demons.

Chamunda, emerged as Chandika from an eyebrow of goddess Ambika, was assigned the task to eliminate the demons. Chandika destroyed those two demons and presented their heads in front of Ambika. Pleased with the act of Chamunda, the goddess Ambika named the city as Chamunda and since then the temple Chamunda Devi is worshipped with that grace and faith.

Chamunda Devi Temple is located at a distance of 15 km from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. Dedicated to goddesses Durga or Chamunda (Hindu deity), the surroundings of the temple provide an excellent venue for meditation prayers and spiritual attainments.

It is an enchanting and charming spot with fascinating view of the mountains, rivers and forests. The location of temple was used as a cremation ground by the people of 22 villages and supposed to be a place of solace, spiritual attainments. A large number of devotees travel to this place for worship and to attain spiritual peace for their ancestors. Taking dip in the Ban Ganga river is considered as more auspicious and sacred.

People perform prayer to Lord Shiva with the water of Ban Ganga river. A 700 years old temple, Chanmunda Devi comprises of big complex with a 'Kund' (pond) in it. As per the rituals, the devotees coming to the temple take holy dip in the Kund. The main deity of the temple is kept under cover and is not accessible by the visitors, because of its sacred importance.

There is a cave-like scoop located at the back of the temple, representing the stone lingam ( embodiment of Shiva). Apart from these attractions, there are many brightly painted images of gods and goddesses located in the vicinity of the Chamunda Devi temple.

Location
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
North India

How To Reach

Tourists can hire private taxis from Palampur or Dharamsala to reach the temple. Besides, state transport bus services are also available to reach this place.

Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Kurukshetra

The ancient Sthanesvara Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadev, lies in Thanesar. It was here that the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva and received his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata.

The ninth Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur stayed at a spot near the Sthaneshwar Tirtha that is marked by a gurdwara just besides this temple. The temple of Sthaneshwar is the abode of Lord Shiva. It once formed an important part of the Kingdom of King Harsha Vardhan of the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

The temple with a domical roof follows regional type of architecture. The facade of the roof is shaped like an 'amla' shape along with a tall pinnacle. The 'Linga' is ancient and worshipped still by the people.

Legend has it that the waters of the tank adjoining the temple are holy. A few drops of water cured the King Ban of leprosy. And, no pilgrimage of Kurukshetra is believed to be entirely complete without a visit to this holy Temple.

The tank and temple lie a short distance from Thanesar town, which gets its name from this temple. The temple of Sthaneswar is the abode of Lord Shiva say the devote.

It once formed an important part of the kingdom of the King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. It is also believed that Lord Shiva was first worshipped here in the form of a linga.

The ancestor of the Mahabharata heroes, Kuru, performed penance on the banks of the Yamuna and Parshuram, the great warrior and sage killed many Kshatriyas (warriors) here.

Location
Thaneswar, Kurukshetra, Haryana
North West India

Somnath Temple - Patan

Located in the state of Gujarat in India, the famous Somnath Temple is a very sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas" (lighted lingas), which is a symbol of Lord Shiva.

The temple of Somnath has existed since times immemorial and it is also mentioned in the oldest holy scriptures, Rig Veda. An interesting fact about Somnath temple is that though it has been destroyed a number of times; it has always been rebuilt

It is said that the Somnath temple was built by the moon God himself in gold, then by the demon king Ravana in silver, in sandalwood by Lord Krishna and in stone by the one of the rulers of Gujarat, Bhimdeva.

It is said that the moon was very proud because of his beauty. Angered by his arrogance, his father-in-law cursed him to decrease and ultimately vanish. He pleaded for mercy and then was told to worship Lord Shiva. His curse was removed partially and he thus built the temple for Lord Shiva.

The architecture of the present temple reflects the Chalukya style of construction. The intricate and flawless carvings speak volumes about the skilled artisans of Gujarat. An inscription on the Arrow Pillar on the sea protection wall states that there is no piece of land between the point where the temple stands and Antarctica.

The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad commented that the Somnath temple symbolizes the fact that the power of creation is always more than the power of destruction.

Location
Gujarat, India

How to Reach
The nearest railway station is located at a distance of 5 kilometers from Somnath. One can take a flight to Keshod, which is the nearest airport to Somnath at a distance of 47 kilometers.

Dwarkadhish Temple - Dwarka

The temple of Jagat Mandir, with the presiding deity of Shri Krishna known as Dwarkadhish, is an imposing edifice and a superb architectural monument.

Having a plinth area of 1800 square feet, the temple consists of a shrine that is supported by 60 pillars of granite and sandstone. The seven-storey edifice gradually rises to a height of 170 feet. The spire is unique for the view it presents and the experience it induces. Beautifully sculpted sandstone wall enthralls the visitors and the ambulating devotees.

On the west side of the temple is the seat of Adi Shankaracharya, the great master of Hindu faith who visited the temple in the seventh century. For the scholars, a wall poster depicting the family tree tracing the lineage to Lord Krishna offers an interesting insight into the great Indian epic of Mahabharat. LEGENDAn interesting legend surrounds the idol installed at this temple.

It is said that, taking pity on his old devotee Badana, who used to traverse the long distance from Dakor to Dwarka, God in the form of an idol went with him to Dakor. This enraged the priests at Dwarka, who chased Badana to retrieve the idol. Badana persuaded the priests to leave the deity in return of gold, where upon the priests agreed to withdraw.

By a miracle, the idol became as light as the nose-ring, which was all that the poor widow could offer. But the Lord didnot want to disappoint the priests. He therefore granted them a boon that they will find a replica in Dwarka on a particular day. Unable to resist their curiosity, the priests excavated at the suggested site a little too early, and found yet to grow idol, which is now enshrined at Dwarka.

Location
Dwarka, Gujarat.

How to reach

By Air: Jamnagar, 145 kilometres away, is the nearest airport.

By Rail: Dwarka is on the Western Railway line. By Road: State Transport buses, private buses and taxis and conducted tours run to Dwarka.

Thousand Pillar Temple - Warangal

Constructed by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD, Thousand Pillar temple is a fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture.

The monument is built in the style of Chalukyan temples, situated near the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway, is a star shaped and triple shrined. The 3 shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture.

The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish. The temple is in shape of a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is built on a 1m high platform on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, and has a majestic monolithic Nandi.

The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish. There are many small lingam shrines surrounding the gardens. Popular for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture, Thousand Pillar Temple is one of the most visited temple in Andhra Pradesh.

The atmosphere is calm and serene with the sonorous ringing of the puja bells, gentle chirping of the birds and the soothing cool breeze.

Location

Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.

How to reach

Air : The nearest airport is at Hyderabad , 157-km away.

Rail : Warangal has a railway station and is well connected by rail to important cities of India. Road : APSTRC and Private buses connect Warangal with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam and some other districts.

Lepakshi Temple, Lepakshi

The Vijayanagar Empire caused a number of monuments to be built and patronized in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The ornate Lepakshi temples being one of the popular temples of that era.

Lepakshi is a small village, which lies nine miles east of Hindupur in Anantapur District of Andhra and is famous for its temple of Veerabhadra, and is also a renowned place where the best specimens of the mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings are available.

Architecture The flat stuccoed granite ceilings of the Vijayanagar Empire provided a suitable background for frescoes as seen at Lepakshi. This temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture, and is built on a low rocky hill, which is called Kurmasaila so called because the bill is like a tortoise, in shape. An inscription on the exit of the outer wall of the temple records that one Virupanna constructed it in the 16th century.

The beautiful sculptures on the prakaram attract the pilgrims' attention. These include 14 forms of Siva, like Dakshinamurthi, Ardhanareeswara, Tripurantaka etc. The hall of creepers is another excellent work of art, which has provided perennial inspiration to textile designers over the years. About 500m, North-East of the temple stands India's largest monolithic Nandhi, measuring about 8.25m long and 4,60m high.

Location
Lepakshi Village, East of Hindupur, Anantapur District,
Andhra Pradesh, South India.