Jejuri's Khandoba Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Shiva Khandoba located on a hill in Jejuri, Maharashtra, India. This is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. Jejuri's Khandoba is the ancestral goddess of many communities with farmers families of Maharashtra and Dakcan, Brahmins and Khanabadosh Dhangar tribes. Khandoba is a tribal deity (a powerful deity) considered the incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The temple is on a hill named Jayadri, now known as Jejuri.

It is said that a group of turmeric shepherds appeared as Gods, hence it is considered sacred in Jejuri temple.

Khandoba, also known as Khanderav, Khanderai, Malhari-Martand and Malhar, is a popular deity in Maharashtra. Khandoba is considered the incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Many people in Maharashtra worship Khandoba as their ancestral goddess (paternal guardian god). Maharashtra's Kunbi-Maratha caste, Dhangar tribe, shepherds and foodbadosh people respect Jejuri's Khandoba.

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He is 91 year old, SHRI VIKKU VINAYAKARAM. The "GHATAM MASTER" mesmerises the audience while playing the Ghatam. Hats off to the legendary master. This proves that age is just a number. It is the passion that matters. 👍

Sri Vidyashankara Temple- Sringeri

Sri Vidyashankara Temple is located at Sringeri in the Chikmagalur district on Sahyadri Hills in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, which is one of the Advaitha Mathas established by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya.The Sringeri temple complex houses Vidyashankara Temple and the Sharada Peetham on the banks of the River Tungabhadra.

History

The Vidyashankara temple was built in around 1338A.D by Vidyaranya in memory of his Guru Vidyashankara or Vidyathirtha, by the support of Vijayanagara Rulers. Also, Vidyaranya was the Head of Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1331AD to 1386AD who played a key role to establish the Vijayanagara Empire against the Muslim invaders from North India.

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham, adjacent to Vidyashankara temple, was initially established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and had installed a sandalwood idol of Goddess Sharada along with a Sri Chakra in front of her. However, later due to destruction by Muslim invaders, the broken idol was replaced with a Gold Idol of Goddess Sharada by Vijayanagara Rulers.

Architecture

The Vidyashankara temple built on the Samadhi of Vidyashankara is an admirable monument made entirely of carved stone resembling the architectural style of Hoysalas and Dravidians. The temple structure stands on a high plinth featuring sculptures of the Hindu gods and various scenes of Hindu mythology all over the outer wall. Also, the sculptures of animals like elephant, lion and horses are carved on the bottom sides of the temple. In addition, the rear side of the temple composes sculptures of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations, the Dashavataras. The Vijayanagara Emperors influenced by Vidyaranya, have made great contributions to the temple structures.

There are six doorways leading to the temple and marvelously carved twelve pillars known as Zodiac or Raashi pillars in the temple hall. Each pillar composes a roaring lion with a rolling stone ball in its mouth. The pillars marked with their corresponding Zodiac sign, are arranged in such a manner that the sun’s rays fall on the pillar in order of the twelve solar month. A large elevated circle is marked with converging lines on the flooring that indicates the direction of the shadows from the zodiac pillar. In addition to this, the ceiling is carved extraordinarily with lotus and parrots sculptures.

Entering into the temple on the west side, the main sanctum or Garbhagriha houses Vidya Ganapathy on one side and Goddess Durga on the other side. Shrines of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara with their consorts house in the main sanctum. Lord Shiva’s idol is installed on the Samadhi facing towards East. Above the Garbhagriha, there is a magnificent vimana and the external roof is made up of a sloping structural slab.

Every year, Vidyatirtha Rathotsava is celebrated grandly during Kartika Shukla paksha. Also, Navaratri Festival is celebrated in the Sharada Peetham.

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Durga temple of Varanasi also known as Durga Kund temple and Durga temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and this temple is dedicated to Devi Durga. The Durga temple was constructed in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore.

The Durga temple was constructed in the 18th century by the Queen of Bengal - Rani Bhabani. Next to the temple there is a pond (pond) which was earlier connected to the Ganga river. It is believed that the current statue of the Goddess was not created by any human, but appeared in the temple itself.

Chapter 23 of Devi-Bhagwat Purana is described about the origin of this temple. According to the lesson, Kashi Naresh (Raja of Varanasi) had organized Swaywar for his daughter Shashikala's wedding. The king later found out that the princess of forest loves Prince Sudarshan. So Kashi Naresh secretly married his daughter to the prince.

When other kings (who were invited to automatically) found out about the marriage, they got angry and came to war with Kashi Naresh. Then Sudarshan prayed to Durga, who came on a lion and fought for Kashi Naresh and Sudarshan. After the war, Kashi Naresh requested Durga to protect Varanasi and with that confidence, this temple was built.

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Manimoortheeswaram Uchishta Ganapati Temple -Tirunelveli

Uchchhishta Ganapati Temple is an Uchchhishta Ganapati temple situated in Tirunelveli in the State of Tamil Nadu. This 900 years old temple is said to be the biggest Vinayaka temple in Asia.

Uchishta Ganapati or Uchitta Ganapati is one of the 32 forms of Pillayar (the eighth form). Moolavar Uchishta Ganapati is depicted on his left thigh with his wife Neelavani (Neelasarasuvathi) in a kolam with his hymn written on Neelavani's abdomen. The tirtha of this temple is called the Rishi tirtha stage of Tamiraparani river. Another highlight of the temple is the Bhairava Theertham well. Vanni tree and palm tree are the main trees of this temple.

This is the Vinayagar temple which houses Asia's largest five-tiered Rajagopuram. Also, the special event of the temple is the rare occurrence of sun rays falling on the Moolavar Uchishta Ganapati every year on the Tamil New Year (the first day of Chitrai month).After entering Rajagopuram, there is a flagpole.Out of the total 3 prakaras,16 types of Ganeshas are enshrined in the prakara around Moolavar Uchishta Ganapati.The length of this temple is about 80 meters. Its width is about 40 meters.

The presiding deity Lord Vinayaka appears here as the sub-deity Parivaramurthi and bestows his blessings here. One of Vinayaka’s 32 forms is Uchishta Ganapati. Since, he is a Brahmachari, watching him embrace a lady is interpreted as his bestowing a child-boon.

Lord Vinayaka enters the inner sanctuary while resting his trunk on a woman’s naval. When a woman becomes a mother, she feels proud. She anticipates that the child will become righteous, noble, and obedient.

Temple History

Once upon a time, a demon named Vidyakaran remembered Brahma and did severe penance, so Brahma appeared before him. Vidyakaran asked him to grant him a boon, and Brahma also agreed to grant him a boon. Vidyakaran wished that death should not happen to him, death is common to all, So Brahma declared that he was ready to bestow another boon, so that he who would kill him, alone, unarmed, should fight against himself with his consort and win; Brahma also beckoned to say that only then should he die. Since this was unlikely to happen, Vidyakaran felt that there was no chance of his death and greatly grieved the Devas. The Devas, who were greatly affected by him, complained about him to the three gods, and due to the sacrifices of the three, Adiparashakti appeared before them, granted their request, and caused Ganapati to appear from the yaga. At the same time, Brahma married Uchita Ganapati and Nilasarasuvathi to make Neelasarasuvati appear as his daughter from his yaga. In this case, the trio informed Indra that Vidyakaran's death would be certain if he made Vidyakaran to fight with Ganapati at this time. Legend has it that Vidyakaran, who went to battle with the great Ganapati, who met the great Ganapati when he was alone with Nilasarasuvati, was unarmed and with his consort, fainted to death by the unbearable light of the great Ganapati. In accordance with the request of the Gods to grant grace to all from this same place, the supreme Ganapati along with Nilasarasuvathi is showering grace here.

Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated every year for 10 days in the month of Avani (Tamil) and the rare event of sunlight falling on Moolavar Uchishta Ganapati on the first day of the Tamil New Year Chitrai month. Special pujas are held on important days like on Chaturthi Tithi of every month, on Sankatahara Chaturthi and on the first day of every month.

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Perunna Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple

Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple located at Perunna, Changanasserry is a 1200 year old renowned temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya.This temple is famous for its 'Pallivetta' utsav.
This is the only temple where Subrahmanya Swami or Lord Murugan is seen in furious form.

The idol of Lord Subrahmanya is five feet tall made in black stone and is consecrated on a lotus platform.In the temple, the furious form of Subrahmanya Swami is worshipped. The Vel is pointed downwards. Subrahmanya Swamy is worshipped here in the form of Devasenapathi, the supreme general of the holy forces. The deity is in an angry and furious mood as he had just killed demon Tarakasuran. He faces east as seen in most of the temples.

Temple Story

In a village called Uppizhi in Kerala there was a great Subrahmanya devotee called Kumaran Namboodiri. Like all other Keralaites he was a great devotee of Palani Murugan. Once when he visited the Palani temple, it seems he felt home sick. It seems Lord Muruga came in his dream and told him that “You can find my idol in the river Koduthurai. You recover that and consecrate it in Perunna”. Kumarab Namboodiri obeyed the order of God and the Perunna temple was established. The idiol was consecrated in the year 753 AD in the tenth day of Meenam month. It seems that as soon as the idol was consecrated, it was completely covered in Sun light. Every year this day is celebrated as the Consecration day . Every year the same miracle of Sun covering the statue happens.

Five Edangazhi(A measure of Kerala) rice is cooked every day and is offered to the Lord. Tuesday is considered as a special day to worship God here. The God is worshipped five times a day. Karthigai festival, Thai poosam , Skanda Sashti , Sura Samharam etc are celebrated in this temple. During Kartigai festival which is celebrated for thirteen days. The God is anointed with milk every day.

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Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu..
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Chennimalai Murugan Temple

Chennimalai Subramaniasamy Temple is a Murugan temple on a hill located in Chennimalai , Erode District , Tamil Nadu . In this famous temple of India, after anointing Lord Murugan, the miracle of curd does not go sour.

The Chennimalai Murugan temple is built on a hill accessed through a flight of 1000 steps, and through a motorable road. At the bottom of the hill is the Kailasanathar temple, which is the scene for the annual festival here.

This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In Devanagiri this hill is called Siragiri and Chenniyangiri. In Tamil it is called Chennimalai.

The main deity Murugan is equated to the Sevvai graham or planet Mars and all the rest of the eight planets encircle the Lord in perfect harmony. If one circumambulates the main deity he is believed to get the benefit of circumambulating the navagrahas and worshipping them.

This temple is said to have been built by Sivalaya Cholan of the Kongu Chola clan. It was renovated later by local chieftains in the area.

The presiding deity here is Subramaniyar, in the form of Dhandayutapani. The image is an unfinished one.

Legend has it that Shanmukhar was enshrined here originally and that it was divinely ordained that Dhandayuthapani should be installed and worshipped. An artiste was asked to complete his unfinished image of Dhandayuthapani for this purpose; local legend has it that when he attempt to chisel at the image, blood gushed out of it and that he was forced to install the image as it was, unfinished below the waist.

Legend

A fierce tussle of strength between the wind God Vayu and the serpent king Adi Seshan resulted in the flying off of a few of the peaks of the Himalayas, one of which is Chennimalai. It is believed that Vishnu worshipped this sacred hill in Krita Yuga, when it was then known as Makutagiri, and that it was worshipped by Lakshmi in Treta Yugam when it was known as Kanakagiri and that it was worshipped by the Ashta Durgas in Dwapara Yugam when it was known as Pushpagiri. In the current aeon, it is known as Sirigiri or Chennimalai and it has been worshipped by Siddhars.

Pinnakku Siddhar, one of the 18 Tamil Siddhar is believed to have lived here. There is a shrine to him here. There is also a cave here on the hill, considered to be the abode of Pinnakku Siddhar and this cave is said to have an underground passage leading to the Bhoga Siddhar cave in Palani Malai.

Legend also has it that two princesses Amritavalli and Sundaravalli performed penances to be reborn as Valli and Devasena the consorts of Subramanya.

The holy water for Abisheka is being brought everyday by the temple bulls, which are being maintained by the Devasthanam. This procedure is also a very unique one not found in other temples.

The car festival that comes in the Tamil month of 'Thai' attracts devotees flooding the temple of Lord Muruga.Other important festivals are Chitra Pournami, Kanda sashti, Agni Nakshathram, Panguni Thaer, Chennimalai Mariamman festival, Ekkattampalayam Mariamman festival, and Murungathozhuvu Mariamman festival.