World’s largest Hindu temple - Akshardham Mandir

Dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Jain deity, the magnificent Akshardham temple is located on the banks of River Yamuna. It is a part of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha’s (BAPS) initiative to promote Indian art, culture and values.

The majestic entrance to the temple.

The beautiful temple is constructed entirely with pink marble, without any concrete or steel! It enshrines a huge eleven foot, gilded statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan made with five different metals (Panchadhatu)

The temple and its surroundings are masterpieces of art! It reflects Indian spirituality and heritage. 

Don't miss the gardens!

Photography is not allowed inside the temple, so I could not capture the majestic temple in its grandeur. However, I have reproduced photos of the temple as printed in the temple brochure for your viewing.

Souvenir shop

An overview of the temple complex

 It hold the The Guiness World Record for being the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.

The temple has been described as follows in the Guinness World Records: 

·     The largest Hindu temple is the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham with a total area of 8,021.43 m² (86, 342 ft²) built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in New Delhi, India and inaugurated on 6 November 2005.
·         BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, is the world’s largest Hindu temple. It measures 356 ft long, 316 ft wide and 141 ft high. The grand, ancient-style temple built within 5 years by 11,000 artisans without structural steel was consecrated on 6 November 2005 by its creator His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of BAPS. The temple showcases the essence of India’s ancient art, traditions and wisdom.

The perimeter...

Inside the complex

The fountain!

The cultural journey....

Beautiful artistic carvings along the walls

Unparalleled craftsmanship!

The illuminated temple

Inside the temple

The ornate gates!

Tips:

-          -The temple is closed on Mondays

-          -To witness the beautiful ride inside the temples complex which showcases India’s glorious heritage, reach early, as many a times, there are long queues for these rides.

-          -Plan to spend a full day at this magnificent temple.

-          -Snacks and refreshments are available with the temple complex.

-         - Travel light as mobile phones, cameras and refreshments are not allowed inside the temple and its surroundings. A cloak room is available to store electronic items.

-Nearest Metro station is Akshardham which is located at a walkable distance from the temple. There are rickshaws also, near the station, which are very convenient for those who do not prefer to walk.

For more information about this majestic temple, please visit its website: http://www.akshardham.com/

Oldest temple in Goa at Tambdi Surla !

The tiny Mahadeva temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva at Tambdi Surla, is located approximately 65 kilometers from the capital city of Panaji and 12 kilometers from the Mollem border check post. Located amidst serene and picturesque forest area with a beautiful stream flowing by, it has withstood the ravages of time.

According to the Archeological Survey of India, this temple was built in the 13th century by the Kadamba dynasty, which ruled Goa between the tenth and the fourteenth centuries. Built of grey - black chlorite schist soap stone, which is weather resistant, it is the oldest surviving temple of the Kadamba Yadava dynasty in Goa

The temple has a pillared porch and three stepped entrances and the shrine is surmounted by a tower.

A notable feature is the stone ceiling, decorated with intricately carved lotus flowers. The pierced stone screen carrying the figures of deities that surround the door of the vestibule signifies excellent craftsmanship. There is a Nandi bull (Lord Shiva’s vehicle) at the entrance of temple.

The symbol of the Kadamba kingdom, an elephant trampling a horse is carved on the base of one of the columns.

It is a perfect picnic spot and one can enjoy the cool and serene ambience surrounded by lush greenery!



Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. - Anatole France

WHERE STONES CAST A SPELL !

Belur is a quaint little hamlet located 38 kilometres from Hassan, 16 kilometres from Halebid and 222 kilometers from Bangalore, located on the banks of river Yagachi.

It was once the capital of the Hoysala empire, made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The ancient city was also called Velapuri or Velur. It is also known as Dakshina Benaras.
From Bangalore we took the KSTDC one day tour to Halebid, Belur, and Sravanabelagola. As these places are difficult to reach by public transportation, this tour was a good way to see these remotely located marvels in one day, especially as we had very few days for holidaying !

It is here that the enchanting star – shaped Chennakeshava temple with hand lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures, resides, in Belur ! One of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, and it took 103 years to complete this temple !
It is the only Hoysala temple still in active worship. The Hoysalas used soft soapstone for their structures as they were found suitable for intricate carvings and was built in 1116 AD to celebrate King Visbhnuvardhana’s victory of Talakadu over the Cholas.

The winged figure of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier, stands at the entrance facing the temple.

The temple is built on a Jagati (platform), which provides the devotee the allowance to do a Pradakshina (circumambulation) around the temple, before entering it.

The main temple is surrounded by other small temples.
The façade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes – with no portion left blank. Awe – inspiring in their intricate workmanship. There are beautiful carved elephants 644 in number each in a different pose. It is surmounted by simhalalatas or lion heads on horizontal friezes.

The pillars inside the hall are another attraction and the most popular one is the Narasimha pillar which at one time, is said could revolve on its ball bearings. There is a rich diversity about the styles of pillars here. While all the 48 pillars and the ceilings are well decorated, nothing surpasses the finish of the four central pillars and the ceiling they support. All of the four pillars in the main hall bear Madanikas * (Salabhanjika, Shilabalika – celestial damsels or Bracket figures) and there are 42 of them, 4 inside the hall and the rest outside, between the eaves on the outer walls of the hall.
These epitomize the ideal female form and are depicted in various forms, such as dancers, musicians and drummers etc.

Other important sculptures here are the Narasimha (half man and half lion form of Vishnu), Shiva –Gajasure (Lord Shiva slaying a demon in the form of an elephant), the winged Garuda, dancing Kali, the seated Ganesha, etc.

Equally impressive are the temples of Chennigaraya, Viranarayana, Sridevi and Bhoodevi, housed in the same complex.

One can only configure why such a long time was taken to complete this temple upon paying a visit to this awesome architectural marvel ! Whilst admiring this beautiful temple, I wished that time would freeze, but had to face reality and move on …….

Note: * The 48 different Madanikas will be described in detail my next blog.

Ethereal Expressions in Stone - Hoysaleshwara Temple

The opulent Hoysaleshwara temple is justly described by some as the supreme climax of Indian architecture and is located in Halebeedu.
Halebeedu means ‘old house’ or ‘old ruins’which is located at a distance of 218 kilometres from Bangalore, was once known as Dwarasamudra, named after the lake beside which the city was established. It was the 12th century capital of the Hoysalas, a dynasty that ruled over much of South India for over 200 years.

The temple, built with Chloritic chist (soapstone), enshrines Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, named after the temple builder Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and his wife, Queen Shantala.
It was commissioned in 1120 AD by two wealthy Halebeedu's merchants, Ketamalla and Kesarasetti. As against the usual six , its base consists of eight rows of breathtaking friezes, beginning with sturdy elephants, lordly lions, ingeniously executed floral scrolls and horsemen, which together symbolize stability, courage, beauty and speed, the four essential qualities of a good king. Amazingly, no two animals in the 200 metre long frieze are alike.

The whole temple complex is elevated on a Jagati (platform) The exterior of the temple looks mesmerizing because of the introduction of many projections and recesses in the walls.

The outer walls of these temples contain an intricate array of stone sculptures., rows of elegant swans, floral motifs, scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and episodes from Lord Krishna’s life. No other temple in the country captures the epics as effectively and elegantly as this temple.

Above the basement friezes is the temples most outstanding feature – a panorama depicting the entire Hindu pantheon and various legends associated with them. Incarnations of Vishnu, Nataraja doing his cosmic dance in unalloyed bliss, the dancing elephant god Ganesha, Shiva vanquishing a demon elephant, they are all there. All the 240 figures are rich in exquisite and astonishingly intricate detail.

An exceptional feature of Hoysala temples is that many sculptures bear labels recording the names of the artists who executed them. The most notable features are the highly polished lathe-turned pillars of the temple.
This temple is now being proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Experience Karnataka !

Would you like to experience: Variety, Heritage, Wildlife, Romance, Festivity, Divinity and More ?

The official Karnataka tourism website describes the state of Karnataka as: One state, Many worlds. Truly justified !

Recently, in September 2009, we spent four days on a coach trip, starting from Bangalore and explored and discovered the majesty, splendour and the magic of Karnataka !

We booked the three day Karnataka tourism department tour (KSTDC) which covered Mysore, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens, Ooty, Coonoor, Doddabetta and Nanjungud. After completing this 3 day tour, we were so much enthused to discover more of the beautiful state that we booked the one day KSTDC tour covering Sravenbelagola, Halebid and Belur too.

Day 1 - Srirangapatna
On Day 1 at 7.30 am, we departed from the tourist office at Badami House, Bangalore and reached Srirangapatna, here we saw Tipu Sultan's summer palace, Daria Daulat Bagh, which houses a museum too. It is a completely wooded structure, made of teakwood and the structure stands on a raised platform which is around 1.5 meters in height. This stately artifact was constructed in the year 1784 and is situated on the banks of Cauvery river.

Timings of Museum : 9 am. to 5 pm
Admission fees : Rs.5/- per head and free on Fridays.

We then proceeded towards the Srirangapatna Fort. The ramparts of this fort signify the historic battles which were fought here. And the most significant battle was Tipu Sultan's struggle against the British. which ended in his death in 1799.
Within the fort is a mosque and the huge Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple which has an impressive gopuram and fort like walls. In this temple, Swami Ranganatha is depicted as reclining on the bed of Aadi Sesha, the serpant lord.
We then headed towards Mysore ….. to be continued ……

Note: For details about tour packages log on to: www.karnatakaholidays.net

World's Richest Temple !

The ancient and sacred, gold-gilded temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala of the Tirupati Hill, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, is the richest temple in the world !

The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily, while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it one of the most visited holy place in the world.

We, my husband, daughter and I, visited this temple in March 2007, as we wanted to visit the Lord and take his blessings coupled with the fact that we wanted take our daughter auspicious haircut to this place too (It is considered auspicious, if a child has a haircut (complete tonsure) here at Tirupathi, before the attaining one year of age, or after 3 years of age)

The temple, was well lighted on the occasssion of Ugadi, the Telugu New Year,celebrated in March, in Andhra Pradesh. We attended the Shastradeepa Alankara puja (Thousand lamps puja - ceremony to praise the Lord) which starts at around 5.30 pm at Tirupathi, wherein the deities are carried outside the temple and puja is performed. The main deity resides in the sanctum sanctorum, situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Each time I visit this temple I am mystified and awestruck by a strong divine force on seeing the huge idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills. Each time I was allowed (due to the large influx of devotees waiting in long queues, patiently for the Lord's darshan) to see the Lord's statue for only about a minute, but that instance, I was overwhelmed with immense satisfaction on seeing the Almighty ! But upon leaving this temple, instantly I feel the strong urge to see the Lord, one more time. I guess, this is reason, why so many people visit this temple again and again. One has to visit this temple again and again !
Govinda Hare Govinda !!