Bhadrachalam,Telangana

Bhadrachalam is a census town in Bhadradri District of the Indian state of Telangana.It is an important Hindu pilgrimage town with an existence of the Bhadrachalam Temple of Lord Rama, situated on the banks of Godavari river. It is located 312 kilometres (194 mi) east of state capital, Hyderabad, 115 kilometres (71 mi) from Khammam, 177 kilometres (110 mi) from Suryapet and 178 kilometres (111 mi) from the Andhra Pradesh State Capital Amaravathi.

Deities

Lord Sri Rama

History

The town has a documented history of Lord Sri Rama temple constructed circa 17th century CE by Kancherla Gopanna (nearly 370 years ago).

Geography

Bhadrachalam is located at 17.67°N 80.88°E.It has an average elevation of 50 meters (164 feet).

How to Reach 

Despite being a place of worship, there is a host of options for sightseeing in Bhadrachalam.This place is packed with pilgrims who are there to seek the blessings of its presiding deity. Offering a number of lodging and dining options, resorts in Bhadrachalamare patronised by the floating population of tourists. Needless to mention, the best answer to the lingering question of how to reach Bhadrachalamcan be obtained by looking into the various travel options that can be availed.

Bus

A host of private tour operators apart from a fleet of government run buses – terminate at two of Bhadrachalam’s important bus stands. APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus depot and the Bhadrachalam Bus Stand are busy with commuters eager to start their Bhadrachalam trip by bus from their respective cities and towns.Ensuring a safe Bhadrachalam travel, these buses are a blessing to passengers embarked on Bhadrachalam visit by bus.

Train

Enabling a pre-booking of train tickets to Bhadrachalam, it is a wise move to reserve a train to Bhadrachalam which will terminate at a station called Bhadrachalam Road Railway Station, commonly called the Kothagudem Railway Station. Ensuring the correctness of timings by checking the Bhadrachalam train timetable is the best way to avoid last minute rush while boarding any Bhadrachalam train.

Flight

With no direct flights to Bhadrachalam on account of the absence of a Bhadrachalam airport, travel by air to the holy shrine of Bhadrachalam is not possible.

Cab/Car

The road to Bhadrachalam is laced with lush greenery alongside huge hillocks that make it making an impressive presence. If one is wondering about the best answer to the question of how to go to Bhadrachalam, the journey to reach Bhadrachalam by road takes the number 1 position in terms of convenience and affordability. One can choose between availing Bhadrachalam car rental drive in their own vehicles, thus making the journey Bhadrachalam by a car a memory to cherish for life.

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Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand.

Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu which is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple and town form one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Badrinath—holy shrines for Vaishnavites. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The temple is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River at an elevation of 3,133 m (10,279 ft) above the mean sea level. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centres of India, having recorded 1,060,000 visits.

The image of the presiding deity worshipped in the temple is a 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, black stone statue of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight swayam vyakta kshetras, or self-manifested statues of Vishnu.

Mata Murti Ka Mela, which commemorates the descent of river Ganges on mother earth, is the most prominent festival celebrated in the Badrinath Temple. Although Badrinath is located in North India, the head priest, or Rawal, is traditionally a Nambudiri Brahmin chosen from the South Indian state of Kerala. The temple was included in the Uttar Pradesh state government Act No. 30/1948 as Act no. 16,1939, which later came to be known as Shri Badarinath and Shri Kedarnath Mandir Act. The committee nominated by the state government administers both the temples and has seventeen members on its board.

The temple is mentioned in ancient religious texts like Vishnu Purana and Skanda Purana. It is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, an early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD.

Deities

Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama

History

There is no historical record about the temple, but there is a mention of the presiding deity Badrinath in Vedic scriptures, indicating the presence of the temple during the Vedic period (c. 1750–500 bc).According to some accounts, the temple was a Buddhist shrine till the 8th century and Adi Shankara converted it to a Hindu temple.The architecture of the temple resembling that of a Buddhist vihara (temple) and the brightly painted facade which is atypical of Buddhist temples leads to the argument.Other accounts relate that it was originally established as a pilgrimage site by Adi Shankara in the ninth century. It is believed that Shankara resided in the place for six years from ad 814 to 820. He resided six months in Badrinath and the rest of the year in Kedarnath. Hindu followers assert that he discovered the image of Badrinath in the Alaknanda River and enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs.A traditional story asserts that Shankara expelled all the Buddhists in the region with the help of the Parmar ruler king Kanak Pal. The hereditary successors of the king governed the temple and endowed villages to meet its expenses. The income from a set of villages on the route to the temple was used to feed and accommodate pilgrims. The Parmar rulers held the title "Bolanda Badrinath", meaning speaking Badrinath. They had other titles, including Shri 108 Basdrishcharyaparayan Garharj Mahimahendra, Dharmabibhab and Dharamarakshak Sigamani.

The throne of Badrinath was named after the presiding deity; the king enjoyed ritual obeisance by the devotees before proceeding to the shrine. The practice was continued until the late 19th century.During the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple.When the state of Garhwal was divided, the Badrinath temple came under British rule but the king of Garhwal continued as the chairman of the management committee.

The temple has undergone several major renovations due to its age and damage by an avalanche. In the 17th century, the temple was expanded by the Kings of Garhwal. After significant damage in the great 1803 Himalayan earthquake, it was largely rebuilt by the King of Jaipur.It was still under renovation as late as the 1870s but these were completed by the time of the First World War.At that time, the town was still small, consisting of only the 20-odd huts housing the temple's staff, but the number of pilgrims was usually between seven and ten thousand.The Kumbh Meld festival held every twelve years raised the number of visitors to 50,000.The temple also enjoyed revenue from the rents owed to it by various villages bequeathed by various rajas.

During 2006, the state government announced the area around Badrinath as a no construction zone to curb illegal encroachment.

How to Reach 

Badrinath is a Hindu pilgrimage destination and is located in Uttarakhand. This city has easy access to all the major modes of transportation: Air, Train and Road. The best option to reach Badrinath is by road or Train. 

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport from Badrinath, at the distance of 311 kilometers. The airport has flights connecting to Delhi, Lucknow and Mumbai. You can opt to hire a taxi from the railway station or can board a bus from nearest bus station to reach Badrinath.

By Train

Nearest railway station from Badrinath is Haridwar Railway Station, at the distance of 318 Kilometers.  This railway station is a broad-gauged station is connected to other major railway stations of the country.  

By Road

Intrastate and interstate buses run in Badrinath, making it easily connected to different towns and states like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and others.  These buses have affordable fares and are the best options to cover great distances.

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Shiv Mandir, Maharashtra

The Shiv Mandir, Maharashtra is a temple in India. A long history that is associated with divine religious destinations describes creation of outer building long back in the 80's. It is situated at the distance of 100m from Railway station of Vanagon 130 km. away from Mumbai city towards Gujarat and 60 km. From Vapi towards Mumbai. The divine Shiv Ling situated inside the main building is associated with many historical stories and is considered to be swayambhu ( naturally available and prayed since ancient times).

Local Tribal people describe the long-prevailing ancient stories associated with the Shiv Ling situated is in the Garbhgruah of the temple.

The temple is overcrowded on many occasions like Mahashivratri. There is a good fair at the occasion of mahashivratri.

The temple becomes overcrowded again in the month of Shravan to get blessings from Shiv Pooja like Rudrabhishek, Parthiv Ling Pooja, Akhand Ramayan Path, Nava Parayan (ramcharitmanas), Masparayan (Ramcharitmanas) and other Religious Event celebrated.

Dieties

Lord Shiva

History

Shiv Mandir, Vangaon Building was reestablished by Thakur family and other Local family of Vangaon, in 19th century.

The temple existed long since ancient times with only Shiv Ling situated and prayed by local tribal people. Number of stories which are associated and narrated by old tribal peoples to their siblings describe about Shiv Ling and temple.

The Ling was prayed since long ancient times without any proper constructed temple building which was then transformed to a good temple by Local People.

How To Reach

Road

Ambernath have good connectivity by road. Many state transport buses are available to reach Ambarnath from Kalyan, Thane, Badlapur and Karjat. Thane is major city to reach Shiv Mandir Ambarnath. From thane, Badlapur or Karjat tourists can reach Ambarnath by bus, auto or private vehicles.

Train

Ambarnath is a central railway station and connected by local trains from Mumbai, Dadar and Thane. Tourists from outside Mumbai or Maharashtra can reach Mumbai or Thane by express trains and reach Ambarnath by local trains. The Shiv Mandir is located just 2 minutes away from the Ambarnath station.

Air

Mumbai airport is nearest airport to reach Ambarnath. From Mumbai airport private cabs are available to reach here or tourist can opt for local trains to reach Amabarnath.

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple,Kerala

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple (Malayalam: അമ്പലപ്പുഴ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രം) is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alapuzha district of Kerala, in south India.

The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built during 15th – 17th AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran.

The idol at Ambalapuzha is likened to Parthasarthi (പാർത്‌ഥസാരഥി) with a whip in the right hand and a Shankhu (sacred conch) in the left. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping. It kept safely for 12 years.

The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.It is believed that Guruvayoorappan reaches here daily at the time of Palpayasa Nedyam to have it.

Deities

Lord Krishna

Legend of the Ambalappuzha Paal Payasam

According to the legend, God Krishna once appeared in the form of a sage in the court of the king who ruled the region and challenged him for a game of chess (or chaturanga). The king being a chess enthusiast himself gladly accepted the invitation. The prize had to be decided before the game and the king asked the sage to choose his prize in case he won. The sage told the king that he had a very modest claim and being a man of few material needs, all he wished was a few grains of rice. The amount of rice itself shall be determined using the chess-board in the following manner. One grain of rice shall be placed in the first square, two grains in the second square, four in the third square, eight in the fourth square, sixteen in 5th square and so on. Every square will have double of its predecessor.

Upon hearing the demand, the king was unhappy since the sage requested only a few grains of rice instead of other riches from the kingdom which the king would have been happy to donate. He requested the sage to add other items to his prize but the sage declined.

So the game of chess started and needless to say the king lost the game. It was time to pay the sage his agreed-upon prize. As he started adding grains of rice to the chess board, the king soon realised the true nature of the sage's demands. By the 20th square, the number had reached one million grains of rice and by the 40th square, it became one million million. The royal granary soon ran out of grains of rice. The king realised that even if he provides all the rice in his kingdom and his adjacent kingdoms, he will never be able to fulfill the promised reward. The number of grains was increasing as a geometric progression and the total amount of rice required to fill a 64-squared chess board is ((2^64) - 1) which is equal to the number 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 translating to trillions of tons of rice.

Upon seeing the dilemma, the sage appeared to the king in his true-form, that of God Krishna. He told the King that he did not have to pay the debt immediately but could pay him over time. The king would serve paal-payasam (made of rice) in the temple freely to the pilgrims every day until the debt was paid off.

Festival

The Amabalapuzha Temple Festival was established during the fifteenth century A.D. At this time, a part of the Travancore, was ruled by the Chembakassery Devanarayana Dynasty. The rulers of this dynasty were highly religious and decided that an idol of Lord Krishna was to be brought to the Amabalapuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple from the Karinkulam temple. The celebration in commemoration of the bringing of this idol of Lord Krishna is the origin of the Amabalapuzha Temple Festival, also referred to as the Chambakulam Moolam water festival. This festival is conducted every year on the Moolam day of the Mithunam month of the Malayalam era.

The Aaraattu festival commences with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Atham star in Meenam (March–April). The important Aaraattu festival takes place on the Thiruvonam day of the same month.In this temple, 'Pallipana' is performed by 'Velans' (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted in ancient times. However, cocks have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar. Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar(1705-1770) also spent his youth at Ambalappuzha.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Nedumbasserry (Enquiry Phone :0484-2610115,2311322,2610033), Kochi, 86 kms to the North. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) (Enquiry Phone:0471-2501424, 2501220, 2502323) International airport  is 159 kms to the south of Alappuzha

Rail 

Alappuzha is linked by rail to cities like Kochi, Chennai, Howrah, Bangalore and Bokaro. The railway station is situated 5 kms away from the bus station and ferry station. 

(Enquiry Phone : 0477-2253965, 2253865)

Road 

Alappuzha is on the NH 47 highway and is connected to all important towns in South India.

Bus station Enquiry Phone : 91 - 477 - 2252501, 2251518

To Bangalore at 14.00 ( Journey time -17 hrs) 

To Coimbatore at 06.15 (Journey time  - 7 hrs)

To Kochi there are frequent buses (Journey time -1½ hrs)

To Thiruvananthapuram there are frequent buses (Journey time - 3½ hrs), 

To Kollam - The Buses which are running towards Thiruvananthapuram passes through Kollam (Journey time - 2 hrs)

Buses to Kottayam, Thrissur, Palghat and Kozhikode are also frequently available.

Ferry 

Alappuzha is linked by boat service through the backwaters to Kollam, Changanassery, Kottayam, Kochi, Kumarakom, Kovalam and Chengannur.  The ferry station (Phone : 0477 - 2252015) and the bus station are close to each other. The ferry boats from Alappuzha passes through scenic backwaters. 

Ferry Timings

Kottayam : 07.30, 10.00, 11.30, 14.30, 17.30 (3hrs)

Changanassery : 10.00, 13.45, 17.30 (3 hrs)

Nedumudy : Frequent (1 hr)

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Karpaka Vinayakar Temple,Tamil Nadu

Pillaiyar Patti Pillaiyar temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Thiruppatthur (1 km from Thiruppatthur, Sivaganga district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

In the cave temple, there are rock-cut images of Siva and other gods as well as several shrines. The Āgama texts found on stones in the temple help date the temple between the years 1091 and 1238. A unique Tamil image of Pillaiyar found in the temple helps to verify this dating. The presiding deity of the temple is Karpaka Vinayakar.

Deities

Karpaga Vinayagar

Architecture

Pillaiyarpatti is located near Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. It is situated between Kundrakkudi and Tiruppatthur. Pilliyarpatti is 12 Kilometers away from Thiruppatthur and 3 kilometers from Kundrakkudi. Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar is carved out in a cave of Pillaiyarpatti Hillocks. Lord Vinayagar is carved out from the rock of the cave. Lord Thiruveesar is also carved in the rock of this cave. The temple was built under patronization of Pandyas. The age of the cave temple is 2500 years or more. There are 14 stone Sculptures in the cave ( dated from 500 BC to 1284 AD ). These stone sculptures state the ancient names of Pillaiyarpatti such as Ekkattoor, Thiruveenkaikkudi, Maruthangudi, and Rajanarayanapuram.

The temple opens at 6 in the morning and stays open till 1 PM. The shrine is again opened at 4PM and is open till 8.30 PM. The Vinayagar sannidhi (Sanctum Sanctorum) is a cave where the 6 feet of Karpaga Vinayagar has been carved inside. As this is a cave formation, there is no provision to go around for the pradakshina.

History

It was built after viewing a hillock by the early Pandya kings.The image of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar and that of a Siva Lingam was carved out of a stone by a sculptor named Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription, in the Tamil Language used between the 2nd and 5th century, found even today in the sanctum. It is believed that the icon of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar must have been carved around the 4th century AD.

Nearby Attractions

Pudukkottai houses the Gokarneswarar Temple, and Kunnakkudi houses the hill temple of Shanmukhanathar.

How to Reach 

Bus Services

There is frequent Bus service available from major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Karaikudi, Devakottai, Tirucirappali, Sivagangai, Rameswaram, Sivakasi, Paramakudi, Theni, Kodaikanal, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Palani, Pudhukkotai, Aranthangi, Salem, Nagore, Nagappattinam, Bangalore.

Train Services

The nearest Railway Station is at Karaikudi which is 13 km, Madurai 70 Kms, and Tiruchi 100 Kms away from Pillayarpatti.

Air Services

The nearest Air Ports: Madurai – 70 km, Tiruchi – 100 Kms, Coimbatore – 260Kms

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Annavaram,Andhra Pradesh

Annavaram is a village on the banks of the Pampa River. It is located in East Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.The village has the temple of Veera Venkata Satyanarayana, a form of Vishnu on the Ratnagiri Hill.

Deities 

Lord Vishnu

Darshnam

S.No	Darsan Type	Ticket Rate per each.	Darsan Time
1.	Sarva Darsanam	Free	06.00AM to 12.30PM 1.00PM to 9.00PM
2.	Seegra Darsana	Rs.50/-	06.00AM to 12.30PM 1.00PM to 9.00PM
3.	Antaralaya Darsanam	Rs.100/-	06.00AM to 12.30PM 1.00PM to 9.00PM

How to Reach 

Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamyvari Devasthanam, Annavaram is the holy village of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh , situated at a distance of two miles from Annavaram Railway Station on the Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam broad gauge section of the South Central Railways. It is abutting National High way No.16, in between Kathipudi and Tuni . It is 80kms from Rajahmundry, 120kms from Visakhapatnam, and 50 Kms from East Godavari District Head Quarters Kakinada Town.

By Road

There are frequent Express buses from Visakhapatnam ,Rajahmundry and Kakinada.

Devasthanam is running buses from Down hill to Up Hill.

APSRTC Buses : A.P.S.R.T.C runs Buses for every Half An Hour Via Annavaram from Rajahmundry to Visakhapatnam and vice versa.

For Every 15 mintus buses are available from Tuni to Kakinada via Annavaram and surrounding Villages and vice versa.

By Train

Most of the trains passing between Visakhapatnam - Vijayawada will stop at Annavaram Station

By AIR

The nearest Airport on east side of Annavaram is situated at Visakhapatnam. Annavaram is at 2hrs distance from Visakhapatnam.

The nearest Airport on the West side of Annvaram is situated at Rajahmundry. Annavaram is at 1hr distance from Rajahmundry.

Website

http://annavaramdevasthanam.nic.in

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Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Yadagirigutta

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple also is known as Yadadri and Yadagirigutta, is a popular Hindu temple situated on a hillock in Yadagirigutta of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. The temple is an abode of Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.It is located about 120 kilometers (75 mi) from Suryapet and 88 kilometers (55 mi) from Nalgonda.

Deities

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

History of the temple

Yadagiri is named after a sage named Yadava who performed heavy austerities to Lord Vishnu as Narasimha. Being please with him the lord gave him darshan in three forms: Jwala Narasimha, Gandabheranda Narasimha and Yogananda Narasimha. Sage Yadava begged for the lord to remain on the hill in these forms. Thus, you have the Lakshmi-Narasimhadeva temple on the hilltop with deities of Lord in all three forms embedded in stone in the main cave. Actually, it is a cave about 12 feet high by 30 feet long, located in back of the temple hall, by the rear pillar. You take a stairway down into the chamber and then toward the back. Jwala Narasimha is in the shape of serpent, while Yogananda Narasimha appears sitting in meditation in yoga pose. You will also see silver deities of Lakshmi-Narasimha, which are quite striking in appearance and lends presence of seeing them. To the right of the temple main door is a Hanuman temple. You'll see a long horizontal gap in the rock just below Hanuman. This is said to be where Gandabheranda Narasimha manifested. This is a very popular temple. It is said that any wish of sincere devotee visiting this temple will be fulfilled.The sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha is located in a cave, under a huge slating rock, which covers half the abode.

Transport

Yadagirigutta is about 60 km (approx. 38 miles) from Hyderabad and is well connected by both Rail and Road. The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) for passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw or Tanga.

For easy commute of the people from Hyderabad, MMTS - Phase II is considered to be extended from Ghatkesar to Raigir station, which is nearest to Yadagirigutta.

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