PURANDER FORT, MAHARASHTRA,PUNE

 

Purandar Fort is a mountain fort in Pune district in Western Indian state of Maharashtra, India. The fort stands at 1,374 metres (4,508 ft) above the sea level in the Western Ghats, 50 kilometres (31 mi) to the southeast of Pune.

The twin forts of Purandar and Vajragad (or Rudramal) of which the latter is the smaller of the two, is located on the eastern side of the main fort rising 1,347 metres (4,419 ft) above sea level.The village of Purandar takes its name from this fort.It is the birthplace of Dharmaveer Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

\

The fort has two distinct levels. The lower part of Purandar is called the machi. North of the machi is a flat area where the cantonment and hospital was housed.

There are many temples dedicated to Purandareshwar (the fort's patron god, from which it also takes its name) and Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa here. There is a statue of Murarbaji Deshpande, the commander (killedar) of the fort who gave up his life in order to protect the fort from the Mughals. The northern part of the machi has a low fall with several bastions and an imposing gate with two towers.

Statue of Murarbaji Deshpande

From the lower level of the machi, a staircase leads to the upper level called Ballekilla. The first structure of the Ballekilla that comes into view is the Dilli Darwaja (Delhi Gate). This area also houses an ancient Kedareshwar (Shiva) temple. The BALLEKILLA is also surrounded by steep drop on three sides.

Current use

The Purandar Fort is a popular tourist destination and is also used by the National Cadet Corps academy for training purposes. The fort is a hotspot for paragliders and trekkers.Pune to Purandar fort - 5 ways to travel via bus, line 2 bus, …

Distance from pune station to purander fort:

1 hr 27 min (40.2 km) via Saswad - Bopdev - Pune Rd

Timings

The fort is open from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM only. you can easilly take the vehicles till the army entrance and then after taking the passes we can move up.

Is Purandar Fort difficult to climb?

Difficulty Level and Other useful tips: Difficulty level is Medium. It will take approximately 2 1/2 hours to reach to the top from the very base. Make sure that you carry plenty of water and some snacks with you. The trek is not that tiring, but it's better to have supplies with you.

Is mobile allowed on purandar fort?

No cameras, no mobiles on Purandar fort in Pune 

Cameras and mobile phones are now not allowed on the fort and no one can stay longer than the stipulated 9 am to 5 pm period.(01-Oct-2023)

Who was the killer of purandar fort?

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb appointed Jai Singh to head an army against Shivaji, and he was assisted in his campaign by other Mughal commanders such as Diller Khan, Rai Singh, Sujan Singh, and Daud Khan. Mughal forces led by Jai Singh captured the Purandhar Fort.

                            THANK YOU!!

MARLESHWAR

MARLESHWAR

YOU MUST SEE :MARLESHWAR

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Marleshswar Temple is one of the famous pilgrimage places to visit near Kolhapur. It is believed that the temple was built by Lord Parashuram. The shrine is most famous for the cobras which are believed to live here with the shivaling and to date have not harmed anyone. Marlleshwar Temple, the Temple of Lord Shiva, is located in the lap of the cascading waters of the Dhareshwar waterfall in Marleshwar, Maharashtra, India. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chiplun and is built in a cave. If you are up for some physical effort, it requires climbing 520 steps to reach the sacred shrine. The climb is accompanied with beautiful scenery around. The lush green River Bav Valley, the massive mountains and the view of the Ghats are sure to mesmerize you with its simplicity and beauty. 

The breathtaking Dhareshwar Waterfall can be seen from the serene temple courtyard. If you happen to visit the divine temple during seasons other than monsoon, you may get a chance to bathe in the clear waters under the waterfall after offering your prayers to Lord Shiva in the calming atmosphere of the temple. Marleshwar is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and lies along a 50-kilometre diversion from NH17, followed by a 20-minute hike. The Marleshwar Cave Temple is located overlooking the mighty Sahyadri mountain ranges and makes up for picturesque scenery.

HOW TO GO?

 Way to reach is to go to Ratnagiri which is the nearest railhead and from there one can get a bus to Devrukh and change another bus/auto to finally reach Marleshwar. Marleshwar waterfalls are in the Ratnagiri district on the Bav river bank near Sangameshwar in Maharashtra.

TIMINGS 

The word Marleshwar had derived from the cave’s name dedicated to Lord Shiva. Marleshwar waterfall timings are from 7 AM to 7 PM.

 

                                         JAI SHAMBHU

KOLAD-RIVER RAFTING

What is the meaning of river rafting?

raft·​ing ˈraf-tiŋ : the act, sport, or pastime of traveling on a river or other body of water in a usually inflatable raft : the sport of rafting. But injuries can happen, just like with any other sport.

 

Who invented rafting?

Modern whitewater rafting as we know it dates back to 1842 when Lieutenant John Fremont began exploring Colorado's Platte River. During this time, he and inventor Horace H. Day created a rubber raft featuring four rubber cloth tubes and a wrap-around floor to help survey the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains areas.

 

What is the cost of rafting in Kolad?

The price of the Kolad river rafting package from Pune is INR 1850 per adult on Thrillophilia. This package includes meals, transport, pick-up & drop-off, activities and guide

.

What time is rafting in Kolad?

 

Rafting Timings

All-year-round for the entire day long from 8 AM to 5 PM. The Kolad river rafting trip starts at 8:00 am every morning.

 

Is rafting safe in Kolad?

Its absolutely safe - more the rains the better it becomes. The only thing that you must keep in mind is the safety record of the operator. Out of the 4 operators river Kundalika, 2 are national level world class outfits with a 100% safety record.

Distance from pune to kolad

 

There is a direct cab from Pune to Kolad. The minimum time taken by a cab from Pune is 3h

 10m. The cheapest way to reach from Pune to Kolad is train to Kalyan Jn, then cab to Kolad and

 takes 6h 9m. The fastest way to reach from Pune to Kolad is cab to Kolad and takes 3h 10m.

 BOOK TRAINBOOK CAB\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

ABOUT KOLAD

Kolad is a village located in the Raigad district of the state of Maharashtra. This tourist

 attraction is situated on the banks of the beautiful River Kundalika. There are a number of

 travel places in the district for which tourism to this place has become so famous. The

 mesmerizing waterfalls, the green meadows and the scenic beauty of the Sahyadris make

 this destination very attractive and picturesque. The adventure lovers are highly interested

 in this tourism place that offers them many exciting adventurous sports like river rafting,

 kayaking and rappelling. One should definitely try the white water rafting at Kolad for

 which it is very famous. The place also has many forts, one of which is the Ghosala Fort

 that exhibits an outstanding work of art. The fort also has two temples and a Dargarh. The

 Tala Fort is another site to be visited from where you can get an amazing view of the

 Rajpuri River. One of the most beautiful sightseeing places at Kolad is the Tamhini Ghat

 waterfall whose scenic beauty will leave you awestruck. Other nearby attractions to these

 waterfalls are the hot springs at Uddhar and the Kansai waterfall. The district also has many

 dams among which the most famous one is the Bhira Dam which is a must visit. The place

 has lovely resorts for the accommodation of the tourists where you can enjoy perfectly

 relaxed holidays.

BARA JYOTIRLINGA IN INDIA

Why Do People Worship The Shivalinga?

 

Devotions of Shivalinga are viewed as the top worship and priority for the devotees of Lord shiva. Love of every single other structure is viewed as optional or secondary. The importance of the Shivalinga is that It is the shining light (fire) type of the Supreme – cemented to make the worship of It simpler. It speaks to the genuine idea of God – shapeless basically and accepting different structures as It wills.

Lovers accept that the Shivalinga causes them to concentrate and go past their cognizance – and that is the reason they were kept in Shiva sanctuaries. It is likewise loved as the creator of the universe.

Jyotirlingas are deemed as the most sacred Shivalingas and millions of devotees visit around every year to worship them. Jyotirlingas are a reverential portrayal of Lord Shiva. Jyoti signifies ‘light’ and linga signifies ‘mark’. So jyotirlinga implies the ‘Radiant mark or emblem of Lord Shiva‘.

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga –  Sourashtra, Gujarat.

This is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas in India. Somnath is regarded as the first among the twelve aadi jyotirlingas and one of the most worshipped pilgrimage sites in the country. The temple architecture resembles Chalukya style and Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared in this shrine, as a sizzling column of light. Shiv Purana tales reveal that Moon married 27 daughters of Dakshin Prajapati.

But Moon was cursed by Prajapati for neglecting all his wives except one; Rohini. In order to get rid of the curse and regain his lost lustre and beauty, he worshipped Lord Shiva. The almighty granted his wish and resided here as Somnath eternally. Located in Kathiawad region, Somnath jyotirlinga temple was destroyed and rebuilt almost sixteen times. There is no doubt in the fact that this temple comes on the top in the 12 Jyotirlingas’ list and this jyotirlinga in Gujarat is a key landmark for travellers. 

Temple opening hours: Every day from 6 AM to 9 PM. Aarti takes place at 7 AM, 12 noon and 7 PM. The famous light and sound show; ‘Joy Somnath’ takes place every day between 8 to 9 in the evening.

How to reach: The nearest railway station to Somnath is Veraval Railway station. It is well-connected with the major cities of India and is just 5 Km away from Somnath. This distance can be covered in a taxi or cab. 

Somanath Temple

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh

• 
• 
  
•  This picture is of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. Jyotirlingas are the symbol for the supreme form of Lord Shiva, the form of an infinite fiery column of light. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. 
• Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located on a Mountain named Shri Shaila by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the state of Andhra Pradesh of southern India. This Temple is one of the famous Hindu shrines and is fully dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is revered among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is considered to be in the second position among them. Mallika is for Goddess Parvati, and Arjuna is for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna and is represented by the lingam.

 Temple Timings:
Morning: 4.30 AM to 3.30 PMEvening: 4.30 PM to 10.00 PM

• HOW TO REACH?

  by Air

  The nearest airport to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is located at a distance of about 200 kilometers from Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh as well as many other

   major and minor airports The nearest railway station to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga located in Andhra Pradesh is Markapur Road Railway Station, which is located at a distance of about 84 kilometers from Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. Markapur Road railway station is directly connected to various cities of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Lucknow. If you want to take train facility to visit Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, you can take train from your city to Markapur Road Railway Station.

   By Bus

  You will get direct bus facility from various cities of Andhra Pradesh to reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. If you are planning to visit Mallikarjuna from various cities in the country other than Andhra Pradesh, then you should take a bus from your city to Hyderabad, which is the nearest and biggest city to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga as well as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. . For Hyderabad, you will get direct bus facility from major cities of many nearby states.

  After reaching Hyderabad, you can take another bus to go directly to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. If you are with your family or friends, then you can also book a private taxi from Hyderabad Bus Stand to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.

• by Train

• Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga has its origin about 6 centuries back. It was constructed by King Harihara Raya of Vijayanagar. The temple is built in Vijayanagar style with high operas surrounding the temple. The Reddy kings of Kondaveedu dynasty have contributed a lot towards the making of this temple. The North Gopuram of the temple has been constructed by Shivaji. An enormous wall of 6 metres encloses the temple. The walls of the temple are amazingly crafted with stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana that takes us back to those Vedic times.

Mallikarjun Temple

3. Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra

      

Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the most pious pilgrimage of Hindus. Bhimariver is another name given to the temple. The temple is situated on the mountain named Sahadri, about 110 km from Pune, Maharashtra and is also located at a distance of 120 km from Nasik. Bhimaashankar's  Jyotirling is one of the among Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlings and is considered sixth in place.

         The Shivlinga of the temple is quite thick, and that is the reason it is also called Moteshwar Mahadev. A river named Bhima flows near this temple which is found in Krishna River. It is believed in the Puranas that the devotee, who visits this temple with the name of twelve Jyotirlingas after the sun rising every morning from the shrine, removes his sins of seven lives and the paths of heaven are opened for him.

         TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple opens at 4:30 AM in the morning and closes at 9:30 PM in the evening.

         Darshan Timings: 4:30 AM to 9:30

 Entry Fee: Free

         A legend of Lord Shiva slaying the tyrant Bhima is narrated by the locals. It is said that Lord Shiva made this place his abode after it at the request of the sages who resided in this area.

         Bhimashankara temple has been built in the Nagara style of architecture. Mention of this temple in literature dates back to the 13th century. The current temple is believed to be developed in the 18th century. Chhatrapati Shivaji and later Nana Phadvanis renovated this temple and added wings to it.

         Detailed Buddhist style of carvings found in these mountains makes your trip even fascinating. Bhimashankar has gained tremendous importance in the last few years and is a significant wild life belt in Maharashtra.

         A blend of natural beauty and spiritual calmness, Bhimashankar is a traveller’s paradise. The place is terrifyingly beautiful and a favourite of compulsive trekkers.

Bhimashankar

      4. Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra                                       

                                                      

Trimbakeshwar jyotirlinga is located near Brahmagiri mountain, the place of origin of Godavari River, also known as Gautami Ganga. According to Shiv Purana, Godavari River and Gautami Rishi pleaded Lord Shiva to reside here and hence the God emerged in the form of Trimbakeshwar. The most unique part of this jyotirlinga is its shape. Instead of a shrine, there is a void here with three pillars placed inside. The three pillars represent the three most powerful and authoritative Gods, namely, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar.

Temple opening hours: 5:30 AM to 9 PM, all days of the week.
How to reach?

 Nearest airport to Trimbakeshwar is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The nearest railway station is Igatpuri Raiway station. Located in Nashik, Trimbakeshwar can be reached by road too.

Trimbakeshwar is the place where Lord Brahma ji penance for a long time for the creation of the world. Among all 12 Jyotirling, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is the only which represents three Lords, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. This 100-year-old has a very big area with various small Shiva Lingas. Why to visit Trimbakeshwar.

    Why to visit trimbakeshwar?                                                                                                                                                                                                

The natural beauty that surrounds the temple adds to the overall aura of tranquility. The visit to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Mandir was not just a religious journey but also an opportunity for inner reflection and peace. It is a place where one can connect with spirituality and experience a sense of divine presence.

                                                                 Trimbakeshwar Temple

 5. Vaijnath Jyotirlinga – Parli, Maharashtra

Vaijnath also known as Vaijnath/Baijnath is located at Parli in Beed District of Maharashtra. Some also refer to it as ‘Baba Dham’. It is believed that the person who visits this shrine attain moksha and gets rid of all miseries.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

 opens at 5:00 AM in the morning and close at 9:00 PM in the evening. Morning aarti is performed at 7:00 AM in the morning and evening aarti performed at 8:00 PM in the evening.

How to reach ?

By Rail

Parli has its own Railway station. Parli Railway Station has located 2.1 Km far from the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport to Parli Vaijnath temple is Latur Airport. Latur Airport is just 73 Km from Parli. From Latur Airport you can hire a taxi or reach any public transport.

By Road

Parli Vaijanath is well connected to major cities by regular buses.

According to a legend, Ravana, the demon king wanted Lord Shiva to come with him to Srilanka. Shiva permitted him to carry his Atmalinga but on one condition. Ravan was asked not to take a break in his journey and transfer his Lingam to anyone else. If he does so, his lingam would be rooted at that place forever. The Gods knew that if Ravan carried Shiva’s Lingam with him, he would become invincible and destroy the world. They came up with a plan to outwit Ravan. They asked Varuna to enter the belly of Ravan following which he had an urgent urge to release water.  Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a Brahmin in front of Ravan. Ravan handed over the Lingam to the Brahmin, unaware of the mystery. Following this, the Lingam got rooted there forever.

What is the history of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The history of Parli Vaijnath Temple is that it was built in the 1700s. It was renovated by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom at that time. Two very popular legends are associated with this temple. One legend talks about the Amrit and the other talks about the demon king Ravana and his quest to own Shiva.

Vaijnath Temple

 6.   Mahakaleshwar Temple,Ujjain ,Madhya Pradesh

Where is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga located?

The temple is located in the historical city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is situated on the banks of the holy river, Shipra.

Special features of Mahakaleshwar Temple

The Mahakaleshwar temple has been built in Maratha, Bhumija and Chalukya architectural styles. It has five levels, one of which is underground. There are images of Lord Shiva’s consort, Goddess Parvati (to the north), his sons, Ganesha (to the west) and Kartikeya (to the east) and his mount, Nandi (to the south).

Darshan Timings of the Mahakaleshwar Temple. The temple opens at 4 AM and closes at 11 PM.  

Entry Fee: Free

HOW TO REACH?

 

Airway: Nearest airport is Indore (53 K.m.). Flights arriving from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior.

Railway: Ujjain is directly connected by railway line to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, Fouzabad, Lucknow,Dehradun, Delhi, Banaras, Kochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Howrah and many more.

Roadway: Ujjain is directly connected by road to Indore, Surat, Gwaliar, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaypur, Nasik.

 

The Mahakaleshwar temple has been built in Maratha, Bhumija and Chalukya architectural styles. It has five levels, one of which is underground. There are images of Lord Shiva’s consort, Goddess Parvati (to the north), his sons, Ganesha (to the west) and Kartikeya (to the east) and his mount, Nandi (to the south).

On the second floor above the Mahakaleshwar linga is the Omkareshwara linga. Enshrined on the third floor of the temple is an image of Nagchandreshwar – with Lord Shiva and Parvati seated on a ten-hooded snake and surrounded by other statues.

It has a tall spire (shikhara) with intricate and beautiful carvings.

History of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

The mention of this temple in the Puranas, where it is stated that Prajapita Brahma built it, is proof of its ancient existence. The temple is believed to be built in the 6th century AD by Kumarasena, the son of a former king of Ujjain, Chandpradyot.

It was further reconstructed in the 12th century AD under King Udayaditya and King Naravarman. Later, the Maratha commander Ranoji Shinde under Peshwa Bajirao-I renovated this temple in the 18th century AD.

It is believed that King Chandrasena of Ujjain was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. While he was praying, a young boy, Shrikhar wished to pray along with him. However, he was not allowed to do so and was sent away to the outskirts of the city. There, he overheard a plot to attack Ujjain by enemy kings Ripudamana and Singhaditya with the help of a demon named Dushanan.

He began to pray to Lord Shiva to protect the city. Vridhi, a priest heard his prayers and also prayed to the Lord to save the city. In the meanwhile, the rival kings attacked Ujjain. They were almost successful in conquering the city when Lord Shiva came in his Mahakal form and saved them. From that day on, at the behest of his devotees, Lord Shiva lives on in this famous Ujjain temple in the form of a linga.

Interesting facts about Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga                                              

·         Since it is a self-originated linga, it derives power on its own. It does not require mantra shakti for power like the other lingas and moorthies (statues). It is the only jyotirlinga that faces south – dakshinamukhi. All the other jyotirlingas face east. This is because the direction of death is believed to be south. As Lord Shiva faces south, it symbolizes that he is master of death. In fact, people worship Mahakaleshwar to prevent untimely death – to enjoy a long life.

Mahakaleshwar Temple

  7.    Grishneshwar temple, Aurangabad,Maharashtra 

  

               UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grishneshwar Temple located in Ellora is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Also known as Ghrneshwar or Dhushmeshwar Temple, this Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered an important pilgrimage site. Grishneshwar is the smallest of the Jyotirlingas and is considered the last or the 12th Jyotirlinga of India.,

Temple Timings

Timings : Usual Timings - 05:30 AM to 09:00 PM (Open all days of the week)

  How To Reach? 

Tourists can reach Grishneshwar Temple from Aurangabad via road. The city is 31.5 kilometres away from the temple and connected by Maharashtra State Transport buses. The Aurangabad Central Bus Station is barely 29 kilometres away. There are frequent buses heading to Ellora almost every day.

The second-best option is to self-drive or rent a cab to reach Grishneshwar Temple from Aurangabad. The route to be taken goes via SH 60 – NH 52. Those taking a bus ride would have to disembark at Grishneshwar Temple Road and walk towards the temple.

Entry Fee : Free

Entry to the Grishneshwar Temple is open to all, but to enter the Garbhagriha (the main sanctum housing the Shiva Linga), men need to be bare-chested. This is also one of the only Jyotirlingas in India where the devotees can touch the Shiva Linga with bare hands. temple architecture follows a South Indian Style and it is known to be one of the holiest places to visit in Aurangabad. The five-tiered shikhara of the Grishneshwar Temple is spectacularly carved and constructed in the traditional temple architecture style. Rebuilt several times, the current form temple was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in the 18th century.

8. Omkareshwar Temple, Khandwa,Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Temple is situated near Indore, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The name Omkareshwar comes from the word “OM“. Devotees believe that Omkareshwar Temple is the home of the fourth Jyotirlinga. River Narmada flows through Omkareshwar.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is split in nature. One half of the Jyotirlinga is in the Omkareshwar Temple and the other half in the Mammaleshwar Temple. The pilgrims must visit both these temples to get a darshan of the complete Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlingas are Swayambhu which means that they are self-born.

Nobody knows the original date of construction of this historic temple. However, the earliest evidence states that in 1063, King Udayaditya installed four stone inscriptions each with Sanskrit Stotras. In 1195, Raja Bharat Singh Chauhan renovated the temple and built a palace.

The timings of the Omkareshwar temple:

                                     Timings: The temple remains open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

                                              Entry Fee: There are no charges for the entry.

        HOW TO REACH?

The airports closest to Omkareshwar are Indore (77km) and Ujjain (133km). The nearest railway station is 12 km away, but it is not on the mainline and is not connected to the major cities. The nearest major railway station is Indore (77 km). You can also board a bus from Ujjain, Indore or Khandwa. According to the Shiv Mahapuran, once Brahma (the Hindu God of creation) and Vishnu (the Hindu God of Protection and Care) had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards respectively to find the end of the light in either directions. Brahma lied that he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as the second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped until the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyotirlinga shrines, thus are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. Originally there were believed to be 64 jyotirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity – each considered different manifestation of Shiva. At all of these sites, the primary image is lingam representing the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar.

Omkareshwar Temple

          9. Vaijyanath Temple,Deoghar,Jharkhand

This temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Deoghar means ‘home of Gods’.

History of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga

Baidyanath Dham has been famous since the rule of the last Gupta emperor, Adityasena Gupta in the 8th century AD. Mughal emperor Akbar’s brother-in-law built a pond at Deoghar known as Mansarovar. This temple appears to have maintained its importance even during the Muslim rule in India.

Temple Timings:

This temple door opens at 4:00 AM Morning till 09:00 PM at Night.

How to Reach?

The railway station nearest to Deoghar is Baidyanath Dham which is 7 km away from the main city. Jasidih junction is another 7 km from Deoghar and it lies on the Delhi-Howrah route. This station is connected to most of the other major cities in the country as well. Deoghar is also connected via road to all the major places. The nearest airport is at Patna (230 km) and one can take a cab or a bus from there to reach Deoghar.

Special features of Baidyanath Temple

Along with the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, there are also 21 other temples. Some of the shrines you will find here are for Parvati, Ganesha, Brahma, Kalabhairav, Hanuman, Saraswati, Surya, Ram-Lakshman-Janaki, Ganga, Kali, Annapurna, and Lakshmi-Narayan. The Maa Parvati temple is tied to the Shiva temple with red sacre

Vaijyanath Temple

     10. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga : Tamil Nadu

 Ramanathaswamy Temple is a highly revered Hindu pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu. This is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is located in a small island named Rameshwaram. Temple’s main deity is a linga, known as Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga. There are two lingams, one is made up of sand and the other linga is called Vishwalingam, it was brought by Lord Hanuman from Kailash. Vishwalingam is worshipped first since years; as instructed by Lord Rama. Comparing it with other temples, it has way longer corridors. The corridors have sandstone pillars and beams adorned aesthetically.

The temple looks similar to other South Indian Temples, with conical tops. Rameswaram has 64 tirthas (holy water bodies) in and around it. Taking a dip in these Tirthas is considered auspicious. 22 of these Tirthas could be found in Ramanathaswamy Temple’s premises.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram Timings

Opening timings of Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, which popular known as Rameshwaram Temple is from 5 AM to 1 PM, while in evening it opens for darshan from 3 Pm to 9 PM. This temple is open on all days of the week.

 Ramanathaswamy Temple is a highly revered Hindu pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu. This is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is located in a small island named Rameshwaram. Temple’s main deity is a linga, known as Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga. There are two lingams, one is made up of sand and the other linga is called Vishwalingam, it was brought by Lord Hanuman from Kailash. Vishwalingam is worshipped first since years; as instructed by Lord Rama. Comparing it with other temples, it has way longer corridors. The corridors have sandstone pillars and beams adorned aesthetically.

The temple looks similar to other South Indian Temples, with conical tops. Rameswaram has 64 tirthas (holy water bodies) in and around it. Taking a dip in these Tirthas is considered auspicious. 22 of these Tirthas could be found in Ramanathaswamy Temple’s premises.

Rameshwaram Temple

11.Kashi Vishwanath Temple

28 languages

Shravan month is the best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple. During the month of Sawan lakhs of devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of Baba. Devotees consider the period between Guru Purnima to Purnima of Raksha Bandhan the holiest.

Durga Puja and Dusshera are also some of the best times to visit the temple.

How to reach Kashi?

By Rail

Varanasi city station lies only 2 Km near Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The railway junction is around 6 Km away from the temple.

Varanasi railway station is well-linked to all the cities of India.

From the exit gate of the railway station, cycles, rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws can be easily hired.

By Air

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Babatpur is located near Kashi. From Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, the temple of Kashi Vishwanath is about 20-25 kilometers away.
Tourists can hire a taxi, cab, or any other mode of public transport to reach the temple.

By Road

You can easily travel to Kashi by road.

Several Govt and private buses are easily available to reach Kashi.

 Kashi Vishwanath Temple Darshan Timing

         The temple is open for Darshan from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

        When Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an argument about who was the supreme god, Lord Shiva appeared as a column of light and asked each one to find the ends. Neither could do it. It is believed that the places where these columns of light fell is where the jyotirlingas are located.

When Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an argument about who was the supreme god, Lord Shiva appeared as a column of light and asked each one to find the ends. Neither could do it. It is believed that the places where these columns of light fell is where the jyotirlingas are located. As a last resort, Lord Vishnu came to Kashi in order to fulfill Lord Shiva's wish. He went to King Divodasa and gave gnanopadesh or true knowledge. Upon receiving the true knowledge, the King himself went to 12Kailasha and invited Lord Shiva to come to Kashi and settle down forever.

Kashi Vishveshwaray temple

10.Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhath

Legend has it that the original Pandavas built the temple of Kedarnath and the present temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya, who restored the glory of the shrine in the 8th century A.D. The temple is said to be more than 1,200 years old and one among the 12 jyotirlingas in India.

 The temple of Kedarnath remains open for six months a year, from the end of April to the beginning of November, and is closed for the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather .

Is Kedarnath trek difficult?

The Kedarnath Trek is a moderate to difficult 18-kilometer trek that necessitates a reasonable level of physical fitness. Ideally, you should be starting the trek at around 4:30 a.m. so you can finish it by 2pm.

The opening dates and closing dates of the Kedarnath Yatra are April 25, 2023, and November 14, 2023, respectively.

 How to reach Kedarnath from Pune?

 The best way is by air. Your Pune to Kedarnath flights will start from Pune International Airport (PNQ) and land at Jolly Grant Airport (DED) (the nearest airport to Kedarnath). It will take about 5 to 6 hours to reach Dehradun.

How to Reach Kedarnath from Pune By Rail?

Pune Junction railway station is the biggest railway station in Pune. It will continue till Rishikesh railway station which is the closest railway station to Kedarnath. It will take about 31 to 32 Hours to reach the station.

How to Reach Kedarnath from Pune By Road?

Gaurikund is the nearest bus station to Kedarnath. You can take the bus from Pune Station Bus Stand as it is a popular bus station in Pune.

Lord Shiva, who was being pursued by the Pandavas, took the form of a bull and disappeared into the ground at Kedarnath. The temple is believed to be built on the spot where Lord Shiva disappeared, and the lingam inside the temple is said to have been formed naturally by the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. The Temple at Kedarnath presents an imposing sight, standing in middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The temple was originally built in 8th century A.D. by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya and stands adjacent to site of an even earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The Unique lingam in Kedarnath Temple.

Kedarnath Temple

If you like my blog please like and share to your friends.