Kalka Mandir, Delhi

Location:                     Nehru Place, New Delhi, India

Built by:                      Maratha Rulers  

Also known as:           Kalkaji Temple           

Primary deity:              Goddess Kali

Important Festivals:     Navratri

Attraction:                   Arti of the Temple

INTRODUCTION

Kalka Mandir is also known as Kalkaji Temple or Kalkaji Mandir. It is a well known temple situated in South Delhi opposite to Nehru place market and is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The locality where this temple is situated is Kalkaji itself as it has derived its name from the temple only. The temple is situated next to the famous Bahai Lotus Temple and close to ISKON temple. It is located on Suryakoota Parvata of Aravali range and thus Kalka devi is also known as Suryakoota Niwasini.

 Kalkaji mandir is counted among the oldest temples of India that are dedicated to Goddess Kali who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

HISTORY

According to the legend, the shrine is believed to be present since the times of Satya Yuga when Goddess Kali killed Raktabija and other demons. As per the official Government records, the temple building is not older than 1764 and was constructed by Maratha rulers. It is also recorded that further additions were made by Mirza Raja Kidar Nath who was the Peshkar of Akbar II.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail

The temple is very near to the railway stations Nizamuddin and Okhla. Nizamuddin has trains coming from all over the country while some have stoppages at Okhla as well.

It also has good connectivity via metro rail service of Delhi as it is at walking distance from Kalkaji Metro station which lies on Purple line.

By Road

The temple is very close to Nehru Place bus stand which is a local bus terminus. It is 5km from Interstate Bus Terminus Nizamuddin.

By Air

Being a capital city, New Delhi boasts of the Indira Gandhi Airport which is well-connected to all other cities

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is also known as 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha' or 'Jayanti Peetha' which means the place is believed to grant the devotees whatever they desire in the form of the blessings of Goddess Kali

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

Devotees flock the temple throughout the year but the influx is maximum during Navratri festival which occurs twice a year in spring and autumn. It extends over a period of 9 days during which a magnificent fair is organized.

ACCOMODATION

Since the temple is situated at the heart of the city, there is no lack of accommodations. All sorts of accommodations ranging from luxurious 5 star hotels to economic Dharamshalas are available at Kalka Mandir.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The temple is open on all days from 04:00 in the morning to 11:30 in the night. The arti is held in the morning at 06:00 in winters and 05:00 in summers and in the evening at 6:30 in winters and 07:00 in summer. The arti continues for a period of 90 minutes for which offerings are sold at the entrance of the temple. The visitors are advised to be cautious as the place is crowded and there is a danger of Pickpockets.

IMAGES

http://www.delhitravel.org/262/kalkaji-temple-delhi/

http://www.delhitravel.org/262/kalkaji-temple-delhi/kalkaji-temple-delhi-picture-3/

http://www.vijaychowk.com/kalkaji-mandir-new-delhi.aspx

VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxueV2SLEDg

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalka_Mandir,_Delhi

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304551-d3199053-Reviews-Shri_Kalkaji_Mandir_Temple-New_Delhi_National_Capital_Territory_of_Delhi.html

http://wikimapia.org/152628/Kalkaji-Mandir

Hanuman Temple, Delhi

Location:                     Connaught Place, New Delhi, India

Built by:                      Maharaj Jai Singh of Jaipur  

Also known as:           Hanuman Mandir       

Primary deity:              Lord Hanuman

Important Festivals:     Hanuman Jayanti

Attraction:                   Hymn Recitation

INTRODUCTION

The Hanuman Temple is situated on the Baba Kharak Singh road which is on southwest direction of Connaught Place in Central Delhi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and the idol is of Bala Hanuman which is a depiction of child Hanuman.

 The temple has a crescent moon, symbol of Islam, attached to the spire of the temple instead of usual Hindu symbols like Aum or Sun. It was given to Tulsidas by Mughal Emperor of that time as an honor and it saved the temple from being plundered by several muslim invasions. The temple reached the peak of its fame during Mughal period due to this extraordinary feature.

HISTORY

According to the legend, the temple dates back to the Mahabharata times when it was built by the rulers of the Indraprastha (modern day Delhi), the Padavas. However, official records say that the temple was constructed by Maharaja Maan Singh I of Amber during the later half of 16^th century and was reconstructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. Since then several modifications have been made to the temple over the period of time.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail

The temple is very near to the New Delhi railway station which has trains coming from all the quarters of the country.

It is well connected via metro rail service as it is close to Rajiv Chowk Metro Station which is a hub of yellow and blue metro lines.

By Road

The temple is very close to Connaught Place bus stand which is a local bus terminus. It is 7 km from Interstate Bus Terminus Nizamuddin.

By Air

Indira Gandhi Airport is closest to the temple which is also an international airport.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The Hanuman Mandir has a unique credential to its name in the form on the honor of being placed in Guinness Book of World Records. The record is of nonstop 24 hour chanting of “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” since  August 1, 1964.

It is also believed that Lord Hanuman fulfills the desires of the devotees who whisper their wishes into the ear of idol of Nandi Bull.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

The two days of the week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, are of great significance as visitors come in maximum numbers. The annual festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm which falls on the day of full moon in Chaitra month (March- April). The weather during this period is pleasant as it is the phase of transition from winters to summers.

ACCOMODATION

The temple is situated in Connaught Place which is the commercial hub of the capital city. Thus, there is no lack of accommodation for visitors. The Paharganj area of Delhi which is a hub of hotels proving wide range of accommodation is merely 3 km from the temple.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The devotees are required to enter the temple barefooted. The temple remains open from 5 in the morning to 11 in the night except on Tuesdays when it remains open till 2:00 AM and on Saturday when it remains open the whole night. The Arti timing is 5:30 in the morning.

IMAGES

http://emailday.blogspot.in/2012/08/wwwkeralitesnet-hanuman-mandir.html

http://www.thedelhiheights.com/sprituality/famous-temples-in-delhi/attachment/hanuman-temple-at-delhi/

http://www.newdelhiairport.in/to-see-in-delhi.aspx

VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcWo0lbmIhI

REFERENCES

http://hanumantempledelhi.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_Temple,_Connaught_Place

http://vayusutha.in/vs4/temple48.html

Chhatarpur Temple, Delhi, India

Chhatarpur Temple, Delhi

Location:                     Chhatarpur, New Delhi, India

Built by:                      Baba Sant Nagpal Ji

Also known as:           Shri Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth Mandir     

Primary deity:              Goddess Katyayani

Important Festivals:     Navratri

Attraction:                   Second largest temple complex in India

   

INTRODUCTION

The Chhatarpur Temple is also known as Shri Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth Mandir. The name is derived from the locality where it is situated i.e. Chhatarpur in the South Delhi. It is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. The temple is merely 4km from Qutub Minar on the road connecting Mehrauli to Gurgaon.

It was known as the largest temple complex in India and second biggest in the world before Akshardham Mandir of Delhi replaced it in 2005. The temple has perforated stone work or the Jali work on every facet and is completely made up of marble. The temple shows a magnificent mix of north and south Indian architecture.

HISTORY

The temple was constructed by a Baba Sant Nagpal guy in 1974 who was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. He died in 1998 and the Samadhi shrine of Baba Sant Nagpal ji is located in the Shiv Gauri Nageshwar Mandir in the temple complex.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail

The temple is very near to the New Delhi railway station which has trains coming from all the quarters of the country.

It is well connected via metro rail service as it is close to Chhatarpur Metro Station which lies on the yellow line of the metro.

By Road

The temple is 11 km from Interstate Bus Terminus Nizamuddin and can be accessed from Gugaon as well.

By Air

Indira Gandhi Airport is closest to the temple which is also an international airport.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

 Inside the temple complex , a huge structure has been established where food is served to people for free. This is known as organizing a Bhandara and is organized every day. The temple is famous for its 24 hours nonstop religious prayers which are held within the temple complex.

There is one ancient tree at the main entrance that is completely draped with holy threads. Bangles and threads are tied onto this tree by devotees as it is believed this will fulfill their wishes.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

 The best time to visit this temple is during Navratri Festival which is celebrated for a period of nine days twice a year. The Navratri festival fall in spring and autumn when the weather in pleasant and not extreme like in Summers and Winters.

ACCOMODATION

The temple is situated in South Delhi. Thus, there are abundant options of accommodation for people belonging to all walks of life and coming from any quarter of the world.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The crowd of devotees is huge in this temple and thus the devotees are advised to be cautious and careful. The entrance is free of cost and the temple remains open for all the seven days of the week. It is mandatory for devotees wash their hands and feet before entering the temple complex.

IMAGES

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nandi_at_Shiva_temple,_Chhatarpur_temple,_Delhi.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304551-d324102-Reviews-Chhatarpur_Temple-New_Delhi_National_Capital_Territory_of_Delhi.html

REFERENCES

http://pilgrimage-tours.tourtravelworld.com/hindu-pilgrimage/temples/chattarpur-mandir.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatarpur_Temple

http://www.ghumakkar.com/2011/05/23/chhatarpur-temple-second-largest-temple-complex-in-india/