Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada, Gujarat

Location:                     Gadhada Bhavnagar, Gadhada, Gujrat, India.

Built by:                      Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Primary deity:               Gopinathji Maharaj, Harikrishna Maharaj.

 INTRODUCTION

This is the holy temple located in Gadhada, Gujrat. The land for constructing this temple in Gadhada, was donated by the court of Dada Khachar in Gadhada. Dada Khachar and his family were devotees of Shri Swaminarayan. The temple was made in the courtyard of his own residence. This shrine has two stories and three domes and is adorned with carvings. The temple is placed on a high plinth in a spacious square and has an assembly hall with large dharamshalas and kitchens for ascetics and pilgrims.

Swaminarayan had installed the idols in this temple on the October 9, 1828. Gopinath and Hari krishna in the middle, Dharma and Bhakti and Vasudeva on the western side and Revti-Baldevji, Shri Krishna and Suryanarayan in the eastern temple. Besides the idols installed by Shri Swaminarayan himself, the temple is a place of many memories of Shri Swaminarayan.

On the path of the worship circuit of the inner temple, there is the idol of Ghanshyam facing northward. This prasadi temple has prasadi items of Swaminarayan displayed in a museum within the temple.

On the southern side of the temple, there is a big neem tree and the chamber of Vasudeva. Swaminarayan gives several discourses at this place. The court of Dada Khachar has been preserved in its original form. On the backside, there is the Akshar Oradi temple and Gangajalio well.

HISTORY

When evil dominated over good, when adharma ruled prominent over dharma, when "Might is Right" was the order or the day, when eat, drink and be merry had become the rule of life, when the pious people, without rhyme or reason were harassed by the impious ones and when darkness and disorder prevailed in all walks or tire - social, political and religious - in India, Lord Shri Swaminarayan manifested Himself at Chhapaiya, a small village, 20 kms North of Ayodhya in U.P., on Monday, the ninth day of bright half or Chaitra of Samvat year 1837, 2nd April, 1781 at 10 Hrs. 10 Minutes at night.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan established the Swaminarayan faith and renewed the ideals of Hinduism in 18th century India. He established a spiritual way of life and code of conduct to be followed. This is the place where Supreme God Shri Swaminarayan had lived for 29 years and did several leela. Here is the original ‘Dada Kachar Darbar’ and the ‘Limb Vriksha’ where Bhagwan Shri Hari told several ‘Vachnamrut’.

HOW TO REACH

By Air

Gadhada is located at about 70 kms away from the nearest airport, ‘Bhavnagar’.

By Rail

Nearest railway stations to Gadhada are –

1) Alampur – Approximately 16 kms away from Gadhada.

2) Ujalvav – Approximately 17 kms away from Gadhada.

By Road

Gadhada is well connected by roads to the cities of Gujarat. Regular bus service and private vehicles are available from Ahmedabad and other big cities of Gujarat. There's no rail track passing through the town. To reach Gadhada by train, you may get down at Botad or Ningala in Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar track. Connecting bus service to Gadhada is available from both these stations.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The temple work was planned and executed directly under the consultation and guidance of Shri Swaminarayan. Shri Swaminarayan over viewed the construction in and also helped with the manual service in the construction of the temple, by lifting stones and mortar.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

The temperature at Gadhada varies from 10 degrees centigrade in winter to 42 degrees centigrade in summer. Rainfall is low in Gujrat. The Swaminarayan Mandir can be visited any time throughout the year.

ACCOMODATION

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has its own Dharamshala where the pilgrims can get accommodation at very cheap rates. Besides, there are many hotels and resorts in Gujrat with a varied price range. Also, there are many hotels and resorts in Gadhada and Bhavnagar. The appropriate hotel as per our budget and stay can be selected and can be booked prior to our arrival.

IMAGES

http://www.bhujmandir.org/directory/shree-swaminarayan-temple-gadhada

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=shri+swaminarayan+mandir+gadhada&hl=en&biw=1440&bih=785&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=oKc5UZ2OEIKsrAe2iYD4CQ&sqi=2&ved=0CH4QsAQ

VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=5sOX5qA6aVI&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvjc9CxAFjI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5TCutK1Dy0

REFERENCES

http://wikimapia.org/11382411/The-ORIGINAL-SWAMINARAYAN-MANDIR-Gadhada-Shree-Swaminarayan-Temple

http://www.baps.org/Spiritual-Living.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_Swaminarayan_Mandir,_Gadhada

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

http://holyindia.org/temple/gadhada/gadhada_airport

http://www.onefivenine.com/india/Rail/HowToReachTaluk/Bhavnagar/Gadhada

http://www.swaminarayan.nu/misc/lord.shtml#Manifestation

http://www.yr.no/place/india/Gujarat/Gadhada/statistics.html

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

Scharding-Suben, Austria

City description and overview

Scharding is a town which is situated in the state of Upper Austria. It has a population of around 5000 people, with a historic ownership going back to the Wittelsbach family. This ownership is evident in the historical architecture of the town, which is called as baroque style. This town has many Catholic churches and the other buildings are quite colorful. You cannot help but get a feeling of cheerfulness when you visit this town and stay there for a while. The town is full of liveliness, exhibited from all of its historical buildings and pathways. Due to its long history of the Wittelsbach family, this town has got its own identity.

You can roam through the streets, often with a brochure which are available at Cyclist centers amongst other places. There are also a lot of inns in this town famous for their exotic beers and age old breweries. Savoring the culinary delights here is the right way to cherish the nostalgia after a day’s walk through history.

Weather and best time to travel

Since this town is situated in the upper side of Austria, it experiences a continental climate, which means that there are warm summers which are not hot. At the same time, there are cool winters, which are not very cold. Another characteristic of the weather is that there are no dry spells at any time of the year and it keeps raining throughout the year. 

Ried, Austria

City description and overview

Ried is located in Upper Austria as is the capital of the district of Ried im Innkreis along with being the administrative unit for the Innviertel region. This beautiful city gets its name from the word “Riet” which refers to reed growing on the swamp shores. The city offers stunning sights and extraordinary views due to its strategic location and the hollow of Alpine foothills and north of the Hausruck forest. Apart from offering various leisure facilities, the city offers natural beauty and a picturesque landscape. The city also boasts of a well-developed infrastructure and good connectivity to other places around the district. The city has well-connected roads, train lines and even the international airport of Linz can be reached in a short span of forty minutes. The city also offers a very rich cultural heritage. The Schwanthaler family of world-renowned sculptors has its base here. The folklore museum in the city preserves many of the family sculptors. The city is also the centre of various trade fairs held over a period of few days.

Weather and best time to travel

Travelers should always determine what best time to travel before visiting a place is. The season between April to September is the best weather to visit Ried. The season offers the warmth and the pleasantness both. Visiting Ried in April, you would be welcomed with natural scenic beauty at its best, while September would take you to the pleasures of slight winters with pleasant warmth.

Micheldorf, Austria

City description and overview

Micheldorf is a small town in the federated state of Upper Austria in Austria. It has around 6000 inhabitants, with an area of around 308 sq miles. The cities of Wels and Linz are nearby form this town, with Wels being the nearest city, just 32 km away. The nearest airport is at Linz, around 40 km from Micheldorf.  You can find small thatched houses in this town, with a lovely scenic beauty. Georgenberg is a steep peak near Micheldorf, with a Gothic church of St. George situated atop it. The major attraction of this town is the Burg Altpernstein. It is a castle almost 1000 years old and some land around it is declared as a conservation area. This castle is maintained by a castle team, which stays in the castle all-round the year, even when the castle is closed.

Weather and best time to travel

The climate in this town is oceanic, thus exhibiting warm summers and cool winters. Moreover, the temperature range across the year is also small, meaning there is not much change in the temperature. The rainfall in this town is evenly spread across the year which results in the lack of a dry spell. If you want to go for skiing in Austria the best time is around New Year’s Eve and also between late January and March. Some months after March are unfavorable for skiing since there is no snow during these months. 

Linz-Ost, Austria

City description and overview

Linz Ost is one of the largest cities in Austria and is situated on the banks of the river Danube. It is a very old city, founded in 799 AD by the Romans. Johannes Kepler, who discovered the third law of planetary motion used to live in this city. There are many statues commemorating his successes in the city. A public University in the locality is also named after him. Linz is one of the most important economic centers in Austria owing to the steel and chemical factories located here. The city is rich in its art and music cultures and is known for its art galleries and concert halls. Perhaps the most well-known thing about Linz in the music world would be the ‘Linz Symphony’, which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote in the city for a concert to be held there. Due to all these things, Linz is often called as the ‘capital of music’. There is an airport near this city which has direct connecting flights to Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and many other international cities.

Weather and best time to travel

Linz has a humid continental climate. There are no dry seasons since the rains are dispersed around the year. There are many grasslands, forests and pastures around the city. The best time to travel to Linz is probably the seasons of spring and autumn, since we can witness the trees changing the colors of their leaves. You can also avail the fun of a bike ride during the warm months of the year.

Hb Hofkirchen, Austria

City description and overview

Hb Hofkirchen is a city located in Upper Austria. The city lies between the villages of Kiebach, Ruprechtshofen and Krottenthal. The city boasts of scenic beauty and extraordinary natural beauty. Located in the Alpine region, the city easily becomes one of the favorite spots for nature lovers.  The city also boasts of a very well-maintained and connected airport. The airport connects all the main cities of Upper Austria. The currency in this city is the Euro and the language spoken by the masses is German. Although the area is mostly hidden, the natural beauty here attracts lots of travelers looking for some relaxing and peaceful holiday. The city also offers some sports and other cultural centers for leisure and fun activities during the evening and the night.

 

Weather and best time to travel

The best time for travelling to Hb Hofkirchen would be between April and September. The Alpine climate is at its best when it is neither too cold nor too warm. The natural beauty of the place can be best discovered during these months. April-July are the best months to make a walking trip around this area. Due to its picturesque landscape the area offers excellent opportunities for travelers who want take the road. Well-defined routes, well-kept roads and wonderful landscape adds to the experience of travelling in this city.

The months of August-September brings out the rich cultural heritage of the city as a large number of concerts and fairs are held during this period.

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/