Jagannath Temple, New Delhi

Location:                     Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

Built by:                      Built by Oriya Community

Primary deity:              Lord Jagannath

Important Festivals:     Rathyatra Festival

Attraction:                   The grandeur of the temple   

INTRODUCTION

The Jagannath Temple is situated in the Hauz Khas area, New Delhi, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a hindu God. The temple was built by the Oriya community and is a replica of the word famous Jagannath Temple in Puri.  The name “Jagannath” has been derived from the word “Jagat” which means an elevated platform and the word “Natha” which means the Lord.

The temple is a very scared place of worship for Hindu devotees especially the worshipers of the Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. The temple is very important for the people who follow the Viashnaava traditions and the saint Ramananda. The temple also finds profound significance in the people who follow Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his religion of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

HISTORY

It has been researched in recent history that the Jagannath temple was constructed by the Kalinga rulers in Puri. The Jagannath temple in Delhi is replica of the temple in Orissa, which is built by the members of the Oriya community. The Skanda-Purana and the Brahma Purana gives an account of the legends of the Sri Jagannath temple.  It is stated the initially Lord Jagannath was worshiped under the name of Lord Neela Madhaba by Viswavasu, a tribal chief king.  Kind Indradyumna after hearing about the power of the deity sent Vidyapati, a brahmin priest to locate and find out the idol hidden in the dense forest and worshipped secretly.

After years of search, Vidyapati was not able to find the location of the deity but somehow managed to marry the daughter of Viswavasu. On repeated requests of his son-in-law, the tribal chief took his son-in-law, blindfolded, to the cave were he worshipped the deity.  But, with his extreme intelligence Vidyapati had thrown mustard seeds on the way to the cave. The mustard seeds them guided Vidyapati and King Indradyumna to the cave. But, to the King’s disappointment the idol had vanished in the sand.

To please the lord, the king then observed fat unto death on the Mount Neela. The king then undertook and horse-sacrifice and conducted the magnificent temple of Lord Vishnu. Then during his sleep, the king had a vision of the Lord Jagannath who asked him to carve idls of the freagrant tree at sea-shore. Thus, the images of Lord Jagannath, Chakra Sudarshan and Subhadra and Balabhadra were installed in the temple.

HOW TO REACH

By Air

New Delhi is well-connected to all the cities via the largest aerodrome in India, the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The temple is located in the vicinity of the airport.

By Rail

Being the capital of India, New Delhi is connected to the rest of the nation via well connected railway routes. The temple is within half-hour driving distance from both the NDLS and the Nizammuddin railway stations. The temple is also connected via the metro rail network functional in the city.

By Road

New Delhi has a very well connected road map with the rest of the nation.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT        

The best time to visit the temple is between the months of March to May and from August to November. Since New Delhi witness’s extreme winter and summers it is best t visit the temple during the spring and the autumn seasons.

ACCOMODATION

Being the national capital, New Delhi offers very good facilities for accommodation. From low budget lodges to high budget five stars the city has it all. The city also boasts of many good ashrams where the devotees can stay with other people who come to offer prayers.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The temple gates are closed between the 11 am to 5 pm and the devotees who want to worship the deity should keep the timings in mind when they plan their travel

IMAGES

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Delhi/New_Delhi/photo345287.htm

http://www.desicomments.com/hinduism/jagannath-temple-in-delhi/

VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5I8F4eqkz4

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple,_Puricite_note-jagannathpuri-13

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

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

Visit to Kilimanjaro and Everest

If you have plans for adventure these holidays, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest are the perfect destination for you. The highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is the place where over 35000 people come to visit every year. It is placed at 325 km from the equator and is known for its parable and tradition. Apart from being the highest peak of Africa it is also famous for being the tallest free standing mountain in the planet. Mt. Kilimanjaro hike is an adventurous and challenging journey. The main advantage of the hike is that the hiker doesn’t necessarily need any technical dexterity. Yet, he/she should know what comes next and be prepared for the adventure.

Hiking Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world is more challenging and tough as compared to the Mt. Kilimanjaro hike. It is 8,848 meters in height and takes a lot of courage and skills to conquer. However, till date only 2200 people have successfully climbed to the peak.

There are a lot of questions that arise when people plan to climb these mountains. Let us see the frequently asked questions and their answers below.

1.      

What is the best time to visit Kilimanjaro and Everest?

One good thing about Mount Kilimanjaro is, it is neither very cold nor hot. This is actually because of its distance from the equator. However the weather is basically very dry and rainy. So the best time to visit Kilimanjaro and climb is the hottest and driest seasons of the year.

On the other hand, the journey to Mount Everest is freezing cold during the winter season. Snow storms and hurricane force winds are the major problems during the months of December to January. May and June are the most preferred months for climbing this peak.

2.   

    How should one get prepared to climb Kilimanjaro and Everest:

Mountainous areas often need extra protection and gear than other places for a safe visit. There are certain most important things that one is supposed to carry necessary for a safe and successful journey. If we categories the needs accordingly, the most important technical equipments are:

·         Waterproof jacket

·         Long sleeve shirts

·         Insulated jacket

·         Soft jacket

·         Knit hat for heat

·         Brimmed hat for the protection from sun

·         Balaclava for protecting the face is recommended.

Other than those gloves, hiking boots, thick socks, waterproof gaiter and gym shoes are needed for hand and foot protection. Necessary medicines, sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm are some other necessities to carry along.

3.       What roadmap should be followed to reach the Kilimanjaro peak and Everest?

There are actually six respective routes namely Machame, Lemosho, Marangu, Shira, Umbwe and Rongai which one can follow to reach the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Everest can be climbed by following two routes: the north ridge route which is less travelled, and the Sounth Col Route.

It is often a difficult task for the climbers to choose the proper route and so they are suggested to take into account the altitude, traffic, difficulty everything under consideration.

4.       How much does it cost?

It is never a reasonable place. One will find a list containing different prices based on different climber. One must make the decision carefully considering all the aspect as it is neither cheap nor a place for needless overpayment. Mt. Kilimanjaro hike as well as Mt. Everest hike does not take more than around $40,000 for one person.

St. Georgen am Ybbsfelde, Austria

City description and overview

St. Georgen am Ybbsfelde is located in Lower Austria in the district of Amstettan. It is beautiful market town with a population of approximately 3000 people. The town consists of many churches and cadastral. Located in the district of Amstettan, the market town offers good shopping opportunities. The town offers many recreational and relaxing opportunities such as sports, clubs and restaurants. One of the major attractions of the town is the local sports club, Union St. Georgen am Ybbsfelde. The club has comprehensive and high-end playing areas and facilities of various games including table tennis, lawn tennis, football, gymnastics and hiking.  In fact the sports club is known to have one of the best club complex and facilities in ostviertel. The city also offers leisure facilities like a beach volleyball court and a club named FunSport.

Weather and best time to travel

Experienced and aware traveler would always want to know about the best weather to visit any place. The best weather to visit St. Georgen am Ybbsfelde would be June or September. During the winters the city offers skiing destinations, although it might become a bit harsh. The best time to travel to this part of Austria id April to May and September to October. The warm season in October offers you the beautiful Wachau and the stunning sights along with fun activities of the Danube River. Wine is one of the major attractions of this part of Austria and Autumn is the best season to enjoy the wine.

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.