Vishnu Varaha Temple, Majholi, Madhya Pradesh

Vishnu Varaha Temple, Majholi, Madhya Pradesh

Vishnu Varaha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Majholi Village in Majholi Tehsil in Jabalpur District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The original temple is believed to have been built during 11^th century CE as the sanctum enshrines image of Varaha belonging to the Kalachuri period. Alexander Cunningham visited this temple during 1873 – 1874 CE and described about this temple in his report.

The Temple

The Temple is of modern construction but enshrines an 11^th century CE image of Varaha belonging to Kalachuri period. The architectural fragments and sculptures from the original temple are been utilized in the construction in the modern temple. The sanctum door follows Kalachuri style. The lintel of the doorway has four armed Vishnu seated in Yoga posture at its central location flanked by Navagrahas. The door jambs have three bands of decoration.

The middle band has three niches housing apsaras in various postures. River goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen at the base of the door jamb. The sanctum is square in plan. The sanctum enshrines a huge image of Varaha. This image is similar to the images of Eran and Khajuraho. There is serpent depicted in between the legs of Varaha. The serpent is shown holding a vessel accompanied by his wife. She also holds a vessel in her hands.

There is an image of Vishnu in Yoga posture in between the snout of Varaha and hood of the serpent. The body of the Varaha is decorated with various gods & goddesses of Hindu pantheon, celestial beings and sages. There are few loose sculptures built into the external wall of the sanctum. Images of Ganesha, Vaishnavi, Uma Mahesvara, Vishnu etc. belonging to the Kalchuri era can be seen in the external walls of the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Majholi New Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Katangi, 20 Kms from Sihora, 23 Kms from Sihora Road Railway Station, 45 Kms from Jabalpur, 55 Kms from Jabalpur Airport, 70 Kms from Katni and 71 Kms from Damoh. Majholi can be reached from Sihora which is located on Jabalpur-Katni road. Majholi is situated on Sihora to Katangi route.

Location

Ambika Mata Temple, Jagat, Rajasthan

Ambika Mata Temple, Jagat, Rajasthan

Ambika Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga located in the village of Jagat near Udaipur City in Udaipur District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This Temple is famously called as Khajuraho of Rajasthan or  Khajuraho of Mewar. The temple is preserved by the State Department of Archaeology and Museum, Rajasthan.

History

The temple was believed to be built in 960 CE. There is an inscription dated to 1306 CE recording the genealogy of Bagar clan rulers. 

The Temple

The temple is an early, transitional, example of the style known as Maru-Gurjara architecture. This Temple is facing towards east with a two storied entrance mandapa. Sculptures of Maithuna figures, Ashta Matrikas and scenes from Samudra Mandan can be seen on pillars and ceilings of the entrance mandapa. This temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Sabha Mandapa and entrance porch. The Sabha Mandapa has projections on two of its sides with beautifully carved windows.

The Sanctum houses Ambika, a form of the Hindu Goddess Durga. The exterior walls of the Sanctum and Sabha Mandapa are richly decorated with various forms of Goddess Durga, Mahishasura Mardhini, Nava Durga, Veenadharini, Saraswathi, Ganpati in dancing posture, Yama, Kuber, Vayu, Indra, Lakshmi, Saptamatrikas, Surasundaris, Apasaras, dikpalakas, maithuna figures, dancers, musicians, floral motifs and geometrical patterns.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 34 Kms from Udaipur, 36 Kms from Udaipur Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udaipur Railway Station, 42 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 426 Kms from Jaipur. The Temple is situated on a regular bus route via Kurawad and can be easily accessed from Udaipur.

Location

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – The Temple

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – The Temple

The temple is situated on top of a hillock, outside the fort of Achalgarh. The temple is entirely built with white marble blocks. Idols of two elephants can be seen guarding the entrance of the temple. Two elephants facing each other stands tall at the entrance gate of the shrine. Nandi, housed in a four pillared mandapa, can be found immediately after the entrance, facing the sanctum.

The Nandi is made of five different metals and weighs about 4 tons. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapa and frontal porch. The sanctum houses Achaleshwar in the form of Shiva Linga housed within a circular yonipitha. It is said that the Linga in the form of dome is considered as the toe of Lord Shiva. It is unique to note that the Shiva Linga changes its colour thrice a day.

It appears red in the morning, saffron in the noon and wheatish in the evening. There is a semicircular pit in the sanctum, considered to be the gateway to Naraka, the netherworld. The water offered to the Shiva Linga disappears through this pit. It is still a mystery, where the water goes. Sculptures of the goddess Chamunda can be seen on the rear and the left side niches of walls.

There is a Dharam Kanta (Scales of Justice) built over the two intricately  carved pillars on the left side of the temple. It is a tradition that the King, taking over the charge, first receive the blessings of Achaleshwar Mahadev and then sit over Dharam Kanta and take an oath of being impartial to the people of his territory.

Shrines of Dasavathara (Varaha, Narasimha, Kurma, Vamana, Matsya, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Parasurama & Kalki), Paapa Kanteshwar, Somnath, Surya Narayan, Navagrahas, Shankateshwar, Omkareshwar, Markandeshwar and Dwarkadhish can be seen in the temple premises. There is a huge Champa tree can be seen in the temple complex. There is small beautiful lake named Mandakini, surrounded by rocky hills situated very near to this temple. It has three idols of buffalos on its bank.

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – History

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – History

The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 9^th century CE by the Paramara dynasty. Paramara Dynasty is also credited with having constructed the original structure of the Achalgarh Fort, later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE. The temple suffered damages from Muslim invaders in the medieval period.

The temple authorities decided to the safeguard the temple from future attacks. They covered the temple by a layer of lime and made it to look like an insignificant structure. The crown prince of princely state of Sirohi in 1979 noticed a marble wall exposed under the lime. He requested the archeologists to investigate his finding.

They removed the layers of lime and found that the entire temple was built with marble blocks. They also found a path around the sanctum for circumambulation. Sculptures of the goddess Chamunda were also found on the rear and the left side niches. These sculptures were smeared with the red vermillion, indicating that these sculptures were regularly worshipped in ancient past.

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – Legends

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – Legends

Toe of Lord Shiva:

As per legend, it is said that the temple is built around a toe print of Lord Shiva. It is believed that when the earth was undergoing a massive upheaval in its early days, Lord Shiva pressed with his toe to keep it stable.

Nandi protected the temple by releasing bumble bees:

As per legend, it is said that the temple was protected by Nandi from getting destroyed by Muslim invaders by releasing millions of bumble bees towards them.

Mount Abu:

Mount Abu is also known as Ardha Kashi due to the presence of several temples. As per puranas, Varanasi is considered as the city of Lord Shiva and Mount Abu is considered as suburban of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Mount Abu is grounded due to the thumb of Lord Shiva. When the thumb of Lord Shiva will disappear, the mountain will also be destroyed on the same day.

Dharam Kanta:

There is a Dharam Kanta (Scales of Justice) built over the two intricately  carved pillars on the left side of the temple. It is a tradition that the King, taking over the charge, first receive the blessings of Achaleshwar Mahadev and then sit over Dharam Kanta and take an oath of being impartial to the people of his territory.

Roots of Shiva Linga:

It is said that no one knows about the depth of the roots of Shiva Linga. Once, devotees dug the ground to find out the depth of the roots, but they could not able to find the end and finally had to call of their excavation process.

Doorway to Naraka:

There is a semicircular pit in the sanctum, where the devotees pour water, but none of them has any idea where the water goes. The pit is believed to be a doorway to Naraka (Hell).

Buffalo Idols:

There are three large stone buffalos on the banks of a pond, located close to the temple. It is believed that these buffaloes are believed to be demons shot down by the King to stop from drinking the ghee in the pond.

Achaleshwar:

Achaleshwar is derived from two Sanskrit words Achal (Immovable) and Eshwar (Lord Shiva).

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh, Rajasthan

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh, Rajasthan

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Achalgarh in Abu Road Tehsil of Sirohi District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is situated outside the fort of Achalgarh close to Mount Abu, a famous hill station.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-temple.html

Prayers

Unmarried boys and girl pray to Lord Achaleshwar for their successful marriage.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 7 Kms from Mount Abu Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Mount Abu, 36 Kms from Mount Abu Road Railway Station, 85 Kms from Sirohi, 171 Kms from Udaipur, 191 Kms from Udaipur Airport, 222 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport and 230 Kms from Ahmedabad. This temple is situated outside the fort of Achalgarh close to Mount Abu, a famous hill station.

Location | Photos

Krimchi Group of Temples, Jammu and Kashmir

Krimchi Group of Temples, Jammu and Kashmir

Krimchi Group of Temples is a complex of seven ancient temples in Krimchi village near Udhampur Town in Udhampur District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This group of temples is locally known as the Pandava Temples. These temples are located on a hillock, in the foothills of Shivalik Hills, between two small streams Bishma and Krimchi. These temples are one of the oldest temple complexes of Jammu & Kashmir.

Legends

As per legend, it is believed that these temples were built by the Pandavas, during their exile, when they took shelter at Krimchi. King Kichak, who ruled over this region then, gave shelter to the Pandavas.

History

These temples were believed to have been constructed during 8^th or 9^th century CE as by ASI, India. It is commonly agreed that these temples were built in stages. Some scholars date these temples to second century CE by Kushan empire and to 9^th century CE by Dev dynasty of Jammu. However, architecturally, these temples correspond with the Masrur, Baijnath, Bajaura and Bharmour temples of Himachal Pradesh and Manwal temples of Jammu & Kashmir. The Takri inscription found at Krimchi temple engraved on the basement of a temple entrance indicates the date of its construction between 9^th -10^th century CE. These temples find mention in History of the Panjab Hill States written by J. Ph. Vogel and John Hutchison.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/krimchi-group-of-temples-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The temple complex is located at about 7 Kms from Chak Rakhwal, 13 Kms from Udhampur Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Udhampur Railway Station, 24 Kms from Panchari, 34 Kms from Katra, 67 Kms from Jammu, 87 Kms from Jammu Airport, 212 Kms from Srinagar and 212 Kms from Srinagar Airport. The temple complex is situated on Udhampur – Panchari route.

Location | Photos