Vizhinjam Cave Temple, Kerala

Vizhinjam Cave Temple, Kerala

Vizhinjam Cave Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Vizhinjam Village in Neyyattinkara Taluk in Thiruvananthapuram District in Kerala, India. This cave temple is considered as one of the earliest rock-cut cave temples in Kerala and smallest rock cut cave temples in Southern India. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The cave temple is believed to have been excavated in 8^th century CE. The site is a centrally protected monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India since 1965. Vizhinjam was the administrative capital of Ay kingdom, which is believed to have ruled over parts of the southern India between the 8^th and 10^th centuries A.D. The region had witnessed several battles in which the Chola and Pandya dynasties attempted to gain control of the port town. Vizhinjam gradually lost prominence after the 10^th century CE after coming under constant attack of the other kingdoms.

The Cave Temple

The cave is excavated on a small boulder measuring about 3 metres in height and 3.5 metres in width. The cave is carved on the eastern face of the boulder and is facing towards east. The cave consists of sanctum only. It measures about 1 metre in length, 0.7 metres in width and 1.5 metres in height. The sanctum enshrines an image of Vinadhara Dakshinamurthy. There are two rock cut niches housing bas relief images on either side of the entrance of the sanctum.

The right side niche has bas relief image of Tripurantaka. He is accompanied by two dwarf images on either side. He is four armed. His lower left hand holds the bow & upper left hand holds the axe and his lower right hand holds arrow & the upper right hand shows ardhapathaka mudra. He is depicted standing on his right foot the floor and the folded left foot on the head of the Muyalagan. A carving of Bhooda gana can be seen on the left side of Muyalagan. 

It is interesting to note that different forms of Tripurantaka had developed at such an early date. The left side niche has two bas relief images of Nataraja and Parvati. The Nataraja image is depicted in dancing posture. His left leg is depicted in parsvatha posture and his right leg held in swastika posture. The face is tilted towards his right side. The image to the left of the Nataraja is Parvati. She is shown resting her left hand on her hip and the right hand rests on her chin.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 250 metres from Vizhinjam Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Kovalam, 9 Kms from Balaramapuram Railway Station, 14 Kms from Poovar, 14 Kms from Neyyattinkara, 15 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, 16 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport and 21 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is situated on Kovalam to Poovar route.

Location

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave is a natural located in Jamgarh Village in Bareli Taluk in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This cave is situated on the hills of the Vindhya mountain range.

Legends

As per legend, Jambavan is the king of bears who assisted Lord Rama in his battle with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Jambavan, together with Parashurama and Hanuman, is considered to be one of the few to have been present for the birth of both Rama and the Krishna. His daughter Jambavati was married to Krishna. It is believed that Jambavan still resides in this cave. It is also believed that the legendary Jewel Syamantak Mani is hidden in this cave even today.

The Cave

It is a natural cave located in the hills of the Vindhya mountain range. The cave is deep and mysterious. It is said that the cave is not yet explored completely. Strange sounds are heard from the interior of the cave. There is a mysterious stepwell in the middle of the cave. A natural Shivalinga can be seen in the middle of the stepwell. It is always filled with water even during the summers. The water from this stepwell is considered sacred for the pilgrims. The footprints of Jambvan are still visible in this cave. There is a temple situated close to this cave. It is said that this temple was built by Jambavan himself with his own hands.

Connectivity

The cave is located at about 7 Kms from Khargone, 20 Kms from Bareli Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Bareli, 29 Kms from Udaipura, 60 Kms from Pipariya Railway Station, 82 Kms from Raisen, 98 Kms from Narmadapuram and 144 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The cave is situated at about 7 Kms to the north west of Khargone on Bareli to Udaipura route.

Location

Vairat Devi Temple, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Vairat Devi Temple, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Vairat Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vairat Devi in Vairat Hills in Vairat village near Chikhaldara Hill Station in Chikhaldara Taluk in Amravati District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Vairat Devi is considered to be the presiding deity of this village.

The Temple

The original temple is inside a natural cave and situated to the west of the Vairat Hills. The access to this temple is difficult. Devotees have to hang themselves with a rope and pass through the deep valley. After reaching the other side of the valley, people have to trek through the rocky climbs of the hills to reach the entrance of the cave. Devotees need to climb down the steps and the temple is situated at a depth of about 150 feet. There is a natural kund at this temple. A new temple has been built in the centre of the village for the benefit of the devotees.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 11 Kms from Chikhaldara Bus Stand. Chikhaldara is located at about 27 Kms from Semadoh, 34 Kms from Paratwada Bus Stand, 36 Kms from Paratwada, 49 Kms from Harisal, 58 Kms from Kolkas, 83 Kms from Amravati, 85 Kms from Amravati Railway Station, 95 Kms from Shahanur and 224 Kms from Nagpur Airport. Chikhaldara is situated at about 36 Kms to the north-west of Paratwada. Chikhaldara is well connected to the cities of Paratwada, Amravati, Akola, Betul, Khandwa and Burhanpur by road. MSRTC plies buses from Nagpur to Chikhaldara via Amravati-Paratwada.

Location

Mahadev Temple, Mangeri, Maharashtra

Mahadev Temple, Mangeri, Maharashtra

Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the top of the Mangeri Mahadev Mountain in Sangrampur Taluk in Buldhana District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This temple is situated in the midst of the Amba Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary. The temple is situated in a small cave. This temple opens only once a year on the third Monday of Shravan.

An annual procession is taken out during the Shravan month of Marathi calendar. It is said that Sonaji Maharaj of Sonala had spent considerable amount of time here. The temple is about one hour’s trek from the Mangeri Mahadev Forest Camp. The Mangeri Mahadev Forest Camp can be reached after a trek of about two hours from the Shemba forest Camp of the forest department.

Connectivity

The Shemba forest Camp is located at about 9 Kms from Sonala, 35 Kms from Telhara, 36 Kms from Jalgaon Jamod, 43 Kms from Akot, 43 Kms from Akot Railway Station and 286 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The Shemba forest Camp is situated at about 9 Kms to the north of Sonala on Akot to Jalgaon Jamod route.

Location

Rishiyan Ashram, Barha Kotra, Uttar Pradesh

Rishiyan Ashram, Barha Kotra, Uttar Pradesh

Rishiyan Ashram is a Hindu pilgrimage site located in Barha Kotra Village in Mau Tehsil in Chitrakoot District in Uttar Pradesh, India. This pilgrimage site consists of caves and ancient Hindu temples situated amidst forest in hilly terrain. This site is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/rishiyan-ashram-barha-kotra-legends.html

The Caves & Temples

Rishiyan Ashram has two caves. Four Shiva Lingas seated on a single yonipitha can be seen in the first cave. The second cave has arrangements for rest. The place has remains of three 10^th century CE temples. One of the temple is called as Bhar Deul. One of the temple is situated near the caves. A stream can be seen flowing near the caves. The stream forms a lake downhill which is situated on the way to the core area of Rishiyan Ashram. Sugaria Pathri is one of several hillocks situated around this place. Rock paintings made by the hunter gatherers can be seen in this hillock.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 16 Kms from Mau, 18 Kms from Bargarh Railway Station, 22 Kms from Shankargarh, 43 Kms from Prayagraj Airport, 65 Kms from Prayagraj and 73 Kms from Chitrakoot. The temple is situated at about 16 Kms to the east of Mau on Chitrakoot to Prayagraj route via Shankargarh.

Location

Meena Basati, Aihole, Karnataka

Meena Basati, Aihole, Karnataka

Meena Basati is a Jain cave temple dedicated to Mahavira, 24^th Tirthankara of Jainism, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in the heart of Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. This cave temple is situated on the southern façade of the Meguti Hill. This temple is considered as one of the earlier monuments of Aihole.

History

This cave temple could have been excavated towards the end of the 6^th century CE or early 7^th century CE. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Cave Temple

The cave temple is facing towards south east and situated on the Meguti Hill. It consists of a narrow porch, a central hall opening into the main shrine and two side chambers. The porch is supported by four pillars and two pilasters. All the pillars are plain and square in section. The ceiling of the porch is decorated with delicate relief patterns of lotus petals, separated by panels with huge makaras (crocodiles) disgorging tiny human figures.

Sculptures of Gomateshwara flanked by his sisters Brahmi & Sundari and five hooded Parsvanatha along with Dharanendra, , Padmavati and Kamatha can be seen on the extreme right and extreme left of the porch respectively. The pillars of the side chambers and sanctum are similar in style. The ceiling of the hall is carved with a huge lotus inside a square at its centre. The four corners of the hall has carvings of lotus on the ceiling. There is another lotus carved at the centre of the floor in the hall.

The sanctum is guarded by dvarapalas on either side. The sanctum has a carving of Mahavira seated in padmasana in dyana mudra on a lion throne on the back wall. He rests under a triple umbrella canopy flanked by two whisk bearers on either side of him. The chamber on the left side has carving of Mahavira flanked by female worshippers. An elephant procession is also carved in this chamber. The chamber on the right side was never finished. There is a path to the left of this temple leads to the dolmens at the top of the Meguti hill.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Aihole Bus Stand. Aihole is located at about 13 Kms from Pattadakal, 30 Kms from Badami Railway Station, 33 Kms from Bagalkot Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Badami, 38 Kms from Bagalkot, 88 Kms from Gadag, 136 Kms from Hubballi Airport, 164 Kms from Belgaum Airport, 277 Kms from Goa and 446 Kms from Bengaluru. Aihole is situated on Pattadakal to Amingad route.

Location

Salbardi Cave Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Salbardi Cave Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Salbardi Cave Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the mountain ranges near Salbardi Village in Multai Tehsil in Betul District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Madhya Pradesh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Cave Temple:

As per legend, it is believed that an underground passage exists from this cave to Mahadeva Hill at Pachmarhi. Once, Mahadeva put two thousand goats into the passage at Pachmarhi and only one goat came out at Salbardi. It is also said that there is a hole in the hill leads down to this cave. It is believed that the hole was created by Bhima, one of the Pandavas, for better view of Lord Shiva at this Cave temple.

Birthplace of Luv & Kush:

As per legend, it is believed that Mother Sita gave birth to her twins Luv and Kush at this place.

The Cave Temple

The Cave temple is situated on atop a hill bordering Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The temple can be accessed through a long narrow passage. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The hill is famous for two natural springs, one for cold water and another for hot water. The springs flow into a small stone cistern which was formerly divided into compartments for the hot and cold water.

The water was recently analyzed and reported as containing sulphates and phosphates in small quantities, unfit for drinking but probably a cure for skin diseases. Colonel Meadows Taylor records bathing here in 1857 and says that the waters gave his malaria temporary relief. There is a temple on the hill contains a headless image of a Devi and a pool of reddish coloured water. It is believed that the water turned red from the blood of the image poured into the pool when the head of the image was cut off.

Festivals

A fair is celebrated for seven days during Shivaratri every year.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Salbardi, 10 Kms from Hiwarkhed Railway Station, 14 Kms from Morshi, 14 Kms from Morshi Railway Station, 66 Kms from Multai, 66 Kms from Amravati, 90 Kms from Betul and 143 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The temple is situated on Multai to Amravati route via Morshi.

Location

Gupteswar Cave Temple, Ramagiri, Odisha

Gupteswar Cave Temple, Ramagiri, Odisha

Gupteswar Cave Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near Ramagiri Village in Boipariguda Block in Koraput District in Odisha, India. The temple is famously called as Gupta Kedar. The cave temple is situated on the slopes of a hill in the Ramagiri forest range.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/12/gupteswar-cave-temple-ramagiri-legends.html

The Cave Temple

The cave temple is situated on the slopes of a hill in the Ramagiri forest range. The cave is surrounded by a dense forest of Sal trees and flanked by the Kolab river. The cave can be accessed through flight of 476 steps flanked with rows of champak trees. It is a natural cave with stalagmites. The entrance of the cave is about 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide and 2 metres (6.6 ft) high.

The cave enshrines a 2 metres (6.6 ft) high lingam within a roughly circular chamber. The Linga is 10 feet in circumference. This Lingam is famously called as Gupteswar (means the Hidden God). It is aptly name as it was lying hidden in the cave for a very long period.  The Shiva Linga is said to be increasing in size. There are also several other caves nearby. There is a large stalactite inside the second cave.

People worship it as the udder of Goddess Kamadhenu and wait under it with outstretched palms to collect drops of water which fall only at long intervals. It is a long cave and expert guide is required to explore the cave. There is a way behind the Shiva Linga which takes one to the interior of the cave. The cave is famous for its underground water and the view of the fall from the extreme end of the cave.

Festivals

Shivaratri is the major festival celebrated here. The temple draws over 200,000 devotees from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Bol Bom Yatra is held in this place during the month of Sravana. Devotees walk to the Gupteshwar during Bol Bom yatra to bathe in the maha kund, and then chant near the Shiva Linga.

Prayers

People suffering from incurable diseases come here to worship the god and remain here for months in the hope of getting cured.

Connectivity

The cave temple is located at about 13 Kms from Ramagiri Junction, 35 Kms from Boipariguda, 45 Kms from Patraput Bridge, 55 Kms from Jeypore, 75 Kms from Koraput, 97 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport, 237 Kms from Visakhapatnam and 243 Kms from Visakhapatnam. There is no direct public transport available to reach this temple. Devotees need to hire vehicles from Jeypore or arrange their own vehicles.

Location

Vaishnodevi Temple, Rourkela, Odisha

Vaishnodevi Temple, Rourkela, Odisha

Vaishnodevi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Vaishnodevi located in Rourkela City in Sundargarh District in Odisha, India. This Temple is a replica of the original Temple of Vaishnodevi of Jammu (Trikuta Hills) and is situated on the top of the Durgapur Hill.

History

The images of Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswathi were found on the hill in 2000 and Maa Vaishnodevi Temple Trust was formed in the same year. The temple to house these images was completed in the year 2003. The Durga temple was opened to the devotees in 2007.

The Temple

This Temple is a replica of the original Temple of Vaishnodevi of Jammu (Trikuta Hills) and is situated on the top of the Durgapur Hill facing towards Rourkela Steel Plant.  The temple can be accessed through flight of 600 hundred steps. This temple enshrines beautiful images of Goddess Kali, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi.

The cave temple enshrining the Vaishnodevi is the major shrine in this hill. A Durga Temple can also be seen near this cave. Bhairabanath Temple is situated close to the Vaishnodevi Temple on the hill. The temple is situated amidst scenic surroundings and the devotees can have the scenic view of Rourkela Township from the temple.

Festivals

The Avirvav Day is observed every year on 6^th February with great fanfare. Durga Pooja and Navaratri are the other festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Rourkela Junction Railway Station, 3 Kms from Rourkela Bus Stand, 97 Kms from Sundargarh, 121 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport and 318 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms from the city center adjacent to Indira Gandhi park on the top of the Durgapur hill.

Location