Bhabani Shankar Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

Bhabani Shankar Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Lingaraj Temple, 1 Km from Garage Square Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station, 4 Kms from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, 8 Kms from Baramunda Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station, 4 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport, 30 Kms from Cuttack and 54 Kms from Puri. The temple is situated on the southern embankment of the Bindusagar tank at about 70 metres and situated on the right side of the ratha road branching from the road leading from Lingaraja temple to Ramesvara temple. The temple is situated behind the temple of Bhabani Sankara and in the south-east corner of the Sari Deul which is an ASI protected monument. Bhubaneswar is well connected to rest of India by Train, Air and Land.

By Road:

Bhubaneswar is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by National Highway-NH 16, NH 203, State Highway 13 (Odisha) and State Highway 27 (Odisha). Asian Highway – AH 45 passes through the city. Baramunda Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is the major bus terminus in the city from where buses ply to all the districts in Odisha as well as to neighboring state's cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Raipur and Ranchi. City bus service (Mo Bus) runs across Bhubaneswar by Capital Region Urban Transport Authority run by Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

Nowadays popular online cab or auto transport system provided by Jugnoo, Ola, uber are widely used. Auto rickshaws are available for hire and on a share basis throughout the city. In parts of the city, cycle rickshaws offer short trips. Also, CRUT recently has launched Mo Cycle, a public bicycle Sharing platform to curb traffic, reducing pollution in city and providing last mile connectivity in city.

By Train:

Bhubaneswar railway station is one of the main stations of the Indian railway network. It is connected to major cities by daily express and passenger trains and daily service to all metro cities is available from here.

By Air:

Biju Patnaik International Airport, also known as Bhubaneswar Airport, located to the south of the city Centre, is the major and sole international airport in Odisha. There are daily domestic flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bangalore. There are international flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, Dubai and Kualalumpur thrice a week.

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram, Telangana

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram, Telangana

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kaleshwaram Village in Bhoopalpally District of Telangana. Kaleshwaram Temple is also called as Dakshina Gangotri. The uniqueness of Kaleshwara Kshetram is that there are two Shiva Lingas named Lord Shiva and Lord Yama found on a single pedestal and hence got the name Kaleshwara Mukteswara temple.

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is located on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra States separated by the sacred Godavari River and its Pranahita tributary. Kaleshwaram Temple is considered as one of the Trilinga Kshetrams, the land of Three Shivalingams. The Trilinga Temples are:

·        Kaleshwaram

·        Bhimeswaram or Draksharamam

·        Srisailam

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/kaleshwara-mukteswara-swamy-temple-kaleshwaram-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/kaleshwara-mukteswara-swamy-temple-kaleshwaram-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 04:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. and 03:30 p.m. to 09:00 p.m.

Poojas & Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/kaleshwara-mukteswara-swamy-temple-kaleshwaram-poojas-and-festivals.html

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/kaleshwara-mukteswara-swamy-temple-kaleshwaram-religious-significance.html

Literary Mention

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7^th Thirumurai in 78^th Patikam in 6^th Song.

தளிசாலைகள் தவமாவது

தம்மைப்பெறி லன்றே

குளியீருளங் குருக்கேத்திரங்

கோதாவிரி குமரி

தெளியீருளஞ் சீபர்ப்பதந்

தெற்குவடக் காகக்

கிளிவாழையொண் கனிகீறியுண்

கேதாரமெ னீரே

Contact

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple,

Kaleshwaram, Bhoopalpally District,

Telangana – 505 504

Phone: +91 8720 201 055

Mobile: +91 81878 54733

Email: KaleshwaramTemple@gmail.com

Web: www.kaleshwaramtemple.in

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Kaleshwaram Bus Stand, 55 Kms from Bhoopalpally, 66 Kms from Manthani, 71 Kms from Ramagundam, 120 Kms from Hanamkonda, 122 Kms from Warangal, 134 Kms from Karimnagar and 291 Kms from Hyderabad Airport. Regular TSRTC bus services are available from Warangal, Karimnagar and Manthani. Buses leave from Hanamkonda every 30 minutes from 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The bus from Kaleshwaram to Hanamkonda runs on a similar schedule. Nearest Railway station to Kaleshwaram is Ramagundam. Take train to Ramagundam from Hyderabad and then travel by bus to Kaleshwaram. There are number of buses available from Ramagundam to Kaleshwaram.

Location | Photos

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Religious Significance

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Religious Significance

Trilinga Kshetrams:

As per Hindu legend, Lord Shiva has been descended as Shivalingam on three sacred mountains. The three sacred mountains (Trilinga Kshetrams) are:

·        Kaleswaram in Telangana

·        Srisailam in Rayalaseema

·        Bhimeswaram or Draksharamam in Coastal Andhra

Two Shivalingas in same pedestal:

The uniqueness of Kaleshwara Kshetram is that there are two Shiva Lingas named Lord Shiva and Lord Yama found on a single pedestal and hence got the name Kaleshwara Mukteswara temple.

Triveni Sangamam:

River Godavari and River Pranahita meet at this point where Kaleshwaram temple is located before merging into the seas. There seem to be another river named Saraswathi flowing under Godavari and Pranahita; which is why the place is called Triveni Sangamam, i.e. the confluence of three rivers Godavari, Pranahita and Saraswathi joining together at this place before merging into the seas.

Dakshina Gangotri:

It is said that a long time back one of the Vaishyas had performed an abhisheka to Kaleshwara Mukteswara with hundreds of milk pots and the milk evolved at the Sangamam of Godavari and Pranahita. Hence the name Dakshina Gangotri (the other being Allahabad, or Prayaga).

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Poojas & Festivals

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Poojas & Festivals

Pooja Timings:

·        Suprabhatha Seva – 4.30 AM to 5.30 AM

·        Abhishekam – 5.30 AM to 6.30 AM

·        Darshanam – 7 AM to 12.30 AM

·        Ashwatha Shiva Kalyanam – 9.30 AM to 10.30 AM

·        Anna Puja and Maha Nivedhana – 12.30 PM to 1.00 PM

·        Dwara Bhandanam (Temple will be closed) – 1.00 pm to 3.30 PM

·        Darshanam – 3.30 PM to 6.00 PM

·        Pradoshakala Puja – 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM

·        Bhajanas & Prasada Distribution - 7.30 PM - 8.00 PM

·        Dwara Bhandanam (Temple will be closed) – 8.00 PM

Festivals:

3 Days Maha Shivarathri, Navagraha Rudra Chandi Havanam on monthly Shivarathri, Navaratri, Dhanur Masa special Pooja, Rama Navami, Panchanga Shravanam, Ugadi, Vinayaga Chathurthi and Karthikai are the festivals celebrated here. Every 12 years Pushkarams are organized at Kaleshwaram. The holy place draws tourists during the Karthika Month of the Indian Calendar, 16 November – 15 December. Holy baths are held during 6–17 of December. People who bathe here first visit Lord Ganesha, then pray to Lord Yama and then to Lord Shiva.

Prasadams:

Two types of prasadam are inside the temple: Puliathora (Tamarind rice) and Laddu (sweet).

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Legends

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – Legends

Two Shivalingas in same pedestal:

One day, Lord Yama observed his soldiers sitting idle in his Yama Loka. Angry Yama enquired about the reason of sitting idle without any work. Soldiers answered Yama that people began worshipping Lord Muktheswarar at Kaleshwara temple after taking holy dip in Triveni Sangam. The ever-merciful Lord Shiva is simply granting them moksha and so we have no work to do. Saddened at the turn of events in Yamaloka, Lord Yama straightaway headed to Lord Brahma and informed about the status of Yama Loga. Lord Brahma took Lord Yama and went to Kailasha, the abode of Lord Shiva.

At Kailash, Lord Yama once again informed the status of Yama Loga before Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva instructed Lord Yama to go Kaleswaram Temple and install another Shiva Lingam in the same pedestal which houses the Muktheswarar Lingam. Devotees would be surprised to see two Shivalingas in same pedestal and proceed to worship Muktheswarar ignoring Kaleshwara as they might think all Shiva Lingams are equal. People who ignore the Kaleshwara and straightaway worshipping Muktheswarar will not attain salvation and they should go to Yamaloka. This is the reason behind two Shiva Lingas in same pedestal.

Yama Kundam:

Once, Lord Yama visited Indra Loka. Lord Yama was awestruck by the magnificence and life of devas in Indraloka. Lord Yama decided to have a better world than Indraloka. He requested celestial architect Vishwakarma and asked him to build a better world than Indraloka. Vishwakarma built a beautiful city around southern side of this Triveni Sangamam.

Vishwakarma has also built a tank called Yama Gundam on the southwest of the Triveni Sangamam. Lord Yama worshipped Lord Shiva here and asked to bless the people whoever takes a holy dip in this tank should be bestowed blessings equivalent to that of taking holy dip in several holy lakes and rivers. Lord Shiva granted the wish of Lord Yama. So, whoever takes a holy dip in this Yama Gundam will get blessings equivalent to that of having baths in several holy lakes and rivers.

Jaya Vijaya as door-keepers in this temple:

Jaya and Vijaya, door-keepers at Vaikunda, the residence of Lord Vishnu in Vaikunda is seen here as door-keepers of this temple. Once, both argued about the greatness of Kaleswaram Temple and Kasi Temple. Both were unable to decide. Hence, they approached Surya and seek his opinion. Surya informed them that Kaleswaram Temple is greater than Kasi Viswanath Temple. From then, Jaya and Vijaya decided to stay here as door-keepers of the sanctum.

Two Nostrils in Shiva Lingam:

It is interesting to note that Shivalinga has two nostrils. The water poured into these nostrils just disappears and merges into Godavari and Pranahita rivers while travelling along with River Saraswathi. Unable to believe this incredible truth, Bhonsle, the king of Nagpur decided to test the fact and find out where the water is going. He ordered for thousands of pots filled with milk and asked his courtiers to pour into the nostrils of the Shivalinga. The milk disappeared as usual. The king went to the Godavari River.

There he saw the milk merging into the confluence of two rivers Godavari and Pranahita. Unhappy with the king’s belief, Lord Shiva took away all the wealth and turned him into a pauper and made him suffer like hell. The king pleaded mercy and the every-graceful ever-forgivable Lord Shiva forgave him and gave back all his riches and blessed him to prosper.

Dakshina Triveni Sangamam:

This place is also called Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, as two rivers meet here along with a third, the illusionary flow of Antharvahini.

Dakshina Gangotri:

It is said that a long time back one of the Vaishyas had performed an abhisheka to Kaleshwara Mukteswara with hundreds of milk pots and the milk evolved at the Sangamam of Godavari and Pranahita. Hence the name Dakshina Gangotri (the other being Allahabad, or Prayaga).

Trilinga Desam:

Kaleshwaram is one of the places of the three Shiva temples mentioned in Trilinga Desam (Land of Three Lingams), another name for Telugu speaking region, the Andhra Pradesh, the other two being Draksharamam and Srisailam.

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – The Temple

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – The Temple

The Kaleshwara – Mukteswara Temple is a unique temple because the temple houses two Shiva Lingas on the same platform. These Lingams are named after Lord Shiva and Lord Yama. One is believed to be a manifestation of Kaleshwara or Lord Yama, the God of death. The other Linga is Mukteswara or Lord Shiva, the Liberator, freeing you from the cycle of life, together Kaleshwara and Mukteswara are the givers of Moksha, salvation. Devotees can go right inside the sanctum and offer prayers.

The amazing fact is that this Shivalinga has two nostrils. The water poured into these nostrils just disappears and merges into Godavari and Pranahita rivers while travelling along with River Saraswathi. The sanctum sanctorum has four Maha Dwaras like in Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Varanasi and Pashupathinath Temple in Nepal. Nandi is installed before the four doors leading to the sanctum sanctorum.

Jaya and Vijaya who stand as door-keepers at the entrance of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in Vaikunda is seen here as door-keepers (Dwarapalakas) guarding the sanctum. There is a four-sided arch called Yama Konam, can be found near the sanctum. Devotees had to pay to pass through the arch. It is believed that if you manage to pass through the arch without your head / body touching the roof, Lord Yama would treat you in good way in Yama Loga.

The temple has a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha. The devotees are said to worship Lord Ganesha first and then Lord Yama and finally Lord Shiva. There are shrines of Shubhananda Devi, Saraswathi, Rama, Dattatreya, Sangameswarar, Durga, Maha Ganapathi, Veerabhadra, Vijaya Ganapathi, Annapoorani, Chinthamani Ganapathi, Surya, Swarna Akarshana Kala Bhairava, Anjaneya, Mathsya Avathara and Navagrahas in the Temple premises.

There is an interesting sculpture of a fish in the Temple premises. Though the origin of this sculpture is unknown it is remarkable for its structure and style. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Brahma Theertham, Chithsukha Theertham, Gnana Theertham, Pakshi Theertham, Sangama Theertham, Narasimha Theertha, Hanuman Theertham and Vyasa Theertham. The Adi Mukteswara Temple is a small shrine located in the middle of fields, about 1.5 Kms from the main temple. It is customary to visit Adi Mukteswara Temple at first and then visit the main Temple to reap the spiritual benefits.

Kottukal Cave Temple, Chadayamangalam, Kollam, Kerala

Kottukal Cave Temple, Chadayamangalam, Kollam, Kerala

Kottukal Cave Temple, also known as Kaltrikkovil in Malayalam, is an existing example of rock cut architecture, built between 6^th and 8^th centuries CE. It is situated in the village of Ittiva in Chadayamangalam Taluk in Kollam District of Kerala. The temple is also known as Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple. The name Kottukal means carved rock in English (Kottiya Kallu in Malayalam). Kottukal rock cut cave  architecture typifies rock cut cave style of Kerala.

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The rock cut cave temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board and this body conducts daily pooja services. The state government of Kerala pronounced the Kottukal cave owned by Travancore Devaswom Board as the protected monument in 1966. 

Legends

According to local traditions, the big rock was brought to the area by the incarnations of Shiva including Nandi to the area, and another small rock near to it called Chummaadu Para is believed to be the support to relieve the pain when the bigger hard rock kept in head.

History

The Temple traces its origin back to the 7^th century AD when Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan who ruled Chadayamangalam the nearby place, constructed this rock cut temple.

The Cave Temple

The rock cut cave complex has two caves of uneven size. Both the caves are facing east. The larger cave has an almost square sanctum and pillared mukha-mandapam (rectangular hall). The rock cut façade has two massive supporting pillars. The smaller cave opens an oblong sanctum and there is no pillared mandapam. The cave-temple dedicated to Shiva. The sanctums have the monolithic Shiva lingams and the celestial bull (Nandi) idol.

Another sanctum (niche) houses the image of sthanaka Hanuman (Anjaneya), the monkey god. In between the two caves there is a rectangular alcove like shrine housing the bas relief image of Lord Ganapathy (Lord Pillaiyar).  The cave temple complex also known for its well that never dries up.

The cave hewn out from a natural living hammock situated amidst paddy field. The hillock looks like an elephant in a sitting position. Since the rock cut cave houses three deities Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathy and Lord Hanuman, the name "Thrikovil" emerges. The rare association of Shiva Lingam, Nandhi and Anjaneya is seen only Kottukal and nowhere else in India such combination exists. 

Literary Mention

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6^th Thirumurai in 7^th Patikam in 5^th Song.

செழுநீர்ப் புனற்கெடில வீரட்டமுந்

திரிபுராந் தகந்தென்னார் தேவீச்சரங்

கொழுநீர் புடைசுழிக்குங் கோட்டுக்காவுங்

குடமூக்குங் கோகரணங் கோலக்காவும்

பழிநீர்மை யில்லாப் பனங்காட்டூரும்

பனையூர் பயற்றூர் பராய்த்துறையுங்

கழுநீர் மதுவிரியுங் காளிங்கமுங்

கணபதீச் சரத்தார்தங் காப்புக்களே

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 8 Kms from Chadayamangalam, 13 Kms from Anchal, 32 Kms from Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station, 33 Kms from Varkala, 34 Kms from Nedumangad, 44 Kms from Kollam, 44 Kms from Kollam Junction Railway Station, 46 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 52 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport. This Cave Temple is located on the Thiruvananthapuram – Kottayam MC Road. Kottukal is connected through local bus service from Chadayamangalam and Anchal.

Location