Details about the Trip to Pandharpur !! 'Southern Kashi of India' !!

Jai Sriman Narayana!!

'Pandharpur' - Is one of the most revered place of pilgrimage, which is situated in the District of Solapur, Maharashtra.    This sacrosanct place of Lord Vishnu's incarnation as 'Vittoba' / 'Panduranga'/Vithal (Lord Krishna)  known as 'Pandurangan Rukumayee Temple'.   The name 'Vithala' derived from  'Lord Vishnu' in Kannada language. This holy place is situated on the banks of River Bhima also known as Chandrabhaga.  The Saints of Maharashtra  and  Karnataka namely Dyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdev, Eknath, Chokhamela, Jnanabai, Purandara Dasa, Vijaya Dasa, Kanaka Dasa, Gopala Dasa and Jagannatha Dasa were   made remarkable efforts on the worship of Lord Panduranga.

The city of Solapur is well connected by Road and Air.  There are trains from Chennai Central  to Solapur Jn and it takes nearly 15 hours (Chennai, Mumbai and Shirdi Express) to 19.20 (Mumbai Mail) hours to reach.  The flights from Chennai to Solapur takes nearly two hours to reach the destination.   From Solapur to Pandharpur it is 72km by road. 

The Pandharpur temple covers a vast area of land and has six gates.  The Eastern entrance to the temple  known as Namadev Payari (gate) and exit through the Paschim Dwar (Westward Gate) .  There are  nearly twenty five temples within the temple premises itself and  they are:

Lord Ganesha Mandir, Lord Dattathreya (Ekmukh) Mandir, Lord Garuda Mandir, Lord Maruti Mandir, Chowrangi Devi Mandir, Sri Garuda Khamb, Lord Narasimha Mandir, Rameshwara Linga Mandir, Kala Bhairav Mandir,Sri Lakshmi Narayana Mandir, Sri Kashi Vishwanatha Mandir, Sri Satyabhama Mandir, Sri Radhika Mandir, Sri Siddhi Vinayak Mandir, Sri Mahalakshmi Mandir, Sri Venkateswara Mandir, Sri Kanhopatra Mandir, Sri Amba-bai Mandir, Sri Shani Dev Mandir, Sir Nagnath Mandir, Sri Guptaling Mandir and Sri Khandoba Mandir.

Will be continued..........

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Agni Puranam - The description of Hell !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Agni Puranam describes the types of Hell and the punishment for the sins committed in one's life.   The undeniable Truth is that all living entities have to leave this Earth one day.  In the same manner, one has undergo the punishments for the sins committed in their life.  The good deeds and righteousness are naturally rewarded. 

It is believed that, one who leaves their mortal body is  taken by the Yamadoothas through the Western gate as a part of  the journey to the Abode of Lord Sriman Narayana/ Lord Shiva.  The evil-doers and sinners are taken  through the Southern gate  to the Abode of Lord Yama and propelled into Hell.

One who killed a Cow ( Go Hathya)  should spend one lakh years in the Hell named Mahavicha.  One who  committed Brahmahathya or engaged in stealing properties of  others  is propelled to the hell called Amakumbha and remains there till the end of the world.  One who murdered Women, Children or old people is propelled to the Hell called Rourava and  remains  there for  fourteen Manvatharas.  One who committed the sin of setting fire on someone is sent to  hell called - Maharourava/Karambavaluka and remains there for an entire Kalpa in the burning fire.  One who  had committed theft spends their life in the hell called Tamisra, where the Yamadootha pierces the sinner with spears for several Kalpas.  Finally, put into Mahatamisra  a place where  venomous snakes and insects live.  Killing of one's own parents takes them to the hell called Asipatravana, where their bodies are sliced down.  One who eats sweets without sharing is taken to the Hell called Kakaola where worms are fed to the sinner.  One who did not follow a righteous life, not  perform  any Yagna and rituals is  forced to drink blood in the hell called Kuttala.   Liars are  tormented in the Hell - Tailapaka and crushed like oilseeds.  There are several Hells for the sinners who commit  inter-caste marriages, those who eat meat, cut down trees, kill animals, those who criticise Gurus and Sacred scriptures and bears false witness.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Details about the Trip to Badrinath !! Part VI !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Lord Badri Narayana gives dharshan to His devotees, holding Conch (Shangu) and Disc (Chakra) in each hands respectively and the other two hands in Yoga Mudra posture, seated in Padmasana.  He is the Acharaya to Maharishi Narada.  Lord Badri Narayana advised Ashtakshara Mantra to Narada and to the entire world as well.  On His right  Lord Kubera, Sri Garuda and on His left Nara, Narayana and Maharishi Narada can be seen.  As mentioned earlier,  the idol of Lord Badri Narayana  is made of 'Salagrama' (black stone). 

There is Nilkant Peak nearby the Nara Narayana mountain ranges.  The Nara Narayana mountain ranges also known as 'Kuber Bhandar'.  It is believed that the treasure chest of Lord Kubera  contains precious stone and jewels are hidden under the peak .    The city Alakapuri is 25 km from Badri was  once the Kingdom of Lord Kubera and the place of origin of River Alakananda. 

It is believed that whoever visits this holy land attain Salvation.

Jai Sriman Narayana !! 

Details about theTrip to Badrinath !! Part V !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

The Kapalam Theertham is the place where the last rites and Shradhha (remembering of the departed soul)  ceremoney takes place.  It is believed that one who perform Shradhha here would be able to provide his seven generation  to  attain salvation.  Kapalam Theertham got its significance by the penance which was underwent by Gayasooran  here.  Lord Narayana pleased at his devotion offered him  a boon.  Out of total ignorance he refused to have any boon from the Lord.  The most infuriated Lord sent out His Disc (Chakram) to kill Gayasooran.  At this, Gayasooran realized his ignorance and requested the Lord that, the places where the parts of his body fell on the earth should become a suitable place to perform 'Sradhham'.  The most compassionate Lord granted him the boon.  Gayasooran's feet fell at 'Charana Gaya' - Vishnu Padam , His Navel at Nabhi Gaya/Naimisharanyam and his Head fell at 'Shiro Gaya' / Badri.

This temple is open only for six months in a year and   rest of the time it remains closed.  The deity would be moved to Pandukeshwar near Joshi Math and is continued to be worshipped for another six months.  The temple remains open from Mid of May to Mid of November.  The most beautiful event 'Chandana Kappu' of Lord takes place in the evening.  On the next day, the Chandanam( Sandal Paste)  is offered to the Devotees as Prasadam .  While Lord Badrinath's stay at the Pandukeshwar, it is believed that all the deities come down to Earth to worship the Lord.  As a proof, it is evident that the garlands offered to Lord before closing down the temple remains fresh till the doors are open for the next season (after six months).

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Details about the Trip to Badrinath !! Part IV !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Sthalapuranam:

Presiding Deity: Lord Badri Narayana / Badri Vishal & Aravindavalli Nacchiyar

Sthala Vruksham : Badri Tree/Wild Berry

Vimanam: Thaptha Kanchana Vimanam

Theertham: Thaptha Kund Theertham and Surya Kund  ( hot water springs)

Kshetram: Swayam Vyaktha Kshetram

Mangalasasanam by : Periyazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar.  The songs are Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 4-7-9, Periya Thirumozhi 1-3 (10) and 1 -4 (10), Siriya Thirumadal -39.

Other Sannidhis: Sri Adi Shankara, Lord Nara Narayanan, Sri Garuda, Sri Narada, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ghatakarnan, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brahma.

Festivals: Matha Murthi Ki Mela, Badri-Kedar Festival.


This holy land   has gone through sequential events which is clearly mentioned in  the Puranas.

The legend has that there was a demon named Sahasrakavacha, who has 1000 armours to  shield him.   He was harassing the deities and Rishis in their Yagna and Tapas.  Lord Vishnu took the form of Sage Nara and Narayana and underwent severe penance for the welfare of the living entities.  The demon appeared before the  Sage Nara Narayana as an obstruction.  This  arrogant action of the demon provoked the Sage to enter into a  ferocious battle.  At the end, Nara Narayana heaved his 1000 armours and beheaded the demon, from then they stood as two mountain ranges on the both the sides of the temple.

While Lord Vishnu was performing Tapasya, Lord Indra sent the two celestial dancers  Ramba and Menaka to put an obstacle.  In return, Lord Vishnu created the most beautiful woman - Urvasi  ( as she came out of the thigh (Uru) of Lord, she has got the name - Urvasi)  from His thigh and sent back to Lord Indra.  The temple is located on the top of Urvasi Peetam.



A dasi - Vishnuvathi, who had a child named Vishnumanas.  He was an ardent devotee of Lord Hari.  He engaged himself in singing and praising the glory of Lord Narayana and he spent his life wandering and singing praising the glory of the Lord.    Finally he arrived at Badri.  Lord Badri  Narayana pleased at Vishnumanas devotion offered him boons.  They were:  He would be born as Narada an intellectual, he would abstain from all the worldly pleasures and live a life of celibate and capable to move around the world at his will.



The demon King Prahlada (son of Hiranya Kashipu) arrived at the Badri and found Sage Nara Narayana undergoing severe penance.  He mistook the Sage as an intruder and a battle broke out between them.  Sage Nara Narayana revealed His real form to Prahlada.  After realizing the truth, Prahalad felt ashamed of his ignorance and underwent penance here.



Jai Sriman Narayana !!