February 20, 2014 by anilrajput

Bhalka Teerath, Somnath, Gujarat

Bhalka Teerath is in Veraval near Somnath . Legend is at this place Lord Krishna after the Mahabharata war was over he left Mathura to save and protect his people, established Dwarka on the Sea shores as his capital , Veraval is called Prabhas Kshetra , one day he was having his dhyan under a Peepal tree with his back resting on tree trunk sitting on a deer skin with his left foot over his right leg , a hunter named Jara was in search of some animal to be hunted , he misunderstood the foot of Lord Krishna to be an eye of a deer and shot an arrow ( in Gujarati arrow means Bhall Baan ) and badly injured the Lord , realizing his mistake he apologized to Lord but Lord Krishna told him that it is not a mistake , but it was his own deeds of previous births he was paying off . He ( Zara ) was Monkey King Bali brother of Sugreev , he was killed by him with a shot of an arrow , hiding behind the trees in his ( Lord Krishna) previous incarnation as Ram

Bhalka Teerath , Veraval, Somnath

Lord Krishna appeared before the hunter Zara , holding conch, chakra, mace and padma in his four hands , The Viraat Roop Lord Vishnu .

Bhalka Teerath Temple with Holy Peepal Tree

After Lord Krishna was badly injured he walked some distance to Prabhas Patan the Triveni , confluence of river Hiranya , Kapila and Saraswati and breathed his last and at same place he was cremated

Balram Gufa ( Cave) Bhalka Teerath Somnath

The place where Balarama (Incarnation of Sheshnag ) also known as Baldev , Lord Krishna’s elder brother departed from the earth in his serpent form after Lord Krishna left for Nijdham ( Heavenly abode). This is marked by an ancient holy cave called “Dauji-ni Gufa”

Triveni Ghats , cremation site of Lord Krishna

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February 12, 2014 by anilrajput

Sudama Temple , Porbandar , Gujarat

Sudama temple is situated in the city of Porbandar of Gujarat state , Sudama is the childhood friend of lord Krishna when they were having their education at Rishi Sandipni ashram at Mathura .
The present temple is built at same place where there use to be an old Sudama temple under the patronage of Sri Ramdev Ji Jethwa from the royal family of Porbandar during 1900-1908 AD , to complete the construction funds were raised by performing stage shows and received donations from the rich people .

Sudama Temple , Porbandar , Gujarat

Its architecture is a simple with carved marble pillars and shikhar , open from all the sides situated in a garden with a small step-well and a temple dedicated to lord Ganesh Ji .

Sudama Temple , Porbandar , Gujarat

Sudama was born at this place and went to Mathura at Rishi Sandipni Ashram where he met Krishna , after the studies returned to his home and living a poor life , one day his wife asked him why not to meet his childhood friend who is a King of Dwarka for a help , Sudama went to meet Lord Krishna and when Lord heard about him he ran bare foot and receive his friend at the doors , offered him his seat and washed his feet himself , upon lord Krishna’s request Sudama stayed few days as his guest , due to hesitation he never asked for any help as long as he was guest and returned home feeling guilty as to what he will reply to his wife, after reaching home he could not find his hut but instead there was a big mansion where his family was staying , he was then informed by his wife how Lord Krishna has helped them .
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February 6, 2014 by anilrajput

Helicopter Charters Yatra Chardham 09 May 2014 onwards

Yatra Chardham 2014, doors will open on 02 May at Yamunotri and 05 May at Sri Badrinath Ji .
The last year cloud burst and floods washed away roads and bridges at most of the places in Uttrakhand , lots of work by the Govt. agencies were put in action to make the roads and bridges travel worthy but still the roads and treks at higher reaches could not be brought up to the satisfactory level specially the areas around and above Guptkashi towards Sri Kedarnath and Joshimath area onward the Lambagarh roads are yet to be fully repaired , the repair work will start after the month of March when the snow will melt and heavy machines are put in action.
The news coming in from the unconfirmed sources are that Govt. of Uttrakhand will not allow the pilgrims to have night halt at Sri Kedarnath and also the new trek will be longer than the last years .

Yatra Chardham Helicopter service

The helicopter service may be affected this year in this area due to the private helicopters services will be diverted in use by the political parties in the Lok Sabha elections .
Pilgrims planing Yatra Chardham this year must decide and make bookings in advance with us to make sure their pilgrimage is successful and without any problems.
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January 28, 2014 by anilrajput

Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple, Amritsar

Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib and as western’s call it the Golden Temple the supreme religious seat of Sikhs is in the holy city of Amritsar , Punjab state in North India .
Amritsar is also mentioned as Ramdas Pur in earlier historical records , it is also pronounced as Ambarsar ( Pool of Ambrosia ) . City was established by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Dass Ji by purchasing the land from the residents of the village Tung in 1574 AD The area around Amritsar has the legend of Ramayana associated with it , Rishi Balmiki’s ashram was here , the Devi Sita the Lord Rams wife lived in exile and gave birth twin sons Lavh and Kush. It is said when the twin brothers killed the entire army of Lord Ram , at that time a jug of Ambrosia descended from heaven to restore the soldiers to life.

First view of Darbar Sahib from Eastern Gate, Amritsar

It was in 1574 A.D. Guru Ram Das Ji made his home by the side of the pool, finding the air and water of his abode health-giving which was regarded as blessed with miraculous powers of healing and in 1577 AD.holy tank was excavated and named it Amritsar and the present city grew around it . The Fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji conceived the idea of construction of the Gurudwara in the center of the pool, he himself designed and laid the foundation stone in late 1588 , it has four entrances symbolizing it open for all , it was completed in 1604 AD and Guru Granth Sahib was installed in it . After this event it attained the status of ‘Ath Sath Tirath’ and the Sikh community had their own Tirath, a pilgrimage center .

Darshani Deori , main entrance to the Harmandir Sahib

The present Harmandir Sahib was rebuilt in 1764 by the Jassa Singh Ahluwalia later the founder of Kapurthala State in Punjab , it is said he in a battle with Afghans in 1762 (Wadha Gulughara) who had destroyed Harmandir Sahib, received Sixty Four wounds .

The Nishan Sahib ( Flag)

The Gold plating and marble work was carried out in 19 centenary under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji and Sardar Hukam Singh Chimni who happened to be member and speaker of Parliament and then the Governor of Rajasthan state.
Architecture of Harimandir Sahib is a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work . It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.

View early morning Darbar Sahib , Amritsar

Harmandir means the temple of God , Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth , comprising compositions of Sikh Gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosphies

Harmandir Sahib , Amritsar

Darbar Sahib at Night , Amritsar

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January 8, 2014 by anilrajput

Yatra Chardham – Hurdles this year 2014

Sri Badrinath Ji Temple

The Yatra Chardham for the year 2014 will start from Akshaya Tritiya which falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Vaishakha , when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year . Lord Vishnu and his incarnations are worshiped on the day. People also conduct Lakshmi puja on Akshaya Tritiya.
This year it falls on 2nd May 2014 and pilgrims from all over India will assemble at Haridwar / Rishikesh and start the holy journey on 30th April or 1st May to reach the dhams at the time of opening of gates at the main temples of Sri Kedarnath and Sri Badrinath .
The devastating floods, last year on 16th and 17th June 2013, washed away many roads and bridges in the Uttrakhand along with many thousand deaths of pilgrims and the local residents, it also washed away many guest houses, hotels and flat land suitable for the camps .
Upon talking with the local residents the information shared about the road conditions is bad at many places , Govt. agencies are working to repair the damaged roads and bridges but with the onset of winter the and snowfall in the area the works are stopped and it will resume only after the melting of snow around mid or end March 2014 .
The roads towards Barkot and Janki Chatti were not affected much and are in good condition , the onward 7 km trek to Yamunotri temple is safe , the road for Gangotri , Uttarkashi on wards washed away at 7-8 places near Bhatwari , it is a soft road and at present suitable for light vehicles .
The road form Rudraprayag to Guptkashi / Phata is good for small / light vehicles but onward road to Gaurikund is in bad condition , the 14 km old trek route along the river Mandakini from Gaurikund to Rambara and then to Sri Kedarnath is washed away at many places and a new trek is under construction , this new route is aprox. 24 km long climbing up to 13000 ft. and then coming down to Sri Kedarnath at 11760 ft. , it is not possible to travel this distance in one day, one night stop will be required in both the directions and it is not certain if Govt. will allow the pilgrims to have a night stay at Sri Kedarnath , where the yatris will spend the night , even if it is decided it will be in the tents or may be this year the Yatra for Sri Kedarnath will be by Helicopters with same day return .
The road from Guptkashi to Chopta and then to Pipalkoti is good for small vehicles , the road from Rudraprayag to Pipalkoti and then to Joshimath is better . Road from Joshimath to Gobindgaht and then to Pandukeshwer is ok but onward to Lambagarh, Hanuman chatti till Sri Badrinath is not good only light vehicles can go . There are chances of preparing a helipad at Gobindghat for Helicopter Shuttle service for Sri Badrinath . The trek for Ghangharia , Velley of Flowers and Sri Hemkund Sahib are travel worthy .

Changed flow of river Alakhnanda at Lambagarh after June 2013 floods , it use to flow on the other side of temple built by JP Hydel Project .

In all the preparations this year,it seems that most of the pilgrims will avoid Sri Kedarnath and the road journey will be done in small vehicles for Yamunotri , Gangotri and Sri Badrinath .
This year the yatris may have to get registered and will be allowed only to travel by registered Tourist and State Roadways vehicles .

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January 7, 2014 by anilrajput

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2014

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra year 2014 the registration for the Yatra is announced by the Ministry of External Affairs Govt. of India . The last years Yatris who were registered and could not take the journey due to the Floods and roads blocks in the year 2013 are also eligible .

Holy Mt. Kailash & Lake Mansarovar

Govt. of India accepts and screen the applications and selects the yatris with a strict criteria of health and physical fitness as one is to trek across the Great Himalaya to enter into Tibet area of China with restricted number of yatris to travel in batches of 20-40 .
Still there are pilgrims who are unable to get into the list and also are not keen on taking up a journey of 20 days on foot in Himalayas.
We have tied up with experts in Nepal and China to take care of the sacred Mt. Kailash – Mansarovar Yatra for the Indian nationals to travel from Kathmandu . We have been successfully organizing Yatra Chardham in Himalayas for the past 25 years along with high altitude trekking in Ladakh , Sri Amarnath Ji and Everest Base camp in Nepal .
One must remember that it is one of the most difficult pilgrimage travel where one is to climb up to 18600 ft. where the oxygen is thin and it is very cold in the snow , one must get a through checkup and must get a Certificate from a family doctor about the body fitness to face the harsh weather. One must start physical exercises , yoga Pranayam breathing exercises along with walking with good waterproof boots at least two months before taking the pilgrimage as two-three nights yatris are to stay in tents, walk for the Circumbulation (day 1 , 12 km and day 2, 21 km) the mules and Yaks are available if one want to take. This journey is strictly NOT for the people with Heart and Breathing problems .
Our all pilgrimage tours are accompanied by not only the experts in the Himalaya but also the Purohits who help you perform the puja in the way as mentioned in our Vedic Texts. It is said that performing a puja at Mt. Kailash on a full moon day is the most auspicious , please select your dates accordingly .
All our packages are of 12 nights with arrival / departure Kathmandu by bus and travel in the China region is also by bus , from the year 2013 Govt. of China is not allowing to travel by Jeeps .
We have fixed departures for the following dates
Arrive Kathmandu Return journey
01 MAY 2014 13 MAY 2014
15 MAY 2014 27 MAY 2014
29 MAY 2014 10 JUN 2014
14 JUN 2014 26 JUN 2014
30 JUN 2014 12 JUL 2014
13 JUL 2014 25 JUL 2014
27 JUL 2014 08 AUG 2014
11 AUG 2014 23 AUG 2014
29 AUG 2014 10 SEP 2014
10 SEP 2014 22 SEP 2014
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October 28, 2013 by anilrajput

Tallest Statue of Lord Buddha,Sarnath,India

Sarnath is about 10 kms. from Varanasi also is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to five of his companions( Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanaman and Ashvajit ) in 500 B.C. The place has a number of Stupas (hemispherical domes) and monasteries. In the early days of Buddhism, Stupas were built to honor important events including Gautam’s enlightenment to become Buddha .

The Tallest Statue of Lord Buddha at Sarnath India

Eighty feet tall statue of the Lord Buddha, which is the world’s tallest statue after the ones demolished in Afganistan’s Bamiyan valley . It took 14 years to construct this statue. The work on the statue was started in 1997 and it was unveiled in 2011. This standing statue of Lord Buddha is located in the premises of Thai Buddha Vihar in Sarnath also known as Mrigdayavan Mahavihar Society.. The construction of statue is said to have started as a gesture to protest the destruction of Buddhist statues in many parts of the world.

Statue of Lord Buddha at Sarnath

Located in the garden of the Thai Temple in Sarnath, the statue consists of 845 stones blocks each about two feet wide and three feet high and the head alone is 15 feet tall, There is a beautiful garden around the statue . Built in Gandhar style, the statue is placed on a Lotus symbolising the spread of religion from India to other parts of the world with the message of love and peace , The octagonal pedestal have engravings depicting four important Buddhist religious places, including Dhammek Stupa, Bodh Gaya and Lumbini . The total cost of construction was contributed by a number of Buddhist and non-Buddhist devotees across the world
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October 11, 2013 by anilrajput

Sarnath, Isipatana, Varanasi

Situated at about 10 kms. from Varanasi ( one of the oldest inhabited city in the world) is Sarnath was also known as Isipatana during the Mauryan Period , here Lord Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained the enlightenment ( Bodhisattva ) at Bodhgaya , he came here to join five of his former companions ( Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanaman and Ashvajit) to teach them the Dharma , before reaching Sarnath he had to use his yoga powers to cross the river Ganges as he had nothing to pay for to travel by boat, upon hearing this the Mauryan King Bimbisara abolished the toll for Ascetics .

Dhamek Stupa , Sarnath, Place of first sermon by Lord Buddha

The first sermon Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta Lord Buddha gave to five monks on a Full Moon day of Asalah and spend his first rainy season here , the Sangha after the joining of Yasa and his friends grew to 60 in numbers , Lord Buddha directed them to travel alone in all direction to spread his teachings .

Remains of aprox.18x18 sq. mtr temple , Lord Buddha meditation site

Remains of aprox.18×18 sq. mtr temple , Lord Buddha meditation site Molgandha Kuti

Several Monks stayed and learned about Buddhism centenaries after Lord Buddha , In second Centenary BC, twelve thousand monks were present under the Chief Monk Dhammasena at the foundation ceremony of Maha Thupa at Anuradhapur , when Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited he saw fifteen hundred monks studying the Hinayana at the Vihara where there was life size statue of Lord Buddha turning the wheel of Law , in third centenary Varanasi was a flourishing rich city where King and merchants were wealthy it was at its peak in sixth and seventh centenary , the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang recorded 30 monasteries and three thousand monks living at Sarnath .
Sarnath was the major center of learning of Sammatiya School of Buddhism the early Buddhist School , the Vajrayana Buddhism was practiced as the images of Tara and Heruka are discovered here , along with Buddhist images the Hindu Gods Lord Shiva and Lord Bhrama are also discovered , there is also a Jain temple near the stupa.
In 12th centenary the Turkish Muslim invaders plundered the buildings , this place was rediscovered by British archaeologist Alaxander Cunninghum in mid 19th centenary.
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February 21, 2013 by anilrajput

Gauri Kund on way to Sri Kedarnath

Gauri Kund main entrance

Gauri Kund is an important place on the begning of trek to Sri Kedarnath , here is a hot water spring which is connected with Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati also known as Gauri. Legend is that Ma Gauri wanted to marry the Lord Shiva and please him she did lots of penance and Yogic practice, during this period she lived here and it was in this place lord Shiva accepted her ,they were finally married at Triyugi Narayan, which is about 15 km from here, this place is also said to be where Ma Gauri made Lord Ganaesha out of soap suds, gave life and placed at the entrance when Lord Shiva was stopped by him he was beheaded and when came to know the facts placed the elephants head on the body to give him the life. devotees take bath in the hot spring before starting their trek to Sri Kedarnath. Just as the Kedarnath temple closes in the winter so is this temple and images are taken to the nearby village for the daily rites and puja.
In the olden days pilgrims use to stay a night at Gauri kund have a bath in the hot water spring perform the puja and next morning proceed to Sri Kedarnath but now mostly they proceed same day to save the time.
One can see the rate chart here for registering and performing puja at Sri Kedarnath Shrine.

Rate chart at Gauri Kund for Puja at Sri Kedarnath shrine

During the floods in 2013 this places had maximum impact of flood water and yatra was suspended for one year from Gauri Kund . This year 2015 the trek ( Yatra) is repaired and expected to be operational from April trek will start again from here to Rambara 07 km on the right bank of river Mandakini then cross the bridge over Mandakini river trek 06 km on left bank to reach Limchuli, from here almost a plain trek 3.5 km to Sri Kedarnath .
Palki, Mules and Pitthu porters are also available from here, it is advised to hire these services through the office of Zila Panchaayat very next to the gate from where the trek starts. they issue the receipt for the money paid and give a token number of porter who is registered with them.
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April 2, 2012 by anilrajput

Thikse Gompa, Leh , Ladakh

Thikse Gompa ( Monastery) is 19 km from Leh at an altitude 3600 meters from Sea , it is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastry establised in early 15th Centenary of Gelugpa School . It has a resemblance of Potala Palace in Lahsa . It is a Twelve Story structure , built as a Fort Monastery it is the largest structure in Ladakh , its position is such that is gives excellent East and West view of Indus plains , Matho Gompa in the East, Royal Palace of Stok across the Indus and Shey Palace to the West have excellent views

Thikse Monastery Ladakh

The main attraction is fifteen meter tall Maitreya Buddha statue largest in Ladakh besides Buddhist art stupas, Thangkas, wall paintings and arms. Sherab Sangpo one of the Six disciples of Tsongkhapa founder of Gelugpa school carried bone powder and drop of blood of his Guru Tsongkhpa and a small statue of Amitayus as a gift for king of Ladakh in early 15th Centenary in 1433 with the help from King a small monastery in a village of Stagmo, to the north of the Indus river was shifted to this place , legend is when Sangpo after the prayers, offering kept in a plate were taken away by two crows, later it was found the offerings with plate were lying at a stone in an undisturbed condition , it was taken as a divine directive to build a monastery here . Thikse became prominent second to Hemis Monastery in Ladakh . Around 1770 the Lama of Hanle dictated that the elder son will be the King of Ladakh while the younger brothers will serve as Lamas at Thikse and Spituk Monasteries

Thikse , Beautifull roof

The main attractions are the Bhavachakra the wheal of Life has insignia images of a snake, a bird and a pig that signify ignorance, attachment, and aversion . Next to this is the main assembly hall for prayers , a number of old manuscripts and hand painted collection of books along with 225 volumes of Tangyur warped in silk are kept , it also have a Eleven headed Avalokitesvara with Padmasambhava . There are murals of Mahakal and Dukar In the center of hall is a seat for His Holiness The Dalai Lama and on right is the seat of head of the monastery .

Two stories tall Maitreaya Budhha Statue at Thikse

A temple dedicated to Tara with 21 images , a small shrine of protector deity of Thikse the Cham-spring , an image of the Buddha with two of his disciples and the deity Yamantaka can be seen. In the courtyard murals of Tsong Khapa, the Buddha , the Padmasambhava , Palden Lahmo and Mahakal are there.
Only men are allowed to enter the top floor of the monastery the Lamokhang temple above the temple local boys from the villages near by are students , among them few are chosen as Lamas , there is also an Nunnery located within the precincts of the monastery is managed by the Monastery Administration. In Ladakh, nunneries were held in a grossly inferior status , In the 1990s, awareness was raised on the status of the nuns to ensure a shift in their functional role of servitude and to one of true spiritual practice the Chief Lama, Thiksey Rinpoche of this Monastery was important in the positive developments in the betterment of nuns.
Gustor Ritual is celebrated every year from 17th to 19th day of Ninth month of Tibetan calander which falls in October/November . Scared Mask Dance or Cham Dance is performed as a part of the ritual . Morning prayers are followed by chanting of Buddhist sutras , people from far villages gather and meet the other villagers, a trade fair is also held where locals barter trade items .
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