Lord Ram

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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by anilrajput

Shiv Khori near Katra, Jammu & Kashmir Pilgrimage

Shiv Khori is situated in Jammu & Kashmir state and one can combine it with Mata Vaisno Devi Pilgrimage, it is located about 80 Kms from Katra, 140 kms from Jammu and 120 kms from Udhampur upto Ransoo village and then 3 Kms trek to the holy cave. Regular buses and taxis are available at rates approved by the J&K Tourism Department, from Katra, Jammu and Udhampur. Pilgrims may also travel from Jammu on Akhnoor-Bhambla Road, Ransoo is 6 kms from Kanda More (turn) on Reasi- Rajouri Road.
The Starting Point of Shiv Khori Pilgrimage Trek
The Starting Point of Shiv Khori Pilgrimage Trek

The Cave

This cave which was discovered about 100 years ago by the local shepherds is more than a kilometer long but pilgrims are allowed upto 150 meters, it has two chambers, outer chamber is little large and after crossing a narrow and low passage, one enters the inner chamber which is comparably smaller, the cave is illuminated and pilgrims take help of ropes to walk and even at places one has to crawl to move ahead in the chamber, there  is four feet tall natural Syambhu Shiva Lingam which bathes in a milky water dripping from the ceiling of the cave,  just above the Lingam is a structure which gives impression of Kamdhenu Cow, one can even recognize the structure near the Lingam Goddess Parvati, the other deities are Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeyen, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita even one can recognize Sheshnag here, in the center there is a hollow structure giving impression of Lord Shiva’s Jattas, all these are sourrounded by self made Shaligrams in the cave, pilgrims call it a Home of GODS, it is a miracle.
The Shiv Khori Cave
[quote]The Shiv Khori Cave[/quote]
The View from the Outside, Shiv Khori Cave
The View from the Outside, Shiv Khori Cave
Legend
The demon Bhasmasur meditated and pleased Lord Shiva,  received the blessings that “If he put his hand palm on any ones head, that person will die“, to test this Bhasmasur wanted to put his palm on Lord Shiva’s head, and had a battle, Lord Shiva to save himself  threw his Trident ( Trishul) which created this cave, along with Devi Parvati and Nandi Bull entered , leaving behind Bhasmasur,  Lord Vishnu who visualized the ill designs came here, disguised as Apsra, lured Bhasmasur to dance to her steps, each step and move was so planed that finally Apsra (Lord Vishnu) made him to put his palm on his own head thus killing the Bhasmasur of his own powers, after this dance and killing, Lord Vishnu entered the cave along with other Devtas, it is said that 330 million Devtas are in this cave lying as Shaligrams and Pindis.

Around Shivkhori

Around Shivkhori one can visit the shrine, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, the army commander of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji about 20 kms from here on the banks of River Chenab.
Nau Pindian, this is about 9 kms from Katra on same road to Reasi, there is a natural formation dedicated to the Nine incarnations (Avatars) of Maa Shakti in the form of Pindi.
Dhansar Baba, this place is about 10 kms from Katra , 17 kms before Reasi , off the main road trek for 1 km, it is a natural formation of Shiva Lingam and natural dropping of water on the lingam.
River Chenab and The Bridge over it near Reasi Village
[quote]River Chenab and The Bridge over it near Reasi Village[/quote]

Other Places

Siar Baba situated on the banks of River Chenab near Talwara about 6 kms from Reasi, famous for its beautiful waterfall.
Kalka mandir is just near the bus stand of Reasi.
Bhimgarh Fort, it is also known as Reasi Fort, originally constructed of clay but later it was reconstructed using stone, the main entry gate is having Rajasthani carvings, there is a statue of Goddess Maha Kali and Lord Hanuman Ji, there is a water pond and a temple in the fort and rooms. This fort though small in size was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1817 when he was the commander of Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh under the supervision of General Zoravar Singh who was responsible for driving the Chinese out of Ladakh.
For more details contact 09810506646 or email at  promark@promarktravels.com

About the Author

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[author_image timthumb=’on’]wp-content/uploads/sites/2/authors/anil-rajput.jpg[/author_image] Anil Kumar Rajput – Managing Director Promark Travel , is in the travel trade since 1980, has worked in India and abroad. A boxer, a Rifle Shooter and a Para Jumper in his college days, as a Boy Scout and NCC cadet, attended camps at many places which developed his interest in traveling and to explore new places, trekking and photography, loves driving to adventurous places , owns a business (promarktravels.com) which caters all the travel needs of it’s clients. Connect with him on Facebook (htttp://www.facebook.com/anil.k.rajput) and Twitter (@PromarkTravels)

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Some Shots on The Way

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