The world's first Adi Shiva Linga is found in the Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple in Mandleshwar on the banks of the Rewa River. This temple is considered to be the oldest Shiva temple in the world and has been described in detail in the Puranas. Legend has it that a pindi (upper part of the Shiva... Continue Reading →
Pahadi Dhusran or Dhosi ka Pahad (Dhosi Hill), located at a little distance from Narnaul in Mahendragarh district is one of the most sacred places in India. This lone hill is an extinct volcano and a part of the Aravalli mountain range and has been mentioned in the Puranas, Brahmanas, Mahabharat and Hindus scriptures. The... Continue Reading →
Bandhavgarh National Park is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs, naturalists and spiritualists. This ancient forest has been home to many great saints, sages and yogis as well as a strategic stronghold for many kingdoms. Bandhavgarh derived from the word bandhu which means brother and garh meaning fort has been a historically important... Continue Reading →
The quaint Moungri village in Udhampur district is known for its dense forests of fir, kail, oak and pine, natural waterfalls, unexplored caves and rare medicinal herbs. This place used to be called as Sonara in the ancient times. Sonara is derived from the word naara which in Dogri language means spring and according to... Continue Reading →
One of the most ancient Shiva temples in Jammu also known as the "City of temples" is the Peer Kho cave temple. This historic temple is situated on the banks of the holy Tawi river surrounded by igneous rocks and acacia forests. Locals regard this cave temple to be the oldest in the Shivalik region.... Continue Reading →
Neeti of Joshimath block in Chamoli district of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is the last village along the Indo-China border. This remotely quaint village is home to Barfani Baba, popularly known as chota Amarnath. The villages in Neeti valley are accessible for only six to eight months due to adverse weather conditions. Many rare medicinal... Continue Reading →
The holy town of Bageshwar situated at the confluence of Sarayu, Gomti and Bhagirathi rivers is revered by all and deemed as the land of Lord Sadashiva. This sacrosanct place is said to liberate one from the bondage of birth and death and is venerated in the Puranas. Bageshwar is nestled amidst the Bhileshwar and... Continue Reading →
An unexplored and lesser-known gem in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is the Kapileshwar Mahadev cave temple situated on a steep hill above Ancholi village about 3 kms from Pithoragarh. This ancient temple is tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of pilgrims travelling to Kailash Manosarovar and offers a panoramic view of the famous Saur... Continue Reading →
“This awesome cave is believed to be as old as earth itself.” – is the first line of the inscription outside the temple summing up the history of the mysterious Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave situated in the village of Bhuvaneshwar in Pithoragarh district in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand. The second line of the inscription runs thus, “It... Continue Reading →
The ancient Bhimkund located near Bajna village in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh has flummoxed geologists, marine biologists and pretty much anyone with scientific leanings but has captured the hearts of the devout. Also popularly known as Narad Kund or Neel Kund, this unique body of water with its astonishingly vibrant blue hue is believed... Continue Reading →
It has been widely accepted by historians that Lord Rama along with Sita Mata and Lakshmana lived in the picturesque Dandakaranya during His exile, a part of which has been identified as the thick forest area of Koraput district in Odisha. According to legend, it was Lord Rama who stumbled upon this ancient swayambhu (self-manifested)... Continue Reading →
The famous Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram village in the state of Meghalaya is nestled in the East Khasi Hills in the picturesque background of lush greenery, steep slopes and stunning waterfalls. This cave holds great geological importance and is a real adventure thrill for nature lovers, historians as well as spiritualists. The star attraction... Continue Reading →
Meghalaya (Abode of the clouds), known for its abundant exotic flora and fauna is home to many complex cave systems underneath its hills. There are about an estimated 1,650 caves and cave locations in Meghalaya alone of which only about 1,000 have been either explored partially or wholly. Official records say that Meghalaya has about... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Ujjain or Ujjayini as it was known is steeped in history, culture, art, music and literature. This heritage city is home to some of the greatest writers ever to have walked this earth. One of those literary geniuses is Raja Bharthari, an eminent scholar of religion and ethics. Raja Bharthari was... Continue Reading →
The supremely sacrosanct Jambavant cave or Jambuvant ki gufa located in Ranavav in Porbandar district is one of the most historical places in Gujarat. This beautiful ancient cave which is on the Panchadwaraka path is the resting place of Chiranjeevi Jambavan who had the rare opportunity to not only witness the divine Kurma avatar of Lord... Continue Reading →
Pachmarhi, also known as Satpura ki Rani (Queen of Satpura ranges) is the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh situated at an elevation of 2500 feet. This colonial hill station was discovered by a General Forsyth who stumbled upon this beautiful place while heading back to the Bengal Lancers in 1857. Soon, Pachmarhi was developed into a... Continue Reading →
The spectacular Borra Caves located in the lush green Ananthagiri Hills at an elevation of 2310 feet is considered to be one of the largest caves of the country. This natural wonder nested in breathtaking terrain holds great ecological, geological, religious, anthropological and archaeological significance. These caves were discovered by a British geologist, William... Continue Reading →
Scientific research has shown that of the fourteen years in exile, Lord Rama spent twelve of them in the state of Chhattisgarh. Historians have painstakingly identified the journey from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram and then to Sri Lanka during which Lord Rama received education from many saints, ascetics and performed penance and this has been supported... Continue Reading →
he ancient hill-fort of Harishchandragad located in Malshej Ghat in the district of Ahmednagar at about an altitude of 4,670 ft is a historical treasure chest. It is believed to have conclusive finds of microlith (chipped stone used as tools) used by man about 35,000-3,000 years ago in the Microlithic Age. This sacred place has... Continue Reading →
Located in the picturesque Union Territory of Diu, Naida Caves that is just outside the city wall of the Diu Fort is a bit of a geological conundrum. No one seems to have a clear idea about the origin of the caves. Locals say that sections of this impressive rock formation were broken by the... Continue Reading →
