Since the ancient times, it has been the practice of Hindu kings to assiduously follow the tenets as laid down in the Shilpa Shastra while building forts, palaces, mansions, temples and dharmashalas. Traditionally, these grand structures were built along river banks, seashores or lakes to observe the obligatory rites and rituals of the Hindu scriptures. ... Continue Reading →
History of the Prachin Shiv Mandir at Agra – Part I (The Myth of the Taj Mahal)
Lazy and uninformed "historians" of Indian (commissioned by the British Raj) and British origin have done an outstanding job for over three centuries to whitewash our glorious Hindu heritage and relegate the contributions of our valorous Hindu kings to obscurity. A concerted effort to prevent one from learning about Hinduism, the oldest civilization in the... Continue Reading →
Kapil Muni Ashram, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Though Kampilya Nagar has always been one of the holiest places in Akhanda Bharat since the ancient times, it grew in stature and prominence in the Dwapura Yuga. The Panchala Kingdom reached its zenith in the Mahabharat Period and the birth of both Dhrishtadyumna and Divya Janani Draupadi is undisputedly its most glorious chapter. According... Continue Reading →
Kaleshwar Nath Mandir, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Kampilya Nagar is an extraordinary heritage city dotted with Vedic Period temples and religious structures. This ancient city was coveted by successive Muslim invaders from the 10th century for its precious stones, jewels, gold and grand temples. The city owes its glorious name to the Panchala Kingdom and specifically Raja Drupad and Divya Janani Draupadi.... Continue Reading →
Rameshwar Nath Mandir, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Kampilya Nagar, a treasure trove of Vedic learning and literature is one of the rarest tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat that still has fragments of its glorious past from the ancient times. Archaeological excavations conducted over the years have unearthed forts, palaces, pottery, coins, sculptures and others belonging to various periods. Temples of the Satya Yuga, Treta... Continue Reading →
Pandeshwar Nath Dham (Pandaveshwar Nath Dham), Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh
Farrukhabad located on the banks of the holy Ganga River is an important tirthasthala of immense religious and spiritual potency. Often referred to as Choti Kashi or Aparakashi, this sacrosanct place has been held in high esteem since the ancient times. According to the Hindu scriptures and the Mahabharat, this entire place was a dense... Continue Reading →
Karn Mandir, Karanwas, Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh
Karanwas, the sacrosanct city named after Daanveer Karna has always been held in high esteem since the ancient times. This holy city located on the lower course of the divine Ganga River has been mentioned in several Hindu scriptures, commentaries and biographies of saints, yogis and tapasvis. However, this tirthasthala is best known for its strong bond... Continue Reading →
Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Mandir, Karanwas, Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh
Located in a densely wooded area by the Devatraya Ghat on the banks of the Ganga River in the ancient city of Karanwas is the extremely rare Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple. As the name suggests, this temple has twelve Shiva Lingas named after the sacrosanct Jyotirlingas built in one line along with the pradhana (main) temple... Continue Reading →
Bhuteshwar Mahadev Mandir, Karanwas, Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh
Another spiritual gem of Karanwas is the ancient Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple located at a little distance from the sacrosanct Maa Kalyani Devi Mandir. As per both historical and scriptural references, the Shiva Linga consecrated in Bhuteshwar Mahadev has been revered by saints, siddha purushas, yogis and tapasvis who visited this holy place by the banks of the Ganga... Continue Reading →
Sheetla Mata Mandir, Karanwas, Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh
Karanwas, an ancient city renowned for its splendour, extraordinary architecture and artwork, detailed frescoes and temples of great antiquity is located on the banks of the sacrosanct Ganga River. A visit to Karanwas will take you back in time specifically to the Mahabharat Period as there are several temples, structures and dharmashalas of this time. One of... Continue Reading →
Maa Kalyani Devi Mandir, Karanwas, Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh
Karanwas, a remote town located on the banks of the sacrosanct Ganga derives its name from Daanveer Karna, undisputedly the most generous and large-hearted man who has ever walked this earth. This ancient town of immense spiritual and historical importance has several temples dating back to the olden times especially the Mahabharat Period. It has... Continue Reading →
Ganga Mandir, Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur District, Uttar Pradesh
Garh Mukteshwar, often called as the mini-Banaras is dotted with many temples of great antiquity dating back to the Treta Yuga. Perhaps, one of oldest temples of this holy city is the Prachin Ganga Mandir situated on an 80 feet high mound. It is unclear when and by whom this temple was built, but... Continue Reading →
Nahush Koop, Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur District, Uttar Pradesh
Garh Mukteshwar, considered by many to be one of the most sacrosanct tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat has many temples of great antiquity. Said to have been a part of the Kuru kingdom, Garh Mukteshwar is famous for the five Lingas (pancha lingas) consecrated by Parashurama, a stunning Ganga Temple and smaller temples that date back to the Vedic... Continue Reading →
Kalyaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur District, Uttar Pradesh
Kalyaneshwar Mahadev Mandir located at Braj Ghat (Brij Ghat) in Garh Mukteshwar is an ancient temple of immense spiritual potency. This temple popularly known as Bhooto ka Mandir is believed to one of the pancha lingas consecrated by the mighty Parashurama in this region. According to the Hindu scriptures, this Shiva Linga from the days of yore... Continue Reading →
Mukteshwar Mahadev Dham, Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur District, Uttar Pradesh
Garh Mukteshwar situated on the banks of the holy Ganga is a sacred tirthasthala of immense importance since the ancient times. This place known earlier as Shiva Vallabhapura and Khandava Vana has been mentioned in the Hindu scriptures as the place that liberates one from all sins and the cycle of birth and death. According... Continue Reading →
Akshayavat and Shukdev Ashram, Shukratal, Muzaffarnagar District, Uttar Pradesh
The sacrosanct tirthasthala of Shukratal now known as Shukrateerth (Shukratirth) is one of the most picturesque places located on the course of the downstream Ganga. This beautiful place full of ancient temples, bathing ghats and wells is truly a spiritual treasure trove for the followers of Sanatana and Advaita. This divine place derives its name from the... Continue Reading →
Brahmeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Brahmavart Ghat, Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh
Brahmavart Ghat in Bithoor is a spiritual powerhouse since the dawn of creation and cannot be compared to any other tirthasthala in this universe. It has been stated in the Hindu scriptures that Lord Brahma descended to this spot on the banks of the holy Ganga River and consecrated a Shiva Linga made of sand... Continue Reading →
Dhruva Tila, Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh
The story of young Dhruva sitting all alone in the dense forest meditating on Lord Vishnu has been narrated to us a million times while growing up. How a boy of five years found solace in Lord Vishnu and sought His blessings with a single-minded goal is truly an inspirational story described in the Hindu... Continue Reading →
Valmiki Ashram, Bithoor, Kanpur District, Uttar Pradesh
The 14 Kos Parikrama commences on Ekadashi in the month of Phalguna from the holy Janaki kund at Maharshi Valmiki ashram. Pilgrims carry bamboo sticks while making their way to Bithoor on the Pariyar road. This circumambulation is completed in three days and is done for the progress of one's lineage. Interestingly, pilgrims offer prayers... Continue Reading →
Mahakaleshwar Pathar Ghat, Bithoor, Kanpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Called locally as Veeron ka Thaur (place or land of braves), Bithoor is one of the most sacrosanct tirthashalas located on the banks of the Ganges. This place of immense spiritual potency is the land of Nana Saheb Peshwa II, one of the principal architects of the 1857 First War of Independence. Even Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part VII (Conclusion)
अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका । पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः॥ Kashi, a name that evokes a multitude of emotions ranging from bliss, joy, ecstasy, love and relief is the city that promises liberation. Since the dawn of time, Kashi has been considered to be the centre of learning, knowledge, wisdom and Advaita. Sages,... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part VI (Contribution by the Marathas)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1666 had taken refuge in the ancient city of Benares after his miraculous escape from captivity. He was most distressed on seeing the fear in the eyes of Hindus who had suffered immensely in the hands of the Mughals. Even though Raje desired to rebuild Kashi after the horrific desecration in... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part V (Atrocities and bloodbath by Aurangzeb)
Aurangzeb seized absolute control of the throne in 1661 after murdering Dara Shikoh, instigating the execution of Shah Shuja in the hands of local rulers of Burma, executing his younger brother Murad Bakhsh in jail and imprisoning his father, Shah Jahan. Memoirs and court records graphically describe his fanaticism and deep roots in Islamic... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part IV (Plunder and destruction by the Mughals)
It is difficult to ascertain the extent of damage inflicted by the Delhi Sultanate, but a fair number of mosques and tombs built on the sites of temples during this period using the stones of the temples demolished are still visible in the city. It has been documented that Razia Sultana had built a mosque... Continue Reading →
sahasa.in 