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 →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The second attack by the Muslim invader Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1197 - 98 effectively ended the golden period of the Gahadavalas and established a violent intolerant Muslim rule that was determined to destroy every trace of the glorious heritage of Kashi. Kashi, a city that has existed since the dawn of creation grew in... Continue Reading →
The stature of Benares as the seat of learning, knowledge and wisdom grew under the patronage of the Maukharis of Kannauj, Gurjara-Pratiharas and the mighty Kalachuris towards the end of the 10th century. The period of the Kalachuris is often referred to as the golden era in the city's history marked with the construction... Continue Reading →
Banaras, the golden city of knowledge, wisdom, spirituality and Advaita, has from the ancient times been considered to be one of the most sacrosanct places of Akhanda Bharat. This glorious city has a rich history that can be traced back to the time of creation. Archaeological excavations have uncovered rare artefacts from the Vedic Period... Continue Reading →
Veni Madhav Mandir located at Daranganj close to the sacrosanct Triveni Sangam is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Prayag. This is one of the Dwadasha Madhav Temples of this historical city. This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lakshmi Devi has been mentioned in the Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Padma Purana... Continue Reading →
Bade Hanuman Ji or Lete Hanuman Ji, as the name suggests is a magnificent shrine of Lord Hanuman in a rare supine position. Located about 500 m north of the Allahabad Fort close to the Triveni Sangam, this massive idol of Lord Hanuman is one of the oldest in Prayag. Bade Hanuman Ji is... Continue Reading →
Takshakeshwar Nath Mandir situated on the bank of the Yamuna River is one of the oldest temples in Prayagraj. The temple is believed to be at least 5000 years old if not more and historical and archaeological evidence found at the site suggests that this temple has been in existence since the ancient times. ... Continue Reading →
Samudra Koop that literally translates to ocean well is one of the most sacrosanct tirths of Prayagraj. Located in the archaeologically important town of Jhusi, this ancient well was established during the reign of the Chandravamsa dynasty (Lunar dynasty) roughly around 7100 BCE. Jhusi used to be known as Pratisthan Pur during the reign of... Continue Reading →
Nag Vasuki, an ancient temple located on the bank of the holy Ganges to the north of the sacrosanct Triveni Sangam draws lakhs of devotees on the auspicious Kumbh, Ardha Kumba, Magha Mela, Naga Panchami and the month of Shravan. A trip to Prayagraj is deemed complete and successful only if a pilgrim has a dip in the... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Prayagraj is revered for its spiritual potency, deep connection to Maryada Purushottam Rama and the Ramayana and the repository of knowledge and wisdom, Bharadwaja Brahmarshi. Bharadwaja Brahmarshi, one of the Sapta Rishis of Kali Yuga (the others are Kasyapa, Atri, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vashistha) is venerated by scholars and those well-versed in the... Continue Reading →
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