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 →
Narmada Parikrama: Sahastradhara, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
Sahastradhara, one of the most mesmerizing tirthasthalas of Maheshwar is best accessed by boat from the heart of the ancient city. Sahastradhara derives its name from the Sanskrit words sahastra which means thousand and dhārā which means streams or watercourses. According to the Puranas, Ravana, Lord of Lanka chanced upon the serene waters of the Rewa River while... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Shri Raja Rajeshwar Sahasrarjuna Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
One of the oldest temples in Maheshwar also known as Gupta Kashi is Shri Raja Rajeshwar Sahasrarjuna Temple, a little distance away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the mighty Raja Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahastrabahu Arjuna (the thousand-armed one). Raja Kartavirya Arjuna is believed to be... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kadambeshwar Mahadev Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
The sacred city of Maheshwar is dotted with many temples of great antiquity, of tremendous spiritual potency and of philosophical and literary excellence. It will be perhaps difficult to find even one place in Maheshwar that has not been mentioned in the Puranas and has not witnessed exemplary erudition. One of the oldest temples... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
Maheshwar, named after Lord Shiva is dotted with ancient temples, innumerable Shiva Lingas carved at the ghats and decorative chhatris on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River that are perfect for meditation and to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing rising and setting sun. One of the most beautiful temples built by Punyashlok... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
On the eastern side of Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple separated by the sangam of Rewa River and Maheshwar River, is the ancient Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple like the Jaleshwar Mahadev is situated atop a hill in the midst of stunning natural beauty and offers a beautiful view of the Narmada River and Maheshwar River through... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Jaleshwar Temple, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Considered by scholars, yogis, tapasvis and saints to be one of the most important tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat, Maheshwar is a religious, cultural, intellectual, historical, artistic and architectural powerhouse. A local saying, 'नर्मदा नदी से निकलने वाला हर कंकर (पत्थर) शंकर का रूप होता है |' that literally translates to each and every pebble that... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Ahilyeshwar Temple, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Maheshwar, the revered city of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar located on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River is a treasure trove of Akhanda Bharat's history, culture, art, literature, music, architecture and heritage. This tirthasthala of immense spiritual and religious potency has been at the centre of many important events from the Vedic Period. This city named... 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 →
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 →
History of Banaras – Part III (Trail of destruction by the Delhi Sultanate)
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 →
History of Banaras – Part II
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 →
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