Why is the Omkareshwar Temple famous in India?

 

(Sri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga)

Omkareshwar Mahadev is among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas.

It is well known for its unique qualities.

Meaning : Omkareshwar means Lord ; who represents sacred Naad Brahm (Pranav).

It is in Mandhata island at Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh.

Mandhata : Mandhata is named after King Mandhata , a pious king and forefather of Lord Sri Ram.

It is a river Island near river Narmada.

Omkar shaped : Well, it is naturally shaped like Omkar , the most sacred symbol in Hinduism.

Twin : Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga has a twin shrine known as Sri Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga.

Traditions demand devotees visit Sri Omkareshwar along with Sri Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga.

Boat : Devotees generally visit Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga through a boat ride.

(Chausar, an Indian dice game)

Dice : Devotees believe , Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma play a game of dice daily in Omkareshwar.

After last aarti, priests ceremonially place a board of dice inside the inner sanctum.

Surprisingly , when the temple doors are opened the next morning , the dice board is found scattered.

Note : (If you found this breakdown of Omkareshwar’s unique spiritual and geographical qualities helpful, please upvote this answer so others can discover it too!)

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Guruve Namah Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

What ancient temple was built in a way that still puzzles modern engineers?

 India's Kailasa Temple wasn't built from the ground up. 8th-century workers carved the massive complex top-down into a solid mountain, where a single slipped chisel meant permanent ruin.

The structure is the largest monolithic piece of art in the world. Instead of cutting blocks of stone and transporting them to a building site, engineers of the Rashtrakuta dynasty selected a cliff of volcanic basalt and began digging. They trenched downward, carving out the roof, the intricate pillars, and the life-sized elephants that appear to carry the temple on their backs.

This top-down excavation is what makes the project an engineering anomaly. In traditional masonry, a flawed stone can be discarded and replaced. Here, there was zero margin for error, since the rock could never be reattached. Yet the temple complex is vast, featuring multiple stories, stone bridges, complex drainage systems, and cavernous halls, all carved with precise symmetry.

The sheer volume of material removed also puzzles experts. Archaeologists estimate that workers excavated between 200,000 and 400,000 tons of rock to isolate the central temple and its surrounding courtyard. Historical records suggest the project was completed during the 18-year reign of King Krishna I. To meet that timeline, laborers had to remove tens of thousands of tons of basalt every year using only iron hammers, chisels, and picks, while simultaneously carving detailed sculptures into the walls.

Even today, clearing that much solid rock in a comparable timeframe would require heavy machinery and explosives. The ancient builders left no records of their planning methods, scaffolding systems, or how they managed the logistics of debris removal.

The Kailasa Temple features life-size stone elephants carved directly out of the mountain's basalt rock. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

How and when the Kedarnath Temple was made?

 

With the noble aspiration that the land should always remain prosperous, Adi Sankara journeyed to Kailasa to worship and offer prayers to Parvati and Parameshwara.

Pleased, Shiva bestowed five *Spatika Lingas* (crystal Lingas) upon him.

Shankara consecrated these Lingas at five different locations. Since streams of *Amruta* (nectar) flow from the crescent moon adorning these Lingas, they are all worshipped under the name 'Chandramaulishwara'.

Among them, the Linga at the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is worshipped as *Yoga Linga*, the one at the Sringeri Peetham as *Bhoga Linga*, the one at the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal as *Vara Linga*, the one at Kedarnath as *Mukti Linga*, and the one at Chidambaram as *Moksha Linga*.

This is one version of Kedarnath temple history.

Subhamastu

Which temple has miracles reported by devotees?

 According to my personal experience and real life experience of numerous devotees Sri Triplicane Parthasarathi Perumal temple Chennai , Tamil Nadu has reported exemplary miracles by infinite devotees…

Om Namo Narayanaya

Hare Krishna

The image is the picture of Shri Ventaka Krishnan of Thiruallikeni , Chennai

Why do people write their wish on a stone inside the Tirupati Temple?

(Lord Venkateswara's feet)

Devotees only put stones at Srivari Padalu (feet of Lord Sri Venkateswara) at Narayangiri hills.

They can’t write anything inside Tirupati temple.

Prayer : Many devotees put stones with a prayer at Srivari Padalu.

They believe , it is a way to reach Lord’s heart.

Devotion : Devotees climb nearly 300 steps with a silent prayer to reach Srivari Padalu.

They offer Tulsi Mala to Lord Srinivas and make a wish.

Facts : Devotees don’t scribble anything on walls of main Tirupati shrine.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is strictly against any kind of vandalism.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Namo Narayanaya Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

What is the specialty of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple?

 Located on the South Bank of ‘River Vaigai', Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to 'Meenakshi’ (Eswari) and ‘Sundareswarar’ (Siva). The temple complex is of 14 Acres.

The temple is one of the major temples for Sivaism. Unlike many Sivaite temples, in Madurai Meenakshi is the ‘main deity' as it is believed in some Southern parts 'penultimate (spiritual) powers rest with the women'. Vaishnavites also come in large numbers as it has many narratives of 'Vishnu'. According to them it is called ‘Southern Mathura'. It is Vishnu giving away his sister bride Meenakshi to bridegroom Shiva in Madurai.

This temple is mentioned in 6 Century CE Texts. It is also mentioned in ‘Saiva Hymns' (Padaal Petra stalam) of ‘Nayanars’ (hounds of Siva) of 6–9th Century CE Texts.

The temple has 14 ‘gateway towers' and the tallest one is of 170 feet height. The towers of Sanctums of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are ‘gold gilded' ones.

The streets radiating from temple bear the names of Tamil months — Chitrak (1st month of Tamil year), Aadi (4th month), Aavani (5th month) and Masi (11th month). In each of these months the procession of dieties (bronze forms) happens through these streets.

Major portions of the today's temple was built by Pandya King ‘Sadayavarman Kulasekara Pandyan'. After him, many Pandya Kings undertook additional constructions, alterations and renovations in the temple. King Tirumala Nayaka also undertook restoration work in 17th Century CE.

The ‘golden lotus tank' inside the temple opposite to main deity's entrance has many significant relevance. The Rishis (Saints) used to take holy dip in the tank and pray the God by reciting hymns.

Normally a Siva Temple in Tamilnadu has many dieties, some temples have more than 100 deities. You can see deities of ‘Ganesha, various forms of Siva, Eswari, Shanmugha, Durga, Brahma, Saraswati, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Dakshinamoorthy, Bhairav, etc'.

‘Kadamba’ in Tamil (Bur-flower tree) is the tree of the temple.

The temple is considered for ‘Planet Mercury'. Those who have influence or dissuaded by Mercury offer prayers here. It is advisable to those who born in Gemini and Virgo to offer prayers here. The temple is considered one of the holy places for marriages. Dakshinamoorthy in this temple is the deity for Birthstar 'Moola’ (19th Star in order).

Madurai is one of the ‘5 dancing sabhas' of Shiva. This sabha is called 'Silver Sabha’. The dancing form of Shiva is called ‘Sandhya Dandavam'.

The temple houses a ‘1000 pillared hall'. (A very few temples in Tamilnadu has).

The statues of 63 Nayanars who recited 'Saiva Hymns’ are located at South corridor of the temple. The Nayanars who wrote hymns on this temple are:

🕉️ Manikka Vasagar

🕉️ Thirugnana Sambandhar

🕉️ Thirunavukkarasar

Their hymns narrate the holiness of the Deities, Holy Water and this Holy Place.

The temple is one of the treasures of sculptures. Numerous sculpted pillars can be seen.

A ‘10 day festival' of ‘Meenakshi Marriage' with Sundareswarar takes place during April — May every year.

During that time ‘Chariot Procession' takes place around the temple. The

Which is the biggest Shiva temple in the world?

 I will tell that the biggest Shiva temple in this world is Chidambaram Natarajar Temple(40 acres).But as it is already mentioned I will go for the second largest one in Tamil Nadu,THAYAGARAGAR TEMPLE,TN.(33 acres).

It is in this place that the great chola king punished his own son for his son had killed a calf by running a chariot over it.Hearing this ,the Chola king gave the justice to the mother cow that his own son will be run under the chariot for killing the calf .

Thyagaragar Temple is Shaivite temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in the town of Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Moolanathar, and is represented by the lingam. The temple complex covers 33 acres, and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with four stories and a height of 30 metres (98 ft).

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple has the largest chariot in Tamil Nadu and the annual festival is celebrated during the month of April.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers .

Nobody knows since when the Shiva Lingam came into existence in this temple as its of a SUYAMBU(self manifested) lingam

It takes one full day to see this temple completely as it as many sculptures

This temple houses 365 lingams depicting the total days in a year and hence some states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala follows Solar calendar (365 days)instead of Lunar calender.

1 emarald Lingam

9 Gopurams,the Raja Gopuram being 98 feet in height

80 Vimanas

A 1000 pillared hall

12 Big Madhilgal(doors of wood)

13 Mantapas

15 holy wells

3 gardens

5 prakarams

100 Sannidhis for various Gods

86 Ganapathi Vigrahams(statues)

24 small inner temples

1 holy pond

and a big 90 feet height Chariot which is of 300 tons having 7 storeys.

There are 3 lingams of which one is emarald(installed by Lord Indra),one installed by Vishnu and one by the chola King.Daily poojas are offered to his idol referred to as Maragatha lingam(Lingam is made of EMARALD). His consort Parvathi is depicted as Kondi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam having 365 songs dedicated to this temple.

OM MAHADEVAYA NAMAH.

What's so special about the Thirupathi Temple in India?

1. “The Temple of Seven Hills”

The Tirumala hill shrine comprises of seven hills named as Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri.

2. Stick at the right side of main entrance

At the main entrance of Tirupati Balaji Temple, there is a stick to the right side which was used by Ananthaalvar to hit Venkateswara Swamy when he was a small boy and once his chin was hurt by that stick and since then the tradition and practice of applying Sandalwood powder on Swamy’s chin started.

3. Ritual of hair sacrifice, Mokku or Kaanikai

There’s a small old story related to this hair sacrifice ritual .

Story - Once Balaji lost some of his hair after getting hit by a shepherd, Neela Devi who was a Gandharva princess. After realizing this, Neela Devi cut a small portion of her hair to implant it on Balaji’s head and Lord Balaji promised her that all his devotees who will ever come to his shrine and render their hair to him will ultimately be received by her. And since then many devotees render their hair to the Lord later they are auctioned at the time of dense gathering due to special occasions.

4. A secret village is the source of flowers, milk and butter

The villagers are the only people who are allowed to that village which is 22 km away from the temple. Not only flowers, other items like ghee, butter, milk, bilva leaves, banana leaves are also provided by that secret village.

5. Rama and Sita have visited Thirupathi

According to Varaha Purana, during Treta Yugam, Lord Sri Rama resided here along with Sita Devi and Lakshmana on his return from Lankapuri.

6. 2nd largest zoo in Asia.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park covers an area of 5,532 acres (22 square kilometers). It is said to have been built on the concepts of the Hindu Mythology, and is home to some of the animals that exist in ancient texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

7. The richest temple in the world

The major source of its income is Kanuka or Hundi offerings.
Besides this, the sale of prasadam, darshan tickets, sale of seva tickets, sale of human hair, and receipts from choultries (places of accommodation) are the other significant sources of income.

The gross income of TTD for the year 2014-15 is estimated to be Rs.2359.2 crores($385.33 mn). So, that is about Rs.6.34 crores($1.036 mn) per day. Whoooaaaa!

8. Thirupathi Ladoo

It got the patent rights under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act; to counter the black market that was developing.

Around 150,000 laddus are made daily. Each laddu weighs around 100gms, and is said to be made by a group of priests called “Archakas” in a special temple kitchen called “poku”.

Not to forget the Annadhanam served to nearly 1 lakh people everyday.

Engapa Ladoo/Elli Ladoo/Ekada Ladoo/Evide Ladoo

9. Most visited holy place on earth

Visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily; while on special occasions and festivals like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000 and more, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.

10. Lighted lamps and real hair

Needless to mention, the lights lit in front of the Swamy are said to be lit since thousands of years.

Also, it remains a miracle that there is real hair on the main idol of Venkateswara Swamy. The authorities say that this hair never tangles and is silky smooth always.

Govinda. Govinda. Govindaa.!

Why did Mahmud Gazani attack the Somnath temple?

 Ghazni was very proud of the fact that his horoscope matched with the one of Prophet Muhammad. So he thought that just like the prophet, he is born to spread Islam to the world. It is believed that in Mecca, there were 360 idols which were worshipped. Among those there were three goddesses, Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat. So there was a myth in Arabia that Manat goddess has escaped and gone to India. There was a Persian court poet named Farrukhi Sistani who widely celebrated the demolition of Somnath because the Hindus had occupied the temple. It is also because Manat and Somnath match a lot. However that story is neither mentioned in a primary nor a contemporary source.

The route to Mecca from India was from Somnath so the foreign traders used to see the temple and were quite fascinated by it’s wealth. So Ghazni attacked the temple to steal it’s wealth and destroy the idols. He took the pieces of the idol and placed them under the stairs of the Ghazni Mosque. Khilji also attacked the temple and the idol was taken to Delhi to be broken in front of the crowd.

What are the secrets of the Orissa Jagannath Temple?

• Billionaire : Lord Jagannath ji is billionaire or super rich. In other words, he is extremely well off.
• Finance experts claim that Jagannath temple shrine is super rich by 3 lakh crores ($35 billion)
• Interestingly, Jagannath Dham often lends finance to cash strapped financial institutions.
• Donation : Many experts claim that Lord Jagannath receives around Rs 250–500 crores as donation every year.

• Treasure : There is a secret treasure inside Shri Jagannath temple.
• It conceals treasure troves in form of jewels; rare gems ; gold and silver.
• It was officially opened in 1978 . Around 454 types of gold ornaments weighing 128 kg’ and 293 types of silver ornaments weighing 221 ‘kg were counted by officials.
• These ornaments were donated by royals , well off and ardent devotees.

• Landowner : Lord Jagannath also owns 60,426 acres of land in Odisha and 395 acres of land in other states.

• Maha prasad : Jagannath temple also earns through Maha Prasad.
• Fact : His actual mundane wealth may be much more. But, his true wealth is utmost love !
• Prayer : Jai Jagannath ji Jai Sri Krishna ! Pranam to Lord of this universe. !
• Pic Credits: Google Images/Web