What are the specialties of the Virupaksha Temple of Hampi?

 In this answer I also want to cover the adjacent temples of Hampi.

Hampi a beautiful city built by the great Vijayanagara empire is a must visited place in India.Hampi is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river.

Vijayanagara empire founded by HariHara and Bukka was an empire that protected Sanatana Dharmam against the invaders.

1.Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva(Virupakshar and her consert Pampadevi) and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

2.Hampi is the place where Anjaneyar was born.The older name of this place is called as Kishkinda.

3. Actually the Virupaksha temple was built by Chalukyas in 7th century and later expansions were made by Krishnadevaraya.

4.Although the Bahamani sultans destroyed the city and adjacent temples,they didn’t even touch a single stone of this temple and even the Bhuvaneshwari temple(Goddess of Karnataka).

The reason why the sultans left this temple untouched is not clearly known.

5.The replica or shadow of the tower of Virupaksha Temple falls inverted inside the wall of the temple through a lens like hole structure.They have invented the method of Photography before 700 years- Really Stunning.

6.Near to this temple ,there is a Vittala temple(a Vishnu temple but now no Vigraham).This temple is destroyed but still the pillars stand very steadily

The 56 pillars are musical pillars(made of single type of stone) and if you hit the pillars with your fingers,you can here the basic tone of Carnatic music-Sa re ga ma.

Its really a wonder to me “ How did they made the music to come out of a stone?”

Even Tamil Nadu also has these type of musical pillars in 3 temples and some say that the music produced in this Vittala temple is very different than others and changes according to the weather.

7. In front of this Vittala Temple there is a single stone carved huge chariot.

8. There is a Badavilingeshwara temple in Hampi.Its a Underground Shiva temple.

This temple was built by the money gathered by a poor women who wished to build a temple for Lord Shiva and hence this temple is simple.The temple is constructed in a such a way that sun’s rays always fall on Lingam.The Lingam is nearly 3m height and a spring of water always flows around the Lingam.

You should walk in water and I am not pasting the image of Lord Shiva and I want you people to come and take his blessings.

Who built the Thiruchendur Temple?

Divine sculptor Vishwakarma built Sri Thiruchendur Murugan Temple.

Swayambhu : It has self manifested idol of Lord Sri Murugan (Sri Subramanian Swamy).

Legends claim , it appeared after Lord Sri Murugan defeated Surapadman.

Sacred : This holy shrine is among the six most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Sri Murugan.

It is the second among these most sacred Sri Murugan shrines.

Strange : It was occupied by Dutch between 1646 to 1648.

They were defeated by local devotees but they departed with the main idols.

During their sea voyage ; they threw idols into the sea.

Local legends claim , these idols were recovered by an ardent devotee Vadamalayappa Pillai

Ancient : Well, it has been patronized by Pandiyan and Chera dynasties.

The present temple was reconstructed by Nayak dynasty in 17th century.

Well, this sacred shrine is nearly 2000 years old.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Murugan Sharanam 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

Does a temple of Lord Hanuman exist in Badrinath, Uttarakhand?

Hanuman Chatti is a renowned shrine in Badrinath shrine.

Guardian : Well, Lord Hanuman ji is known as guardian of Sri Badrinath Puri.

He proverbially saves devotees from natural calamities and any emergency

Devotees first invoke his blessings before embarking to Sri Badrinath Dham.

Devotee : Lord Hanuman ji is among the greatest devotees of Lord Sri Badri Vishal.

He proverbially chants Sita Ram on Gandhmardhan Parvat , his abode.

Hanuman ji being Rudransh (a part of Shiva) always worships Lord Hari.

South faced : Interestingly, there is a Dakshinamukhi Hanuman idol at Sri Badrinath shrine.

This Hanuman idol was installed for protective Lord Badrinath shrine from any calamity.

Dakshinamukhi Hanuman ji is immensely powerful form of Lord Sri Hanuman ji.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya 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 is special about the Rangnath Temple?

Sri Rangnatha temple is a very special temple.

Sri Rangnath shrine is at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu.

Deity : Lord Sri Rangnatha is considered Kul devta of Sri Ikshvaku Kulam.

No wonder, Sri Rangnath was propitiated before every auspicious ritual.

Rama : After his victory in Lanka ; Lord Sri Rama worshipped it as a mark of gratitude.

He later gave this sacred idol to King Vibhishana with specific instructions.

Sacred : This sacred shrine is among 108 divya desham (sacred shrines).

Traditions claim , King Vibhishana consecrated it at present Srirangam.

Well, Divya desham are sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Sriman Narayana.

Largest : Sri Ranganatha temple is considered the largest functioning shrine.

This large temple complex ( 156 acres) hosts 81 shrines dedicated to different deities.

Fact : Sri Ranganathaswamy has been recognized by UNESCO .

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Sri Ranganayagi Sriranganatha swamy

Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev

Sankat Kate Kare Sab Peera Jo Sumire Hanumath Balbeera

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

"Does anyone know which temple represents the 'Prithvi Sthalam' (Earth element) among the five Pancha Bhoota Stalams in South India?"?

Ekambeshwar Mahadev temple is known as Prithvi Sthlam.

Panch Bhootastalam : Southern India has five shrives dedicated to five elements of nature.

These Tamilnadu based shrines are Ekambareshwar temple (Prithvi/Earth) ; Jambukeswarar Temple (Apas/ Water) ; Arunachaleswarar Temple (Agni/Fire) ;

Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple (Vayu/Air) and Thillai Nataraja Temple (Akasha/ Space).

Sand lingam : It happens to be a rare Sand lingam

This Prithvi lingam was consecrated by Mata Parvati.

Sacred : This Kanchipuram based shrine is among the sacred Shiva shrines.

Its large temple complex also houses Nilathingal Thundam Perumal shrine.

No wonder, it is also adored as a Divya desham (a sacred Vishnu abode)

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 are some mysterious facts about the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple?

Tiruchendur Murugan shrine is known for its miraculous powers.

Tsunami : It remained untouched by massive 2004 Tsunami that wreaked havoc in Tamilnadu.

Sea water did not enter temple walls and main santo sanctum remained safe.

Ocean : This rare Murugan shrine faces ocean (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean).

Western faced : It is a rare Murugan temple with western facing Rajagopuram.

Rajagopuram is the main gateway tower.

Eastern faced : Well, main deity (Lord Murugan) faces east towards ocean.

Living : It is also known as Senthil Andavar , a living deity.

Well, in humid climate , Lord Murugan sweats like human beings.

Thus, priests traditionally fan Lord Murugan.

Fact : Lord Murugan is also known as Sri Karthikeya ; Sri Skand , Shadanan.

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

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

What is the significance of the Hanuman temple near the Vaishno Devi shrine?

Sri Hanuman ji is associated with legend of Mata Vaishno devi.

Rama : Folklores claim, Lord Rama gave a word to Goddess Trikuta that he would marry her as Kalki.

Ever since, his ardent devotee Lord Hanuman stays here to serve Goddess Trikuta.

Guard : Lord Hanuman ji proverbially serves Goddess Vaishno devi as his guard.

One legend claims, Lord Hanuman ji saved Goddess Vaishnavi from Bhairo.

Seers and devotees point out, presence of monkeys around this renowned shrine.

Banganga : When Hanuman ji proverbially felt thirst ; her asked water from Goddess.

Goddess Vaishnodevi instantly hit a water source with an arrow. This place is known as Banganga.

Pilgrims seek blessings from Lord Hanuman ji at Banganga before continuing their pilgrimage.

Facts : Goddess Vaishanavi is worshipped as Sri Durga , Vishnumaya, Mahalakshmi ji.

Hanuman ji is the greatest devotee of Jagadambe (cosmic mother)

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya 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

Do you think there was a Hindu temple at the site of the Qutb Minar?

 

It is definitely being possible that Qutb Minar was being built on site of Hindu Temple

Please don't be abuse me in comments. I am simply saying what I am being told by my home elders.

In our religion, it is regarded a matter of pride to construct a place for saying Azaan five times a day by destroying other religious buildings

If two choice is being given - one to build on empty land and other to build by destroying a temple - many elders will advise to destroy the temple and build the place for offering prayers

In Islam, this is called Nasr Ala Al Kuffar (Victory over Non Believer)

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So wherever there is major mosque in India or place to offer Azaan (Qutb Minar is building where prayers were offered), built when Mughals or Mussalman rulers were ruling India, then definitely 99% it is being built by destroying some temple

Even Christians in old days have same policy , they are also destroying existing religious building to build church even if there is empty land nearby

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However Taj Mahal is definitely not being built on temple or it is not being deliberate

In Islam, Monument to someone is never built by destroying a temple. Monument is always built on empty land or land where other musalmaan are buried

We are believing in Barzakh - Barzakh is when dead Mussalman is going to afterlife - and Barzakh will never happen if there is pain or destroying on that site

So even if they build Taj Mahal on temple site , they definitely don't know or it is not being deliberate

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Today all this is old history now

When Mussalman Rulers were strong, they destroy many temple and church and built masjid

When Christian was strong, they destroy many jewish temple and built Church

Both prefer to build church or masjid only by destroying other religious place because it is seen as fighting for religion and other religion was seen as enemy

Today there are temple in Pakistan which is given respect by locals

When I was young, my cousins and I went to Hanuman temple in Karachi where they welcome Mussalman and give us very tasty poori and halvah on some day

Our grandmother would curse us but we would laugh

Why is the food never futile in Puri Jagannath Temple?

 The first thought that might come to your mind is that this is a miracle of God! It is not just food but the Prasad of the Gods and that's why, it is a divine blessing that the prasad does not go to waste. But that's not entirely true and I am not mocking or trying to hurt anybody's sentiments here. I am just sharing what happens behind the scenes and why the prasad is never wasted, as told to me by a priest and observed with my own eyes.

In recent times, I have had the opportunity to visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri in January 2018 and December 2019. During my second visit, I chose to have the prasad that is offered. The prices are extorbitant, by the way! The temple committee has a rate chart starting from 500 rupees for which you get two sweets only and all the way to 1 lakh rupees. I opted for the 1,500 rupees Prasad in which only one person can have the very basic Prasad consisting of rice, dal and two types of sabzi.

They are collecting funds for the temple in the name of Prasad, but let's leave that aside. My priest-cum-guide told me two interesting things. He told me that the food in the temple is cooked in three earthern pots, one kept above the other and the food on the topmost pot gets cooked first followed by the middle one and then the last. People consider it the blessing of God, but Class 7 Physics taught me the principles of convection and this was expected.

What he told me next was that no matter the number of devotees coming to the temple, which ranges between 5,000 to 50,000 per day, the prasad never goes to waste. This made me curious and I asked how they manage to budget the food every day, to which I was told that they cook on a batch system by checking the number of devotees paying for the prasad. You pay for the prasad first, then go for darshan, which takes at least an hour on average and after coming out of the main shrine, one gets the prasad. Since the food is cooked on the basis of pre-payment of the meals, they never end up over-preparing. And if there is still a surplus, that is distributed among the poor outside the temple premises.

Why is the Nageshwar Temple famous in India?

Nagraj : Sri Nageshwar means lord of snakes (Lord Shiva)

Jyotirlinga : It is eighth among 12 Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Shiva : Here Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma are worshipped as Nag dev and Nag Devi.

Darukavan : It is situated in proverbial Darukavan.

Dwarka : Present day, Dwarka derives its name from Darukavan (Daruka forest)

Underground : Interestingly, its inner sancto sanctum is underground.

Belief : Many afflicted with Kaal Sarp Dosh and Nag shrap perform puja at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

Facts :In hindu philosophy; Nags are seen as vanguard of mystical Kundalini Shakti.

They are also seen as protectors of divine treasures or blessings.

Well, Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma as cosmic parents are seen as protectors of flora and fauna.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Sita Ram Narayan Sri Nageshwaraya Namah Shivaya Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shiv Shambo Nase Rog Hare Sab Peera Japath Nirtantar Hanumanth Beera Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

Where is Brihadeeswara Temple located? In which year was it built and by whom? Who is it dedicated to and why?

This is the Brihadeshwara Temple

Now remember - whenever a Temple in the South has the word “Eshwara” joined to it - it is always dedicated to Lord Shiva

It was built in the Chola Period

King RajaRaja Chola (Whom you will be seeing shortly in Ponniyin Selvan as Arulmozhi Varman) was the one who ordered the Temple Built - though i dont know if he lived to see it completed.

The Sheer Geometry is Amazing!!!!

The Gopuram is a Super Example of Engineering that so far nobody has been able to decipher

The Institute of Civil Engineers in USA - listed this temple among the 20 Structures in the World whose Engineering remains a Complete Mystery for that time and period.

It is located in Tanjore or Thanjavur

What are some lesser known facts about Puri Jagannath temple?

Khichdi : Lord Jagannath proverbially loves Khichdi more than any other food.

Seers and devotees credit it to Karma bai, an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.

Legend : Karma bai was born in a Vaishanav family in Rajasthan.

She was a child widow and spent her days in devotion and domestic chores.

Her father , a Jat farmer was a great devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.

Once , he went out to some other city and asked little Karma to offer Naivadaya Bhog to Krishna.

Well, he also advised her to offer Naivadya bhog first ; then only consume food.

Being a small girl; she could only prepare Khichdi as Bhog.

But, she kept on trying to offer Khichdi to Lord but he did not eat it.

Unwavering : Interestingly, she refused to eat or drink anything as she felt it would hurt her Krishna.

Seers point out ; Lord Krishna got too appeased by her utmost devotion and consumed Khichdi.

This ritual went on till her father returned back and saw this miracle.

Naturally, she became famous across Rajasthan and priests of Puri invited her to offer Bhog to Krishna.

She prepared Khichdi bhog for Lord for years and spent her entire in Puri till her last.

Facts :Karma bai is an integral part of Sri Jagannath Yatra.

Well, priests offer Khichdi in her name to Lord Jagannath ji.

Her Samadhi is next to Lord Jagannath Puri.

Seers and devotees seek her blessings for prosperous and serene life.

Well : साधवो हृदयं मह्यं साधूनां हृदयं त्वहम् ।

मदन्यत् ते न जानन्ति नाहं तेभ्यो मनागपि ॥ ६८ (Srimad Bhagwad Purana)

(The true devotee dwells in my heart ; so do I in his /her heart. He or she only knows me and so do I )

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Sita Ram Jai Balbhadra ji Ma Subhadra and Jagannath ji Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shambo Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pranam to Ma Karma Bai , a pious and great devotee !

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web