Post No. 11,940
Date uploaded in London – – 26 APRIL 2023
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan
Xxx
16.CHINCHWADA GANAPATI TEMPLE
Chinchwad is part of Pune. The site of Ganesh temple here became famous through a devotee known as Moroba. For his devotion God condescended to dwell incarnate in him and his heirs. The line of DEVA continued for seven generations, the last one dying childless in 1810. Members of the Deva clan are still in Pune. A festival in honour of the Seven is held from Maragasirsha Krishna paksha Sashti to Navami.
The historic Morya Gosavi (Moroba) Ganpati Mandir, built in the 15th century and the Morya Gosavi Samadhi Mandir is situated in Gandhi Peth of old Chinchwad or Chinchwadgaon region. He was a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh and one who popularised the Gaanaapatya sect of Hindus.
Xxx
17.DEHU, BIRTH PLACE OF TUKARAM
Dehu is a neighbourhood in the city of Pune, India. It is known for being the abode of Sant Tukaram (tukaaraam).
The Tukaram Palakhi (Palanquin) heading towards the town of Pandharpur originates from Dehu in the month of Ashadh.
Tukaram’s hymns on Vitobha of Pandharpur are very popular.
A festival is held on Phalguna Krishna paksha dwitiyai to Panchami. Local Vitobha temple is visited on all the 24 Ekadasi days (11th day in Krishna and Sukla Pakshas) in the year.
Sant Tukaram lived in Dehu. His temple is located on the banks of the Indrayani river. This temple was constructed by his younger son Narayanbaba in 1723. A rock where Saint Tukaram was on fast is also here.
Important Places associated with Tukaram in Dehu are:
• Tukaram Maharaj Janma Sthan Temple, Dehu – place where Tukaramji was born, around which a temple was built later
• Saint Tukaram Vaikunthstan Temple, Dehu – from where Tukaramji ascended to Vaikunth in his mortal form; there is a nice ghat behind this temple along the Indrayani river
• Saint Tukaram Maharaj Gatha Mandir, Dehu – modern structure; massive building housing a big statue of Tukaram; In the Gatha temple, about 4,000 abhangs (verses) created by Tukaram maharaj were carved on the walls.
The region of Dehu is known as a ‘Sri Kshetra’ as it holds the self existing idols of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi in the form of Vitthal and Rukhmini respectively.
Xxxx
18. DEVGAD BHAIRAVA TEMPLE
Hindale in Sindhu Durg District: Kala Bhairav temple here attracts people with mental illness. It is believed that all sickness due to evil spirits may be cured by visiting this temple. Festivals are held on Maha Shivratri day and on Kartika suklapaksha Ekadasi to Full moon day.
Xxxx
19.DHAMANKHEL KHANDOBA TEMPLE
Dhamankhel धामणखेल is a village situated at about 3 km from Junnar city of Pune district. There is a famous Dhamankhel kulaswami धामणखेल Khandobaa mandir. It is family deity of all village families in this village.
Five kilometers away from this village there are the Lenyadri caves which is one of Ashtavinayaka temples in Maharashtra. Also about 3 kilometers away there is Shivneri fort a historic military fortification located near Junnar.
Festivals celebrated In “Shree Martand Bhairav Khandoba” Mandir.
Annually 3 festivals are being celebrated . They are as follows.
1. Champashashti (Wangasat) 2. Magh Poornima 3. Chaitra Poornima
Champashathi is a day when Lord Khandoba takes a big sword (Khadag) in his hand to kill demon “Mani & Malya” therefore he known as “Khandoba”. This is a day when Lord Shiva took an Avatar of Shri Khandoba.
This celebration start from one week or 7 days before Champashasti Day. Seven day series known as “Saptah” where bhajans & Kirtans (enchanting of Lord Names) took place. Champashashti Day starts with a big Hoam & Havan at the temple place in the early Morning (4:00 a.m). Then holy bath of Lord Khandoba. As soon as Hoam & Havan finished Aarti of Khandoba is perform (6:00)
XXXX
20.DHOM, FULL OF TEMPLES
Nrusinh (Narasimha) & Siddheshwar (Shiva) temples are at Dhom village near Wai in Satara district. These temples are one of the very beautiful temples in Maharashtra. The Siddheshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Shiva and Nrusinh/ Narasimha temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Narsimha, who is an incarnation of Lord Shri Vishnu. Both the temples are in the same compound and next to each other. Almost all temples at Wai are very beautiful but these temples are known for their exquisite architecture and beautiful and unique construction.
The nearest town is Wai, which is about 9 kilometers away from Dhom. Laxmi Narasimha Temple is situated on the banks of Krishna River.
Amazing architecture of the temple is mesmerising. Lotus pond is made out of black basalt stone which is locally available. The craftsmanship of the pond is perfect and unparalleled.
What to see?
The fortification of the temple
The unique elevated platform on which the temple of Lord Nrusinha is present
Extremely beautiful Nandi Mandap at Siddheshwar temple
Siddheshwar Temple
Ancient water system
Samadhi of Dhaumya Rishi
Xxx
21.DONARGAON MAHADEVA TEMPLE
It is near Ahmednagar. Festival is held on Sravana third Monday (Somwar)
Shree Mahadev Temple Dongargaon ( श्री महादेव मंदिर डोंगरगाव )
Xxx
22. GHARAPURI TEMPLE (or Elephanta Cave Temple)
The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. Boat service is operated from Mumbai. It contains the gigantic Trimurti rock cut statue. Mahashivratri is a big festival here.
The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most important among the caves is the great Cave 1.
The 7-metre-high masterpiece “Sadashiva” (Trimurti) dominates the entrance to Cave 1. The sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer, identified, respectively, with Aghora or Bhairava (left half), Taptapurusha or Mahadeva (central full face), and Vamadeva or Uma (right half).
Representations of Nataraja, Yogishvara, Andhakasuravadha, Ardhanarishwara, Kalyanasundaramurti, Gangadharamurti, and Ravanaanugrahamurti are also noteworthy for their forms, dimensions, themes, representations, content, alignment and execution. Hindu spiritualistic beliefs and symbology are finely utilized in the overall planning of the caves.
The fifteen large reliefs surrounding the lingam chapel in the main Elephanta Cave not only constitute one of the greatest examples of Indian art but also one of the most important collections for the worship of Shiva.
The caves are the most magnificent achievement in the history of rock-architecture in western India. The Trimurti and other colossal sculptures with their aesthetic setting are examples of unique artistic creation.
Xxx
23.GODACHI VEERABHADRA TEMPLE (now in Karnataka)
Godachi in Ramdurg Taluk of Karnataka is very near Maharashtra border. The Belgaum district has been in border dispute with Maharshtra. The temple festivals attract Hindus from both states. Lingayats visit this temple. Margasirsha full moon day is the festival day.
Shri Veerabhadra Temple at Gudachi is a famous Shiva temple. This temple is known for its architecture and the famous Jatre (Yatra) conducted here annually known as the Gudachi Fare. Veerabhadra was made by lord Shiva after a great ferocious thandava performance to kill Daksha Yagnya
A big statue of Shree Veerabhadra is built here. It is very colourful and commanding to look. It is in a position of stamping the Daksha on his right feet along with a long sward placed on his neck.
Veerabhadra was created by Lord Shiva to destroy Daksha’s Yagna. The Veerabhadra temple is a in a combined style of Chalukya and Vijayanagara Architecture. The doorway is built in the Chalukyan style, while the Garbhagraha or the sanctum reflects Vijayanagara Style of temple building.Amavasya and Poornima days are of specific importance here, and more people visit the temple on those days
To be continued…………………..
Tags- Elephanta caves, Trimurti, Gharapuri, Verrabhadra temple, Narobha, Dehu, Dhom, Tukaram, Chinchwada
Tamil and Vedas 