Post No. 11,982
Date uploaded in London – – May 8 2023
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Part 11
45.PARALI VAIDHYANATH TEMPLE ज्योतिर्लिंग परळी वैद्यनाथ
Vajjinath (Vaidhyanaatha in Sanskrit) in Parali town is in Beed district of Maharashtra. It is one of the five Jyotirlingas in the state. From Rameswaram to Himalayas we have 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. It is on top of a small hill. It is located 89 KM towards East from District head quarters Beed. It has a train station with daily trains to Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Bangalore, Nanded, Purna, Manmad, Mumbai.Bus Route: To reach the temple, one can easily get buses from Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Pune and Mumbai.Parali temple has many stories. Since it was part of ancient Madra kingdom, where from Savitri’s father Asvapathi ruled , it is considered the birth place of Savitri. Anther story associates this place with Ravana. He got a Shiva linga from Shiva which should have gone to Sri Lanka. The condition was that he should not place it anywhere else. When he gave it to a boy he placed it in Parali because it was becoming heavier and heavier. It stayed there permanently. It is here Lord Vishnu successfully helped the Devas to obtain Amrit. Therefore, this place is also known as ‘Vaijayanti”.
To reach the sanctum of the Parali Vaijnath Temple, there are two door – north and south. Within the temple complex, there is a huge teak wood hall and spacious corridor for circumambulation. It is a pillarless hall. Further enhancing the beauty of the temple are two ponds that too have religious significance.
The darshan can be completed within 10 minutes and you can also spend sometime inside the temple. Devotees are allowed to touch the linga while taking photos inside the temple is prohibited. As far as the design is concerned there is a huge Chandelier in the centre above Nandiji & Jharoka windows in four directions for natural light & air to pass.
Festivals are held during Maha Shivratri and Sravan month.
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The Elephanta Cave Trimurti Temple
Please go to previous parts where it is already dealt with
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46.Gondeshwar Mahadev Temple at Sinnar, Nasik District
Gondeshwar Mahadev temple is at Sinnar, is located 35 kilometres from Nasik.
It is architectural marvel lies on way to the famous temple of Saibaba at Shirdi. This belongs to 12th century built during Sena (Yadava) dynasty.
Gondeshwar Temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture with exquisitely beautiful stone carvings on the wall.
The temple is on a raised platform. It comprises of a principal shrine dedicated to Shiva and four subsidiary shrines. The four subsidiary shrines at four corners face the principal shrine and are similar in size. They belong to Vishnu, Surya, Parvati & Ganesh. There is a Nandi pavillion in front of the main shrine..The temple presents a pretty sight at sunrise or sunset. As the sun cast its rays, the entire temple complex gets bathed in a golden hues.
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47. Babulnath Shiva Temple, Mumbai
Babulnath is an ancient Shiva temple in Mumbai and one of oldest temples in the city. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees on annual Mahashivratri festival.
It is located in the Malabar region of Mumbai and is just 15 minutes away from Marine Lines Railway Station. The temple is also one of the most iconic temples in Mumbai.
Babulnath Temple Shiva Linga and Idols were originally consecrated in the 12th century by the then Hindu king Bhimdev of the region. Over a period of time the temple was buried and lost over a period of time. The idols were re-discovered (unearthed) during the period of 1700 to 1780. The first temple was built in the 1780 year.
When rediscovered, 5 original idols were dug out. That of the main Shiva Linga, Ganesh, Hanuman, Parvati and one more. Out of this the first four are in the temple. The fifth one was immersed in the sea because it was broken when it was dug out in the 18th century.
Mandir is situated on a small hillock near Girgaum Chowpatty, it is at least 200 years old. Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree is the main deity in this temple. The faithful climb up to the mandir and obtain Darshan of the shivalinga and it is also possible to take an elevator up to the temple.
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Bhuleshwar Shiva Temple
Please earlier parts and I have given the details.
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48. Walkeshwar /Baan Ganga Temple, Mumbai
Walkeshwar Temple also known as the Baan Ganga Temple,located in Walkeshwar near Malabar Hill in the city of Mumbai. Banganga Tank is situated at the highest point of the city.
The Walkeshwar temple holds a historical as well as cultural significance to the city of Mumbai. According to legend, Lord Rama made a shivling from sand to conduct his puja. The temple was built by the Shilahara Dynasty about a thousand year ago on the Malabar Hill. The temple pays homage to the legend of Lord Rama as well as the Silhara Dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The world Walkeshwar is derived from Valuka Ishwar, which translates to Lord of the Sand. The temple has undergone renovations twice, in the seventeenth century and once during the 1950s. The temple also plays hosts to several Hindustani Classical music festivals. Location: Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
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49.Amruteshwar Shiva Temple in Ahmednagar District
Amruteshwar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated on the banks of holy river Pravara at Ratanwadi village in the Igatpuri region of Maharashtra. It is among the popular Bhandardara tourist places and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
It is at a distance of 17 km from Bhandardara, which is about 185 kilometers (115 mi) from Mumbai and 155 kilometers (96 mi) from Ahmednagar.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be over 1,200 year old. This beautiful stone carved temple was built by the rulers of Shilahara dynasty in 9th century AD. This is one of 12 Shiva temples built by King Jhanj. Ratangad Fort is also located at a close distance from this Shiva temple.
The Amruteshwar Temple has been constructed in Hemadpanthi architectural style with beautiful rock carvings on the main shrine. It was built with black and red stones. The ceiling and the walls of the temple are decorated with some impressive and lovely murals. There is a mantapa with 12 pillars. All the pillars have beautifully carved statues and flowers.
The temple is located in Ratanwadi village which is the base village for famous Ratangad Fort. Travelling by road to this temple is very difficult due to rough roads on the hills. Ratanwadi is separated from Bhandardara by Arthur Lake. Ratanwadi village is also approached by boat from Bhandardara. By boat, it is a 6 km journey and further it is a 4 km walk till Ratanwadi.
Amruteshwar Temple is an intricately carved Shiva temple located in Ratanwadi. This temple is over 1200 years old. This beautiful temple was built by the rulers of Shilahara dynasty in 9th century CE. This is one of twelve Lord Shiva temples built by King Jhanjha.
The temple is located in a very picturesque location.
The shikhara over the shrine is intact and is very ornamental, while the roof of the mandapa has disappeared leaving the inner lintels of the ceiling. The ceiling at places where the original roof slabs are missing is filled in with Hero stones, undressed stones and other architectural members at a later period.
A stepped square tank is also provided near the temple, with stepped entrances from three directions. Archaeological Survey of India declared it a monument of national importance.
To be continued……………………………………
Tamil and Vedas 