VARANASI HISTORY

The venerable and ancient city Varanasi is the religious centre of the world for Hindus. A magnificent city, with myriad attractions, both as an exalted place of pilgrimage and a microcosmic centre of faith. Thousands of pilgrims visit the city from all parts of India and from across the world. A unique city where the past and present, eternity and continuity live side by side.

The city rises from the high northern bank on the outside curve of Ganga, the holiest of all Indian rivers, to form a magnificent panorama of buildings in many varieties of Indian architecture. The unique relationship between the sacred river and the city is the essence of Varanasi - the land of sacred light. The Ganga is believed to have flown from the heaven to wash away the worldly sins of the humankind. Thus, to be in Varanasi is an out of this world experience, and experience of self discovery, a journey throughthe present and the past in search of immortality.

History
According to the historians, the city was founded some ten centuries before the birth of Christ. Situated between the two tirbutaries of the Gangas- Varuna to the north and Asi to the south - it has attained immortality. The city is mentioned in holy scriptures like ' Vamana Purana' , Buddhist texts and in the epic 'Mahabharata'.

Varansi - The Land of Holy River Ganga
The life and activities in the city revolves around the holy river. Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims -men, women and children, come down to the river to wait for the rising sun. Some come in groups, some alone, all absorbed in their intense thoughts of salvation, waiting for the moment when immersion in the sacred river will cleanse them of their mundane sufferings and wash their sins away. Gradually the sun rises, and the river mists slowly lift to reveal the magnificent buildings that have a solemnity unmatched by any city in the world.

Soon after the sunrise, the city's great amphitheatre of ghats burst into activity. In the charged holistic atmosphere of the morning venerable Brahmins (known as Pandas) recite passages from sacred texts, priests dispense holy ashed to pilgrims to mark their foreheads in veneration of the gods. Boatmen, flower seller, shrill- voiced sellers selling sweetmenats and knick knacks, sacred bulls and cows roam around.

Varansi - The City of Inspiration
Varanasi inspires one to reflect about life, to ponder about creation and the insignificance of temporal wealth in the face of death. Along the watre's edge, there are the burning ghats. The most sacred one is Manikarnika, associated with Hoddess Parvati. Lord Shiva's wife.

Somnath Temple

The Somnath is known as the Eternal Shrine as it has withstood the shocks of time and the attacks of the destroyers. It has risen like a phoenix each time it was destroyed.

Somnath is also known by several other names like Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, or Pattan Somnath.These names were acquired during its long and eventful history. Somnath was once the most revered shrine in the country, for it had one of the twelve pre-eminent Jyotirlingas, which held a special significance for the Hindus. Somnath's glory and fame are legendary. It is said that people from the remotest parts of the country came to worship at the shrine; revenues collected from ten thousand villages were spent on the maintenance of the temple.

The temple faces to east and once had an enormous central hall with three entrances, each protected by a lofty porch. The fragments that lie scattered at a short distance from the site give some idea of the sculpture decorating the temple.


The richly carved doorways, the sculptured representations of Nandi, Shiva's bull, and the figures of goddesses and their female attendants must once have presented a grand ensemble of great beauty. In the recesses of the balconied corridor, there is a mutilated form of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva.

Situated 79 kms from Junagadh and 25 kms from Chorwad, is the legendary shore temple of Somnath, one of the twelve most sacred Shiva shrines in India.

It is said Somraj, the moon god, originally built the Somnath Temple out of gold. Then, Ravana rebuilt it in silver and then again Krishna did it in wood and yet again by King Bhimdev Solanki in stone in the 10th century. The temple was so rich that it had over 300 musicians and 500 dancing girls.

Dilwara Jain Temples

Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Highlight: Splendid temple architecture
Best Time to Visit: October to March
How to Reach: The nearest airport is at a distance of 185 kilometers at Udaipur. The railway is at a distance of 28 kilometers and from here one can hire a cab or an auto to reach Dilwara Jain Temple.

Dilwara Jain Temples located in Mount Abu are considered as one of the finest specimens of temple architecture. Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan. In fact, the architectural style is so wonderful that some consider it superior to even the Taj Mahal. The Dilwara Temples of Mt. Abu are famous for their fine and beautiful carvings done in marble. There are four main temples inside the Dilwara Jain Temples:

• Adinath Temple
• Parshvanath Temple
• Vimal Vasahi Temple
• Luna Vasahi

Out of the four, the Vimal Vasahi and the Luna Vasahi temples are considered to be the most outstanding examples of architecture. These temples are the finest Jain Temples in India. A visit to the Dilwara Jain Temples is sure to make your jaws drop down in wonder. The carvings are so delicate and divine that one actually feels like they are alive. The carvings are also highly poetic in nature. The carvings have been done in the most strenuous yet different way by the artisans.

Pushkar

Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Highlight: Pushkar Camel Fair, Brahma Temple, Pushkar Lake
Best Time to Visit: October to March
How to Reach: Pushkar can be easily reached via roads and railways. The nearest airport is at Jaipur at a distance of 138 kilometers.

Pushkar city is an important place in Rajasthan. The place has an interesting legend behind it. Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India. It is said that the place was created by Lord Brahma. He released a swan with a lotus in its beak and decided that He would perform a Yagna where the lotus fell. The lotus fell in Pushkar and that is how Pushkar derives its name. Its name means, "born of a flower". Now a frequently visited tourism destination, Pushkar is a favorite place of people not just in India but also all over the world. Travel to Pushkar, which is also known as the Holy city.

Pushkar is a famous pilgrimage center in Rajasthan. It is the only place in the whole world that has a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Devotees flock here to seek blessings of the Universal Creator. Pushkar has many small temples and is located on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. The Lake has around 52 Ghats where pilgrims flock to take a dip in the holy waters. There are five main temples in Pushkar that were built in the recent past. The ancient temples were destroyed during plunders and wars within the princely provinces.

A major attraction of Pushkar is the Camel Fair that takes place every year. You shall find information regarding the Pushkar Camel Fair in our related sections. Hailed as the biggest camel fair in the world, Pushkar, which is an otherwise sleepy town, comes alive during the time this fair is held. Thousands of people flock this fair to buy and sell livestock and also to add some enjoyment to an otherwise harsh desert life.

Shiridi Sai Baba Temple

Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra for sixty years. Due to his presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village has transformed itself as a great spiritual center to people from all religions. Shri Sai Baba, inspite of his great spiritual stature, never publicized himself through discoursing, touring and preaching---unlike today's many 'so-called' saints. Rather, he discouraged unnecessary publicity. But still, his spiritual perfection is still drawing innumerable devotees to him from all over the world.

Sai Baba did never reveal his original name, time and place of birth, especially his religion and caste, and even the names of his parents. Through this, he has emerged as a solution to all the religious and communal differences that are destroying the world today. He preaches that God is Almighty and he has given all the souls on earth equal opportunity to reach him, whichever is the religion they belong to. 'Sai Baba' is the name given to him by his first devotee, Mahalsapathi - 'Sai' means 'Saint' and 'Baba' means 'Father'. The name is just an expression of love, reverence and devotion.

Sai Baba never discriminated between the rich and the poor. He was equally indifferent to honour or dishonour shown to him by the people. He used to utter the name of 'Allah' frequently. All religious scriptures spell that any spiritual quest does not fulfill without a proper guide or Sadguru. Shri Sai Baba has led many seekers as a Sadguru towards spiritual progress. These seekers are either drawn to him by himself or by other saints and deities.

Location
Shirdi town is situated in Rahata Tahasil in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State (India). It is located at 19o45' North Latitude and 74o25' East Longitude. It falls on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 Km. from Ahmednagar, and 15 Km. from Kopargaon. It (the Ahmednagar -Manmad road) was a very busy route in the old times. It is located at 185 Km. to the East from Western Seashore line.

Teachings of Sai Baba
All religions preach that God is Almighty and He is omnipresent. The omnipresence of God is clearly manifested in the various experiences that Sai Baba has given to his devotees--- anywhere, anytime. He once said, "He who thinks that I am only at Shirdi has never known me. I am omnipresent----anywhere, everywhere, all the time and in all creation. I am at Shirdi and everywhere. I am formless and everywhere! I am everything and beyond. All the Universe is in Me. Wherever you see, whatever you see, I am there." He not only preached this, but he demonstrated the truth through his deeds (Leelas).

The omnipresence of Shri Sai Baba demonstrated that he knows everything that has happened, happening and will happen in the lives of all creatures in the world. In addition to this, he also demonstrated that omnipresence of God is also manifested in the non-living things. This provides an effective check on the evil propensities of devotees. But still, he always said, "I am the slave of God"; "Allah Malik".

Sai Baba promises that he will lead his devotees both materially and spiritually if they simply remember his omnipresence always----in everything they do and in everybody. Study of religious and spiritual scriptures, life histories of saints, remembering the his holy deeds (leelas), coupled with meditation and prayer helps the devotees to do so. All the mystics of the world and all saints have declared that the immediate presence of a realized sage is one of the most potent forces in the spiritual advancement of Sadhak or the seeker. Contact with them induces in us inner peace and purity, restores our sense of values, wipes out illusory allurements of the senses and turns us towards spirit with renewed vigour. Besides, when approached in a proper manner, they can enable us to realize that all the saints are One in essence.

Pilgrimage Attractions

• Samadhi Mandir
  Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur, a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.
  
  The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by late Balaji Vasant.
• Dwarkamai
  Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession. He stayed at Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shridhi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is one.
  
  The first level of Dwarkamai has a portrait of Baba and a big stone on which Baba used to sit. This level has two rooms. One contains the chariot and the second a palkhi. Just in front of the room where the chariot is kept is a small temple. A saffron flag flies over it.
  
  The second level of Dwarkamai has a square stool made of stone, which Baba used for taking a bath. The main attraction of this place is the oil painting of Shri Sai Baba sitting in a carved wooden shrine. This level also has the grinding stone and the wooden vessel called Kolamba in which Baba used to keep the Bhiksha brought from the village.
• Gurusthan
  Sai Baba first came to Shridhi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted seated under a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan. The renovation of Gurusthan was made on 30th September, 1941. The present temple was built after this period. There is a small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this shrine a big portrait of Baba is placed. On the side is a marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait is a Shivling and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. The branches of the Neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple.
  
  At a short distance lies Baba's CHAVADI. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. The Lendi Baug was looked after by Abdul Baba. There are photos and various things which were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba in the cottage.
• Lendi Baug
  At some distance from Gurusthan there is the Lendi Baug. This Baug was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a Nalla (a drain) which used to previously flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the Neem tree and kept a Deep lit in that pit. One octangular Deepgriha called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the Deepgriha is a Peepal tree and on the other side is a Neem tree.
  
  Some distance away is a Datta Mandir below an Audumbar tree. In the Mandir there is a statue of Datta built in marble stone. The statue of Datta was installed on 6th December, 1976. Just behind the Datta Mandir is a Samadhi of the horse, Shyamsundar which belonged to Baba and which used to bow to him.
• Khandoba Mandir
  This temple is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojari Mhalsapati, of this temple, saying "Aao Sai", when Baba stepped in Shridi. In this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.

dwaraka temple,krishna birth place,city of gold,dwaraka

Dwarka the headquarters of Okhamandal taluka is in the extreme west of the Saurashtra peninsula on the Arabian Sea. It is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, about 137-km from Jamnagar, 217 km from Rajkot and 378 km from Ahmedabad.

A state highway with Jamnagar and Okha also connects it. Nearest airport is Jamnagar. Dwarka lies on 20.22' north latitude and 69.05' east longitude and built on the night bank of Gamut creek. Dwarka was known as the city of Gold. Shree Krishna came here from Mathura along with some Yadav families and establishes his own empire Dwarka. That was the legend but science proved it partially. Scientists researched on that and have found some facts.

Dwarka is derived from 'Dwar', a door, and in ancient times its flourishing port was considered to be the gateway to the main land. As 'Ka' means 'Brahma' meaning, gateway to Moksha. It is called Dwarkamati and Dwarkavati. Being adopted home and capital of Shri Krishna after he gave up Mathura. It is held in such a high esteem as a place of Hindu pilgrimage that it is considered to be one of the four principle holy places or chardham, it is also known as Mokshapuri.

Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat, India

Deity: Lord Surya/Sun
Location: On the banks of Pushpavati river in Modhera, Gujarat
Built by: King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty
Attraction: Marvellous architectural work
Significance: One of the few Sun Temples across the country

Modhera or Modherapura also known as Mundera is said to have been the original settlement of modha Brahmans. The remains of an ancient Sun Temple at Modhera draw hundreds of tourists, to this village 30 km south of Patan, near Ahmedabad. The Sun Temple was built by Raja Bhimdev I of Solanki .Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshis, or descendants of Sun god. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.

The Sun Temple at Modhera dates back to early 11th century CE and was built by King Bhimdev I in 1026 CE. It was during the same period that the Jain temples at Mount Abu were constructed by Vimal Shah. The Rudra Mahal temple at Siddhapur also dates back to this period. Also re-constructed at the same time was the Somnath temple at Somnath Patan. Interestingly, the grand Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur in South India was constructed during the same time.

Even in its ruined state, the sun temple at Modhera is magnificent. There is no worship offered here now. There is no shikhara either. The temple has a sanctum, a pradakshina patha and a sabha mandap in front. The exterior of the sanctum has many carved images of the Sun God, portrayed as wearing a belt and long shoes as in the Dakshinaarka temple at Gaya. The mandapa in front of the sanctum has beautifully carved pillars with exquisite toranas adorning the entrances. The exterior of this temple is intricately carved. In front of the temple is a colossal tank, which was once known as Surya Kund or Rama Kund. The tank has a series of carved steps leading to the bottom. Several miniature shrines adorn the steps of the tank - which is an art gallery in itself.

History:
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya (literally meaning the forest of righteousness). According to these Puranas, Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana, asked sage Vasistha to show him a place of pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself from the sin of Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brahmin, because ravan was a Brahmin by birth). Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the modern town of Modhera. In the Dharmaranya, he settled at a village Modherak and performed a yagna there. Thereafter he established a village and named it Sitapur.This village is about 8 km from Becharaji Modherak village and it subsequently came to be known as Modhera.

Festival:
Modhera dance festival is the major festival that is observed by the Sun Temple. This dance festival is organized to keep the Indian traditions and culture alive. It is held in the third week of January every year. The classical dance forms in the premises of this temple revive the imperial ambiance during the period.

How to reach:
One can easily reach Modhera Sun Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring taxis from anywhere in Gujarat.