Temples of the Himalayas

Temples of the Himalayas
Temples of the Himalayas

Since time immemorial, the mighty Himalayas have been revered as the abode of divinity. Hundreds of shrines dot the Himalayan foothills and the lofty ice clad peaks. Most of these shrines are very closely associated with the epics that form the backbone of Indian culture and ethos.

Haridwar - where the Ganges is revered. VisitHaridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas and experience the Aarti to the Ganges, when the entire riverside is lit up with the glow of hundreds of lamps. Rishikesh - Gateway to the Himalayas. Experience the might of the Ganges and the serene atmosphere ofRishikesh where all Himalayan pilgrimages begin. Badrinath - This ancient pilgrimage shrineBadrinath is revered all over India. Thousands throng to visit this temple which is open only for 6 months in a year. Kedarnath - the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year. Joshi Mutt: Jyotir Mutt, cradled in the Himalayas is one of the pilgrimage sites in the Tehri-Garhwal region and is home to the first mutt established by Aadi Sankaracharya. Devaprayag: The ancient pilgrimage center ofDevaprayag in the Himalayas is at the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi. Kailash - The call of Tibet.Kailash has been revered as the Abode of Shiva. An arduous trek through the snow clad Himalayas takes piligrims to Manasarovar lake and to Mount Kailash. Amarnath - trek through Kashmir. Amarnath yatra - the pilgrimage to Amarnath in Kashmir takes place in the solar month of Leo, when the icy Shivalingam reaches its fullest size on the full moon day. A Himalayan Journey - Part I Experience the grandeur of Badrinath and its environs in the first of a three part series on travel through the Garhwal Himalayas. Salagraama - Nepal: TheSalagrama stones represent Vishnu and are found in plenty along the banks of the Gandaki river in Nepal, hailed as Salagrama, one of the Abodes of Vishnu. The Himalayan Temple Index: Browse through this pointer to several of the revered Himalayan shrines.

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Temples of Karnataka

Temples of Karnataka

Temples of Karnataka

The State of Karnataka is known for its multitude of tourist attractions and temples. Pilgrimage centerssuch as Mookambika and Udupi cradled in the western ghats offer a contrast to the ruins of the once grand Vijayanagar edifices at Hampi. The Hoysala temples marked with a profusion of intricate sculpture, and the ancient temples built by the Cholas, and the Chalukyan temples add to the variation in style across this state.

About the Temples of Karnataka: The Chalukyas, the Gangas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar rulers and others contributed to diverse temple styles seen in Karnataka. Halebidu - a sculptors dream lived in stone. TheHoysaleswara temple in Halebidu is a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture and sculpture. Mookambika - Kollur: Rich in legend and tradition, this temple at Kollur is closely associated with Adi Sankaracharya. Udupi - is the seat of the Madhva school of philosophy. TheBalakrishna temple is one of the well visited pilgrimage centers of Karnataka. Gokarna: This ancient Shiva temple is revered pilgrimage center in Karnataka ; it has been revered by the hymns of the ancient Tamil saints. Sravanabelagola: The collossal monolithic image of Gomateswara or Bahubali is a familiar sight to those touring Karnataka. Nandi hills, located near Bangalore is home to theBhoganandeeswara and Yoganandeeswara temples. Belur Chennakesava Temple: Explore the rich sculptural wealth of this ancient Hoysala monumentbuilt by Vishnuvardhana of the 12th century CE. (article contributed by guest writer).) Somnathpura: The Kesava temple at Somnathapura located near Mysore is a standing illustration of Hoysala art. Belur Chennakesava Temple: Explore the history of this Hoysala monumentand experience its sculptural splendour. (article contributed by guest writer). Srirangapatna near Mysore - the historic capital of Tipu Sultan enshrines Ranganatha and Ranganayaki at the grandRanganatha temple. Melkote located near Mysore is home to the Tirunarayana temple and is a seat of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Chamundeswari Templebuilt at Chamundi hills near Mysore enshrines Chamundeswari the tutelary deity of the Maharajahs of Mysore. Aihole near Bijapur is one of the centers of early Chalukyan art. The Durga temple is probably the best known of the temples here. Badami: The ancient town of Vatapi was a capital of the early Chalukyas. It is now known as Badami and it has several temples from the sixth and seventh centuries CE. Pattadakal, the third in the triad of early Chalukyan art centers near Bijapur has severallandmarks in the evolution of temple architecture. Mahakoota is another early Chalukyan temple art repository and is located near Badami. Talakkad near Mysore:This ancient temple atTalakkad near Mysore was patronized by the Cholas of the 12th century CE. The Virupaksha temple at Vijayanagar dating back to the period of Krishna Deva Raya, enshrines Virupakshaor Pampapati. The Vitthala temple at Vijayanagar (Hampi) is known for its halls with exquisite pillars, intricate friezes and the a stone chariot. Subrahmanya is one of the seven revered Mukti stalas of Karnataka and it enshrines Subrahmanya(Kartikeya). The Seven Mukti Stalas of Karnataka associated with Parasurama include some of the well visited pilgrimage shrinessuch as Kollur, Udupi & Gokarna. Dharmastala - a well visited pilgrimage center in Karnataka enshrinesManjunatha, in this stala of Dharma or righteousness & charity. Nanjangud: TheShrikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud near Mysore is a revered center of worship. The Kalyani Chalukyas of the 11th & 12th centuries developed a temple style characterized by ornate pillars and doorways. The district of Kolar known more for its gold fields is home to several templestracing their history through several royal dynasties that ruled the region.

Sringeri: TheVidyashankara temple is a magnificient temple built under the patronage of the Vijayanagar empire. Karnataka Temple Index: This index provides a pointer to the hundreds of temples that dot the state of Karnataka.