HOME
CHURCHES
TEMPLES
HILL STATIONS
HOTELS
GUIDE
CONTACT
Delhi Punjab Haryana Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan West Bengal
Maharashtra AndhraPradesh Kerala Uttar Pradesh Bihar Orissa&goa Karnataka
Jammu&Kashmir Gujarat Daman&Diu Uttranchal Himachel pradesh
West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh
(scroll down to see temples)
This beautiful place, on the banks of the river Hubli, is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna
Mission. The headquarters of the Ramkrishna Order, the Belur Math, was set up on 14th
January, 1938, as homage to the memory of Sri Ramkrishna, the 19th century monk and
seer. The mission was founded in 1938 by Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) and named
after his mentor Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886). The Ramakrishna Mission
is famous for its missionary work and has branches all over the world. The main temple in
Belur Math incorporates the various architectural styles of the different religions of India.
The Indian philosopher Ramkrishna who preached unity among all the religions died in
1886 and his follower Vivekanand established the mission to preach the teachings of his
Guru.
Fort William was built in 1696 to protect the trading post. It became the focal point of
English politics in India. Following the Battle of Plassey in June 1757 in which the Nawab
of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula, was defeated by British troops under Clive, foundations of the
present Fort William were laid in 1758 and completed in 1781. Calcutta soon became the
seat of the British imperial period. The Supreme Court of Judicature was established in
Calcutta and the Governor General ruled India from here until 1912 when India's Capital
was moved to Delhi.
Howrah Bridge
The Rabindra Setu, popularly known as the Howrah Bridge, is the gateway to the city of
Calcutta. This is one of three bridges on the river Hubli and is the most famous
symbol not only of Calcutta but also of West Bengal. Howrah Bridge is a bridge suspended
on pillars. The newly constructed Vidya Sagar Setu is also a cable suspended bridge. It
was built to reduce the pressure of traffic on the old Howrah Bridge.
A miracle of engineering skill, the Howrah Bridge is a huge cantilever bridge supported by
two piers 270 ft. high from the road level. The span of the bridge between the piers is
1,500 ft while the total distance between the two sheet anchors is 2,115 ft. There are
eight vehicular ways and two footpaths on the 71 ft. wide bridge.
The present temple was built in 1809 on the site of an ancient temple. It is also known
as the Kalighat temple. It is on the name of this temple, that the English gave the name
Calcutta, which is the anglicized form of Kalikata. She has blood dripping from her tongue,
and she wears a garland of skulls.
The legend says that a finger of the Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, fell here. Since then it has been
an important pilgrimage site, but the temple is dedicated to the destructive side of Shiva
which takes the form of Kali. She requires sacrifice daily to satisfy her blood lust, so every
morning goats are sacrificed on the altar of the temple.
Kalighat is one of the 51 pithas (sanctuaries) especially sacred to followers of Shakti.
In the sanctuary, approached through a long corridor, is an idol of Goddess Kali - the
angry incarnation of the Goddess of power, Shakti.
Sangameshwara Temple
This is a huge complex of temples attractively located
next to the river, which may have been used in rituals.
Entering the complex is the Jambulinga temple, its
shikhara recalling the temples of Bhubaneshwar (Orissa)
with a projecting horseshoe arch, bearing a figure of
dancing Shiva. Next to it is the Galaganatha Temple
unlike anything else in the region. The conical shikhara is like the (north Indian)
nagara style, with horizontal layers separated by tiny cushion-like motifs. Compare
this temple roof with the shikharas of the next two temples, which are based on the
southern Indian temple shikhara format. These two temples (that link Kanchipuram
and Ellora, though separated by a few hundred kilometers) have tiered pyramidal,
not conical, roofs made up of separate levels decorated with an arrangement of
miniature temple replicas.
Shyama
Raya Temple
In the north is the Shyama Raya Temple built around
1643. Growing out of the base, the square temple body
is framed by an artistically curved roof. The sidewalls of
the temple are broken into details with three curvaceous
arches of the entrance on each side and elaborate tile-work.
Above, the roof is formed in several layers. Over each corner
is a turret with a peaked roof and from the center a taller single tower emerges, also
with a pyramid-like roof. The interior and exterior of the temple is adorned with wonderful
terracotta tile work decorations. Near the entrance are huge medallions with Krishna,
the divine cowherd, playing his flute, with the gopis his cowherdess companions, forming
a lively circle around him as they dance in celebration.
Victoria
Memorial
A splendid example of British architecture, this building was
built in memory of Queen Victoria and was inaugurated by Prince
of Wales in 1921. The Memorial is based on the architecture of the
Taj and is built in marble. The wrought iron gates, the lamp posts,
the brass cannons and the Statute of the Queen at the entrance,
every thing spells the magic of British monarchy and their grandeur.
The memorial today treasures many paintings, attires and other items used by the British
during their rule in India. This building can also be termed as the British museum. In 25 rooms
of the memorial are kept around 3500 items which are related to Queen Victoria.In the evenings
the light and sound programs is a major attraction for the tourists. The fountain of Joy in the
premises of the memorial presents an atmosphere of memorable charm. The history of the
Victoria Memorial in Calcutta has its roots in the colonial period of Indian history. Lord Curzon
was the Viceroy or the person who ruled India in the name of the British Crown in India from
1899 to 1905. He secretly nurtured the vision of building a magnificent edifice that would not
only be a tribute to his English masters, but would also get him a place in the annals of Indian
architectural history.After the death of the popular British monarch, Queen Victoria at the age
of 94, Lord Curzon got the chance to build the monument of his dreams. Lord Curzon then
proposed the construction of a mausoleum in the center of a garden in her memory. He also
proposed a museum in the same complex, which would house artifacts pertaining to the
British rule in India. Curzon, who preferred to abide by democratic norms, sought advice from
various quarters regarding the probable site and the nature of construction. Curzon appealed
for funds and he received ample funds for his dream project from the upcoming mercantile
class in India and also from a number of princely states.
ANDHRA PRADESH(south India)
Charminar
Hyderabad is most famous for its charming
minarets - Charminar. The city is often identified
with the majestic Charminar, which stands at the
center of the old city in its entire splendor amidst
the colorful shops of Ladbazaar with its glittering
traditional bangles. Often called "The Arc de
Triomphe of the East", Charminar was built in
1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah and is a
beautiful structure with four intricately carved
minarets. Enormous in its size, this imposing
monument exudes a charm that is more than
400 years old!
Tirupati
This is one of the most ancient and spectacular places of
pilgrimage in India. The town owes its existence to the sacred
temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the Tirumala Hill
adjoining it. With a history that dates back to over twelve centuries,
the temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship
in southern India. The temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on
the seventh peak, Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the
southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. There are several
legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.
An ancient temple, famous for its superb architectural felt, is located in a small
village of Pattikonda Taluk of Anantapur district. Built in the 'Vesara' architectural
style its component parts, like 'Garbhagriha', 'Antarala', 'Mukhamandap',
'Pradakshinapatha' are vast and has a strong 'Prakara' and 'Mahadwara'
surmounting an imposing tow.
Ashta Lakshmi Temple
A magnificent temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi
stands distinctly on the outskirts of the city of Hyderabad.
The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, finds a special place in
the hearts of the people for she brings prosperity and happiness
as well as salvation.The Ashta Lakshmi Temple was constructed
in April 1996, and is one of its kind in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
It took five years of non-stop work and a total expenditure of Rs.10 million for the magnificent Ashta
Lakshmi temple to take its present form. The nightly illumination of this enchanting temple is
spectacular.Viewed from a distance, the temple looks like one made from marble.
The Ghanpur group of temples are located in Ghanpur mandal
headquarters, around 62-km away from Warangal. Ghanpur, the
important grain producing center of Warangal district boasts of an
impressive temple architecture consisting of about 20 temples in
various designs and sizes. Locally known as "Kota Gullu", the temple
complex is a veritable museum of the Kakatiya temple architecture
built during the 13th century AD.
It is located to the west of the town and is a popular place of pilgrimage
attracting devotees from neighbouring districts. The epics say that 'Narashimha
Swami' is one of the ten avataras of Lord Vishnu. This temple appears to have
been constructed by one 'Ranganayudu', a Palegar of Patharlapattanam.
Sri Kalahasti temple is famous for its Vayudeva temple, which is the only
shrine of the God of wind in India. It was constructed in the 12th century by
the Chola king, Raja Rajendra.
Ranganatha
Temple
Srirangapuram is situated at a distance of 24-km from
Wanaparthi in Mahaboobnagar district. The most
important place of worship in the village is the shrine of
Ranganatha situated a furlong away from the village on an
elevated place surrounded practically on all sides by the
waters of 'Rangasamudram' Pool. People believe that the
temple is as important as the one at Srirangam in the South.
Rudreshwara Temple / Ramappa Temple
Palamapet is a small village 70-km away from Warangal district. It is known for it's
famous Ramappa temple, which is a magnificent monument built by the general,
'Recherla Rudra' during the reign of 'Ganapati Deva' in the year 1213.
The unique feature of this temple is that it is the only temple in India known by the name
of the sculptor who built it. The head sculptor was Ramappa, after whom the temple is
known today, rather than after the presiding deity, 'Ramalingeswara' also known as
Rudreshwara, as is the general norm.
Kanaka Durga, Goddess of power, riches and kindness is considered the
presiding deity of Vijayawada. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill.
The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as 'Swayambhu' or
self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that
'Adi Shankara' visited this temple and installed the 'Sri Chakra' here.
Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara
Swami on the Indrakiladri hill. Mallikarjuna or the Malleswara as he
is known in the Puranas is said to have been installed by 'Yudhishthira',
the eldest of the 'Pancha Pandavas', as a token of their victory of the South.
Manthani town is located in Karimnagar on the banks of Godavari. It is
about 72 km from Karimnagar. Gauthameswara is the presiding deity of
the town and also the main temple. The origin and the history of the temple
is not known but the sculpture around the temple presents similarity to
that of the thousand pillar temple of Hanamkonda in Warangal district.
Kakatiya rulers might have renovated the old temple during their regime.
Its sculpture is worth seeing. There is a big Shiva Lingam about 1m to
1.25m in height made of black stone installed in the 'Garbhagudi'
(sanctum sanctorum) on a beautifully carved 'Panawatika' (platform or
pedestal on which the phallicemblem is fixed) according to 'Somasutra'.
There is also a small room in between the entrance room and Garbhagudi
where Lord Vigneswara's idol is installed in the inner right corner.
Narayanavanam
This temple is dedicated to Lord Kalyana Venkateswaraswamy. It is
believed that this is the site of the sacred marriage between Lord
Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi. Brahmotsavam, the most
important of the various festivals of the temple, is conducted usually in
Bhadrapada i.e., in September for about 9 days. On account of Adika
Masam, which comes in every third year, a second Brahmotsavam in the
month of Aswayuja (Puratasi) will be held under the name, "Navarathri
Brahmotsavam"
.
Padmavati Devi Temple
In Tiruchanur, 5-km from Tirupati, is this large temple dedicated to goddess
Padmavati, the consort of Lord Venkateswara or Venkateshwara (Balaji). It
is also known as "Alamelumangapuram" and it is said that a visit to Tirumala
is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavati Devi temple.
The deity, Sri Padmavati Devi is seated in 'Padmasana', holding a lotus in both
of her upper hands. Her lower hands are in poses of 'Abhaya', fearlessness,
and 'Varada', benediction. Also in this temple are the Deities of Sri Krishna,
Balarama, 'Sundararaja Swami', and 'Surya-Narayana Swami'. It is traditional
to first worship Sri Krishna and then to take darshan of Sri Padmavati. Only
Hindus are allowed in the temple.
Ramalingswara Temple
Located in Tadipatri in Anantapur district, Ramalingeswara temple is named after
"Pemmasani Ramalinga Naidu". Local legends states that at the very same spot
where the temple stands, sage 'Parasurama' lived and performed penance.
In this temple there is a perennial underground stream, from which water always
oozes into the 'Garbha Gruha' (Sanctum Sanctorum) exactly at the spot where the
'Lingam' (idol) is consecrated. At the temple, the entire 'Shiva Purana' is carved in
stone on the walls with delicate skill and in elaborate detail.