12 Hindu temples (pilgrimages) in Western India that you should never miss in your lifetime
P.S : We have considered the temples from MH, Guj & RJ. We will be making separate series for the Central & the Eastern India
1. Dwarka ( Gujarat )
2. Somnath Jyotirlinga ( Gujarat )
The Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is the first of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is located on the western coast of Gujarat and is one of the oldest temples of the country. It has been mentioned in almost every ancient Hindu texts.
One of the most powerful MahaLakshmi temples in the world & It’s said that the moola murthy of MahaLakshmi has been here since times immemorial but was discovered during Mahajanapada times
Holy land of Nasik is home to famous Ramayana site of Panchavati & is also nearby to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
It is host to the Kumbh Mela that happens every 12 years
5. Sun Temple , Modera ( Gujarat )
Modhera Sun Temple was built in 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty
Adding the beauty in this already famous Modhera Sun Temple. In October, 2022 PM Shri Modi Inaugurated Solar powered 3-D Projection Mapping Show
6. Brahma Temple, Pushkar ( Rajasthan )
Jagatpita Brahma Mandir located in Pushkar, Rajasthan is the most famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Being the only temple dedicated to Brahma in India, it attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year
7. BhimaShankar Jyotirlinga ( Maharashtra)
Bhimashankar Temple is located in Khed, near Pune, Maharashtra. Finding itself in the laps of Sahyadri Hills, the temple is a well-known Jyotirlinga among the twelve Jyotirlingas situated all over India.
It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, also known as Dhushmeshwar Temple, this Jyotirlinga is in Aurangabad. Grishneshwar is the smallest of the Jyotirlingas and is considered the last or the 12th Jyotirlinga of India
9. Pavaghad Shakti Peet , Pavaghad ( Gujarat)
This hilltop temple of Kalika Mata is dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Maa Kali, A part of the Champaner-Pavagadh UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kalika Mata Temple is listed amongst the 52 Shaktipeethas in India.
10. Karni Mata Mandir , Bikaner ( Rajasthan )
The Karni Mata Temple, also popularly known as the ‘Rat Temple', located around 30 km from Bikaner in a small town of Deshnoke
What is unique about this temple is the fact that 25,000 black rats live, & are worshipped, in the temple
11. Charbuja Mandir , Nathdwara (Rajasthan)
Charbhuja is a renowned temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the protector of the Hindu triumvirate.
It is considered as the fourth Dham(abode) of Lord Vishnu
12. Siddhivinayaka Mandir , Mumbai
It is located in Prabhadevi neighbourhood of Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on 19th November 1801. It is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Mumbai
Today we are writing about the very famous & powerful Palani Subramanya (Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Swamy) temple
Palani is mentioned in plenty in sangam literature as Podhini & is one among the six padaiveedu kshetras (Subramanya kshetras in TN)
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Idol
The idol of Subrahmanya is said to have made from Nava Pashanams (a combination of Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam,Mridharsingh,Silasat) by a Siddhar called Bogar
Art of amalgamation of minerals was a common practice in TN
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Speciality
It is also claimed by many that the materials of abhishegam like milk, sandalpaste, etc attain medicinal properties on being poured over the idol
It is believed that they have cured many Illnesses & diseases, when taken by the patients
It is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rakhumai. The temple was built by King Bittideva of Hoysala Empire between 1108–1152 CE upon being convinced by Pundalik
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Vitthala is known by many names, Vithoba, Panduranga, Pandharinath, Hari,Narayan
Vitthala is composed of two Sanskrit-Marathi words: viṭ, means 'brick'; and thal, which may have originated from sthala, meaning 'standing'
Thus, Vitthala would mean 'one standing on a brick
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Historiography
The name Panduranga is found on a Rashtrakuta copper plate inscription, dated 516. Hence we can infer that Vithoba worship was well established by the 6th century
The Pandurangashtakam stotra, a hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya also indicates the same
Since Hanuman was born in Karnataka and spent (spending) most of his time in Karnataka. We are listing some of the Most Powerful Hanuman Temples of Karnataka
Do you think Goa is famous for beaches and resorts, No it’s not just that. There are innumerable temples which are highly energised & are spiritually elevating. Many deities serve as Kuladevatas to many households not just in Goa but also in MH & KA