Places

Hinduism is awash with sites which bring spiritual meaning into our lives.

1. Vaishnodevi
2. Hardwar
3. Mathura

1. Vaishnodevi

The Location

Mata Vaishno Devi's cave shrine is nestled in the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometres north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Legend

Every day of the year a mass of humanity surges up steep pathways that cut across the hillside for mile after mile. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail to her abode to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. There are many who journey here year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion, for Mata Vaishno Devi transcends all such barriers.

As the legend goes, more than 700 years ago Vaishno Devi a devotee of Lord Vishnu, used to pray to Lord Rama and had taken vow of celibacy. Bhairon Nath, a tantric (demon-God) tried to behold Her. Making use of his tantric powers, Bhairon Nath was able to see Her going towards the Trikuta mountains and gave chase. The Goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out. Charan Paduka, marked by the imprints of Her feet, is the place where she rested. The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adhkawari. It took Bhairon Nath nine months to locate Her, the reason why the cave is known as Garbh Joon. Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with Her Trident when the demon-God located Her.

On arriving at the Holy Cave at Darbar, she assumed the form of Maha Kali and cut off Bhairon Nath's head which was flung up the mountain by the force of the blow and fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located. The boulder at the mouth of the Holy Cave according to the legend is the petrified torso of Bhairon Nath. Merciful Meri Maiya Vaishno Devi forgave Bhairavnath and blessed him and granted him a wish that whenever her devotees will come to Bhavan for her Darshan their yatra will not be completed unless on going back after her Darshan the devotes pay homage at Bhairavnath temple.

The Yatra (pilgrimage)

The Yatra begins at Katra, a small town at the foot of the Trikuta mountains and pilgrims have to cover 13 km. of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. One kilometer away from Katra, you would find Banganga, place where Mata quenched her thirst and at 6 km., the holy cave at Adhkawari.

The yatra is made easier by excellent organisation on the part of the authorities. The entire 13 km route is quite wide and tiled and is lit up every night by powerful lamps. Shelter cum sheds and shelter cum cafeterias are set up throughout the route. Pure vegetarian food is available at these outlets and drinking water has also been made available all along the route, with water coolers and storage facilities. Pithus (people who carry weight on their backs) can be hired for carrying your luggage or for carrying young children on their shoulders. Those who have problems in climbing on the mountains, can also hire the services of a pony or dandi (palenquin). The atmosphere is an unforgettable one - hundreds of people singing songs of praise of Mata as they ascend, the breathtaking views and the stalls that adorn each side of the path bustling with life.

After 6 km of trekking, you reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. The cave there should be visited. After 9.5 km, you reach Sanji Chhat where you can rest for sometime. Accommodation is also available at this place. Bhawan is just 3.5 km away and should be visible from here. During evening time, this is a marvellous sight. On reaching Bhawan, people bathe and change their clothes. Prasad, Chunri and Coconuts from the shops situated at the entrance of the Bhawan and then finally those who are successful in reaching Bhawan can worship at the shrine.

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2. Hardwar

The Location

Hardwar-- gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttarakhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India, is located on the foot hills of Shivaliks. It is on the banks of River Ganga. The Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains with Hardwar being the first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its rapid flow completely it nevertheless becomes very quiet and calm here. The water is clean and Hindu pilgrims bathe near the numerous ghats built on the banks of the river. It is said that bathing here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana.

The Legend

Hardwar has earned fame for being the place blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major Shaktipeeths. It is said that down the ages, Hardwar has purified the mind, the body and the soul of hundreds of thousands of devotees every year. Not only is Hardwar famous in a spiritual and religious context, but it is also a major learning centre for arts, science and culture. Gurukul, an ancient tradition of teaching has also maintained its fervour in Hardwar.

Hardwar has for many ages been a source of Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing herbal and homeopathic remedies. It was one of the first towns to be developed on Ganges and is still lush and green with forest with a range of flora and fauna thriving in the area. With Rajaji Park in the vicinity it has thus been the destination for the wildlife and nature lovers and Hindu pilgrims alike. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening when thousands of Divas and Marigold are set afloat in the waters of Ganga.

Places of Interest Within Hardwar

Har Ki Pauri - This ghat is one of the most sacred ghats in India. People say that this ghat was built by Vikramaditya, an ancient emperor of India, in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is also known as Brahmakund. In the evening a Maha Aarti is performed on this ghat. It is an event which is a must, not be missed by any visitor.

Chandi Devi - This temple is on the top of a hill called the Neel Parvat which is on the other side of the Ganga. The temple was constructed by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, as recently as 1929. Chandi Devi is a 3km trek from the Chandi Ghat.

Mansa Devi - This temple is located on top of a hill called the Bilwa Parvat. The temple can be reached by the rope way or one can take a normal trek to the top. The top of the hill gives an excellent view of Hardwar.

Maya Devi - This is one of the Shaktipeeths in India. This ancient temple of Maya Devi is also the Adhisthatri deity of Hardwar. It is said that when Lord Shiva was carrying his wife Sati, who had burnt herself to keep the honour of her husband, her heart and navel fell here.

Gurukul Kangri University - This university is known for its unique system of education. It is located on the Hardwar-Jwalapur bypass road and the institution follows the ancient traditional Guru-Sishya pattern of education. The institution also has the Ved Mandir Museum which contains a quite remarkable collection of archaeological exhibits and displays artefacts which are of great historical value.

Daksha Mahadev Temple - 4 kilometres from Hardwar is a town called Kankhal. Mythology says that once upon a time, a king of the area, King Daksha Prajapati performed a yagya. His daughter, Sati was married to Lord Shiva. But Daksha was not happy with this marriage and did not invite Shiva-Sati in the Yagya. But Sati came and was insulted by her father. She could not take the insult and burnt herself in the yagya kund. On hearing this the followers of Shiva killed Daksha. But later Mahadeo (Shiva) brought Daksha to life. The Daksha temple is an attribute to this legend. This place is one of the five sacred places in Haridwar.

Rishikesh - 24 kilometres from Haridwar is Rishikesh. This place is known as the Tapo Bhumi or the place where the Gods meditate. Rishikesh is one of the popular pilgrimage for the Hindus. At this place the Ganga leaves the mountains and prepares herself to begin a long journey through the plains.

Deoprayag - This again is one of the most sacred places for Hindus. At this place the aggressive Alaknanda river merges with the gentle flowing Bhagirathi. The place is 95 kms from Haridwar.

Ardh Kumbha in Hardwar

Though all the Hindu festivals are celebrated in Haridwar with pomp and gaiety, it is the Ardh Kumbh which attracts the most attention in these parts. The Ardh Kumbh is held every six years and the last Ardh Kumbh of this century was in 1999. It is said that a holy dip in the Ganga during the Kumbh gives you Moksha or Nirvana. People gather in huge number to take the holy dip during these holy days. There are Saints, Naga Sadhus, even politicians - Hindus from all walks of life and from all over the world gather here for Ardh Kumbh.

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3. Mathura

The Location

Lord Krishna is easily the most popular person here. Every square foot of Mathura-Vrindavan is wrapped in timeless devotion to Lord Krishna, the evergreen hero of Hinduism, the lover of Radha, the cowherd-prince and the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura without Lord Krishna is like Bethlehem without Christ. Welcome to Brajbhoomi or Krishna-land.

Brajbhoomi

The city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-westof Agra. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon. In a nutshell, the land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from Delhi and ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the poet Surdas, an ardent Krishna devotee.

An Ancient City

An ancient city, Mathura's strategic location at the cross roads of various trade routes - that went westwards to West Asia and the Roman Empire; northwards, via Taxila, Pushkalavati and Purushapur to Central Asia and the Silk Route and eastwards to China - ensured its position as a centre of trade and a meeting point for varied cultures. By the 5th century BC, during the time of Buddha, it was a major metropolis and the capital of the Surasena Kingdom. Mathura saw its `golden age' during the rule of the Kushanas and the able governance of rulers Kanishka, Huvishka, and Vasishka, when the arts flourished and economic wealth grew. It remained a centre of power during the Mauryan period, through the enlightened rule of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC) to the Gupta era (4th century AD).

Holy Land

It has often been said that it is easier to count the number of dust particles on the surface of the earth than to count the number of holy places in Mathura. Each of the Ghats, for instance, has its own Krishna myth. Here He rested after killing his evil and tyrannical uncle, King Kansa; This is where His mother tied him after he stole butter; This is the sacred grove where Krishna and Radha spent lazy, love-filled times - the list is endless. In Mathura-Vrindavan, it is difficult to know the dividing line between reality and myth.

A Divine Story

Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura. His father Vasudev aided by several celestial forces stole him out of Mathura, across the raging river Yamuna and into the house of Nand in Gokul. Krishna spent his early childhood here and revealed the first signs of his divinity. His uncle Kansa's muderous attempts forced Krishna to leave Gokul and move to Nandgaon, a more secure home high up on a hill. From here, the adolescent Krishna, the cowherd, would wander into the Vrindavan forests to play with his friends and dally with Radha, his lady love. Vrindavan, is still a transcendental world, a place of Krishna's leela, (play), of deep eroticism and an archetypal connection to nature. Each tree in the area speaks, as it were, of the love of the divine couple.

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DISCLAIMER:
The above information is provided purely to provide an introduction to some Hindu places of worship. Any opinions contained therein do not necessarily reflect those of our membership.