Holy Pilgrimage – Bihar State –(Maa Mundeswari temple, Patan Devi Mandir-Patna,Vaisali and others)

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Holy Pilgrimage – Bihar State   








Maa Mundeshwari Temple and

other places, Bhabua


Maa Mundeshwari Temple is a very old and popular place of Bhabhua. Located on hills of Kaimur, the temple has a historical importance.
The city of Kaimur has a glorious history and exhibits a true coherence of the Mughal and Hindu dynasties. The historic monuments and ancient temples, that form tourist attractions of the city, serve as an evidence of its rich past. If you are planning a visit Kaimur, the top priority will go to the magnificent temples that the city so often boasts of. Apart from that, there are numerous other places of interest in Kaimur. In the following lines, we have provided information to make you well equipped with the must see places in Kaimur.
Baidyanath Baidyanath Village is situated 9 km to the south of Ramgarh block headquarters. The village is home to a Lord Shiva temple that was built by the rulers of Pratihar dynasty. Numerous coins and others valuables of historical importance have been discovered here. According to archeologists, the temple was renovated in 812-13 AD. Today, it serves as a major tourist attraction for those who visit Kaimur.
Durauli Durauli is a village situated 8 km to the north-east region of Ramgarh. The place bears its significance from the existence of two old temples that were built by the Cheros. Both the temples have been decorated with beautiful sculptures, carved on the spire.
Ramgarh Ramgarh village, situated in the Bhagwanpur block in Bhabua Subdivision, boasts of the famous Mundeshwari temple. It is one the oldest temple in the state. Inscriptions of archeological importance that have been found here, describing the temple build as far back as 635 A.D. The temple is built on a hilltop that rises to a height of about 600 feet.
Chorghatia Chorghatia village is situated in Adhaura block. It comes across as an outstanding beauty spot, with a waterfall amidst picturesque scenery. The natural beauty of the place attracts many visitors from far and wide.
Chainpur Chainpur is situated 11 km to the west of Bhabua headquarters. It is known for housing the mausoleum of Bakhtiar Khan(Bakhtiar khilji as mentioned in the History), who is said to have married the daughter of Sher Shah. The fort at Chainpur is also a place worth visiting. Then, there is the Hindu shrine of "Harsu Brahm". It is believed that a Kanyalkubya priest named Harshu Pandey, under the reign of Raja Shaliwahan, ended his life in protest against demolition of his house. Later, a temple was built to commemorate him. it was quiet peaceful (that is, "chain" in Hindi language), hence the village got its name of Chainpur Chainpur and its surrounding areas are a flat alluvial plain forming part of the Kosi river basin. This makes the land very fertile.
Bhagwanpur Bhagwanpur lies 11 km to the south of Bhabua, near the Kaimur hills. It is said to have been the seat of power of Kumar Chandrasen Saran Singh, who claimed his descent from Paras. Raja Shaliwahan annexed Bhagwanpur, overthrowing but Sher Shah.
Adhaura Adhaura is situated at a distance of 58 km from Bhabua. It lies on the Kaimur plateau, at an altitude of approximately 2000 feet from the sea level. Situated amidst hills, covered by lush green forests, Adhaura is a place that definitely merits a visit from the tourists. Chand Chand is a main centre of Bhabhua District because the chand is situated on U.P & Bihar boarder.The chand has a historical background Mahtma Budha stay here about 265 days in Ghurahupur.A Bageshwari Devi temple is very famous of this area.
BHEKASH bhekash is situated at 3 km distance of bhabua district. this village mainly belongs to rajputs and Brahmin. there is an old shiva mandir outside the village.the village is situated at the bank of suwara river.
Sidhanath temple(Ratan Puri Baba) This is a famous Shiv temple established by Saint Ratanpuri Baba who was the disciples of great sage baba Gorakhnath, situated near to village Bararura at bank of river Karmanasa.Residents of Village Baraura having great faith on this temple and Baba Sidhanath is resident god of Village.

How to reach
Bhabua Road is the nearest Railway Station on the Howrah-New Delhi Grand Chord, which is hardly 14 km from Bhabua town. The main trains are Purushottam Express, Mahabodhi Exp, Poorva Exp, Kalka Mail, Mumbai Mail, Doon Exp, Chambal Exp, Shipra Exp, Sealdah Exp, BudhPurnima Exp, Asansol-Ahmedabad Exp, Dikshabhumi Exp, Jodhpur Exp, Garib Nawaj Exp, Ranchi Varanasi Exp, Jharkhand Exepress, Sasaram-Anand Vihar Terminus AC Express etc. The town is 195 km from Patna and 84 km from Varanasi by road.
NH 2 (G.T. Road) crosses through the center of the district from Karmanasha to Kudra for about 50 km. NH 30 originates from it near Mohania and connects this district with the capital Patna via Arah. Apart from these, there are also a few State Highways in the district.
Mohania Sub-division is situated on Gaya-Mughalsarai Section of Grand Chord Railway line; the railway station is called Bhabua Road. The district headquarter is located at a distance of 14 km southward from the railway station or the G.T. Road. The railway station has four platforms for the smooth flow of traffic

 

 

Patan Devi Mandir, Patna

Patan Devi (Hindi: पटन देवी मंदिर), also called Maa Patneshwari, is the oldest and one of the most sacred temples of Patna. It is regarded as one of the 51 Siddha Shakti Pithas in India. According to Puranic legends, the 'right thigh' of the corpse of Sati had fallen here when it was chopped off by Lord Vishnu with his 'Sudarshan Chakra'. The ancient temple, originally called Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari, is believed to be the abode of the goddess Durga.[1]
The name of the city Patna is widely believed to have been derived from the name of the Bari Patan Devi Temple. Some however doubt whether the name of Patna is derived from this temple. According to them the name is derived from patan which means a town and Patna was a big place of export and import

History

Mythology

According to the Hindu mythology, it is believed that the right thigh of Devi Sati fell in Magadh and it is said that the part of the body of Sati fell in both Maharajganj and Chowk areas in Old Patna city. At these places, the Badi Patan Devi temple and the Chhoti Patan Devi temple were built. According to the Tantra Charumani, the small images of the Bari Patan Devi Temple, Patna are the Goddess Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. In Hindu mythology, these Goddesses protected Putraka, who was the founder of Pataliputra. A strange stone image has been found in a tank near the Bari Patan Devi Temple, Patna. That image has been kept in the eastern veranda of the main temple where this stone is being worshiped regularly.[3]

Bari Patan Devi

The Bari Patan Devi Temple, Patna is facing the North, towards the Ganges river. The statues of the temple are all made up in black stone. At the entrance of the temple there is a portico of dimension 1.5' x 15'. After that there is a room of about 8' x 8' for gods namely, Mahakali (12"), Maha Lakshmi (6"), Maha Saraswati (12") and Bhairav (3").All the idols are kept on simhasans (thrones) of about 4 square in cross section and have a height of about 7 feet. First three goddesses are attired in sarees.
Devotees can go to the temple at any time of the day. The temple does not distinguish between any caste or creed and hence is open for all religions and castes. The temple remains open from morning 6 am to 10 pm. Tuesday is a special day for the devotees and a large number of worshipers visit the temple. Promises are being made before the Goddess and on the fulfillment of the wishes devotees offer gifts and sarees in the temple.[4]

Chhoti Patan Devi

This temple is situated in the Chowk area of Patna City and once was considered as the main presiding deity of Patna. Over the years it has slipped to the second position of eminence, after the Bari Patan Devi temple, as city's presiding deity, with epithet 'Choti' (smaller) to the more popular one, the Bari (bigger) Patan Devi. But a historian called Buchanan was very specific in stating that it was this very temple (Choti Patendevi) which held the primary position as the city's presiding deity during 18th and early 19th century.
The present temple does not seem to be of any great antiquity. The images inside the temple, if Buchanan is to be believed, were installed by Man Singh, the famous general of the Mughal emperor Akbar. The temple, however, houses a host of intact and severed Brahmanical images, including, Ganesh, Vishnu and Surya. Beyond the temple, but within its precincts, lie in open fragments of door jumbs/lintels and yet other set of images. Of these, an impressive, but broken sun-image is the most prominent. According to many historians, it is very likely that some early medieval temple was built here sometime in 9th-11th Century A.D. and these fragmentary stray sculptural/structural relics are only its ruins. Probably, these were reinstalled in a new temple, built during the 16th-17th century by Man Singh. But authentic information on this count is woefully wanting.[5]

Important festivals

As in many other places, a mela is also held near these temples at the time of Vijayadashmi. On Saptami, Ashtami and Navami (Durga Puja)during the mela about 600 people come to offer prayers daily at either of the two temples. Visitors generally bring sweets, garlands and fruits to offer to the deities. The priest of the temple takes some quantity of the prasad and returns the rest to the devotees. He marks their forehead with Rori (red powder). The devotees also give some money to the priest as "dakshina".
As regards the routine of the rituals, the deity is daily bathed morning and evening and this is followed by offerings of prasad (fruits and sweetmeats etc.) and aarti with the usual reciting of hymns by the priest, accompanied by the ringing of bells.[6]

Reaching there

The place can be easily reached from the Patna Bus Station. The temple is just 3 km from the Patna Junction Railway Station.[7] Rickshaws, taxis etc. are available at Patna, Gulzarbagh and Patna City railway stations
.
 Vaishali

Vaishali in Bihar was one of the Buddha's favourite resorts and he visited it on several occasions. It was here that he had his famous encounter with the prostitute Ambapali, the incident is recounted in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta in The Long Discourses. Another discourse he delivered here is the long but interesting Mahasihanada Sutta from The Middle Length Discourses. According to the Mahayana tradition the famous Vimalakirtinedesa Sutra was preached here too.

About a hundred years after the Buddha's Parinirvana the Vaishali city was the venue for the Second Council where hundreds of monks from all over northern India met together to sell settle a dispute about Vinaya rules and to chant the suttas together. The main things to see today are the famous lion pillar, the museum, the large Kharauna Lake, the Japanese temple and the stupa built over the Vijjians' one eighth share of the Buddha's ashes.

Where is Vaishali
Vaishali city is situated in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, around 55 km off Patna, the capital of the state. Vaishali district extends from latitude 25° in the North to longitude 85° in the East. The town, an important place for both the Buddhists and Jains, is well connected to other important cities in Bihar by road.

History of Vaishali
Believed to be the first republic in the world, Vaishali Bihar has taken its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharat age. He is said to have constructed a great fort here, which is now in ruins. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council.

The great Lichchavi clan ruled Vaishali in the sixth century BC, and the empire extended up to the hills of Nepal. The Lichchavi state is considered to be the first republican state of Asia. According to the Jataka stories, (Buddhist story books giving the account of different births of the Buddha), Vaishali was ruled by some 7707 kings of the Lichchavi clan. Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its glory and power.

Pilgriamge Attractions of Vaishali Travels
  • Ashoka Pillar
    The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m.high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund.
  • Bawan Pokhar Temple
    An old temple built in the Pala period stands on the northern bank of a tank known as Bawan Pokhar and enshrines beautiful images of several Hindu gods.
    • Buddha Stupa - 1
      The exterior of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated condition has a plain surface. One-eighth of the sacred ashes of the Lord Buddha were enshrined here in a stone casket.
    • Buddha Stupa - II
·          
    • Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
    • Shanti Stupa
      On the south bank of the Coronation Tank built by Buddh Vihar Society.
    • Kundupur ( Birth Place of Lord Mahavira )
      4 kms. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.
  • Coronation Tank
    Coronation Tank or Abhishekh Pushkarni, its water were believed to be sacred in the old days and all of Vaishali's elected representatives were anointed here before their swearing in.
Other Places of Pilgrimage
Chaumukhi Mahadeva, Harikatora Temple, Lotus Tank and Miranji-Ki-Dargah,Jain Temple etc.

Excursion
  • Patna
    55 kms. Turning over the pages of early Indian history one come across the name of the pre-eminent city of Patliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major Kingdoms. Third Buddhist Council was held here.
Other Attractions
  • Vaishali Mahotsava
    Vaishali Mahotsava is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Thirankar, Lord Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of "Vaishakh" (mid-April). A perfect occasion to click beautiful Vaishali photos.
  • Arts and Crafts
    Several villages around Vaishali make delightful home made clay toys.
  • Sikki Work
    The humble blade of grass is hand-woven into delightful baskets and mats. Lac Bangles. These hand made Lac Bangles from nearby city Muzaffarpur.
How to reach there
  • Air
    The nearest Airport is Patna (56 kms.)
  • Rail
    Hazipur on the north eastern railway is the nearest railway station 35 kms.
  • Road
    Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna (56 kms.), Muzaffarpur (36 kms.) and Hazipur (35 kms.) For more info Vaishali map will help you

 

11. Rajgir

History of Bihar


The name Bihar derived from the word 'Vihara' means monastery. It was a great religious center for Jains, Hindus and Buddhists. From the 6th century BC to the 5th century AD Bihar was ruled by a succession of rulers and major empires. In the 3rd century BC Chandragupta Maurya ruled from the great city of Pataliputra (patna). His grandson Emperor Ashoka succeeded him. The Magadha dynasty rose to glory during the reign of the Guptas in 4th and 5th centuries. The dynasty was followed by the Palas of Bengal who ruled until 1197. The Muslim rulers also left indelible mark on the region from the 12th to 17th century.

 

Once the ancient capital of powerful Magadh Empire,Rajgir is today an accepted beautiful health resort with 36 km of wildlife sanctuaries.
Located just 15 kms from Nalanda, Rajgir covered with lush green forest has number of temples and monasteries adding beauty to the small hill town. In earlier days it was called Rajgrih meaning the home of Royalty. Once the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad until King Ajatasatru moved to Pataliputra in the 5th century Rajgir is an important tourist destination in Bihar. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as Lord Buddha spent 12 years and first Buddhist council after Buddha attained Nirvana was held here.
Lord Buddha also proselytized Emperor Bimbisar to Buddhism at the Griddhakoota hill. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. The teachings of Buddha were complied at Rajgir .Today Rajgir is one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist. It is also an important place for Jains as Lord Mahavira spent some time in Rajgir.The Rajgir hills have many Digambara shrines.
Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples. Rajgir is also famous as health and winter resort with its hot water springs. These springs are said to contain medicinal properties to cure skin diseases. One of the attractions of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes tourist uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills.
Tourist Attractions in Rajgir
New Rajgir Walls, Bimbisar Road, Maniyar math, Saptarni Caves and Poppala Stone are other places of tourist interest

Gridhakuta


This was the place where the lord Buddha set in a motion his second wheel of law and preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads to up to the hill but it is recommended to take the Aerial Chair lift which operates every day except Thursday.
Archeological sites

Rajgir has many archeological sites including parts of the ruined city, caves and places associated with King Ajatasatru and his father Bhimbisara who was imprisoned and killed by him

Jivakameavan Gardens


It is the seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary. It is here that Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.dressed the wounds of Lord Buddha

Shanti Stupa


Located on a 400 meter high hill the Vishwa Shanti Stupa is built in marble. There are four glimmering statues of Buddha on the four corners of the stupa. This place is also called the GriddhKoot where to reach the top one has to come through the “Ropeways”.

Venu Vana


It is the site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar.It was built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha as first offering.

Sonbhandar Caves


Two rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers is believed to have been the guard room, the rear wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; the doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara Treasury. Inscriptions in the Sankhlipi or shell script, etched into wall and so far undeciphered, are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact. The second chambers bears a few traces of seated and standing etched into the outer wall

Bimbisar jail


King Bimbisara was imprisoned here by his son Ajatsastru. It was chosen by king for his incarceration as he could see Lord Buddha climbing up to his mountain retreat atop the Griddhakuta hill. There is a clear view of the Japanese Pagoda. One can visit the stupa of peace built on the top of the hill.

Chariot Route Marks


The Chariot Route and hell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. Several shell inscriptions, the undeciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to 5th centuries AD, and engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.

Hot Springs


Rajgir is famous for its hot springs which come from the foot of Vaibhava Hill. There are separate bathing places for men and women where the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams. It is believed that their source is behind the "Saptarni Caves”. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45 degree Centigrade.

Swarn Bhandar


It is believed to be the store of Gold of King Jarashandh. A legend goes that there is a lot of gold in this cave and a script is written on a stone as a code to unlock the door of this Swarn Bhandar.

Pippala cave


It is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to be a watch tower above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill. It is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as "Jarasandh ki Baithak" after the name of the King Jarasandh, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharata

 

And some other Temples and religious places can be visited in Bihar

  Parasnath Temple
  Budhanath Temple, Bhagalpur
  Kaali Temple, Police Line, Madhubani
  Kaali Temple Madhubani
  Shiv mandir, baikatpur, patna
  Maa sitla temple, agamkua, patna
  Maa tripursundari temple, barahiya, lakhisarai
  Shiv mandir, ashok dham, lakhisarai
  Manaskamna nath mandir, nathnagar, bhagalpur
  Baba Garibnath Dham, Muzaffarpur
  Baba biteswarnath temple bihta patna

 Sun temple ulark patna

Best Time To Visit Bihar

The best time to visit Bihar is from October to March since the weather at this time is pleasant and cool

Festival in Bihar


From the time immemorial India as a nation is known for colorful festivals. People celebrate and enjoy these festivals promoting love, harmony, brotherhood and peace. Bihar also has long list of festivals which are celebrated with gaiety and tolerance. Tourism in Bihar invites you all to enjoy the festivals in Bihar.
Chatth Puja >> Chatth Puja is a unique festival where the setting sun is worshipped in Bihar with reverence. With full tradition Chatth festival is celebrated twice a year... more
Sama-Chakeva >> This festival is celebrated in the Mithila region of Bihar dedicated to the brother- sister relationship. It is time when birds migrate from the Himalayas to the plains heralding the beginning of this festival with the girls making and decorating clay idols of various birds.... more
Ramnavami >> Ramanavami festival is celebrated with traditional reverence and gaiety in Bihar with people observing seven days fasts. This is the auspicious day when lord Rama was born. Temples dedicated to Lord Rama are beautifully decorated and special prayers are carried out.
Makar-Sankranti >> This festival marks the end of winter and beginning of the summer season. It is also known as Tila Sankranti. Every year it is observed on the 14th of January. People celebrate it by giving offerings to the poor.
Bihula >> This festival is celebrated in the Eastern Bihar especially famous in Bhagalpur district. People pray to goddess Mansa for the welfare of their family.
Madhushravani >> Madhushravani is celebrated in the month of Sawan (Hindu calendar August all over Mithilanchal in Bihar with enthusiasm and reverence.
Buddha Jayanti >> On Buddha Jayanti in the month of Vaisakh (April/May), Buddhists from India and abroad throng to Bodhgaya and Rajgir.
Mahavir Jayanti >> There are two major Jain festivals: Mahavir Jayanti (April) which is celebrated with great pomp on Parasnath hill and Deo Diwali (10 days after diwali) which marks the final liberation of Lord Mahavira in Bihar.
Saurath Sabha >> Every year for a fortnight in June, the village of Saurath in Madhubani district witnesses a unique gathering of Mithila Brahmins from all over India.It is called Saurath Sabha and is the biggest marriage market. Parents of marriageable children bring horoscopes and negotiate marriages in a vast mango grove.











 





Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                              



(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )
Posted by gopalakrishna Thursday, December 13, 2012
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