Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Madhya Prades
State
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Hindi: महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
Jyotirlinga
As per Shiva Purana, once Brahma (the Hindu God of creation) and Vishnu (the Hindu God of sustenance) had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards respectively to find the end of the light in either directions. Brahma lied that he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped till the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyothirlinga shrines, thus are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. Originally there were believed to be 64 jyothirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy Each of the twelve jyothirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity - each considered different manifestation of Shiva At all these sites, the primary image is lingam representing the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva The twelve jyothirlinga are Somnath in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Himalayas, Bhimashankar in Maharastra, Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Triambakeshwar in Maharastra, Vaidyanath at Deogarh in Jharkand, Nageswar at Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and Grishneshwar at Aurangabad in Maharastra.The Temple
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhar or the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrinesThe presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendor, reigns eternally in the city of Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhar soaring into the sky, an imposing façade against the skyline, evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal dominates the life of the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with ancient Hindu traditions. On the day of Maha Shivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through the night.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Harsiddhi Mataji Temple
Harsiddhi-the shakti pith among the 52 pith of
devi Sati . This temple occupies a special place in the galaxy of ancient
sacred spots of Ujjain.
Seated between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, the idol of Annapurna is painted in dark vermilion colour. The Sri
Yantra, the symbol of power or shakti, is also enshrined in the temple.
Bade Ganeshji
Temple
This temple situated above the tank near the
Mahakaleshwar temple, enshrines a huge artistic sculpture of Ganesh, the son of
Shiva. An idol of this size and beauty is rarely to be found. The middle of the
temple is adorned by an idol of the pancha-mukhi (five faced) Hanuman. There is
provision for learning of Sanskrit and Astrology in the temple.Chintaman Ganeshji Temple
Mangalnath Temple
This temple is situated away from the bustle
of the city and can be reached through a winding road. The temple looks upon a
vast expanse of the Shipra waters and fills the onlooker with an indescribable
sense of peace.Mangalnath is regarded as the birth place of Mars, according to
the Matsya Purana. In ancient times, it was famous for a clear view of the
planet and hence suitable for astronomical studies. Mahadev or Shiva is the
deity which is worshipped in the temple
of Mangalnath.Kal Bhairava Temple
Gadkalika Mataji Temple
Situated about 2 miles from the city of Ujjain, the deity in this
temple is believed to have been worshipped by Kalidasa. The legend goes that he
was an idiot and it is by his devotion to the goddess Kalika that he acquired
great literary skills. Emperor Harshavardhan had this temple renovated in the
7th century AD. There is further evidence of renovation during the Paramara
period. The temple has been rebuilt in the modern times by the erstwhile Gwalior
Stat
Gopal Mandir
Gopal
Temple is dedicated to the blue god Krishna who is the divine herdsman, the lover of
milkmaids and the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the
Universe. The marble-spired structure is an excellent example of Maratha
architecture. Lord Krishna's two feet tall statue is moulded in silver and is
placed on a marble-inlaid altar with silver-plated doors.
Siddhavat
In the holly city of Ujjain
bhairavgad their is sitauted Temple
Sidwat. it has got the
same importance as what akshaya vat in Prayag,has panch vat in Nashik ,
Bansiwat in Vrindawan , bodhi vat in Gaya.
The fairs organised in Ujjain
is named after this Siddh Vat. Particularly the rituals ( shanti ) of Kal Sarpa
Yoga and Naga Bali Narayana Bali are performed here. In this pooja milk is
specially offered to the Vat Vriksha as a sign of devotion .Char Dham Temple
Navagarha Temple (Triveni)
Pir Matsyendranath
Patal Bhairav
Temple
A famous temple dedicated to the Shakti
(power) of the mother Goddess namely, Patal Bhairav
Temple has an interesting
legend behind it. As per Hindu mythology, a cruel and selfish demon, Bhairav
Nath chased a young lady named Vaishno Devi, the reincarnation of Mother
Goddess. In order to flee, the Devi shot an arrow in the ground from where
water rushed out and took shelter in a cave. However, Devi had to assume the
form of Mahakali to kill Bhairav after he found her. Just before dying, Bhairav
begged for pardon and was granted Moksha along with a boon wherein each one of
the devotees after the darshan of the Mother Goddess at the Holy cave, have to
visit the nearby temple of Bhairav Nath in order to fulfill their pilgrimage.Iskon Temple
Among Seven Holy Cities Of India
Moreover, Ujjain is one of seven most holy places for Hindus in India where Varanasi is considered as the holiest of the seven holy cities.
Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāsi Kāñchī Avantikā I
Purī Dvārāvatī chaiva saptaitā moksadāyikāh II
Various Names Of Ujjain
Since Ujjain is one of the
oldest cities in it has been known by many names:|
Avantika
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Padmavati
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Kushasthali
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Bhagavati
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Haranyavati
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Kandakatringa
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Kumudvati
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Pratikalpa
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Ujjayani
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Udeni
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Vishala
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Mythology
According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its status as a devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasena, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva and worshiped him all the time. One day, a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Lord's name and rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, started to pray to Lord Shiva at the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful; with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Lord Brahma to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva.Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakala form and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasena. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom and take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakala in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of the Lord and His consort, Parvati. The Lord also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures and be under the protection of the Lord himself.
History
The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5. The present structure was built by the Srimant Raanojirao Shinde Maharaj Scindias in 1736 AD. Further developments and management was done by Shreenath Mahadji Shinde Maharaj also known as Madhavrao the First (14 January 1761–13 February 1794) and Srimant Maharani Bayzabai Raje Shinde (1827–1863).In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur until 1886, major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this mandir. After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate
84 Mahadevas
There are 84 Mahadevas in Ujjain, In Hindi called Chaurasi Mahadeo. The Chaurasi Mahadeo(84 Mahadevas) are:|
1. Agasteshwara Mahadeva
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2. Gurihashwara Mahadeva
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3. Dudeshwara Mahadeva
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4. Damarukeshwara Mahadeva
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5. Anadikalpeshwara Mahadeva
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6. Swarnajaleshwara Mahadeva
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7. Kapaleshwara Mahadeva
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8. Swargadareshwara Mahadeva
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9. Karkoteshwara Mahadeva
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10. Siddheshwara Mahadeva
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11. Lokapaleshwara Mahadeva
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12. Kameshwara Mahadeva
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13. Kutumbeshwara Mahadeva
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14. Indradhamneshwara Mahadeva
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15. Ishaneshwara Mahadeva
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16. Apsareshwara Mahadeva
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17. Kalakaleshwara Mahadeva
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18. Nagachandreshwara Mahadeva
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19. Pratihareshwara Mahadeva
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20. Kukkuteshwara Mahadeva
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21. Karkateshwara Mahadeva
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22. Meghanadeshwara Mahadeva
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23. Mahalayeshwara Mahadeva
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24. Mukteshwara Mahadeva,
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25. Someshwara Mahadeva
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26. Anarkeshwara Mahadeva
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27. Jateshwara Mahadeva
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28. Rameshwara Mahadeva
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29. Chyavaneshwara Mahadeva
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30. Khandeshwara Mahadeva
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31. Pantaneshwara Mahadeva
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32. Anandeshwara Mahadeva
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33. Kandhadeshwara Mahadeva
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34. Indreshwara Mahadeva
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35. Markandeshwara Mahadeva
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36. Shiveshwara Mahadeva
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37. Kusumeshwara Mahadeva
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38. Akrureshwara Mahadeva
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39. Kundeshwara Mahadeva
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40. Lumpeshwara Mahadeva
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41. Gangeshwara Mahadeva
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42. Angarakeshwara Mahadeva
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43. Uttareshwara Mahadeva
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44. Trilochaneshwara Mahadeva
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45. Vireshwara Mahadeva
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46. Nripareshwara Mahadeva
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47. Abhayeshwara Mahadeva
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48. Prithukeshwara Mahadeva
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49. Sthawareshwara Mahadeva,
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50. Shuleshwara Mahadeva
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51. Onkareshwara Mahadeva
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52. Vishvareshwara Mahadeva
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53. Kantheshwara Mahadeva
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54. Singheshwara Mahadeva
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55. Revanteshwara Mahadeva
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56. Ghanteshwara Mahadeva
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57. Durdureshwara Mahadeva
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58. Prayageshwara Mahadeva
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59. Shrisiddheshwara Mahadeva
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60. Matangeshwara Mahadeva
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61. Saubhageshwara Mahadeva
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62. Rupeshwara Mahadeva
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63. Sahastradhanukareshwara Mahadeva,
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64. Pashupateshwara Mahadeva
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65. Brahmeshwara Mahadeva
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66. Jalapeshwara Mahadeva
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67. Kedareshwara Mahadeva
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68. Pishachamukteshwara Mahadeva
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69. Sangameshwara Mahadeva
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70. Duddhareshwara Mahadeva
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71. Yageshwara Mahadeva
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72. Chandradityeshwara Mahadeva
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73. Karabheshwara Mahadeva
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74. Rajasthaleshwara Mahadeva
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75. Badaleashwara Mahadeva
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76. Aruneshwara Mahadeva
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77. Pushpadanteshwara Mahadeva
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78. Abhimukteshwara Mahadeva
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79. Hanumanteshwara Mahadeva
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80. Shriswapneshwara Mahadeva
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81. Pingaleshwara Mahadeva
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82. Kayavarihaneshwara Mahadeva
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83. Bilkeshwara Mahadeva
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84. Trivishtapeshwara Mahadeva
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Transport
Ujjain is well-connected by rail, air and road. It is on the Western Railway and is connected by direct train to most major Indian cities.Ujjain has an air strip. The nearest airport is Indore Airport.
Railway Stations |
Bus Stations |
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Ujjain Junction main
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Dewas Gate(Shaheed Raja Bhau Mahakal bus stand)
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Vikram Nagar
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Nanakheda(Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay bus stand)
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Chintaman (Metre Gauge)
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Pingleshwar
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Matana Buzurg
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Mangala Devi Temple, Kagpur, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
Mangla Devi Temple is a ruined Hindu temple in the Kagpur village of Vidisha District, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is locate on the State Highway 19, 50 km from Vidisha.Architecture
The temple was constructed in the Paramara period during the 10-11th century CE. The installation of the image of Mangala Devi dates back to 1306.The temple also features images of a Nagakanya (a Nāga girl) in tribhanga mudra, another goddess in sthanak sampad mudra and three human figures in alingan. The other decorations include vines, leaf, stalked lotus and other patterns.
The temple premises have a mandapa with flat roof, supported by twelve pillars.
To Reach Vidisha
Vidisha is a railway Station on the Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai main line of the Central Railway, at a distance of 56 km from Bhopal, the State capital of the Madhya Pradesh State. Sanchi on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the Central Railway, and Vidisha, 10 km from Sanchi, are more convenient.Regular bus services connect Vidisha, Udaypur, Gyraspur, Sanchi with Bhopal. Tongas and tempos for Udayagiri and Khambha Baba are also available from Vidisha. Gyaraspur has wonderful monuments like Maladevi and Hathkhambha. This place is more or less having temples like khajuraho but underexplored, gyaraspur can be visited by one day trip from vidisha.
Ram Raja Temple, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
The Ram Raja Temple is a temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and receives devotees in large numbers regularly. The annual domestic tourist number around 650,000 and the foreign tourist number around 25,000. The daily number of visitors to the temple range from 1500 to 3000 and on certain important Hindu festivals like the Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivratri, Ram navami, Kartik Purnima and Vivaha Panchami the number of devotees who throng to Orchha range in thousands. In Orchha, as well as the whole country, this is the only temple where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king and that also in a palace. A Guard of Honour is held everyday, police personnel have been designated as Guards at the temple, much in the manner of a king. The food and other amenities provided to the deity at the temple are a royal repast. Armed salutation is provided to Lord Ram everyday. Even today the very first invitation card of any Hindu wedding in the region is sent to Raja Ram.In the temple Raja Ram is accompanied by Mata Sita (on the left), brother Laxman (on the right), Maharaj Sugreev and Narsingh Bhagwan (on the right). Durga Maa is also present in the darbaar on the right side. Hanumaan ji and Jamwant ji are praying just below Maata Sita. The specialty of this temple is that Lord Ram has a sword in his right hand and a shield in the other. Shri Ram is sitting in Padmasan, with the left leg crossed on to the right thigh.
History
The story of Ram Raja Temple according to many local people goes like this: The King of Orchha King Madhukar Shah Ju Dev (1554 to 1592) (मधुकर शाह जू देव) was a devotee of Banke Bhihari (Lord Krishna) of Brindavan while his wife Ganesh Kunwari (गणेश कुंवरि), also called Kamla Devi, was a devotee of Lord Ram. One day the King and the Queen (गणेश कुंवरि) went to Lord Krishna’s temple but the temple had closed by that time, the queen urged the king to go back but the king wanted to stay back. So both the king and queen decided to stayed back. They join a group of devotees who singing and dancing in the praise of lord Krishna outside the temple. The king and queen also immersed in the prayers and started to sing and dance. It is foretold that Lord Krishna and Radha personified and danced with them, golden flowers got showered from the heavens at that moment.After that incident King asked the Queen to accompany him to Braj-Mathura the land of lord Krishna, but the queen wanted to go Ayodhya because it was the Lord Ram’s child form that lived in queens heart. The king got annoyed and told the queen to stop praying child form of lord Ram and accompany him to Braj. But the queen was adamant, after which the king said that “you keep praying to Ram but Ram never appears in front of us unlike lord Krishna who danced with us along with Radha the other day. If you are so adamant to go to Ayodya then go, but return only when you have the child form of Ram with you. Only then I will accept your true devotion.” The queen took a vow that she will go to Ayodya and return with child form of Ram else she will drown herself in Ayodya’s Sarayu river. The queen left the palace and started the long journey to Ayodhya (Rama's birthplace) on foot to bring Lord Ram with her to Orchha. She didn’t tell the King before leaving but she ordered her servants to start building a temple (Chaturbhuj Temple) when she brings Lord Ram with her
After reaching Ayodhya the Queen started praying to Lord Ram close to Laxman Fort near Sarayu river. The queen started praying in an austere way, she gave up food and observed fruits only fast, then she gave up fruits also and ate only leaves, and then eventually she gave up all food. The queen fasted and prayed for about a month but Lord Ram did not appear, so eventually in despair the queen jumped in Sarayu river at mid night. Just then something magical happened, Lord Ram appeared in child form in Queen’s lap.
The queen was ecstatic and began to cry. Lord Ram told the queen that he was happy with her prayers and she could ask for a boon, at which the queen asked Ram to come with her in child form to Orchha. Ram agreed to go but he put forth three conditions: 1. “I will travel only in Pukh Nakshatra, when Pukh Nakshatra will end I will stop and resume only when Pukh Nakshtra sets in again. In this manner I will travel from Ayodhya to Orchha on foot along with a group of sages." 2. "Once I reach Orchha, I will be the King of Orchha and not you and your husband", 3. “(Since child form of Ram would travel in Queen’s lap) the first place where you seat me will be my final place of stay and will be famous by the name of Ramraj". The Queen agreed and started her journey to Orchha with baby Ram in her lap. Since the queen traveled only in Pukh Nakshtra it took 8 months and 27 days for the queen to reach Orchha from Ayodhya on foot (between 1574 to 1575). King Madhukar Shah meanwhile had a dream where Lord Banke Bihari scolded him on discriminating between Lord Ram and himself. Lord Banke Bihari reminded the King that Lord Ram and he are one and the same, there is no difference. King was very apologetic when he woke up and found out that the queen was returning from Ayodhya. The King went to receiver the queen with horses, elephants, servants, food, etc. and apologized to the queen. The queen did not accept king’s apology and refused the comforts offered to her by the King. The Queen claimed that she now possessed everything one could ever ask for (Lord Ram in child form). On returning back to Orchha the queen went back to her palace with baby Ram and retired in her room for the night, only to take Lord Ram to the Chaturbhuj temple the next day. But according to Lord Ram’s conditions he took the first place where he was seated hence Lord Ram transformed into an idol and got transfixed in the queens palace itself. To this day the Ram Raja Temple is in the queens palace (Ranibas or Rani Mahal) and not in the Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha) which is right next to the palace Additionally as promised by the queen Lord Ram is the King (Raja) of Orchha, hence the name Ram Raja Temple.
Darshan of Lord Ram’s left foot’s thumb
Shri Ram is sitting in Padmasan (Lotus position), with only left leg crossed on to the right thigh though (both legs are not crossed unlike in the usual Padmasan). Every day after worship sandalwood’s teeka is applied on Lord Ram’s left’s thumb. It is believed when visiting the Raja Ram Darbaar if worshippers look at the left foots thumb then their wish gets fulfilled. Spotting the left foots thumb on Lord Ram’s idol is not easy, one should not look down since the left leg is folded, instead one should look close to Lord Ram’s right hand. The temple priest can also help in spotting the thumb.Important Events at the temple
1. Rama Navami:
This festival is celebrated Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra
in the Hindu calendar. During this time Lord Ram's
idol is moved from inside the temple (गर्भगृह) to a throne in the verenda. Ramnavami is Lord Ram's
Nativity, Ram's birth exhibit is displayed during this time and people from all
over come to witness this event at the temple.
2. Ganga Dussehra
3. Rath Yatra
4. Sawan Teej
5. Rahesya Pooranmashi
6. Vivha Panchami
7. Ganesh Kunwari Jayanti
8. Holika Festival
9. Lord Ram's Wedding
Transport
Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 80 km from Tikamgarh & 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. Orchha also lies close to another popular tourist destination, Khajuraho.
Taxakeshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Taxakeshawar or Takhaji is a place of religious and historical importance in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. It is situated at a distance of 22 km from Bhanpura town on Hinglajgarh road Bhanpura is 127 km from Mandsaur in north-east direction.This is the site of serpent king taxak, where he is worshiped as Taxakeshawar but the local people call him Takhaji. Curiously enough he shares the worship of the country folk with Dhanvantri, the Indian Aesculapius The shrine in question stands on a most romantic spot from village Navali situated on the table land at the foot of which Bhanpura lies.
There is a grand natural water pool full of many varieties of fish. The source of water in it is a hot water spring which falls from a height of about 200 feet. The river Takhali at a distance of about 10 km from Chambal River that flows to Jhalawar in Rajasthan falls into this water pool and forms the water fall.
This place is probably the only site having a temple and a statue of nagaraja Taxak. Statue of Taxaka is shown with seven serpent hoods protecting from above. In one hand of Taxaka is shown a human head. On one side is shown his wife and his son on other side. The period of installing this statue is estimated to be 12th century A fair is organized on every purnima of baisakh month of Hindu Calendar.
In front of the statue of Taxaka is installed the statue of Dhanvantari. The main temple has also the statue of Shiva, considered as swami of Taxaka.
Mythological legend
There is puranic mythological legend heard about nagaraja Taxaka and Dhanavantari in this part of Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh. Emperor Janamejaya ascended to the throne of Hastinapura upon the death of his father Parikshit. According to legend, Parikshit, the lone descendant of the House of Pandu, had died of snakebite. He had been cursed by a sage to die so, the curse having been consummated by the serpent-chieftain Takshak. Janamejaya bore a deep grudge against the serpents for this act, and thus decided to wipe them out altogether. He attempted this by performing a great Sarpa satra - a sacrifice at Nagda that would destroy all living serpents. All the nagas had been destroyed in this nagayagya except Taxaka, who is believed to have obtained boon from Lord Vishnu. Local tradition goes that Taxaka resides here in this place.On the other hand Dhanavantari along with his followers and medicines was going to save Parikshit. The Taxaka naga with the help of illusive powers took the form of wood-stick of chandan tree. When Dhanavantari took this wood-stick on his shoulder, the Taxaka bite him on back and Dhanvantari died. The local people believe that Dhanvantari stays here since that time as god of herbs and medicines. The local vaidyas first worship Dhanavantari here and then collect medicinal herbs for treatment.
Tigawa, Madhya Pradesh
Tigawa (or Tigowa) is a village in Madhya Pradesh with a complex of temple remains , near Bahuriband, Jabalpur. The well known Gupta period known as Kankali Devi temple is well preserved.The Kankali Devi Temple, often refrred to as the Tigawa temple, has a sanctum and an open portico supported on four pillars. The portico was covered with walls containing panels during a later period. It is covered with a flat roof. It is one of the few Gupta period temples that have survived It is very similar to the Gupta period temple at Sanchi.
An image of Narasimha is placed inside the sanctum. The portico has an image of the Sheshashai Vishnu and another one of Chamunda (Kankali Devi). Attached to the temple is a large unusual Buddha-like image with snakes on the top.
An eighth century CE inscription metions the visit of a Umadeva of Kanyakubja, son of Samanya Bhatta, who had come to worship at the temple of Setabhadra There are also two inscriptions in Sankha Lipi
Transportation to Jabalpur
Airlines
The Jabalpur Airport (JLR),also known as Dumna Airport,is about 20 km from the city centre,airport is of category 6 and has night landing facility along with modern air terminal & air-taxi parking.The airport has been operating services by Air India, Kingfisher airlince SpiceJet, Venctura aircannact. Daily flights are operated for New Delhi,Mumbai,Bhopal,Indore A direct flight to Mumbai and New Delhi was launched by SpiceJet . in 7 September 2012Road
Jabalpur is connected by road to Varanasi, Nagpur, Bhopal, Jaipur, Raipur, Allahabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore. Longest National Highway no.7 and National Highway no.12 run through the city. Consistent efforts are made by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and NHAI to keep roads in good condition. Many roads are being converted into four lane highways.Comfortable bus services is available for cities in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh.It has direct bus service to Indore, Nagpur, Bhopal,Varanasi, Raipur, Bilaspur, Gondiya, Wardha, Durg, Akola, Bhilai, Amravati, Chandrapur,Allahabad. For these cities Luxury/Sleeper/Air conditioned bus are available at good frequencies. Both MPSRTC and Private buses provide most bus service.All types of buses like Seating, sleeper and Volvo bus service are available for major cities.
Railways
Jabalpur is the headquarters of West Central Railways and has direct rail connection to important cities like Mumbai, NewDelhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur, Surat, Pune, Patna, Ludhiana, Jammu,Vasco-Da-Gama, Coimbatore, Bhopal, Indore, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Kanpur,Vadodara, Bhubhaneshwar, Lucknow, Puri, Raipur, etc.. Work to convert Gondia-Nainpur-Jabalpur narrow gauge to broad gauge has been started under Project Unigauge. This will provide new options to reach areas of Southern India. Jabalpur is also the last station of Indian Railways train number 1, The Satpura Express now re-numbered as Train No 10001 after new 5 digit numbering system. Apart from Jabalpur Main Station, Jabalpur city also has the Madan Mahal Station which generally caters to passengers from the inner part of the city and the Kachhpura goods shed which is used for transporting large goods and iron ore to port cities.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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