Holy Pilgrimage –Some of the Shiva Temples in India -2 at 5:40 PM

Holy Pilgrimage – Some of the Shiva Temples in India

Champakesvara Siva Temple, Odhisha

 

Champakesvara Siva Temple is located Ambika Sahi in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar. It is 157 metres west of Parasuramesvara on the right side of the Kotitirthesvara lane leading to Bindu sagara. It is a laterite temple. Local people believe that the enshrined Siva lingam is patalaphuta and the precinct is the abode of nagas(champa naga) after whom the deity is named as Champakesvara. The local people also believe that the temple precinct which is a den for the snakes do not harm any body.

 

The Temple

The temple dates back to 13th century A.D. The temple has a lot of significance in the past as well as today. It was of significance during the Ganga period. Sivaratri, Jalasayi, Rudrabhiseka, Sankranti are observed in this temple. Thread ceremony, birth day and marriage engagements are also carried out here. The temple is inside a laterite compound wall, which is surrounded by residential buildings on the northern side, Visvanatha temple in the southern side, Kotitirthesvara tank in the eastern side and the lane in the northern and western sides.

Architectural features

The temple has a vimana and a jagamohana measuring 11.05 metres in length and 6.00 metres in width. The temple is pancharatha. The vimana, jagamohana and antarala are 4.50 square metres, 6.00 square metres and 0.55 metres respectively. The vimana is rekha in order where as the jagamohana is apidha deul. It is a panchangabada temple consisting of pabhaga, tala jangha, bandhana, upara jangha and baranda, which measures 0.75 metres, 0.75 metres, 0.17 metres, 0.72 meters, and 0.82 metres respectively. The sanctum is 0.90 metres below the present ground level. Pabhaga has five base mouldings of khura, kumbha, pata, kani and basanta. The baranda has also five mouldings .The pabhaga of jagamohana measures 0.70 metres with four mouldings. The entire structure above pabhaga is a later renovation. The gandi of the main temple measures 5.81 metres above the baranda mouldings. The mastaka measures 2.00 metres with components like beki, amlaka, khapuri and kalasa. The temple precint is surrounded by a compound wall made of laterite with an entrance in the northern side. The compound measures 30.50 metres in length, 15.80 meters in breadth and 1.35 metres in height.

Special features

Laterite temple, which was originally a panchayatana precinct as evident from the ruins of shrines in the western corners of the precinct. In one of these subsidiary shrines, there is a four armed broken image of Kartika in standing position. The lower left arm is broken and the upper left arm rests over a cock, which is upheld by a diminutive woman. There is an ancient well in front of the temple, which measures 1.30 metres square with a depth of 5.25 metres.

 

 Chitti Gatti

 

 

Chitti Gatti is a village in Inayatabad union council, of Mansehra area, of Hazara, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Since early times, it is especially notable for two Hindu festivals which occur on 6th Phagan and on 1st Baisakh, as mentioned by an early Settlement Report;, dedicated to the worship of the deity Shiva. The present old Shiva Temple here on this site, which has been recently restored, was originally constructed by a Raja of Jammu in the 1830s although, according to the latest archaeological research, there were probably earlier Hindu temples on this same site, and the ancient Shiva Lingam (or Ling) inside the temple's precincts is truly ancient and at least 2000 years old. The temple and Lingam still attract many Hindu pilgrims and tourists each year, especially at the time of the annual Maha Shivratri festival.

 

 

Dhyanalinga, Tamilnadu

 

The Dhyanalinga is a Yogic temple located 30 km (19 mi) from Coimbatore, India. The temple was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a yogi and mystic. The temple is consecrated using prana prathista and is dedicated for meditation. Silence is maintained inside the temple. Dhyana in the Sanskrit language, means meditation and linga means form. Dhyanalinga is claimed by the owners of the temple to be a powerful and unique energy form created from the distilled essence of yogic sciences and the first of its kind to be completed in over 2,000 years. The Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple offers a meditative space that does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system

 

Architecture

 

A large ellipsoidal dome covers the sanctum sanctorum. The dome was constructed using only bricks and cement stabilized mud mortar without, steel or concrete.
The dome is 76 ft (23.2 m) in diameter and 33 ft (10.1 m) in height. The lingam is 13 ft (4 m) in height made of high density black granite.

 

The Sarva Dharma Sthamba, located at the front entrance, functions as an icon of singularity, with the sculptural reliefs and symbols of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Shinto inscribed as a universal welcome.

Theerthakund

A subterranean tank located 35 ft (10.7 m) below holds a lingam immersed in water. Followers claim that the lingam is made of solidified and 99.8% purified mercury. The mercury is said to have been solidified at room temperature. Mercury has a Freezing point of −38.83°C at atmospheric pressure, but ancient Indian alchemy claims to have techniques to do so. These methods are said to have been used by yogis to solidify the lingam at room temperature, eople can take a dip in this water before they go to the Dhyanalinga temple. A semi-circular brick vault covers this tank, the inner sides of which have murals in pure natural dyes with its theme depicting a Maha Kumbha Mela scene.

Events

Nadha Aradhana

An offering of sound to the Dhyanalinga, an etheric blend of vocals, singing bowls, drums and various other instruments amplified within the reverberating dome, transports one into the timeless space. This enhances one’s receptivity to the energies of Dhyanalinga.

Aumkar Meditation

Visitors coming to the Dhyanalinga, can further their experience by attending this daily initiation to the universal and powerful mantra "AUM." This meditation is known to have transcendental qualities. Meditation can bring peace and balance to the one’s system, and is known to relieve people from numerous physical and mental ailments when practiced regularly.

The Dhyanalinga offers a unique set of activities throughout the year aimed at creating and promoting universal values and religious harmony. Daily activities include non-lyrical chants, offered by a talented group of singers, originating from various countries and cultures. These chants allow one to become more receptive to the meditative quality of the space. The focal point of Isha Yoga Center, the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple is rapidly gaining in its global reputation as being one of the most sought out places for meditation

 

 

Emerald Statues, Tamilnadu

 

Emerald Statue is a kind of statue. Siva Lingam is one such statue. Emerald Siva Lingams are established in many Hindu Temples in Tamil nadu

 

Properties of Emerald

Emerald (Tamil:(மரகதம்)is a variety of the mineral beryl (Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium The hardness of Beryl is 7.5–8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of mineral hardness. he toughness (resistance to breakage)of Emerald is classified as generally poor, hence most emeralds are highly included

Gemstone

Emerald is a green gemstone. Emerald means the shade of green color. Because of its green color, the term Emerald is employed. Emerald is also associated with the eighth planet Mercury in the Solar System. Lord Budha (Devanagari: बुध ) (Tamil: புதன்) is considered as the god of the planet Mercury. According to Hindu mythology Lord Budha is considered as one among the nine Navagrahas. He represents green color and gemstone emerald. He is also the god of merchandise and protector of merchants. He is of Rajas Guna and represents Communication. as well as the Navagraha.

Religious Properties

Puranas recommend to worship the gemstone represented by Lord Budha in the form of Siva Lingam. he kings and emperors considered that the statues carved using emerald stones have divine power. They also considered that the emerald stone is free from faults (doshas). Worshiping Lord Siva in the form of emerald Lingam will remove all miseries and sins (doshas) and will also bring prosperity, improve health, enhance learning (education) and may give chance to have acquaintance with king or the ruler.

Saptha vitanga Shrines

It is learned that the Chola emperor Musukuntha (12th Century) got seven emerald Siva Lingams from Lord Indra, the King of the Gods, God of Weather and War. (Devanagari: इन्द्र or इंद्र),(Tamil:இந்திரன் என்ற தேவேந்திரன்). Lord Indra was worshiping these seven emerald Siva Lingams. The emperor never wanted to worship the icon for himself and felt that it was appropriate to install these icons for the worship of his subjects (the common people). Accordingly he made arrangements to install them in seven important Siva Temples located at Nagapattinam, Thirukaravasal, Thirukuvalai, Thirunallar and Thiruvaymur]].
The milk consecration over the Saptha vitanga Thyaga shrines have medicinal properties. Similarly the sandal paste applied around the emerald Siva Lingams have high amount of medicinal properties.

Thiru Idaisuram

Thiru Idaisuram (also called as Thiruvadi Soolam) is the temple devoted to Lord Siva. It is located between Chengalpattu and Thiruporur and placed about 7 k.m away from Chengalpattu. At this shrine Lord Siva menifested himself as emerald Siva Lingam. The transparent icon reflects the bright greenish colored light when arathi shown before the Lord. The icon was found within the ant mount and the gooddess brought out the idol by pouring the milk over the ant mount.

Sirukarumpur Kamatchi Sametha Thiripuranthaka Esvarar Temple

The emerald Siva Lingam at Sirukarumpur, near Kaveripakkam, Vellore District, Tamil nadu is around one thousand years old. It is learned that this idol was stolen.

Maruthasaleswarar Temple, Thiru Engoimalai

The emerald Siva Lingam at Maruthasaleswarar Temple, Thiru Engoimalai, near Musiri, Trichy District appears more greenish and it is also considered as one of the antique valued idol.

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Najankoot, Mysore

At Nanjundeswarar Temple, Najankoot, Mysore the then Muslim Mysore ruler Tipu Sulthan has installed one emerald Siva Lingam.

Mangaleswari Sametha Mangalanatha Swami Temple, Uthirakosamangai

At Mangaleswari Sametha Mangalanatha Swami Temple, Uthirakosamangai, there is world fame Lord Nataraja idol. Lord Nataraja appears in a separate shrine. The idol is about 5 1/2 feet tall. This temple is located near Ramanathapuram town in Tamil nadu. This idol will be covered with sandal paste on all days except the annual Thiruvathirai star day on which the Arudra festival (December month) falls. On this day alone the idol is consecrated and covered again with sandal paste. This temple also possess one emerald Siva Lingam and one Spatika Lingam. Both these idols consecrated daily except on annual Thiruvathirai star day. The reason for covering the idol with sand paste is that the idol has fragile properties and may not bear sound and light waves. The sandal paste removed from the idol is distributed to the devotees.

Siruvapuri Balasubramania Swamy Temple

Siruvapuri Balasubramania Swamy Temple is located on the north western side of Chennai city and is lying 33 k.m. away from Chennai. The visitor needs to take diversion from Chennai Kalkotta National Highway. The except the idols of Lord Balasubramaiya Swamy, Aadhimoolar and Navagrahams, all the other idols are carved out of emerald stone. The beautiful emerald peacock appears near flag post. On the south west corner the emerald Sun god is located. Similarly on the eastern side there is one emerald Vinayaka idol (Lord Rajaganapathy). On the southern side there is one emerald Annamalai (Lord Siva) idol. No such shrine has this many emerald idols in South India. The idols are huge in size and shining

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )