Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in Uttara Pradesh State -8

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Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in  Uttara Pradesh State






Belon Temple, Narora, Uttar Pradesh

 

Belon Temple is situated in Belon village near the town of Narora in Bulandshehar Dt, Uttar Pradesh, India and around 60 kilometers from the industrial city of Aligarh.
Narora is located on the banks of river Ganges, in district Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh. A nuclear power plant is located in its vicinity.
The temple is devoted to Sarva Mangala Devi, the goddess of all wellbeing. A visit to the temple is believed to bring happiness in all aspects of one's life. Pilgrims come from many parts of Uttar Pradesh, the heart of northern India, to catch a glimpse of mother goddess, to recite prayers and to leave offerings.
There are many Pandasa(Hindu pujaris) like-Panda Saurabh Bhardwaj etc.

Places of interest

Narora has several bathing locations or steps (Ghats) for holy dip in the Ganges. The view from Narora Dam is very scenic. The modern residential colony of the staff of Narora Atomic Power Plant, (NAPS), is just near the dam. Its statue and parks are also worth a visit  The nearest railway station is Rajghat Narora which is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Narora. The nearest bus station is 500 metres (1,600 ft) from Narora. For holy dip in the Ganges several ghats are Rajghat, Karnvaas, Narvar, Kalakatti, Ramghat etc. Dolphins are seen between a 160 kilometres (99 mi) stretch in the upper part of the Ganges between Bijnor and Narora Barrage. At Narvar, situated back side of NAPS colony, there is Sanskrit college named Sangved Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya.

Transportation to Aligarh

 

Aligarh is well-connected to other cities. The Grand Trunk Road, passes through Aligarh on its way to Bengal.
The two main bus terminals are the Masoodabad Bus Terminal and Gandhi Park Bus Terminal. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses serve cities all over the state and cities in Uttranchal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Aligarh Junction is the primary railway station for Aligarh city and is a major stop on the Delhi-Kolkata route. It connects Aligarh to the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, north-east and most of Uttar Pradesh, and important cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gwalior, Lucknow, Jhansi, Puri, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi and Jaipur. The station runs about 70 Mail/ Express/ E.M.U Trains daily. A third railway line between Aligarh and Ghaziabad has development. The 106.15-km line cost Rs 400 crore.
City buses, tempos and rickshaw are convenient commuting options.
An international airport has been approved by the Government in Bldev (Mathura) about 70 km from the city centre.

Bhitargaon Temple, Uttar Pradesh

The Bhitargaon Temple  is situated at Bhaitargaon in Kanpur Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh.

The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. Built in the 6th century during the Gupta Empire, it is the oldest remaining Hindu shrine with a roof and a high Sikhara, though its upper chamber did sustain some damage in the 18th century.

 The temple is an astonishing structure of diminishing tiers, raised on a high terrace. The temple has a central offset on three sides and there is an anteroom, which is connected by an oblong passage. The sanctum resembles tri-ratha.
The ceilings of the sanctum and the anteroom represent domical vaults and the entrance steps are covered by wagon-vault. The walls are decorated with large sculptured niches, placed between ornamental pilasters and surmounted by terracotta bands between two prominent cornices. The sculptures on the walls depict various divinities, myths and stories. It is also decorated with figures of animals, birds and beasts.

 

Bhitargaon is a historic town situated on the Ghatampur-Sarh Road, in Ghatampur Taluk, Uttar Pradesh. 
It is about 59 km from Kanpur.

 

Gorakshanath

Gorakshanath (also known as Gorakhnath) was an 11th to 12th century  Hindu Nath yogi, connected to Shaivism as one of the two most important disciples of Matsyendranath, the other being Caurangi.

 

Biography

Traditionally, Guru Gorakshanath is believed to have been born sometime in the 8th century, although some believe he was born hundreds of years later. He traveled widely across the Indian subcontinent, and accounts about him are found in some form in several places including Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Punjab, Sindh, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, Assam, Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and even Sri Lanka.

Nath Sampradaya

There are varying records of the spiritual descent of Gorakshanath. All name Adinath and Matsyendranath as two teachers preceding him in the succession. Though one account lists five gurus preceding Adinath and another lists six teachers between Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath, current tradition has Adinath identified with Lord Shiva as the direct teacher of Matsyendranath, who was himself the direct teacher of Gorakshanath.
The Nath tradition underwent its greatest expansion during the time of Gorakshanath. He produced a number of writings and even today is considered the greatest of the Naths. It has been purported that Gorakshanath wrote the first books on Laya yoga. In India there are many caves, many with temples built over them, where it is said that Gorakshanath spent time in meditation. According to Bhagawan Nityananda, the samadhi shrine (tomb) of Gorakshanath is at Nath Mandir near the Vajreshwari temple about one kilometer from Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India.  According to legends Gorakshanath and Matsyendranath did penance in Kadri Temple at Mangalore, Karnataka.They are also instrumental in laying Shivlingam at Kadri and Dharmasthala.
The temple of Gorakhnath is also on hill named Majarsubha near Pandharichapool about 9 km taluka Nevasa Dist Ahmednager Called Gorakhnath Gad

Legends

One legend states that Guru Gorakshanath, the "eternal sage" traditionally associated with Hatha Yoga, has been around for thousands of years watching the welfare of humanity. Other legends ascribe different stories to his birth and the period of his worldly existence, and they vary greatly. The Nath Rahasya, which literally translates as "the mystery of the masters", recounts the birth, work, and death of nine such Naths (masters); and Guru Gorakshanath was the ninth Nath, preceded by his Guru, the eighth Nath, namely, Matsyendranath.

Influence

Gurkhas

The Gurkhas of Nepal take their name from this saint. Gorkha, a historical district of Nepal, is named after him because it was the place where he appeared for first time in this universe. There is a cave with his paduka (footprints) and an idol of him. Every year on the day of Baisakh Purnima there is a great celebration in Gorkha at his cave, called Rot Mahotsav; it has been celebrated for the last seven years. Gorakhpur, the district headquarters of Gorakhpur District, is believed to derive its name from Guru Gorakhnath.

In Tamil Siddhar tradition

Korakka Siddhar (தமிழ்: கோரக்கர்) (Devanagari: गोरख्खर्) is one among the 18 Siddhars and also known as Goraknath amongst Navanathar. Agattiyar and Bogar were his gurus. His Jeeva samadhi temple is in Vadukupoigainallur of Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. According to one account, he spent a portion of his growing-up years in the Velliangiri Mountains in Coimbatore.
Other sanctums related with Korakkar are Perur, Thiruchendur and Triconamalli. Korakkar caves are found in Chaturagiri and Kolli Hills. Like other siddhas, Korakkar has written songs on Medicine, Philosophy, and Alchemy.
Another important aspect of Korakkar was that he was given the duty of safeguarding the secrets of Alchemy. This authority was said to be given by his guru Agathiyar. It was said that a student of Alchemy must worship Korakkar first and seek his grace if he was to excel in the field of Alchemy.

Works

Romola Butalia, an Indian writer of Yoga history, lists the works attributed to Gorakshanath as follows: "Guru Gorakhnath is thought to have authored several books including the Goraksha Samhita, Goraksha Gita, Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, Yoga Martanada, Yoga Siddhanta Paddhati, Yoga-Bija, Yoga Chintamani. He is believed to be the founder of the Nath Sampradaya and it is stated that the nine Naths and 84 Siddhas are all human forms created as yogic manifestations to spread the message of yoga and meditation to the world. It is they who reveal samadhi to mankind."

Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati

The Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati is a very early extant Hatha Yoga Sanskrit text attributed to Gorakshanath by the indigenous tradition which describes the Avadhuta, as Feuerstein (1991: p. 105) relates:
"One of the earliest hatha yoga scriptures, the Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, contains many verses that describe the avadhuta. One stanza (VI.20) in particular refers to his chameleon-like capacity to animate any character or role. At times, it is said, he behaves like a worldling or even a king, at other times like an ascetic or naked renuncia

 

Matsyendranath

 

Matsyendranatha (Assamese: মৎস্যেন্দ্রনাথ, Sanskrit: मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ, Bengali: মৎস্যেন্দ্রনাথ) or Machindranath (9th-10th century) was one of the eighty-four Mahasiddhas. He was the guru of Gorakshanath, with whom he founded the school of Hatha yoga. He is considered as the author of the Kaulajñānanirṇaya ("Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition"), one of the earliest texts on Hatha Yoga in Sanskrit. He is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.  Machindranath is believed to be the founder of the Natha Pantha. Machindranath is called "Vishwayogi" because his teachings are universal.  

 

Birth

According to the popular belief, Swami Machhindranath was created from a fish. But the fact is that neither was he created from a fish nor was he born from a womans' womb because Lord Shiva wanted to create him from absolute purity and absolute purity can be found in the five elements of life: fire, water, sky, earth and air. Lord Shiva took a certain percentage from each of the 5 elements and created Swami Machhindranath and gave Him a human form. Another reason why he created Swamiji from the 5 elements was because Lord Shiva wanted his creation to be more powerful than Lord Brahma (one of the gods of the Hindu trinity) . Since Swamiji was created from the 5 elements he is indestructible. After creating Swamiji Lord Shiva gave him all his knowledge, thoughts, philosophies. Swamiji is a Sanyasi in the true sense because apart from being born out of purity he was endowed with pure qualities like 'Tyag' or 'Sacrifice'. 'Bhakti and Shraddha', 'Gyan or Knowledge', 'Yog and Rishimayta'.
He was popularly known as Minanatha and was an inhabitant of either Chandradwip (Barisal) or sandwip in Bengal.

Spiritual Seats

Disciples

Machindranath Temples

  • Toyu (white) Machindranath temple in Kathmandu.
  • Macchendranath Guru Peeth in Sri Guru Parashakthi Kshethra, Madyar, Mangalore.
  • Hyangu (red) Machindranath temple in Patan
  • Vishwayogi Swami Machindranath Mandir, Mitmita, Aurangabad  
  • The samadhi place of Machindranath is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
  • Mayamba Temple (Garbhagiri Pravat as mentioned in Navnath Grantha) at Shri Kshetra Machindranath Devasthan at Sawargaon, Tal: Ashti, District: Beed.
  • Machhindra Nath Mandir, Inside Ambagate, Amravati.

Popular culture

There are a few films about this legend in Indian cinema.

 

Gorakhnath Math, Gorakhpur

The Gorakhnath Math (Gorakhnath Mutt) is a Hindu monastic group in the Nath tradition. The name Gorakhnath derives from the medieval saint, Gorakshanath (ca. 11th c.), a famous yogi who travelled widely across India and authored a number of texts that form part of the canon of the Nath sampradaya (community). The Nath tradition was founded by Matsyendranath.

 

History

The district Gorakhpur takes its name and fame from renowned, ascetic 'Gorakshnath', who was an eminent profounder saint of 'Nath Sampradaya'. A famous shrine 'Gorakhnath' was built in his honour on the same spot where he practised austerities.
The ancient Gorakhpur, in addition to modern, comprised the districts of KUSHINAGAR, Basti, Deoria, Azamgarh and parts of Nepal tarai. These region, which may be called as Gorakhpur Janpad, had been an important centre of Aryan culture and civilization.
Gorakhpur was a part of the famous kingdom of Koshal, one of sixteen mahajanpadas in 6th Century B.C. The earliest known monarch ruling over this region with his capital at Ayodhya was IKSVAKU, who founded the solar dynasty of Kshatriya. It produced a number of illustratious kings till the accession of Ram, who was the greatest ruler of this dynasty. Since then, it remained an integral part of the erstwhile empires of Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Harsha dynasties.
Lord Gorakhnath resurrects if we chant his name may be along with his wife.
DHARM RAKSHTI RAKSHTAH. SHREE GORAKHNATHO VIJAYTET RAM. YATO DHARMASTATO JAYAH.

Religious activity

Today's Gorakhnath Math, centered at [Gorakhpur] in eastern Uttar Pradesh (also eponymous from the saint), is a religious institution that runs two Gorakhnath temples, one in Nepal in the district of Gorkha (another word believed to be derived from Baba Gorakhnath), and the other a little south of Gorakhpur. The temple at Gorakhpur is said to contain the samadhi shrine (tomb) and gaddi (prayer seat) of Gorakshanath. These temples constitute the centre of most of the Hindu religious activity in this region.
Thousands of devotees throng these temples on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, when they offer Khichdi to Gorakshanath Baba. The King of Nepal also occasionally visits one of these temples during this festival.
The Gorakhnath Math has a significant following in eastern Uttar Pradesh and the terai regions of Nepal, and also among wider circles across the Nath groups. The monastic order, according to the principles of the saint Gorakhnath, does not follow caste conventions as in other Hindu religious groups. Thus, non-Brahmins may serve as priests.
The present mahant or chief priest is Avaidyanath. He appointed his successor Yogi Adityanath, who established himself as hero of Hindu renaissance.
It is widely believed that those who chant ShriGorakhnath Chalisa 12 times they are blessed with a miracle jyoti.

Political activity

The Gorakhnath Math has been involved in political matters for decades. Avaidyanath had earlier been a leader of the rightist party, the Hindu Mahasabha, and had served in Parliament from Gorakhpur for four terms. Yogi Adityanath has been active in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and has moulded the Hindu forces in the region by a combination of alliances cutting across caste lines, and by raising demands for better economic livelihood.
Adityanath has been the Member of Parliament (MP) from the Gorakhpur (Lok Sabha Constituency) since 1998, and has emerged as a major power center in Uttar Pradesh. He founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini (Hindu Youth Force). The group has also been involved in much communally sensitive activity, including the Mau riots  of October 2005 and the Gorakhpur riots  of January 2007. The region was earlier known for its strong Hindu-Muslim ties; there were no riots here even after Babri Masjid

 

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh

Gorakhpur is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, near the border with Nepal. It is the administrative headquarters of Gorakhpur District and Gorakhpur Division. The city is also home to many historic Buddhist sites, Imambara, an 18th century dargah, and the Gita Press, a publisher of Hindu religious texts. It is also the headquarter of North Eastern Railways. Gorakhnath Temple here has been a major site of attraction for the pilgrims. The famous Gita Press which publishes Hindu religious texts is located in the city of Gorakhpur. Sharing a border with the prominent region of Nepal and holding the headquarters of the busy North Eastern Railways makes Gorakhpur a very active city.
Gorakhpur is considered a religious center containing many historic temples and sites. The city is rich in history of the two major religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. It is named after the ascetic Guru Gorakshnath a saint that popularized “Hath Yoga” a form of yoga which concentrates on mastering natural power. The Gorakhnath Temple where he perfected his art is a major tourist attraction in the city of Gorakhpur. The city of Gorakhpur is the birthplace of King Vikas Sankrityayan Ji along with many other great historical people.

Origin of name

The city and district of Gorakhpur are named after a renowned ascetic saint, Gorakshanath, the chief disciple of the yogi Matsyendranath. Together, Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath founded the Nath Sampradaya line of saints. Gorakhnath Temple is said to stand on the spot where Gorakshanath practiced Hatha Yoga to develop self-control.

Location

The district of Gorakhpur lies between Lat. 26°13′N and 27°29′N and Long. 83°05′E and 83°56′E. The district occupies the north-eastern corner of the state along with the district of Deoria, and comprises a large stretch of country lying to the north of the river Rapti, the deep stream of which forms its southern boundary with the Azamgarh district. On the west, the boundary marches along Basti and on the east adjoins Deoria and the Chhoti Gandak Nadi and further south the Jharna Nala forms the dividing line. To the north lies Nepal.Gorakhpur has also a lake Ramgartal Lake, which is 18 km bigger. It is bigger than Dal Lake of Kashmir which is of 15.5 km Ramgarh Taal. It is vast and provides home to various types of fishes.

Geography

It is located on the bank of river Rapti and Rohani, a Ganges tributary originating in Nepal that sometimes causes severe floods. The Rapti is interconnected through many other small rivers following meandering courses across the Gangetic Plain. Situated on the basin of rivers Rapti and Rohini the geographical shape of the Gorakhpur City is of bowl. The west of the city is guarded by cool Rapti River while the east is associated with Sal Forest, giving the divine sense of peace with cool breezes. The south is showered with the power of excellence, in shape of greenish Ramgarh Tal and north is the plinth of city's advancement. The district presents characteristics distinct from natural features of the western districts of Uttar Pradesh. This difference is due primarily to the relative proximity of the Himalayas, the outermost foothills of which are only a few kilometres from the northern borders. The peak of Dhaulagiri, some 8,230 meters above sea-level, is visible under favourable climatic conditions as far south as Gorakhpur itself.

History

Ancient

In ancient times the geographical area of Gorakhpur included the modern districts of Basti, Deoria, Kushinagar, Azamgarh. According to Vedic writings, the earliest known monarch ruling over this region with his capital at Ayodhya was Iksvaku, founder of the Solar dynasty. The solar dynasty produced a number of kings; Rama of the Ramayana is most well-known. The entire region was an important centre of Aryan culture and civilization, a part of the famous kingdoms of Koshala and Malla, two of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (states) in 6th century BCE India. The region also formed part of Aryavart and Madhyadesh
Gorakhpur is also birthplace of the king Chandra Gupta Maurya, who belonged to Mauryans, a Kshatriya clan of the ancient republic of [Pippalivana/"Piparahiyan"]located between Rummindei in the Nepali Terai and Kasia in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, who was born at Kapilvastu in Nepal, renounced his princely clothing at the confluence of the rivers Rapti and Rohini, near Gorakhpur, before setting out on his quest of truth in 600 BCE. Later he died in the courtyard of Mall King Sastipal Mall at his capital Kushinara which is now known as Kushinagar, there is a monument to this effect at Kushinagar even today. The city is also associated with the travels of Lord Buddha's contemporary Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Lord Mahavira was born at a place not very far from Gorakhpur. Later he took his mahaparinirvan at his maternal uncle's palace at Pava which is about 15 kilometers from Kushinagar(Pavapuri and Kushinara were the twin capital of Mall dynasty which was part 16 Mahajanpads of ancient India). Malla dynasty was following democratic way of governance from their Santhagara and thus Gorakhpur is also the part of ancient Gana sangha. There is a mention in the epic Mahabharata that Prince Bhim, the younger brother of King Yudhistr had visited Gorakhpur to invite saint Gorakhnath to attend his Rajsuuya Yagna.
After the Iksvaku dynasty was conquered by Magadha's Nanda Dynasty in the 4th century BC, Gorakhpur became in turn part of the Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Harsha empires. The great emperor of India Chandragupta maurya belonged to Moriyas, a Kshatriya (warrior) clan of a little ancient republic of Pippalivana located between Rummindei in the Nepali Tarai and Kasia in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
In the 10th century, the Tharu king of Mausen Madan Singh ruled over Gorakhpur city and the adjoining area. Gorakhpur was also birthplace of King Vikas Sankrityayan.

Medieval

In medieval times, the city was home to the medieval Hindu saint Gorakshanath, who gave the city its name. The date of Gorakshanath's birth has not yet been settled, but he probably lived in the twelfth century. The site of his samādhi (ecstasy) at Gorakhpur attracts a large number of pilgrims every year.

n the 12th century, the Gorakhpur region, as much of northern India, was conquered by the Muslim ruler Muhammad Ghori. The region remained under the influence of Muslim rulers, such as Qutb-ud-din Aybak and Bahadur Shah  for some centuries. In the early 16th century, the mystic poet and famous saint Kabir lived and worked in Maghar, a village 20 km from Gorakhpur, where his burial place still attracts many pilgrims.
On Akbar's reorganisation of the empire in the 16th century, Gorakhpur gave its name to one of the five Sarkars (administrative units) in the province of Awadh.
Imambara, an 18th century dargah, is located about 2 km from the railway station in Gorakhpur. Imambara is the dargah of Roshan Ali Shah, a Sufi saint. It preserves a dhuni (smoke fire), and is famous for its gold and silver Tazia  and today this seat of sufi is continue from 300 year ago.[ oday janab anan farooq ali shah (miyan sahab) is the gadinashin of imambara

 Importance of Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur has its own cultural and historical importance. It belongs to the Great Lord Buddha, founderof Buddhism, who renounced his princely costumes at the confluence of rivers Rapti & Rohini and proceeded further in the quest of truth in 600 BC.It is also associated with Lord Mahavir, 24th tirthankar, founder of Jainism.The next event of importance was the association of Gorakhpur with Gorakhnath. The date and place of his birth have not yet been finally settled, but it was probably in the twelfth century that he flourished. His samadhi at Gorakhpur attracts a large number of pilgrims every year.
he most significant event in the medieval period was the coming of mystic poet and famous saint Kabir. Born in Varanasi, his workplace was Maghar where most of his beautiful poems were composed  It was here that he gave the message to his countrymen to live in peace and religious harmony. The co-existence of 'Samadhi' and 'Makbara' at his burial place in Maghar attracts a large number of followers.Gorakhpur is also identified with the Gita Press. Gorakhpur rose to great eminence due to the historic 'CHAURI CHAURA' incident of 4th Feb., 1922, which was a turning-point in the history of India's freedom struggle. Enraged at the inhuman barbaric atrocities of the police, the volunteers burnt down the Chauri-Chaura Police Station, killing nineteen policemen at the premises. With this violence, Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement launched in 1920.

Culture

Bhojpuri movies

Gorakhpur has recently became a hub of Bhojpuri films as bhojpuri is widely spoken here due to physical proximity with state of Bihar. Many channels like Mahua Bhojpuri channel have opened their offices in the city and conduct talent hunt sessions. There is also a bhojpuri flim city opened in the city. Famous Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari contested election from Gorakhpur owing to popularity of Bhojpuri films in the city

Notable residents

Literature

Gita Press is located in Gorakhpur. It is the world's largest publishers of Hindu religious texts. The Gita Press was founded around year 1923 by Brahmalina Shri Jayadayalji Goyandka.

Geeta Vatika in gorakhpur has a temple of lord krishna.And samadhi of shri Hanuman prasad poddar.

Transport

Railways

Gorakhpur railway station is the headquarters of India's North Eastern Railway. It connects to almost every major city in India. Direct trains connect to Hyderabad, Chennai, Agra, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, and other distant parts of the nation. The station offers Class A railway station facilities. There are plans to make world's Longest Railway Platform at Gorakhpur with a stretch of around 1.35 kilometres (0.84 mi).[10] Formed on 14 April 1952 by combining two Railway systems and bifurcated into two Railway Zones on 15th Jan. 1958, the present N. E. Railway (NER), after re-organisation of Railway Zones in 2002, comprises of three Divisions - Varanasi, Lucknow & Izatnagar. NER has 3402.46 route km with 486 stations. NER primarily serves the areas of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand & western districts of Bihar.

Roadways

 
Major national highways intersect at Gorakhpur, including NH 28 and 29. Some important distances are: Kushinagar 50 km, Kanpur 359 km,Lucknow 276 km, Varanasi 231 km, Allahabad 339 km, Agra 624 km, Delhi 783 km, Kolkata 770 km, Gwalior 730 km, Bhopal 922 km and Mumbai 1690 km. Frequent bus services are available for most of these cities.Considerable improvement in this aspect is expected after the completion of the east-west corridor road project that enhances Gorakhpur's road connectivity. There are two bus station in gorakhpur One named railway bus stand which is nearest to railway station, and the other one is at Civil lines.Gorakhpur has buses to sonauli and kathmandu.

Airlines

Gorakhpur is served by an airport located 6 km east from the city centre. It caters primarily to Indian Air Force traffic. A small number of domestic airlines operate civil aviation services to Delhi, Mumbai and elsewhere. Gorakhpur is also host to many tourists who use it as a hub to travel to Lord Buddha's pilgrimage sites. Actually gorakhpur airport is INDIAN AIR FORCE base. Its main constituents are two squadrons of SPECAT Jaguar fighter planes. Gorakhpur airport is also known as kasiya airport. It mainly serves for IAF planes and some private planes to some extent.

 

 

Gita Press

The Gita Press is one of the world's largest publishers of Hindu religious texts. It is located in Gorakhpur city of India's Uttar Pradesh state. It was founded in 1923 by Jaya Dayal Goyandka for promoting the principles of Sanatana Dharma. Hanuman Prasad Poddar was the founding and the lifetime editor of its noted magazine, Kalyan.  It started publishing in 1927, with a circulation of 1,600 copies and at present its print order had reached 2.5 lakh (in 2012). The Gita Press archives contain over 3,500 manuscripts including over 100 interpretations of the Gita.
Seth Jai Dayal Goyandka, a Gita preacher set up the Gita Press on April 29, 1923, as a unit of Gobind Bhawan Karyalaya registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (presently governed by the West Bengal Societies Act, 1960). Five months later it acquired its first printing machine for Rs 600. Since its establishment, the Gita Press has published approximately 410 million copies of the Gita (in different editions) and 70.0 million copies of the Ramcharitamanas, at subsidized prices.

Publications

Magazines

  • Kalyan (in Hindi) is a monthly magazine being published since 1927. It has articles devoted to various religious topics promoting uplifting thought and good deeds. Writings by Indian saints and scholars are regularly published in the magazine.
  • Kalyana-Kalpataru (in English) is also a monthly and has been published since 1934. Its contents are similar to Kalyan.
Neither of these magazines runs any advertisements.

Religious Texts

It has a small Bhagavath Gita which costs Rs.4/- which is very popular
These texts are published in Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, English, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya and other languages of India.

Other Publications

  • Bhakta-Gathas and Bhajans
  • Small books geared towards children

Gita Press Art Gallery (Lila chitra mandir)

The Art Gallery has the lilas ( exploits ) of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna portrayed in 684 paintings by famed artists of the past and present. Other paintings, including Mewari style paintings of the Shri Krishna Lila are also on exhibit. The entire 700 verses of the Bhagvad Gita are displayed on marble plaques affixed to the walls.

Affiliated organizations

he Gita Press is part of the Govind Bhawan Karyalaya, Kolkata. Other affiliated institutions are:
  • Gita Bhavan, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh
  • Rishikul-Brahmacharya Ashram (Vedic school), Churu, Rajasthan.
  • Ayurved Sansthan (producer of Ayurvedic medicines), Rishikesh.
  • Gita Press Seva Dal (relief organization for natural calamities).
  • Hasta Nirmit Vastra Vibhag (producer of handloom made clothes).
  • Bhartiya Gramodyog Vastra Bhandar (first retailer of Gita Press in Mumbai).

Hanuman Prasad Poddar

Hanuman Prasad Poddar (1892–1971) was an author and freedom fighter of India.
Lovingly called as Bhaijee, he was a multifaceted personality. As an editor of the religious magazine 'Kalyan', he is known for his untiring efforts to propagate and disseminate Hindu religion across the world.
The Government of India issued a postage stamp in his memory in 1992.
Hanuman Prasad Poddar was born in Ratangarh in Rajasthan. He dedicated his life to make available great epics like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Upanishads translated in Hindi to the common people at affordable prices.
He started publishing and editing ‘Kalyaan’ monthly Magazine from 1927 in Hindi with a view to ‘the betterment of life and the well- being of all’ This Magazine is basically dedicated to spirituality and gives wider exposure to the various aspects of Hindu religion. ‘Kalyan’ has published special issues on all Puranas, Upanishads and on many more subjects related to Hindu culture and religion. This magazine still continues to be in publication with approximately 2,50,000 subscribers.
He also published and edited ‘Kalyaan – Kalpataru’ in English from 1934 and the book continues to be in publication.
He was also the founder of Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
He wrote many books on spiritual and value–oriented subjects in Hindi and English. His translation of some Upanishads and Puranas in Hindi and English show his command over both languages. In these translations, he has taken care of the communicability of the language to the common people without causing any compromise with their poetic and philosophical heights and depths.
He actively participated in the freedom movement against British rule in India. He was jailed for being in close contact with revolutionaries of Bengal. This proved to be a turning point in his life. After being released from the jail he started publishing and editing ‘Kalyaan’ to reach the spiritual glory and high value oriented heroic deeds of heroes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to the each Indian to feel them spiritually free and proud of their achievements in the past as a source of inspiration to fight for the freedom of India. He achieved the God(Dham of Radha-Krishna) by his spiritualness efforts. Mahatma Gandhi praised his work.

The Art Gallery (Lila Chitra Mandir)

 

The Gita Press endeavours to publish only such illustrations of God as are painted by devoted artists based on descriptions provided in ancient Scriptures or as realised by Saints. To this end, a large collection of paintings got prepared by great Indian artists are on display in the Art Gallery.

 

The Art Gallery (Lila Chitra Mandir ) depicts the Lilas of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna in 684 beautiful paintings arranged sequentially for each from birth to end. These are compositions of great artists of different times. Apart from these, a number of other paintings are on display. A set of 92 old Mewari style paintings depicting Sri Krishna Lila are commendable. The complete Gita is inscribed on marble blocks on the walls, as also about 700 couplets and verses of exalted saints.

 

In the large hall of this Art Gallery, a rare collection of various volumes of Srimad Bhagvad Gita and other ancient scriptures from the research library are exhibited on special occasions like Gita Jayanti day (the day on which Lord Krishna pronounced the Gita)

 

Gita Bhawan

Gita Bhawan is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, amidst the Himalayan mountains at Swargashram, Rishikesh. It consists of a very large complex comprising discourse halls and over 1000 rooms available free of charge for the stay of devotees. Regular discourses are organised. A large number of devotees visit and stay here for holy Ganges dip, listening to discourses and sadhana & meditation. During the summer months (end -April to early-July), day-long special Satsang programs are arranged and devotees flock in thousands to attend it.

For the convenience of the devotees, simple vegetarian food, kitchen & grocery items and Indian sweets are available at very moderate price. Other conveniences include Laxmi-Narayan Tample, free ferry boat service, Gita Press book shop, cloth shop, Ayurvedic department, etc. Saints are provided free food and cloth.

In the Ayurvedic department, medicines are prepared according to scriptures from Himalayan herbs using Ganges water. They are distributed by the free dispensary and are available for sale also.

The ancient Banyan tree within the complex deserves mention. It has been a site for penance of various saints like Swami Ramtirth. Presently, the tree and the surrounding woods on the banks of the Ganges, offer many quiet and peaceful spots for sadhana and meditation. Two well-built bathing-ghats in front of Gita Bhawan 1 and 3 provide young and old, the opportunity for a holy dip in the Ganges

 

 

Gobind Bhawan Karyalaya, Kolkata

 

Gobind Bhawan Karyalaya, 151 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata, is registered since 1928 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (presently governed by the West Bengal Societies Act, 1960). Its different departments are Gita Press, Gita Bhawan, Vedic School, Seva Dal, Aushadhalaya, etc.

The main objects of the Society are briefly as under -
  • To promote and spread the principles of Hindu Religion amongst the general public.
  • To help the distressed and the poor.
  • To impart Hindu religious education.
  • And other work required for these purposes.
In the large auditorium of Gobind Bhawan, regular programs and discussions on the Gita are conducted by the Gita Committee. The Param Seva Samiti organises round the clock chanting of God's name to seriously ill people who wish to listen. Holy Ganges water is also available for such people.

The society runs free Ayurvedic dispensaries at its various branches. Ayurvedic medicines are also sold at these locations. At reasonable prices, pure, fat-free articles of daily use (like cloth, soap, ghee, etc.) are available for sale

 

 

 

Vedic School, Rishikul - Brahmacharya Ashram Churu, Rajasthan

 

The Vedic school is based upon the original Hindu Gurukul system of learning, wherein young brahmacharis (students) stay with the Guru (teacher) and learn the scriptures. Presently, around 100 brahmacharis stay in the Brahmacharya Ashram. They are taught parts of the Vedas, Sanskrit, Hindi, English and modern secular subjects. Presently, a nominal monthly fee of Rs. 400 is charged for boarding, lodging, education, clothes and medicine.

A free Ayurvedic dispensary is also run at Churu.

 

 





Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                              



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

Posted by gopalakrishna Monday, April 8, 2013
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