I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and mine is:
Trimbakeshwar Temple situated in the Nashik district of Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari river is also one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. While all other Jyotirlingas have Lord Shiva as it's deity, Trimabeshwar has the faces of the Tridev (3 Gods), Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the sustainer) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer).
(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )
Day 2 posts that I enjoyed
Mahabore's Surpanakha's lust for Rama - from the Ramayana - how could I not enjoy this one.
Susan's 7 memories of her dad - a very sweet and touching post, a wonderful tribute to her dad.
Have a wonderful day.
Warm Regards
Tweet
Going Places - 7 journeys I would like to take.
Somnath Temple near Veraval in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. Jyotirlinga are shrines where it is believed Lord Shiva manifested and revealed himself as a column of light (Jyoti - light) to his devotees. Somnath means "The protector of the Moon God". It is believed that at Somnath Lord Shiva absorbed the curse placed on the Moon God and hence He wears the crescent moon on his head.
Having done a Krishna and Ram Yatra, my third journey will of course be a Shiva Yatra (pilgrimage or journey).
Lord Shiva is one of the Supreme Gods in the Hindu religion and is considered the God of Destruction. The concept of destruction often makes him a God to fear but he is a very misunderstood God as He is also very benevolent and supposedly easy to please. (What would I know, the Gods never seem to hear me!)
Lord Shiva is also known as Mahadev (Great God) and while he does have many benevolent forms, he also has fearsome forms (known as his Rudra roop).
Lord Shiva supposedly creates the Universe and destroys it both via his cosmic dance the Tandava. The Ananda Tandava creates and the Rudra Tandava destroys.
There are many temples and holy places in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, but my Shiva Yatra would consist of Varanasi (Kashi) - Allahabad - Rishikesh - Hardwar - Trimbakeshwar - Somnath
Varanasi (aka Benaras and Kashi) is considered the holiest place in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and was supposedly created by Lord Shiva after the death of his first wife Sati.
Allahabad's original name was Prayaga (place of offerings) and is referred to as Triveni Sangam (confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati). The Prayag Shrine is considered to be one of the Shakti Peeth's. When Sati died, Shiva was devastated and carried her body as he wandered around. Parts of it fell and these places are known as Shakti Peeths. These Peeths are considered very holy and powerful as they are also the union of Shiv and Shakti (Sati).
Hardwar situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttarkhand is known as the Gateway to Lord Shiva and is one of the 7 holiest places in India. It is considered to be the hometown of Sati and one of the places where drops of Amrit (elixir of life) accidentally slipped from the pitcher being carried by the Lord Vishnu's celestial bird Garuda. Hardwar is also considered to contain the footsteps of Shiva.
Rishikesh - I include this under the Shiva Yatra as this is so close to Hardwar. Rishikesh is also considered to be one of the holy places in India and is associated more with Lord Ram who was supposed to have meditated here on his life's purpose. Not sure now with the recent floods if this place is safe to visit.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Lord Shiva is one of the Supreme Gods in the Hindu religion and is considered the God of Destruction. The concept of destruction often makes him a God to fear but he is a very misunderstood God as He is also very benevolent and supposedly easy to please. (What would I know, the Gods never seem to hear me!)
Lord Shiva is also known as Mahadev (Great God) and while he does have many benevolent forms, he also has fearsome forms (known as his Rudra roop).
Lord Shiva supposedly creates the Universe and destroys it both via his cosmic dance the Tandava. The Ananda Tandava creates and the Rudra Tandava destroys.
There are many temples and holy places in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, but my Shiva Yatra would consist of Varanasi (Kashi) - Allahabad - Rishikesh - Hardwar - Trimbakeshwar - Somnath
google maps - all places are approximate
Varanasi (aka Benaras and Kashi) is considered the holiest place in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and was supposedly created by Lord Shiva after the death of his first wife Sati.
Varanasi
image from wikipedia
Allahabad's original name was Prayaga (place of offerings) and is referred to as Triveni Sangam (confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati). The Prayag Shrine is considered to be one of the Shakti Peeth's. When Sati died, Shiva was devastated and carried her body as he wandered around. Parts of it fell and these places are known as Shakti Peeths. These Peeths are considered very holy and powerful as they are also the union of Shiv and Shakti (Sati).
Prayag Temple
image source: google images
Hardwar situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttarkhand is known as the Gateway to Lord Shiva and is one of the 7 holiest places in India. It is considered to be the hometown of Sati and one of the places where drops of Amrit (elixir of life) accidentally slipped from the pitcher being carried by the Lord Vishnu's celestial bird Garuda. Hardwar is also considered to contain the footsteps of Shiva.
Har ki pauri - Footsteps of Lord Shiva
image from wikipedia
Rishikesh - I include this under the Shiva Yatra as this is so close to Hardwar. Rishikesh is also considered to be one of the holy places in India and is associated more with Lord Ram who was supposed to have meditated here on his life's purpose. Not sure now with the recent floods if this place is safe to visit.
Statue of a meditating Lord Shiva
image source wikipedia
Somnath Temple
image source wikipedia
Trimbakeshwar Temple situated in the Nashik district of Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari river is also one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. While all other Jyotirlingas have Lord Shiva as it's deity, Trimabeshwar has the faces of the Tridev (3 Gods), Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the sustainer) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer).
Trimbakeshwar temple
image source: google images
Karpur Gauram Karunavataram |
Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram ||
Sada Vasantam Hridayaravinde |
Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||
The one who is as pure/white as a camphor
The personification of compassion
Who is the essence of the world
With the serpent king as his garland
Always residing in the lotus of the heart
Oh Lord and Goddess (Shiva and Sati)
The personification of compassion
Who is the essence of the world
With the serpent king as his garland
Always residing in the lotus of the heart
Oh Lord and Goddess (Shiva and Sati)
I bow to you both
(translation from wikipedia)
Join me tomorrow on my fourth journey.
My journeys so far:
My journeys so far:
(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )
Day 2 posts that I enjoyed
Mahabore's Surpanakha's lust for Rama - from the Ramayana - how could I not enjoy this one.
Susan's 7 memories of her dad - a very sweet and touching post, a wonderful tribute to her dad.
Have a wonderful day.
Tweet
Once again a nice post, love the way you link up the legends associated with these places. Absolutely wonderful take on the prompt...
ReplyDeleteThanks Mahabore. Glad you like my theme.
Deletewow!! Lovely :)
ReplyDeleteLemme go and read about the other 2 places too!
Thanks Mytakeoneverything. Hope you enjoyed the other other 2 as well.
DeleteShiva reminds me of Amish's 'Shiva Trilogy.' I have visited most of the mentioned places. Shiva is one handsome bloke!
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan
Shiva reminds me of Amish's 'Shiva Trilogy.' I have visited most of the mentioned places. Shiva is one handsome bloke!
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan
Hi Susan, I hope someday I will visit these places too. Yep, He is one handsome bloke.
DeleteBeen to most of these places but do plan on a trip to all the Jyotirlings.
ReplyDeleteHi Suresh, hope you can see the rest. thanks for dropping by
DeleteHave been to Haridwar and participated in the Ganga Aarti one evening. It was such a divine and a beautiful experience.
ReplyDeleteOh you are lucky Shilpa. I look forward to the Ganga Aarti. I'm sure it must be amazing.
DeleteThanks for the kind mention, dear Suzy. Love and cheers.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Susan.
DeleteVaranasi the mystic city ... one of my favorites .. have been to all the places except somnath...hope to be there seen...have a special name connection to Lord Shiva :)
ReplyDeleteWow Shiva. Lucky you.
DeleteThat's a lovely post and very nicely described. I love the way that you give out the background of each of the places. Thanks !
ReplyDeleteThanks Kajal. glad you liked my post. I try to add those touches as it makes it more real for me.
DeleteAnother spectacular post.Bows down!!Thank you for taking us to these amazing sacrosanct Places...:)
ReplyDeletehttp://sailorswiferamblings.blogspot.com/2013/09/seven-smells-to-smile.html
Thanks Anu. I'm glad you like my journeys. I have fun writing them, kind of takes me there too.
DeleteI am dying to visit these places and guess, will take mom some day:)
ReplyDeleteThanks
Vishal
Nice Vishal to take your mom along too. That's sweet. I hope you will.
DeleteI enjoyed the tour and your narration was fascinating!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the tour and your narration was fascinating!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. Glad you enjoyed the tour. Indian mythology is very interesting.
DeleteVery informative post Suzy. I once had the desire to visit all the 12 jyotilingams. Maybe some time in the future, I will, God willing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyothi. I hope your wish comes true.
DeleteLike ram yatra post and krishna yatra there are places I have visited and some which I need to as soon as possible. I really like the theme you have picked up :)
ReplyDeleteRicha
Thanks Richa. Glad you are enjoying your posts. I'm enjoying the virtual journeys too.
DeleteI think what I love about Lord Shiva is his devotion to his wife! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely narration of the significance of each place!
Thanks Roshni. All our Gods are wonderful. The narration is helping me understand each place better as well.
DeleteSuzy...I am gonna stick to your blogs until sept 7
ReplyDeleteSaat dhaam ki yatra karni hein mujhe :))
great read!
Thanks Ruchira. Glad you are enjoying my yatras - to chale yatra kare :)
DeleteAnother informative post with beautiful narration.
ReplyDeleteThanks Me. Glad you liked it.
Deletei have read about this but loved your crisp detailing of the journey and the pictures :)
ReplyDeleteyou can check out my post here-
Karan -
Brother
Thanks Karan. Glad you liked it.
DeleteI've lived in Allahabad for two years and made a few trips to Varanasi when I was young, Suzy. I will never forget all I soaked in there. Was so blessed to witness a Maha Kumbh Mela too. Since my Dad was one of the administrators, we got a front row view of it all. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh wow Corinne. That must've been an amazing experience. I hope someday I will get there too.
Delete