Char Dham Temples
Char Dham
refers to the four holy sites or four abodes of God in the four directions of
India: Puri in the East, Rameshwaram in the South, Dwarka in the West, and
Badrinath in the North.
Ø
Puri Jagannath – Om Jai Jagannath Swami
Puri located at the east, is
located in the state of Odisha, India. Puri is one of the oldest cities in the
eastern part of the country. It is situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
The main deity is Shri Krishna, celebrated as Lord Jagannatha. It is the only
shrine in India, where goddess, Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna is worshipped
along with her brothers, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra. The main temple
here is about 1000 years old and constructed by Raja ChodaGanga Deva and Raja
Tritiya Ananga Bhima Deva. Puri is the site of the Govardhana Matha, one of the
four cardinal institutions or Mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya. Brahma,
Vishnu & Maheswara three are together in all-time every place. In Kali yuga
Sreemandir as jagannath temple in Puri. Jagannath-Vishnu, Balabhadra-Maheswara
& Subhadra-Brahma. This is the plume for Oriya people to celebrate a
special day in this Dham which is known as Ratha Yatra ("Chariot
Festival").
Ø
Dwarka – Om Jai Shri Krishna
Dwarka located in the west is in
the state of Gujarat, India. The city derives its name from word dvar meaning
door or gate in the Sanskrit language. It is located close to where the Gomti
River merges into the Gulf of Kutch. However, this river Gomti is not the same
Gomti River which is tributary of Ganga River The city lies in the westernmost
part of India. The legendary city of Dwaraka was the dwelling place of Lord
Krishna. It is believed[who?] that due to damage and destruction by the sea,
Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to
be built in the area.
Ø
Badrinath – Om Namo Narayanaya
Badrinath is located in the
North Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is in the Garhwal hills, on the banks of
the Alaknanda River. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges
and in the shadow of Nilkantha peak.
Ø
Rameswaram – Om Namah Shivaya
Rameswaram located in the South
is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at
the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legends, this is the place
from where Lord Rama, built a bridge Ram Setu to Lanka. The Ramanatha Swamy
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva occupies a major area of Rameswaram. The temple
is believed to have been consecrated by Shri Rama Chandra. Rameswaram is
significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a
pilgrimage to Rameswaram. The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga
with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy, it also is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara three are together in all-time every place.
Rama-Vishnu, Laxman-Brahma & Hanuman-Maheswara.
Direction
|
Temple
|
Location
|
East
|
Shri Jagannath
|
Sri Nahar, Puri, Orissa 752001
|
West
|
Dwarkadhish
Temple
Shri Krishna Temple
|
Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
|
North
|
Shri Badrinath Temple
|
Chandrabhaga Bridge, Badri to
Mata Murti Rd, Badrinath, Uttarakhand 249201
|
South
|
Shri
Ramanathaswamy Temple
|
Ramanathapuram,
District,
Rameswaram - Tamil Nadu - 623 526.
|
Best Time to visit Char dham
Except monsoons, best
time to visit char dham is starts from May and ends in October. It is suggested
to devotees to visit chardham between May to June and September to October.
Puri Shri Jagannath Temple History:
The deities of the Puri temple are generally known as the
Trimurti(Trinity) though, to the scholars, they are Chaturdhaa murtis (or
images, 4 in number). Some think that originally there was only Jagannath as
the object of worship and when Neela Madhava disappeared, King Indradyumna
fabricated the body of Jagannath out of a log of wood that was picked up from
the sea, as per a divine direction received by the King. Scholars holding the
view that originally the Present-day Trinity was not there, cite the example of
a Temple found in the Cuttack District in Orissa (belonging perhaps to the
seventh century A.D.) where the images only of Jagannath and Balabhadra have
been carved and Subhadra is not to be seen there.
It is, therefore, believed that when there was a great resurgence of Saktism from the 7th century onwards, there was a successful attempt to install an image of the Mother Goddess (Durga or Sakti) in the Puri Temple by the side of Jagannath. According to some others, installation of the image of Durga or Sakti (who is also known as Bhadraa, Mangalaa etc.) might have taken place during the visit of Sankaraachaarya to Puri. In the Konarka Temple built in the 13th century A.D. (about a century later than the Puri Temple), there is a panel of three images. Jagannath is seen in the middle and to His left is the Mother Goddess, while to His right is a Linga (phallus). From this, it is deduced by some that this might have been the "Trio" of the Puri Temple, indicating the equal importance of Vaishnavism, Saktism and Saivism.
It is, therefore, believed that when there was a great resurgence of Saktism from the 7th century onwards, there was a successful attempt to install an image of the Mother Goddess (Durga or Sakti) in the Puri Temple by the side of Jagannath. According to some others, installation of the image of Durga or Sakti (who is also known as Bhadraa, Mangalaa etc.) might have taken place during the visit of Sankaraachaarya to Puri. In the Konarka Temple built in the 13th century A.D. (about a century later than the Puri Temple), there is a panel of three images. Jagannath is seen in the middle and to His left is the Mother Goddess, while to His right is a Linga (phallus). From this, it is deduced by some that this might have been the "Trio" of the Puri Temple, indicating the equal importance of Vaishnavism, Saktism and Saivism.
There is another hypothesis that Bhadraa or Mangalaa (Durga) came to
be called as Subhadra and at the time of Vaishnavite preponderance, she was
introduced as Srikrishna's sister, whose name also is Subhadra. Similarly one
of the names of Lord Siva is Veerabhadra. Somehow, at a time of Vaishnavic
efflorescence, He was transformed into Balabhadra. (The second half of this
name i.e., ‘Bhadra' was retained and the first half was substituted by Bala).
When HE was thus called Balabhadra, He, was introduced as the elder brother of
Srikrishna.
Prui Jagannath Temple Darsham
Timings: 5.00am to
8.00pm
Daily
Worship
05 A.M. : Dwara Pitha & Mangalal Alati
06 A.M. : Mailam
09 A.M. : Gopala Ballava Puja
11 A.M. : Madhynha Dhupa
1. Dwarpitha and Mangal
Aarati at 5 a.m
The door
opens early in the morning in the presence of five specific sevayats after
verification of the "seal" given by a particular sevayat in the last
night. Soon after the opening of the door, Mangal Aarati is performed.
2."Mailam" at 6 a.m.
"Mailam"
is a word used in Sri Jagannath Temple, which means change or removal of
dresses and flowers etc. At this time some specific sevaks change the clothes,
flowers, Tulasi leaves of the deities worn on the previous night. After removal
of clothes, the clothes known as "Tadap" and "Uttariya" are
worn by the deities.
3. "Abakash" - 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
Purificatory
rites like brushing of teeth and bath is known as "Abakash". At this
time, Temple Jyotishi (Astrologer) reads out the tithi(day and date) and other
astrological details of the day and according to that, that day's rituals are
performed.
4. "Mailam"
6.45 a.m.
At
this time deities change their clothes (Tadap and Uttariya) and wear another
set of clothes. A sevak known as "Akhanda Mekap" keeps in the sanctum
Akhanda Baitha i.e. one lamp which burns till "Pahuda" or the time of
the retirement of the deities to bed.
5. "Sahanamela" - 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Though
this is not a part of the rituals, but about one hour is spent to facilitate
pilgrims to go up to "Ratnavedi" or inner sanctums to have a Darshan,
without paying fees for it. On certain festive days, Sahanamela is held after
"Sandhya dhupa" (Evening Puja or Sandhya Aarati in the month of
Kartik) and after Sakaldhupa (in the month of Pausha). Some times this darshan
is not allowed for some special rituals of the deities.
6. "Beshalagi" - 8 a.m.
After
Sahanamela the deities are again dressed up which can be witnessed from a
little distance i.e." Bhitara Katha". At this time, Deities are also
adorned with gold and precious stones to suit different festive occasions.
7. Rosha Homa Surya Puja
and Dwarapal- 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
While
some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi or the Deities, Pujapandas at that time
perform "Rosha Homa" (Fire Sacrifice) at the kitchen and "Surya
puja" at the surya temple near "Mukti Mandap". Then the images
of two gate keepers named Jaya and Vijaya on the entrance of the Jagamohan of
the Temple are worshipped.
8. Gopala Ballava Puja- 9 a.m.
The
prescribed time is 9 A.M. This is the time for breakfast of the deities. At
this time sweet popcorn (Khai), Khualadus, Coconut sweets (Kora), Ripe banana,
Curd, and chipped coconuts etc. are offered as bhogas. Puja is performed in a
brief manner with pancha upachar only.
9. Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering) 10 a.m
At
this time puja is performed by three Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha
Upachars. Three Pujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worship three
deities Shri Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. The Pujapanda who
worships Lord Jagannath also worships Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Sudarshan. The
morning bhoga or food offered to the deities contains Rice, Kanika, Khechudi,
Green leaves, Cakes etc. The local names of the Bhog are Pitha Puli, Hansakeli,
Kanti, Enduri, Matha Puli, Kakatua Jhili, Bundia, Kadali Bhaja, Ada Pachedi
(ginger tonic) etc.The cost of the dhoop Pujas and Ballavs are borne by the
Temple Administration. Previously Raja-Superintendent of the temple born the
cost of materials for preparation of Bhoga. So these Bhogas are also called
"Raja Bhoga" or "Kotha Bhoga".
10. Mailam and Bhoga Mandap:
After
Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities change their clothes and again Puja takes
places in "Bhoga Mandap", a place behind the Garuda pillar of
Jagamohan. Huge quantity of Bhogas such as Rice, Dal, Curries, Saga and Cakes
of different kinds etc. are offered to the Deities. Pujapandas worship this
bhog with Pancha Upacharas. The cost of Bhoga Mandap offerings are not borne by
the state or Temple Administration. This bhoga is mainly prepared to meet the
need of different Mathas(Monasteries) and for sale to the general public.
According to the demand, Bhogamandap Puja is made twice or thrice a day i.e.
after "Madhyanha Dhoop" and "Sandhya Dhup" also.
11. Madhyanha (Afternoon food offering) 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Like
Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performed with Shodasha Upachar in the
afternoon. The Bhoga items are more in number than that of Morning Dhupa. One
can go near to the "Ratna Simhasan" for darshan by paying special
Darshan fee of Rs. 10/- after Madhyanha Dhupa and Sakal Dhupa.
12. Madhyanha Pahudha - 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m
If
rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for
the afternoon.
13. Sandhya Aarati
In
the evening again aaratis are performed after Madhyana Dhupa Mailam. On
Ekadashi day, the deities change their clothes and wear another set after
"Aarati" is over.
14.Sandhya Dhupa - 7 p.m. to 8 p.m
After
"Sandhya Aarati" again Bhogas are offered to the deities in the same
manner like Sakala and Madhyanha Dhupa but this time Bhoga amount is less in
quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering is made which is called as
"Jaya Mangala Aarati".
15.Mailam and Chandana lagi
After
"Sandhya Dhoopa" deities change their clothes and are annointed with
Sandal paste mixed with champhor, keshar and Kasturi. One can witness this
ritual by paying special Darshan fees of Rs. 10/-.
16. Badashringar Vesha
After
Chandan lagi, deities are dressed with Baralagi Patta (silken robes on which
some portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture of these
robes) and flower ornaments.
17. Badashringara Bhoga
This
is the last bhoga of the day. Puja is offered with Pancha Upachar by the Puja
Pandas with Pakhal (watered rice), Kadali bada, Kshiri, Kanji etc.
18. Khata Seja Lagi and
Pahuda 12.00
The
bedsteads of the deities are arranged. The Deity of "Sayan Thakura"
is carried from Bhandarghar to Ratnavedi or Ratnasimhasana and place the deity
near Lord Jagannath. Then follows offering of green coconut, betels and camphor
aarati and then deities retire to their beds. The door is sealed then by the
Sevayat (Talichha Mohapatra). Temple is closed and no visitors or outsiders are
allowed to remain inside.
This
is in brief the daily rituals observed in the Temple. It is generally not
possible to follow the time prescribed for each ritual on account of various
practical difficulties. On the specific festive days, additional rituals are
performed. As a result, changes in timings and alterations in the routine
rituals are made.
Dwarika Shri Krishna Temple History:
The main temple at Dwarka,
situated on Gomti creek, is known as jagat mandir (universal shrine) or trilok sundar (the most beautiful in all the three
worlds). Originally believed to be built by Vajranabh, the great grandson of
Lord Krishna, more than 2500 years ago, it is a glorious structure seeming to
rise from the waters of the Arabian Sea. Its exquisitely carved shikhar, reaching 43 m high and the huge flag
made from 52 yards of cloth, can be seen from as far away as 10 km. The
grandeur of the temple is enhanced by the flight of 56 steps leading to the
rear side of the edifice on the side of the river Gomti. The temple is built of
soft limestone and consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with
porches on three sides. There are two gateways: swarga dwar (gate to the heavens), where pilgrims
enter, and moksha dwar (gate to liberation), where pilgrims
exit.
The lower part of the Dwarkadhish temple is from the 16th century and the soaring steeple with its numerous clusters of small towers is from the 19th century. The main part of the temple has five storeys, reaching to a height of over 100 feet. The exquisite carvings on its exterior display daring eroticism, a multi-layered mythic intensity and extraordinary continuity of design. In contrast, the interior of the temple is striking in its simplicity, with the only exception being the elaborate ornamentation around the shrine to the idol of Dwarkadhish.
The lower part of the Dwarkadhish temple is from the 16th century and the soaring steeple with its numerous clusters of small towers is from the 19th century. The main part of the temple has five storeys, reaching to a height of over 100 feet. The exquisite carvings on its exterior display daring eroticism, a multi-layered mythic intensity and extraordinary continuity of design. In contrast, the interior of the temple is striking in its simplicity, with the only exception being the elaborate ornamentation around the shrine to the idol of Dwarkadhish.
Dwarka Shri Krishna Temple Timings:
Dwarka Temple DARSHAN TIMINGS
Morning 6.30
to Afternoon 13.00
and Evening 5.00 to 9.30
and Evening 5.00 to 9.30
Morning Timings
|
||
Morning 6.30
|
Mangla
Arti
|
|
7.00 to 8.00
|
Mangla
Darshan
|
|
8.00 to 9.00
|
Abhishek
Pooja [Snan Vidhi]: Darshan Closed
|
|
9.00 to 9.30
|
Shringar
Darshan
|
|
9.30 to 9.45
|
Snanbhog
: Darshan Closed
|
|
9.45 to 10.15
|
Shringar
Darshan
|
|
10.15 to 10.30
|
Shringarbhog:
Darshan Closed
|
|
10.30 to 10.45
|
Shringar
Arti
|
|
11.05 to 11.20
|
Gwal
Bhog: Darshan Closed
|
|
11.20 to 12.00
|
Darshan
|
|
12.00 to 12.20
|
Rajbhog:
Darshan Closed
|
|
12.20 to 12.30
|
Darshan
|
|
13.00
|
Anosar,
Darshan Closed
|
|
Evening
Timings
|
||
5.00 Uthappan
|
First
Darshan
|
|
5.30 to 5.45
|
Uthappan
Bhog: Darshan Closed
|
|
5.45 to 7.15
|
Darshan
|
|
7.15 to 7.30
|
Sandhya
Bhog: Darshan Closed
|
|
7.30 to 7.45
|
Sandhya
Arti
|
|
8.00 to 8.10
|
Shayanbhog:
Darshan Closed
|
|
8.10 to 8.30
|
Darshan
|
|
8.30 to 8.35
|
Shayan
Arti
|
|
8.35 to 9.00
|
Darshan
|
|
9.00 to 9.20
|
Bantabhog
and Shayan : Darshan Closed
|
|
9.20 to 9.30
|
Darshan
|
|
9.30
|
Darshan
Mandir Closed
|
|
Badrinath Temple History
Sri Badrinath Dham is situated
on the bank of river Alaknanda. Over the valley, two mounts namedNara and
Narayana parvats stand on both sides of Alaknanda. Sri Badrinath temple is on
the lap of Narayana Parvat with resplendent Neelkanth in the background.
Alaknanda flows through the courtyard of Lord Badrinath shrine. Historical
evidences are not available as to the age of the shrine. Temple of Sri
Badrinath ji was a popular shrine during the Vedic age. Lord is seated here in
Padmasan posture which was also a common form of Bodhisatva in budhist culture.
There are different views on the situation as how the idol was lying in the
Narada kund.
One popular belief is that with
the expansion of budhism, the temple of Sri Badrinath ji was also converted
into a budhist temple and idol was thrown by these budhists into Narada kund.
However this does not answer the question as how the lord is seated in Padmasan
posture rather than usual Vishnu iconography.
King Ashoka had the famous Dhamm
yatras all over the world for the propagation of budhism. The rock inscription
near Kalsi in Dehradun district bears the testimony to the fact that Badrinath
ji temple came under budhist influence during Ashoka's period is not clearly
known.
The other belief that after the
conversion of temple, the budhist enshrined the statue of Lord Budha was thrown
into the Narada Kund which was restored by Adiguru as the idol of Lord Vishnu.
This view is supported by the fact that the deity is seated in Padmasan
posture.
Opinions can be divided on the
origin of idol, but there are no two opinions on the popular faith that the
idol of Lord Badrivishal, is the another name of bhagwan Vishnu.According to
Hindu mythology, Budha was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Therefore Budha can
be considered other form of Sri Badrinathji.
Badrinath
Temple Darshan Timings
Morning Darsan- opens 4:30 A. M. with Shubh Prabhatam and close at 1 P.M.
Afternoon Darshan- Opens at 4 P.M. and closes at 9 P.M. after the divine song "Geet govind".
Morning Puja 4:30 to 6:30am
|
|
1-
|
Maha
Abhishek Puja(3 persons)
|
2-
|
Abhishek
Puja(2 persons)
|
7:30 AM to 12 Noon & 3 PM
|
|
1-
|
Ved
Path(3 persons)
|
2-
|
Geeta
Path(3 persons)
|
Special Puja
|
|
1-
|
Shrimad
Bhagwat saptah Path
|
2-
|
Entire
Pujas of the day
|
Evening Aarti/Archana and Path- 6Pm to 9Pm
according to following serial
|
|
1-
|
Karpoor
Arti(2 persons)
|
2-
|
Chandi
arti(2 persons)
|
3-
|
Swarn
Aarti(2 persons)
|
4-
|
Astottari
Puja(2 persons)
|
5-
|
Shri
Vishnusahastranam(2 persons)
|
6-
|
Vishnusahastranamawali
path
|
7-
|
Shayan
Aarti with Geet govind path(2 persons)
|
Daily or periodical Puja/Bhog & Akhand jyoti
|
|
1-
|
Akhand
Jyoti one day
|
2-
|
Akhand
Jyoti Annual
|
3-
|
Ghrit
kamal ghee on closing day
|
4-
|
Ghee
for Deepak on closing day
|
Daily Bhog of Badrinath ji
|
|
1-
|
Yatri
Bhog
|
2-
|
Kheer Bhog
(after 9AM)
|
3-
|
Pind
Prasad
|
4-
|
Nitya
Niyam Bhog
|
5-
|
Nityam
Niyam Bhog for deties of subordinate temple
|
Ramanathaswamy Temple History
Between 1897 and 1904, the ALAR family of Devakottai
completed the imposing eastern tower of nine tiers 126 feet in height from
Thiruppani funds. Between 1907 and 1925 they renovated the Sanctum Sanctorum
and the prakaram(inner most corridor) by replacing the lime stones by black
granite with adequate provision for light and ventilation and also arranged for
the performance of Ashtabandana Kumbabishekam in 1925; then on 22-2-1947 and
the third Ashtabandana Maha Kumbabishegam was performed on 5-2-1975.
Rameshwaram Temple Darshan Timings :
The temple will be kept
open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9 P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The
poojas are performed six times a day in this temple.
Rameshwaram
Temple Pooja details and Timings
1. Palliyarai Deepa Arathana 05:00 A.M
2. Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana 05:10 A.M
3. Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana 05:45 A.M
4. Vila Pooja 07:00 A.M
5. Kalasanthi Pooja 10:00A.M
6. Uchikala Pooja 12:00 NOON
7. Sayaratcha Pooja 06:00 P.M
8. Arthajama Pooja 08.30 P.M
9. Palliyarai Pooja 08:45 P.M
Rameshwaram Theertham
Rameswaram has 22 Theerthams in the form of wells in various parts of
the temple. Taking bath in all these Theerthams purify the body as well
as the mind. It is believed that this water is holy and also having
medicinal qualities. At Kodi Theertham pilgrims take their bath lastly and end
their pilgrimage of Rameshwaram.
Mahalakshmi Theertham
|
Savithri Theertham
|
Gayathri Theertham
|
Saraswathi Theertham
|
Sethu Madhava Theertham
|
Gandamadana Theertham
|
Kavacha Theertham
|
Gavaya Theertham
|
Nala Theertham
|
Neela Thertham
|
Sangu Theertham
|
Sakkara Theertham
|
Bramahati Vimochana Theertham
|
Sooriya Theertham
|
Chandra Theertham
|
Ganga Theertham
|
Yamuna Theertham
|
Gaya Theertham
|
Siva Theertham
|
Sathyamirtha Theertham
|
Sarva Theertham
|
Kodi Theertham
|
||
