Most beautiful temple in India

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Trekking routes to Sabarimala

1. From Erumeli, the pilgrim can, if he so wishes, trek on foot along the forests to reach Pampa. The trekking distance from Erumeli to Pampa is 43 km. The route is via Peroorthodu-Irumbunnikara (3 km (Forest starts from Irumbooni Kara), Arasumudikotta (further 3 km), Kaalaketti (11 km from Erumeli), Azhutha (further 2.5 km), Azhutha River (37 km to Pamba), Kallidum Kunnu, Inchipara, Mukkuzhi, Kariyilam Thodu, Karimala, Valiyana Thavalam, Cheriyana Thavalam and Pampa.

From Erumeli to Azhutha is a gradual climb via Arasumudi Kotta. Then climb down and cross the Azhutha river. The route climbs steeply to Kallidum Kunnu (First hill) and then downward to Kariyilam Thodu (river). Next is the arduous climb to Karimala. From there, climb down and walk to Pamba. From Pamba, the usual 5 km trek to the Sabarimala temple via Neelimala, Appachimedu and Sabaripeedom.

Three steep ascents on the route are Azhutha Nadi to Inchiparakotta, Kariyilam Thodu to Karimala (on Erumeli - Pampa route) and Pampa - Neelimala (on the Sannidhanam/Sabarimala temple route).

2. Another trek route is from Vandiperiyar on NH 220 (Kottayam - Ponkunnam - Mundakkayam - Peermade - Vandiperiyar - Thekkady - Kumily). Travel by vehicle to Mount Estate and trek to Kozhikkanam (15 km). Kozhikkanam to Uppupura (10 km). Uppupura to Sabarimala (5 km). Up to Uppupura, vehicles can be used for the travel from Vandiperiyar.

Sabarimala Video

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Ajmer, Rajasthan

Places of interest

The chief objects of interest are Pushkar, and the Dargah, tomb of the most revered Muslim sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, the Gharib Nawaz.

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India near Ajmer, about 23 km away, and is an important tourist destination. Pushkar is famous for Pushkar Lake and the 14th century Hindu temple to Brahma, God as the Creator of all creation. This is the only temple of Brahma in the world. Pushkar is also famous for its annual Camel Fair.

The Dargah Shareef of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated at the foot of the Taragarh hill, and consists of several white marble buildings arranged around two courtyards, including a massive gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad, a mosque donated by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Akbari Masjid, and the domed tomb of the saint. To this place Emperor Akbar, with his queen, performed pilgrimage on foot from Agra every year in observance of a vow he had made when praying for a son. The large pillars, erected at intervals of 3 km the whole way between Agra and Ajmer, marking the daily halting places of the royal pilgrim, are still extant.

Taragarh Fort, the fort of Ajmer, seat of the Chauhan rulers, is claimed to be the first hill fort of Asia, built at a time when the Aravalli mountain ranges were above the snowlines. This gives it the reputation of being one of the oldest hill forts of the world, and it is definitely the oldest among the hill forts in India.

The Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra, a Jain temple constructed in 1153 and converted into a mosque by Qutubuddin Aibak after 1193, is situated on the lower slope of the Taragarh hill. With the exception of that part used as a mosque, nearly the whole of the ancient temple has fallen into ruins, but the relics are not excelled in beauty of architecture and sculpture by any remains of Hindu art. Forty columns support the roof, but no two are alike, and great fertility of invention is manifested in the execution of the ornaments.

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Magazine, the city's Museum, was once the residence of Prince Salim, son of Emperor Akbar, and presently houses a collection of the Mughal and Rajput armour and sculpture. This residence of Salim is significant from a historical point of view, because Salim as Emperor Jahangir read out the firman for trade to India to the British East India company from here, thus starting the chain of events that lead to India's colonisation by the British.

The summit of Taragarh hill, overhanging Ajmer, is crowned by a fort, the lofty thick battlements of which run along its brow and enclose the table-land. The walls are 3 km in circumference, and the fort can only be approached by steep and very roughly paved planes, commanded by the fort and the outworks, and by the hill to the west. On coming into the hands of the British Raj, the fort was dismantled by order of Lord William Bentinck, and was converted into a sanatorium for the troops stationed at the British cantonment town of Nasirabad.

Mayo College was established in 1875 by Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India. The architecture of the school buildings evoke the grandeur of erstwhile princely Rajasthan. The main building of the school, in white marble, is a classic example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, and the design now lies in the archives of the British Museum in London.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ajmer.

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Balaji Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Tirupati is the richest worship place in the world, after Vatican. The sacred temple is located on the Tirumala hills. The 80 meter wide and 123 meter long temple covers an area of 2.2 acre. The 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine is located 67 km from Chitoor. Tirupati has got a busy Railway station (16 km). Devotees climb the 4000 steps to the top of the hill bare footed within 3 to 4 hour.

The Sanctum sanctorum is adorned by the Venkateswera idol, which stands to a height of eight feet under the gold gilded dome called the Ananda Nilaya Divay Vimana. Idol is believed to be Swayambhoo and it looks exquisitely wrought in its jet-black stone structure. The deity bears a clear impression of Goddess Lakshmi on the right side of his chest. His two upper arms hold a (conch-shell) sankha and (disk) chakra. His lower left hand is turned inward, the palm of his lower right hand is turned outward offering blessings. Since the lord’s eyes are so beautiful it is covered with a tilak of camphor. It is also believed that his eyeballs are enclosed because his gawk would singe the whole planet.

The deity in the shrine is ornamented with precious stones, which gives it a unique appeal. Devotees are filled with a bizarre experience, when they stand in front of the lord. It is firmly believed that the deity is so benevolent that he grants the wish of anyone who offers him something.



Tonsuring head is the main vazhipadu (offering). Human hair has auctioned at $25 million. People throw diamonds, gold and cash to the offering box. More than a million pilgrims visit the temple every year. Daily, the temple is visited by 50,000 pilgrims. On the Dusehra day (Brahmolsavam in September), it reaches to 5 lakh, a day.

Tirupati has got a good stock of gold and diamonds (12 ton has a value of more than Rs 52,000 crore) received by offerings. Annual offering comes to 400 crore. The income of the temple including other sources of income reaches 650 crores. Recently, a priest has stolen 1.305 kg antique gold ornament from the temple due to utter poverty and triggered a controversy. He arranged two dughters marriage with this money. Lord's Darshan will take 4 hour to a day in peak season. Laddu is the main Prasad. There is a musical fountain at back side of the temple.

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Tamil Nadu is a land of varied beauty with majestically sculptured grand temples. Tamil Nadu with it's 32 districts has an area of 130,058 sq km. Tamil Nadu receives 2 million foreign and 50 million domestic tourists. Thousand Lights mosque, Chennai is one of the largest mosques in the country. Marina Beach in Chennai is one of the longest beaches in the world. The Chettinad region of the state is renowned for its Palatial houses and cuisine.

Tamil Nadu boasts some of the grandest Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture. These temples are of a distinct style renowned for their towering Gopurams.

The main temples having artistic beauty and archeological importance are located at Chennai (Kapaleeswar Temple of Mylapore), Mahabalipuram (Shore temple & rathas), Kanchipuram, Palani Subramanya temple (Kavadi festival), Madurai (Meenakshi Amman temple), Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Srivilliputtur, Trichy, Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest Hindu temple with tallest gopuram), Thanjavur (Brihadishwara Temple), Rameshwaram, Suchindram near Nagarkovil, Kanyakumari, Airavateswara temple in Darasuram, Nellaiappar Shiva temple of Tirunelveli, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvannaamalai (Arunachal temple, tower), Tiruttani, Swamithoppe, Tiruchendur and Tiruvallur.

Festivals

The colorful festivals with a variety of customs will be an enchanting experience to the tourist.

Pongal (January 14), also called as Tamizhar Thirunaal (festival of Tamils) or Makara Sankranti elsewhere in India, a four-day harvest festival is one of the most widely celebrated festivals throughout Tamil Nadu. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum — literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities — is often quoted with reference to this festival. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and emergence of the new. The second day, Surya Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the tenth Tamil month Thai (January 14 or January 15 in western calendar). The third day, Maattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cattle, as they provide milk and are used to plough the lands.

Jallikattu, a bull taming contest, marks the main event of this day. During this final day, Kaanum Pongal — the word "kaanum", means 'to view' in Tamil — youths used to gather at river banks to view and select their future life partners, but
that practice has declined.



Chitrai festival, Madurai (Mid April) : The first month in the Tamil calendar is Chitterai and the first day of this month in mid-April is celebrated as Tamil New Year. Thiruvalluvar Calendar is 31 years ahead of Gregorian Calendar. Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi, which celebrates the rising of the water level in the river Cauvery.

Apart from these major festivals, in every village and town of Tamil Nadu, the inhabitants celebrate festivals for the local gods once a year and the time varies from place to place. Most of these festivals are related to the goddess Maariyamman, the goddess of rain.

Festivals including Deepavali, Ayudha Pooja, Dasara, Krishna Jayanthi and Vinayaka Chathurthi are celebrated widely.

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Tamil Nadu is also home to many beautiful hill stations. Popular among them are Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Coonoor, Topslip, Valparai, Yelagiri and Manjolai. The Nilgiri hills, Palani hills, Shevaroy hills, Kolli Hills and Cardamom hills are all abodes of thick forests and wildlife.

Mukurthi National Park & Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve are the two tiger reserves in the state. Mudumalai National Park, The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and Arignar Anna Zoological Park are popular with wildlife lovers. The mangrove forests at Pichavaram are also eco-tourism spots of importance.

Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of peninsular India, is famous for its distinct and beautiful sunrise, Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar's statue built off the coastline.

The prominent waterfalls in the state are Courtallam, Hogenakal, Papanasam, Manimuthar, Thirparappu, Pykara and Silver Cascade.

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Airavateswara temple, Kumbakonam

The Great Living Chola Temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.

Darasuram is located 3 km from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD. The vimana is 28 m high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings. The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple.

The main mantapa is called Raja Gambira as the elephant draws the chariot. The ceiling has a beautiful carving of Shiva and Parvathi inside an open lotus. All the dancing poses of Bharatanatyam are carved in the stone. They are referred to as the Sodasa Upasaras. There is a carving showing the village womenfolk helping in the delivery of another female, who has both her hands on the shoulders of the two ladies, who are pressing their hands and the abdomen of the lady to help her deliver. 'These are very skillful and artistic works of superb style. This may give a glimpse into the social conditions of the past. The stone image of Ravana carrying Kailas is a fine specimen of workmanship. One finds sculptures of Buddha, Bhikshatana, Saraswathi without her Venna, and a sculpture of Ardhanarishwara Brahma and Surya. The paintings on the walls have been repainted during the Nayak periods.

At the very entrance to the temple two Dwarapalakas, Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi, are imposing figures, giving vivid anatomical expressions of the exuberance of youth. In front of the temple, there is a small mandapa, which can be reached by three steps in the form of a ladder. The steps are stones, which give different musical sounds when tapped. All the seven 'swaras' can be had at different points.

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Palani (Pazhani) Muruga (Subrahmanyan) temple

Tamil Nadu's most popular pilgrim centre is located atop of Sivagiri hills in Dindigul district. The Garbagriham is surmounted by a gold gopuram, most admirably worked.

Vibhuthi (sacred ash) and pancha amritham (literally, 'the five nectars' - a traditional preparation of fruit pulp and molasses) are considered holy and distributed to devotees after being offered to the Lord Subrahmanyan in the hill-temple.

How to reach

Palani is 60 km from Dindigul. The hill station Kodaikanal is nearby. From Kerala, Palani can be reached via Kollengode (Palakkad) and Pollachi. Steps are hewn into the rock, besides a wide path meant for the ascent of elephants, up the hill. The hill top temple is 30 min walk away. Rope way is an added aminity for the pilgrims.

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Nellaiappar Shiva temple

The temple is known for its musical pillars and brilliant sculptural splendours. This temple houses a shrine to Shiva and Parvati covering a 14 acre area. Near Tirunelveli, are the nine Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Vishnu (the Alwar Nava Tiruppatis), the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapati temple with its brilliant sculptural work, Tiruchendur with its grand and imposing temple dedicated to Subramanya, and Kutralam a popular tourist resort with its charming waterfalls and abundand natural beauty. The region between Tirunelveli and Kutralam abounds in natural splendour. Mention must be made of Tenkasi, Papanasam and Ambasamudram. The inscriptions in the temple dating back to 950 AD.

The musical pillars in the Mani Mandapam which produce sound in various pitches when struck (7th century AD by Nindrasir Nedumaran or Koon Pandyan), the Somavara Mandapam, the 1000 pillared hall, and the Tamra sabha with intricate wood work, and the Vasantha Mandapam are some of the noteworthy points in this temple. Lifelike sculptures adorn several of the mandapams in the temple, noteworthy ones being in the Sangili Mandapam which links the temples of Nellaiappar and Kantimathi in this vast temple complex.

Tamra Sabhai: The Copper Hall of Dance is a brilliant work of art, and is housed within the inner precincts of the temple.

On the occasion of Arudra Darisanam (occuring in the Tamil month of Margazhi - Dec 15 - Jan 15), the images of Nataraja and Sivakami are housed here, and elaborate worship protocols are observed during the enactment of the Cosmic Dance of Shiva. A shrine to Sandana Sabhapati (adorned with sandal paste) is located right behind the Tamra Sabha and to a visitor walking towards the Tamra Sabha, the combination of these, i.e. the vision of Sandana Sabhapati seen through the Tamra Sabha presents a brilliant spectacle.

Arudra Darisanam attracts huge crowds here.The temple charriot is a massive one, second supposedly only to Tiruvarur. The Bhrammotsavam here lasts for an extended period of time during the Tamil month of Aani (June 15 - July 15).

Other festivals: Navaratri, Tirukkalyanam in Aippasi, (Oct 15 - Nov 15) and Arudra Darisanam.

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Thiruvannamalai Arunachala temple

Thiruvannamalai is the Tejo Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Fire. The others are - Tiruvanaikavil (Appu sthalam - water), Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth), Kalahasti (Vayu sthalam - Air) and Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).

Four Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year, the most famous of which is the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthikai (November/December). The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. On that evening, a huge lamp is lit in a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hill.

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumbulating (14 km) the Arunachala hill barefoot. On the yearly Chitra Powrnami (full moon) night in the Tamil calendar year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit the temple.

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built between the 16th and the 17th centuries by the kings of the Vijayanagara empire. The temple is famous for its massive gopurams.

The 11 tiered East Rajagopuram towers to a height of 217 feet, while the fortified walls pierced with 4 gopura entrances offer a formidable look to this vast temple complex . The Pei Gopuram, Tirumanjana Gopuram and Ammanaiammal gopuram are the other three. The 1000 pillared hall and the temple tank were built by Krishna Deva Rayarar of Vijayanagar. Each of the prakarams has a huge Nandi and several towers such as the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and Kili Gopuram.

How to Reach

A railway line between Vellore (near Chennai) and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannamalai.