Ukhi math Temple Uttrakhand

Ukhimath Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is situated at a height of about1310 meters and at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag. During the winters, the idols from Kedarnath temple, and Madhyamaheshwar are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped here for six months. 
According to Hindu Mythology, Wedding of Usha (Daughter of Vanasur) and Anirudh (Grandson of Lord Krishna) was solemnized here. By name of Usha this place was named as Ushamath, now known as Ukhimath. During winter the Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath is brought from Kedarnath to this place. Winter puja of Lord Kedarnath and year-round puja of Lord Omkareshwar is performed here.

Triyuginarayan Temple Uttrakhand

Triyuginarayan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The ancient temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. Its fame is credited to the legend of Lord Shiva’s marriage to goddess Parvati witnessed by Vishnu at this venue and is thus a popular pilgrimage centre. A special feature of this temple is a perpetual fire, that burns in front of the temple. The flame is believed to burn from the times of the divine marriage.Thus, the temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni temple.

Legend

Triyuginarayan is the venue of the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvati, during the Satya Yuga, witnessed in the presence of the holy fire that still burns eternally in front of the temple in a Havana-kund or Agni-kund. Bhagwan Vishnu formalized the wedding and acted as Parvati's brother in the ceremonies, while the creator-god Brahma acted as the priest of the wedding, that was witnessed by all the sages of the times. According to Hindu mythology, goddess Parvati was daughter of Himavat or Himavan - the personification of the Himalayas. She was the rebirth of Sati, the first wife of Shiva - who sacrificed her life when her father insulted Shiva. Parvati initially tried to allure Shiva by her beauty, but failed. Finally, she won Shiva by practising rigorous penance at Gauri Kund, which is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from Triyuginarayan. Pilgrims visiting Triyuginaryan temple also visit the Gauri Kund temple, dedicated to Parvati, which is the base camp for trek to Kedarnath Temple. Mythology states that Shiva proposed to Parvati at Guptakashi, before they got married in the small Triyuginarayan village at the confluence of Mandakini and Sone-Ganga rivers.

Guptkashi temple Uttrakhand

Guptakashi Temple is located at an elevation of 1,319 metres (4,327 ft) , in Garhwal region of Rudraprayag district in Uttrakhand. It is also known as Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and this temple is similar to the one in Varanasi (Kashi). The other well known temple here is dedicated to Ardhanareshvara, a half man half woman form of Shiva and Parvati. The name Guptakashi has legendary significance linked to the Pandavas. Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places.

The temple town is located on the way to the Kedarnath. It has the scenic backdrop of the snow-covered peaks and enjoys a salubrious weather throughout the year

Ganga & Yamuna streams

Cleansing before Darshan

Ardhnarishwar Temple

Nandi ji

Legend

 Legend holds that after the Kurukshetra war of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas wished to atone for their sins of fratricide committed by them during the war by seeking pardon from Shiva and also pray for his blessings before attaining salvation. But Shiva was not willing to meet them since he was annoyed with them for the unjust events of the war. He, therefore, avoided meeting them at Kashi and went incognito as the bull Nandi to Guptakashi in Uttarakhand. But Pandavas pursued him to Guptakashi and recognized him in the disguised form of Nandi. When Bhima, the second Pandava brother tried to hold the bull by its tail and hind legs, Nandi vanished from Guptakashi, into the ground (into a cave for hiding), but reappeared later as Shiva in five different forms namely, hump at Kedarnath, face at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and the locks at Kalpeshwar. The vanishing act of Shiva gave the name Guptakashi (hidden Kashi) to this place on the bank of the Mandakini River.

Mythology also states that Shiva proposed to Parvati at Guptakashi before they got married in the small Triyuginarayan village at the confluence of Mandakini and Sone-Ganga rivers.

Badrinath Temple Uttrakhand

Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a  temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand The temple  form one of the four Char Dhams. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in this region. The temple is located in Garhwal hills along the banks of Alaknanda River at a height of 10,279 ft above the mean sea level.

The image of the presiding deity in the temple is a 1 m  tall, black stone statue of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight swayam vyakta kshetras, or self-manifested statues of Vishnu.

The  moorti  of Badrinarayan,  is housed in a gold canopy under a Badri Tree. The sanctum also houses images of the god of wealth—Kubera, sage Narada, Uddhava, Nar and Narayan.  Other moortis in this temple include that of Lakshmi , Garuda  and Navadurga, the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms.  The conical-shaped roof of the sanctum, the garbhagriha, is covered with a gold gilt roof.

The Tapt Kund, a group of hot sulphur springs just below the temple, are considered to be medicinal; many pilgrims consider it a requirement to bathe in the springs before visiting the temple.  The two water ponds in the temple are called Narad Kund and Surya Kund.

History

 According to some accounts, the temple was a Buddhist shrine till the 8th century and Adi Shankara converted it to a Hindu temple.^[
 It is believed that Shankaracharya  resided in the place for six years from ad 814 to 820. He resided six months in Badrinath and the rest of the year in Kedarnath. He discovered the image of Badrinath in the Alaknanda River and enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs.

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Kedar nath Temple Uttrakhand

Kedar nath Temple Uttrakhand

 is a famous Shiva temple located in the Garhwal range near  Mandakini river in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand .  The temple is open only between the end of  May to  November. During the winters, the deities  from Kedarnath temple are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped there for six months. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the 'Lord of Kedar Khand'.

The temple was built by Pandavas and revived by Adi Sankaracharyaand is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The temple is one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas. 

The temple is situated at an height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft), 223 km from Rishikesh, on the shores of Mandakini river, a tributary of Ganga. The  temple is believed to have been constructed in the 8th century CE, when Adi Shankara visited. The present structure is on a site adjacent to where Pandavas are believed to have built the temple. It has one Garbhagriha and a Mandapa,  surrounded by snow clad mountain and glaciers. In front of the temple, directly opposite to the inner shrine, is a Nandi statue carved out of rock.

History

According to History, during the Mahabharatha War, the Pandavas killed their relatives. To absolve themselves of this sin, the Pandavas undertook a pilgrimage. But Lord Vishweshwara was away in Kailasa in the Himalayas. On learning this, the Pandavas left Kashi. They reached the Himalayas via Haridwar. They saw Lord Shankara from a distance. But Lord Shankara hid from them. Then Dharmaraj said: "Oh, Lord, You have hidden yourself from our sight because we have sinned. But, we will seek You out somehow. Only after we take your Darshan would our sins be washed away. This place, where You have hidden Yourself will be known as Guptakashi and become a famous shrine."

From Guptakashi (Rudraprayag), the Pandavas went ahead till they reached Gaurikund in the Himalayas valleys. They wandered there in search of Lord Shankara. While doing so Nakul and Sahadev found a buffalo which was unique to look at.

Then Bheema went after the buffalo with his mace. The buffalo was clever and Bheema could not catch him. But Bheema managed to hit the buffalo with his mace. The buffalo had its face hidden in a crevice-in the earth. Bheema started to pull it by its tail. In this tug-of war, the face of the buffalo went straight to Nepal, leaving its hind part in Kedar. The face is Doleshwar Mahadev in Sipadol, Bhaktapur, Nepal.

On this hind part of Mahesha, a JyotirLinga appeared and Lord Shankara appeared from this light. By getting a Darshan of Lord Shankar, the pandavas were absolved of their sins. The Lord told the Pandavas, "From now on, I will remain here as a triangular shaped JyotirLinga. By taking a Darshan of Kedarnath, devotees would attain piety". A triangular shaped rock is worshiped in Garbhagriha of the temple.

Bageshwori Temple Nepalgunj Nepal

Bageshwori Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal, located in Nepalgunj. It is dedicated to goddess Bageshwori. The temple area also houses another famous temple- the temple of lord Shiva with mustache.

There are several other smaller temples inside the temple area including a temple of lord Buddha, statue of lord Ganesha, Shani temple and the temple of lord Hanuman. The Bageshwori pond that is situated within the temple area has the temple of lord Shiva with mustache stands at the center of it.

Guhyeshwari Temple Kathmandu Nepal

Guhyeshwari Temple is one of the holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple is a Shakti Peetha located near  the world famous Pashupatinath Temple. King Pratap Malla built this temple in the 17th century.

The temple name originates from the Sanskrit words Guhya (Secret) and Ishwari (Goddess). It is believed that Sati Devi's corpse's parts fell in different region when Shiva took it and roamed around the world in sorrow. The temple marks the spot where her yoni fell; guhya means vagina and ishwari means goddess. The goddess is worshipped at the centre of the temple in a kalasha (water jar) that is covered with a layer of silver and gold. 

Shakti Peethas are shrines of the Mother Goddess. These are places that are believed to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered in sorrow.

Ref : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guhyeshwari_Temple

Pashupati nath Temple Kathmandu (Nepal)

The Pashupatinath Temple  is one of the most famous and sacred Shiva temple  located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu city of Nepal. Infact, this Hindu temple is a collection of temples, ashrams, images built over many centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river.

The twelve Jyotirlinga (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath temple is the head over this body.

Legend surrounding the Temple Origin

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded, but its  existence dates back to 400 B.C. The temple has the sacred five mukhi Shiv linga . There are many legends associated with this temple. Some of them are narrated below:-

The Cow Legend : Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later caught up with him, and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga but overtime it was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.

Other beliefs

 One story goes, in that Shiva and Parvati came to the Kathmandu Valley and rested by the Bagmati while on a journey. Shiva was so impressed by its beauty and the surrounding forest that he and Parvati changed themselves into deers and walked into the forest. After a while the gods began to search for Shiva. Finally, they found him in the forest, but he refused to leave. Shiva announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati in a deer's form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all animals. It is said that whoever came here and beheld the lingam that appeared there would not be reborn as an animal.

Kaiash Mansarovar yatra (contd)

(Please read my blog dt 31 May 2016 to maintain continuity)
some more tips for this Holy Yatra
Who can undertake this yatra

• Any healthy person upto age 70 years is eligible. Since you require chinese permit and visa,they insist that all indian citizens should be 70 yrs or below.
•  It is advisable that persons having IHD, Hypertension, COPD, Bronchial Asthma, Joint pains, Obesity etc Must consult their respective physicians before undertaking this yatra.
• Yatri having minor illness must carry their medicines required during yatra, since those medicines wont be available during yatra.

What to carry

• Your tour operator will give you a list of articles to be carried.
• A duffel bag, back pack, Warm jacket,water bottle is generally provided by tour operators. Check with your tour operator before leaving home and carry these things if not provided.
• Carry woolens, thermal inner wears, wind cheaters, Monkey cap, Woolen socks, cotton socks, Thermos flask small,Torch, digital camera, video camera,trekking shoes, biscuits, dry fruits, snacks etc
• Medicines you are taking plus Crocin, Cambiflam, Oraindazole, Augmentin, Ciprofloxacin, Band aid, crepe bandage, moove ointment, Sunscreen cream.
• If you are interested in pooja after dip in Mansarovar please carry all pooja samigri like Havan, camphor, match box, aggarwati, desighee dipped cotton vicks, sandal wood samidhas, small haven kund, Mug plastic for bath in mansarovar if unable to take dip.There is no Pandit ji there unless one happens to be in your group. Otherwise pooja has to be done by your self.

There is No temple at either mansarovar or Kailash. You are supposed to take Holy dip for your self, your family members and ancestors in Mansarovar. Water is not very cold if you take dip in afternoons. Avoid marshy place for dip, select rocky area.Soap is not to be used. When taking dip bring small pebbles in your hand and carry them as souveniers for pooja at home.

• Walk slowly and steadily during parikrama, dont isolate your self, preferably take pony during parikrama. Take rest in between, take warm water at frequent intervals during parikrama.
• You can have Kailash darshan all along your first day parikrama till Derphuk. At deraphuk, you will have BEST darshan and you are face to face with Mount Kailash , You will forget all your tiredness once you have majestic view of Mount Kailash here. Enroute keep observing various mountains and you will surely see images of Ganesha, shiv ling, Hanuman ji, Nandiji on these hills.Keep observing and enjoying...the ultimate pilgrimage.
• At Dera phuk, one can sit infront of imposing mount kailash, meditate and observe closely Mount Kailash, you may be able to have Darshan of lord of Lords LORD Shiva

  

  Golden Mount Kailash at Deraphuk

  
  

  

  Majestic Mansarovar with Mount Kailash in background
  

  
  

  

  Mount Kailash seen during ist day Parikrama
  

  
  

  

  Pehla Darshan Mount Kailash on road toMansarovar
  

  
  

  

  Ist Day Parikrama

  
  

  

  Mansarovar vast and beautiful

  
  

  

  Pooja after Holy Dip

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2016

Mount Kailash is acclaimed to be the holiest place on earth. It happens to be supremely sacred site of four religions and billions of people. However only few thousand pilgrims are able to go there each year, because of extremely difficult terrain and remote location in far western Tibet.
Mt. Kailash is regarded by the Hindus as the spiritual center of the universe, the axis mundi in Buddhism, Jainism as well as Hindu cosmology. The Axis mundi is literally the axis of the world. The axis provides a connection between the physical world and spiritual worlds.
This holy mountain rises to an altitude of 6714 meters in the Himalayan range,but its grandeur lies not in height but in its distinct shape and its solitary location, free of neighboring mountains.
The area around this great mountain is the source of four life-giving rivers; the Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutluj and Karnali, which is a major tributary of sacred Ganges. Two lakes are situated at the base of the mountain – Manasarovar lake and Rakhshas Tal.
We were fortunate to undertake this spiritual journey this year and I like to share our experiences and offer some tips to those who want to undertake this sacred yatra. 
Different routes available are:-

1. Traditional route through uttrakhand (Lipulekh pass route) to Tibet and then to Manasarovar and Kailash. Trekking is involved in this route and it takes around 22-23 days to complete this yatra. Route is tough.This yatra is conducted by MEA Govt of India
2. NathuLa route. This route is suitable for senior citizens since trekking is not involved. One has to apply to MEA and if selected one has to come down to delhi, undergo medical checkup and if found fit and if name appears in selected group you can undertake this yatra. Cost around Rs 2 lakh per head. Duration is about 22 days. From delhi you fly to Bagdogra, by bus go to Gangtok to NathLa and then through Tibet to Kailash and Mansarovar.
3. Plenty of Private trip operators are available in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Kathmandu etc,They start journey from various Indian cities or Kathmandu or Nepalgunj in Nepal.From Kathmandu, there is a road route via Kodari, Nyalam but this route is not operational since last year because of damage to the roads in tibet during last years Earthquake. Other option is by Heptr . Road route takes about 15 days and heptr route takes about 10-11 days.By Heptr route , from kathmandu you are taken to Nepl gunj by 30 seater plane and then to SimiKot in 15 seater plane. Subsequently 5-6 seater Heptrs are pressed to take you to Hilsa (Nepal) to Purang(Tibet) by bus and then to Mansarovar and Kailash. Some people join directly at Nepalgunj from Lucknow.
4. Since weather is main consideration and space in small planes/ heptrs is inadequate, you should consider yourself to be very lucky if you can go as planned. Be prepared to wait for several hours to 1-2 days before you get the next flight. One MUST have lot of patience and willing to undergo little hard ship. Dont expect airport lounges. You may have to rough it out at whatever space is available. Be compassionate not selfish.
5. When to go:- Yatra is undertaken from mid may to september. Avoid rainy season if possible. Avoid full moon trips since these are generally overcrowded and there may be 500-600 yatris at Hilsa or Simikot- places which are not geared to accommodate so many people.
6. In Tibet you require chinese currency Yuans. This currency will be required to pay for ponnies and Porter during Kailash Parikrama. Better buy this currency in India or Nepal. Local guides charge exorbitantly at Purang. In Nepal one can easily use Indian currency but not in Tibet.
7. Get yourself checked up medically before embarking on this yatra to avoid unpleasent situation during Kailash parikrama.
8. It is preferable to buy a nepalese Sim , available at a counter in Airport itself, submit a copy of passport and a photograph. Roamimg is quite costly,
9. If you are joining any group from Kathmandu, better do return reservation after a gap of 2 days to avoid cancellation and re-reservations which will be very costly. Since weather can pack up any time better to have cushion of 2 days. Better book with a group operating from your location to Kailash and Back to avoid these hassels
10. Take a dip in Manasaovar lake preferably where rocky area and clear water is seen. Avoid marshy, slushy area for dip. Collect mansarovar jal and stones from lake as souvenires representing as shiv lings. If you are carrying rudraksha, bathe them as well in Mansarovar lake water to add to their sanctity.
11. Take thermal inner wear, good torch, sun screen cream, thermos flask digital cameras besides the list of items your tour operator advises you, Take snacks, dry fruits , biscuits with you.
12. Take havan or pooja samagri if you want to perform pooja after dip in manasrovar.

Manimahesh Kailash

The Manimahesh Kailash , also known as Chamba Kailash, stands towering high over the Manimahesh Lake, is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. It is located in the Bharmour subdivision of the Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The peak is 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Bharmour in the Budhil valley. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh. The Manimahesh Lake is at the base of the Kailash peak at 5,653 metres (18,547 ft) and both are held in deep veneration by people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the Gaddi tribes of the region, as the abode of Lord Shiva
Legend

There are several mythical legends narrated on the sanctity of this peak and the lake at its base.Locals  believe that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Goddess Parvati.

They believe, Lord Shiva  resides in Manimahesh Kailash. A rock formation in the form of a Shivling on this mountain is considered as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snow field at the base of the mountain is called by the local people as Shiva's Chaugan (play field)

Kinnaur Kailsh (Himachal Pradesh)

The Kinnaur Kailash ( Kinner Kailash) is a mountain in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The Kinnaur Kailash has a height of 6050 meters and is considered as sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. This mountain is sometimes confused with the Mount Kailash in Tibet.  'Kinner Kailash' is considered winter residence of Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva conduct a meeting of all Devi-Devtas on Kinner Kailash top.
Kinner Kailash is among Panch Kailashes, Shri Khand Kailash,  Mani Mahesh Lake,  Kailash Mansarover, Aadi Kailash.

source of info:http://allaboutkinnaur.blogspot.in/2012/04/all-about-kinner-kailash.html