Day 76.Legacy-13

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of the Supreme God, Maha Vishnu, located in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.

Constructed in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple is glorified by Alvars in their Divya Prabhanda and has the unique distinction of being the foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to The Supreme God Vishnu.

The inner apartment of Sri Ranganatha temple was built in 817 CE by a lady by name Hambi, of the class of dancers .

The temple was looted and destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate armies in a broad plunder raid on various cities of the Pandyan kingdom in early 14th century.

 The temple was rebuilt in late 14th century, the site fortified and expanded with many more Gopurams in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was one of the hubs of early Bhakti movement with a devotional singing and dance tradition, but this tradition stopped during the 14th century and was revived in a limited way much later.

The temple occupies an area of 155 acres (63 ha) with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions, and many water tanks integrated into the complex making it the world's largest functioning Hindu temple. 

The Srirangam temple is the largest temple compound in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Some of these structures have been renovated, expanded and rebuilt over the centuries as a living temple. The latest addition is the outer tower that is approximately 73 metres (240 ft)tall, completed in 1987.

 Srirangam temple is often listed as one of the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, the still larger Angkor Wat being the largest existing temple.  The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) attracts 1 million visitors. The temple complex has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is in UNESCO's tentative list.(wiki)

I am yet to see the temple. The desire is there.

 The temple reminds one of the great sacrifices done by people over the centuries to maintain and rebuild it from time to time. That is what one should remember and be proud of. School children should be taken to the temple as part of their education which will not only give them a glimpse into the rich religious heritage of this great land but also will help in building vision in them. Hopefully someone will  initiate some steps  in those directions.

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

8 30 AM

Day 75. Legacy- 12

Kailāśanātha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharshtra.  A megalith carved from a rock cliff face, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in the world because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment, and "the climax of the rock-cut phase of Indian architecture". The top of the superstructure over the sanctuary is 32.6 metres (107 feet) above the level of the court below, although the rock face slopes downwards from the rear of the temple to the front. Archaeologists believe it is made from a single rock.

The Kailasa temple (Cave 16) is the largest of the 34 Buddhist, Jain and Hindu cave temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves, ranging for over 2 kilometres (1.5 miles) along the sloping basalt cliff at the site. Most of the excavation of the temple is generally attributed to the eighth century Rashtrakuta king Krishna I ( 756 – 773), with some elements completed later.

The temple architecture shows traces of Pallava and Chalukya styles. The temple contains a number of relief and free-standing sculptures on a grand scale equal to the architecture, though only traces remain of the paintings which originally decorated it. (wiki)

I recall seeing an elevated structure which many elephants are holding on their heads. An amazing sight indeed. It is said that the temple is built by Viswakarma- the celestial builder for Gods, because human beings cannot do so. And if done by human intelligence, hats off to those wonderful/visionary builders. As the temple is made by cutting/excavating one big rock, what must have been the artistry of the persons involved?

This temple could be considered as one of the wonders of the world.  Just like Pyramid, the vision of the builders was par excellence. This temple/structure/vision will merit a wonder of the world status.

Sad indeed, we have not sufficiently highlighted/showcased its glory, due to prolonged slave mentality accumulated over centuries due to rules by invaders from the East and West. When I visited this monument a decade back it looked in disrepair. If only someone could resurrect it to its original glory, it will challenge any modern or old wonders of the world hands down. But then, some one must take the initiative.

We don’t have any pride in our own legacy, so it appears in many matters. Before the Copa football cup final today, Neymar the Brazilian footballer lambasted some of his countrymen for backing Argentina, against home country! 

Argentina won the match. When own countrymen want  the other county to win, then even God cannot help in such cases. Brazil's story is pertinent to all right thinking people.

So, we can take solace that it is an international phenomenon to look down on our own achievements and legacy.

Can we afford that luxury?

 Worth a thought. Isn’t it ?

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

 7 30 AM

Day 74.Legacy- 11

The Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the God Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name Dwarkadhish, or 'King of Dwarka'.

 The temple is located at Dwarka city of Gujarat, India, which is one of the destinations of Char Dham, a Hindu pilgrimage circuit. The main shrine of the five-storied building, supported by 72 pillars, is known as Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir. Archaeological findings suggest it to be 2,000 - 2,200 years old. The temple was enlarged in the 15th- 16th century. 

According to tradition, the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, over the Hari-griha (Krishna's residential place). 

The original structure was destroyed by Mahmud Begada in 1472, and subsequently rebuilt in the 15th-16th century.

 The temple became part of the Char Dham pilgrimage considered sacred by Hindus in India. Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th century Hindu theologian and philosopher, visited the shrine. Even today a memorial within the temple is dedicated to his visit. The other three being comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath and Puri.

Dwarakadheesh is the 98th Divya Desam of Vishnu on the subcontinent, glorified in the Divya Prabandha sacred texts. it was rebuilt by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore.  It is conjectured that this temple location is 2,500 years old where Krishna had built his city and a temple. However, the existing temple is dated to 16th century.( wiki)

A temple worth a visit nestling the sea, a sight to marvel. With a history of two thousand plus years , who will not feel proud of the great heritage/legacy?

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

9 PM

Day 73. Legacy- 10

Brihadishvara temple, also called Rajarajeswaram or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the south bank of Kaveri river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Tamil architecture. It is called as Dakshina Meru (Meru of south).

Built by Tamil king Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple that are about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast respectively.

The original monuments of this 11th-century temple were built around a moat. It included gopura, the main temple, its massive tower, inscriptions, frescoes, and sculptures predominantly related to Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism.

Built out of granite, the vimana tower above the sanctum is one of the tallest in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva Lingas in India. 

It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Nataraja – Shiva as the lord of dance, in 11th century. 

The complex includes-

shrinesfor Nandi, Parvati, Kartikeya, Ganesha,Sabhapati, Dakshinamurti, Chandeshvara, Varahi and others.

 The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.( wiki)

Though I have not visited the temple, even the mere description instils  awe and devotion.

 The temple completed over 1000 years and the event was celebrated well with many activities.

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

9 45 AM

Day 72. Legacy. 9

 The Bhojeshwar Temple is an incomplete- and unique- Hindu temple in Bhojpur village of Madhya Pradesh.

 Dedicated to Shiva, it houses a 7.5 feet (2.3 m) high lingam in its sanctum.

The temple's construction is believed to have started in the 11th century, during the reign of the Paramara king Bhoja. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. The temple has been designated as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The temple lies on a platform 115 feet (35 m) long, 82 feet (25 m) wide and 13 feet (4.0 m) high. On the platform lies a sanctum containing a large Lingam. The sanctum plan comprises a square; on the outside, each side measures 65 feet (20 m); on the inside, each measures 42.5 feet (13.0 m).

The Lingam is built using three superimposed limestone blocks. The lingam is 7.5 feet (2.3 m) high and 17.8 feet (5.4 m) in circumference. It is set on a square platform, whose sides measure 21.5 feet (6.6 m). The total height of the lingam, including the platform is over 40 feet (12 m).

The doorway to the sanctum is 33 feet (10 m) high. The wall at the entrance features sculptures of apsaras, ganas (attendants of Shiva) and river goddesses. (wiki).

 I had two occasions to visit the temple. Except visitors, there  are not many people there. That doesn’t matter from the angle of this discussion. Unique features of the temple are-

ü  The height of the Lingam. I have not seen anything like that so far in person or virtually.

ü  The circumference of the Lingam

ü  The entrance height of the temple

ü  The mammoth size of the whole structure.

One can see attempts  were made to destroy the sculptures at the entrance. Since the whole work is on stone, such attempts were not fully successful.

The temple takes us back to an era when rulers of great wealth and devotion were present. That is the heritage one should recall with pride. Bhojewar temple gives that in plenty. We must remember them with utmost gratefulness.

Many may not be having a plan to visit this temple as they  may not have, probably, even heard about it.. however  it can be now easily seen on the net. Make it a point to see and know about this great temple,at least on the net.

( seeing this temple first time  in 1994 left a deep impression in my mind).

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

7 AM

Day 71. Legacy -8

Sri Krishna   Temple at Guruvayur is the most famous Vishnu temple  in Kerala. The temple has many unique features and is considered as the Bhuloka Vaikunta by the devotees.

The temple complex may not be imposing like many other temples in the country, but its prominence is at the top. 

Being a native of that place, I am much familiar with the temple and the surroundings.

A large number of  Hindu marriages are performed there. For  small kids,  rice feeding ceremony is conducted . Through out the year some or other cultural programmes are being held  such that whenever you visit the temple, a lot of festivities could be observed.

One famous devotee of the Lord was Meppathur Bhattathiripad( circa1600 AD). He was afflicted with arthritis and he went to the temple and started singing the praise of Lord based on the Bhagavat Purana. He did that for nearly 100 days, daily 10 slokas or so.

His disease was fully cured before completion of 100 days ,so the record states. These 1000 plus slokas are   collectively called Narayaneeyam , which is a condensed version of Bhagavat Purana , but a completely independent work . Narayaneeyam is a very popular prayer book of Keralites and many recite the same on a daily basis.

Another uniqueness  of the temple is that it has nearly 50 elephants donated by devotees and there is a big elephant sanctuary nearby  the temple .Kids and grown ups will enjoy a trip to the sanctuary after the Darshan.

( Our  Hon.PM had visited the temple last year and even made a  Tulabharam  offering to the Lord.)

Temple has a beautiful pond attached to it and  many  devotees take a dip before entering the temple. If you step into the pond, many fish will swamp your legs, a tickling experience to relish. 

The temple starts at 3 AM-which is unique.

One must make it a point to visit the temple, if not done already.

Be happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

8  AM