Let us continue with her favourite places.....
Then the great places of Sakambhari, Bhramari, S'riraktadantika and Durga. The best of all places is that of Vindhyachala Vasini, the great places of Annapurna and the excellent Kanchipur (Conjiverum). Next come the placesof Bhima Devi, Vimala Devi, S'ri Chandrala Devi of Karnat, andthe place of Kaus'iki. Then the great placeof Nilamba on the top of the Nilaparvata, the place of Jambunades'vari, and the beautiful S'rinagara.
Ancient Temple of Goddess Shakambhari is situated at Sakarai about 15 km from Udaipur Wati which is about 29 km from Sikar(Rajasthan).The demon Durgam had acquired all the four books of total knowledge (The Veda) from Lord Brahma through penance. He also gets a boon from Lord Brahma that makes sure that all the pujas, yajnas and havis being offered to the Gods reach him instead making him invincible.
Durgam became very arrogant and started tormenting the whole world. As the consequence, it did not rain for one hundred years and the whole world was hit by very severe drought.
The rishis and munis take refuge in the caves of the Himalayas, and meditate upon the Supreme Devi. The Goddess appeared in front of them bearing a wonderful form!
She had countless number of eyes upon Her that gave Her the name SATAKSHI. She was carrying grains, cereals, vegetables, greens, fruits and other herbs - and was hence called SHAKAMBARI.
She was so moved by their plights that tears rolled down from her eyes for nine continuous days and nights. The tears took the form of a river, as the result of which the drought came to an end.
The rishis, munis and the Gods then requested that she recover the Vedas, which were in possession of Durgam. Durgam came to know that people were living happily through his messengers and immediately attacked with a large army.
The Goddess protected the frail rishis, munis, Gods and others by putting up a huge wall of fire around them, and then let Her discuss hover around it. There ensued a tremendous battle between the Devi and Durgam.
From Her body manifested the ten most powerful powers who never been in universe before dasamahavidya and 64,000 other goddesses. At last the Goddess called Satakshi/Shakambari, killed Durgam with her trident and recovered the Veda from his possession. At that very moment all the mantras and japas that were performed by the rishis, munis and Gods had performed earlier but were absorbed by the demon Durgam due to his boon, transformed into a bright light of a 10,000 Suns and entered the Devi. She then handed over The Veda to the deities. Ishwari also knowns as Durga as she had killed the demon Durgam.Also there is three temples of Mata Shakambhari in kolkata. Since tears rolled out from goddess eye for 9 days and night continuously the biggest worship practice is celebration of Navratra Mahotasav being held in the month of Chaitra and Aasoj for nine days each. Two more Navratras are also celebrated but they are known as 'Gupt Navratras'.
Durgam became very arrogant and started tormenting the whole world. As the consequence, it did not rain for one hundred years and the whole world was hit by very severe drought.
The rishis and munis take refuge in the caves of the Himalayas, and meditate upon the Supreme Devi. The Goddess appeared in front of them bearing a wonderful form!
She had countless number of eyes upon Her that gave Her the name SATAKSHI. She was carrying grains, cereals, vegetables, greens, fruits and other herbs - and was hence called SHAKAMBARI.
She was so moved by their plights that tears rolled down from her eyes for nine continuous days and nights. The tears took the form of a river, as the result of which the drought came to an end.
The rishis, munis and the Gods then requested that she recover the Vedas, which were in possession of Durgam. Durgam came to know that people were living happily through his messengers and immediately attacked with a large army.
The Goddess protected the frail rishis, munis, Gods and others by putting up a huge wall of fire around them, and then let Her discuss hover around it. There ensued a tremendous battle between the Devi and Durgam.
From Her body manifested the ten most powerful powers who never been in universe before dasamahavidya and 64,000 other goddesses. At last the Goddess called Satakshi/Shakambari, killed Durgam with her trident and recovered the Veda from his possession. At that very moment all the mantras and japas that were performed by the rishis, munis and Gods had performed earlier but were absorbed by the demon Durgam due to his boon, transformed into a bright light of a 10,000 Suns and entered the Devi. She then handed over The Veda to the deities. Ishwari also knowns as Durga as she had killed the demon Durgam.Also there is three temples of Mata Shakambhari in kolkata. Since tears rolled out from goddess eye for 9 days and night continuously the biggest worship practice is celebration of Navratra Mahotasav being held in the month of Chaitra and Aasoj for nine days each. Two more Navratras are also celebrated but they are known as 'Gupt Navratras'.
The next one is,Kot brahmari temple, located at the top of a mount enclosed by a fort in Kasauni, is known popularly by Bhramari Devi or Kote-ke-mai temple.The unique feature of this temple is that the main deity, Goddess Bhramari is facing north and devotees offer prayers from the south direction of the temple.
Durga temple is situated in kolkata,Durga's story appears primarily in the Skanda Purana, in Chandi, itself a part of the Markandeya Purana, but very similar stories are told in the Brahmanda Purana and also in the famous epic, the Mahabharata. She also appears elsewhere in tantrik texts, including as Mahishamardini (killer of the demon Mahisha) in the Kulachudamani tantra.
Vindhyachala Vasini Devi Temple is situated in Vindhyachal, 8 km from Mirzapur, on the banks of the holy river Ganges. It is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths of the presiding deity, Vindhyavasini Devi .Big congregations are held during Navratras in Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October) months. Kajali competitions are held in the month of Jyestha (June). The temple is situated just 2 km from the Kali Khoh, an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.
70 km. (one and a half hour drive) from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a renowned religious city dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be the instant bestower of bendiction. There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh Temple, which constitute the Trikona Parikrama (circumambulation). The Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, the Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to Goddess Mahasaraswati (on a hollock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini temple) and the Kali khoh temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali (2 km from Vindhyavasini temple) form the Trikon Parikrama.
70 km. (one and a half hour drive) from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a renowned religious city dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be the instant bestower of bendiction. There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh Temple, which constitute the Trikona Parikrama (circumambulation). The Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, the Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to Goddess Mahasaraswati (on a hollock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini temple) and the Kali khoh temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali (2 km from Vindhyavasini temple) form the Trikon Parikrama.
The Annapoorneshwari Temple is located at Horanadu India 100 km from Chikmagalur in the thick forests and valleys of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Also called "Sri Kshethra Horanadu", it is situated on the banks of river Bhadra in a remote corner of Chikmaglur district of Karnataka, surrounded by the natural vegitation, forest, green lands, and natural beauty of the Western Ghats. The great diety of Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annap00rneshwari's prathistapana was done by His Holiness Agasthya Maharishi several centuries back. The hereditary dharmakartharu of our family started 400 years back. Till the 5th Dharmakartharu, the temple was having a very small structure surrounded by full of natural vegitation and forest. Even then at least one or more people used to visit the temple, have pooja and were provided with free food (annaprasadam) and shelter and it is continued till date.The name Annapoorneshwari means "Feeding one and all". All who visit this temple are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner and place to sleep on the temple premises.
Kamakshi Amman Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Kamakshi, one of the forms of the goddess Tripura sundari. It is located in the historic city Kanchipuram, near Chennai,India.
In the vicinity of Pinjore Gardens, there is this ancient temple known as ‘Bhima Devi Temple’.
It is believed to be built between 9th and 11th century A.D.
The presence of 3 pedestals indicate that the temple belongs to the Panchayatan group of temples. this temple has shrines - with the main shrine in the centre surrounded by 4 other built separately. The images of Lord Shiva, Agni, Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, lead the archealogists to believe that this temple may have been dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The believe the Style and treatment of these Sculptures is very close to those of the khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh. this temple was destroyed by Nasir-u-din Mahmood, son of emperor Iltutmish, demolished the temple in 1254 AD and only a few remains are seen today.
In the vicinity of Pinjore Gardens, there is this ancient temple known as ‘Bhima Devi Temple’.
It is believed to be built between 9th and 11th century A.D.
The presence of 3 pedestals indicate that the temple belongs to the Panchayatan group of temples. this temple has shrines - with the main shrine in the centre surrounded by 4 other built separately. The images of Lord Shiva, Agni, Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, lead the archealogists to believe that this temple may have been dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The believe the Style and treatment of these Sculptures is very close to those of the khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh. this temple was destroyed by Nasir-u-din Mahmood, son of emperor Iltutmish, demolished the temple in 1254 AD and only a few remains are seen today.
Vimala temple, is situated in puri and it is 32km from cuttack and konark.Shaktipitha a shrine of Shakti, was constructed by the great kings of Somavamsi Kingdonm in tenth century. This temple enshrines seven Mother Goddesses, Shaktis, namely Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi and Chamunda. Goddess Vimala is the presiding deity of this renowned temple.
Sri chandrala parameshwari (also called chandralamba) is in sannati/honguta/hangunti karnataka on the banks of Bheema river.
Kaushiki Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 8 km from Almora on the Kashyap Hill. According to the Puranas, Kaushiki Devi appeared from body of Parvati to kill the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh.
Sri chandrala parameshwari (also called chandralamba) is in sannati/honguta/hangunti karnataka on the banks of Bheema river.
Kaushiki Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 8 km from Almora on the Kashyap Hill. According to the Puranas, Kaushiki Devi appeared from body of Parvati to kill the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh.
Hari parbat is situated at the fringe of srinagar city,it is the most ancient and one of the holiest places in kashmir.It is the abode of Mahasakthi,the divine mother jagamba sharika bhagwati also known as maha tripurasundari or rajarajeswari.The goddess is represented by a swyambhu srichakra also called the mahashriyatra which consists of circular mystic impressions of triangular patterns with a dot at the centre.
To be continued........
