Famous Temples in Bihar

Bihar State of India is very much known as the “Land of Enlightenment being the twelfth largest state geographically and third largest state in population in Indian Territory. Most of the temples in Bihar contributes much for tourism. The people of Bihar are very religious by nature and the temples reflect this religious sentiment.

Kurkihar Temple
Siddheswari Temple
Stupa Sita Temple
Mandar Hill Temple
Prapitaamaheshwara Temple
Thawe Durga Temple
Vaidhyanath Temple
Vishnupaada Temple
Radhe Shyam Temple
Ratktakali Temples
Shri Ram Temple
Sun Temple at Nalanda
Brahmeshwarnath Temple
Bushanath Temple
Parapar Hill Temple
Bhutan Temple
Biharji Temple
Chaturbhuj Sthan Temple
Badi Patan Devi Temple
Bawan Pokhar Temple
Ajgaibinath Temple
Ananyadevi Temple
Jagdish Temple

Mandar Hill Temple:

Mandar Hill Temple in Bihar is situated about 30 miles south in Bhagalpur town. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had defeated a demon when the battle lasted for more than a thousand years. Mandar Hill Temple is a holy place related to the salvation of 12th Teerthankar Vasupoojya Swami.

Prapitaamaheshwara Temple:

Prapitaamaheshwara temple in Bihar is located in Gaya District enshrines lord Shiva. Prapitaamaheshwara temple belongs to 11th century and is famous for offerings to dead relatives. The Prapitaamaheshwara temple is adjacent to Bhramayoni and Vasmakuta the two sacred hills in Bihar. The Prapitaamaheshwara temple is built with black basalt facing to the east.

Vishnupaada Temple:

The Vishnupaada Temple in Bihar enshrines Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the foot print on rock called as Dharmasila is lord Vishnu’s. This Vishnupaada Temple was built by queen of Indore Rani in 1783. The construction of Vishnupaada Temple constitutes large gray granite blocks jointed with iron clamps.

Durga Mandir:

Bihar state has very famous Durga Mandir located at Bettiah, in West Champaran District. The Durga Mandir is dedicated to Goddess Durga. In this Durga temple Durga Puja is held in remembrance of the victory of goddess over demon Mahishasura and is celebrated with great happiness.

Shri Ram Temple:

Shri Ram temple in Bihar is the most famous religious place in India located at Sahu Pokhar in Muzaffarpur. This Shri Ram temple has the status as one of Navratna temples in Bihar. As the name depicts Shri Ram temple enshrines Lord Rama an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is taken care by Sahu family even for today.

Bawan Pokhar Temple:

Bihar temple constitutes Bawan Pokhar Temple located on the northern banks of Bawan Pokhar Tank in Vaishali. The Bawan Pokhar Temple enshrines with several deities with an array of basalt black images. This Bawan Pokhar Temple was built during Pallava period. There is a four headed Shivling made of black basalt was excavated from here.

Jalmandir or Water fall Temple:

Water fall temple also called as Jalmandir in Bihar built with a beautiful white marble situated in the middle of a tank with lotuses in Pawapuri at Patna District. Jalmandir enshrines lord Mahavir who was the last 24th Tirthankar of the Jain religion. Water fall temple has 40 ft long bridge inside the tank to reach this temple.

Hariharnath Temple:

Hariharnath temple in Bihar is situated at Sonepur in Saran district.In this Hariharnath temple day of the Kartik Purnima is celebrated very well with millions of devotees who attend this place to worship accompanied with meals to devotees which run for a month or even more.

Harikatora Temple:

The Harikatora Temple is situated in Vaishali in Bihar state built during Gupta period. The Harikatora Temple enshrines lord Kartikeya in a sitting posture on his vahana bird peacock.

Famous Temples in Meghalaya

The Indian state of Meghalaya called as ‘The Abode of Clouds’. One-third of the Meghalaya state is covered with forests. Meghalaya is the wettest place on the earth which has the thickest surviving forests in the country. Meghalaya the north eastern state of India is very small state with 70% of Christian population. Though there are very few temples in Meghalaya but are more popular with its major pilgrimages held annually.

Most of Meghalaya temples are located deep inside the valleys and hills and can only be reached by foot. Some of the famous Meghalaya temples are:

Sri Ramakrishna Temple
Matri Mandir
Sri Ramakrishna Temple
Mahadev Khola Dham

Pilgrims tours in Meghalaya are the best way of experiencing the rich culture of the state as well as witnessing the immense beauty of Meghalaya. Though there are very few temples in Meghalaya it has got a vast number of tourist places like:

Shillong
Tura
Nongstoin
Cherrapunji
Nongpoh
The botanical garden
Golf course
Shillong cathedral
Nartiang
Ward lake
Umiam lake
Khasi hills
Caves

CHERRAPUNJI:

Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is located about 60 kms away from Shillong above the sea level and is another wettest place in the world. Cherrapunji named in the Guinness book of world records for being a year-round rainfall is measured. There are wonderful valleys and rivers in Cherrapunji which increases the charm of the place.

SHILLONG:

Shillong is the capital city of the Meghalaya sate located above the sea level 56kms away from Cherrapunji. Shillong is the most famous hill station and tourist place in India. Shillong was named as the ‘Scotland of the East’ by the Britishers. Shillong is considered as the wettest place on earth which creates a perfect atmosphere with wonderful lakes and waterfalls for the visitors.

NONGSTOIN:

Nongstoin in Meghalaya is located about 93 kms from Shillong. Nongstoin is special from other places with its unique stone embroided with natural color. Earlier this city was the known for its famous saw mill and the log works associated with it. Nongstoin can be visited throughout the year.

TURA:

Tura in Meghalaya is located as a town in the Garo hills surrounded with scenic natural beauty. Tura town is basically a peak in Meghalaya and headquarters of the West Garo hills. River Brahmaputra flows through the Tura town towards Bangladesh. The best time to visit Tura Peak place is during October to March.

NONGPOH :

Nongpoh is located in East Khasi hills. Nongpoh has a very pleasant climate. It’s thick green forest and beautiful lakes makes tourists a good holiday spot in Meghalaya. Nongpoh has the Road Side Market and the Orchid Lake which are the nearest places of attractions.

HILLS:

The Khasi hills in Meghalaya are considered as the best hills resort in India. These are located at the central part of Meghalaya. Khasi hills has pleasant climate with charming natural treasures that attracts tourist the most. Khasi hills are located close to Shillong city. Jaintia hills are located at the Eastern part of the state of Meghalaya. Dawki, Lum Nehru Park and Umiam Lake are the nearest attractions.

WATERFALLS:

Sweet fall the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya located at Happy Valley. Rengthiam fall is a cascading waterfall located about 15 kms from Shillong city surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. Another waterfall are Bishop and Beadon falls are very scintillating waterfalls located in Suna Valley. Elephant falls and Spread Eagle falls are other sparkling waterfalls in Meghalaya known for its glittering charm and serene atmosphere.

Famous Temples in Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra in India is an ancient land with its rich culture and traditions. Maharashtra state has many famous temples that are visited by numerous devotees every year. Maharashtra owns two famous ancient rock cut temples enshrines Lord Shiva. Maharashtra Temples depict the spiritual consciousness of the people and portrays its rich temple architectures.

Indian state of Maharashtra has renowned with many famous Pilgrimage places to visit. Maharashtra is enshrined with eight Ashta Vinayak temples, three of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines in India, two Shakti Peethas. Most of the temples in Maharashtra are enshrined with Lord Ganesha as he the most worshiped deity. There are eight important temples in Maharashtra where the idols of the Lord ganesha are self-appeared with distinctive in features to each other. The most famous Temples of Maharashtra are:

Girijaatmaja Vinayak Temple
Mumbadevi Temple
Varadvinayak Temple
Bhavani Temple
Aagashi Jain Mandir
Ballaleshwar Vinayka Temple
Panchganga Temple
Kailasanatha Temple
Nageshwar Temple
Trishundaya Ganpati Temple
Babulnath Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple
Siddhivinayak Temple
Kailash Temple
Elephanta Caves
Mayureshwar Ganesha temple
Chintamani Ganesha
Shrivighneshwar Temple
Mahaganapati Temple
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Mumbadevi Temple:

Mumbadevi Temple of Maharashtra is located at Bhuleshwar in Mumbai. The Mumbadevi Temple is dedicated Goddess Mumbadevi. With its almost 6 centuries old the Mumbadevi Temple is regarded as Mumbai’s resident deity and the city is named after the Goddess Mumbadevi as Mumbai

Girijaatmaja Vinayak:

Girijaatmaja Vinayak Temple in Maharashtra is located alongside Kukdi River on beautiful Lekhan Hills on the Pune -Nashik highway. The temple of Girijaatmaja Vinayak is one of the Astha Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra situated on a mountain and set in a Buddhist cave-temple. The Girijatmaj Vinayak temple enshrines Lord Ganesh named after his mother Girija another name of Parvati where Atamaj means son so this temple is called as Girijatmaj Vinayak.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple:

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is the most holy destination in the state of Maharashtra. This is the place Sai Baba spent his 80 years of his life in prayers and wellbeing of the people. From all over the world Sai Baba devotees visit this place with the hope that Baba would solve all their problems and offer their homage to Sai Baba at Shiridi. Sai Baba is believed to be the incarnation of Guru Prattareya.

Bhavani Temple:

The Bhavani Temple of Maharashtra is located at Tuljapur. Deity of the great Maratha ruler Shivaji is enshrined in this Tuljapur Bhavani Temple. Thousands of people visit this Bhavani Temple throughout the year.

Kailasanatha Temple:

Kailasanatha Temple of Maharashtra at Ellora is an ancient monolithic rock cut monument. This Kailasanatha Temple is built in Dravidian style.

Ballaleshwar Vinayka Temple:

Palicha Shree Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple of Maharashtra enshrines the lord Ganapati known as Ballaleshwar and temple is named after a devotee Ballal of Pali. Shree Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple in Maharashtra is one of the Astha Vinayak temples. The Shree Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple faced east side so that the sun rays fall on this Ganapati idol of 3 ft. high with it’s trunk points to the left flanked by his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi  having diamonds studded eyes.

Panchganga Temple:

Panchganga Temple in Maharashtra is located at Mahabaleshwar near Pune which is also called as Krishnabai temple with inclusive of five streams Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri along with river Krishna.

Nageshwar Temple:

Nageshwar temple in Maharashtra is an ancient temple since from the time of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. Nageshwar temple has the main shrine with its typical Yadava structure with a stone roof. Once there was a reservoir near this Nageshwar temple and it is believed that this water could cure leprosy.

Famous Temples in Goa

Goa is a state which is blend with both Hindu and Christian religion. This popular state of Goa is a very exclusive holiday beach destination and dominated with many hotels with the influence of Portuguese rule over centuries. During Portuguese rule in order to expand Christianity in Goa state as it is a predominantly a Christian state Portuguese have destroyed many of the Hindu Temples.

But later when they left the country Hindu devotees built many Exquisite temples that show rich cultural heritage and architectural beauty. The Goa temples architecture is not typically Hindu but rather a mix of Portugal and Maratha influence. Hence there are many Hindu temples bestowed in Goa that have a modern architecture as compared to the rest of India. The temples of Goa are known for their distinctive structural design, spaciousness and peaceful atmosphere that are unique from other Indian temples. Some of the famous Goa temples are:

Mahalaxmi Temple
Ramnath Temple
Mangueshi Temple
Naguesh Temple
Mallikarjun Temple
Saptakoteshwar Temple
MahalsaTemple
Sri Devaki Krishna Temple
Shri Damodar Temple
Shri Mahadev Temple
Shri Shantadurga Temple
Sri Datta Mandir
Shri Chandreshwar Temple
Sri Morjee Temple
Sri Kalika Temple
Sri Devaki Krishna Temple
Sri Vithal Temple
Sri Ananta Temple
Sri Bhagawati Temple

Mallikarjun Temple :

Most famous temple of Goa Mallikarjun Temple is a 16th century temple built by Kshatriya Samaj that enshrines with 60 deities surrounding the temple. The Mallikarjun Temple has beautifully carved pillars and is located at amidst an enchanting landscape teeming with lush greenery.

MahalsaTemple :

Mahalsa temple in Goa is one of the rich and famous temples. The MahalsaTemple enshrines Goddess Mahalsa, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Since Lord Vishnu has another Narayan the temple is also famous with its name Mahalsa Narayani temple.

Shri Shantadurga Temple :

Shri Shantadurga Temple has got its name through Sanskrit language in which Shanta means peace combined along with Goddess Durga enshrined deity Goddess Parvati in this Shantadurga Temple. This Shantadurga Temple was built by king Shahu of Satara in 1738. This is the largest temple and most famous in hotels in Goa.

It is believed that once there happened a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu then goddess Parvati appeared in the form of Durga and helped to resolve the fight.

Mahalaxmi Temple :

This Mahalaxmi Temple is situated at the heart of the Panaji city in Goa. This sacred shrine of Hindu devotees Mahalaxmi temple enshrines the deity the Goddess of wealth Mahalaxmi. This  Mahalaxmi temple is the first Hindu temple to be built in Goa after the Portuguese attacked by Alfonse de Albuquerque.

Shri Damodar Temple :

Shri Damodar Temple enshrines deity lord Shiva. In Goa this Shri Damodar Temple is one of the most tranquil temples in Goa hotels located on the banks of river Kushavati. This Shri Damodar Temple has  medicinal properties.

Earlier, during Portuguese rule they destroyed this temple and built the Church of the Holy Spirit in its place, but later when they left again the temple was constructed with modern architecture The main festival celebrated at this temple is Holi or Gulal. Loads of devotees from all over hotels in Goa join in the celebrations.

Shri Mahadev Temple :

Shri Mahadev Temple enshrines with deity Lord Shiva. The temple of Shri Mahadev faces the east so that the sunrays at dawn fall directly on the deity. This is the temple that belongs to the Kadamba architecture that was built in 13th century. The Shri Mahadev Temple was built with black basalt, which was probably brought from across the borders, as this rock is not found in Goa.

At the centre of Goa hotels Shri Mahadev Temple has a statue of the Nandi bull a Lord Shiva’s vehicle. But due to some attacks on the temple the head of the bull no longer exists.

Mangueshi Temple :

The Mangueshi temple is located about 21 km from Panaji in Goa. This Mangueshi temple stands tall amidst the scores of Hindu temple that dot the Goan landscape. This temple is one of the survivors of the destruction unleashed by the Portuguese.

Famous Temples in West Bengal

West Bengal is very much considered as a secular state in India which tolerates many religions. The state of West Bengal has many important Hindu temples where divine seems to come alive while visiting these magnificent temples. West Bengal is the most important destination for all Lord Krishna devotees since it is the state where the world headquarters of ISCKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) is situated at Mayapur town.

Even Buddha Purnima is also celebrated as one of the most important festivals in West Bengal. The state of West Bengal constitutes many cultures and traditions that are different from any other state in India. The goddess of West Bengal is Goddess Durga is given more importance along with all the other gods. West Bengal is enshrined with so many temples such as:

Dakshineswar Temple
Bakranath Temple
Chaitanyadev Temple
Bargabhima Temple
Brindabanchandra Temple
Ekteswara Temple
Dhirdham Temple
Hanseswari Temple
Jagannath Temple
Jateshwarnath Temple
Kalighat Temple
Kanak Durga Temple
Ramachandra Temple
Sheetalnath Jain Temple
Sidheswara Temple
Sarva Mangala Devi Temple
Tarakeshwar Temple
Shyamrai Temple
Bhagwati Temple
Swayambhava Kali Temple
Radha Shyam Temple

Shyamrai Temple:

The Shyamrai Temple of West Bengal also called as Pancha Ratna Temple of Shyam Rai. This Shyamrai Temple was built in the year 1643 by Raghunath Singha who was a king. The Shyamrai Temple of west Bengal enshrined with deity Lord Krishna. The temple of Shyamrai walls are decorated with terracotta carvings depicts the life aspects of Lord Krishna.

Bhagwati Temple:

West Bengal is bestowed with Bhagwati Temple located at Gourangpur in West Bengal. The Bhagwati Temple has a history of is 150 years old for its stunning piece of architecture which are made of bricks.

Dakshineswar Temple:

The most famous temple in West Bengal dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini an aspect of Goddess Kali is Dakshineswar Temple located on the banks of River Hooghly in Dakshineswar in Kolkata. Dakshineswar Temple was built by one of the legend when Goddess Kali came in the dreams of Queen Rasmani before the day she left for a pilgrimage to Benaras and advised the queen to build a temple for her near river Ganges. It is also believed that this Dakshineswar Temple was visited by popular Saint Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

Kalighat Temple:

The Kalighat temple of West Bengal enshrines deity Goddess Kali. As this Goddess is the chief deities of West Bengal. The Kalighat Kali temple in Kolkata is considered as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India. Shakti Peethas are the spots where various parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell on the earth. It is said that the right toe of Goddess Sati fell hear in Kalighat.

Radha Shyam Temple:

One of the famous terracotta temples of west Bengal is Radha-Shyam Temple locate at Bishnupur in Bankura District. Radha-Shyam Temple enshrined with deity Lord Krishna. The Radha-Shyam Temple was constructed by King Chaitanya Singha in the year 1758 with its architecture consists of a square building with a curved roof and is crowned by a single tower.

Tarakeshwar Temple:

Tarakeshwar Temple in west Bengal enshrined with deity Lord Shiva. Going back to history a Shivalingam was discovered on the spot and the temple of Tarakeshwar was built by Raja Bharamalla dating back to 18th century. The Tarakeshwar Temple was situated about 80 Km away from Kolkata in Tarakeshwar village.

Siddheswar Temple:

An ancient temple in west Bengal is Siddheswar Temple situated at Bahulara in Bankura District of West Bengal. The Siddheswar Temple is enshrined with  deity Lord Shiva. Siddheswar Temple has unique Orissan architectural structures with exquisite ornamentation of temple walls. There are other deities installed inside the temple like lord Ganesh, Jai Parshwanath and goddess Durga.

Vishnu Temple:

This Vishnu Temple in west Bengal is an ancient stone temple located in Bardhaman District. Vishnu Temple enshrined deity Lord Narayana.It is believed that Vishnu Temple was built during the Pal Age. The height of this beautiful temple measures around 10 m.

Mayapur Temple:

Mayapur Temple is the famous pilgrim destination for followers of Vaishnavism. Mayapur is the birth place of Chatanya Mahaprabhu who is considered to be the reincarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha. Mayapur is the headquarters of ISCKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was set up in 1970. It is also home to Gaudiya Math which is another organization following Vaishnavism.