Sunday, April 11, 2010

JYOTIRLINGA: History,list of 12 Jyotirlinga,Location,Sanskrit shloka


What is jyothirlinga ?


Worship of shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord shiva. Worship of all other forms is considered secondary. The significance of the shivalinga is that It is the resplendent light (flame) form of the Supreme - solidified to make the worship of It easier. It represents the real nature of God - formless essentially and taking various forms as It wills. More details on the shiva linga significance could be found at Shaivam A Perspective.

This jyoti swarUpa of God exist in all the shivalinga forms, there are prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where It is in a splendid form. These are renowned as dvAdasa jyotir lingas or 12 jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem since the ancient pre-historic times. purANas talk in many sections as well as in detail about the glory of these abodes. Devotees have been getting pulled towards these kshetras due to the highly benevolent divine presence in these abodes, since ancient times.

The 12 jyothirlinga temples



There is an sanskrit shloka that lists the twelve jyotirlinga temples. (This and the complete dvAdasa jyotirlinga stotra could be found at Scripture Page)

“Saurashtre Somanathamcha Srisaile Mallikarjunam|
Ujjayinya Mahakalam Omkaramamaleswaram ||
Paralyam Vaidyanathancha Dakinyam Bheema Shankaram |
Setu Bandhethu Ramesam, Nagesam Darukavane||
Varanasyantu Vishwesam Tryambakam Gautameethate|
Himalayetu Kedaaram, Ghrishnesamcha shivaalaye||
Etani jyotirlingani, Saayam Praatah Patennarah|
Sapta Janma Kritam pApam, Smaranena Vinashyati||”

Mahadev, the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the twelve JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in great numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.

Location of the jothirlinga temples


Two on the sea shore, three on river banks, four in the heights of the mountains and three in villages located in meadows; the twelve Jyotirlingas are spread out like this. Every place has been described in glorious words by many detailing the surroundings etc.

Those of us who go to these temples of Shubhankar Shankar- Jyoti-Sivasthan, receive the holy blessings of the Lord, and come back happy, peaceful and blessed. This in indeed depends on one’s devotion and experience too.

  • Somnath in Saurashtra (Guj)
  • Mallikarjun in Srisailam (A.P.)
  • Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain (M.P.)
  • Omkareshwar in Shivpuri / mAmaleswara (M.P.)
  • Vaidyanath in Parali (Mah)
  • Nageswar in Darukavanam
  • Kedareswar in Kedarnath / Himalayas (Utt)
  • Tryambakeswar in Nasik (Mah)
  • Rameshwar in Setubandanam / Rameshwaram (T.N.)
  • Bhimashankar in Dakini (Mah)
  • Visweswar in Varanasi (U.P.) and
  • Ghrishneswar in Devasrovar (Mah).
Those who chant the Dwadasa JyotirLinga Stotram or prayer will attain salvation and enlightenment and be released from this cycle of human existence with all its travails. By worshipping the Lingas, people of all castes, creeds and colour would be freed from all difficulties. By eating the holy offering made to these Lingas (Naivedyam) one would be rid of all the sins instantly.

As a matter of fact, we do the Darshan of the JyoritLingas as a part of our daily life. Sun, Fire and Light etc., are indeed a part of that great Light. “Om tatsavituvarenye” these magical words of the Gayatri mantra or chant invoke this Supreme light only. By chanting this powerful Mantra, humans can obtain divine power to their life-light or Atmajyothi.

The aura of the Sun rays and the various benefits that can be derived there from is indeed a difficult task to describe. This gorgeous life-light is the only thing that is responsible for the activity in the universe. We salute this life force.

“Agni” or fire is a great light. For all the activities on the earth, “Fire” is the pivot.

Deepajyoti or light and its greatness, is known to all of us, and we offer our prayers. Let us celebrate the glory of light. Light is offered a place of pride at welcome celebrations and on all auspicious occasions.

“Shubham karoti kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampada|
Shatru buddhi vinashaya Deepa Jyoti namostute||”

This light removes the darkness from the lives of one and all. Darkness means ignorance and it is destroyed by this light. The natured light of God makes all our wishes come true, when we take a Darshan of it.

Thus, by taking a Darshan of these twelve JyotirLingas, the auspicious air surrounding them and the holy pilgrimage, will bring happiness, peace and satisfaction to all.

src-www.shaivam.org

Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple its history,online darshan visit timings, festivals, fair, other tourist attractions & how to reach



“Jay Somanath! Jay Somanath”!


Somnath Temple or Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is situated in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the shores of the Arabian Sea, on the western coast of Gujarat in India. The temple is dedicated to Someshwara, another name of Lord Shiva, with moon on his head and isfirst among the twelve Jyotirlinga Temples in India. Built at the shore of the Arabian ocean on the western corner, Somnath Shiva Temple is a well-known pilgrimage center in India. This Jyotirlinga shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is also known by other names such as Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, or Somnath Pattan. Somnath literally means “The Protector of Moon God”.
Relics of old Somnath

Somnath Temple is situated in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. It is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the twelve jyotirlingas in India. The most interesting fact about the Somanth temple is that it has been built and destroyed six times. The present structure was rebuilt the seventh time. There a number of legends attached to the Somnath Temple of India. It is said that the Moon God, Chandra was married to 27 daughters of Daksh Prajapati, but he favored Rohini.
Someshwar Mahadev Temple is believed to have built out of gold originally by Somraj, the Moon God himself, then rebuilt by Ravana in silver, then by Lord Krishna in Wood, and then by Bhima (the strongest of the five Pandava brothers) in stone. The present temple is the seventh one reconstructed beyond six repeated destruction by the Muslim invaders.


Architecture of Somnath Mahadev Temple

Though built in the Kailas Mahameru Prasad style, the Somnath Temple’s architecture influences that of Jain style. The temple consists of Garbhagruh, Sabhamandap and Nrityamandap with 150 feet high Shikhar and a Kalash at its top. The dome of the temple is the biggest one. The Somanath temple faces east and has a vast central hall with three entrances, each protected by a tall porch. Added attractions are the carved doorways, the sculptured representations of Nandi (the celestial bull) and the figures of goddesses. In the balconied corridor is the damaged form of Nataraja statue. Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple are other spots to be noted in the temple. This temple is said to be the place where Lord Krishna performed all his Lilas. There is a small cave in the temple where a lamp burns continuously.


History of Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple

Gujarat Somnath temple

According to myths, moon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. But he was preferential to Rohini and ignored other queens. The angry Daksha cursed Moon that he would lose his beauty and brightness. Eventually, moon came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsa Linga of Somnath. Subsequently, he was blessed by Lord Shiva to grow and shine in the bright half. It was Lord Brahma who installed the Brahmashila and paved way for the construction of the temple.

Somnath Temple Darshan Timings

Somnath Temple is open for darshan from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Aartis are conducted three times a day. First Aarti at 7.00 am second one at 12.00 Noon and third one at 7.00 pm.





Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple Festivals

Somnath Mahadev Fair - This fair is celebrated in November, to mark the birth of Kartikeya (Lord Muruga), son of Lord Shiva. Also known as Kartik Purmima Mela, the fair features stage shows, folk dances and instrumental music in the Somnath Temple.

Maha Shivaratri - Shivratri Festival at Somanath Temple is another major festival celebrated here in the month of February – March every year. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit this Jyotirlinga shrine during Shivratri Festival.

Other Tourist Attractions Near Somnath Temple

A sound and light show called “Jay Somnath” is displayed in the temple every night during 8.00 to 9.00. There is a beach outside the temple where visitors can enjoy the beautiful sunset point, Vallabhghat.

Bhalka Teerth

This holy Bhalkha Teerth is located 5 km on Prabhas Veraval highway. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna was struck by an arrow of a tribal.

Dehotsarg Teerth

Also known as Shri Krishna Neejdham Prasthan Tirth, Dehotsarg Teerth is located on the banks of Hiran, about 1.5 km from Somnath Temple.

Tourist Places near Somnath Temple

Other nearby tourist places near Somnath include Veraval Beach (5 km), Gita Mandir (1 km), Somnath Museum, Junagadh Gate, Ahalyeshwar Mahadev Temple built by Queen Ahalyabai, Lakshmi Narayan temple, Balramjiki Gufa, Mahaprabhuji's Bethak, Triveni Sangam, Shree Parashuram Temple, Sun Temple, Prachi and Shashibhushan temples, Shree Veneshwar Mahadev Temple, Chorwad Beach (26 km), and Gir National Park (43 km).

Gir National Park, Gujarat

Veraval Sea coast, Gujarat



How to Reach Somnath Temple

By Road / Bus

Somnath is well connected by road to nearby places such as Veraval (7 km), Junagarh (85 km), Porbandar (122 km), Bhavnagar (266 km), Ahmedabad (465 km), and Mumbai (889 km).

By Train / Railway Station

Veraval Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 7 km from Somnath. It is connected to Ahmedabad and some other cities in Gujarat. Veraval Railway Station Code is VRL.

By Air / Flight

The nearest airport is 55 km away at Keshod, which is linked to Mumbai. Regular buses and taxis are available between Keshod and Somnath. The nearest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad.

World's Biggest - largest Hindu Temple -Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi




This is one of the fabulous temple I've ever seen.


The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005. The grandeur and vastness of the temple is unexplainable. The no of visitor daily crosses thousands, everyone amazed and overwhelmed by its beauty and stone architecture. The musical fountain is the most engrossing of all the attractions. For a perfect evening in the laps of indian classical tune the musical fountain is the best with a mere entry ticket of Rs.20 only, which is worth while taking.
Also the grass architecutre and marble finish are really comendable. Though your mobile and cameras are not allowed but the sceen will never die from your memory.
There are lots of book and momentos available inside for purchase which will be a good purchase for everyone.
Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.
http://hallosushant.blogspot.com/
To know more about it follow the links:
Musical fountain in day time