Shri Mahalasa-Narayani Temple ( GOA)

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Shri Mahalasa-Narayani Devasthan is in Mudgeri which is 15Km from Karwar and 3Km from Majali. The main temple of Shri Mahalsa Devi is in Mardol(Goa) quite far from Mudgeri. Before establishment of this Devasthan, Kulavis had to travel everyday to Mardol, to offerSeva and Pooja.

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Sri Mahalasa Narayani temple is situated in the village called Mudgeri which is about 10 km from district head quarter Karwar.

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200 Years back, a devotee (bhakt) – Purusappa Vernekar thought of having a similiar Devasthan in Mudgeri, so that the Kulavis of Mudgeri can take darshan of Devi everyday without traveling far to Mardol.Finally acting on his thoughts, he decided to build a temple in Mudgeri. He took the “Kaul” (Prasad) and the “Devi Pratima” in form of “Diya (Deep)” to Mudgeri and did the Devi Sthapana. Initially a small temple was built where the Kulavis from Mudgeri offered their Pooja and Sevas. (celebrate Navarathri and shasti ).

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50 years then on Devotees from Mudgeri brought the idol of Shri Mahalasa Devi (as seen today) and did the Pratisthapana, also a bigger temple was built.  The temple is reconstructed beautifully with a beautiful dome over that a Golden Kalasa, broad Sabhagraha infront of devi, big Varandah and Rangamandir. There is also provision for programmes like marriages, Upanayanas, and other functions. Big dinning hall is contructed for all devotees to take prasad. Now the rooms construction is going on for the devotees to stay overnight at temple premises.

ShravanaBelagola – Statue of Gomteshwara

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One of the holiest Jain pilgrimages, Shravanabelagola is synonymous with the colossal monolithic statue of Jain saint Lord Gomateshwara. Shravanabelagola occupies a significant place in the Jain legacy of Karnataka, for being the place where Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, became a Jain ascetic after relinquishing his throne. The place where Chandragupta breathed his last was named Chandragiri.

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The gigantic statue of Lord Gomateshwara has been the piece de resistance among a multitude of Jain architectures in Sravanabelagola. The statue, created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga King Rachamatta, stands atop the Indragiri hill and at a height of 18 meters, is regarded the tallest monolithic statue in the world.

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During the auspicious event of Mahamastakabhisheka, held in Sravanbelagola once in 12 years, attracts a huge number of devout worshippers from all over the world. As part of the ceremonies that last for about 20 days, the image of Bahubali or Gomateshwara is anointed with 1008 kalashas (painted earthen pots) of water, milk, coconut water, clarified butter, saffron, jaggery, bananas, sandal paste and marigold flowers.

Hanseswari Temple (West Bengal)

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Hanseswari Temple is situated at Bansberia, which is 47 km north of Kolkata in West Bengal. It was built in the beginning of 19th century. The main deity is the blue neem-wood idol of the four-armed goddess Hanseswari, a manifestation of Goddess Kali.

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The temple is 21 m high and has 13 towers. The peak of each tower is shaped as a lotus flower. Built according to Tantric principles, this five-storey shrine follows the structure of a human body – Ira, Pingala, Bajraksha, Sushumna and Chitrini.

It is stands on theeastern side of Hooghly, and is the largest temple in the vicinity. It was completed in 1814-15 after 15 years of work; Several Benaras masons were employed, and the roof is of the Benaras style. It has 13 cupolas, eight over the verandahs and their corners, then four higher cupolas in the middle, and lastly a central tower (the tallest) rising 60 to 70 feet high. The structure of the temples is the representation of ‘Tantrik Satchakrabhed’.