RockFort Temple ( Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu )

The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is an important and famous monument in Tamilnadu. The Rock fort temple complex comprises of three temples – the Manikka Vinayaka temple, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil and the Taayumaanava Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill. The Rock Fort Temple at Tiruchirapalli is the most famous landmark of this town. Outcropped out of a massive stone rock, which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city, the rock fort temple is an amazing monument. The Rock Fort temple rises to a height of 83 m and is older than the rocks of Greenland and the Himalayas.

image credit : photoram

This temple has a 100-pillared hall and a Vimana covered with gold. The southern side of the rock has several beautifully carved, rock-cut cave temples, belonging to the Pallava period. The Nayaks, who established the city of Tiruchirapalli, built this temple. It is interesting to note that during the British-French struggle for supremacy in South India, the Rock Fort Temple was one of the main centers around which the Carnatic wars were fought in the 18th century.

The shrine of the temple houses Kangaala Moorthy, one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva. A flight of covered stairs leads the way to the temple. As you finish climbing the stairs, you come across the Tayumanavar temple towards the west and the Uchipillayar temple towards the east. Every day six worship services are offered at the temple and the annual Brahmotsavam takes place in Chithirai. Some other festivals of significance are the Aadi Pooram and the float festival in Panguni.

Ganapatipule Temple ( Maharashtra )

The Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, a centuries old temple, known for its unique Ganapati idol,  is built on sand (pule in the local lingo). It is believed to have originated by itself (swayambhu), and hasn’t been created by man.

image credit : 10 Year Itch

The idol of Ganapati here is made out of copper and depicts the God astride a lion. The God in this Swayambhu Ganpati Temple is considered to be the Paschim Dwardevta or God of the west coast. It is placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum and at sunrise and sunset a shaft of golden light penetrates and illuminates the idol. The people of the Konkan region are devout worshippers of Ganpati and the hordes of people who come to the temple on Angar ki Chaturvehi, an auspicious Tuesday every six months, has to be seen to be believed.

Ganesh Chaturthi is another occasion for the faithful to congregate on the Ganpatipule beach in their thousands. The festival also draws foreign tourists to the temple; they come to discover the landscape, art, culture and history of the region.

Swayambhu Ganapati Temple is known for its unique idol of Ganapati built on pule (white sand). It is swayambhu (self-originated) and not man made. The idol of Ganapati is made out of copper and depicts the God astride a lion. It is placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum and at sunrise and sunset, a shaft of golden light penetrates and illuminates the idol. Early in the morning, the rhythmic beat of the nagaras can be heard from the Temple.

Sundari Temple (Agartala, Tripura)

The temple of Tripura Sundari in Tripura is regarded as one of the 51 pithasthanas of Hindu pilgrims in India. The Tripura Sundari Temple consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali-hut style construction with a conical dome and stands gloriously on a hillock at Udaipur in Tripura.

The Structure of the Tripura Sundari Temple, according to an inscription note on the monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India, there are two identical images of the same deity i.e. Tripura Sundari, inside the temple. One is called ‘Chhotima’ which seems to be a regional one rising about 2 feets in height, while the other ‘Tripura Sundari’ is of 5 feet. It is difficult to date the image of Chhotima accurately as it is worn-out. Moreover the attributes in her hands are either too much blurred or lost.

The temple is also known as ‘Kurma Pitha’ because of the shape of the temple premises appears that of a ‘kurma’ i.e. a tortoise. Inside the temple the idol of Maa Kali is installed which is made of ‘reddish black Kasti pathar’. Maa Kali is worshipped here in ‘Soroshi’ form. There is an idol of a smaller size of Maa Kali called ‘Chotti Maa’ which used to be carried by the Maharajas of Tripura during “Mrigaya” (i.e. hunting) and also during war.

The Temple History, it is known that the temple was first constructed by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501 A. D. It was repaired by Maharaja Rama Manikya in 1681 A D, when it was damaged by lightning and again by Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya during the beginning of this century. In the Eastern side of the temple there is the famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with puffed rice (Muri) and biscuits. The lake with High Jet fountain set in front of the temple simply adds to its beauty. No fishing is permitted in Kalyan Sagar.