Ambaji Temple ( Gujarat )

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Ambaji temple is situated at Ambaji town, in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. The temple, the holy the seat of Ambe Mata – the Mother Goddess, is a popular pilgrim place for Hindus. People of Gujarat take the name of the Goddess in high regard. Ambaji temple is also considered as one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The Goddess is a manifestation of Shiva’s consort, Parvati. Ambe Mata is the Adya Shakti- the primordial female power, the Mother Goddess.

image credit : Nagotra Solanki (Jain)

The Navratri celebrations are organized on a large scale in the Ambaji temple. During the festival, a huge fair is organized here every year. People celebrate the occasion with great pomp and show. They sing and dance in praise of the glory of the Goddess. The temple is located on the Arasur hill in the Aravalli Range. The most fascinating feature of the shrine is that it does not contain any idol. It only has a yantra, made of marble which is engraved at a spot.

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A large number of devotees throng the Ambaji Temple during Purnima fairs held, on the full moon day, in the months of Kartik, Chaitra and Bhadrapad. A short distance from Ambaji, there is a hill named Gabbar Hill. People believe that the Goddess revealed herself on the hill and left the imprints of Her feet. She is even considered the prime Goddess of the region. This has made the place a pilgrim for the Hindus, the Hindu Temple in the state and outside.

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Palitana Jain Temples ( Gujarat )

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Palitana is situated at a distance of 51 km from Bhavnagar and serves as an important Jain pilgrimage of Gujarat. The Shatrunjay Hill loacted nearby the place hosts approximately 900 big and small Jain Temples. These temples are dedicated to the 24 Jain Tirthankarars. Apart from this, the significance of the place dates back to the Mahabharata era of India. It is said that three Pandavas, Yudhishthir, Bheem & Arjun got Nirvana here. Therefore, it is known as Siddhakshetra, where one attains Moksha, amongst Jain devotees.

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One of the most important temples in Palitana is the Digamber Jain Temple. It is an ancient temple that encompasses 9 shrines with the idols of all the Tirthankaras. The main shrine contains the idol of the principal deity, 1008 Bhagwan Shantinath. It is made of white stone and can be seen in Padmasana posture. According to the Jain calendar, it was installed here in 1686. The temple also houses beautiful idols of Yudhishthir, Bheem & Arjun. Two other idols of Bhagwan Parsavnath are located here.

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One is called Chintamani Parshvanath and other is called Vighnaharan Parshvanath. On the both sides of northern gate, foot images of Bhagwan Adinath & Bhagwan Sambhavanath can be seen. It is said that Bhagwan Adinath visited Shatrunjay Hill 93 times. All the Jain temples of Palitana are built in marble and stand adorned with ornate sculptures. Each and every temple located on this hill is a specimen of art. The temple trail starts from the foot of the hill. There are 3745 steps up to the peak of the summit.

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Devotees take around two hours to reach the top. The steps were constructed in 13th century, under the supervision of Jain Minister, Vastupal. On their way up, the pilgrims are not allowed to take any eatables along. They are only allowed to drink water. For the purpose, a number of water posts have been made available along the course. The pilgrims eat only after they descend the mountain. The major spot up the hill is the one with the footprints of the Tirthankaras. All the shrines contain the idols of the Tirthankaras, with bejeweled eyes.

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The devotees make offerings at the main shrine of Bhagwan Adinath. The magnificent temple has been renovated and rebuilt a number of times. The original temple was made of wood. Later, Siddhraj Jaisimha’s minister Udaymehta built it in marble. Siddhraj’s descendant Kumarpal further extended the temple. Besides these, there are other shrines dedicated to Adinath, Kumarpal, Vimalshah, Samprati Raja and the Chomukh. You will also find temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses here. There is also a Muslim shrine known as the Angar Pir. Childless women pray here for children.

Hanuman Tok Gangtok ( Sikkim )

The Hanuman Tok is one of the most important places to see in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is one of the most renowned temples of the state. The Hanuman Tok at Sikkim is dedicated to Hanuman, one of the gods in the Hindu religion. The temple of Hanuman Tok is looked after by a division of the army department of India. The place surrounding the Hanuman Tok is also the last resting place for the royal family of Sikkim. This place is located only a small distance away from the stair case of the Hanuman Tok.

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A Lord Hanuman Shrine, Hanuman Tok is a functioning Hindu Temple where pilgrims and devotees come to offer their prayers. Very close, at a short distance to the temple is a small burial ground that commemorates the remains of royal family of Gangtok. In the vicinage are serials of stupas and chorten that mark the royal graves of Namgyal Dynasty. The temple is well-managed in partial collaboration of Indian Army at Gangtok; it can be easily gauged by the neatness and beauty of the tok. To fetch the Tok right, it is located at a distance of 5 km from white Hall on the forked Gangtok-Nathula Highway.

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The Hanuman Tok of Sikkim is located at a distance of 5½ km from the capital city of Gangtok. The total height of the Hanuman Tok is 7,200 feet. This tourist destination is located near the Gangtok-Nathula Highway. To reach this temple, you have to ascend a height of 5 kms from the White Hall. The Hanuman Tok in Sikkim itself provides wonderful photographic views of the Khangcendzonga. The snow-capped mountain peaks look heavenly from this temple. From the Hanuman Tok, one can also view the distant waterworks of Selep, the main source of drinking water in the entire city of Gangtok. The Hanuman Tok stands at a height of some hundreds feet above the Gangtok city.

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The journey to this temple is a fascinating one, which offers beautiful views of the capital city of Gangtok and the surrounding hilly regions. A short distance before the stair case leading to the Hanuman Temple is the cremation ground of the erstwhile royal family of Sikkim. There are quite a few chortens and stupas at this place, which signify the exact locations where the last rites of the royal corpses were carried on.