Govindji Temple (Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Govind Dev Ji Temple is one amongst the major tourist attractions of Jaipur. The Temple represents the royal past of Jaipur. The Temple is dedicated to Govind Dev Ji (Other name of Lord Krishna). Govind Devji Temple of Jaipur is situated in the City Palace complex, between the Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal. Govind Dev Ji is the principal deity of Amber’s Kachawaha Dynasty. In the earlier times, the idol of the lord used to reside in the temple of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh.

According to a legend, Govind Dev Ji appeared in the dream of Raja Sawai Jai Singh and asked him to bring his idol from Vrindavan to Jaipur. As a consequence, Raja Sawai Jai Singh brought the idol and placed in the City Palace complex of Jaipur. After the sad demise of Jai Singh, many successors acquired the throne, but Raja Man Singh took the initiative to build the temple in 1890.

The beautiful image of Radha-Krishna doesn’t let people to take off their eyes from the lovely view. Different ‘Aartis’ and ‘Bhog’ are offered to the deity at seven different times of the day. Every time, when the idols are revealed to the devotees, they are clothed in a different manner. The Devotees, who come here to get the glance or ‘Darshan’ of the deities, reverberates the temple with the pious phrase “Jai Govind”.

A large number of tourists and devotees visit this temple of special importance. Janmashtmi, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is a special event and is celebrated with full enthusiasm. Govind Dev Ji Temple is a sacred place of the Hindus. The Temple has also become a tourist attraction in the contemporary times.

Moti Masjid (Delhi)

To the west of the Hammam lies the small mosque, the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) is a large white marble mosque built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, for his personal use, at the Red Fort complex in Delhi, India, from 1659-1660. A mosque by the same name was also built in 1645 CE by Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s father, inside the Lahore Fort in Lahore, Pakistan.

image credit : east med wanderer

The personal mosque of Aurungzeb, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque lies to the west of Hamam. Situated on a higher level than courtyards, the prayer-hall of the mosque has inlaid black-marble outlines of ‘musallas’ (small carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes. It is said that these domes were originally copper plated and even the eastern door is plated with copper leaves. The ladies of the seraglio also used the mosque to offer their prayers to God.

The prayer-hall of the mosque is inlaid with outlines of musallas (small carpets for prayers) in black marble, and it stands at a higher level than the courtyard. The hall is surmounted by three bulbous domes, originally copper-plated, which appear to be too constricted at the neck. The eastern door is provided with copper-plated leaves. The mosque was also used by the ladies of the seraglio.

image credit : Peter Crawford 1946

Another small mosque by the same name, was built for private prayer, by Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah I (r. 1707-1712) and Aurangzeb’s son, close to the Ajmere Gate of the dargah of Sufi saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli, and is an imitation of the one inside the Red Fort of Delhi.

Gauri Kund (Kailash Mansarovar)

image credit : udeaka47

While proceeding downwards from Dolma – La (Dolma Pass), a steep descent will lead you to Gauri Kund at 5608 m. Some call it the ‘Lake of compassion’. In the religious book Shiva Purana, this is the setting for the legend of Hindu goddess Parvati and how Ganesh (Parvati’s son) acquired his elephant head while bathing in the emerald waters of the lake. Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from the soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it at the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering.

Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant at this affront, an angry Shiva cut off the boy’s head. Parvati was inconsolable and insisted that the boy be brought back to life. Helpless, Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on the body. Life was restored and Parvati had her son back.

image credit : saumilshah

Yet another alluring fascination that bears legendary tales and fabulous myths is the Gouri Kund, which is equally revered as that of the Mount Kailash. This water body is described as the lake of compassion in the Shiva Purana, which unfurls the funny but touching story of the elephant headed god.

This lake is popularly called as the Parvati Sarovar since it was here that Goddess Parvati breathed life into the image of Ganesh, which she had created from the soap foam on her body. Legend has it that Ganesha was the janitor of Parvathi’s house and once he stopped Shiva from entering to the house and feeling offended, Shiva beheaded the boy. Pravati was grief-stricken and persisted that the boy be brought back to life and Shiva took the head of an elephant and placed it on the body.

Though difficult to get in, this lake offers the beholder some of the awe inspiring vistas of Himalayas. One would get the beautiful reflection of the Chhota Kailash peak in its surface and it is undeniably awesome and would definitely took the breath of the on looker.