Badrinath Temple ( Uttarakhand)

Image credit : shymalnandy

Badrinath Dham is one of the oldest Hindu places of worship. On the right bank of the river Alaknanda lies the sacred shrine perched at an altitude of 3133 m above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountain peaks Nar & Narain with the towering Neelkanth peak providing a splendid back-drop. Also known as the Vishal Badri, the largest among the five Badris, it is revered by all as the apt tribute to Lord Vishnu. Once the spot was carpeted with ‘badris’ or wild berries and hence was famous as ‘Badri Van’. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull & spire. Legend dates the temple prior to the vedic age and the original temple is believed to be built by King Pururava and the icon of the lord carved by Vishwakarma, the craftsman of the gods. A Hindu reformist Adi Shankaracharya re-enshrined the temple back in the 8th century.

Image credit : Konark Crafts

Image credit : rolling on

Badrinath, the seat of the god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, is the most important of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage.Situtaed in the hills of Himalaya, at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level. Lord Badri Narayan, also called as Badri Vishal, is armed with Shankh and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra. The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi.

Image credit : @sp

The route to Badrinath is one of the most arduous one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth. The temple’s was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago. The temple has three sections – Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.

A flight of steps takes pilgrims to the main gate & then into the temple. The temple is divided into three parts – the ‘Garbha Griha’ or the sanctum sanctorum, the ‘Darshan Mandap’ where the rituals are conducted and the ‘Sabha Mandap’ where devotees assemble. The Garbha Griha portion has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold offered by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The complex has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one-meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in the meditative pose of padmasan. Special pujas are also performed on behalf of individuals. Every puja must be preceded by a holy dip in the Tapta Kund. Some of the special morning pujas are Abhishek, Mahaabhishek and Geeta Path. Some special evening pujas are Aarti & Geet Govind. Such pujas are to be booked in advance. The temple opens at 0430 hrs & closes at 1300 hrs. Once again it opens at 1600 hrs & closes at 2100 hrs after the divine song Geet Govind. Rawal is the administrator.The Pujari of the temple is well versed in puja ceremonies & Sanskrit language and is expected to be celibate..

ISKCON Temple ( Chandradoya Mandir, Mayapur, West Bengal )

Image credit : chrisdabiprashad

This is the international headquarters of ISKCON. The Location of the ISKCON temple a chandradoya Mandir is at Mayapur near Kolkata. and its Dedicated to Radha Madhava. so it is the Headquarters of International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Plans are underway for construction of the largest temple built in India in the last 200 years, at a cost of over 100 million dollars. Surrounded by: a Vedic city, the temple will include a Vedic Planetarium. At the present time there is a temple, various guest house facilities, Srila Prabhupadas Puspa Samadhi, the rooms where Srila Prabhupada lived, a hut where Srila Prabhupadala stayed, a Gurukul school, a Goshala (dairy), and beautiful gardens. The main Deities are Sri Radha Madhava. The Deities are larger than life-size. There are also eight Gopis, four on each side of Radha-Madhava. Also on the main altar is a small set of Radha-Krishna Deities. On the left altar are Deities of the “Pancha-Tattva-Advaita Acarya”, Lord Nityananda, Lord Chaitanya, Gadadhara, and Srivasa Thakur. To the left of this altar is another altar with an impressive Deity of Lord Narasimha.

Image credit : d_eu4ic

There are several religious trusts and religious orders in India. One of the most popular is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness i.e. ISKCON. The ISCKON society was founded by his divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in the year 1966. The society focuses on Krishna devotion worldwide. In the last 43 years, it has developed into a worldwide confederation. The chain of ISCKON presently owns 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees throughout the world.

Image credit : rkshah60

The ISCKON society plans to build its largest temple in Mayapur. The construction of this marvelous building has started in the city. When complete, this temple would be surrounded by the ISCKON society city and will also have its own Vedic planetarium. Right now, the city houses an ISKCON temple with Radha Madhava deities. The idols are surrounded by eight gopis, four on either side. The idols of Narasimhadeva and the Pancha-tattva can also be seen here. It is one of the most visited religious places in the city. Popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement, the ISCKON society has 350 centers, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide. The international headquarter of the society are based at Mayapur near Kolkata. It takes approx 3 hours to reach Mayapur from Kolkata, by road. Through its headquarters at Mayapur and other centers, ISCKON society spreads its mission of its unsectarian, monotheistic movement. It is stated to be meant for the well being of the entire humanitarian society, preaching them the holy science of Bhagavad Gita and other ancient scriptures.

ISKCON Temple ( Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh )

Image credit : nundhunk

Sri Krishna Balrama Temple is acknowledged for being the first temple constructed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Built in 1975 by the ISKCON cult, the foundation of the shrine was laid by Swami Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON) himself. Located at Raman Reti in Vrindavan, the temple can be easily reached by regular transport from the western part of Uttar Pradesh. From Delhi, one can get in touch with the temple by taking regular buses or by hiring taxis.

In the temple complex, one can see a temple that comprises ‘Samadhi’ of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, on the left-hand side. The ‘Samadhi’ temple is totally made in white marble and the gilded image of Swami Prabhupada enhances the vista with its transcendental appearance. This is the place, where the body of Swami was kept after he left this corporeal world. In the present day, this splendid shrine is the most beautiful temple of Vrindavan.

Image credit : sridhar.matte

The principal deity of the temple is the image of Krishna-Balrama, which happens to lure from the main entrance of the shrine. The image is housed under the central spire (shikhar) of the temple. Apart from the eye-glittering image of Krishna Balrama, the images of Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Shyamsundar are adored by other shrines that are located along side the central shrine. All the shrines look exceptionally striking with the ornamentation, which is done to the deities.

The temple situated, where the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna displayed His transcendental pastimes 5,000 years ago. Sri Krishna and Balaram would herd Their cows at Raman Reti near the Yamuna River. The temple has three altars. On the first altar are Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, the most merciful incarnations of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu who appeared about 500 years ago at West Bengal. The divine brothers, Sri Krishna and Balaram, are worshiped on the central altar and on the third altar are Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara along Their confidental gopis, Lalita and Vishakha.