Location:      Near the Eastern Banks of Yamuna
Ideal Time to Visit:     Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
How to Reach:     Hire a cab or Auto from the hotel

Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.

One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities. The architecture of the temple has elements of local art and aesthetics. The temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtmi and Dipawali.

About Mathura

Kusum Sarovar made of red sandstone is a major attraction in Mathura Mathura is better known as the birth place of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was borne in prison which today lies in Sri Krishna Janamabhumi, a vast temple complex in the heart of Mathura. Located on the west banks of the sacred Yamuna, Mathura is fifty-six kilometers away from Agra and is at a distance of hundred and forty five kilometers from Delhi. Mathura is dotted with several significant landmark associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. The Dwarkhadhesh temple, the Kansa Qila, the Sati Burj and the Jama Masjid are some of the major tourist attractions of Mathura.

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

JESAL – TORAL ( ANJAR KUTCHH )

Couple “Jesal” and “Toral”. Jesal was famous bandit of kutch, and toral was a holy princess. The company of toral changed the jesal and he became the saint. Together they served the people in kutch. This fare is held at “anjar” 45 kms. From “bhuj”, this fare is also one of the most famous and worth watching.

Image credit : YOGESH MASURIA

Here goes the story of Jesal Toral.

According to Darshana Dholakia lecturer at Lalan College Bhuj back in 1526 AD this is a story of a dacoit and a queen. Jesal was a Kutchi rajkot and he was dacoit.  Once he was challenge by his brothers wife that if he is brave enough steal the toral and prove it. Toral was extraordinary mare belonging to a Surashtra king. In the process of stealing Toral, Jesal’s hand got caught in a nail and his agonised cries brought the king running outside. Asked what he wanted, Jesal said “Toral”, not knowing that the queen too had the same name. The king, a devout daani (donor) who had sworn never to disappoint anyone, gave him three Torals-his queen, the mare and a sword by that name. But on the boat journey back home, Jesal realised that Toral was not an ordinary woman. He was tormented by guilt at having taken away someone who, out of loyalty, did not even question her husband’s decision. It is said that the enlightened company of Queen Toral, remembered in Gujarati literature as a devotional poet who composed and sang songs, transformed Jesal completely and the two began spreading the message of God.
Their inseparable companionship as teacher and disciple is talked about, but in cautious tones. No one, not even the local scholars, wants to discuss the Jesal-Toral alliance as a man-woman relationship. “Even the Gujarati film Jesal-Toral did not suggest any such angle,” recalls photographer Vinay Thacker, who started his career in 1976 by selling photos of the twin samadhis outside the shrine. However, people do accept their unusual affinity, which even death couldn’t change. It is said that when Jesal undertook samadhi, he called out to Toral from his grave to join him. Toral, who was travelling, heard his voice, came back to Anjar and immediately took samadhi. Toral, the mare, too was buried outside the temple. A green and magenta chaddar now covers the equestrian grave. The destroyed roof of the shrine has been temporarily replaced with an asbestos sheet. But that hasn’t stopped the huge throng of pilgrims who pour out endless tales of miracles attributed to the blessings of Jesal-Toral. Thacker believes that his photography has been blessed by the shrine. An old priestess recalls how she stood unmoving, hands folded during both the earthquakes at the samadhis. “Toral rani saved me, I didn’t even sustain a scratch,” she says. A woman from Patna says she gave birth to two sons after 16 years of marriage, following a visit to the shrine.

Courtesy :  http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20031215/offtrack.html

Rishikesh Temple

Image credit : nurit_manor’s

Rishikesh is situated in the Tehri Gharwal region of Uttaranchal, along the banks of the sacred river Ganges. It is an important pilgrim centre and gateway to the Himalayan, It is small town, renowned as an important pilgrimage center of the country, shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Pilgrimage season starts in end April/ Early may and lasts til the Day of Deepawali (Festival of light) end of October/early November. It is from here that the river Ganges leaves behind her mountain home and enters the vast north Indian plains. The town abounds in natural splendour and the sight of the Ganga rushing through the Himalayan foothills is awesome. There are several temples on the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh.

It is believed that Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. In Tapovan, on the other side of the Ganges, is a temple to Lakshmana. The Lakshman Jhula at Rishikesh is a 450 feet long suspension bridge was built in 1939. There is a newer bridge which has been added recently – the Ram Jhula. Rishikesh is not only popular for its religious significance but also considered to be a base for devotees on their journey to the Char Dham Yatra.

Lakshman Jhula (bridge) – Image credit : Amy

Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that the sage Raibhya Rishi did penance here and satisfied with him God appeared to him in the form of Rishikesh. The name originates from that only.

The yoga centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, few of which are internationally recognized as centres for meditation, yoga and philosophical studies. International Yoga Week which attracts participation form across the world, is held here, every year, in February on the banks of the Ganga. Rishikesh also best Spa and many other Ayurvedic treatment centers for every one’s requirement.

Image credit : dubey.mani003

The places to visit in Rishikesh include – Bharat Temple, Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple, Laxman Jhoola, Pushkar Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Muni-Ki-Reti, Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmath Niketan, Lakshman Temple, Sadanand Jhoola, Triveni Ghat, Shivanand Ashram, Kailash Ashram and Academy of Meditation. The nearby excursions include beautiful places like: Dehradun, Mussoorie, Hardwar, Chilla, Devprayag, Auli, and NarendraNagar.

such places which are attract the people must to see that all.

Ashram – The ashrams of rishikesh are world famous for yoga, and these are abun dant in number n and around Rishikesh. Some of these are very well known and is regarded as tourist spots while some are still been regarded as proper ashrams where rishis (saints) stay. Ashrams situated on the eastern bank of the river Ganges are collectively known as Swargashram. The credit for World famous Maharishi goes to the beauty of natural rock band Beatles. Yoga, in most of the Ashrams, is another important aspect for drawing tourists from around the world.

Lakshman Jhula – the hanging bridge, Lakshman Jhula is on the river Ganges that flows through Rishikesh. According to legends, Lakshman the brother of Lord Ram crossed this river with the help of a hanging bridge made of jute. The present bridge was built in the year AD 1939, on the same spot where the original jute suspended bridge used to be. The current of water, when increases gives an incomparable scene when viewed from the bridge. There’s another bridge calle dthe Ram Jhula or the Shivanand Jhula.

Gita Bhavan – Situated by the side of the Lakshman, the Gita Bhavan is a beautifully constructed building housing some attractive statues of various gods and goddesses.

Triveni Ghat – Triveni is a bathing spot at a distance about 1.5 km from Rishikesh. It is considered sacred for being the confluence of three mountain streams. Pilgrims from all over the worls come here to take a dip into the holy waters.

Neelkanth Madhav – Neelkanth Madhav, at a distance of 12 km from the Rishikesh town and surrounded by lush green, it is a place of interest especially for the religious minded tourists. According to mythological data Lord Shiva drank the venom that came out of the cosmic churning of the ocean by the gods and demons.

Temples - Rishikesh is full of innumerable small and big temples. In the banks of the Chandrabhaga River there is a team of temples. Char Dham, the famous four temples club starts off this place. The Rishikund tank and Raghunath temple near the tank also present quite beautiful scenic views. Lord Ram used the tank for bathing while he was in exile. The Bharat temple named after Bharat, one of the brothers of Lord Ram. Rishikesh is known to be a place of importance from very ancient periods and is bounded by a massive wall supposed to be of thousand years old.