Shridwarkanathdham - In Gujarat province, from Virangam train station by the Maheshana Okha line to Dwarka. Near the Gomati river there is a temple of Dwarkadhidesha. This is the birth place of Sri Krishna who was born to poor parents who were imprisoned by the tyrannical King Kangsa. It is also possible to go from Bombay by sea.
Shri Jagganath dham (Puri) - In Orissa near the sea a very large white temple. The idols are Shri Jagannath, Shri Balvadra and Shri Suvadra devi. The temple was established by King Daru. Puri in Orissa. Famous for the festival fo Rath Jatra or the Juggernaut.
Sri Rameswaram - In Tamilnadu state from Madras train station by Southern Railway to Rameswaram. According to legend the Shiva temple and the Shiva linga was established by Shri Ramchandra when he came to cross the Palk strait and attack Lanka and free Sita from the clutches of the demon King Ravana. It is the third largest Shiva temple in India and is located in an island which is connected to the mainland by a pontoon bridge and a railway link.
Sri Baidyanath dham (Bihar) - In Bihar near Patna. The Shiva linga was established by Lanka King Ravana. The rail station is Jossidi.
THE PURI'S
Kashi (Benares) - Famous Hindu pilgrimage in the banks of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. According to the Purans this city continues to exist even after Pralay (Armageddon).
Kanchipuram - From Madras to Chinglepaut to Kanchipuram by train or by bus.
Mayapuri (Haridwar) - Famous pilgrimage in U.P. Trains going from all major cities. This is also one of the sites of the Kumbha Mela.
Ayodhyapuri - In U.P. near the Saryu river, birthplace of Sri Ramchandra son of King Dasrath. Ayodhya train station near Mughalsarai on the Lucknow line.
Dwarkapuri - One of four dhams and one of seven Puris. Birthplace of Sri Krishna. Shri Krishna is another Avatar of Narayana who was born to poor parents Vasudeva and Devaki in the Treta Yuga. His parents were imprisoned by his uncle the evil King Kangsa in a dungeon because of a foretelling that the eighth born of his sister Devaki will kill the King. Kangsa killed one by one all the sons begot by Devaki. But on the night of Krishna's birth, his father Vasudeva smuggled the baby on a basket and waded across the Jamuna river while a fierce storm raged. The snake Basuki gave them protection by forming a hood. On the other bank Vasudeva switched the baby Krishan with the new born daughter of Cow herd's wife Yasoda and brought the female baby back to trick Kangsa in believing that no son was born.
Mathurapuri - Sri Krishna's home town where he grew up in the home of Yasoda. On the banks of Yamuna river in U.P. Gorakhpur line or Mumbai- Kota Delhi line to Mathura station. By bus from Agra.
Avantikapuri (Ujjaini) - In U.P. near the Shipra river. An ancient city. From Bhopal or from Indore by train. Buses from Bhopal, Indore, Ratlam and Mandu.
THE Kedars
Sri Kedarnath - This is the main Kedar. Here the back of the Buffalo God apparition of Shiva is worshipped. From Hrishikesh in U.P. by bus to Son Prayag then by car to Gauri Kunda. From here snow covered mountain paths by foot.
Sri Madhyameswar - The Buffalo god's navel is established here. From Ushinath by foot.
Sri Tunganath - The Buffalo god's arms are established here. From Kedarnath to Badrinath via a high mountain pass.
Sri Rudranath - Here the Buffalo god's mouth is established. From Tunganath mountian to Mangalchati (peak). Foot path only from here.
Sri Kaleswar - Here the Buffalo god's hair is established. From Helanga (Kumbhar path) to Alakananda river bridge, about seven kilometers. The place is called Urgan. |
Religions
