FATTEPUR SIKRI 

 Introduction:

40 km from Agra, the city of Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar selected Sikri as the seat of his government believing it to be auspicious for himself. He experimented both with architecture and art and built a city expressing his ideals and vision. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city. But the inner fort is flawlessly preserved. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, and the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques In India). Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years is Rs. 5.00. and provisions of free entry on Fridays.

History related to it:

It was previously a rural community, called Sikri, celebrated as the dwelling of renowned Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Muhammadan, or saint. While returning from an operation, Akbar in 1564 halted near the cave in which the saint lived. The Mughal emperor Akbar had many wives but had no heir. The desire for a son led him to Salim Chisti who lived in an isolated cave near Sikri. The saint blessed Akbar and soon a son was born to him. The emperor named his son "Salim" after the saint and erected the grand Jami Masjid near the saint's dwelling. According to the legends if Akbar had to be blessed by a son, a sacrifice was to be made of a very dear one. The saint's son volunteered to be sacrificed so that the heir to the throne could be born. To the west of the mosque lie two graves, one of the saint and the other of the saint's infant son. And thus Salim was born to the empress, Mariam-uz-Zamani on 30th August, 1569 and the emperor vowed to build a great city. This brought about the emerged the splendid city of Fatehpur Sikri on a stony ridge. Jahangir, who describes all these circumstances in his memoirs, adds: "My respected father, regarding the village of Sikri, my birthplace, as fortunate to himself, made it his capital, and in the course of fourteen or fifteen years the hills and deserts, which flourished in beasts of prey, converted into a magnificent city, comprising many gardens, graceful edifices and pavilions, and other places of great magnetism and splendor. After the conquest of Gujarat, the village was named Fatehpur (the town of victory)."
                                                                                   BULAND DARWAJA

       The magnificent buildings in Fatehpur Sikri can be divided into two categories namely, the religious and the secular. The religious buildings are the imposing Jama Masjid with the Buland Darwaza. The Buland Darwaza is the most stupendous gateway of India which is the main entrance to Fatehpur Sikri. The 175 feet Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world. It was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Khandesh in Gujarat. The Buland Darwaza was erected in the year 1602, to commemorate Akbar's conquest over Deccan

The doorway is richly carved with verses from the Holy Quran cut in bold Arabic letters. Entrance to the Dargah is through the Buland Darwaza. The Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti or Jami Masjid was built in 1581 out of pure white marble. Thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world visit the Fatehpur Sikri to offer their gratitude to Sheikh Salim Chisti. A Koranic inscription upon it read, "The world is a bridge, pass over it but build no house upon it. He, who hopes for an hour, hopes for Eternity, for the world is but an hour". Just outside the gateway is a deep well wherein local daredevils leap from the top of the entrance into the water. The Shahi Darwaza is the official entrance, where licensed guides can be hired.

Ashtavinayak

Welcome

                                                                                   ASHTAVINAYAK 

  

 There are many important and famous temples of Lord Ganesha all over the world. Among these some places are more popular & important than the others. There are eight such temples located in the state of Maharashtra (In India) called Ashtavinayaka. These temples occupy a special place in the evolution of Hindu religion. The stories of incarnation of Ganesha are ancient. Some of the temples have been renovated recently. Many were renovated during Madhavrao Peshwa period. The idols of Ashtavinayaka are self-existent. They exist in the temples as they were found. Each idol is an incarnation of Lord Ganesha. There are many mythological stories giving the importance of each Ganesha (idol). These stories tell us about why and how these idols of Ganesha got their names and came into existence. The idols are not beautiful like the man made ones but the self-existent appearance of them does please the devotees. According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon will end your Ashtavinayak Yatra.

                                                                   MORESHWAR MOREGAON                                 

                

The Mayureshwar or Moreshwar temple is along the Karha river in the Morgaon village. A temple that looks like a tiny fort from a distance, is situated in the Baramati Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. This region is also known as the Bhuswananda. Shaped as a peacock, this region has in the past seen an abundance of peacocks and is therefore known as Morgaon (Mor – peacock)

                                     "Nije Bhuswanandjadbharat Bhumya Paratare

                                       Turiyostire Paramsukhdevta Nivasasi

                                            Mayuraya Nath Stawamasich

                                   Ataswa sandhyaye Shivharini Brahmajanakam"

MEANING:
Oh! Lord Mayureshwar of Morgaon, you stay on sage Jadbharat's land, on the banks of river Karha that is known as ‘Bhuswanand' (means happiness on land). Shree Moreshwar, who is far from three qualities, who is Swayambhu, who is without any form, Who resembles Omkar, who is always in fourth state of yoga and who rides on peacock may accept my salutation.

The stanza is written on the entrance of Shree Mayureshwar temple at Morgaon. As is mentioned in the stanza this place is called 'Bhuswanand', the highest abode of joy and thus can be compared to Vaikuntha, the highest abode of Vishnu and Kailash, the highest abode of Shiva.

ACCESS: -
1.Pune is the most convenient city to reach Morgaon. Pune itself is well connected by road as well as by rail. Morgaon is at a distance of 79 km from Pune via the village Chaufala on the Pune-Sholapur Highway.

2. The other way a pilgrim can take is to go to Jejuri from Pune and from Jejuri can proceed to Morgaon, which is 15 km away from Jejuri. By this route the distance between Pune and Morgaon is 64kms.
Jejuri is a well-known pilgrim center for worshippers of Khandoba.

                                                                           

 LEGENDS: -
It was predicted by Lord Brahma that Lord Ganesha would incarnate as Vinayak in the Kritayug, as Mayureshwar in Treta yug, as Gajanan in the Dwaparyug and as Dhumraketu in the Kalyug. All these incarnations are related to certain legends of Lord Ganesha killing various demons.

In the Gandaki Nagari of Mithila, a king named Chakrapani was ruling. He and his wife Queen Ugra were unhappy, as they did not have a child. The couple worshipped God Surya and the queen with the blessings of the Sun God became pregnant. But soon released the embryo in the sea as she could not bear the brilliance and the radiance of the embryo. From that embryo, brilliant son was born. The sea in the disguise of a Brahmin approached King Chakrapani with the child and gave the child to the King. As the child was born in the sea the king named him sindhu. Sindhu, after growing old and strong became more powerful by worshipping the Sun God as advised by his Guru Shukracharya. Lord Surya, as a boon gave the nectar to Sindhu and said that as long as the nectar remains near his navel he will not die. Sindhu thus received immortality and started attacking Gods like Indra, Vishnu etc. he defeated all of them and kept them in prison in his kingdom. The remaining gods worshipped Lord Ganesh and requested him to rescue them from the demon king sindhu. Ganesha pleased with their prayers, promised to take birth as Devi Parvati's son and kill the demon.

Parvati recited the ekakshari ‘OM' mantra to please the Lord and made a clay idol of Ganesha on the Bhadrapada shuddha Chaturthi Day and worshipped. The idol soon turned into a real child. When the child was ten years old, Shiva and Parvati along with their son decided to leave the mountain Meru and on their way to mountain kailash, Lord Ganesha defeated the demon Kamalasura with the help of Siddhi(the personified shakti) and Buddhi(the personified Intelligence). After this incident on their way, lord Ganesha found the Gandaki Nagari of the demon king Sindhu and decided to attack him with all the army of Shiva's attendants. He thus attacked Sindhu and at first killed the two sons of Sindhu. Sindhu was advised to release the Gods and Goddesses in prison and leave the battlefield by his father. But he did not listen to it and continued the battle. Lord Ganesha removed the nectar from his navel with his Parashu and killed him. During this battle, Lord Ganesha was riding a peacock and therefore he got the name ‘Mayureshvar', the one who rides a peacock. Mayureshvar decided to reside at Morgaon, for the sake of his devotees.

Another legend that accounts for Lord Ganesh's Mayureshwar is:

Sage Kashyap had two wives, Kadru and Vinita. Kadru's sons who were the serpents, held Vinita's sons Shayen, Sampati and Jatayu who were the birds, captive. Vinita, their mother was very hurt by this. As a consolation, Sage Kashyap gave Vinita a boon of having one more son also in the form of a bird. When this son was in the egg stage, Lord Ganesh broke the egg, and a peacock emerged from the egg. The newborn peacock and Ganesh battled with each other. Vinita the mother had to intervene to end this battle. Ultimately her peacock son chose to be Ganesha's vehicle and laid down the condition that Ganesh would be known by the peacock's name. Thus Ganesha took the name Mayureshvar. Moreshwar is a local variation of the name.

The temple of Mayureshwar is right in the centre of the village Morgaon. Facing north this temple has a 50 feet wall surrounding it and four towers at the four corners. It is because of this that this temple looks like a mosque from a distance. This temple was originally made of black stone but certain architectural features of the temple are made of marble during renovation. Around the temple in the four corners are installed the idols of Ganesha in all his other aspects like the Ekdanta, Gajanan, Lambodar,Vikata, Vighnahara, Dhumravarna, and Vakratund.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The idol of Mayureshwar is in the garbhagriha or the sanctum in which only the main priest can enter. The idol is facing east. The deity is three eyed, seated, and his trunk is turned towards the left. The eyes and the navel of the deity are studded with precious diamonds. On the head are seen the fangs of Nagaraj. The deity is flanked by brass idols of Siddhi and Buddhi who are considered the consorts of Ganesh. In front of the deity stand a mouse and a peacock.

The original idol is actually much smaller than it seems but continuous anointing of the idol with the vermilion has increased the size. It is believed that this layer of vermilion falls down on its own every 100 or 150 years, revealing the actual idol.

Just opposite the main gate are a tortoise and a Nandi facing the deity in the sanctum. The presence of a Nandi in a Ganpati temple is rare as Nandi is the conveyance of Lord Shiva . When one enters the temple premises one first sees the mooshak (mouse – Ganesha's means of conveyance) holding two laddos between his paws.

There are certain sacred trees in the temple premises, like Shami, Mandar and Tarati trees. Out of these the Shami tree is significant as it is referred to in the legend of Moraya Gosavi, a sage who did penance under his tree and Lord Ganesha gave him a glimpse. Thus it is believed that the wishes of a person can be fulfilled if he performs penance under this tree.

Apart from this there are many idols in the compound of the Mayureshvar temple. In the right corner one can see the idol of Yogindracharya. Some of the other idols are Shami devi, Mandar Ganesh, Durga Devi, Shukla Chaturthi Dev, Bhrushundi, Krishna Chaturthi Devi, Moraya Gosavi, Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi, Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, Moda Ganesh and Pramod Ganesh etc. the most important of these subsidiary deities is the image of Nagna Bhairava who is looked upon as the guardian of Lord Mayureshvar. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Mayureshvar is incomplete if a devotee does not worship Nagna bhairav first

DELHI 

                                                                                      Delhi Attractions

Delhi has seen a number of dynasties to take birth and die in its soil for many centuries. Delhi attractions including monuments, cenotaphs and mausoleums of kings and queens fringed in the city still narrate the bloody heritage of the city. You will also be amazed to see the sky high forts and palaces depicting the grandeur of yore as you take tour of Delhi attractions. There are number of places to visit in Delhi which steal visitor's heart for their grandeur and stunning architect. Some of the famous Delhi tourist attractions which you should visit ar

                                                                                                         QUTUBMINAR

                                  

 Dominating the ruins of the earliest existing settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark- the Qutab Minar. The imposing victory tower is one of the most famous Delhi tourist attractions measuring 73 metre in height. It was built by Qutbuddin Aibak (1192-98) the founder of the Slave Dynasty. The tapering, fluted structure has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved projections or balconies.

Elaborately carved pillars-which come from Hindu temples of the earlier setdement of Qila Rai Pithora embellish the courtyard of a nearby mosque. At the centre of the courtyard is the amazing Iron Pillar-the dhvaja stambha (flag pole) of a Vishnu Temple (4th-5th century AD). Cast in a process that is lost to the present world, the 7.2 metre pillar has not rusted through the centuries. Other interesting structures in die vicinity include die base of another unfinished tower - the Alai Minar.

The National Gallery of Modern Art

Located in the stately Jaipur House the museum has a splendid collection of contemporary art. The gallery is open from 10 am-5 pm and remains closed on Mondays and makes for one of the most endearing places to visit in Delhi for art lovers.

                                                                                    LOTUS TEMPLE

 Beautifully designed, the Baha'i House of Worship (also known as the Lotus Temple) is worth visitng Delhi attractions, built in the shape of a lotus. Its petals constructed in concrete and faced with white marble have an extraordinary lightness. Nine pools of water around the structure add to the illusion of a lotus floating in water. It belongs to the Baha'i Sect and is dedicated to the oneness of all religions. People of all faith can come and pray in the sprawling prayer hall. The temple remains open everyday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

 India Gate, The Majestic Arch

At the heart of the elegant capital city, laid out by the British, is the India Gate - one of the most visit Delhi attractions for both locals and foreigners. This elegant 42 metre arch in buff coloured sandstone stands at the end of the ceremonial avenue, the Rajpath. The memorial is dedicated to the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and bears the names of more than 13, 516 British and Indian soldiers. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and was designed by Edwin Lutyens. Another war memorial Amar Jawan Jyoti was constructed in the premises after the independence and is dedicated to soldiers who died in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. A flame burns under the arch day and night reminding the nation of the great sacrifice done by the Indian soldiers and their families.

 Splendours of Akshardham Temple

The world famed Akshardham Temple is worth visiting Delhi tourist attraction. The exquisite Temple situated on the bank of the serene river Yamuna is a wonder to the modern world. Embellished with 20,000 statues, floral motifs, arches and intricately carved pillars show the immense artistry that human hand can do. Spread over an area of 100 acres, the temple complex consists of exhibition halls, an IMAX theatre and a musical fountain besides the main temple. It has also got a restaurant portraying the architecture of the Ajanta-Ellora caves and an Ayurvedic Bazaar. The architectural style of the temple follows the famous Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The entire temple compound is built in pink stone and pure white marble, where pink stone symbolizes bhakti (devotion) in eternal bloom and white marble of absolute purity and eternal peace. The temple is fast becoming one of the most favoured destination in Delhi. This splendid architectural marvel has also made it to Guiness Book of Wolrd Records for being the largest Hindu Temple Complex in the world. This is a much deserved recognition that Akshardham temple has recieved.

                      FATTEPUR SIKRI 

 Introduction:

40 km from Agra, the city of Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar selected Sikri as the seat of his government believing it to be auspicious for himself. He experimented both with architecture and art and built a city expressing his ideals and vision. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city. But the inner fort is flawlessly preserved. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, and the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques In India). Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years is Rs. 5.00. and provisions of free entry on Fridays.

History related to it:

It was previously a rural community, called Sikri, celebrated as the dwelling of renowned Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Muhammadan, or saint. While returning from an operation, Akbar in 1564 halted near the cave in which the saint lived. The Mughal emperor Akbar had many wives but had no heir. The desire for a son led him to Salim Chisti who lived in an isolated cave near Sikri. The saint blessed Akbar and soon a son was born to him. The emperor named his son "Salim" after the saint and erected the grand Jami Masjid near the saint's dwelling. According to the legends if Akbar had to be blessed by a son, a sacrifice was to be made of a very dear one. The saint's son volunteered to be sacrificed so that the heir to the throne could be born. To the west of the mosque lie two graves, one of the saint and the other of the saint's infant son. And thus Salim was born to the empress, Mariam-uz-Zamani on 30th August, 1569 and the emperor vowed to build a great city. This brought about the emerged the splendid city of Fatehpur Sikri on a stony ridge. Jahangir, who describes all these circumstances in his memoirs, adds: "My respected father, regarding the village of Sikri, my birthplace, as fortunate to himself, made it his capital, and in the course of fourteen or fifteen years the hills and deserts, which flourished in beasts of prey, converted into a magnificent city, comprising many gardens, graceful edifices and pavilions, and other places of great magnetism and splendor. After the conquest of Gujarat, the village was named Fatehpur (the town of victory)."

                                                                                   BULAND DARWAJA

       The magnificent buildings in Fatehpur Sikri can be divided into two categories namely, the religious and the secular. The religious buildings are the imposing Jama Masjid with the Buland Darwaza. The Buland Darwaza is the most stupendous gateway of India which is the main entrance to Fatehpur Sikri. The 175 feet Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world. It was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Khandesh in Gujarat. The Buland Darwaza was erected in the year 1602, to commemorate Akbar's conquest over Deccan

The doorway is richly carved with verses from the Holy Quran cut in bold Arabic letters. Entrance to the Dargah is through the Buland Darwaza. The Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti or Jami Masjid was built in 1581 out of pure white marble. Thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world visit the Fatehpur Sikri to offer their gratitude to Sheikh Salim Chisti. A Koranic inscription upon it read, "The world is a bridge, pass over it but build no house upon it. He, who hopes for an hour, hopes for Eternity, for the world is but an hour". Just outside the gateway is a deep well wherein local daredevils leap from the top of the entrance into the water. The Shahi Darwaza is the official entrance, where licensed guides can be hired.

x

ganesh

                                                  BALLESHWAR PALI

                                                                

Among the Ashtavinayakas, Ballaleshvara at Pali is the only Ganesha who is famous by the name of his devotee and who is dressed up as a Brahmin. Village Pali is situated in the Sudhagad taluka in the district of Raigad. This place is nestled between the fort Sarasgad and River Amba. The nearest railway station is Karjat, which is 30Kms away.

                            "Vedo Sanstuvaibhavo Gajamukho Bhaktabhimani yo

                            Ballaleravya Subhaktapal Narat; Khyat Sada Tishtati.          

                              Kshetre Pallipure Yatha Kritayuge Chasmitha Laukike

                         Bhakterbhavite Murtiman Ganapati Siddhishwar Tam Bhaje"                

MEANING: -

I worshipped Lord Ganesh, who is elephant headed, who has been praised in the Vedas, who is popular by the name of his devotee (Ballal), who protects his devotees and in this kritayuga who abodes in Pallipur or Pali.

The Ballaleshwar Vinayak is situated in district Raigad, Taluka Sudhagad in the Village Pali. Pali is about 30 kms from Karjat.

ACCESS: -
1. It is 124 Kms away from Mumbai. One can reach Pali from Mumbai Via Panvel, Khopoli.
2. From Pune, Pali is 10 kms Via Lonavala & Khopoli

LEGENDS: -
In the Konkan Pallir village now known as Pali there lived a young boy Ballal who was a very sincere devotee of Lord Ganesh. Son of a rich businessman, his pre-occupation with worship at a young age displeased his father. Ballal spent a large part of his time in worship and influenced his friends to do so too. His friends' parents felt that Ballal was misleading their children by showing them the Bhaktimarg [the path of devotion] at such young age. They asked Ballal's father to restrain him. His father went to look for Ballal and found him in the forest engrossed in his worship of Lord Ganesh. He disrupted the puja, threw away the idol of Ganesh and beat his son. Not content with this he also tied him to a tree. He then left Ballal in the forest asserting that let Lord Ganesh himself come and rescue him. Ballal was in great pain but he kept calling upon Lord Ganesh who took the form of a Brahmin and appeared before him. He set Ballal free and then asked him to make a wish. Ballal entreated Lord Ganesh to reside in this region. The God acquiesced and, resided in a stone which is now believed to be the idol of Ballaleshwar Vinayak, that people worship at Pali. The idol that Ballal's father had desecrated too was placed in the temple. The idol of Dhundivinayak nearby is believed to be that idol.   

 THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY:
The original temple was made of wood, which was renovated in 1760 and made of stone by Mr.Phadnavis . There are two ponds near the temple.The temple faces East and is shaped like the letter Shree in the Devnagiri script. There are two lakes in the vicinity of the Temple. Water from the lake on the right side is used for Lord Ganesha's worship and other auspicious ocassions. During southern declination of the sun, the rays of the Sun falls on the idol of Lord Ballaleshwar. The temple has two sanctums. In the outer sanctum Mooshak the mouse faces the deity holding a modak in his paws. In the inner sanctum is the idol of Ballaleshwar. It is 3feet high and it faces east and its trunk turns towards the left. The navel and eyes of the idol are studded with precious stones. Lord Ganesh in this aspect appeared as a Brahmin and so this is one of those rare statues where Ganesh is shown wearing clothes as Brahmins do. On both sides of the idol are statues of Riddhi and Siddhi.

The Dhundi Vinayak Temple is situated behind the main temple. The idol in this temple is believed to be swayambhu. The idol of Dhundivinayak faces west. Devotees first visit this temple before going to the main temple.