India Travel

Govindarajaswamy temple

Related Properties from Gurgaon

Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad

North from Rani-ka-Hazira through Temple Road, a narrow street of fabric shops, and across Relief Road, the Swaminarayan temple stands behind huge gates and brightly painted walls. Forming a delicate contrast to the many hard stone mosques in the city, both the temple and the houses in the courtyard surrounding it are of finely carved wood, with elaborate and intricate patterns typical of the style of the havelis of north and west Gujarat. The temple's main sanctuary is given over to Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.

Chitragupta Temple at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh

Beyond the platform, and similar to its southern neighbour, Jagadambi, the heavily (and in places clumsily) restored Chitragupta temple is unusual in being dedicated to Surya, the sun god. Once again its design emphasizes the mandapa, which here has large projecting balconies, rather than the main temple. Ornate depictions of hunting scenes, nymphs and dancing girls accompany processional friezes, while on the southern aspect a particularly vigorous ten-headed Vishnu embodies all his ten incarnations. Within the inner chamber, the fiery Surya rides a chariot driven by seven horses. The small and relatively insignificant temple in front of Chitragupta, also heavily restored

Vaikuntha Perumal Temple in Tamil Nadu

Built shortly after the Kailasanatha Temple at the end of the eighth century, the smaller Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, a few hundred metres west of the railway station, is dedicated to Vishnu. Its lofty carved vimana (towered sanctuary) crowns three shrines containing images ofVishnu, stacked one on top of the other. Unusual scenes carved in the walls enclosing the temple yard depict events central to Pallava history, among them coronations, court gatherings and battles with the Chalukyas who ruled the regions to the northwest. The temples pillared entrance hall was added by Vijayanagar rulers five centuries later, and is very different

Birla Venkateshwara Temple : Hyderabad

The Birla Venkateshwara temple (daily 7am—noon & 3—9 pm), on Kalabahad ("black mountain") Hill, north of the Public Gardens, is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or nationality. Constructed in Rajasthani white marble in 1976 by the Birla Trust, it was set up by the wealthy industrialist Birla family-Although the temple itself is not of great interest, it affords fine views.

Jagdish temple of Udaipur in Rajasthan

Raised above the main crossroads a little north of the City Palace, Jagdish temple is a centre of constant activity. Built in 1652 and dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an aspect of Vishnu, its outer walls and towering shikham are heavily carved with figures of Vishnu, scenes from the life of Krishna, and dancing apsaras (nymphs).The spacious mandapa leads to the sanctuary where a black stone image of Jagannath sits shrouded in flowers, while a small raised shrine in front of the temple protects a bronze Garuda, the half-man, half-bird vehicle of Vishnu. Smaller shrines to Ganesh and Hanuman stand to

Around Kottayam in Kerala

Some of Kerala's most attractive scenery lies within easy access of Kottayam. The beautiful Kumarakom bird sanctuary, in the backwaters to the west. is best visited at dawn before the hoards of day-trippers arrive. Aranmula to the south is one of the last villages still making kannady metal mirrors, and has, a Krishna temple that organizes a ritual "non-competitive" boat race. The Mahadeva temple at Ettumanur, a short way north of Kottayam. is known co devotees- as the home of a dangerous and wrathful Shiva, and to art-lovers as a sublime example of temple architecture, adorned with woodcarvings and murals.

Golden rules of Amritsar in Haryana and Punjab

Visitors of all nationalities and religions are allowed into the Golden Temple provided they respect a few basic rules, enforced by patrolling guards. Firstly, tobacco, alcohol and drugs of any kind are forbidden. Before entering, you should also leave your shoes at the free cloakrooms, cover your head (cotton scarves are available outside the main entrance - or wear your Kullu hat), and wash your feet in the pool below the steps. Photography is permitted outside, but not inside any of the shrines tours, provides details on temple accommodation and has books and leaflets about the temple and Sikh faith.

Arunachaleshvara Temple at the Tiuvannamalai in Tamil Nadu

Known to Hindus as the "Temple of the Eternal Sunrise", the enormous Arunachaleshvara Temple, built over a period of almost a thousand years, consists of three concentric courtyards whose gateways are topped by tapering gopums, the largest of which cover the east and north gates. The best spot from which to view the precinct, a breathtaking spectacle against the sprawling plains and lumpy, granite Shevaroy hills, is the path up to Sri Ramana Maharisln's meditation cave, Virupaksha, on the lower slopes of Arunachala. To enter the temple, however, head for the huge eastern gateway, which leads through the thick outer

Practicalities of Kedarnath in Uttaranchal

Kedarnath's GMVN Tourist Bungalow (0137286/6210), standing like a disused railway station before the bridge that leads into town, has a cheap dorm and standard double rooms. Alternatives include the clean and comfortable Bharat Seva Ashram, a large red building beyond the temple on the left; the pleasantly located bungalow of Modi Bhavan, behind and above the temple near the monument, which has large rooms and kitchenettes; and Punjab Sitidh, next to the post office. Food in the cafes along Kedarnath's main street is simple but expensive, as all supplies have to be brought up from the valley on horseback. The canteen

Hathi Singh temple in Ahmedabad

The Svetambara Hathi Singh temple (daily 10am—noon & 4-7.30pm), a few hundred metres north of Delhi Gate, is easily distinguished by its high carved column, visible from the road. Built entirely of white marble embossed with smooth carvings of dancers, musicians, animals and flowers, this serene temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, whose statue stands in the main sanctuary. He is the fifteenth tirthankara, or "ford-maker", one of twenty-four great teachers sanctified by the Jains. Other tinhankams peer out with jewelled eyes from smaller shrines in the pillared cloisters around the courtyard.

Chausath Yogini at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh

Beyond Shiv Sagar, to the southwest; lie the remains of the curious temple of Chausath Yogini - the "Sixty-Four Yoginis". Dating from the ninth century, Chausath Yogini consists of 35 small granite shrines clustered around a quadrangle; there were originally 64 shrines, with the presiding goddess's temple at the centre. Only fourteen other temples, all in northern India, are known to have been dedicated to these wrathful and bloodthirsty female attendants of the goddess Kali; art historians surmise that the site was used by an esoteric Tantric group. Around lkm further west lie the ruins of Lalguan Mahadev, a small

The Shore Temple in Tamil Nadu

East of the village, a distinctive silhouette above die crashing ocean, Mam allapu ram's Shore Temple (daily sunrise—sunset; 10 [Rs10]) dates from the early eighth century and is considered to be the earliest stone-built temple in south India. The design of its two finely carved towers was profoundly influential: it was exported across south India and eventually abroad to Southeast Asia. Today, due to the combined forces of wind, salt and sand, much of die detailed carving has eroded, giving the whole temple a soft, rounded appearance. The taller of the towers is raised above a cell that faces out to

Bakreswar in Central Bengal

A quiet but important temple town on the edge of the Chotanagpur plateau, 58km northwest of Shantiniketan, BAKRESWAR is considered, along with Kalighat in Calcutta, to be one of the 51 Sati pithas.The temple of Mahishamardini commemorates the spot where a part of Shakti's forehead fell, cut by Vishnu as the distraught and destructive Shiva earned her dead body. Shiva himself is venerated by the Bakranath temple. Nearby hot springs such as Agnikund, or "fire spring", have a high sulphur content, reach temperatures of 67°C, and are considered to have great therapeutic value. Buses for Bakreswar depart from the Jamboni

Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu

The Kailasanatha Temple, the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of Pallava architecture in south India, is situated among several low-roofed houses just over lkm west of the town centre. Built by the Pallava King Rajasimha early in the eighth century, its intimate size and simple carving distinguish it from the town's later temples. Usually quieter than its neighbours, the shrine becomes the focus of vigorous celebrations during the Mahashivratri festival each March. Like its contemporary, the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, it is built of soft sandstone, but its sheltered position has spared it from wind and sand

Modhera Northern Gujarat

If you visit only one town in northern Gujarat, it should be MODHERA, where the eleventh-century sun temple (daily 8am-6pm;$5 [Rs5]) is the best example of Solanki temple architecture in the state. Almost a thousand years old, the temple has survived Muslim iconoclasm and nineteenth-century earthquakes; apart from a missing shikhara and slightly worn carvings, it remains largely intact. The Solanki kings numbered Jains among their courtly advisers, and were probably influenced in their temple design by jain traditions; deities and their vehicles, animals, voluptuous maidens and complex friezes adorn the sandy brown walls and pillars. Within the trkimdapa, or

Practicalities of Badrinath at Uttaranchal

At the information centre, run by Badrinaths Temple Committee, on the east bank opposite the temple, yon can book rooms in the various pilgrim rest houses they manage, such as the nearby Modi Bhavan, and Gujarat Bhavati, next to the temple on the more atmospheric west bank. Kale Kambli Wak's Ashram, behind the temple, is also excellent value. The most comfortable option m town is the large GMVN Devloke, behind the post office, with accommodation ranging from dorms to deluxe rooms, plus gardens and a restaurant. There are two other GMVN establishments near the new, space-age-style bus stand: the tourist

Gauri Shankar temple in Central New Delhi

Tucked behind fragrant mounds of marigolds, roses and jasmine blossoms sold on Chandni Chowk just west of the Jain temple, the large marble Gauri Shankar temple, dominated by its eight-hundred-year-old lingam, is Delhi's holiest Shiva temple. Devotees enter up a narrow flight of marble steps, flanked by pillars carved with chains and bells, that opens onto a spacious courtyard, always a scene of animated devotional activity. Inside, offerings for sale include bilva (wood apple) leaves, chandan (sandalwood paste), marigolds, red powder, rice, and cotton threads.The main sanctuary holds bejewelled statues of Gauri (Parvati) and Shankar (Shiva) standing beneath a silver

Practicalities of Sabhanayaka Temple in Central Tamil Nadu

Chidambaram revolves around the Sabhanayaka Temple and the busy market area that surrounds it, along North, East, South and West Car streets. Though little more than a country halt, the railway station, 2km southeast of the centre, has good connections both north and south, and boasts retiring rooms and, on platform 1, a post office (Mon-Sat 9am-lpm & 1.30-5pm). Frequent buses from Chennai,Thanjavur, Mamallapprarn, and Madurai pull in at the bus stand, also in the southeast, but nearer the centre, about lkm from the temple. Staff at the TTDC tourist office, next Co TTDC Tamil Nadu hotel on Railway Feeder Road,

Amritsar in Haryana and Punjab

The Sikh's holy city of AMRITSAR, site of the fabled Golden Temple, is the largest city in Punjab: noisy, dirty, dusty and hopelessly congested. Its one saving grace is the Golden Temple, whose golden domes soar above rheteing streets. Amntsar is also an important staging post or those crossing In do—Pakistani frontier at Wagha, 29km west.

Bharat Mata northwest of Godaulia in the Eastern UP

About 3km northwest of Godaulia, outside the old city, the modern temple of Bharat Mata (Mother India), inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, is unusual id that it has a huge relief map in marble of the whole of the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan plateau, with mountains, rivers and the holy tirthas all clearly visible. Pilgrims circumambulate the map before viewing it in its entirety from the second floor. The temple can be reached by rickshaw from Godaulia for around Rs7.