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India- Pilgrimage
 Religious Monument |
Since time immemorial, India has
been known for its religion, religious tolerance and its worldly
character. India is called the "yogabhoomi" and
the entry to the heavens. Innumerable saints and seers, in
their quest for knowledge, have contributed mainly to the
growth of various religious monuments viz. Temples, Mosques,
Monasteries etc. built generously across the length and breadth
of the country. For this very reason, India is also known
as the temple of country. The architectural enthusiasm is
expressed in its places of worship, which form an essential
part of its cultural diversity. |
It has been a custom in India to honor all the deities,
gods and goddesses by building shrines, which is obvious in the
various temples. In the olden times, kings of various dynasties
used to worship a exacting deity, and thus it was a common do to
build huge temples, which are in themselves, architectural marvels.
India is well known for its places of worship. The cosmopolitan
flavor of its religions is well reflected in its huge number of
holy shrines. Apart from the pilgrim centers that India is known
for, a large number of places of worship are known among devotees
for everlasting powers and wish fulfillment.
Kedarnath
The Kedarnath shrine, at a height of 3,581 mt it is
a 14 km trek from Gaurikund. Is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord
Shiva, it is a picturesque spot placed against the backdrop of the
majestic Kedarnath range.
Badrinath
The temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt high, built
in the form of a cone with a little cupola of a gilt bull and spire
is devoted to Lord Vishnu. Set amidst a charming valley, at an altitude
of 3,133 mt. above sea level, it is situated on the right bank of
sacred river Alaknanda. The other temples and places of worship
worth a state in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi),
Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa
Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund
Sahib. There are fairly a few churches too
Including St. John's Church, St. George's Church,
St. Mary's Church, Holy Trinity Church, All Saints' Cathedral, St.
Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Temple of Shri Naina Devi Ji
is situated on hilltop in Bilaspur distt, of Himachal Pradesh in
India.
Amritsar
The Golden Temple at Amritsar, is the mainly famous
of Sikhs monuments, festooned with a gilt by Raja Ranjit Singh.
Surrounded with water on all the sides, it was erected in the 16th
century. The mandir, a two storeyed arrangement is built on a 67
ft square of marble. One of the most revered places of pilgrim for
the Sikh community is Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.
Delhi
The Jama Masjid, overlooking the
old markets of Chandni Chowk, is one of the main mosques in
India. Shah Jahan in Delhi built it. Jama Masjid, looks across
the old markets of the city that are massed approximately
Chandni Chowk and stretches till the great Red Fort. |
 Jama Masjid |
Ajmer
The Dargah at Ajmer is a holy place considered to
be a place of wish fulfillments for those who pray with pious and
pure hearts. This Dargah houses the crypt of Saint Mohinudeen Chisti.
In the vicinity of the Dargah the tomb of The Saint's daughter-Bili
Hafiz Jama & tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum is situated.'
Ajmer' owes its composite civilization to the region of many dynasties
that came, ruled and left, send-off behind indelible marks of their
civilization and traditions culture. Ajmer is located in a valley
bounded by the Aravali hills, 131 Kms West of Jaipur. It is also
associated with extraordinary historical events. 'Dargah Khwaja
Sahib' is the landmark of Ajmer. One of the holiest Muslim shrines
in the country. The city has some grand master pieces of Indo-Islamic
architecture.'
Pushkar
Pushkar', 11 Kms West of Ajmer, along the charming
Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious importance.
An important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, boom with 400 temples
and a lake encircles by 52 Ghats. The temple of Lord Brahma is not
only the biggest attraction, but Pushkar is also the site for one
of the main and mainly colorful cattle fairs in the world.
Orissa
 Sun Temple |
Orissa or Kalinga, it was then
called as a settlement of non-Aryan and Aryan settlers. It
was here that the well-known Battle of Kalinga was fought
which made King Ashoka forsake war. Situated in Orissa and
built in the 13th century to honor a military victory, the
Sun Temple is an architectural splendor. The main tower of
Konark stands 227 feet high overriding both Lingaraja and
Jagannath temples. The temple, known as the black pagoda,
is a luminous chronicle in stone, with thousands of images
counting deities. Jacanas Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Devgarh,
Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh; Somnath Temple in Gujarat are
some of the well-recognized temples. |
Varanasi
The major magnetism of Varanasi is the long strings
of Ghats, which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are over
a 100 bathing and burning Ghats but the Manikarnika Ghat is the
most holy of them all. This is the main burning Ghats and one of
the mainly favorable places where a Hindu could be cremated. Dasaswamedha
Ghat is perhaps the most suitable starting point. At the time of
sunrise, people visit this Ghats to get an attractive introduction
to the river. Here you'll witness the throng of people who come
to the edge of the Ganges not only for a rite bath, but to practice
yoga, offer blessings, buy paan, sell flowers, get a massage, play
cricket, have a swim or get a shave. Apart from the many Ghats facing
the river, the city's other highlights include the Golden Temple
also known as Vishwanath Temple, built in a roofed courtyard with
stunning gilded towers. Shopping at markets famous for their ornamental
brass work, lacquered toy, shawls, silks and sitars; visiting the
near Buddhist centre of Sarnath. The Durga Mata temple was built
in 18th century, discolored in red with ochre is also a must to
see.
