Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad 

Falaknuma Palace is one of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, India belonging to the Paigahs but later owned by the Nizams. It is located on a 32 acre, 19400 sqaure meters area in Falaknuma, 5 km from Charminar. It was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra,then the Prime Minister of Hyderabad. Falak-numa literally means “Like the Sky” or “c” in Urdu.

In 2000 Taj Hotels started renovating and restoring it. The new renovated hotel was opened in November, 2010 as “Taj Falaknuma Palace”. The rooms and halls were decorated with ornate furniture, rich handcrafted tapestries and brocade from France. The interiors are a splendid interplay of Venetian chandeliers and intricate frescos, and have charming outdoor terraces, and a treasure of rare artefacts,including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books. The palace also has a 101-seat dining hall, considered as world’s largest, and the Durbar Hall.

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Top Ten Caves of India

Caving in India is very popular considering the number of caves one can find here. Every state has a number of caves worth exploration. There is the right mix of history, spirituality, mystery, meditation, and adventure in cave explorations. Most of the Indian caves are now sheltered and maintained by the Archaeological Society of India, and thus one needs ideal permissions and registrations. We list here the top 10 places for caving in India. Explore away!

Ajanta Ellora Cave

1.  Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

The Ajanta Ellora caves are the most famous caves of India. They are carved into hillside rocks and are located in the north of Maharashtra. One needs to see these caves to understand the magnificence of their beauty and form. There are in all 34 caves at the Ellora. These date back to the 6th and 11th centuries AD. There are 29 caves at Ajanta. These date back to the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. The caves at the Ajanta are all Buddhist. However the caves at Ellora are a mix of Buddhist, Hindu as well as Jain.

2.  Elephanta Island Caves, Maharashtra

The Elephanta caves are located on an Island just off the coast of Mumbai. There are in all seven ancient caves, which are hand carved out of a single rock. These caves date back to 450 and 750 AD and thus are very ancient. Out of all the caves, there is one main cave, which has many stunning large sculptured panels. These panels depict the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. One has to take a ferry from the Gateway of India to reach these island caves.

3.  Badami, Karnataka

The caves of Badami are very attractive due to the presence of the many beautiful cave temples. The four temples are open daily for a specific time frame. The four caves are dedicated to individual deities like Lord Shiva (one), Lord Vishnu (two), and the Jains (one). These caves overlook the 5th century Agastyatirtha Tank and also the beautiful waterside Bhutanatha Temples. A perfect caving location, one might say!

4.  Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Orissa

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The landscape is dotted with many ancient caves, but Udayagiri, also known as the Sunrise Hills, have the most interesting caves. There are many ornately carved caves, which are believed to be once occupied by Jain aesthetics. There is the mysterious Tiger Cave, which has an entrance shaped like a tiger’s mouth, and the Queen’s Palace Cave, which has the remains of the Jain symbols. Khandagiri is another cave collection, which has beautiful caves.

5.  Tabo, Himachal Pradesh

One can find spiritually vibrant caves in Tabo, which offers the visitors a chance to meditate and go into a trance. Situated in the Spiti Valley, the rugged and rocky ridge is located in high altitude. The town is dotted with many caves that aid the local Buddhist lamas in meditating peacefully. One can explore a lot of small and big caves here as the mountains house many of them and thus there are many visitors annually.

6.  The Many Caves of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is one state of India, where the caving exploration expeditions actually started! The place has many caves in almost all the nooks and corners of its landscape. Scores of cavers visit Meghalaya annually to undertake caving expeditions. These caves are simply beautiful and awe inspiring. Words fail to describe how magnificent these caves actually are during sun rise and sun sets. Come to Meghalaya, the land of beautiful caves!

7. The Caves of Jammu & Kashmir

There are many caves in Jammu and Kashmir, but two important Indian caves include those dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thus, these are very popular with pilgrims from all over India. Shiv Khori is placed near Ransoo, deep in the Swalik Hills. It is a kilometer long cave and has a natural Shiva lingam made out of a nice stalagmite. Then there are the famous Amaranth caves on the mount amaranth. There is also a temple and a famous Hindu shrine in those caves, made of ice. Ideal time to visit these caves are in the months of July and august.

8.  Undavalli and Mogalarajapuram Caves, Andhra Pradesh

In the famous city of Vijayawada, one can find the well preserved 7th century dated Undavalli cave temples. There is a quiet tranquility to the place that is really unmatched elsewhere. In the caves one can find many shrines that are dedicated to the powerful Hindu deities like lord Shiva, lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.  The Mogalarajapuram caves are an interesting find but they are in the ruins nowadays but still worth a visit. However, these caves are very famous for exploration and getting to know about their make and architecture is very interesting.

9.  Trichy Rock Fort Temple and Pallava Caves, Tamilnadu

The Rock Fort Temple is the main point of Trichy, and one of the major attractions of south India. It was constructed by the Nayaks of Madurai, many ages ago. The temples are built on a rocky outcrop, almost 237 feet above the city. The view from the top is really very awesome and the sunsets are just very glorious.  There are many awesome caves that are cut into the rocks but navigation into those takes some time and energy. But make sure not to miss any of those. There are many captivatingly beautiful and ancient sculptures carved inside the caves.

10.  Dungeshwari Cave Temples, Bihar

The famous Dungeshwari caves house the Buddhist temples that are very artistically structured. The Dungeshwari cave temples are also popularly known as the Mahakala caves. These are the caves where it is believed the Buddha spent a lot of years meditating, before going to Bodhygaya and attaining enlightenment. The place is thus a tourist hub, especially those who follow Buddhism. Meditation and spiritual time can be spent in these caves, which offer optimum peace and serenity to the souls.

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Edupayala durgamma Temple-MEDAK

About Edupayala durgamma Temple

Edupayala Durgamma Devasthanam is the place where seven rivulets meet at a point. Here the temple of durga maatha is of one of the most famous and powerful temple in telangana region in andhrapradesh.

The temple of Sri Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani is located in Nagasanpalli, Papannapet Mandal, Medak District about 140km from Nizamabad and 112km from Hyderabad and just 18km from medak. By vehicle it takes less than 2hoursfrom Hyderabad to reach this place. Route Map from Hyderabad is take left from Gandi Misamma Circle towards Dindigul. The way is full of forest & beautiful green fields.  The temple is located in the Pedda Gutta Soramgam which is also called as Garuda Ganga and the temple is situated where the Manjeera river flows in a small distance. One must visit this place in rainy season where the nature of forest and green fields makes this place more beautiful.

Every year more than 20lakh people worship goddess vanadurga and do customary bath in the 7rivers and pray the goddess vanadurga for the good cultivation and better living in the time of shivaratri and durgashtami . Here thousands of devotees pitch up their makeshift tents around the temple for three days jaatara of goddess vanadurga devi. Here thousands of devotee give cut(bali) of sheep and hen as a nivedana to the goddess to fulfil their wishes.

Festivals of Edupayala durgamma Temple

The festival begins on the day of Sivaratri and is followed by Bandi Utsavam  where hundreds of decorated bullock carts from 32 villages go around the temple and concludes on Tuesday with the rathothsavam. Every year, around thirty lakhs of devotees worship the Goddess Durga. To watch this occasion the devotees not only from our country come here but from various parts of the country come to worship goddess Durga. The Manjeera River which had its origin at Beedar and flowing at Medak and Nizamabad districts is acting as the sub division of the river.

History of Edupayala durgamma Temple

Here this river of seven rivulets meet at apoint.from top of this river there is a way to the temple in the den there is durgamma idol.that’s the reason it known as Edupayala durgamma. With hundreds of devotees pitching up their makeshift tents around the Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani temple here the stage is set for a three day festivity known as Edupayala Jatara in the Telangana and bordering Karnataka regions. The festival begins on the day of Sivaratri and is followed by Bandi Utsavam on Monday where hundreds of decorated bullock carts from 32 villages go around the temple and concludes on Tuesday with the Rathotsavam. It is estimated that more than 5 lakh people would visit the temple during these three days. According to the legend Nagsanpalli is the place where King Janamejeya offered the "Sarpayagam" to finish of the race of snakes. However, the snakes invoked the spirit of Ganga to flush the Sar payagam. It is believed that Ganga arrived here and split into seven rivulets touching the feet of Goddess Bhavani giving the name of Edupayala. The seven rivulets -- Vasishta, Jamadagni, Viswamitra, Goutami, Bharadwaja, Atreya and Kasyapasa -- begin their journey from the Ghanpur project and meet again just behind the sanctum sanctorum. With fairly good rainfall this year, 0.3 TMC of Manjira water has been released to Ghanpur project so that the pilgrims take their customary bath in the rivulets in front of the temple. Fifty professional divers have been kept ready to help the devotees taking bath in the rapids. The road abutting the Ghanpur project has been improved with barricades on both the sides.

Places to be seen in Edupayala

This is present in the middle of the forest.pilgrims firstly do bathe in the river and then go to worship the god.this is one memorable moment. With hundreds of devotees pitching up their makeshift tents around the Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani temple here the stage is set for a three day festivity known as Edupayala Jatara in the Telangana and bordering Karnataka regions.

Importance of Edupayala durgamma

This temple is present where 7 rivers meet at a point.

Speciality of edupayala:- The manjeera river(a tributary to Godavari river) is divided into 7rivulets(or streams in telugu) in which the first rivulet is divided into two i.e., vashishta and jamadaagni .then from vashishta the vishwamitra will start flowing from the back of the temple and combine with the vaashishta which flows front to temple.the two rivulets gowthama and bharadwaja bore from the jamadaagni and flow in the back of the temple.then the aathreya and kaashyapi flow from the front of the goddess which makes edupayalu of sri Vana Durga Devi. Pilligrims believe that .

In rainy season the river water flow in heights and reach the legs of goddess vanadurga devi to watch this thousands of devotees not only from andrapradesh but also from the other states come to edupayala.

How to go to Edupayala durgamma

Here this river of seven rivulets meet at apoint.from top of this river there is a way to the temple in the den there is durgamma idol.that’s the reason it known as Edupayala durgamma. With hundreds of devotees pitching up their makeshift tents around the Edupayala Vana Dura Bhavani temple here the stage is set for a three day festivity known as Edupayala Jatara in the Telangana and bordering Karnataka regions. The festival begins on the day of Sivaratri and is followed by Bandi Utsavam on Monday where hundreds of decorated bullock carts from 32 villages go around the temple and concludes on Tuesday with the Rathotsavam. It is estimated that more than 5 lakh people would visit the temple during these three days. According to the legend Nagsanpalli is the place where King Janamejeya offered the “Sarpayagam” to finish of the race of snakes. However, the snakes invoked the spirit of Ganga to flush the Sarpayagam. It is believed that Ganga arrived here and split into seven rivulets touching the feet of Goddess Bhavani giving the name of Edupayala. The seven rivulets — Vasishta, Jamadagni, Viswamitra, Goutami, Bharadwaja, Atreya and Kasyapasa — begin their journey from the Ghanpur project and meet again just behind the sanctum sanctorum. With fairly good rainfall this year, 0.3 TMC of Manjira water has been released to Ghanpur project so that the pilgrims take their customary bath in the rivulets in front of the temple. Fifty professional divers have been kept ready to help the devotees taking bath in the rapids. The road abutting the Ghanpur project has been improved with barricades on both the sides.

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Domakonda Fort-Nizamabad

 About Domakonda Fort

The fort was built in the 18th Century, is something you will find at this place. A huge elevated compound of granite rocks becoming a fort wall, with a wooden door that’s spiked with iron rocket head’s on its face making it an entrance door to the beautiful two storied Mahal which is worth praising to the great stucco work that’s eye catchy even today.

This fort is more popular as “Gadi Domakonda” also “Killa Domakonda” and this once palatial mahal inside is populary known as “Addhala Meda” (Glass house). The courtyard of this beautiful bungalow is graced with a masonry water garden pond and iron hooked rounded granite pillars drilled into earth around its circumference as a guard to this pond.

The ground floor has arched pillars with finely done stucco work, illustrating its influenced design to the Mughal architecture. The first floor perching on the ground floor is modeled with round pillars and above it a flat ceiling, borrowing its design from the Western architecture. The ceilings of the floor are done with wood supported by rectangular wooden beams

Location

Domakonda is a small village that falls aroud 04 Kms from the main road on the way to Nizamabad District from Hyderabad (NH7) and is close to 100 Kms from Hyderabad. Also on the premises of this Fort is a Shiva temple constructed by the Kakatiyas - A dynasty that ruled Southern India.

Domakonda Fort secrets exposed

The ancient Domakonda Fort gained prominence again with the reports of it would be the engagement venue of Ram Charan and Upasana. Unfortunately, the engagement venue has been changed in the last minute. But now, both families have chosen Domakonda fort as the venue for Ram Charan and Upasana marriage.

Notably, Umapathi Rao is the official owner of Domakonda fort. The shiva temple and lotus pond in the fort were built during the Kakatiya period. Upasana's forefathers were Domakonda Samsthan rulers.

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Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam-Komuravelli

Komuravelli Mallanna Story- Marriage with Medalamma

Komuravelli 'Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam' is one of the prominent Siva temples in the northern Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. It is next to Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple-Vemulawada and Mukteshwara Swamy Temple-Kaaleshwaram in popularity. The pilgrims often refer to the god as 'Komaravelli Mallana'. The temple is located in a cave on the 'Indrakeeladri' hillock at a distance of 110 Kms from warangal. The uniqueness of this temple is that the lord Shiva appears here in 'vigraha rupam'(statue) other than the usual 'linga rupam'. The temple is maintained by the Endowments Department of the state government. Every year Lakhs of pilgrims visit this temple on the eve of Makara Sankranthi because at this time of the year the Brahmotsavam starts in Komauravelli.It is believed that the deity of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy which is a clay molded is made around 500 years back. As the devotees started visiting the temple and as the rush increased the committee of the temple started developmental activities in the temple and made arrangements for the devotees and also built and renovated mandapamas and choultries, rest rooms, water facility etc. Pedda Patnam which is celebrated on the Maha Sivaratri usually attracts lakhs of pilgrims.Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam made provisions for the devotees to do online reservations for various pujas, offerings for annadanam and various other sevas. It is believed that the lord has married 'Gollakethamma' from Yadava community and 'Medalamma' from the Linga Balija community and settled here. So, both the goddesses are equally worshiped here. As a sentiment, the people from both Yadava and Balija communities head all the important rituals.

Komuravelli Mallanna Story- Marraige with Medalamma

There is no written scriptures are available on komuravelli mallanna (often refered as komurelli mallanna or komrelli mallanna) but there are so many folk lore available on komuravelli mallanna adventures which are said to be “oggu kathalu” sung by “oggu singers” .

In one of the stories it is said that komuravelli mallanna brought pasupu(sacred turmeric) and kumkum from macca (muslims holy place).

The story as follows..……(based on a video song)….

When mallanna wanted to marry medalamma, her brothers puts a condition that mallanna should bring bandari (hard turmeric or roots of turmeric i.e.”pasupu kommulu” which are in the possession of haseen and hussain in macca masjid that time) .In search of way for bandari komuravelli mallanna approaches God shiva. Lord shiva directs him to Lord Ganesha. Komuravelli mallanna goes to Ganesha and asks him about bandari, Lord Ganesha tells him that Mallanna’s sister “yellamma” knows the way to get it.

Then Komuravelli mallanna goes to yellamma and asks about bandari. Yellamma says that it is in macca. Mallanna prepares to go to macca but his sister “yellamma” warns him that macca is so far from here and men are very powerful there, it is impossible to beat them. They kept those things at a secret place that nobody knows it else them. Whoever went to there, they had not returned. Listening to this mallanna prays to gods, they gave him a flying horse. With that horse mallanna goes to macca. Before getting into makka he ties his horse outside the macca. He joins as gardener there and names himself  as malku malloji, he spends so many days there perhaps years. He gains their faith and muslims completely belives him. They tell him the identity of bandari. He goes to the place where it is, A five headed snake protects it. One day he took bandari and tries to run away, but muslims see him and tries to capture him. Mallanna escapes in disguise of a black dog though chased by the duo(haseen and hussain) till the banks of  rives Ganga. Goddess ganga looses her right hand when she confronted the duo and mallanna posts a stick as symbol of her hand and resolves to observe a ritual every year in the memory of goddess Ganga river. Then he returns to his hometown with the help of celestial horse. He gives some portion of bandari to yellamma and marries to medalamma.

As I know the ritual which is celebrated on Goddess ganga name is peerila festival. In some of stories, mallanna cuts one of duo hand in fighting and that hand five fingers stands for five peers in the yearly festival.

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Transit of Venus 2012

Transits – What are they? 

On October 24, 1995, June 11, 1999, and 22 July 2009, we had a rare opportunity of witnessing a Total Solar Eclipse from India, when millions observed and enjoyed one of the most spectacular phenomena of nature. When Moon comes in between the Earth and the Sun, a solar eclipse takes place. Total solar eclipse takes place when the Moon is close enough to the Earth and hence its angular diameter is large enough to cover the disc of the Sun. However, it could happen that the Moon is rather far away from the Earth (and the Earth close enough to the Sun) making the apparent diameter of the Moon smaller than that of the Sun. The Moon then cannot cover the entire disc of the Sun. 

Under such circumstances, an annular eclipse of the Sun takes place, as was witnessed on 15 January 2010 from many parts of the world including India. We then see a bright ring around the Sun with Moon positioned inside the disc of the Sun. However, when the inner planets Mercury or Venus come in between the Sun and the Earth, it is called a transit. Their angular sizes being much smaller than that of the Moon, we only see a black dot (rather than a dark circle as during the annular solar eclipse) passing across the disc of the Sun. However, the transit phenomena are rare. Mercury transit takes place some 13 to 14 times in a century. Transits of Venus, however, are even rarer taking place with intervals of over a century. Incidentally, there was no transit of Venus in the entire 20th century! 

The Four Contacts  

The transit begins with contact I, the instant the planet's disk is externally tangent to the Sun. Shortly after contact I, the planet can be seen as a small notch along the solar limb. The entire disk of the planet is first seen at contact II when the planet is internally tangent to the Sun. Over the  course of several hours, the  planet slowly traverses the solar disk. At contact III, the planet reaches the opposite limb and once again is internally tangent to the Sun. Finally, the transit ends at contact IV when the planet's limb is externally tangent to the Sun. Contacts I and II define the phase called ingress while contacts III and IV are known as egress. Figure 2 shows the transit paths along with the four contact points for the events of 08 June 2004 and 06 June 2012 respectively.

T-Day 

Transit-day, or the T-day: June 06, 2012 is our date for rendezvous with Venus. The next transit would take place only after a long gap of 105.5 years. What is more, this was an historical event that helped measure the distance of the Earth from the Sun, and consequently of all the planets. This event would offer science communicators a great opportunity to popularise astronomy, and address unscientific beliefs and superstitious at the same time associated with celestial events. As during the Total Solar Eclipses of 1995 and 1999, the annular solar eclipse of 2010, and the last Venus transit of 2004, this would be an event in which students, teachers, general public, and Government / nonGovernment organisations, would be involved. We do hope you would be a part of this 

great event.  

A Great Opportunity for Science Communicators 

In association with leading research institutions in the country, National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) and Vigyan Prasar  have  planned a comprehensive countrywide campaign to make people aware of the phenomena related to astronomy in general and transits in particular.  While a transit of Mercury or Venus offersa great opportunity to the scientists to measure the planetary distances from the Sun, it provides a great occasion to science communicators to utilise the spectacular  event to communicate the basic scientific aspects related to several astronomical phenomena in particular, and science & technology (S&T) in general to the members of the community.  

The main objective of the proposed programme is to utilise the event of Venus Transit fort riggering an interest in S&T especially among children in S&T in generaland in Astronomy in particular. A spate of activities would involve students/teachers/general public and active association / collaboration of Government / non-Government / voluntary organisations.

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SRI VIDYA SARASWATI DEVI,WARGAL

SRI WARGAL VIDYA SARASWATI DEVI AND LORD SHANI TEMPLE

The temple is around 48 kilometers from Hyderabad in the Wargal village.Wargal has famous Sri Vidya Saraswathi temple which is situated or the pictorial background in which has a unique rock formation and a valley around this hill. Here there is one temple was dedicated to lord Shani seperately with a big statue measuring around 3 feet in high which is one of the biggest statue of the lord sheni in Andhra Pradesh.

The hillock of Vergal has multiple temples on the same hill.

                                                             

  1. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple

  2. Sri Vidya Saraswati temple

  3. Lord Shanishwara Temple

  4. Lord Shiva Temple

  5. Few Vishnava Temples now completely damaged without any mole vigraha in it.                                                                             

   

This temple complex was a brain child of Sri Yamavaram Chandrashekhara Sharma scholared follower of goddesses Saraswathi astrologer and a vastu experter. Being a business man he has multi faceted activities to his credit.

In 1998 the building process for the above temple was activated under the group who called themselves as Satya patam seva samethi. This committee has started searching for a convenient place to built a temple.

Ultimately they selected the hillock of Vergal were 400 years old Shambu Deva Temple was situated. This temple is 2 feet below the ground level and one has to pass crawling of the ground for few feets to reach the main Shiva lingam. Sorrounding this temple were two ancient Vaishnaya Temples which were built during or before the Kakatiya rulers. There is a big Victory Pillar made of rock which is around 30 feet in height. The Vicotry Pillar has the statues of SitaRama Lakshmana, Goddesses Lakshmi and entwined couple of snakes.

On Vasantha Panchami of 1989 the Bhoomi pooja was performed and the foundation stone was laid for the temple of Sri Saraswathi Devi. It should be noted on this day they had only Rs. 2700 only.When they started propagating about the process of building Saraswathi Temple of donations poured in as a flood. In this way the construction process continued without any hindrance with the help of Lord Saraswathi.

On 1992 Magashudda Trayodashi Pushpagiri petadipate Sri Sri Sri Vidya Nrusinha Bharati Swamy has laid the foundation to the statues of Goddesses Sri Vidya Saraswathi Devi and Lord Shani statues in a temple. This temple was later dedicated to Kanchi Petam and a Vedic Patashala was started in 1999 by Sri Shankara Vijaya Saraswathi of Kanchi Petam and Lakshmi Ganapathi was inaugarated in 2001. The Expenditure crossed 1 crore of the rupees for building this temple. The temple has 13 and half acres of land on the east side were a park, library, hospital were planned in their future expansion.

Every day 100 of people were given free food to come to visit the temple at a big dining hall in the temple complex. During Dussehra period 1000's of devotees visit the temple every day. The Dussehra temple starts with Vigneshwara Pooja. Maha Abishekam Navaratri Kalasha Sthapana Chathu Sha shatyu pachara pooja, Arathi, Mantha Pushpam, Kukumarchana were performed. Laksha pooja Archana Pustaka Roopini Saraswathi Pooja Ashtothara Shathakalasha Abishekam On the last day of Vijayadarshanam of the goddesses Saraswati is decorated for devotees.

Pooja for Lord Shani Special pooja will be performed on every Shani Trayodashi which comes on the saturday. The poojas for Lord Shani were start on 5 a.m. in the morning which start with Ganapathi pooja and Japam, Homam will be performed with Tarpana to Lord Shani. The Lord Sheni will be worshipped with oil called as Taila Abishekam. The Homam for Lord Sheni will be ended at 12:00 noon with Poornahuthi, Arathi etc.,This is a very big event for this temple which attract 1000's of devotees from all over A.P and other places of India.

Some special poojas that are performed at Vargal Saraswathi temple are Chandi Homam which is a special event here.

'Akshara Abyasam' is a special ritual, in which devotees bring their children to the temple. The significance of the ritual lies in the fact that it marks the formal starting of child's education. The child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness

Veda Patashala

The temple has a Veda Paathashaala on its premises where many students learn Vedas. There are about 50 students who are provided accodmodation on the temple premises

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Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basara

Goddess Of Learning,Saraswathi Devi

Basara, abode to Gnana Saraswati, is a small village near Nizamabad city that comes under Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Here is located the ancient temple of Gnana Sarasvati - the Goddess of Knowledge. It is believed to be one of the two oldest temples of Goddess Saraswati in India, the other being located in Kashmir.Sited at the on ergence of rivers Mangira and Godavari, Saraswati Temple appears serene and pious in the rustic setting.

According to the legends, Veda Vyas did penance on the banks of Godavari. He used to bring fistful of sand daily after bath to make idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali. Since the 6th century, Basar has been a pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. However, the present structure of the temple is believed to have been erected by Chalukya kings. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Goddess Sarasvati adorns the sight, along with Goddess Lakshmi.

In the 17th century, the idols of the temple were reinstated by a chieftain of Nandagiri (Nandeed) subsequent to destruction caused by the Muslim invaders. There is nothing extraordinary about temple's architecture yet its popularity is certainly creditable. Pilgrims from far and near come to pay their homage to the 'Goddess of Wisdom'. Basant Panchami and Navaratri are the major festivals observed at the temple.

'Akshara Gnana' is a special ritual, in which devotees bring their children to the temple. The significance of the ritual lies in the fact that it marks the formal starting of child's education. The child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness

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Balaa... Anipinche..... Bhairavakona........

Brahma,Vishnu and Maheswara are worshiped in one place

The pilgrim centre is located in Ambavaram Kothapalli village, CS Puram mandal of Prakasam district, 120 km from Ongole. It borders Nellore and Kadapa districts. Thousands of people from the three districts visit the place to witness the spectacle and also to take a bath in the waterfalls and worship Lord Siva and his consort on the auspicious day.

Ancient temples carved in a hill at Bhairavakona attract many people on Karthika Pournami and Shivarathri.

                                   

Bhairava Kona draws thousands of people from far and near for a bath on the occasion of & Karthika Pournami & on a Wednesday. An interesting feature that attracts devotees to Bhairavakona is that moonlight falls on the idol of goddess Durgadevi on the day of Karthika Pournami and Maha Shivaratri.Set amidst a vast expanse of lush greenery and surrounded by hills and waterfalls, the holy place of Bhairava Kona is a perfect getaway for the discerning traveler.

                                                     

The water from the falls flows down from 200 meters above and flows about 3 ft. below through the Durga Devi temple. The moon light that falls on the water reflects on Durga Devi on Karthika Pournami day. Thousands of devotees flock to see this spectacle.

Breathtaking scenery all around, the jaw dropping waterfalls, chirping of the birds and the wild life all around all add to the glory of this place.

                                                           

Historians and Archaeologists have researched and concluded that this temple dates back to the period between 7th and 8th century A.D.

History has it, that Kala Bhairava once reigned over this region and thus the name given to this place: Bhairava Kona. Several forts were built all around to fortify this place.

This is perhaps the only temple in India where Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are worshipped in one place. An interesting feature of this temple is 8 temples are carved out of one rock and Lord Shiva appears in 8 different forms

• Shashinaga
• Rudra
• Visweswara
• Nagarikeswara
• Bhargeswara
• Rameswara
• Mallikarjuna
• Pakshamalika Linga

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Top 10 Highest Waterfalls in India

Kunchikal Falls: The Kunchikal falls is the highest waterfalls in India and second highest in Asia. The tallest waterfall of India with a height of 1,493 ft is located near Agumbe in Shimoga district of Karnatak. Agumbe valley is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall and it has the only permanent rain forest research station in India. The India’s biggest waterfall is formed by the Varahi river and lies in the Western Ghats:The Ghats is well famous for its Giant Indian squirrel, Indian bullfrog and other unique birds, rare reptiles and bizarre wild animals 

Barehipani Falls: The Barehipani is a picturesque waterfall situated in the core area of Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. This waterfall is second highest waterfalls of India with a height of 1,309 ft. The gorgeous fall is surrounded by deep forest which again adds the wildness to its beauty. This two-tiered’ waterfall is originating near the Bay of Bengal. The Barehipani and Joranda falls are counted amongst the most popular attractions of tribal state Orissa

Langshiang Falls: The Langshiang Falls at Meghalaya is one of the largest waterfalls in West Khasi hills district of Meghalaya. Langshiang falls formed immediately after the confluence of the diverged streams of the Kynshi river and the water falls from a height of 1,106 ft. 

Nohkalikai Falls: The Nohkalikai falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in India. It is located near Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth in East Khasi Hills district  

Meghalaya:The 3rd highest waterfalls in India with a height of 1100 feet. Cherrapunji is very famous for Hills, rainfall, living bridges and oranges. The other highest and popular waterfalls in Meghalaya are Nohsngithiang falls and Kynrem falls, These are also counted in top 10 highest water falls in India.

Dudhsagar Falls: Dudhsagar waterfalls or The Sea of Milk is well renowned for its spectacular trajectory. Dudhsagar is the fifth highest waterfall in India falling from a height of 1020ft. Dudhsagar falls is obviously one of the most popular falls in the country and a great tourist attraction of Goa apart from its exotic beaches. During the monsoon season however, the falls are transformed into one of the most powerful falls in India. Dudhsagar waterfalls are among top 100 waterfalls of the world.

Meenmutty Falls: Meenmutty waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls, falling from a height of some 980 ft in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the famous tourist spot in south India. The peak is famous for its wilderness and Meenmutty Falls is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad. Meenmutty falls is the biggest Water falls in The Land of God, Kerala.

Thalaiyar Falls: Thalaiyar waterfalls also known as rat tail falls situated in Dindigul district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the biggest water fall form a height 974 ft and one of one of the tallest falls in Asia. The widest falls is very popular for its dangerous place and dark caves. The spot is still unexplored because there is no road to reach here

Jog Falls: The Jog water falls created by the Sharavathi river in sharavathi valley in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Its breathtaking spectacle when sharavathi river falling from a height of 829 ft. It is the most impressive and one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India. The Barkana falls formed by the Sita River is another highest waterfall in karnataka. It is a wonderful location for sightseeing and counted among the ten highest waterfalls in India.

Kune Falls: The Kune falls is one of the breathtaking waterfalls situated in the heart of Lonavla-Khandala valley in the green city Pune, Maharashtra. The sparkling waters are falling form a height of 660 ft and making a magnificent and breathtaking waterfall. It is one of the most beautiful tourist spot in Khandala. 

Vantawng Falls: The nick point of the waterfall is situated at a height of 751 feet in Serchhip district of Mizoram. This is largest and most famous waterfall in Mizoram.The most magnificent falls is surrounded by lush forest teeming and a vast stretch of thick bamboo forests.The Tribal states of India Jharkhand,

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattishgarh also surrounded by some of the popular waterfalls in India, few of them are counted as Lodh falls, Chachai falls and Teerathgarh falls.

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The first rays of the sun shoot in India

                                  Tiger Hill-Darjeeling

The peak of the Gloom Hill in Darjeeling in West Bengal State of India is the Tiger Hill which became famous for the rare and spectacular 180° dawn-views that it offers of the third highest mountain in the world – the Kangchenjunga. Located at 26°59'37"N   88°17'5"E, the Tiger Hill is a UNESCO Heritage site at an elevation of 8500 feet above sea level and is 11 kilometers southeast of Darjeeling. A 4-storeyed glass-walled observatory or a watch-tower is perched on top of the Tiger Hill from where the Kangchenjunga Mountain is visible for a small window of time.

The reason that thousands of domestic and international tourists throng to this place and the big deal about viewing the Kangchenjunga is that this Mountain is the third highest in the whole world standing at 28, 169 feet altitude – almost at the altitude at which airplanes fly and the Tiger Hill is at 8500 feet altitude. This is probably the closest one can get to the Kangchenjunga. On foggy and hazy mornings, the whole Darjeeling Hills are blanketed with clouds and fog which block the views of the hills and everything else around. It’s just you between the clouds and the sky. And the first ray of the sun that pierces the clouds and lands on the Kangchenjunga Snow Peaks causes light pink hues on the mountains which turn warm yellowish-orange hues as the Sun ascends higher making these pulsating-orange coloured peaks visible from the Tiger Hill Observatory. A clear and sunny day is best suited for a Kangchenjunga-viewing trip to the Tiger Hill. As a bonus you can also see River Teesta (originating in Sikkim) and River Mechi (originating in Nepal) flowing at a distance as well as the Hill Station – Kurseong on the south. The beautiful mountain Phari Jong and the Tibetan mountain – Chumal Rhi are also visible at a distance from here.

At 4 in the wee hours of the morning, tourists, especially mountain-enthusiasts converge in the cold weather and wait anxiously for the Sunrise on the Summit. Millions of cameras have clicked this ‘still’ and this ‘still’ has made it to the cover of thousands of magazines (print and online media) worldwide. This awesome sight is guaranteed to permanently occupy your mind space forever and may also inspire you to explore the Kangchenjunga Mountain from closer quarters!

Tiger Hill is also a popular milestone in trekking-routes where people visit each summer to do several trekking stints from Darjeeling down south via Tiger Hill. It makes a very interesting and challenging trek in this area owing to a mix of different terrains rolled into one.

The first rays of the sun shoot ahead and shed light upon the twin peaks of Kangchenjunga painting it pink and then bathing it in a beautiful orange color 

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