Sunday 28 April 2013

gopal mandir ujjain pics and details

gopal mandir pics :-

उज्जैन का द्वारकाधीश गोपाल मंदिर :-

धर्मयात्रा की इस बार की कड़ी में हम आपको लेकर चलते हैं उज्जैन के प्रसिद्ध द्वारकाधीश गोपाल मंदिर। गोपाल मंदिर उज्जैन नगर का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा मंदिर है। शहर के मध्य व्यस्ततम क्षेत्र में स्थित इस मंदिर की भव्यता आस-पास बेतरतीब तरीके से बने मकान और दुकानों के कारण दब-सी गई है।

गोपाल मंदिर के पुजारी जगदिशचंद्र पुरोहित ने कहा कि इस मंदिर का निर्माण दौलत राव सिंधिया की धर्मपत्नी वायजा बाई ने संवत 1901 में कराया था जिसमें मूर्ति की स्थापना संवत 1909 में की गई। इस मान से ईस्वी सन 1844 में निर्माण 1852 में मूर्ति की स्थापना हुई। मंदिर के चाँदी के द्वार यहाँ का एक अन्य आकर्षण हैं।

मंदिर में दाखिल होते ही गहन शांति का अहससास होता है। इसके विशाल स्तंभ और सुंदर नक्काशी देखते ही बनती है। मंदिर के आसपास विशाल प्रांगण में सिंहस्त या अन्य पर्व के दौरान बाहर से आने वाले लोग विश्राम करते हैं। पर्वों के दौरान ट्रस्ट की तरफ से श्रद्धालुओं तथा तीर्थ यात्रियों के लिए कई तरह की सुविधाएँ प्रदान की जाती है।

श्रीराम पाठक ने बताया कि कम से कम दो सौ वर्ष पूराना है यह मंदिर। मंदिर में भगवान द्वारकाधीश, शंकर, पार्वतीऔर गरुढ़ भगवान की मूर्तियाँ है ये मूर्तियाँ अचल है और एक कोने में वायजा बाई की भी ‍मूर्ति है। यहाँ जन्माष्टमी के अलावा हरिहर का पर्व बड़ी धूमधाम से मनाया जाता है। हरिहर के समय भगवान महाकाल की सवारी रात बारह बजे आती है तब यहाँ हरिहर मिलन अर्थात विष्णु और शिव का मिलन होता है। जहाँ पर उस वक्त डेढ़ दो घंटे पूजन चलता है।

कैसे पहुँचे:-

सड़क मार्ग: मध्यप्रदेश के इंदौर से लगभग 60 किलोमिटर दूर उज्जैन हिंदुओं का विश्व प्रसिद्ध तीर्थ स्थल हैं। इंदौर बस स्टेंड से बस द्वारा उज्जैन पहुँचा जा सकता है।

रेल मार्ग: तीर्थ स्थल उज्जैन का रेलवे स्टेशन देश के सभी प्रमुख रेलवे स्टेशनों से जुड़ा हुआ है। यहाँ से छोटी और बड़ी लाइन की रेलगाड़ियाँ मुंबई, दिल्ली, चेन्नई और कोलकाता के लिए जाती है।

हवाई मार्ग: उज्जैन का सबसे नि‍कटतम हवाई अड्डा इंदौर है।
उज्जैन द्वारकाधीश गोपाल मंदिर, धर्म तथा दर्शन, धर्म दर्शन, मन्दिर प्राचीन, प्रसिद्ध मंदिर

Ujjain City
State - Madhya Pradesh
District - Ujjain
Major Attraction - Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Ganeshji, Bhartrihari Caves, Kaliadeh Palace, Veda Shala, Harsiddhi Temple & Gadkalika Temple
Best Time to Visit - October to March

Gopal Mandir :-

Gopal temple at Ujjain is dedicated to Lord Krishna in blue form. It is also known as Dwarikadhish Temple. Lord Krishna is the lover of milkmaids, the celestial herdsman and the great incarnation of Preserver of the Universe-God Vishnu.

Gopal temple was constructed by Bayajibai Shinde, the queen of Maharajah Daulat Rao Shinde, in the 19th century. The steeple structure in Marble proves the fantabulous example of the architecture of Maratha. There is an outstanding statue of God Krishna in silver form with the height of 2 feet. The idol of God Krishna is placed on a marble-inlaid altar with the silver-plated doors.

This silver door was stolen away by Mahmud Ghazni from the Somnath Temple and then it was again taken away to Lahore by Mahmud Shah Abdali-The Afghan invader. Then it was recovered by Mahadji Scindia and it has been installed now in Gopal temple.

Hotel Booking click here-

http://www.ujjaindarshan.com/ujjain-hotels.html

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g679024-Ujjain_Madhya_Pradesh-Hotels.html

How to reach :-

By Air :-

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain, which is situated 55 km away. Indore is air connected to major cities in India by public and private domestic airlines. Indore is connected to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. Taxi services are available from Indore airport to Ujjain. International travelers can get connecting flights to Indore from Delhi (800 km) or Mumbai (655 km) airport.

more info click here

http://ujjaintourism.in/by%20air.php

By Road :-

Ujjain is well connected by state road transport public bus services. Regular bus services are available from Indore (55 km), Gwalior (450 km), Ahmedabad (400 km) and Bhopal (183 km) to Ujjain. Super fast and Deluxe A/C buses are also available in these routes.

more info click here

http://ujjaintourism.in/by%20bus.php

http://apnaujjain.com/how%20to%20reach/road.html

By Train:-

Ujjain Junction Railway Station is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Direct train services are available to Bhopal, Indore, Pune, Malwa, Delhi and many other cities.

more info click here

http://ujjaintourism.in/by%20train.php

http://apnaujjain.com/how%20to%20reach/train.html

Airport Information :-

history of ujjain :-

The earliest references to the city, as Ujjayani, are from the time of the Buddha, when it was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom. Since the 4th century B.C. the city has marked the first meridian of longitude in Hindu geography. It is also reputed to have been the residence of Ashoka (who subsequently became the emperor), when he was the viceroy of the western provinces of the Mauryan empire.

In the Post-Mauryan period, the city was ruled by the Sungas and the Satavahanas consecutively. It was contested for a period between the Satavahanas and the Ror Sakas (devotees of Shakumbari), known as Western Satraps; however, following the end of the Satavahana dynasty, the city was retained by the Rors from the 2nd to the 4th century CE. Ujjain is mentioned as the city of Ozene in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an antique Greek description of sea ports and trade centers in the western Indian Ocean. Following the enthroning of the Gupta dynasty, the city soon became an important seat in the annals of that empire. Ujjain is considered to be the traditional capital of King Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, the legendary emperor, ruled the city with his famous Navratnas (nine jewels) including Kalidasa, Shanku, Dhanvantari, Betalbhatta, Varruchi, Varahmihir, Kshapdak, Ghatkarpar and Amar Singh who epitomised different branches of knowledge.

In the 6th and 7th centuries, Ujjain was a major centre of mathematical and astronomical research. The famous mathematicians who worked there included: Brahmagupta, whose book Brahmasphutasiddhanta was responsible for spreading the use of zero, negative numbers and the positional number system to Arabia and Cambodia; Varahamihira, who was the first to discover many trigonometric identities; and Bhaskaracharya, or Bhaskara II, whose book Lilavati broke new ground in many areas of mathematics.

Ujjain was invaded by the forces of the Delhi Sultanate led by Iltutmish in 1235, suffering widespread destruction and systematic desecration of temples. Under the Mughal emperor Akbar it became the capital of Malwa. During the last half of the 18th century Ujjain was the headquarters of the Maratha leader Scindia. The Scindias later established themselves at Gwalior, and Ujjain remained part of Gwalior state until Indian Independence in 1947. Gwalior state became a princely state of the British Raj after the Maratha defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, and Gwalior, Ujjain, and the neighboring princely states were made a part of the Central India Agency. After Indian independence, the Scindia ruler of Gwalior acceded to the Indian Union, and Ujjain became part of the Madhya Bharat state. In 1956 Madhya Bharat was merged into the Madhya Pradesh state.

Monday 8 April 2013

Golden Temple, Amritsar full details and Travel tour

golden temple amritsar pics

Introduction to Golden Temple, Amritsar

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is known as Sri Harimandir Sahib, is the central religious place of the Sikhs. What strikes you first is the sheer beauty of the exteriors of the Golden Temple with its dazzling Golden Canopy set amidst a serene water tank. But once you have walked in, the inner beauty of this place give you a feeling of tranquility rarely felt elsewhere. Amritsar is also where you can find a memorial for Jallianwalla Bagh victims and the Wagah Border with Pakistan where the ceremonial Change of Guards happens every Sun Set.

Amritsar Attractions:

The exquisite Golden Temple is what makes this otherwise unremarkable Punjabi city special. This sacred Sikh shrine attracts pilgrims from all over the world who come there to pay their respects and do voluntary service. Incredibly, the number of visitors per year rivals the Taj Mahal in Agra. The main temple looks particularly arresting at night when it’s beautifully lit up, with its imposing pure gold dome illuminated. The temple complex is open for almost 20 hours, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. It's well worth two visits -- during the day and night. Heads must be covered and shoes removed when you enter the temple.

History
Harmandir Sahib - Golden Temple Amritsar

Amritsar is one of Punjab´s principal cities, dating back in history over 400 years. It is known more for the world famous Golden Temple, the seat of Sikh religion.Situated on the north-western border of India, the city is also gateway for the travelers on the overland route through Pakistan. The Wagah border, which is the check-post is about 29 kms away. Amritsar literally means "the pool of nectar", the name derived from a pool constructed at the sacred site in the 16th century, gifted by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to Guru Ramdas, the fourth preceptor of the Sikh faith.

Under instructions from Guru Amar Das Sahib, this city was founded by Guru Ram Das Sahib in 1574, on the land bought by him for an amount of rupees 700 from the owners of the village Tung. (Earlier Guru Ram Das Sahib had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near erstwhile village of Sultanwind in 1564 {according to one source in 1570}. It could not be completed before 1588). In 1574, Guru Ram Das Sahib built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru-Da-Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das). Guru Ram Das Sahib began excavation of the Amritsar Sarovar (tank) in 1577. It was ready by 1581. This tank was renovated by Guru Arjun Sahib in 1586. Since then this city is known as Amritsar (after the name of the Sarovar). The foundation of the Darbar Sahib had been laid by Guru Arjan Sahib on January 3, 1588. (Later, it was propagated that the foundation stone of Darbar Sahib was laid by Sain Mian Mir, a Muslim holy man. Sain Mian Mir was very friendly with Guru Sahib but the foundation of Darbar Sahib was laid by Guru Sahib himself). In 1590, Guru Arjan Sahib moved to village Wadali where Guru Hargobind Sahib was born on June 19, 1590. By 1601, the Darbar Sahib was fully ready. In 1603-04, the first volume of Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, was prepared in this city and was installed at Darbar Sahib on August 16, 1604.

It is here that Akal Takht Sahib (Throne of the Almighty) was revealed by Guru Hargobind Sahib in 1609. Two flags representing temporal and spiritual authority (Sikh sovereignty) have been set up in front of Akal Takht Sahib. Here Guru Hargobind Sahib wore two swords of Miri and Piri (temporal and transcendental authority). The building of Akal Takht Sahib was twice demolished by Afghan armies and was very badly damaged by the Indian regime (in June 1984). The Indian government repaired in in September 1984. The Sikhs began demolishing it on January 26, 1986. The present structure has been constructed by five service-groups headed by Baba Thakar Singh of Bhindran-Mehta Jatha.

On April 13, 1634, the Mogul army attacked Guru Hargobind Sahib here. From 1635 to 1698, Amritsar remained in the control of the Mina family (descendants of Pirthi Chand). During this period, on November 23, 1664, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib visited the town. In April 1698, Bhai Mani Singh was appointed as the caretaker of the shrines of Amritsar.

The Mogul chief of Patti tried to occupy Amritsar several times. One such attempt was made in April 1709. The Sikhs, under the command of Bhai Mani Singh and Bhai Tara Singh of Dall-Wan, repelled this attack. When Baba Banda Singh Bahadur occupied several areas in the Punjab, Bhai Mani Singh chose to leave Amritsar in order to avoid the Mogul attacks.

On December 30, 1711, the Mogul emperor, Bahadur Shah, granted Ajit Singh Palit the charge of Amritsar in order to use him against Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. After the death of Bahadur Shah, Ajit Singh Palit returned to Delhi. In 1721, Bhai Mani Singh returned to Amritsar and re-started regular worship. His first act was to solve a dispute between so-called Tat Khalsa and so-called Bandai Khalsa for the right to the management of the shrines at Amritsar.

On March 29, 1733, a major gathering of the Sikhs was held here in front of Akal Takht Sahib. During the same time a Sarbat Khalsa gathering was also held. It discussed the Mogul offer of Nawab-hood. In April 1734, Bhai Mani Singh was arrested and was martyred at Lahore on June 24, 1734.

In 1740, Massa Ranghar, a debauched official, desecrated Darbar Sahib. He was punished by Bhai Sukkha Singh and Bhai Mahtab Singh, on August 11, 1740. In 1757 Afghan army demolished Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib. Baba Dip Singh led several thousand Sikhs against the Afghan. A major battle was fought on November 11, 1757. Baba Dip Singh and several thousand Sikhs embraced martyrdom. Again, in 1762, the Darbar Sahib complex was demolished by Afghan army. On December 1, 1764, the Afghan army made another attack. 30 Sikhs, led by Jathedar Gurbakhsh Singh, fought against mammoth Afghan army and embraced martyrdom. In 1765, the Sikhs began re-construction of the shrines. The central part was ready by 1776. Around 1830, Ranjit Singh gold-plated some part of the inner section of the Darbar Sahib. (It harmed this Sikh institution as some ignorant people began unjustly calling it Golden Temple).

In 1846, the British established themselves in the Lahore Darbar, with a Resident in the Court; and, Amritsar became a place of frequent visits by the British. In order to keep sanctity of the city, H. M. Lawrence, the British Resident, issued an order, dated March 24, 1847, asking the English people to follow the Sikh protocol while visiting the Sikh centres. In 1858, a Municipal Committee was set up here. In 1862, train services between Lahore and Amritsar were started. Khalsa College, the first Sikh college was established here in 1892. [In 1969 Guru Nanak University was established here]. In 1913, the city was electrified. In September 1915, the British declared Amritsar a "Holy City". (This order was undeclaredly annulled after August 15, 1947 by the Indian regime). On April 13, 1919, General Dyer opened fire on the gathering, at Jallianwala Bagh, near Darbar Sahib, killed 379 people and wounded another 1200. The the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.) and the Shiromani Akali Dal were established here in 1920.