Rock Fort Temple

The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is a collection of three temples - the Manikka Vinayaka temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanava Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill in the most prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy); reached by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi Pillaya temple

Tiruchirappalli itself has a long history, going back to the centuries before the Christian era, when it was a Chola citadel. The Pandyas and Pallavas held sway over the region for short periods. In the 12th century, Cholas were subverted by the Vijayanagar kings of Hampi, who proudly withstood the invading Muslims. Less than fifty years later, the Nayaks of Madurai came to power, constructed the Rock Fort, and firmly established Tiruchirappalli as the trading city.

There is a rock cut Pallava temple - Lalitankura Pallaveswaram in this hill temple complex, with several inscriptions here attributed to Mahendravarma Pallavan. In addition the Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayaks of Madurai have made extensive contributions here. The two storeyed Taayumaanava temple, built on (in!) a hill is a masterpiece of construction. The Chittira Mandapam (also spelt as Mandapa) houses a granite chain with nine loops.

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Vivekananda Illam

On the evening of December 25, 1892, Swami Vivekananda who had come to Kannyakumari on pilgrimage swam to the rock and spent the whole night there in deep meditation. He then resolved to decide himself to the service of the Motherland and to spread the message of Vedanta. Next year he attended the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, an event of seminal importance in the modern history of Hinduism. To commemorate his visit to the rock a superb memorial has been erected. It attracts thousands of visitors.

Karnataka  Temple Tours

Karnataka has some of the most magnificent monuments, temples, palaces, beaches in India. The Bull Temple at Bangalore, the Hoyselaswera temple at Halebid and the famous Krishna temple at Udupi are some the major tourist attractions. Tipu's Summer Palace is a beautiful cool retreat of wood and soaring arches

BALEHONNUR

45 kms to the north-west of Chikmaglur town is a celebrated pontifical seat of the district, the Shrimad Jagadguru Rambhapuri Veersimhasana Mahasamsthana Peetha.

This Veerashaiva Matha with mythical connections to Rambha, the celestial dancer as also to the giant Rambhasura, is one of the five great Panchacharya Mathas.

The Veerabhadra Temple attacted to the Mutt has sturdy metallic images of Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali.

INAM DATTATREYA PEETHA

Situated on the Baba Budan Giri in the Chikmaglur district is the Inam Dattatreya Peetha venerated by the Hindus and Muslims alike.

A laterite cave here is believed to have been sanctified by the residence of Dattatreya Swami as well as Hazrat Dada Hayat Mir Khalander. The holy site is an outstanding instance of religious tolerance and universal brotherhood.
The worship here is conducted by a fakir and the annual 'jatra' or 'Urs' is attended by both Hindus and Muslims with great fervour.

SRAVANBELAGOLA

The Most Revered Jain Pilgrimage Wedged between two stark rocky hills, the legendary pilgrim centre of Shravan Belagola and shrine of the Jains since early times is 150 km from Bangalore , 52 km from Hassan and 80 km from Mysore . Shravanbelagola is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrim centres in India.

It is a little township tucked away between Indragiri and Chandragiri hills. Its antiquity dates back to 3rd century B. C. when the great Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya handed over his empire to his son Bimbisara and sought the serenity of Sravanabelagola.

The Monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint and an object of worship for centuries, standing atop one of the hills (Indragirl hill), is 17 metres high and is said to be one of the tallest and most graceful monolithic statues in the world.

The symmetry in stone was created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga, King Rachamatta. This giant statue was carved out of a single block of stone.

It is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. Lord Bahubali or Gomateshwar, the gigantic monolith statue is situated at the famous Manjunath Temple in Dharmasthala.

It symbolises renunciation, self-control and subjugation of ego as the primary steps towards salvation. The naked Digambara form of Bahubali represents complete victory over earthly desires

DHARMASTHALA

Situated 104 Kms from Mangalore is Dharmasthala, the place of religious interest in the interior of Dakshina Kannada. Dharmasthala is an outstanding example of religious and cultural tolerance.

The temple of lord Manjunatha here has Vaishnavite 'archakas' and is administered by Heggade, a Jain Trustee. Charity is a way of life here and is extended to all with no distinction of caste or creed

anjunatha Temple: The Manjunatha Temple here attracts thousands of people all through the year. Every person who comes here irrespective of caste or creed is welcomed and given a free meal.
During 'Laksha Deepotsava', one lakh lamps are lit and literary and religious discourses are held.

Bahubali: In the recent past, the 39th monolith of Bahubali was installed at Dharmasthala by the Heggade.

Karanje: 37 kms from Mangalore on the road to Dharmasthala is the holy place of Karanje, well known for its medieval Shiva temple. Situated on a hill 1,500 ft high, it commands a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Kerala  Temple Tours

Aranmula Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna is another pilgrim place for Hindus. The temple Aranmula can be reached from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam route. A major attraction are the snake boat races held as part of the Uthrettathi festival in August/September. Aranmula is famed for its hand-made mirrors of polished metal called the "Aranmula Kannadi".

Guruvayur

Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 kms away. It is among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the Lord of the Winds created the temple. The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, the extreme grounds of Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayoor houses the elephants of Guruvayoor temple.The building was once the palace of a provincial chieftain Punnathur Nambidi

Andra Pradesh  Temple Tours

Andhra Pradesh is known for the famous Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirupati, Charminar, Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort in Hyderabad and Buddhist viharas at Nagarjunasagar. Also visit the wildlife and bird sanctuaries of Kolleru, Manjira, Kawal and Papikonda. Andhra has a nearly 1000 km-coastline with eight of its 23 districts having direct access to the sea. Famous beaches are Visakhapatnam Bheemunipatnam, Kakinada, Chirala, Kalingapatnam and Mypad.

Andhra Pradesh is a symbol of the true spirit of Indian secularism where people of all faiths -Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu form a symphony of religions.
Once among the poorest states of the Indian Union, it's transformation to one of the most industialized states has been slow but steady

TIRUPATI

Tirupati City is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh State. It lies about 152-km northwest of Chennai in the Palkonda Hills. Tirupati is known as the abode of the Hindu god Venkateshvara (also spelt as 'Venkatesvara'), "Lord of Seven Hills". About 10-km northwest of Tirupati, at an elevation of 750m, is the sacred hill of Tirumala, which was considered so holy that before 1870 non-Hindus were not permitted to ascend it

Tirupati was developed mainly by the contributions made by kings during their rule. Almost all the kings from great dynasties of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine of Tirupati. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.

During the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty contributions made to the temple increased enormously. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the Tirupati temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple at Tirupa

SRISAILAM

Srisailam is situated in the thick and inaccessible forests of the Nallamalai hills, in the northeastern portion of the Nandikotkur Taluk of Kurnool District. It is one of the most ancient and sacred places in South India, and this important religious shrine stands on the Rishabhagiri hill, on the southern bank of the sacred river Krishna. Srisailam is referred to as "Sri Giri", "Sriparvata", "Rudra Parvata" and "Seshachalam" in several texts and Puranas.

The presiding deity at the place is Sri MallikarjunaSwami in the form of a lingam, which is one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingams' existing in the country. Another important temple at the place is that of 'Bhramaramba', the consort of Lord 'Mallikarjunaswami'.

The Legend
It is said the 'Vrishabha', the sacred bull of Lord Shiva performed penance here. Lord Shiva appeared before him, with his consort Parvati in the forms of Mallikarjuna and Bharamaramba. Other shrines within the temple include the 'Sahasra Linga' 'Panchapandava Temples' and 'Vata Vriksha'.

ANNAVARAM

Annavaram is situated at a distance of about 3-km from Annavaram railway station on the Vijayawada-Waltair broadguage section of the South Central Railway, 48-km from Kakinada and about 80-km from Rajahmundry. Annavaram is one of the reputed centres of pilgrimage in the Andhra Pradesh on account of a temple of 'Sri Vira Venkata Satyanarayana Swami'. The temple is situated on the sacred Ratnagiri Hills.

The distance from the foot of the hill to the temple is about four furlongs. From the foot of the hill, to the top of the hill, there is a proper path, well laid out with stone steps. The river Pampa that is considered a sacred river is running close to the temple and is a furlong away from the foot of the hill. Generally before going to the temple pilgrims have their bath in the river.

A Chariot Temple
The construction of the main temple resembles a chariot with four wheels in four corners. The 'Kalyanamandapam' constructed in front of the temple is decorated with modern architecture. As we go down the way, we come across Ramalaya and then the shrines of 'Vana Durga' and 'Kanaka Durga'.

The temple was built in such a way that it satisfies both the ritualistic values and the spiritual aspirations of the devotees. The idol, which is about 4m high, is in a cylindrical form. The base in the lower sanctum represents Lord Vishnu. The middle portion represents Lord Shiva. This image of the deity, forming a single idol and representing the Hindu Trinity, is of unique attraction.

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