Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a temple unique in its own glory! I haven't visited the temple, only watched about it in the Programme- 'Devbhumi Kumaon' on Doordarshan.

It is situated in Pitthoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The uniqueness lies in the fact that the temple is actually a cave, around 90 feet below the ground level, that is, we have to go down through many stairs to reach the mandir. And also, the road downwards has many ups and downs, that is, the temple has many floors. That is the reason it is called Patal Bhuvaneshwar. The narrow tunnel has forms of almost all Gods and Goddesses known to us. It is said to be the the abode of 33 koti Gods and Godesses.

It is situated in the meeting place of the three rivers-  Ramganga, Sarayu and Gupt Ganga.

There is a story about Patal Bhuvaneshwar in Skanda Puran. This puran  also refers to this place a sacred one, a must visit for the devotees.

The Govt website on Uttarakhand Tourism has a detailed description of the cave here:-
Visit to Patal Bhuvaneshwar


Do try to visit this unique abode of the divine :)

Om Namah Shivaya!

TV Report on 'Simhasta' 2016 on Doordarshan

On 22nd May 2016, after the programme 'Mann ki Baat', Doordarshan National showed a report on Simhasta, the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain. I really loved to watch the programme. It presented many long shots of the ghats of the river Shipra, which were full of devotees. Many scenes of early morning, even before sunrise :) :). Loved those scenes.

1st Shaahi Snaan was on- 22nd April, 2016

Then the 2nd Shaahi Snaan on- 9th May, 2016, 

Special snaan dates were also there like 3rd May, 2016, on the occasion of Varuthini Ekadashi.

Last Shaahi snan was on 21st May, 2016.

Many pilgrims appreciated the arrangements made by the State Govt and the volunteers (/organisation in charge).

All the 13 groups of Sant Sampradaay participated in the Shaahi Snaan.

Around  5 to 7 crore people attended Simhasta this year, according to the state Govt.

The programme also showed the temple of Mahakaal which is the heart of Ujjain (earlier known as Avantika nagri in mythological texts).

Kumbh Mela takes place once in every 12 years. This year the celebration was from 22nd April to 21st May.

One spiritual leader explained how the Sanskrit word ‘nadi’ has come from the word Neer, which means water, and how 'Naraayan' is directly related to this concept. Water is an important part of archan, tarpan- all these religious  activities.

This programme reminded me of one song from Ramanand Sagar's ‘Shri Krishna’, where Krishna and Balaram travel to the aashram of Guru Sandipani on the banks of Shipra, at Avantika nagri, to receive education. Here is the lyrics of the song -

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Sevak hain sang me na sang hai sawaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Pag pag chalna bhumi pe sona

Sanyam se vichalit nahi hona

Bhiksha maangke bhojan pana
Bharmacharya ke niyam nibhaana

Bharatiya batukon ki parampara hai nyaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Sevak hain sang me na sang hai sawaari

Shiksha praapt karne ko chale hain brahmachaari

Mathura se Avantika chale hain Brahmachaari

Om Namah Shivaay

Jai Mahakaal param kripaal

Shambhu namaste

Shambhu namaste

Swayambhu namaste

Jai Mahakaal param kripaal

Shambhu namaste

Punya bhoomi Mahakaal ki

Avantika shubhnaam

Sapt puri me ek yeh paap moksh ka dhaam

Kshipra teere upvane Sandipani ka vaas

Sarva kalaa jinko sulabh

Sadgun inke daas

Shishyon ko gurudev den ved vihit sanskaar

Guru sang milke sab karen Vidhivat mantrochchaar

And here is the video- 

This report on Sinhasta was a pleasant surprise for me, giving a taste of a Kumbh Mela :), which we could not attend, still felt like taking part in it, after watching the programme.

Lots of Thanks to Doordarshan for airing it.

Jai Shri Krishna.


(Photos taken from internet. Credit goes to the uploaders. Used only for the purpose of appreciation.

Video from Ramanand Sagar's 'Shri Krishna' used for the sole purpose of spreading devotion. No personal profit intended.)

Cappadocia: Turkey

Recently Travel XP channel aired a programme 'Bliss' on Cappadocia area of Turkey. It is a hilly place, having the colour white in the hills and land, which has made it so unique. 

I was amazed to see the natural beauty of the place! It is so so different from other places! Because of its colour as well as its structure of the city on the hilly area. As if they have converted the caves into rooms and stay there. 


The lifestyle of the people of that area are so basic that we realise that to lead a peaceful life we actually do not need many items. Without all the extra/ artificial objects, the place retains its basic natural flavour. 

                                  

They have this 'Balloon Trip' to see the whole area from the sky, which is so memorable! 


Really a nice place to visit or at least to know about :)

Thanks to Travel XP for letting us know about this unique place.

(Pictures taken from the internet. Credit goes to the original uploaders. Used only for the purpose of appreciation.)

A visit to Chandni Chowk

Day before yesterday, we went to Chandni Chowk for some work.

This time we went to Chandni Chowk after a many many years, so we had a great time, visiting many famous/ historical shops there, cherished the memories of previous visits :).

Haldiram, Ghantewala, Paranthewali gali, Annapurna Sweets (bengali sweets) - are a few of them, which we visited.

We also visited SBI branch, which is situated in a big historical building. It has many paintings of Delhi,  nearly 100 years ago :).


We went to Chinese bazaar to have a look at many household items :). Also saw the  famous Nataraj Dahi Bhalle Shop :D, once we had Dahi Bhalle from it.

This time we did not have the time to visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, where we  visited last time.

I am yet to visit the Gouri Shankar temple, Sis Ganj Sahib, Digambar Jain Mandir. Next time will try to go there.

It was an enjoyable day, even in this scorching sun :D

I was reading about Chandni Chowk from Wikipedia now and came to know many details about the place. Its history, heritage and also about the famous shops/ places. The visit was a pleasant one.


Have a great time, all of you :)


Jai Shri Krishna!