Jagannath Puri: The Dham of Kali Yuga

Hare Krishna 

Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa is the Dham of Kali Yuga. Only Hindus are allowed in this temple. It is a sacred abode dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, along with his divine siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The legend of the Jagannath Temple dates back to ancient times. It is believed that King Indradyumna, a devout ruler, had a divine vision in his dreams, instructing him to build a grand temple in Puri to house the deities. Guided by his spiritual advisors, he embarked on a quest to find a sacred wooden log that would be carved into the idols of the Lord. With the help of a divine sculptor, Vishwakarma ( Who came as a blind Sculptor), but he kept a condition that he will sculpt the idol but in a room and no one is allowed to enter until he comes out; Days passed and suddenly the sound of sculpting stopped and in curiosity king opened the door and found the idol as he saw in the dream but the sculptor was gone. 

The idols were made of wood and were unique in their appearance. Lord Jagannath, with his distinctive round eyes (symbolized Sun and Moon) and large arms, symbolized universal love and compassion. Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother, represented strength and protection, while Devi Subhadra embodied grace and beauty.

Interesting facts about this temple are:

1. The Chakra on the top of this temple looks same from every side.

2. It is said the the sound of sea doesn't comes inside the temple premises. 

3. Also the flag on the top of the temple moves in the opposite direction from the wind.

Legends believe that after Krishna's Death which was the end of Dwapar Yuga, Pandavas burnt his body as Krishna's heart was still alive, Arjuna threw his heart in the sea which flowed all the way till Puri. And inside the wooden idol the heart of Krishna is still present.

One of the most famous rituals associated with the Jagannath Temple was the annual Rath Yatra, or the Chariot Festival. During this grand celebration, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were taken out of the temple and placed in lavishly decorated chariots.

It is believed that the deities of this temple falls sick for 15 days before reappearing in front of the devotees.

To know about the divine illness of Lord Jagannath....

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Radhe Radhe!!!

Dwarka: The Dham of Dwapar Yuga

Hare Krishna

In the ancient megacity of Dwarka, there is a beautiful temple devoted to Lord Krishna, known as the Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir. It is believed to be the lodging place of Lord Krishna during his manifestation. This temple is one of the Char Dham. 

As per Hindu legend, Dwarka was erected on a piece of land by Krishna that was reclaimed from the ocean. Rishi Durvasa formerly visited Krishna and his wife Rukmini. The Rishi wished that the couple took him to their palace. They agreed, after some distance, Rukmini got tired and asked some water from Krishna. He dug a hole that brought in the Ganga to the place. Rishi Durvasa was furious and accursed Rukmini to remain in the place. The temple where Rukmini's sanctum is setup, is believed to be the place where she stood. 

One of the utmost admiration and inspiring features of the Dwarkadhish Temple was its main sanctum, where the eye-catching idol of Lord Krishna stood in all his glory. The idol, made of black marble, was beautifully adorned with jewels and garments, radiating an air of serenity and godly grace. Devotees would line up for hours, patiently staying for their turn to catch a regard of the mesmerizing figure.

Over the centuries, the Dwarkadhish Temple witnessed various transformations and remendation, as different rulers and patrons contributed to its upkeep and expansion. Despite the end of time and the challenges faced, the temple remained a symbol of unwavering faith and devotion.

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Rameswaram: The Dham of Treta Yuga

Hare Krishna

Ram ka Eshwar (Ram's Lord) that is Rameswaram 

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu ( District: Ramanathapuram). The temple was expanded by Pandya Dynasty in 12th Century, This temple is one of the Char Dham. The linga here is amongst the 12 Jyotirlinga.

Rameswaram is known as the Dham of Treta Yuga, Why? 

As per Hindu Mythology Ramayana, After the war between Ram and Ravan, When Ram, Lakshman and Sita were returning to India; To amend his sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravan), who was great devotee of Shiva; Ram prayed to Shiva. Lord Shiva advised Ram to make a linga and pray for forgiveness for his sin. Ram asked Hanuman to bring Shiva linga from Kailasa, but it was taking too long so Sita made small linga out of sand meanwhile when Hanuman arrived with the Linga he was dissatisfied that Sri Rama didn't worshipped the linga brought by Hanuman. Ram then install the linga brought by Hanuman in front of the small linga and promised him that the pilgrims who will visit this place will first worship and seek blessings from the linga brought by Hanuman and then they will worship the linga made out sand by Sita. 

The Driving Distance from Rameswaram to Ram Setu is 12 Km

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Badrinath Dham : The Dham of Satya Yuga

Hare Krishna

Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is situated in a town called Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This Dham is the Dham of Satya/ Krita Yuga. Here the Diety is worshipped as Badrinath (Vishnu) and Badridevi(Lakshmi). 

In local word Badri means Wild Berry, It is said that Lord Vishnu sat here in meditation in these mountains, his consort goddess Lakshmi shaded him from the sun in the form of berry tree. According to Skand Puran Adiguru Shankaracharya re-establish the idol of Badrinath, the idol which he found from Narad Kund in 8th Century A.D.

This temple is open only for 6 Months every year. The temple is located in Garhwal hills along the banks of Alakananda River in Chamoli District, Uttarakhand. Nar Parbat is located opposite to this temple and Narayan Parbat is located behind the Neelkanth Peak. The temple is closed for 6 months in winter, during that time the idol of Badrinath is taken to Joshimath by the priest which is the temple of Lord Narsimha and the Idol of Badrinath is placed along with Narasimha Idol and worshipped. Legends believe that the right arm of Narsimha idol is shrinking day by day and it will vanish in the end of Kali Yuga. It is said that the roads to Badrinath will be closed as Nara and Narayan Parbat will meet and in Satya Yuga Badrinath will be worshipped as Bhavishya Badri, which is a temple located at 20 Km from Joshimath.

Joshimath

Bhavishya Badri

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Char Dham and Chatur Yuga

Hare Krishna

Char Dham is said to be 4 pilgrim sites in India. There is a believe that visiting these dham helps to achieve Moksha (Salvation). There are 4 Yugas in Hindu mythology that are Krita/Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga, and each dham belongs to each yuga. Badrinath in Uttarakand (North) is Dham of Satya Yuga, Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu (South) is Dham of Treta Yuga, Dwarka in Gujarat (West) is Dham of Dwapar Yuga, and Jagannath Puri in Orissa (East) is Dham of Kali Yuga. 

Do you know about Dasavataram ????

In each yuga Lord Vishnu incarnated in different avatar/forms to protect mankind and restore peace and dharma. Vishnu incarnated in the form of Matya, Kurma, Varaha and Narashima  in Satya/Krita Yuga, Vamana, Parshurama and Sri Rama in Treta Yuga, Balarama and Sri Krishna in Dwapar Yuga and Kalki in Kali Yuga.

Have you ever heard about Chota Char Dham????

Chota Char Dham is 4 other pilgrim sites in Uttarakand, India that are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. 

Why it is reffered as Chota Char Dham????

The logic behind this is just to differentiate it from Char Dham 

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Radhe Radhe!!!

Sanatana Dharma

Hare Krishna

Do you know what the word Sanatana means, it means "Eternal" which simply means Lasting or Existing Forever or you can say which has No End. Sanatana Dharma is associated with Hinduism. The word "Hindu" is differentiated by people out there but we are actually Sanatanis the one who belongs to Sanatana Dharma. 

People have questioned our culture and one of the most common context that is  "Trayastrimsati Koti"as 33 crores God, The word is mentioned in Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda and also in Satapatha - brahmana. In Sanskrit the word "Koti" has two meanings, "Supreme" & "Crore".

If we consider supreme as the the meaning of Koti then Trayastrimsati Koti means 33 Supreme Gods which includes 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Adityas, 2 Ashwinis (8+11+12+2=33).

8 Vasus: Prithvi (Earth), Varuna (Water), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind), Aditya (Sun), Dyaus/Akasha (Sky), Chandramas (Moon), Nashatrani (Stars).

11 Rusras: Aja, Ekapada, Ahirbudhanya, Tvasta, Rudra, Hara, Sambu, Trayambaka, Aparajita, Ishana, and Tribhuvana

12 Adityas: Vishnu, Aryaman, Indra, Tvashtr, Varuna, Bhaga, Savitr, Vivasvat, Amsha, Mitra, Pushan, Daksha

2 Ashwini: Ashwini Kumar (Twin Solar God)"

Also if we consider crore as the meaning of  Koti then Trayastrimsati Koti means 33 crore gods which is not wrong, the various gods mentioned in Vedic literature are in fact Demigods to whom Supreme lord has given certain responsibility and there is only one Supreme Lord that is Vishnu

When people come and question you and try to make fun of Sanatana Dharma, you should have the answer to protect our culture and beliefs and that is your Dharma.

Be proud to be born in Sanatana Dharma

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Radhe Radhe!!!