Markandeshwar,Lord Shiva Temple- Maharashtra

Markandeshwar,Lord Shiva Temple- Maharashtra

Shiv Temple Situated 40 km from Gadchiroli city is the ancient temple of Markandeshwar at Markanda in gadchiroli District of Maharashtra State, India. The village is situated on the bank of Vainganga River. The temple is believed to be extremely holy and though not a well known sight, flocked to by locals and tourists from within the state who believe in the power of the deity residing in the temple.

The outside of the temple is architecturally different from the other temples as it belongs to a different ear. But the intricate carvings have been preserved to day. Some of the carvings include sexual imagery which some say is the work of demons as the temple is said to have been mysteriously constructed within one night.
Markandeshwar Temple

This temple was supposed to be built by the Danvas (Evil forces) in one night. The temple is made of stone and the structure type is called as Hemadpanth. The Markanda temple is contructed on the bank of Vainganga in the east side in 196 x 168 Sqft. area. Earlier, there were 24 temples. At present, there are only 18 temples existing, out of them only 4 temples are in good condition. The main temple of Markanda was distracted by striking of Lightening 300 years before. Therefore, no one could tell how the main temple formerly was.

 Surrounding of the fortifications of the group temples there is temple of Dashavtar. There are 12 Pithas, there are shown extra 2 Pithas here. One of the experts of culture opinioned that these extra 2 Pithas influences the minds of the people more during this period and so more of the 2 Pithas might have been constructed. There are 12 Shivlingas in the temple and courtyard of the temple. Would this thread worn Shivlinga be called a Jyotirlinga ? Various Arts and Sculptures found in the Markanda Temple are worth a look.

Don't Miss to Visit   Admins Youtube Video Page

Khajuraho - Temple Of Love- Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho - Temple Of Love- Madhya Pradesh

1. We Indians even have a god for sex - Kama. So it is only natural that we have erotic sculptures on our temples. There have been many questions raised on the reason behind having erotic sculptures and sexual imagery in a place otherwise considered so 'holy' and 'pure'. There are a few theories floating about but the most popular one seems to be that in order to enter a place so pure, you need to relieve yourself of all your desires and lust. It is by acceptance of lust and desire in you that you can learn to control it. Furthermore, these sculptures are always on the outer walls of temples meaning that the humans need to leave their desires outside before stepping in. In many Indian manuscripts, sex was considered to be spiritual and not hedonistic. There are many such theories but the fact remains that these temples are known more for their erotic sculptures than the deities residing inside.

The Khajuraho temples are located within the "Golden Triangle" of northern India. This is the tourist route that most vacation itineraries in this part of the country follow. New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur mark the rough outline of this triangle, and most vacation itineraries follow it for ten to fourteen days by motorcoach and/or short flights visiting the sites in those cities and along the way.

This Golden Triangle area and these three cities contain some of the greatest monuments, palaces, and forts of the mighty Mughal Empire—including the temples of Khajuraho and even the Hindu holy city of Varanasi set on the sacred Ganges River, which is a bit to the east of the triangle.

An itinerary that takes in all these sights really needs the full ten days to two weeks to give it full justice. However, the temples of Khajuraho represent one of the most visited sites in the country. The little village of Khajuraho has a modern airport, and it is possible for those who have less time to see the Taj Mahal images in Agra and enjoy a Khajuraho temple tour from New Delhi all in a single day.

The most famous of the lot, Khajuraho temples are located in Madhya Pradesh in the small town of Khajuraho which they are named after. It is not just one temple but a group of temples. It is rumoured that Shiva and other deities visited the region during ancient times to play and hence, the temples were created in their honour. All Khajuraho temples, except one, face the east and the architecture of the temples is designed in a way that is a perfect integration of male and female deities and symbols. The artwork outside the temple, that is found to be the most interesting by tourists, is a depiction of the four goals of Hinduism - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Hence, all the erotic imagery that has so enthralled tourists.

Don't Miss to Visit   Admins Youtube Video Page

Taj Mahal - A sign of Love

For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty.

Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won the heart of a Mughal prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor Jahangir’s third son Prince Khurram and stayed loyally by his side through good times and bad: in the luxurious royal palaces of Agra as well as the transient tents of war camps.

In AD 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of succession: he took the name Shahjahan or “King of the World” and showered his beloved begum with the highest titles. She became Mumtaz Mahal, the exalted of the palace and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, the exalted of the Age. But Mumtaz Mahal was not destined to be queen for long.

In 1631, Shahjahan went on an expedition to the south and, as always, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. But she died in childbirth at Burhanpur. She had borne Shahjahan fourteen children, of whom four sons and three daughters survived. When Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years old. Shahjahan was inconsolable and contemporary chronicles tell of the royal court mourning for two years. there was no music, no feasting, and no celebration of any kind.
Construction Of The Mausoleum - Taj Mahal
Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi.

Yemen sent agates, the corals came from Arabia, the garnets from Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.
Reaching Taj Mahal By Air
Domestic aircarrier, Indian Airlines runs daily flights connecting Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and the holy city of Varanasi. Kheria Airport is about 6 km from the Agra city centre and can be reached by taxis and auto-rickshaws at fixed rates, Rs 75 for the former and Rs 50 for the latter.


Indian Airlines has two offices :
-- Hotel Clarks Shiraz, Taj Road, Agra.
-- Kheria Airport.

Reaching Taj Mahal By Rail
Agra is well connected by excellent train services to Delhi such as the Shatabdi Express (2 hrs), Taj Express (2.5 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs).

Railway Stations :
-- Agra Cantt Rly Stn, Enquiry: 131, 133. Reservation: 364611
-- Raja-ki-Mundi Rly Stn, Contact: 354477
-- Agra Fort Rly Stn, enbquiry: 132, 135 Reservation: 364131
-- Tundla Rly Stn on Ferozabad Rd (for changing trains) 05611-22631

Reaching Taj Mahal By Road
Express bus services (a/c and non-a/c) are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior, and Jhansi. For those driving to Agra, the distances are :
-- Mathura - 58 kms.
-- Bharatpur - 60 kms.
-- Gwalior - 118 kms.
-- Delhi - 203 kms.
-- Jaipur - 236 kms.
-- Khajuraho - 393 kms.


Taj Mahal Tours
Conducted sightseeing tours to all these places leave daily at 10.00 am from the Agra Cantt. Railway Station. Tickets are available at the station or can be booked in advance at the Northern Railway Reservation Office. The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Mondays.

Local Transport around Taj Mahal
Most hotels conduct sightseeing tours. Auto-rickshaws, tongas, cycle-rickshaws, and taxis are available, rates negotiable, depending on distance as they have no meter. Inter-city buses also operate on a point-to-point basis at fixed rates. Both A/C and non A/C Coaches and Tourist taxis can be hired at Agra for local sightseeing.