Kshetradanam – Planning for darshan of temples in cluster in Cities / Towns

 https://kalyangeetha.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/kshethradanam-temple-tours/

Author: kalyangeetha

20–25 minutes

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I have tried to develop Google maps of Murugan /Subhramanya Temples, Narasimha Temples & Vaipu Sthalams. For the Temple tours that I have done, all planning details like the temples covered, sequence of visit, distances between temples and time to travel, place of stay etc .Suggestions for Temple tours also given

lord ganesh

Introduction

India has been known as the moksha-bhumi and karma-bhoomi, India was not thought of as a bhoga bhumi, a pleasure-resort for a single life-time. India is the only country in the world where civilization has revolved round this fundamental spiritual nucleus. The Bhagavata Purana highlights the glories of Bharata Varsha as a karma bhoomi,  Anyone born in Bharata Varsha gets a chance to acquire new merits through the performance of karma and get liberated eventually. That is why even the celestial beings long to be born in Bharata Varsha to either perform penance or expiate for their wrongs. A jivatma’s life on earth is precious as one can work towards spiritual attainment, the highest Purushartha. According to  Vishnu Purana, It is only after many thousand births, and the aggregation of much merit, that living beings are sometimes born in Bhárata.

A country’s progress in any field is indicated by the literature and people leading in the subject field. Contribution of the rest of the world put together in Spiritual literature is a very meagre fraction of what India has achieved. The Sanskrit works alone are so enormous that several life time are required to master them. In addition in all major Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi  Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, etc, several spiritual and religious works have been carried out

The authors of these great works – In ancient times, more than 100 Rishis have done avatar    in India and in our times more than 1000 great Saints in various regions of India have done avatar which is simply unparallel in the world. Hence we are truly blessed to be borne in India.

A Church or a Mosque is a place of worship of their deities – Sri Jesus Christ or Sri Allah. In contrast, a Hindu temple  the Supreme God exists in idol form (archavatara) – “manifestation” of the deity.

The concept of God in Hinduism runs in two parallel lines: One line consists of the concept of Nirguna Bramha (God without manifestation) Second line consists of Shagun Bramha (the embodied form of God). Since, the souls in the human body are embodied souls; it becomes easier for human beings to propitiate before the idols of Gods in manifestation. The necessity of concentration on embodied form of God was the main reason behind construction of temples for Gods and Goddesses.

In some temples, the Lord appeared of His own accord  – self manifested  (Swayambu). There are other temples where the image was installed by sages, celestial beings or human beings. Hindu temples served as nuclei of important social, economic, artistic and intellectual functions in ancient and medieval India.

It is believed that construction of temples started in Kaliyug (the last of the 4 Vedic epochs). In the earlier Satya Yuga, TretaYuga and Dwapar Yuga, the devotees were able to make direct union with God.The importance of temples started growing because they became centers and mediums for communion with God. Some temples attract large number of devotees and miracles of those templesare widely talked about. The temple architecture has been thoroughly researched and implemented in India so that the idols installed  take the divine form with poojas and mantras. Seven places are said to be very holy  – Mokshapuris  –  Ayodhya, Kasi, Mathura, Puri, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaraka. It is important to visit these places.

A visit to any of the ancient temples instils a sense of calm and inner peace into the entire body and mind of the visitor. It infuses the body with positive energy and enhances the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of the visitor who feels better equipped to face the nitty-gritty of modern life.

The architecture of ancient temples is designed to evoke high levels of positive energy and also store high levels of spiritual energy for many years to come

Ancient temples are located on high energy charged spots caused due to the electric and magnetic wave circulation of the north/south pole thrust. The temple is built around the idol of the deity and the place where the idol is placed  called the ‘Garbhagriha’ –  literally means the ‘womb chamber’. Garbhagriha also refers to as sanctum sanctorum where resides the idol of the primary deity of the temple. This is the core centre of the temple which receives maximum amounts of positive energy. The reason behind this phenomenon is the presence of copper plates with certain Vedic inscriptions buried below the main idol. Magnetic waves of the earth are absorbed by the copper plates and emitted into the surroundings. These waves are absorbed by the body of the person walking around the deity

Till recent past, kings built numerous temples in every village and gave money and lands for the sustenance and daily poojas. India had several lakhs of temples at some point of time. During the Mughal era, several ancient Hindu temples were looted (Gold) and destroyed. Aurangzeb  dismantled several Hindu temples  to wipe off the historical significance He destroyed many Hindu temples or even converted many of them into Mosques. Tens of thousands of temples were damaged and left in ruins or it were used to construct Islamic Dargahs, Mosques, Khanqahs, Mazars, Tombs.

Some of the important and ancient temples affected were :Somnath Temple (Jyotirlinga shrine) Gujarat, The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh,converted to Shahi Idgah mosque Sri Rama temple(Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya),converted to Babri Masjid Mosque, The Kashi Vishwanath temple(Varanasi) converted to Gyanvapi Mosque, Govind Dev Temple (Mathura),  Madan Mohan Temple near the Kali Ghat in Vrindavan, Chausath Yogini Temple Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Ellora, Trimbakeshwar, Narasinghpur, Pandharpur, The Martand Sun Temple, Kashmir, Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat, Hampi temples, of Rudra Mahalaya, Siddhpur, Patan district of Gujarat, etc.

The British, French and Portugese also contributed to the destruction of a few temples and loss of precious idols. After Independence , the temples were administered by the State Governments. The temples had to face a new kind of looting: The land belonging to the temples were illegally occupied / sold; Agricultural lands were leased out and  dismal returns were given by them which are grossly insufficient for the upkeep of temples. In Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu area temple, the defaulters names are even painted on the compound wall of the temple – but since defaulters are politically connected, no actions could be taken.

India is a land of tens of thousands of divine Hindu temples; The least gratitude we can show  to the several men and women who had conceptualized and constructed  these temples is to have darshan of as many temples as possible within our lifetime and receive the divine  blessings. Plenty of information is available about the details of the temples (See some references)

Objective of Shetradanam Blogs      

1. It would greatly facilitate planning the tour program if locations of the temples are available marked in Google Map. Such temple maps are available for Padal Petra Sthalams (Temples in praise of Lord Shiva  sung by the great Saivaite saints Appar,Gnana  sambhandar, Manikkavasagar & Sundarar)) and Divya Desams.( Temples in praise of  Lord Vishnu sung by great Vaishnava saints – Alwars) I have tried to develop Google maps of  some more category of temples .
2. If one wants to cover large number of temples in one tour program, then sufficient planning needs to be carried out regarding the temples to be covered, sequence of visit, distances between temples and time to travel, place of stay etc .I would like to share such details for some of the temple tours which I had undertaken for the benefit of those who would like to visit these temples.

Google Map of  Temples : It would greatly facilitate planning the tour program if locations of the temples are available marked in Google Map

For Padal Petra Sthalams (sung by the great Saivaite Sanits Appar,Gnana  sambhandar, Manikkavasagar & Sundarar), web links    web link2 are already available  web

Also for Divya Desams (Sung by Great Vaishnavaite saints -alwars), web links are already available

I have prepared Customized  Google maps for :

1.   Lord Murugan / Subhramanya / Kartik resides in thousands of Shiva temples in a separate sannidhi. Also separate temples have been built for the Lord. I have tried to map these temples  (more than 1000 temples) including Arunagirinathar  sung temples  and I have also given some details of 30 Important Murugan temples to visit.(web link). 

                    Map of 1000 Murugan / Subhramanyan, Karthikeyan Temples

2 Lord Narasimha / Narasingh resides in all Vishnu temples in Chakrathalwar Sannidhi. Separate temples have been built for the Lord (More than  1000 temples) and 25 Important Narasimha / Narasingh temples . web link

3. Map of Vaipu Sthalangals (sung by the four Saivaite Saints without actually visiting them)   (web link)   Map given below

4. Map of Sri Rama Temples: For Sri Rama Temples, no such google map is available. I have tried to mark them in Google Maps with the help of the information available. I was in for a big surprise- the numbers went on increasing exponentially! I could mark more than 2000 Rama temples ;nearby each Rama temple, we can invariably see an Anjaneya Temple and so together we can see some 4000 temples. It is also noted that Sri Rama temples are evenly distributed throughout India. Data link and photographs have been given wherever information is available about the temples . Web link for the blog

                                                  Map of 2000 Sri Rama Temples

Map web link  . I have also given a list of 30 Important Sri Rama Temples to be visited with some details.

Map of Sri Parashurama Kshetrams in India    Map web link

Coastal Karnataka Temples Map

Some suggestions to cover large number of temples:

1. It is better that we travel in a car / van (own / hired) for the tour to save time.
2. Google map : i) Google Map is a good tool for  planning to visit 35 to 80 Temples in 5 to 10 days depending on the starting point and location of temples. It will be good to mark the temples to be covered in the map; Depending on the distances and temple timings, we can decide on the places of stay. See suggestions given below for selecting the hotel. Plan for mornings and afternoons visit separately by taking rest in the hotel for the afternoons.                                                                                                                                        ii) mobile google map. : After finalization of the program, mark all the plans in the mobile google map. After entering one segment, click on the right extreme and click: add route to home screen. Thus have the whole program in your mobile home screen. If the temples are in isolated areas, click offline maps to store the map wherever data connection is weak. While travelling, follow Google Map voice instructions. With the Google Map and GPS, one can reach the desired temple without asking anyone for directions if the temples are marked correctly in the Google map.                                                                            Iii) If the marking in map is wrong, one needs to take local help for directions to reach the temple. Get the new (correct) GPS location of the temple. One way is to take a photo in your mobile whatsup to your friend and  then click the attachment icon – in that,  select location icon and click. After your return to base, you can request Google Maps to update the correct location.
3. Pooja items: We must not go empty handed to have darshan of God- must take some pooja items and offer archana/ pooja to Lord. It is desirable that we take pooja items like fruit, coconut,- vethilai ,betel nut, Agarbathi, oil for lamp, flowers to offer to God and get archanas / poojas performed in each temple. When we visit a large number of temples, sometimes these items may not be available in less frequented temples. So it may be good it buy them all in one place in bulk and carry with us in the car. Also carry a wooden pooja plate instead of plastic bags.
4. It would be better to collect the telephone number of poojari / bhattar (if possible) while planning the tour and check / confirm with him regarding the temple pooja timings and his availability – especially for the first and last temple to be visited for the session. ; because some of the less frequented temples may be opened only for one hour and that too suiting the convenience of the Bhattar..
5. Salary of Bhattars : it is very sad that the bhattars who do the poojas in many temples are paid miserly; even in government managed temples, they get paid as low / less than  Rs 1000 per month. This is based on a formula that 40% of the receipts in hundi will go to the government- out of 60%, oil, electricity charges to be borne; balance goes to the bhattar ! So in less frequented temples, collection in hundi is very less; also in rural areas, individuals put low amounts only in hundi. So  many of the bhattars take up additional work like  conducting marriages/ functions etc to augment their income.  Accordingly, the temple opening timings will vary. Kindly offer good amount to the bhattars as dakshina  for doing the pooja for you.
6. Income for Temples : In olden days when temples were built, the kings gave lot of land for the upkeep and maintenance of the temples. The lands are given on contract basis and the contractors are supposed to give money to the temple authorities every year. Unfortunately, most of the contractors default and don’t give any money due to the temples. I was surprised to see the list of defaulters written on the temple wall in big letters (In one of the Tirunelveli temple). Hope that some good sense prevails with the Government authorities to recover the dues from the contractors or at least change them. Hence kindly support the Bhattars of less frequented temples. Also one can consider donation to organizations like the KACHCHI MOODOOR ARCHAKAS WELFARE TRUST  who offer financial assistance to some archakas. It is sad to see many of the temple lands encroached and houses, shops have come up unauthorizedly.
7. It is also sad to see several old age beggars in front of famous temples. Kindly collect Rs 10/ notes change from Banks and offer to these poor beggars. It is a sad sight to see how happy they are to receive this small amount.
8. Accommodation :                                                                                                                    Tamilnadu Tourism Hotels  offer 20% discount to Senior citizens. So plan to stay wherever possible and avail the concession if you are above 60 yrs age. Kerala  Tourism hotels offer 10% discount on online bookings                      Also  one can use online web sites like makemytrip, goibbo,, travgo etc to avail low hotel prices if booked sufficiently in advance
9. Darshan & Food : In Kerala  most of  the temples close by 10.30 am or 11 am ; many village temples are kept open up to 1100 Hrs only., It is better to contact the purohits by phone before darshan to ensure their availability when we visit.; better to start  early from hotel- may be by 6.30am ; there may not be sufficient time to have breakfast Carry fruits, biscuits snacks, cool drinks, curd, water  etc  as back up. One must not be particular about food during the Temple tours 

See for more details You Tube Videos in my Channel : Click on :   Kshetradanam – Pilgrimage                                     Samples given below  

Blogs Published: 

 Customized/ Thematic Google Maps

1)    Kshethradanam – 30 Important Murugan /Subhramanya/ Karthikeya temples for Darshan with Map of 1000 Temples                                                                                      2)    25 Important Narasimha / Narasingh temples with Map of 800 Temples           3)    Kshetradanam –   Map of Vaipu Sthalangal                                                                  4)    30 Important Sri Rama Temples for Darshan & Map of 2000 Temples               5)    Parashurama Kshetrams  – Unexplored Gems of Temples in India

Blogs on North India Temples Darshan  

1. Varanasi Temples – Part 1 of 4 (Varanasi Ashta Vinayak Temples and Hanuman Temples)
2. Varanasi Temples – Part 2 of 4 (Varanasi Shiva Temples and Kashi Bhairav Temples)
3. Varanasi Temples –  Part 3 of 4 (Varanasi Nav Durga Temples, Varanasi Nav Gauri Temples and Varanasi Devi Temples)   
4. Varanasi Temples – Part 4 of 4 (Varanasi Dwadasa Aditya Temples, Varanasi Vishnu Temples and Varanasi Ghats)     
5. Kshetradanam –  Lucknow Temples, Ayodhya Temples and Allahabad, Temples
6. Kshetradanam – Naimisaranyam Temples, Chitrakoot Temples and Varanasi Temples
7. Darshan of Varanasi Annapoorni Temple during Diwali (Swarna Annapoorni and Annakoot)
8. Kanpur Temples and Varanasi – Gaya Srartham rituals  
9. Panch Prayag Tour, Haridwar Temples, Rishikesh Temples and Badrinath
10. Chardham Yatra (Badrinath, Kedarnath,Gangotri and Yamunotri) 

Blogs on Karnataka Temples

1. Coastal Karnataka Temples – Part 1 of 4 – Muktistalas of Karnataka and famous Mahaganapathy Temples                                       
2. Coastal Karnataka Temples – Part 2 of 4 –  Seven Shaktikendras of Karnataka  and Durga Parameshwari Temples  
3. Coastal Karnataka Temples – Part 3 of 4 – Pancha linga Kshetras and Mahalingeshwara temples  
4. Coastal Karnataka Temples – Part 4 of 4 – Subhramanya and Vishnu Temples
5. Ancient temples near Bangalore – Weekend getaways 1                                   
6. Ancient temples near Bangalore – Weekend getaways 2
7. Ancient temples near Bangalore – Kolar – Weekend getaways 3
8. Ancient temples near Bangalore – Weekend getaways 4
9. Must Visit Karnataka Temples  Hoysala,Chalukya Temples Trail -Part 1
10. Must Visit Karnataka Temples Hoysala, Chalukya Temples Trail -Part 2 
11. Must Visit Karnataka Temples-Part 3 Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole Temples
12. Must Visit Karnataka Temples  Hoysala,Chalukya Temples Trail -Part 4
13. Ancient temples near Bangalore – Weekend getaways 5 – Hampi, Anegundi and Navabrindavana
14. Must Visit Ancient Central Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh Temples – Part 1
15. Must Visit Ancient Central Karnataka Temples – Part 3 (Hoysala Temples Trail)
16. Must Visit Ancient Central Karnataka Temples – Part 4 (Hoysala Temples Trail)
17.  

Blogs on Kerala Temples

1. Must Visit Kerala Temples I – part 1 of 2 Kerala Divya Desams and MahaVishnu Temples
2. Must Visit Kerala Temples I -part 2 of 2  Shiva and Bhagavathy Temples of Kerala created by Sri  Parashuram                                                                         
3. Must Visit Kerala Temples II  –  Temples around Guruvayur and Thrissur
4. Must Visit Kerala Temples III – Temples around Shoranur and Pattambi – Part 1 of 2  
5. Must Visit Kerala Temples III – Temples around Shoranur and Pattambi – Part 2 of 2                                                                                                                      
6. Kerala Temples IV Part 1 of 5 – Details of the Program implemented, Wayanad District and Kannur District Temples
7. Kerala Temples IV Part 2 of 5 Malappuram District Temples and Alappuzha District temples                                                       
8. Kerala Temples IV Part 3 of 5 Palakkad District Temples
9. Kerala Temples IV Part 4 of 5 Thrissur District Temples  
10. Kerala Temples IV Part 5 of 5 Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki district temples

Blogs on Andhrapradesh – Telengana Temples

1. Andhra Pradesh Temples (Tirupati Balaji and nearby Temples) darshan from Bangalore – Weekend getaways-1
2. Must Visit Ancient Andhra Pradesh Temples – Part 2

3. 30 Famous Murugan / Subramanya temples around Coimbatore, Tamil Nādu 

4. 70 Famous Temples Around Coimbatore, Tamilnadu 

Blogs on Tamilnadu  Temples 

1. 30 Famous Murugan / Subramanya temples around Salem, Tamilnadu
2. 50 Famous Shiva Temples around Salem, Tamilnadu  
3. Top 80 Temples around Salem                                                                                  
4. 30 Famous Murugan / Subramanya temples around Coimbatore, Tamilnadu 
5. 70 Famous Ancient Temples Around Coimbatore, Tamilnadu  

6. 60  Divine Shiva Temples around Tirunelveli, Must Visit Part 1 of 4

7. 60  Divine Shiva Temples around Tirunelveli, Must Visit Part 2 of 4   

8. 60  Divine Shiva Temples around Tirunelveli, Must Visit Part 3 of 4 

9. 60  Divine Shiva Temples around Tirunelveli, Must Visit Part  4 of 4

10. Famous Temples in Tiruvannamalai – Part 1 of  5 –  Girivalam path Temples and Famous Ashrams

11. Shiva Temples established by Lord Murugan around Tiruvannamalai – Part 2 of 5  (Sapta Karaikanda Sthalams and Sapta Kailaya Sthalams). To read,  

References: 

• Several books by Mr Saikumar for Temple tours (an excellent collection)
• http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/koilList_en.php?cat=7
• http://templenet.com/Tamilnadu/skanda.html
• http://www.tnhrce.org/temples/TNHRCE_district_temple_guide.html

Interested in travelling and having Darshan of several Temples in India and abroad. Retired as President from Navayuga Spatial Technologies Ltd & previously as General Manager (AS&DM) , NRSC, Department of Space View all posts by kalyangeetha