Friday, August 31, 2018

ISKCON Temple and The Birla Temple at Kolkata

The Birla Temple at Kolkata

         It was the near end of the Hindu month of Sawan when I was with my family at Kolkata but there was no rain for two days (for which Sawan is known), cloudy sky but a hot day. It was around 1:00 PM when we had the spare time for rest of the day. We decided to visit some places in Kolkata. Since at our last trip we had visited Kali Temple at Kalighat, Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir and Belur Math it was finalized that we will go to the famous Birla Mandir and the ISKON temple.  I tried to book an Ola cab but it showed about 18 minutes away from our New Town area hotel. The hotel staff suggested walking up to the main road (which is called Biswa Bangla Sarani) from where all types of communication were available. It was a 200 m walk and we walked up there in the hot day. Just when we reached there we saw a yellow cab. It came to my mind that some people call it a part of Kolkata's culture so why not take a ride in it. When we moved into it we realized that it was a mistake. It was even hotter inside because they do not have A/C. The old Ambassador car was lacking in cleanliness. Anyways we bore and reached Birla Mandir at about 1:50 PM. Then we realized another mistake of not checking the Temple timings. The temple was closed and was to reopen at 4:30 PM. We had still more than two and a half hours to spend. After a search on the Google map, we found that there was an eating place nearby and it was Haldiram's Food City. It was at a walkable distance. We saw that it was a big building. On the ground and the first floor, there were food courts. We decided to take lunch but for that, we needed a restaurant which was on the 2nd floor named Teekha. It was a good place with a big hall. After seeing the menu we decided to take "Thali" with a number of items in it. They took some time to serve our "Thalis" and we took our time to finish it. Even after we finished our lunch we had more than one and a half hour to spend. So we decided to visit ISKCON first. 
ISKCON temple Darshan at Kolkata

        When we reached ISKCON, Kolkata we found that it did not look like a usual temple. It was in a general building with a door on the right when you face it. Most of the front was used for ISKCON's sweetshop and restaurant. There was some open space in front of the sweetshop. On the right, there was a fireplace with a lot of wood stacked. 
The Sweet Shop at ISKCON, Kolkata

I asked the guard near the entrance if it was the main entrance and he replied with affirmation. He asked us to put off the shoes at the nearby shoe-stand on the footpath. We did so and entered the temple. The door opened into a corridor. Through it, we reached a staircase which took us to the reception on the first floor. On the right is the entrance gate to the hall of the Radha-Govind temple. On both sides of the entrance gate, there are two life-size statues of gatekeepers (Guards) of Baikunth (Vishnu's Lok) whose names are Jai and Vijay. 
Fireplace near the Sweet Shop
ISKCON, Kolkata
The life-size statue of one of the gatekeepers of Baikunth,
whose name is Jai. 

      At that time this gate was closed and we entered the temple hall through another gate behind the reception. Devotees were sitting on the floor waiting for the curtain to be removed and the Darshan of the Radha-Govind be available. We too sat on the floor. About ten women were making garlands for the God in the hall. Ten minutes later the curtain slid and we got darshans of Radha-Govind and Jagannath Ji (Krishna, Subhadra and Balram statues like in Jagannathpuri).
Devotees making flower garlands at ISKCON, Kolkata
and the statue of Srila Prabhupada

           A priest worshipped with incense sticks and flowers & Tulsi. then fanned with a "Chanwar" and blew a conch shell (Shankh). Tulsi and flowers were placed nearby to be taken by the devotees. Taking pictures were allowed and devotees snapped pics of beautiful statues. On the opposite of the statues, there is a statue of Swami Prabhupada the founder of the society. The ISKCON, Kolkata temple is not as gorgeous as at Ahamadabad but the statues and ambiance are great. It is also important because it is the birthplace of Srila Prabhupada.

         (ISKON Tulsi mala at Amazon ISKON books at Amazon)

    (Flipkart - Beautiful Religious Idols - Religious & Festive Decor)


The entrance gate of Birla Mandir, Kolkata

         After the Darshan, we took the taxi to Birla Temple. When we reached there it was 4:40 PM and the temple was open. We took pictures from the main gate but the guards asked us to switch off the mobiles and cameras when inside because taking pictures are not allowed. I do not understand this prohibition but we followed the rules. There is a shoe-stand on the right. The temple is great. Good and clean campus and a marvelous main temple building which is quite attractive. The main temple has three Sanctum Sanctorum and three "Shikhar". The middle one is the highest. It has Radha-Krishna statues. When you enter the temple here is the first Darshan. On the left is Goddess Durga and Shivalinga on the right temple. These three are on the same platform but in separate rooms. In the entrance hall is a big chandelier which is eye-catching. There were priests in each room who gave "Prasadam" (White Mukund-dana) to devotees. Guards or Sevadars keep eyes on the people. After the Darshan, we came down to the open campus. On the right side of the campus, there were idols depicting scenes from Krishna-Leela. One scene had a moving Vasudeva (Krishna's father) from the Jail of Kansa to Gokul through Yamuna river with newborn Krishna in a basket over his head. Another scene was the "Makhan-Chori" (The theft of butter by Krishna and his friends). Butters was made of cotton. There was Jhoolan scene by Krishna and Gopees in a hut nearby.
Just behind this tree is the entrance gate of ISKCON, Kolkata

      Near these huts and at the right front corner there is a small Ganesha Temple. In the same style and size, there is a Mahavir temple at the front left corner. Near this temple and along the left side of the campus ten avatars idols of Vishnu (including the Kalki avatar) are placed. And finally, in a hut near the main temple, the Samudra-Manthan scene is depicted with the moving snake. Now we saw everything and sat near the temple but the weather changed and a drizzle started. So we decided to return back. When we were getting out of the main entrance the Sevadars asked for some money for themselves. While I was collecting our shoes, my wife gave them some money. On the road, we got into the Ola cab and returned back to the hotel room. It was evening and the temperature was mild now. After a hot day, it was a soothing evening.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Belur Math, Howrah !

Continued from the blog Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata! 
Belur Math, Howrah, W.B.

                When we reached near the Ferry Ghat (Named as Ma Bhabotarini Jetty Ghat) near the Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata!  we saw a ferry at the dock. We were going on the approach normally, enjoying and seeing around us and taking pictures. There is a bridge just beside it named Vivekanand Setu. Actually, there are two bridges side by side. It is the bridge for both road and railway. As we were walking towards the ferry slowly it began to give horn and someone said: "You should hurry up, that ferry is about to leave and just asking to come quickly". So we quickly walked towards it and got on to it. Soon it left the ghat and journey towards Belur Math began. The ferry ride was quite enjoying. We people residing far away from the coastal areas have rare opportunity to have a journey on waterways and when we get it, it feels too mesmerizing to explain. You can see small plants like water hyacinth floating with the current. And sometimes a bird will sit over it looking into the water for some food. As the ferry got farther from the ghat, the panoramic view of Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata!  looks so beautiful. We passed under the Vivekanand Setu. Took pictures of the temple and Setu. Everyone in the family was happy in this ferry journey. About three km downstream from the Dakshineswar Ghat on the opposite bank is the Belur Math ferry ghat. As the ferry neared the ghat we got a glimpse of attractive Math building. From the Ghat we proceeded in the lanes following the other people who knew the road to the Math. We found that we reached the side gate of the Math Campus. But the gate was closed and a few people were waiting outside. When our crowd of ferry reached there, it was jam-packed. We got to know that it was the lunchtime and we will have to wait for about 45 minutes. There was no place for sitting and passing this time was torturous. Most people sat on the ground on the roadsides near the gate and talked. So did us. 
The Two Bridges, New and the Old- Vivekanand Setu
When our ferry passed under them

              Anyhow the time passed and the gate opened. We entered the campus and what a lovely campus it was! The early January was a season of flowers and the well-nurtured flowers were abundant in the campus that added to the beauty of the campus. Near this gate were some small temples clean and beautiful. We were busy in taking pictures. Since the campus is situated on the bank of Hooghly river, a bathing ghat has been made near these temples. Sitting on the steps of this ghat and gazing the river gives a lot of happiness.  

The Belur Math Ghat, as seen from the Ferry


        From the Ghat we went to the main building. The Architecture and the color of this majestic building are awesome. The flower gardens in the front and on the sides were full of lovely flowers and added to its beauty. Tourists were busy taking pictures. We entered the main building. There is a big hall in which you can sit and be in Dhyana. It is a place where one can rise on the path of spirituality.




Flowers at Belur Math, Howrah

              The Belur Math is the headquarter of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. It was set up by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and organized by Swami Vivekanand. This temple is the center of the Ramakrishna movement. Its architecture is the fusion of Hindu, Christian and Islamic motif. Thus signifying the unity of religions. It is spread in about 40 acres of land at the banks of River Hooghly. The temples are dedicated to Ramakrishna, Sharda Devi and Vivekananda. 

                 It was meant to train young men to become Sanyasis and serve society.  

Other Temples in the Campus of Belur Math, Howrah 

The Ramakrishna Mission is involved in various social activities. Many educational institutions are affiliated to it. It provides Medical services, work for women, rural uplift and work among backward classes. Belur Math has its own website which address is below:-  

https://belurmath.org/


          

The Belur Math- Like a dream Palace


      It is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata. It is also the top pilgrimage for the followers and devotees. Its location, campus, buildings, beauty and good management make it a place worth visiting many times. There is a facility of drinking water and washrooms in the campus. 


A picture taken on the ferry while going to Belur Math, Howrah

                From the morning we visited Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata! and Belur Math, Howrah. It was about 4:30 PM. We were tired now and need some rest. So decided to return. We exited from the main gate and decided to take a taxi to our hotel in Kolkata. The approach from the main road to the main gate is wide and on both sides stand many tall trees. Many pieces of information are given on the boards here.


A Bagula sitting on the floating Water Hyacinth plant waiting for food.
It just passed by on the side of the ferry on the way to the Belur Math.

       We dragged our feet to come to the main road. Get into the taxi and returned to the hotel with a lot of peace and happiness in our mind.

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Sunday, May 27, 2018

Amreshwardham, Angrabadi - A Shiva Temple near Ranchi

The self-appeared Amreshwara Shivalinga
at Angrabadi, Khunti, Jharkhand
             The Amreshwardham Temple is situated in the Khunti district of Jharkhand in the neighborhood of Ranchi district. Earlier it was known as Angrabadi Temple due to the name of the village near which it is situated. The Shivalinga here is situated under a Banyan Tree. It is said that the Shivalinga had appeared here by itself hundreds of year ago. Now a round-temple has been constructed around the Shivalinga but there is not a concrete roof over it. It is said that whenever it was tried to make a permanent roof, Shiva came in the dreams of local people and forbid it. Since the Banyan Tree has grown a big one and it is a habitat of many birds, to protect the devotees from bird-droppings a wire mesh has been placed as a roof and it is partly covered with transparent green fiber sheets around the trunk.
Maa Durga & Hanuman Temples and Yagyashala at Amreshwar Dham, Khunti, Jharkhand
             I had been here many times before and liked the place much. So when this Sunday our family planned for a devotional outing, I chose Amreshwardham mainly for the peaceful environment here. On Sunday, there is a heavy rush in the temples in the Ranchi town, like Pahari Mandir, Sri Jagannath Temple, and Venkateshwara Temple. And even out of Ranchi, the famous Deuri Mandir and the Chhinnamastika Temple attracts a crowd of devotees like a Mela. The Bhadrakali Temple of Itkhori and Maa Nagar Bhagawati Temples are a bit far away. Hence we decided to visit Amreshwardham.
             The place is situated on Ranchi-Khunti-Simdega road at about 50 km from Ranchi. We could leave our house after 09:30 AM. From Kutchery we took the Harmu bypass road to reach Dhurwa and Project Building and this road meets the Ranchi-Khunti road near a place called Hatia. The Ranchi-Khunti road is a National Highway. The road condition is very good. At a roundabout in Khunti, the right turn takes us to Khunti-Simdega road. From here ten kilometers ahead on the right side is the Shiva Temple of Amreshwardham. A welcome Gate is the landmark hear. It was 11:00 AM when we were in the temple. Now there are many temples here and the facilities have improved. We worshiped Baba Amreshwar. The Shivalinga is now covered with a sheet of brass and a railing is made around it. This temple is also very important for local Tribal people.
   I remember a visit here when many such devotees called "Bhagatiya" were offering their Puja by rolling their bodies on the ground around the Shivalinga and the Banyan Tree. The Parvati and Ganesha Temples are near the Shiva Temple. When you come out of the Shiva temple there are Radha-Krishna Temple, Hanuman Temple, and Maa Durga Temple on the right side while Ram Darbar, Temple Management Building, and the Kali Temple are on the left. Near the Kali temple, a big Banyan tree and a big Peepal tree are there. Between these trees is a Hand pump in running condition. The potable and cold water machine is placed near the Kali temple. There is a board in front of Temple Management building stating the does and do nots. Also, there is a charge-list for different Sanskaras.    
The towering Maa Durga Temple at
Amreshwardham, Khunti, Jharkhand
               The Maa Durga temple is unique here. It is towering like a Minar. In 2015 I had written a review of this place on TripAdvisor and uploaded many photos including this Durga temple. The picture was fantastic and later I found some websites had copied and uploaded the same pictures without permission or giving due credit. 
           There are some Puja-Samagri shops on the main road near the Welcome Gate and one near the Radha-Krishna temple. There is a facility for lady's toilet, but you have to ask for their keys from the management committee which they give readily. After the Puja, we sat under the Banyan tree near the hand pump and had Prasada. Spent some time there with the family and came back to Ranchi.
          With a vehicle in your hand, the trip will be amazing on the wide and smooth roads that pass through the hills and the Jungles of the lovely Khunti District.
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