Archive for the 'Pilgrimages' Category
Travel India Kanheri Caves
Author: Binoy Gupta
When we think of caves, we visualize locations in inaccessible places hidden amidst deep forests.
Some caves were carved out in inaccessible places because of fear of prosecution by kings and rulers of different faiths, or due to the desire to remain far away from society, but many were situated on the ancient trade routes and served as halting places for traders and other travellers. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (5)Travel India Leh III
Author: Binoy Gupta
Enigmatic land of Sand and Snow
the reader east of Leh to Changla Pass and Pangong Lake.
In the second part, I wrote about some wonderful places West of Leh.
In this part, I am writing about Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world to the North of Leh and the unbelievably beautiful Nubra Valley beyond.
I am also writing about the beautiful Tsomoriri Lake, and Dhahanu, the Land of the purest surviving Aryans to the South of Leh
Travel India Leh – II
Author: Binoy Gupta
Enigmatic land of Sand and Snow
In the first part, I gave an overview of Leh and Ladakh.
And I took the readers on a journey east of Leh – past Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Chemrey, over Changla Pass and on to the beautiful Pangong Lake.
In this second part, I will write about some wonderful places West of Leh.We will visit some of the oldest monasteries; the sangam (confluence) of Indus and Zanskar Rivers; the unique Magnetic Hill; and meet our furry friends – the Yak and Pashmina sheep.
Travel India Haridwar
Author: Binoy Gupta
Gateway to the Gods
The word Haridwar, meaning Gateway to the Gods, is derived from two words - ‘Dwar’ meaning Gateway and ‘Hari’ meaning God.It is here the holy Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of India after traversing 253 kms (157 miles) down the hills from its source Gaumukh at the tip of the Gangotri Glacier – 3,139 metres (10,300 ft) above sea level.
Mythology
The God and the Demons churned the oceans (Samudra Manthan) to obtain Amrita, the elixir of immortality. Amrita was deceptively taken by the Gods and carried away by Garuda – Lord Vishnu’s Vahan.
Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Rishikesh
Author: Binoy Gupta
Gateway to the Himalayas
Rishikesh is a picturesque holy city on the banks of the Ganga or Ganges River at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Rishikesh and its surroundings are ideal for Vedic learning, yoga, spiritual meditation and similar activities. You can climb into the ice and snow covered mountains; stroll through the dense forests harbouring a variety of animals and birds; or engage in a number of adventure sports.Rishikesh is also the starting point for onward travel to the Char Dhams – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri (the four holy pilgrimages) - and is therefore known as the gateway to the Himalayas.
Mythology
Lord Rama performed penance here after killing Rāvana, the demon King of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Dharmasthala
Author: Binoy Gupta
and the legendary Veerendra Heggade
I have visited a number of educational and medical institutions in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu of South India.
Most of them are beautifully supplementing the work the Government is doing. In 2004, I was invited to inaugurate a wing of the Hospital of the SDM College of Medical Sciences in Dharwad (Karnataka).
The institution had applied for permission to start a medical college which was then pending.It has a beautiful campus. Neat and clean. Well planned modern infrastructure – and a very good team of doctors.
Almost across the road is a sister institution – the SDM Dental College – older and one of the finest in the country.I received an invitation to visit Dharmasthala and meet Virendra Heggade – the hereditory head of the SDM group.
So I landed in Dharmasthala. A beautiful, historic place, seeped in legend, mythology and religion. Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Ganpatipule
Author: Binoy Gupta
One of the finest beaches in West India
If you are looking for a beautiful, clean, pristine sea beach, far away from the mad, mad crowd, you will love Ganpatipule.
If you have the time and the inclination, there are a number of nearby forts to explore.
And of course, the famous 400 year old Ganapati temple is a major attraction.
Location
Ganpatipule is a small village on the sea coast near Ratnagiri – 375 kms south of Mumbai.
It is not too close to Mumbai, not very well known and therefore not crowded.
Travel India Chidambaram
Author: Binoy Gupta
Unique Temple of the Formless Shiva
I have visited Chidambaram several times for three reasons.
· To meander through the Mangrove Forests of Pichavaram to the beach beyond.
· To visit, attend or give lectures at the Annamalai University.
· And to visit the Chidambaram Temple.
Travel India Dwarka
Author: Binoy Gupta
The Real Atlantis
The western most of Adi Shankaracharya’s Four Dhams
Some time ago, my mother wanted me to take her to Dwarka, the last of the Four Dhams of Adi Shankaracharya (we had already visited the other three).
The fact is she loved to travel. I also love to travel.
And there were many other places to see around Dwarka. So we landed in Dwarka.
The story of Atlantis flashed through my mind.
The Lost Isle of Atlantis
Travel India Jagannath Puri or Puri
Author: Binoy Gupta
World Famous Ratha Yatra
Jagannath Puri, or simply Puri, is one of Adi Shankaracharya’s Char Dhams (or Four Places of Pilgrimage) located in the four corners of India. The other three are: Badrinath in the North (Himalayas); Dwarka in the West; and Rameshwaram in the South.
Badrinath is located amidst the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. The other three are located on the shores of the seas around India.
Jagannath Puri is world famous for its unique Ratha Yatra (Chariot Procession).
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