Latest news with #MahaShivratri
India.com
29-05-2025
- India.com
Journey Into Dehradun's Secret Underground Temples – What Lies Beneath?
The city of Dehradun in India's Uttarakhand region is justly famous for its natural beauty, including its rolling scenery, dense forests, and its location near the Himalayas. It is the starting point of many famous hill stations including Mussoorie and serves as an important pilgrimage center along with Haridwar and Rishikesh. Beyond those well known spots, the city also has something noteworthy when it comes to temples: it has some that cannot be called typical ones, because unlike its counterparts in India, these temples are underground. These concealed temples possess great historical, mythological, and architectural importance, but they are scarcely known even to a majority of the residents. Let us prepare to venture through these incredible underground temples that are of great cultural as well as religious importance. 1. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple: A Holy Cave Temple Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, 5 kilometers away from Dehradun city center, is one of the most notable temples built within a cave. This temple is believed to be from ages past and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It gets its name from the natural drops of water which 'tap' onto a Shivling in the cave. It is said that the Pandavas frequented this shrine when they were in exile. The gentle atmosphere with the cool winds flowing through the caves makes it peaceful for meditation and prayer. The temple gets thousands of visitors each year making it one of the most prominent sites in the area, especially during Maha Shivratri. 2. Lakshman Siddh Peeth: A Hidden Indoors Temple One other less popular but underground temple with literally so much to say and treasure about! This temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshman, elder brother of Lord Rama. Lakshman Siddh Peeth is located around Sahastradhara's forests. It is believed that this temple was built by sages who did meditation and prayed in depths of forests for tranquility. This place is renowned amongst pilgrims who usually visit there to have their wishes accomplished and gain inner satisfaction. That temple remains in the hidden sights of tourists due to challenges in accessibility along with not adequate knowledge about the place. 3. Robber's Cave (Guchhu Pani): The Fusion Of Religion And Nature In that limestone valley , stream flowing is a wonder and part of Robber's Cave (known as Guchhu Pani). Unlike anything, this cave has much more to offer! There are several small caves located within this guchhu which form shrines. Archeological research over time identifies various deities of other branches of the Hindu religion at the guchhu's starts and at the further depths. In order to experience the magnificence of the guchhu, prayings and offerings need to be provided. Lifting phenomenon of mystical charm between nature and spirituality captures not just pilgrims but even adventure loving fans inviting from afar. 4. Hidden Temples at Kempty Falls While the Kempty Falls are known as a tourist hotspot 15km outside Dehradun, not many people are aware of the miniature subterranean shrines that are located at the bottom of the waterfall. These temples are quite simple, being excavated from cliffs, and serve as temples for the villagers who live close by. These hidden places get much attention during multi-day festivals such as Navratri or Diwali, as they are filled with offerings and religious processes. Because they are so distant, these places are untouched by commercialism, allowing them to keep their religious sanctity. 5. Wonders Beneath the Temple's Earth These temples built underground illustrate beautiful artistry and creativity. The stone and limestone mortar used to build these temples was excavated locally, and the temples are able to survive in times of disasters while also maintaining a constant temperature regardless of the time of year. This is exemplified by the walls of Tapkeshwar Temple, which although intricately carved, are made of solid rock. Such feats of construction are evidence of the incredible engineering capabilities of ancient builders. 6. Mythological Significance These underground temples have a long history of myths and stories associated with them, such as the meritorious acts of penance done by saints in Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple to gain the blessings of Lord Shiva. Likewise, in the Lakshman Siddh Peeth, the episodes of Ramayana are brought to life where Lord Lakshmana, along with Rama, is seen executing pivotal tasks. Such stories not only add to the Dehradun's cultural heritage but also serve to inspire pilgrims who wish to experience the divine energies of the area. 7. Preservation Challenges and Efforts A big number of these underground temples have suffered neglect in their maintenance and upkeep greatly owing to their age, and lack of financial support from the government. These temples suffer from both natural erosion and human-made damage. Fortunately, in the last few years, some local bodies along with NGOs have taken the initiative to make some of these sites 'cleaner.' Campaigns aimed at responsible tourism along with proper lighting systems and the sites' beautification have also been put in place. It is hoped that by doing this, we will encourage the visit of these sites to be appreciated by younger generations. Conclusion Dehradun's underground temples are a manifestation of the region's unique blend of religion, history, and nature. Every site, from the noted Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple to the less popular Lakshman Siddh Peeth, captures some aspect of the area's past and culture. Some temples are well-known and frequented, while others remain undiscovered treasures. We must safeguard these extraordinary places and ensure that they continue inspiring wonder and reverence for years to come. These temples are not just for fervent historians and spiritualists, but casual travelers seeking off the beaten path destination. Mysticism-filled journey awaits at the underground temples of Dehradun.
The Guardian
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Copacabana, cowboys and a carnival in Nice: photos of the day
The bronze statue of David, by the Italian sculptor Michelangelo, is moved to the National Gallery, as part of an exhibition about the artist Photograph: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images Swimmers gather to practise stand-up paddleboarding at Copacabana beach Photograph: Andre Coelho/EPA A folk artist dressed as the Hindu god Shiva performs during the Maha Shivratri celebrations at a temple Photograph: Jagadeesh Nv/EPA A restorer of cultural relics works on a centuries-old figurine, using a cotton bud to delicately clean its dusty crevices after years hidden in storage Photograph: Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images Turkish scientists conduct studies on the human impact on aquatic ecosystems, during the 9th national antarctic science expedition Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Children help their family make charcoal to sell at market Photograph: Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu/Getty Images Firefighters work at a site of a Russian drone strike Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters A premature baby receives care in an incubator at the neonatal intensive care unit at the Patient Friend's Benevolent Society hospital Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images Mourners gather around vehicles transporting the coffins of Shiri Bibas and her sons at their funeral procession Photograph: Tomer Appelbaum/AFP/Getty Images Cattle crowded together at a livestock market in Aceh province Photograph: Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP/Getty Images President Trump throws a hat to reporters printed with the slogan 'Trump was right about everything!' after signing executive orders in the Oval office Photograph: Gripas Yuri/Abaca/Rex/Shutterstock A llanero (cowboy) trains horses at a farm, a deep-rooted tradition in the eastern plains of Colombia that attracts participants and visitors alike Photograph: Juancho Torres/Anadolu/Getty Images King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia look at their portraits by photographer Annie Leibovitz, at the Bank of Spain Photograph: Chema Moya/EPA A young labourer works at a clay pottery workshop on the outskirts of the city Photograph: Shahzaib Akber/EPA Sunrise at Woodlesford lock as the Canal & River Trust charity calls for more volunteers to help look after 2,000 miles of canals, river navigations, historic bridges and aqueducts across the country. (This image was taken using a graduated neutral density filter.) Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Artists perform during the parade of the 140th Nice carnival Photograph: Valéry Hache/AFP/Getty Images
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
India's vast Hindu festival draws to an end
India's Kumbh Mela festival wraps up Wednesday, with final ritual river bathing ceremonies ending six weeks of celebration that organisers say have been attended by hundreds of millions of devotees. Despite two deadly stampedes that killed dozens, the festival in the northern city of Prayagraj has been hailed as a triumph by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, bolstering its carefully cultivated image as a steward of Hindu resurgence and national prosperity. Both Modi and his ally, firebrand Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath -- chief minister of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh where the festival is held -- say the millennia-old festival has been the "grandest" yet. The Kumbh Mela is rooted in Hindu mythology, a battle between deities and demons for control of a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. The festival, which opened on January 13, ends Wednesday, coinciding with the Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri, in honour of the deity Shiva. According to eyebrow-raising figures from Adityanath's state government, more than 620 million devotees took part in the festival, a staggering statistic even for the world's most populous nation of 1.4 billion people. Millions more people seeking salvation are expected to shrug off stomach-churning faecal matter measurements to immerse themselves in sacred river waters on Wednesday. Authorities say the estimates have been calculated using artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras, but the figures are impossible to independently verify. The festival was marred by a deadly stampede on January 29 that killed at least 30 people and injured 90 others. Officials insisted for hours that no one was seriously injured, despite graphic television footage from the scene. Earlier this month, another 18 people died during a stampede at the main railway station in New Delhi when surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to Prayagraj. The deaths have taken the sheen off the government's claims of stellar management of the event. But the twin tragedies failed to deter millions who continued to pour into the temporary township along the banks of the river. abh/pjm/dhc
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
India's vast Hindu festival draws to an end
India's Kumbh Mela festival wraps up Wednesday, with final ritual river bathing ceremonies ending six weeks of celebration that organisers say have been attended by hundreds of millions of devotees. Despite two deadly stampedes that killed dozens, the festival in the northern city of Prayagraj has been hailed as a triumph by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, bolstering its carefully cultivated image as a steward of Hindu resurgence and national prosperity. Both Modi and his ally, firebrand Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath -- chief minister of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh where the festival is held -- say the millennia-old festival has been the "grandest" yet. The Kumbh Mela is rooted in Hindu mythology, a battle between deities and demons for control of a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. The festival, which opened on January 13, ends Wednesday, coinciding with the Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri, in honour of the deity Shiva. According to eyebrow-raising figures from Adityanath's state government, more than 620 million devotees took part in the festival, a staggering statistic even for the world's most populous nation of 1.4 billion people. Millions more people seeking salvation are expected to shrug off stomach-churning faecal matter measurements to immerse themselves in sacred river waters on Wednesday. Authorities say the estimates have been calculated using artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras, but the figures are impossible to independently verify. The festival was marred by a deadly stampede on January 29 that killed at least 30 people and injured 90 others. Officials insisted for hours that no one was seriously injured, despite graphic television footage from the scene. Earlier this month, another 18 people died during a stampede at the main railway station in New Delhi when surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to Prayagraj. The deaths have taken the sheen off the government's claims of stellar management of the event. But the twin tragedies failed to deter millions who continued to pour into the temporary township along the banks of the river. abh/pjm/dhc
The National
21-02-2025
- General
- The National
Maha Shivratri 2025: When is the Hindu festival and why is it more significant this year?
Every year, Hindus around the world celebrate Maha Shivratri, a festival dedicated to Shiva, one of their principal deities. Not to be confused with Shivratri or "night of Shiva", which occurs on the darkest day of every lunar month, Maha Shivratri or "the great night of Shiva" is observed yearly when millions of devotees fast and offer their prayers. Many Hindus believe Maha Shivratri commemorates the day Shiva, who's known as the creator and destroyer of the universe, performed the Tandava, the divine dance of creation and destruction. Some also believe it to be the day Shiva married the goddess Parvathi. Maha Shivratri is considered one of the most auspicious nights in the calendar year when observers believe they can be blessed with diving cosmic energies. It also signifies the triumph of light over dark. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 13th night of Phalguna, the 12th month in the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to around February/March in the Gregorian calendar. While the exact date changes every year, this year it falls on February 26. In India, celebrations take on many forms depending on the region. While the main event at night is usually a solemn one, when devotees stay up all night praying and meditating, the days leading up to it are often filled with raucous religious processions and dances. Devotees throng to temples dedicated to Shiva to offer their prayers, some dressed as the deity and his many embodiments, including his 10-arm form. In southern India, some devotees take part in marathon processions, visiting multiple Shiva temples on foot. Maha Shivratri is an official holiday in Nepal, but it is not recognised as such in India. This year, Maha Shivratri falls on the last day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, a Hindu religious gathering that occurs every 12 years. Touted as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, millions of Hindus have been gathering for the past three weeks at Prayagraj, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, to bathe and perform rituals at the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Indian authorities earlier said more than 400 million people, including tourists, were expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela this year. A vast ground spread over 40 square kilometres along the banks of the rivers has been converted into a sprawling tent city equipped with about 3,000 kitchens and 150,000 restrooms. Divided into 25 sections, the tent city also has housing, roads, electricity, water, communication towers and 11 hospitals. Traditionally, Kumbh Melas are held every three years on dates prescribed by astrology and cycle between four riverbank pilgrimage sites – Prayagraj, Haridwar (along the river Ganges), Nashik (along the river Godavari) and Ujjain (along the river Shipra). The most auspicious of these occurs in cycles of 12 years and is called the Maha Kumbh Mela ('maha' meaning 'great' in Hindi) and is only held in Prayagraj.
