Day: April 23, 2023

12 Jyotirlinga in India – Temples of Lord Shiva

Jyotirlinga is a term used in Hinduism to refer to twelve holy shrines that are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The term “jyotirlinga” translates to “lingam of light,” which refers to the radiant energy that is believed to emanate from these shrines. There is a distance of 2383 km between Kedarnath and Rameswaram. But all these temples fall in almost the same parallel line. After all, thousands of years ago, the technology with which these temples had been built in a parallel line is a mystery to this day. In this article, you can read about the 12 Jyotirlingas below:

  1. Somnath Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Gujarat, Somnath Jyotirlinga is considered to be the first among the twelve jyotirlingas. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history.

  2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain. The temple is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in South India.

  3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in the city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous jyotirlingas in India. The temple is known for its unique architecture and rich history.

  4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on an island in the Narmada River. The temple is famous for its unique location and beautiful natural surroundings.

  5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is situated in the Himalayas. The temple is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in the country and is visited by millions of pilgrims each year.

  6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Maharashtra, Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated in the Sahyadri Mountains. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning natural surroundings.

  7. Vishwanath Jyotirlinga: Located in the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous temples in India. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and rich history.

  8. Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Maharashtra, Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga is situated in the Western Ghats. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning natural surroundings.

  9. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Jharkhand, Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is situated in the town of Deoghar. The temple is known for its unique architecture and rich history.

  10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Gujarat, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The temple is known for its beautiful location and rich history.

  11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is situated on an island in the Gulf of Mannar. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning natural surroundings.

  12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in the state of Maharashtra, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is situated near the famous Ellora Caves. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and rich history.

Each temple is unique in its own way and has its own rich history associated with it. For example, the Somnath Jyotirlinga is believed to have been built by the moon god, Chandra, to seek forgiveness for the curse he received from his father-in-law, Daksha. The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a bull to bless the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra war. Pilgrims from all over India and the world visit these shrines to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain spiritual enlightenment.

The significance of the twelve jyotirlingas is not only limited to their religious importance but also to their historical and cultural value. These temples are considered to be a representation of the rich cultural heritage of India, and are an important part of its history. Visiting these shrines is also believed to be a spiritual journey that can bring about a sense of peace and enlightenment.

Intriguing facts about Capybara

The capybara is a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent in the world, with adults typically weighing between 35 and 66 kg (77 and 146 lb). They are herbivorous animals and feed mainly on grasses, aquatic plants, and fruits.

                                           

Capybaras are social animals and typically live in groups of 10-20 individuals, though larger groups of up to 100 individuals have been observed. They are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time in and around water. They are also capable of holding their breath for up to five minutes underwater, making them well-adapted to their semi-aquatic lifestyle. They have a distinctive appearance, with a round, barrel-shaped body, short legs, and a short, blunt snout. They have webbed feet that help them navigate through the water and reduce friction when swimming. Their fur is short, dense, and varies in color from reddish-brown to grayish-brown.

In the wild, capybaras are found throughout much of South America, living in a variety of habitats, including forests, savannas, and wetlands. They are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including jaguars, pumas, anacondas, and caimans.

Capybaras are important prey for many species in their ecosystem, and they also play an important role in maintaining the health of their habitats. They are considered keystone species, meaning that their presence or absence can have a significant impact on the biodiversity of their environment. They are also important to humans in several ways. In some areas, they are hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some parts of South America. They are also sometimes kept as pets, although they require specialized care and can be difficult to keep in captivity.

Capybaras are also important in the field of science, as they are often used as a model organisms in studies of animal behavior, ecology, and physiology. They have been used in studies of thermoregulation, social behavior, and the evolution of mammals, among other topics.

Despite their importance, capybaras face several threats in the wild, including habitat loss and hunting for their meat and fur. In some areas, they are also considered agricultural pests, as they can damage crops and compete with livestock for food.

Efforts are underway to conserve capybara populations and their habitats. In some areas, they are protected by law, and conservation organizations are working to educate people about the importance of these animals and the need to protect them.

Kamakhya Temple

Kamakhya Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, located in the city of Guwahati in the northeastern state of Assam, India. It is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site and a cultural icon of Assam. It is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the region.

According to Hindu mythology, the temple is the site where the goddess Sati’s womb and genitals fell after her body was dismembered by the god Shiva. The temple is thus considered to be one of the Shakti Peethas or holy sites where the body parts of the goddess Sati fell to earth.

The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, especially those who worship the divine feminine. The temple complex consists of several smaller shrines and buildings, but the main temple is a large structure made of stone and brick. The temple has a unique design, with a dome-shaped roof and walls made of red sandstone. The main shrine inside the temple houses a rock formation that is said to represent the goddess Kamakhya. The rock is covered with a red cloth and is surrounded by images of other Hindu deities. The temple also has several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities.

The temple is famous for its annual Ambubachi Mela, a festival held in the month of June or July to celebrate the goddess Kamakhya’s menstruation. During the festival, the temple is closed for three days as it is believed that the goddess is menstruating during this time. Devotees from all over the country come to the temple to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess.

Apart from its religious significance, Kamakhya Temple is also known for its stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings. The temple is located on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the city of Guwahati and the Brahmaputra River. The temple complex is surrounded by lush green forests and is home to several species of birds and animals.

In recent years, the temple has also become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The Assam government has taken several measures to improve the infrastructure around the temple, including building new roads, parking areas, and hotels.