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Every year on Govardhan we go to ISKCON temple for the Govardhan puja. The temple is beautifully decorated with strings of flowers and lights. So few may ask, What is a Govardhan puja? As you all know by now (if you have read my articles on Diwali ) that Diwali/ Deepavali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated and is celebrated for 5 days starting on the 13th day after the full moon or "Poornima" (is the word for full moon in Sanskrit). Day 1- Dhanteras. People worship Goddess Lakshmi ( Goddess of wealth) and Lord Kubera (God of wealth). Day 2 - On 14th day we celebrate Narak Chaturdashi or "Choti" Diwali which commemorates Lord Krishna and Satyabhama's victory over the demon king Narakasura. Day 3 - On 15th day which is Amavasya (or No moon day) we celebrate Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped everywhere.  Day 4 - On 16th day we celebrate Govardhan Puja and we worship Lord Krishna.  Day 5- On 17th day we celebrate Bhai Doo

**You are more than welcome to take selfies or photos outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect the temple authorities wishes.** Draksharama Bheemeswara Swamy temple is one of the oldest temple, powerful and most frequented pilgrim center built in 13th Century in the town of East Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh located at a distance of 28 km from Kakinada and around 50 km from Rajahmundry. Draksharama  is a two storey'ed temple structure houses Lord Bheemeswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and his holy spouse Goddess Manikyamba (Goddess Parvati) deities, is one of the  Trilinga Kshetras,  Pancharamas and one of 18 Shakti Peethas. The Crystal Linga is 14 feet tall and we need to see the lingam in the first floor and then come down to the ground floor to see the base of the temple. This temple is famous as both Shiva Kshetras and Shakti Kshetras. This place is also known as Dakshin Kashi. - Trilinga

**You are more than welcome to take selfies or photos outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect the temple authorities wishes.**  As written in my previous article, Gollala Mamidada is renowned for two historic and popular temples in East Godavari district the state of Andhra Pradesh. 1. Kodandarama Temple ( https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/kodandarama-temple-gollala-mamidada.html ) 2. Suryanarayana Temple Suryanarayana Temple (Sun temple) is built around 1920's. In this temple, Lord Surya is worshiped in the Vishnuroopam(i.e.., in the Vishnu avatar). The walls of the temple are intricately carved with paintings depicting surya namaskaras. The east-facing "gopuram" or the entrance tower is around 150 ft. in height and has nine (9) stories with five (5) "kalasams" on top of the tower. "Kalasams" are inverted pot made of metal or stone with a pointed head facing toward

Gollala Mamidada is renowned for two historic and popular temples in East Godavari district of the state of Andhra Pradesh. 1. Kodandarama Temple 2. Suryanarayana Temple (  https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/suryanarayana-temple-gollala-mamidada.html ) More than 100 yrs old Kodandarama Temple @ Gollala Mamidada is dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.  There is a monumental entrance temple tower i.e.., " gopuram or gopura" which stands out compared to the other temple's towers which I have seen so far . The "gopuram" entrance tower is around 200 ft. in height and has eleven(11) stories with five (5) kalasams on top of the tower. " Kalasams or Kalash " on the  top of the  " gopuram or gopura "  are inverted pot made of metal or stone with a pointed head facing towards the sky which is a symbol of Hindu temples. There are statues intricately carved on the walls of the "gopuram" towers depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahab

 **You are more than welcome to take selfies or photos outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect the temple authorities wishes.** While visiting Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple ( https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/sri-chalukya-kumararama-bhimeswara.html ), we came across this huge Hanuman Statue in the middle of the road and it immediately piqued our interests to know more.  So, we stopped by and visited this beautiful and so far the tallest "Anjaneya Swamy" statue with 52 ft. in height I have even seen.  Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located at Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh state. I heard this temple is maintained by Sri Kanchi kamakoti Maha samsthanam.  Its known among the locals that Lord Hanuman fulfills all reasonable desires of human folk when prayed HIM with utmost faith & dedication. There is one special tree 🌳" Nagalinga " with in the temple prem

**You are more than welcome to take selfies or photos outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect the temple authorities wishes.** A Dravidian style architecture built in 9th century AD dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Pancharama Kshetras located at Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh.  Pancharama Kshetras are five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva and the lingas at all these temples are made from a single Sivalinga i.e.., Atma Linga based on ancient Hindu scripture and texts this Linga emerged during kṣīrasāgara ("Ocean of Milk") Samudramanthana i.e.., churning of the Cosmic Ocean by devas and asuras. In post-Vedic scripture, the Devas referred as the good supernatural being and the Asuras the bad supernatural being. It is said that Lord Vishnu advised the devas especially KumaraSwamy/ Kartikeya son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi Devi to defeat and kill demon King Tarakasura and break Amrutha Atm

  The Maridamma Temple, a traditional ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Goddess Maridamma, a very powerful goddess/deity and avatar of Shakti/ Durga/ Kali Devi. Its known among the locals that Goddess Maridamma fulfills all reasonable desires of human folk when prayed her with utmost faith & dedication. Every year the locals here celebrates a "festival" or locally known as "Jatara" by rural folks for over 30 days from the Amavasya (a Sanskrit word - new moon day in Hindu calendar) in the month of Jyeshta ( corresponds to May–June) to the Amavasya in the month of Ashadha ( corresponds to June-July) and at the end of the festival Chandi homam is performed in grand way inside the temple. In general, Amavasya is considered as inauspicious by many people. It is believed that evil spirits get strongest on this day so, Goddess Kali (avatar of Durga Devi) and Lord Shiva are worshipped as they are credited as the destroyers of the evil spirits. A fair or "Mela&qu

Sri Kukkuteswara Temple is an abode of Lord Shiva in the form of Rooster or cock (an adult male bird) Spatika Lingam or Crystal Lingam/ Shivling made from quartz (semi-precious gemstone) and his consort Goddess Raja Rajeswari Devi, is a Hindu temple in Pitapuram town of East Godavari district @ Andhra Pradesh in India.  ** You are more than welcome of taking pics outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect their wishes.** Once you enter into the temple, you will be captivated by Yaka Sila Nandi (Single Stone Nandi).  Main festivals like Maha Sivaratri, Navaratri and Karthika Masam are organized in a grand manner at the temple.  This temple also houses Goddess Puruhutika Devi an incarnation of Goddess Shakti, is the 10th Shakti Peetham among the Aasta (8) dasa (10) shaktipeethas (18 in total). Now few of you who are new or unaware of the details and particulars in Hinduism might ask "What is a Shakti Peeth?

  Iswaryambika Sundareswara Swamy Temple is at Sreepeetham, a sacred place of Vedic learning and philosophy illustrated by Sri Adi Sankara.  Many spiritual services and rituals are done at Iswaryambika Temple. Deities of Goddess Iswaryaambika ( an avatar of the Goddess Parvati), Lord Sundareswara ( an avatar of the Lord Shiva ), Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganapathi and Lord Subrahmanyam swami are worshiped in this temple complex.📿🙏 Navaratri celebrations is organized in a splendid and glorious manner at Iswaryambika Devi Temple. Its one of the "Sreepeetham" with an amazing architecture and I heard that many feel the powerful positive vibrations in the premises of the temple. The Lotus lake seems to be the special attraction here since when I visited I've seen many people wandering near the lake and posing for photos. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this temple.🙏 District: East Godavari Address: 263V+8C7, Maruti Nagar, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh 533005, India Here is the link

Sometimes visiting temples provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls.  I often visit temple in which ever country I live to thank God who has given me life and with whatever God has blessed me to survive in this complicated world.  I feel more relaxed and relieved when I am just siting in the open area inside the temple premises. Three Years ago when I travelled to India I visited  Andhra Pradesh (AP) for 2 days more precisely  "East Godavari",    a small  district  as part of a spiritual yatra tour like a  Tirth Yatra.  Andhra Pradesh is one of the prominent state in Southern part of India.   What is a Tirth Yatra? Tirth Yatra refers to the journey associated to visit the pilgrimage sites or a holy place in Hinduism Most of the places in Southern States of India are notable for its ancient towering  masterpieces, traditional culture, famous & historical temples. We travelled to few temples for 2 days in  "East Godavari"  district and  I am

 I've been to Shri Jagannath Temple twice so far and its about 2,500 sq. yards beautiful and very well maintained temple located on Road 12 -Banjara Hills, @ Hyderabad , Telangana State in India built  in 2009  by the Kalinga Cultural Trust, a charitable trust established promoting Odisha culture and local Odia community. Jagan meaning "Universe or World". Nath meaning "Lord, Protector, Master". Jagannath means " Lord/ Master/ Protector of the Universe/World". Jagannath is an abstract representation of Shri Krishna and an avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu also known as Narayana is one of the principal deities of Hinduism.  Jagannatha is worshipped in Hinduism in India and neighboring countries as part of a trinity along with his older brother Balabhadra (also known as Balarama) and their younger sister Devi Subhadra which are  carved out of Neem wood . There are other shrines inside the temple dedicated to Devi Lakshmi, Lord Shiva,

Brahma, The Creator Vishnu, The Preserver Shiva, The Destroyer Shiva-Vishnu Hindu Temple  is easily one of the best Hindu temples in California established in 1977. I know I'm biased 😀 but if you visit this place once you would definitely understand why I said so.  My family and I have been visiting this temple for a long time now on regular basis. The temple is situated in Livermore, Bay area and designed with a South Indian style tower also called "Gopuram" on the top like Tirupati architecture, the temple has a grand elevation and Dhwaja stumbha (flagstaff), a common feature of South Indian Hindu temples. Situated in a peaceful location with excellent Indian architecture. The facilities at this temple are well-maintained by volunteers and there is a lot of free car parking available within the temple facility. There is a kiosk for purchasing special Prasad like "laddus", "Vadas" which tastes very similar to the one's i

Today, we visited this beautiful temple  "ISKCON Vedic Cultural Center"  centrally located with rich architectural in Sammamish, Washington dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna   centered around the Krishna Consciousness based on Vedic culture of living and Dharma.  International Society for Krishna Consciousness known as ISKCON is a religious organization with core beliefs based on the Vedic scriptures, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavat Purana, and the Vaishnava tradition (Vaishnava means 'worship of Vishnu).  This temple has peaceful atmosphere, beautiful décor of the deities and of course their divine blessings. We were offered Prasadam / Food for "To-Go" since we are still in between Pandemic and temple still doesn't allow Eat-in yet. Temple sells Variety of religious Books for adults and children.  Ps: You need to book your visiting slot "online" completely free to av