TEMPLES OF AWADH -THE LAND OF RAMAYAN AND MAHABHARAT

Author: Vipul B Varshney

Binding: Hardcover

Number Of Pages: 182

Release Date: 14-10-2025

Details: Temples of Awadh explores the sacred land of Aryavarta where Lord Ram Chandra, an incarnation of Vishnu, was born into the Ikshvaku dynasty. This legend remains central to Awadh's history. The name "Awadh" derives from the Sanskrit word "Ayodhya," meaning "not to be warred against." The region takes its name from Ayodhya, the ancient capital of the Kosala kingdom, which roughly corresponds to modern-day Awadh. In this land of Gods and seers, there were innumerable temples, sacred sarovars and kunds but unfortunately, very few temples are left in Awadh and nearby regions, since the maximum damage was done by the Muslim invaders in this region from 1000-1300 C.E. The philosophy of hindu religion which even permits to offer water to their deity says it all, that even after so much of destruction and mayhem, they continued their rituals in whatever circumstances and times permitted. During the 18th century, as throughout the Mughal period, pilgrims from all parts the country flowed to this land to pay homage to Prayag (Allahabad), the King of the Holy Places, and to Ayodhya (Faizabad) and Kashi (Benaras), the two of the seven Holy Cities of India. Naimisharnya and Misirikh in the Sitapur district were also important places of pilgrimage and were visited by thousands of persons every year. Holy place of Naimisharanya in Sitapur , situated on the left bank of Gomti, is a pilgrimage where Maharishi Ved Vyas created Purans. There are signs of a large Gurukul in post Vedic period where 88000 Rishis gained knowledge of Shastras. Pandhavas came to Naimish during exile. Lord Ram & Sita bathed at this pious place to wash off the stigma of Ravana’s death. It is said that Sita proved her purity & assimilated in the pious soil of Naimish. The ancient and prevalent 'Sri Satyanarayan Katha' originates from the holy land of Naimisharanya. As per scriptures, due to the presence of ‘Aadi Ganges-Gomti river, Lucknow was known as the “Chhoti Kaashi”. Till 1000 B.C, the pilgrims used to visit this great shrine to the west of the river, where the Kaundilya Rishi’s ashram was situated, now known as “Kudiya Ghat” .On the south western corner of the Kaundilya Ashram was situated the – Kandilineshwar Mahadev mandir. It is believed that once Chandraketu,son of Lord Krishna was travelling with Ashwamedha horse through a dense forest which appeared quite dark and dreadful. He prayed to Maa Durga, who appeared there with bright moonlight and blessed him. He established a temple here and the goddess came to be known as called Chandrika Devi. Ghatothkacha’s son, Barabareeka, on Krishna’s advice did penance here for three years to acquire mighty powers. Some Puranas say that Lord Chandra was freed from Daksha’s curse when he came and bathed in the holy pond. Archeologically , among the few remaining temples which somehow succeeded in avoiding the eye of the invaders is the Bhitargaon Temple near Kanpur which is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. Built in the 5th century during the Gupta period, it is the oldest remaining terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a high shikhara.’Rain Temple’ is another ancient temple in BehtaBujurg village ,Kanpur dedicated to Lord Jagannath, and has a highly unusual curving shape, with Buddhiststupa like resemblance. In present times , Awadh in terms of cultural entity consists of-Lucknow, Ayodhya, Devipatan, Prayagraj and Kanpur in the contemporary administration .There are more than 500 temples of great significance documented in the book . From Bithoor Valmiki Ashram to humble Hatya haran in Hardoi and from Sangam Kumbh Mela Prayagraj to most sacred but not so consipicuous Devipatan temple Tulsipur ,Balrampur are some of the shining beacons which bestows elixer to the men of faith.

EAN: 9788194897491

Package Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 1.0 inches

Languages: English