Nanda Prayag
The whole land between NandaPrayag and Satopanth is known as Badri Vishal Kshetra (Badrikashrama or Tiruvaradariashramam). Nand Prayag is in the Gangetic Himalaya which is the confluence of the Nandakini River with the Alakananda River and is located at about 11 kms south of Chamoli on NH58. Some believe this place is one of the 108 divyadesam Tiruppirudi. There is a temple dedicated to Gopala (Krishna).
Once Parvati while going back to Kailash with Shiva from her father's house, became thirsty. Shiva threw his trident that struck the base of the Trishul mountain and river Nandakini merging with Alakananda (water that emerged from the feet of Sriman Narayana) came to quench the thirst of Parvati. Parvati is also known as Nanda in the Kumaon region, hence this confluence got its name.
The noble king Nandar, performed Yagnya for the welfare of the whole humanity to live a good life and sought blessings of God. Hence this place is named after him. According to one other legend, the name derives from the Yadava king Nanda, the foster father of Lord Krishna. Ravana has also done a lot of austerities at this place.
The place Nandaprayag is also mentioned in the Mahabharata as: "In the midst of big trees, the sacred river Malini (Alakananda) was flowing. The water of this river was sweet and sacred. This ashram of Kanva muni was spread out on both the banks of river. In this sacred river different types of birds used to come and stay. Due to the tapovanam on both the sides, the ashram was even more beautiful. Here poisonous creatures and wild animals used to stay together in peace. On seeing this, Raja Dushyanta was filled with joy and happiness." The legend also narrates that the sage Kanva did penance here. In addition, the wedding of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala took place at this place as this place is credited to be the Ashram of Kanva muni.
Karna Prayag
Karna prayag is the place where the Alaknanda River joins with the Pindar Ganga that originated from the pindar glacier, below the Nanda Devi hill range. It is located at an elevation of 1451 meters above the sea level. Karna did penance here and earned the Kavacha and Kundala from the Sun god, which gave him indestructible powers. The stone seat Karnashila, is the place where Karna did his penance. The name of this place is thus derived from his name.
Steep steps close to KarnaPrayag lead one to a very beautiful temple of Uma Devi (daughter of Himalayas). The stone temple was rebuilt by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. The inner sanctorum, has idols of Goddess Parvati, Shiva and Ganesha and many others. There is also an idol of Karna. There is an idol of Kali in outer sanctorum.
Next to the confluence site there is a large area of pasture on the bank where cows are grazed. According to legend, a local zamindar inadvertently killed a cow which led to go-hatya. The zamindar did not have adequate money to engage in acts of reparation to atone for this great offence, so he asked a visiting pilgrim from South India to help him. The philanthropic pilgrim assisted the zamindar in buying the pasture land, which was dedicated to Lord Badrinath with a vow that the land would only be used for grazing cows.
There is also a reference to Karna Prayag in Meghaduta, a drama in Sanskrit by the poet Kalidasa, who says that the Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers joined to form the Pindar River. In his Abhijnana-shakuntala, Kalidasa mentions that some of Shakuntala and King Dushyanta's romantic pastimes took place here.
One of the local attractions near Karnaprayag is Nauti Village, home of the goddess Nanda. This place is the starting point for the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, one of the longest pilgrimage tours covered by foot in India. The yatra goes out only once every twelve years, and was last held in 2012.
Aadi Badri (Adi Badri)
Adi Badri temple is located between Lohba and Karna Prayag -Ranikhet road and is situated in Patti Sili Chandpur and is around 17 kms from Karna Prayag. The temple complex comprises of a group of 16 temples, belonging to the Gupta period (8th - 12th century AD). But presently only 14 temples exist. They are constructed in
Katuyar Style. Among them the chief temple is dedicated to Lord Badri Narayan (Adi Badri Narayana temple), where a
black stone idol of Vishnu, three feet high is enshrined is in standing posture. This temple was sanctified by Adi Guru Shankaracharya.
The
salient features of this style of architecture are the lotus-shaped roof, lion
over the elephant which is projected over the lower Shikhara normally covering the
audience hall and outer wails executed either in Panch Rath or Sapta
Rath pattern, giving the temple a cylindrical shape. The main temple is
invariably surrounded by a couple of smaller temples, which house deities of Shri LakshmiNarayana, Annapurna, Surya, SatyaNarayana, Ganesha, Parbrahma, Shiva, Garuda, Durga and Janaki.
Ranikhet Jhula Devi Mandir
From Adibadri we left for Ranikhet (Queen Rani
Padmini’s meadow). Ranikhet is a hill station in Almora district. It is at an
altitude of 1869 meters above sea level and covers the western peaks of the
Himalayas. Ranikhet hosts charming and majestic views of the pine trees, oak
trees and Deodar forest. It hosts a wide array of flora and fauna. The Kumaon and
the Naga Regiment of the Indian army maintain this place. The salubrious
atmosphere, tall conifer trees, green meadows and placid surroundings make this
place a unique hill station. We stayed at Chevron Rosemont hotel at this
place, which was built in 1900AD, which reminds us of the British era. This
hotel was once a colonial bungalow of the British.
Early morning we went to Jhula Devi temple, which is
situated at a distance of 7 km from the town of Ranikhet near Chaubatia. It is said that the dense jungle near the temple was once
full of wild animals, leopards and tigers used to attack local villagers and take away their livestock. The
villagers prayed to goddess Durga for protection, and one day Goddess Durga
came in a shephard's dream and advised him to excavate her idol. The temple is built at the same site where idol was found. Goddess is seated here on a wooden jhula (swing). The current temple complex was constructed in 1935.
When wishes of
piligrims get fulfilled they come back to thank Jhula Devi Maa by offering a bell to
the temple. The popularity of the temple can be realized by number of bells
hanging over the temple walls. This place has a calm environment and a sense of
spiritual peace to it. The reverberations of these bells are heard till a very
long distance. From here we left for Nainital to visit Naina Devi
Nainital
Nainital is a hill station situated at an altitude of 2,084 mts above sea level. It is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference. The two ends are Malli and Thalli taal. Nainital is surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas.
It is said that the shimmering green waters of the Naini jheel is a reflection of the emerald green eye of Sati. It is also believed that The Naini Lake is one of the Shakti Peethas, where Sati's left eye (or Nain) fell, came to be called Nain-tal or lake of the eye. The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore of the lake.
After crossing the main gate, there is a big Peepal tree on the left side. On the right side of the temple there are idols of Lord Hanuman and Ganesh. After reaching the main entrance of the temple, there are two statues of lions. The presiding deity of the temple is Maa Naina Devi represented by two Netras or eyes. Goddess Naini Devi, is accompanied with Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom, and Goddess Kali, the Goddess of Death and Destruction. Nestled in the serene and peaceful hamlet of beautiful lake and mountains, it is beautiful to watch the sun rise and set over the mountains of Nainital. The temple was rebuilt by Moti Ram’s son Amarnath Shah, when Naina Devi appeared in a dream and told him the whereabouts of her idol in the landslide debris of 1880.
As per Manas Khand of Skanda Purana, Nainital lake (Naini Jheel) is called Tri-Rishi Sarovar, of three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who, upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole at the location of the present day lake and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. According to lore, a dip in Naini Lake, "the lesser Manasarovar," earns merit equal to a dip in the great lake.
From Nainital we proceeded to Mathura, braj bhoomi the Janma-Bhoomi of Lord Krishna.
Nainital
Nainital is a hill station situated at an altitude of 2,084 mts above sea level. It is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference. The two ends are Malli and Thalli taal. Nainital is surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas.
It is said that the shimmering green waters of the Naini jheel is a reflection of the emerald green eye of Sati. It is also believed that The Naini Lake is one of the Shakti Peethas, where Sati's left eye (or Nain) fell, came to be called Nain-tal or lake of the eye. The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore of the lake.
After crossing the main gate, there is a big Peepal tree on the left side. On the right side of the temple there are idols of Lord Hanuman and Ganesh. After reaching the main entrance of the temple, there are two statues of lions. The presiding deity of the temple is Maa Naina Devi represented by two Netras or eyes. Goddess Naini Devi, is accompanied with Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom, and Goddess Kali, the Goddess of Death and Destruction. Nestled in the serene and peaceful hamlet of beautiful lake and mountains, it is beautiful to watch the sun rise and set over the mountains of Nainital. The temple was rebuilt by Moti Ram’s son Amarnath Shah, when Naina Devi appeared in a dream and told him the whereabouts of her idol in the landslide debris of 1880.
As per Manas Khand of Skanda Purana, Nainital lake (Naini Jheel) is called Tri-Rishi Sarovar, of three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who, upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole at the location of the present day lake and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. According to lore, a dip in Naini Lake, "the lesser Manasarovar," earns merit equal to a dip in the great lake.
From Nainital we proceeded to Mathura, braj bhoomi the Janma-Bhoomi of Lord Krishna.
Copyright 2017 by Jayashree Badarinath
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