Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir
One of the most famous Hindu shrines, the Amarnath caves are
dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. A natural wonder, this famous structure has inside it the highly popular Shiva Linga of Amarnath, an ice stalagmite that is formed naturally during May to August and gradually melts in the following months.
Said to be over 5,000 years old, this beautiful structure finds mention in various ancient Hindu myths and legends. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati in this very cave. A popular Hindu pilgrimage site, the Amarnath Caves are visited by numerous people all through the year, especially during July-August (around the time of observance of Shravani Mela) when the visitor count swells to around 400,000.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
The Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram is one of the greatest Shaivite temples in India located in the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Rama is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva to free him of any sins that he might have committed during his battle against the demon king Ravana that led to much bloodshed and destruction. It is one of the famous "Char Dham" (Four Holy Hindu Spots) shrines and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (abodes of Lord Shiva) that a pious Hindu is expected to visit in his/her lifetime. A creation of the Pandya kings, the structure was later repaired by the rulers of the Sethupathy dynasty.
Somnath Temple, Gujarat
The beautiful Somnath Temple, much like the Ramanathaswamy Temple, is another of the twelve Jyotirlingas (symbols of light). Hindu mythology depicts it as being a creation of the Moon God. This marvellous piece of architecture was destroyed six times by Islamic rulers but has been rebuilt again and again to earn the name 'the Shrine Eternal'. Situated in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of the Indian state Gujarat, the temple is a highly popular religious spot for the Hindus and is even visited by foreign tourists. Sri Murugan Temple, London
Away from the country, the Sri Murugan Temple upholds the Indian faith in London. Designed by Indian architect Sri Muthiah Sthapathi and chief priest Sri Naganathsivam Kurukkal and constructed by the British architect Terry Freeman,
this marvellous architecture contains a magnificient shrine (carved from black granite) housing the idols of Lord Murugan, his brother Lord Ganesh and parents Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. There is a specific time for the worship of each deity. Every day devotees bring fruits and flowers to the deities, which are then returned by the priests. With a beautiful floor of polished granite tiles and marble walls, the temple makes a perfect setting for worship purposes (especially in the traditional South Indian style) and has many intricate designs crafted by traditional Hindu stonemasons.
|
