Blog Archive

Friday, April 23, 2021

Snowed in Tungnath on the way to Terracotta Temples

Tungnath Temple, Tungnath- Uttarakhand 

More than 1000 years old, the Tunganath mandir 

Stands against the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas

Located on Chandranath Parvat, 

It is the highest Shiva temple at an elevation of 3680 meters 

The mandir they say was built by the Pandavas 

To appease and seek the blessings of Prabhu Shiva

For killing their evil cousins, Kauravas 

In the epic battle of Mahabharata 

Source: Delhi Planet

Upon Vyasa Rishi’s advice, the five brothers, 

Went in search of Prabhu Shiva, who hid at Guptkashi 

In the form of a bull to avoid the Pandavas

The Pandavas found five parts of the bull 

Each at a different location 

Where they began to build a mandir 

That came to be known as the Pancha Kedar

Source: Amar Ujala

 At Tunganath, it’s the hands that fell

With the hump at Kedarnath, stomach at Madhyamaheshwar

And the dreadlocks at Kalpeshwar. 

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Terracotta Temples, Bishnupur- West Bengal

Belonging to the Samudra Gupta period

The region got its name as Bishnupur in the 10th century 

A renowned center for arts, architecture, and music 

For hundreds of years 

A bhakti movement in the 16th century, 

The Gaudiya Vaishnava movement 

To spread the bhakti of Bhagwan Vishnu

Was started by a saint and a social reformer, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

The Terracotta mandir has inscriptions dating to the movement 

And the murtis resembling the ones at Vrindavan 

Built in the typical bangle do-Chala style 

The Rasamancha, the Jor Bangla, and the Keshto Raya mandir 

Flaunt a unique architectural design 
Source: Tripoto

Source: Viki Pandit

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Source: 

https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/tungnath.php 

https://www.india.com/travel/articles/tungnath-home-to-the-worlds-highest-shiva-temple-3647496/ 

https://www.sacredyatra.com/tungnath.html 

https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/uttarakhand/tungnath.html 

https://www.sahapedia.org/terracotta-temples-of-bishnupur 

https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/bishnupur 

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#FreeHinduTemples



14 comments:

  1. Pretty view from the temps at this high elevation! The Terracotta mandir is just wonderful.

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  2. When we went for the Chardham three years ago, we saw the way to Tunganath when going towards Badrinath from Kedarnath. That trip was the most memorable in my life. I had based my last year's A2Z on that trip. I described my whole trip in that series. Check it out. Here is the link to the first one, in case you wish to read: https://balconysunrise.wordpress.com/2020/04/01/all-time-aspiration/

    Never heard of the terracota temple at all. What all marvels are hidden in India! Wah!

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    1. That's wonderful! Checking it right away. :D
      India is full of hidden marvels.

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  3. The temple in the snow looks almost ethereal. What a beauty!

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    1. I wonder how majestic it would look when seen in real life. One day, hopefully, I can go during the winters (though the temple is likely to be closed) to enjoy the beauty of the place.

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  4. Adding both the temples to my wish to visit list. Tungnath will have to be soon, while the knees and lungs are strong enough to climb:)

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    1. Hahaa... That's a valid point. It seems to be tough journey to the temple. Need to go fully prepared. I'm sure you'll love it (based on your previous posts about your trips). :D

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  5. Wow the snow covered temple looks so surreal... I had heard the story of the Pandavas on one of our visits to Uttarakhand but haven't been to the temple. Even Terracotta temple I have heard of and seen pictures of very recently.

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    1. A package trip would be great. All the five temples built by the Pandavas in and around the region at once. Though our legs and lungs are going to take a hit.

      Any Bengal-related post maybe? Not that I see them talking about such wonderful architecture.

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  6. I wonder how they built at such high altitude. and the carvings are amazing. It was a treat.

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    1. I'm sure they were more dedicated and determined than the modern day folks.
      My pleasure. :D

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