Mallikarjuna temple

The temple of Lord Mallikarjuna is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated in the town of Srisailam on the banks of River Patalganga Krishna. Srisailam mountain is looked upon reverentially as the Kailash of South. The temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple sculptures narrate in stone, epics from thre great Hindu epics-Ramayana nand Mahabharata.This temple is considered very holy and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba. One unique feature of the temple is that all the devotees who visit the temple are allowed to touch the idol which is not prevalent in any other temple. The temple is located at a distance of 245 km from Hyderabad. The Sree Sailam temple has rich sculptural work, fort like walls and towers. The temple is built in Dravidian style. According to popular legends, the religious leader had visited the temple and had composed his famous Sivananda Lahiri. It is also believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form of a bee and worshiped Lord Shiva here and selected this holy place as her abode. 

Legends :-

According to Shiva Purana, when Shri Ganesh was married of before Kartikeya, Kartikeya became angry. Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, he went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went and tried consoling Kartikeya, but all their efforts were in vain. Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided go to the Kraunch mountain themselves. When Kartikeya came to know that his mother-father have arrived he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati reside in this linga. The people who visit this Jyotirlinga are emancipated from all their sins and fulfill all their desires. It is for the welfare and well being of one and all. Another legend says Once, a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw.

There was a self-raising Swayambhu Shivlinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Shiva in this Jyotirlinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shiva was very pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s story can be seen carved out. 

Kaasyanatu Maranaanmuktihi Smarana Darunachale||

Darsana Deva Sri Saile Punarjanma Na Vidyate||

Sri Saila Sikharam Drushtwa Punarjanma Na Vidyate||

Meaning: By facing death in Kasi, reciting Bhagavannama in Arunachalam and just visiting Sri Saila Ksetra, men are attaining salvation or Mukti.

Architecture of Shri Mallikarjun Temple (THE SANCTUM ) :

The sanctum enshrining Lord Mallikarjuna is a shell-like structure. The Mukhamandapa is a well-sculptured pillared hall in Vijayanagar style. Nandi, Shiva’s mount, is enshrined in a separate mandapa. There are smaller shrines for Nataraja and Sahasra Linga. The Sahasra Linga is an interesting aspect . The main Linga is divided into 25 facets, each of them again representing 40 Lingas, making a total of 1,000 Lingas. A three-hooded cobra is carved as entwined round the Linga. Another Linga of Mallikarjuna under a Vata vriksha (tree) is considered the original Linga. 

Slightly away from these shrines is the sanctum of Goddess Bhramarambika, the consort of Mallikarjuna. The Goddess is believed to have assumed the form of a bee and worshipped Shiva here. Adi Shankara had visited the temple and sung in praise of Lord Mallikarjuna in his famous hymn Shivananda Lahari and of the Goddess in Bhramarambika Ashtakam.  

Theetham :

The Krishna river, which flows four km away from the shrine, is the holy Theertham known as PaathaalaGanga. Devotees take a dip here and carry holy water uphill to perform abhisheka for the Lord. A shrine dedicated to Lord Umamaheshwara is situated on way to the Theertham.

Puja Timings:

 6.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m., 6.00 - 8.30 p.m.

How to reach ?

By Road : Srisailam is well connected by State buses from all the important towns in A.P.

By Rail : The nearest rail head is Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli road at a distance of 158 km. But people prefer going to Hyderabad or Secunderabad and then travel by bus or car.

By Air : The nearest airport to Srisailam is Hyderabadat a distance of 237 km.

Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park lies in two districts – Nainital and Pauri – in the hill state of Uttarakhand in northern India. It covers an area of 521 sq. km and together with the neighboring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq. km. Its geographical location between the Himalayas and the Terai, and the streams, rivers and ridges crisscrossing the terrain, present Corbett with a remarkable variety of landscapes. For the survival of such a remarkable gamut of floral and faunal species in Corbett National Park, water is a crucial factor. The Ramganga river forms the most prominent hydrological resource, supplemented by tributaries, most prominent of which are the Sonanadi, Mandal and Palain rivers. The river Kosi runs proximate to the Park and is also a significant water resource for nearby areas.

Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognised long ago and so in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first national park to be established in mainland Asia.

Every year thousand of wildlife lovers come to Corbett National Park in search of Tiger and other natural world. Corbett National Park offer hotels, resorts and lodges of all categories for the visitors coming to the Park. We believe that the best vacation is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive, but rather it is the one in which you are most relaxed and enjoying yourself. 

CNP is one of the most congested park in India with a ratio of 1 Tiger of every 5 acres. CNP is famous as the land of roar, trumpet and song.

Corbett National Park has a long list of birds in its Habitat, A visit to CNP would surely be a rewarding experience for ornithologists as well as bird lovers.

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the biggest national parks in India. Tourism Management has distributed the national park into five zones so that tourists can tour the park with much more convenience. All the five zones are facilitated with an entrance gate. The best thing about these five zones is the available accommodation facility i.e. Forest Rest houses.

The elephant, largest of the land mammals, has been an integral part of the history, mythology, tradition, culture and religion of India. There are three surviving species of elephants in the world, one in Asia and two in Africa. Elephants are notable for their remarkable intelligence and a sharp memory. This is because elephants have the largest brains in the animal kingdom. Males have tusks and such elephants are commonly called “tuskers”.

CTR has always been known for its tigers. CTR today holds probably the second largest population of living Tigers in the world. Tiger is an important member of carnivores once dominated all over South East Asia. The predating style of Tiger is worth observation, unbelievable indeed, as on can encounter slowest possible slow motion to fastest possible fast. Swimming excellence of Tiger is an exclusive edge.

Corbett is home to over 585 species of birds, 7 species of amphibians, 33 species of reptiles, 7 species of fishes and 37 species of dragonflies. 

Although the main highlights of Jim Corbett Park are the endangered Bengal tigers, leopards and crocodiles; yet other wildlife animals like sambas, hogs, otters, boars, elephants, sloths, gorals, pangolins and langurs can also be easily spotted here.

The charm of the national park is further enhanced with the presence of black bucks, spotted deer, Himalayan Black bears, yellow-throated martens and Indian Grey Mongoose. Not only this, due to it’s varied climatic conditions Corbett is the preferred habitat of many resident and migratory birds like peacocks, eagles, jungle fowls and parakeets. 

Corbett homes an impressive varieties of the birds. The number of birds increases further during winter season due to the arrival of migrant birds like osprey and ducks that come all the way from Europe, East Africa and Central Asia. Not only this, many Himalayan birds take refuge in this national park to escape the extreme conditions prevailing in the mountains during winters.

Entry Inside The Corbett National Park : Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park. 

Area 520.8 sq km. 

Altitude Between 400 mt and 1,100 mt 

Temperature:

Max 40 deg. cel. and Min 19 deg. cel. (summer) 

Max 25 deg. cel. and Min 4 deg. cel. (winter) 

Main Entry Dhangari Main Tourist Center Dhikala 

Season Nov 15 to Jun 15

The park is located between 29°25' to 29°39'N latitude and 78°44' to 79°07'E longitude. 

The average altitude of the region ranges between 360 m (1,181 ft) and 1,040 m (3,412 ft).

It has numerous ravines, ridges, minor streams and small plateaus with varying aspects and degrees of slopes

Local Transport Coaches and jeeps can be hired from the national park office at Ramnagar.

Elephants are available for wildlife viewing at Dhikala, Khinanauli and Bijrani. Elephant rides are conducted every morning and evening. 

The Facilities for Visitors: The food arrangement is there in the canteens located at Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani. Even the cooking utensils and crockery available to the visitors for facilitating self-cooking. One should keep in mind that the consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly prohibited inside the national park. 

Well-trained Nature Guides are available at the park to guide the tourists about the different routes and the wildlife at the national park. It is also compulsory to take a Nature Guide with each vehicle. The Corbett Tiger Reserve also has a Visitor Centre and Museum at Dhangarhi Gate. It displays the exhibits and models relating to the history and biodiversity of Corbett. Elephant rides can be enjoyed at Dhikala, Khinanauli, Bijrani, Gairal and Jhirna during mornings and evening enabling the tourists to view the jungle, its wildlife, and landscape.

There are watchtowers at Dhikala, Phulai and Jhirna and several machans near Dhikala, Bijrani and Kothirau, excellent for viewing the wildlife. In the evening, the lodgers at Dhikala and Bijrani can also enjoy the wildlife films. Dhikala also has a well-stocked library with a fine collection of wildlife and general books. 

General Information :The tourists have to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for the entry into the park. Kindly gather all the necessary information for visiting the national park. Obtaining the gate pass and permit from the park administration centre at Ramnagar is mandatory for all the visitors in Corbett National Park. There are various gates to enter the Corbett National Park. The closest of the various gates into the Corbett national park is on the road to Bijrani camp. Dhangarhi Gate is 18-kms along the highway in the north of Ranikhet, which provides access to the northern and northwestern portion of the Jim Corbett Park.