On my visit to Kashi Annapoorna Temple, Varanasi.

 

        

                                     

                    

                            

Kashi Annapurna temple is nearly four hundred meters away from the famous Vishwanath temple in Viswanath Galli. One can go through gate no.1 to visit this temple next to Kashi Viswanath temple.  As the Goddess of food and abundance, she is worshipped by many Indians. Devotees who pray to her are blessed with material as well spiritual prosperity. In every household people express their devotion to her before taking food. Sri Adisankaracharya might have visited temple as evident from his famous hymn “Annapurna Astakam”, though the present temple was built later in 18^th century.

 One has to walk through narrow winding lanes to reach this temple. This temple was built by Maratha king, Peshwa Baji Rao in 1729.  The entrance of the temple is decorated with intricate carvings depicting themes from Hindu mythology. The floral designs show the architectural beauty of this temple. One enters temple through a pillared mandapa and see the idol of the goddess Annapurna seated on a golden lotus.

 

She is dressed in golden clothes and ornaments. A crescent moon adorns her forehead.  She is seen with a pot in one hand and a ladle in the other hand. One can see another gold icon of Annapurna once a year on Annakut day one day after Diwali. During this time coins and rice are given to devotees who believe those who keep these treasures safe will never scarcity. A large amount of food with many varieties is prepared on this day and distributed to all visitors. This temple has also idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Sarswati.

 

According to legend, when Shiva told Parvati that the whole world is an illusion and unpredictable like the game of dice, Parvati became enraged and withdrew her powers of providing food. All creatures suffered from famines. Viewing the plight of her creation she took pity and gave abundant food for their sustenance. Shiva too realized her importance and stood before Annapurna stretching his bowl to receive food. She assured people that none should starve in the city of Varanasi.

 

Near this temple there is a Bhojanalaya which provides food freely to every pilgrim between 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Nearly five hundred people can sit here and take their food. It has separate sections for men and women. Prasad is also distributed to pilgrims who visit this temple. One can donate amount as charity at this place.  Devotees are not allowed to bring cameras and electronic while entering the temple. There many choultries and shops all along the way to this temple.

 

Though Varnasi is a well-developed town, the approach roads are very narrow with full of bends.  The narrow winding lanes bring to our eyes the historic and ancient picture of this place. But the pilgrims find it difficult to know the location of this temple. At least sign boards and directions should be set up to guide the pilgrims to this temple. The nearby tourist places are Sri Kashi Viswanath temple (400 meters), Dasaswamedh Ghat (750 meters), Sankat Mochan temple (750 meters), Assi Ghat (3.3 Kms), Ramnagar Fort(7kms), Saranth (9 kms), and the Banares Hindu university (6.5 kms). The opening hours of this temple are:4.00 a.m. to 11.30 A.m. and from 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m

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    25th April, 2025                               Somaseshu Gutala

On my Visit to Nandigram, Ayodhya

              

Nandigram

                                     

Bharat Hanuman Milap Mandir

                                         

Bharat Milap Mandir

                                           

Bharat in Bharat Hanuman mandir

                           

Nandishwar Mahadev

                                       

Bharat Kund

                                  

Bharat Gufa

                            

Gaya Kup

                                 

Nandigram in ancient times was known as Bharat Kund. Nandi installed a Shiva Linga which is known as Nandishwar Mahadeva and did penance to obtain Shiva’s grace and became Shiva’s Vahan or mount. He requested Shiva to reside there and hence this place is called Nandigram. Having darshan of Nandishwar Mahadev gives success.

 

Nandigram is nearly 15 kms south of Ayodhya and close to Tamasa River where many sages lived.  During the exile of Ram, Bharat ruled his kingdom from this place. He placed Ram’s wooden sandals on the throne to represent Lord Ram’s rightful rule. When Ram declined to return to Ayodhya, Bharat carried Ram’s sandals to Nandigram and ruled on Ram’s behalf. Like Ram and Lakshman, he too matted his hair and lived like an ascetic wearing simple clothes and sleeping on a bed of husk.

There are many sacred temples here. In Bharat Hanuman Milan Mandir, one can see the idols of Bharath embracing Hanuman. There is also a small idol of Hanuman. When Hanuman was returning to Lanka with Sanjeevani Mountain, his huge body cast a shadow on the entire city. Thinking that a demon was approaching, Bharat shot an arrow which made Hanuman unconscious. Regaining consciousness Hauman narrated all the incidents to Bharata. Bharat felt sorry for causing the obstacles. Hanuman met Bharat for the second time when he was sent by Ram in advance to convey about his victory and his return.

 

Another sacred place is Bharat Kund where Bharat used to bathe every day for fourteen years. According to Skanda Purana, doing tarpan to ancestors here cleanses a person of all sins and gives liberation. Bharat collected the waters of 27 rivers from Chitrakoot and stored them in a well, Bharat Kup, which is located near two Vata Vrikshams or Banyan trees. The devotees are given this sacred water by the priest to drink here. There is an underground cave called Bharat Gufa where Bharat used to stay and meditate and rule the kingdom for fourteen years.

 

In Gaya Ghat, devotees do Pitru Tarpan before they do Tarpana in actual Gaya. In Jata Kund, Rama and Lakshman removed their long-grown hair after returning from Lanka. In Bharat mandir Rama’s padukas are seen on a throne and Bharata used to sleep on the floor.  According to Puranas, visiting Nandigram gives the same merit as visiting Kashi. All devotees coming to Ayodhya should not miss visiting this holy place where one can see many relics of Rama’s journey and other characters.

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 18th April 2025                               Somaseshu Gutala  

My Stay at Hotel Kavana, Varanasi

      

                  

                 

                                                        

Kriva Dining Hall

This three-star hotel is located near Assi Ghat on Pandit Manmohan Malviya Road in Varanasi. The rooms are spacious and neatly maintained. It has got all modern facilities like lift, wifi, T.V, A.C., mini-fridge, and electric kettle etc. It has an A.C. banquet Hall and a conference hall also. Toiletry items and bottled water are given. The main Viswanath temple is just three kms from this hotel. The nearest temples from this hotel are: Sankat Mochan temple and Durga temple. Assi Ghat and Tulsimanas Ghat are very near to this hotel. This hotel has twenty-six rooms with four floors. The Kriva café is a pure vegetarian restaurant on the ground floor. South Indian, North Indian, Chinese and continental food are served here. The opening hours are from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. Food from outside and alcoholic drinks are not allowed here. Room service is there. 

The staff of the restaurant are quite helpful and prompt in their service. It would be better if beverages are supplied at 6.30 a.m. instead of 7.30 p.m. as many pilgrims go to temples early in the morning. It would be better to hang paintings describing the antique glory of Benares instead of providing modern paintings which will not match with the ambiance of the hotel. The management and the staff are quite helpful. The check-in and check-out timings are 2.00 p.m. and 11.00 a.m. It would be better if the check-in time is 12.00 p.m. for the convenience of customers. Hotel Kavana provides comfort and clean and spacious rooms with all facilities. 

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     11th April 2025                                Somaseshu Gutala

On my Stay at Hotel Krinoscco, Ayodhya

 

                                

                        

                           

                      

                    

This 4-star hotel is 3.9 kms from Ayodhya and provides international standards of service and style. It has sixty rooms with all modern amenities like Lift, T.V. electric kettle, A.C. and pickup and drop facility to airport. The Roman styled façade with a garden layout gives a grand appearance to this hotel.  It also has wheelchair access and a shuttle service to nearby sight-seeing places. It has also a spacious parking facility, kids play area, gym, coffee shop, 24-hour room service, conference room, banquet room and a restaurant. Complimentary breakfast with buffet facility is given.

 It has three types of rooms. The standard room (168 Sq. ft area) has a king-size bed or double-bedded room with sofas, a table and intercom telephone. The double room is 210 Sq feet area and is suitable for two adults and with a separate bed for any third guest. The deluxe double room can accommodate, two adults and two children. 

In the multi-cuisine Crescent Restaurant, a great variety of dishes like South Indian, North Indian, Chinese and Continental food along with soups, sandwiches, burghers, soups, salads and a lot more beverages are served. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is served. As it is a high-end hotel, the room tariffs are a little bit costly. The rates vary from 6,000 to eight thousand rupees depending on availability and demand. The room service is very fast and professional. Cleanliness and impressive appearance are the prominent qualities of this hotel centrally located near Ayodhya Chowk Road in Amani Gunj, Faizabad. 

The check-in and check-our hours are 1.00 p.m. and 11.00 A.M. respectively. The nearby tourist places are: Ramjanmbhoomi Temple (4.4 kms), Kanak Mahal, Hanuman Garhi, Dasarath mahal, Sita Ki Rasoi, Guphtar Ghat, and Nandigram (22kms). The staff are quite friendly and helpful.  Though a little expensive, one feels quite satisfied and feels worth staying in this hotel, suitable for customers of all ages.

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    7th April 2025                                     Somaseshu Gutala

         

BEGGARS’ RACE

 

           

                       

                

                       

1.            Even in poverty grades exist

        Even among beggars, there is professional race

        Of might and power in various ways;

        Everything depends on status and grit;

        Begging slots allotted to every one

        You may laugh, it is not mere fun.

 

2.                   Competing leaders even among them seen

       Persons of higher rank wield their power

       Larger areas and popular spots they cover

       Even among them quest for money and love seen

       A code of conduct they should follow

      Their dress code they are supposed to know.

 

3.               Division of daily earnings from what they got

     Disabled beggars are given a bounteous share

     Some ruffians a larger share declare

     Some meek persons are content with what they got;

     Temples and junctions their favored haunts

     To arouse sympathy, God’s names they sing and chant.

 

 

4.        They choose to wear tattered and torn dress

         Some drench their dress coated with marks of blood

         Some appear as maimed, semi-naked coated with mud

         Some as poor orphans, others to impress

         Some use God’s names and loudly sing

         To make god-fearing people some coins to fling

         Some beggars deformed on crutches moan and moan

         Some stir our pity with repeated cries standing alone.

 

5.            Though all are not lazy, perverted lot

    Some genuine, pitiable cases touch our hearts;

    Neglected by kin and in miseries caught;

    Some have unpolished skills and art

   Unrecognized by society-- they gleam

   Through them as evanescent dream

   Though appreciated only by a few

   Who help them giving a lease of life anew.

 

6.         Beggars too in their profession face

  Intimidation to be touts for vice

  And lead an immoral life of lies;

 Subject to lust and cheating ways;

 Exposed to grievous diseases grave;

 They suffer till death and none to save

 Till they become objects of lust

 Till they become useless as dust.

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   1st April 2025               Somaseshu Gutala