ESSENCE OF PRADHANA TIRTHAS Compiled, composed and interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India 1 Other Scriptures by same Author Essence of Puranas:- Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana; Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama: Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bharata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama; Padma-Skanda-Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha-A Shield of Prayers Purana Saaramsha Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu Essence of Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana Essence of Brahma Sutras (awaiting release) Essence of Amaranatha Yatra Essence of Paraashara Smriti [Note: All the above Scriptures released on http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/details/puranashome.html as also on Google by the respective references] 2 Preface Bharata Desha and Hindu Dharma are eternal with incredible resilience and forbearance. These entities have magnificent absorbtive capacity. Innumerable external influences and internal pulls and pressures notwithstanding, the core of the thought and psyche remains intact. That is why the spirit of Tirtha Yatras is undying. Those who feel that following all of the principles of Dharma in essence may be difficult and even impractical in modern times, Tirtha visits as and when possible and practical could be refreshing escape routes from monotony and alternative means of „Punya and Purushartha‟. Some might also take the Yatras some what seriously out of devotion and faith. Even superficial and pseudo sections of Hindus can not resist family inluences and have to yield to pressure demands to go on Tirtha visits, if not regularly but in fits and starts at least. The scope of Tirthas in the present script is rather limited although an attempt is to Pradhana Kshetras on somewhat genaralised considerations. Its coverage is on some basis of regions viz. Uttara Bharat, Prachya Bharat, Madhya Bharat, Paschima Bharat, and Dakshina Bharat. The selection of the Tirthas is no doubt subjective but by and large exhaustive enough presumalby. Puranik references are somewhat liberal in this Script, especially from the series of „Essence of Puranas‟ published vide www. kamakoti.org/news. Where-ever found useful, resort to Legends and Local Beliefs has been made. ! The directive to take up this Project is essentially from that of HH. Vijayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Mutt, who has been consistently providing encouragement and guidance of my endeavors. My Sashtanga Namaskaras to His Holiness. VDN Rao 3 CONTENTS PAGE Preface 3 Introduction 6 UTTARA BHARATA TIRTHAS 7 Manasarovara-Kailasa Amaranath 9 Vaishnodevi, Srinagar-Kheer Bhavani adi 11 Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badarinath and Kedarnath 13 Nainital, Bhimashankar & Jageshwar Jyotirlingas and Kangra’s Jwalamukhi 21 Shakti Peethas 23 Kurukshetra, Prutudaka/ Pehva and Gadhmukteshwar 25 Vraja Mandala: Mathura and Brindavan 29 Naimisharanya, Prayaga, Chitrakut, Kalanjar and Khajuraho 30 Kashi Mahatmya 36 MADHYA BHARATA KSHETRAS 40 Vindhyachala Kshetra, Ujjain, Kshipra River, Omkareshwara, Narmada Mahatmya Ayodhya, Gaya, Nalanda, Patna / Sonpur: Gajendra Moksha at River Gandaki 49 Vaidyanatha Jyotir Linga at Deogarh or Parli? 55 PRAACHYA BHARATA KSHETRAS 57 Kolkatta, Ganga Sagara, Navadwipadham, Kokamukha Varaha Kamakhya Devi and Shakti Peethas in Assam and Tripura;( Five in Bangla Desh) 58 Utkal Region: Puri Jajannatha, Bhuvaneshwara, Konaarak, Sakshi Gopal 59 PASCHIMA BHARATA KSHETRAS 65 Pushkar, Khato Shyam, Salazar, Lohargala, Keshavarai, Karani Devi, Nathwada 65 Dwaraka, Bet Dwaraka, Nageshwara Jyotir Linga, Porbandar, Somnath 69 4 Dakor, Mahi Sagara, Abu, Ambaji, Siddapur, Shyamalaji, Bhima Shankar 74 Nasik, Shirdi, Shani Singapur, Triambakeshwar 78 Goutami (Godavari) Mahatmya, Naganath, Ghrishneshwar, Ellora 80 Kolhapur Lakshmi, Tuljapur Bhavani, Mahabaleshwar, Wavi, Pandaripura, Gokarna 84 DAKSHINA BHARATA KSHETRAS 88 Mangalore, Kasaragod, Dharmasthala, Subrahmanya Kshetra Harihar, Belur, Halebid, Jog Falls, Mookambika, Shringeri, Updupi, Shravanabelgole 89 Mysore, Shiva Samudra, Shri Ranga Pattana, Nanjengud, Melkote 92 Trichur, Guruvayur, Kaaladi, Tiruvantapuram, Tiruvattar, Janardana, Tripunittara 94 Sabarimala, Suchindram, Kanyakumari, Rameshvaram 99 Dhanushkodi, Darbha shayana, Devi pattana 106 Madurai, Sundararaja,Tiruppurukundam, Palamudicholai, Alagar Koil, ShivaKashi 107 Shrivillupuram, Shankaranarayana, Tenkashi , Kutralam, Tirunalvelli, Tiruchendur 109 Pilliarpatti, Bhairavapatti, Tirukoshtam 111 Chidambaram and nearby Kshetras and Tiruvayur 112 Kumbhakonam and Navagraha Kshetras nearby 114 Tanjavur, Trichi, Shri Rangam, Jambukeshwar, Swami malai, Palani, Tiruttani 118 Tiruvannamalai-Arunachala, Ramanashram, Pondicherry, Kanchipura Mahatmya 121 Chennai, Tiruvallur, Perambadur, Pakshitirtham, Mahabalipuram, Madurantakam 130 Shri Kalahasti and Tiruchanur, Venkatachala Mahatmya 133 Shrishaila Mallikarjuna, Lepakshi, Ahobila, Simhachala 139 Annavaram, Pithapuram, Ryali, Pancharamas, Rajamundry, Bhadrachalam 141 Mantralya, Basra, Vemulawada, Chirukur, Jogulamba,Yadagirigutta 144 Vijayawada Kanaka Durga, Paana Srisimha, Kuchipudi, Movva, Keera Pandaripura 146 Conclusion 147 Annexures-21 Ganesha Kshetras , 108 Shiva Kshetras , 108 Vishnu Sthanas, 108 Divya- 5 Sthalas, 12 focussed Devi Sthalas, Misc. and 51 Siddha & 42 Shraddha Kshetras 153 ESSENCE OF PRADHANA TIRTHA MAHIMA Mudaakaraatta modakam sadaa vimukti sadhakam, Kalaadharaavatamsakam vilaasi lokarakshakam/ Anaayakaika naayakam vinaashitebhadaityakam Nataashubhashu naashakam namaami tam Vinayakam/ (Ganesha Pancha Ratna: Adi Shankara) Satya Tirtham Kshama Tirtham Tirthamindriya Nigrahah, Sarva Bhuta Dayaatirtham Tithanaam Satya- vaaditaa/ Jnaana Tirtham Tapasteertham Kathitam Tirtha saptakam, Sarva Bhuta dayaa Tirtham Vishuddharmanaso bhavet/ Na toyapoota dehasya snaanamityabhidheeyate, Sa snaato yaya vai pumsaha suvishuddam mano matam/ (Skanda Purana Vaishnava Khanda Triteeyodhyaa Shri Ayodhyaa Mahasya) (There are seven Manasa Tirthas viz. Satya Tirtha representing Truthfulness, Kshama Tirtha or of Forbearance or Tolerance, Indriya Nigraha or Self Control, Sarva Bhuta Daya or Kindness to all Beings in the Creation, Satyavadi Titha or Total Righteousness and Virtue, Jnaana Tirtha or the Symbol of Knowledge and Awareness of Almighty and Tapo Tirtha or of Deep Meditation and Introspection. Mere „Bahya Shuchi‟ or Physical Cleanliness is not termed as complete but „Antassuchi‟or Purity of Heart and Mind are prerequistes of „Shuddha Snaana‟which Tirtha is all about) Introduction The length and breadth of the oriental form of „Akhanda Bharata Varsha‟ is dotted by evey inch of the Sacred Land with Tirthas. In reference to the above Stanza about the Manasa Tirthas, the basic qualifications are: Daanam Tirtham Damastirtham Santoshastirthamuchyate, Brahmacharyam Param Tirtham Tirthamcha Priyavaaditaa/ Jnaanam Tirtham Dhutistirtham Tapastirthamudaahyatam, Tirthaanaamapi tattirtham Tapastirtha mudaahyatam, Tirthaamaapi tatthirtham vishurddhir manasah paraa/ (Daana or Charity, Mano Samyama or Mental Control, Santosha or of Being Happy, Brahmacharya or Practice of Celibacy, and Priya Vaadita or of Pleasant Mode of Endearment are the prerequisites of Tirtha Darshana; indeed, Jnaana, Dhairya, Tapas, Antahkaana Shuddi and Adhyatmika Swarupa are all denoted as Tirthas by themselves). Padma Purana recommends of the Shastriya Vidhana or the formal manner in which Tirtha Yatras be undertaken as follows: Vairagyam janayet purvam kalaartaadi kutumbake, Astya bhutam tatjnaatwaa Harim tu manasaa smaret/ Koshan maatram tato gatwaa Rama Rameti cha bruvan, Tarta Tirtaadishu snatwaa khsouram kuryaad vidhanavit/ Manushyaa- naam cha papaani teerthaani prati gacchataam, Keshamaashritya tishthanti tasmaadwapanam chatet/ Tato dandam tu nirgandhim kamandalumathaaginam, Vibhruyaallobha nirmuktah tirtha vesha dharo nara/ Vidhinaa gacchataam nrinaam phalaavaaptirvishesatah, Tasmat Sarvaprayatnena tirtha yatraa- vidhim charet/ Yasya hastou cha paadoucha manaschaiva susamyatam, Vidyaa tapascha keertischa sa titrha phalam ashrute, pratigrahaadupaa vruttolaghvaahaaro jitendriyah/ Nishpaapas tirtha yaati tu sarva yagna phalam labhet, Anuposhya tri raatrinaa tirthaanyabhi gamyacha/ Adatvaa kaanchanam gaouschaa daridro naama jaayate, Tirtthaabhi gamane tatsyaadyhagjnaashyate phalam/ Agni Purana in Tirtha Yatra Mahatmya states: ( If only one‟s hands, feet and mind are self controlled by way of the hands being utilised for Bhagavan‟s worship and service, feet engaged in visiting Tirthas with faith and 6 dedication, and mind targetted exclusively on that Supreme, that particular Being would derive maximum advantage from Titha Seva.That person‟s vidya or learning, Tapasya or strength of dedication, and wide fame are well recognised and should be able to reap the fruits of performing Yagnas. That person who had not performed fasts three nights, nor gave away charity of gold and cows, nor even undertaken Tirtha Yatras ouaght be considered as a „daridra‟ or a useless pauper) Adambhako niraarambho laghvaahaaro jitendriyah, Vimuktah sarvasangaih