Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan

Location

Rani Sati temple is located in Jhunjhunu, a district town in Rajasthan. The temple is dedicated to Sati Devi (Dadi maa), also known as Narayani Devi and referred as Dadi Ji.

Goddess Sati is worshipped for its Sati Power and devotees belief on miracles to remove the trouble in one’s life. The devotees from every corners of India and abroad come here to worship. There is no statue inside the temple, only the trident (Trishul in Hindi) depicting power and force is worshiped religiously by the devotees.

[ Main Temple ]

[ 12 Other Sati Mata Temple ]

The followers of Rani Sati Dadi are mainly Marwari Agrawal Samaj living in Rajasthan or any where else in India or abroad. They have firm belief that Dadi Ji is incarnation (Awatar ) of Maa Durga. 

Meaning of Sati

Sati literally means, one who believe in Truth and loyalty and stand on it in any difficult circumstances.. Rani Sati was the example of it.

Sati is always a married woman. When the husband of married woman died or killed in fight, the woman set ablaze herself along with the cremation of her husband. It is believed that the fire grows spontaneously which comes by the power of Sati and the woman glorifies as Goddess. What ever it may be, there is no clarification about it.

Many organization during the British period and also after independence opposes Satipratha and tried to ban it. But the belief was so strong that it could not be banned.

There are in all 13 sati temple in which 12 are smaller and one main temple is dedicated to Rani Sati.

Story behind the Temple

Rani Sati, as known was a young lady of 17 yrs of the village Dokwa in Rajasthan. She was the daughter of Gurusamal by caste Bania (a merchant). Her name in childhood was Narayani Devi. She got married to the son of Jaliram named Tandhan Das of Hissar.

Tandhan Das had a beautiful white horse ( female horse ). Nawab of Hissar eyed his mare and wanted to take it from him at any cost. But Tandhan Das refused to hand over that mare to him. Then Nawab decided to take it from him by force. During a confrontation Tandhan Das killed by the Nawab. Only Narayani Devi and her faithful servant named Rana ( care taker of the mare ) survived in the confrontation.

Then, Narayani Devi told Rana ji to make immediate arrangements for her to set ablaze along with her husband 's cremation. Thus Narayani Devi cremated her self by spontaneously appearance of fire by the power of her Satitwa.

Rana ji played a vital role in fulfilling her desire to become SATI. Before the cremation Narayani Devi blessed Rana ji that his name will be taken before her name and worshiped.She also directed to carry the ashes of both on the horse and where the horse stops, construct a temple there in her memory.

In this way the name of Sati is called Rani Sati by the devotees.The events leading to her death vary widely in between 1215 -1595 AD. In some retelling the incident is believed to be of 14 th century.

An another legend relates the history to the time of Mahabharat. When Abhimanyu (the son of Arjun ) lost his life while fighting the battle of Mahabharat.  At that time his wife Uttara was pregnant and wished to end her life with her husband to become Sati.

But Lord Krishna stopped her from doing so. Since she was very much adamant of doing so. Lord Krishna wanted to save the life of the child who was going to take birth in a very short time. Lord Krishna blessed her with a boon that her desire to become Sati will be fulfilled in her next birth.

After many years Uttara was reborn as Narayani Devi and Abhimanyu as Tandhan Das.

About the Temple

The temple was inaugurated in 1912 with a simple construction. Construction of larger complex started in 1936. As of today the temple complex is very large and beautiful having enough space and rooms to stay comfortably.

It is a multistoried structure, a main hall made of marble and dual courtyard surrounded by rooms that can house up to 300 pilgrims. Perhaps the oldest Rani Sati temple outside Jhunjhunu dates to 1837 and is located in Kakurgachhi, Kolkata.

There are also many other temples located in major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad Varanasi, Delhi as well as in Rangoon, Sigapore, Hongkong, Japan and US.

Administration and Management

The temple is managed by Marwari Temple Board Kolkata by the donation from the devotees. The income of the temple from donation is supposed to be second in India after Tirupati Balaji.

Festivals

A sacred Pujanotsava is organised on the Hindi month Bhadon Amavasya ( no moon day) in which a large gathering is witnessed.

Millions of devotees from every corner of India and abroad stand in queue from early morning to take a majestic glimpse of Rani Sati Dadi ji.

On this day people sings lots of Bhjans, kirtans and read Sati chalisa and at last ends the puja ceremony with Aarti of Dadi Ji.

Facilities

1. There are many rooms available for comfortable stay within the temple campus. One can book   rooms in advance by calling on phone – 01592 – 232755, 232020, 230001, 230002. 
2. Toilets and bathrooms. 
3. Shops for prasadam and other items photos, toys, and books related to Rani Sati Dadi. 
4. Small restaurants for breakfast ,refreshments , cold drinks are inside the campus. 
5. Drinking water 

Places to Visit nearby

• Khetri Mahal
• Bihari ji Temple
• Haveli of Modis and Tibrewal
• Metani baorhi a step well
• Kamruddinsah Dargah

All these places are nearby Jhunjhunu. The devotees coming here generally include a trip to Salasar Balaji, a famous Lord hanuman temple in Rajasthan.

How to Reach

By road

It is advised to hire a car and reach Jhunjhunu by road. It is a five hours journey covering a distance of 240 km. Jaipur is 180 km away from Jhunjhunu.

By rail

No proper railway route for Jhujhunu. Road is the best option. all though one can reach Jhunjhunu in six hours by mail or express train but the timings may not suit according to choice.

By air

Nearest airport is Jaipur and Delhi.

Video (Aarti)

Dakshinshwar Kali Temple, Dakshineshwar, Kolkata, India

Dakshinshwar Kali Temple, Dakshineshwar, Kolkata, India

Location

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple is located at Dakshineshwar, a suburban area near Kolkata on the eastern bank of Hoogly river.

[ Dakshineshwar Kali Temple ]

[ Dakshineshwar Kali Temple in Night ]

The idol inside the temple is called Bhavtarini form of Mata Kali. Bhavtarini literally means who liberates her devotees from re birth law of Mother Nature ie Moksha.

Shumbha and Nishumbha were the two demons, so strong that the Gods were defeated in battle with them. Gods were driven out of the heaven. They then, jointly prayed Mata Adyashakti to save them from the demons.

At this, a Devi came out of the body of Adyashakti and named as Koushiki. Devi appeared form her body was black in colour and known as Mata Kali.

Kali is among one of the Ten Vidyas as stated in Hindu holy books. She wears tiger skin. She plays with Mahakal so she is named as Mahakali,.having a terrible face and at the same time calm and benefactress of the world.

The temple was built by Rani Rasmoni, a great devotee of Maa Kali and famous philanthropist in 1855 AD. The temple is famous for its association with Ramkrishna Paramhansa, a famous devotee of Maa Kali. He was a man of spiritual, religious and mystic power by the grace of Maa Kali.

About Rasmoni Devi, the founder

Rani Rasmoni was the founder of the temple. She was a well known personality, for her social, religious and philanthropic activities. She was by caste Mahishya (Sudra). but a dynamic lady of her time. she also had the quality of a good and generous administrator, who took over the charge of enormous estate after the death of her husband. People loved her daring and fighting attitude against the stringent British laws.

[ Ramkrishna Ghat on Hoogly River ]

In the year 1847, when she was prepared to go on a pilgrimage to holy city Varanasi to express her devotion to the Divine Mother (Maa Kali). On the night before the pilgrimage  Rasmoni had a dream of the De vine Mother Kali, who told : -- 

There is no need to go anywhere. Come, construct, and installed my statue in a beautiful temple

on the bank of holy Ganga and arrange for my worship there. I shall be there in my

image and accept worship of my devotees.

As directed in the dream, Rasmoni immediately started searching land for the temple. A plot of 20 acres of land was for sale. She purchased the land and started construction of temple. In 1855 AD the construction of the temple was completed.

On SNAAN YATRA day, 31 May 1855, a beautifull statue of Goddess Kali,  installed amid festivities at the temple.

Formerly Maa Kali was known as Sri Sri Jagdishwari Mahakali. More than one lac Brahmins were invited in the inauguration of the temple from every corner of the country.

Ramkumar Chattopadhyay was appointed as the Head priest of the temple. But unfortunately Ramkumar died after one year and the post of head priest was given to his younger brother Gadai or Gadadhar ( later on known as Ramkrishna) along with his wife Sardamoni Devi

Rani Rasmoni survived only for five years and nine months after the inauguration of the temple. Before her death, Rasmoni gifted her property to the temple trust, being used for the maintenance of the temple in future.

About the Temple complex

Lord Shiva Temple

The temple complex is very large in size. There are 12 Shiva temples inside the campus and all are identical perhaps, representing Dwadas Jyotirlinga. The temple architect is Aat Chala style ( having eight roofs ) of  Bengali culture. All the 12 Shivlingas inside the temples are made of black stone.

The series of temples are divided by river bank, keeping six temples on each side.. Prayers and rituals are offered daily. It is said, Shri Ramkrishna meditated here to achieve enlightenment.

Vishnu Temple

Lord Vishnu temple is situated to the north east side of the complex in which a small and beautiful statue of Lord Krishna and Radha are installed on a silver throne.

About Ramkrishna Paramhansa

Sri Ramkrishna was born on 17 / 02 / 1836 in Kamarpukur, Hoogly. He was the fourth child of his parents. His nickname was Gadadhar. From the very childhood he had an unusual memory and keen interest in Hindu mythology. After the death of his elder brother - Ramkumar he took the charge of head priest of the temple

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At the age of 23 in May1859 he married Shardamoni of Jairambati. But soon after his marriage, he took SANYASA under the  Sage Totapuri who guided him in finding the truth of life. His quest for truth started with meditation of Maa Bhairavi.

During meditation he often went to Bhavsamadhi having no sense of the earthly world. He started Adityasadhna in which he realized the existence of God. He worshipped Sardamoni in the same way as he worshipped Mother Goddess. By his spiritual influence,.many famous and scholar persons of Bengal became his  disciples. One of them was Narendranath.

Narendranath was one of his dearest disciple, with whom he developed a strange theological relation. He taught Naren about the truth of life by letting him see a Holy spirit. Later on, he was known as Swami Vivekanand who spread the teachings of Ramkrishna Paramhansa to the world. During a celebration at Kashipur Garden in Kolkata, some of his disciples accidentally touched by him felt an unearthly feelings and some became speechless and went to the state of Samadhi. The great devotee and preacher passed away in 16 August 1886.

Places to Visit Nearby

Gaji Tala

Gaji Pukur is a pond situated to the east of the temple. North east to this pond is Gaji Tala, a place where Ramkrishna explored Islam. Very close to this place is a Peepal tree. Rani Rasmoni did not disturbed this place and marked it as the place, where Hindu and Muslims together came to offer prayers. Today it is being maintained by Debottar Estate.

Kuthi Bari

Towards north of Ganga is Khuti Bari, originally built by Lord Hastings. It was the temporary reseidence where  Rani Rasmoni and their spouse came to worship  Dakshineshwar temple from 1855 – 1870.  Ground floor rooms were the residence of Sri Ramkrishna.  Today it is being utilised as a police camp, deployed for the safety of the visitors.

Nahabat Khana

Nahabat means an assortment of musical instruments and khana means the house. In the ancient time, the instruments were played by the musicians.

Chadni

Chadni is the river bank of Ganga. It is the place, where the Vedantic Guru Tota puri had achieved enlightenment..

Nat Mandir

It is an open hall constructed on 16 pillars, served the purpose of many religious programs In the year 1864, Annomeru Utsava was celebrated by Mathur Mohan Biswas. Various religious songs like Chandigaan, Jatragaan, Bhajan Kirtan, Matri Sangeeet were held here.

Room of Ramkrishna

Inn the temple complex, there is a room of Shri Ramkrishna where he resided for 14 years, till the end of his life. Today it is the place where the articles used by Sri Ramkrishna are now exhibited. The preacher having holy Ganga Jal in his room is still found in its place.

Bakul Tala

Bakul Tala is the name of a Ganga Ghat where Maa Sardamoni used to take her bath. This was the place where Tantra Sadhna Guru Bhairavi Brahmani Yogeshwari Devi teaches Tantra Vidya to Sri Ramkrishna..

Panchabati

It is the place, where Sri Ramkrishna planted five trees namely Peepal,Neem, Amlaki, Banyan, and Wood Apple. Soil from Radhakund and Shyamkund was brought here to plant these trees. It was the place of meditation for Sri Ramkrishna and.a hut was built for this purpose, which later on rebuilt and named as Shanti Kutir. Rituals and Pujas are performed here everyday.

Festivals

Every year on 1st January Kalptaru Day is celebrated in which Devotees from all over the country gathers in large numbers.

It is an annual religious festival observed by the Monks of Ramkrishna Math. The followers of  Ramkrishna Mission and Vedanta societies took part in this celebration.

How to Reach

Kolkata is one of the Metro city of India and well connected by every means of transport. Reach Kolkata and hire a taxi and reach Dakshineshwar.

This is a historical as well as the place from where the personality like Swami Vivekanand came out must be visited.

Video (Aarti)

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, Kavi - Kambol, Bharuch, Gujrat, India.

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, Kavi – Kambol, Bharuch, Gujrat, India.

Stambheshwar Mahadev temple is located in the village Kavi – Kambol in district Bharuch in the state of Gujrat. It is situated on the holy place of Mahisagar Sangm Tirth on a picturesque beach along Gujrat coast. The place is the betwixt of Arabian sea and the bay of khambhat. 

A unique feature of this place is the union of the Mahisagar and the Sabarmati ruver.

[ Submerging Stambheshwar Temple During High Tides ]

[Shivlingam]

The architect of the temple is very simple and is built on pillars (stambha), a little above the ground. It is a 150 yrs old temple having a 4 ft high Shivalingam. As the temple is mainly supported on pillars, hence called ‘Stambheshwar Mahadev.'

The people visiting the temple are blessed by Lord Shiva removing all the troubles in life.

In Skand Purana (one of the eighteen Hindu Purana ), the importance of this temple is mentioned in detail. According to it, visiting the temple and praying Lord Shiva fulfills all the desires of the devotees

Legend/history of the temple

According to Hindu mythology Kartikeya (son of Lord Shiva ) killed the demon Tarkasur. After slaying Tarkasur, Kartikeya himself was saddened by his act.

He then asked Gods that I regret for having killed Tarkasur because he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Then Lord Vishnu consoled him – ‘Killing a demon who nourishes himself on the blood of innocent people is not a sinful deed. But still you feel guilty, the best way to atone for your sin is to install Lingam and meditate deeply.

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Then, Kartikeya installed three Shivlingas at different places on the earth with proper rituals in presence of Mata Parwati and other Gods. 

Stambheshwar is among one of them and the others are Kapaleshwar, Pratigyaeshwar and,Kumareshwar. After installation of Lingams, Kartikeya worshipped and prayed Lord Shiva so that Tarkasur’s soul rested in peace. This way, Kartikeya was absolved of his sin.

The Temple is unique one why

In Hindu belief, sea is Sea God and is an important part of the Mother Nature. And this Mother Nature do Jalabhishek (pouring water) of Lord Shiva every day.

It is a awesome view when the temple disappears in the shimmering waves of the Arabian sea. The temple is unique in the sense that during high tides the temple gets totally submerged in to the sea and emerged inch by inch when the tides starts getting low unveiling the 4 ft high Shivlingam

This is the only temple in India which is known as Disappearing Temple of Lord Shiva.

Visiting Plan of the Temple

Visiting to this temple should be planned in this way that the whole process of disappearing and reappearing of the temple from the sea can be watched. For this it is ideal to plan the trip for at least one day and night.

Better to reach the temple in early morning when the tides are in low intensity and the temple is out of the sea. Generally the visitors go inside the temple and worship Lord Shiva and enjoy the quiet, peaceful and beautiful surrounding of the temple.

It appears as the Mother nature is playing hide and seek with the Lord Shiva. The sound waves of the sea crashing on the shore creates a sense of harmony which restores positive energy the devotees feel blessed.

After visiting the temple, take lunch in the nearby restaurant which is about half km walk from the temple. 

Free meals are also made available by the Ashram Management of the temple. After lunch return to watch the spectacular moment of disappearing temple.

When in Gujrat, a visit to the temple should totally be on the cards. An experience of visiting this sight is sure to stay in your memory for years to come.

The scenic beauty of the place with its religious prominence pulls a lot of visitors to this place.

How to Reach

Stambeshwar Mahadev temple is in total 83 km from Varodara town in Gujrat. One can hire a taxi or by own car start for Jambusar taluka which is 53 km after that move 30 km for Kavi – Kambol.

Where to Stay

At the temple site there is a Ashram where one can stay at night.

Note ;-- If you would like to have lunch or dinner in the ashram of the temple you can contact Mr Pinakin or the Maharaj there on phone no 02644 - 230501. they will prepare rice and dal chury for you.they do not charge for it. you can donate any amount as you wish. Advance arrangement is also possible on prior information on the above telephone number.

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