4. holy Sidhbali Temple - KOTDWAR

•  Sidhbali temple is located on the banks of khoh river in kotdwara. It is a historic temple dedicated to lord Hanuman. In the name sidhbali Sidh means ascetic and bali means valour. Sidhbali temple is the place of faith and devotion for many great saints (Sidh). Sidhbali temple is also a sacred pilgrimage for Nath community because guru Gorakhnath, the Nath Guru meditated here for several years. Kotdwar Sidhbali Dham is one of the 84 peethas. It is said that Lord Hnauman have given Guru Gorakhnath darshan here.  The temple is  situated on the small hill on the banks   of the Garahwali  Khoh river. Sidhbali temple is the most famous place to visit in Kotdwara. 

Over many years, the spirituality of the location has drawn many sadhus and saints to do Tapas. On this hilltop where Sidhbali temple is situated, one such saint tapas to Sri Hanuman and achieve self- realization. Over the times, two natural pindis was discovered by the devotees one is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and other one is dedicated to Guru Shri Gorakhnath. As the result the area became known as Siddha+Bali=Sidhbali.

In the past, A famous incident occurred at this holy place, support the fact that this place is sacred. A Muslim officer on the duty of British government was passing through this holy sight on his way to somewhere. He passed out here and was instructed and given direction to build a temple  with the two sacred pindi. He informed those around him of the direction. As a result Sidhbali temple is build.

Jolly grant airport is the nearest Airport to Kotdwar situated at a distance of 110 km. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Kotdwar.

Kotdwar is well connected by railways with major cities of India. Kotdwar Station is the nearest railway station to the temple which is 2km away.

Kotdwar is well connected with roads to major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Kotdwar from Delhi are easily available. Kotdwar is well connected with National Highway 119.

Opening & Closing Timing of Sidhbali Temple: 

Sidhbali Temple opens from 5:00 AM-2:00 PM. It then opens from 3:00 PM-8:00 PM.

Aarti Timings at Sidhbali Temple: The morning aarti takes place at 5:00 AM. At 6:30 PM in the evening, aarti starts.

• THE STORY BEHIND KHATU SHYAM JI TEMPLE, RAJASTHAN
  According to Hindu mythology, before the battle of Mahabharata began, the prowess of Barbarika was said to be unmatched. He had decided to favour the weaker side so he could remain just, a decision which would have resulted in the complete annihilation of both sides, leaving only Barbarika as the sole survivor. It is said that Shree Krishna, to avoid such devastating results, asked Barbarika for his head (sheesh daan), to which he readily agreed. Shree Krishna was extremely happy with the devotion shown to him, and by the great sacrifice of Barbarika that he granted him a boon, according to which Barbarika would be known by Krishna’s own name, Shyam Ji in the kaliyug (present times) and would be worshipped in his own form.

• BUILDING THE KHATU SHYAM MANDIR IN RAJASTHAN
  After the battle, Shree Krishna blessed Barbarika’s head and drowned it in the Rupawati River. Once the kaliyug began, the head was found buried in the village of Khatu in Rajasthan, at a location that was unseen until the kaliyug began. It was when a cow was crossing the burial point that her udders started spouting milk spontaneously. Surprised villagers dug the place and that was when the buried head was revealed. Roopsingh Chauhan, the then-king of Khatu, had a dream where he was asked to install the head inside a temple. This was when the temple was built and the head installed inside it.

• THE TIMINGS OF THE TEMPLE FOR KHATU SHYAM JI IN RAJASTHAN
  Winters: The temple is open from 5.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm
  Summers: The temple is open from 4.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm

• THE ARCHITECTURAL PROWESS OF KHATU SHYAM MANDIR
  Built with white marble, the temple is truly an architectural wonder. Apart from being a popular destination amongst devotees, many people visit the temple to gaze with wonder at the beauty of the structure. The large prayer hall is named Jagmohan and is surrounded by walls that depict elaborately painted mythological scenes. While the entrance and exit gates are made of marble, with marble brackets that feature ornamental floral designs, the shutters of the sanctum sanctorum are covered with a beautiful silver sheet that adds to the grandeur of the temple.

• THE AARTIS PERFORMED AT THE KHATU SHYAM MANDIR
  There are 5 aartis that are performed daily at the Khatu Shyam Ji mandir.
  Mangala Aarti: This is performed early in the morning when the temple opens its gates to the devotees.
  Shringaar Aarti: As the name suggests, this is the time when the Khatu Shyam Ji’s idol is grandly ornamented, accompanied by an aarti.
  Bhog Aarti: The third aarti of the day, it is performed at noon when bhog or prasadam is served to the lord.
  Sandhya Aarti: This aarti is performed in the evening, at the time of the sunset.
  Sayana Aarti: Before the temple is closed for the night, sayana aarti is performed.
  There are two special hymns that are chanted at all these times. These are the Shri Shyam Aarti and the Shri Shyam Vinati.

 About the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Mathura

Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, also known as Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, is centred on the prison cell where Lord Krishna's parents, Mata Devaki and Vasudeva, were imprisoned by his wicked uncle Kansa.

Aside from the prison cell, the Krishna Janmasthan Temple contains other temples devoted to the god. The holy ambience and purity of the temple infuse the heart with confidence that this is the spot where Lord Krishna revealed himself.

#Note: Cameras aren't allowed due to security purposes. Most Mathura temples prohibit cell phones and cameras, therefore try to avoid them when visiting any temple.

Krishna Janmabhoomi holds a special place in the hearts and souls of Hindus since it is Lord Krishna's birthplace. The tyrant King Kansa, Krishna's maternal uncle, ruled Mathura during his birth.

 According to legend, Akashvaani (a heavenly declaration) foretold Kansa's death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child.

In response to the announcement, he imprisoned Shri Vasudeva and Mata Devaki and arranged for the murder of all of her children. However, Devaki gave birth to Lord Krishna at midnight during her eighth month of pregnancy. All of the jail doors were left open that night due to a miracle performed by Lord Vishnu. Vasudeva brought the infant in a basket over the Yamuna after his birth.

      Summer     

 5:00 am to 12:00 pm Noon & 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Winter

5:30 am to 12:00 pm Noon & 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Mangal Aarti  5:30 am

Makhan Bhog  8:00 am

Sandhya Aarti  6:00 pm
 

• The Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple was built nearly 5000 years ago by Vajranabha, Krishna's great-grandson.
• Then, around 400 AD, under the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya, it was reconstructed.
• Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed it in 1017 AD.
• Raja Dhurpet Dev Janjua, the Emperor of Mathura, built the temple for the third time in 1150 AD.
• It was demolished in the 16th century by Sikandar Lodi, Sultanate of Delhi.
• Raja Veer Singh Bundela restored it with INR 3.3 million 125 years later, during the reign of Jahangir.
• In 1669 AD, Aurangzeb demolished it once more and replaced it with a masjid.
• When Britishers took over the city of Mathura in 1815, the temple area was auctioned off.
• On February 21, 1951, late Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya took the initiative to rebuild the temple by founding the 'Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi Trust.'

  The Vaishno Devi Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Vaishno Devi located in Katra at the Trikuta Mountains within the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Durga, who is worshipped as Vaishno Devi.

Pilgrims travel from the city of Jammu  to the village of Katra which is well connected by helicopter, rail and road. From Katra, starts the uphill journey to the Vaishno Devi Temple on foot. While on the way near the Trikuta mountain is the Banganga River. It is said that Vaishno Devi shot an arrow at the ground and brought forth the Ganga river to quench Hanuman's thirst. After Hanuman disappeared, Vaishno Devi washed her hair in the water. The Banganga river is also known as the Balganga river, since "Bal" means hair and "Ganga" is synonymous with the Holy Ganga river. Pilgrims must have a bath in the Banganga river to prove their purity. After Banganga is the Charan Paduka temple. Vaishno Devi stood on a rock to look at Bhairavnath before her escape and this rock supposedly contained her footprints. Her footprints are worshipped in this temple. After having a darshan of Charan Paduka, Pilgrims come across the Ardha Kunwari Temple. Vaishno Devi meditated in this cave for 9 months, just like how a baby stays in its mother's womb for 9 months, to escape Bhairav Nath. After having a darshan of Ardha Kunwari, the pilgrims go to the Bhairav Nath temple. It is said that after Vaishno Devi killed Bhairav Nath, Bhairav Nath realised his mistake and pleaded for forgiveness. Vaishno Devi blessed him by saying that if pilgrims did not have darshan of his head, their pilgrimage will not be fruitful. Pilgrims have a darshan of Bhairavnath's head after having Vaishno Devi's darshan at the Vaishno Devi's Temple, i.e. Bhavan. Pilgrims go inside the temple to have a darshan of the 3 pindikas (rocks) which represent Vaishno Devi.

According to Hindu beliefs, the original abode of Vaishno Devi was Ardha Kunwari, a place about halfway between Katra town and the cave. She meditated in the cave for 9 months just like how a baby stays in its mother's womb for 9 months.[6] It is said that when Bhairav Nath ran after Vaishno Devi to catch her. The Devi reached near a cave in the hill, she called up Hanuman and told him that "I would do penance in this cave for nine months, till then you should not allow Bhairav Nath to enter the cave." Hanuman obeyed the mother's orders. Bhairavnath was kept outside this cave and today this holy cave is known as 'Ardha Kunwari'.

Maa Vaishno Devi Yatra 33.9 Kms #47408 Steps #13 Hrs #Uphill #Darshan

1. Start your walk from the base camp in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The journey begins at the main entrance gate, which is also known as the Darshani Darwaza. we started at 5 am
2. After crossing the Darshani Darwaza, you will enter the main pathway that leads to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. The path is well-paved and marked with signs throughout the route.
3. The first checkpoint is Banganga, located approximately 1.5 kilometers from Katra. At Banganga, there is a small stream where you can take a dip and cleanse yourself before continuing the trek.
4. From Banganga, the path gradually ascends uphill. It is surrounded by scenic beauty, and there are various stalls and shops along the way where you can rest and buy refreshments.
5. After walking for about 2.5 kilometers from Banganga, you will reach Charan Paduka. This point is believed to have imprints of the Goddess' feet. Many pilgrims stop here to pay their respects.
6. Continuing further, the next checkpoint is Adhkuwari, which is around 6 kilometers from Banganga. Adhkuwari is known for the cave where it is believed that the Goddess meditated for nine months.
7. The path from Adhkuwari to Sanjichhat is approximately 3.5 kilometers long. Sanjichhat is a resting place where you can take a break and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
8.  Sanjichhat is approximately 9.5 kilometers from Banganga and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. 
9. From Sanjichhat, it is a final steep climb of about 4 kilometers to reach the Bhawan, the main shrine of Vaishno Devi. This part of the trek is known as the Bhawan Bhavan.
10. After reaching the Bhawan, offer your prayers and seek blessings from the Goddess. The Bhawan complex has various facilities like cloakrooms, restrooms, and food stalls.
11. All phones , belts , watches and bags needs to be submitted in the Locker Room . it would take approx 2-3 Hours to get a locker 
12.  After visiting the main shrine,  visit the Bhairon Temple, it is located about 2 kilometers uphill from the Bhawan. The path to Bhairon Temple is well-marked and offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
13. After completing your darshan and visiting the desired places, start your descent back to Katra following the same path you took while climbing.
14. The total walking distance from Katra to the Vaishno Devi Shrine and back is around 30 kilometers. 
15.  The entire trek can take anywhere from 10 to 14 hours, depending on your pace and breaks taken along the way. 
16.  It is recommended to start the trek early in the morning to avoid crowds and make the most of the day.