Indian Columbus

Rishikesh   nestled near Haridwar along the scenic banks of the Ganges river in Uttarakhand, India, stands as a venerable religious town. This ancient city boasts a myriad of travel attractions, including opportunities for rafting, hiking, heritage tours, temple visits, and riverside experiences. Today, our focus is on an exceptional temple, the Bara Manzil Temple, notable for its 12 floors. Positioned near the renowned Rishikesh landmark, Lakshman Jhula, this temple stands as a unique architectural marvel. Each of its 12 floors hosts a multitude of shrines, each enshrining various Hindu deities. Bara Manzil Temple is a divine repository, encompassing a comprehensive array of Hindu gods and goddesses. Intriguingly, each floor is dedicated to specific deities, offering a divine experience unparalleled in many other sacred sites. Prepare to encounter an enchanting journey as we delve into the details of the deities residing on every floor of this extraordinary Bara Manzil Templ...

Rishikesh,  nestled near Haridwar along the picturesque banks of the Ganges River in Uttarakhand, India, stands as a revered town with a rich tapestry of ancient history. Beyond its spiritual allure, the town boasts numerous travel attractions, including opportunities for rafting, hiking, heritage tours, visits to temples, and experiences along the river. In this article, we delve into an integral site—Sivananda Ashram. Sivananda Ashram, established by Swami Sivananda Saraswati in 1936 CE, graces the outskirts of Rishikesh, resting peacefully on the banks of the sacred Ganga. Swami Sivananda, a distinguished Hindu spiritual leader and Yoga Guru, hailed from the southern part of India and dedicated a significant portion of his life to Rishikesh. Today, Sivananda Ashram serves as a sanctuary for devotees seeking training and practice in Yoga, offering cottages for those immersed in spiritual pursuits. Nestled in a serene locale, the ashram provides a divine ambiance, surrounded...

Nestled near Haridwar, along the enchanting banks of the Ganges River in Uttarakhand,  Rishikesh   stands as a revered religious town. This ancient city unfolds a tapestry of travel attractions, including rafting, hiking, heritage tours, temples, and the majestic river. Today, let's embark on a journey to explore a unique temple dedicated to Dhruv Rishi. Dhruva, the son of King Uttanapada, faced adversity at a tender age when his stepmother denied him a place on his father's lap, claiming it could only be granted by God. Driven by determination, the young boy ventured into the deep forest, where Sage Narada imparted to him a sacred mantra. Reciting it with unwavering devotion, Dhruva earned the divine vision of Lord Vishnu. Claiming historical roots, the not-so-old yet esteemed temple near Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh asserts that Dhruva conducted his penance on this sacred site. While the temple may not boast intricate artistic beauty, its rarity is undeniable. Within...

Site Name:   Adi Badri Site Type:  Ancient Hindu temple Location:   Near Karnaprayag, Uttarakhand state, India Highlights:   Gupta period temples Nearest Railway Station:   Rishikesh Nearest Airport:  Dehraduns How to reach:  Reachable on road from Karnaprayag, which is at a distance of around 17 kms Climate:  Sep to Nov - winter; Dec to Mar - snow bound; the other months are pleasant Best time to visit:  May - Oct Clothing:  Light woolen in summer; heavy woolen in winter Hotel:  Mid-range to star hotels are available in the nearby hill stations; people stay right from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund  Restaurants:  In Karnaprayag - vegetarian option alone If you live in India, it is unlikely that you would not have heard about  Kedarnath  or  Badrinath . They are two of the  most popular pilgrimages for Hindus. It is located on the Himalayas in Uttarakhand state of India. Aro...

Site Name:   Mana Site Type:  Pilgrimage, Trekking Location:   Near Badrinath, Uttarakhand state, India Highlights:   The last village of India Nearest Railway Station:   Rishikesh Nearest Airport:  Dehradun - around 320 kms from  Badrinath How to reach:  Badrinath is connected by road from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon hills; it is  motor-able  till the temple unlike Kedarnath where trekking is needed Climate:  Sep to Nov - winter; Dec to Mar - snow bound; the other months are pleasant Best time to visit:  May - Oct Clothing:  Light woolen in summer; heavy woolen in winter Hotel:  Mid-range to star hotels are available in the nearby hill stations; people stay right from Rudraprayag to Badrinath to visit the site Restaurants:  Vegetarian option alone If you live in India, it is unlikely that you would not have heard about...

Site Name:   Badrinath Site Type:  Pilgrimage for Hindus Location:   Uttarakhand state, India Highlights:   An ancient temple located on the Himalayas; One of the 108 Divya Desam temples; One of the Char Dham temples Nearest Railway Station:   Rishikesh Nearest Airport:  Dehradun - around 320 kms from  Badrinath How to reach:  Badrinath is connected by road from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon hills; it is  motor-able  till the temple unlike Kedarnath where trekking is needed Climate:  Sep to Nov - winter; Dec to Mar - snow bound; the other months are pleasant Best time to visit:  May - Oct Clothing:  Light woolen in summer; heavy woolen in winter Hotel:  Mid-range to star hotels are available in the nearby hill stations; people stay right from Rudraprayag to Badrinath to visit the site Restaurants:  Vegetarian option alone I...

Site Name:   Vridha Badri Site Type:  Ancient Hindu temple Location:   Near Joshimath, Uttarakhand state, India Highlights:   Lord Badrinath in the form of an old man Nearest Railway Station:   Rishikesh, around 250 kms Nearest Airport:  Dehradun, around 265 kms How to reach:  Reachable on road from Joshimath, which is at a distance of around 7 kms Climate:  Sep to Nov - winter; Dec to Mar - snow bound; the other months are pleasant Best time to visit:  May - Oct Clothing:  Light woolen in summer; heavy woolen in winter Hotel:  Mid-range to star hotels are available in the nearby hill stations; people stay right from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund  Restaurants:  In Joshimath - vegetarian option alone If you live in India, it is unlikely that you would not have heard about  Kedarnath  or  Badrinath . They are two of the  most popular pilgrimages for Hindus. It is located on th...