Shri Shirdi Sai speaks-2nd Nov/Panch Kedar Yatra [Contd kedar yatra]

[Guest guest]

Om Sai Ram !Om Ganeshaya Namaha!

Jai Maata di!Om Nama Shivaya!

If for some reason you are not able to see , or download the below pictures or

click to the below links and pictures- Plz go to http://debu7370.blogspot.com/

You can also have access to all the previous Shirdi Sai speaks mails at the

above link.And if any of you would like to receive these messages directly to

your mailbox everyday--

Click Here to Subscribe to Sai Picture Gallery via Email

 

Panch Kedar (Sanskrit: पंचकेदार) refers to five Hindu temples

or holy places of the Shaivite sect dedicated to god Shiva. They are located in

the Garhwa Himalayan region in Uttarakhand, India. They are the subject of many

legends that directly link their creation to Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu

epic Mahabharata

The five temples designated in the strict pecking order to be followed for

pilgrimage for worship are the Kedarnath (Sanskrit: केदारनाथ) at

an altitude of 3,583 m (11,760 ft), the Tungnath (तà¥à¤‚गनाथ)(3,680

m/12,100 ft), Rudranath (रà¥à¤¦à¥à¤°à¤¨à¤¾à¤¥) (2,286 m/7,500 ft),

Madhyamaheshwar (मधà¥à¤¯à¤®à¤¹à¥‡à¤¶à¥à¤µà¤°) or Madmaheshwar (3,490

m/11,500 ft) and Kalpeshwar (कलà¥à¤ªà¥‡à¤¶à¥à¤µà¤°) (2,200 m/7,200 ft).

Kedarnath – 1st Panch Kedar

Kedarnath, at the head of the Mandakini River, is amongst the holiest

pilgrimages for the devout Hindu. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has

been continually renovated over the centuries. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike

its usual form, is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Situated at an altitude of 3,581 mts. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva the

protector and the destroyer. Shiva, is considered the embodiment of all

passions-love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism that are expressed through his

various forms

Kalpa Vriksha (Jyotir Math) - wish fulfilling tree of this age. The first

Shankaracharya (Adhi Shankara) attained enlightenment under this tree at the age

of 16 Valley of flowers Trishul Nandi Devi (7816 meters) Chaukamba Devi

Rudraprayag BhagirathiTungnath - 2nd Panch Kedar [ On the way to Tungnath

temple] Set on the crest of a hill at an altitude of 3,886 meters, Tungnath is

the highest temple in India. Legend has it that the arm of Shiva appeared here.

Ravana, of the Ramayana, is said to have performed penance at this temple to

propitiate Shiva. The high altitude temple is a Seat of Swyambhu Linga or the

Lord Shiva Incarnate. The temple, one of the Panchakedars or one of the five

Shiva temples, is situated in Chamoli district of the Uttarakhand region. Final

steps to reach the Tungstan temple Rear view of the Tungnath temple The

mythology has it that Lord Shiva was enraged at the act of homicide enacted by

the Pandavas by killing their brethren in

the grand battle of Mahabharata. Aware of Shiva's annoyance, the Pandavas built

the temple to please Lord Shiva and for their own salvation. Others claim that

the Adi Shankaracharya during his historic visit to the region had got it built.

They cite the presence of Adi Shankaracharya's image in the garbha-griha or the

sanctum of the temple. However, it also houses images of the Pandavas. Besides,

the ashtadhatu images of Kaal Bhairava and Veda Vyasa are among the multitude of

images there. A dark left-tilting one-foot high linga is the centre of

attraction. The locals describe it as an arm of Lord Shiva. The arm of Lord

Shiva is also associated with a legend. Tunganath Temple at 12,400 Ft Other

temples Built of stone, this temple is a fine model of ancient architecture.

Facing the gate of the temple is Nandi, the Divine Bull and Shiva's vehicle.

There are two smaller temples dedicated to Parvati and Vyas in a small

courtyard. The temple of Tungnath, at

a little over 12, 000 feet, is the highest shrine on the inner Himalayan range.

It lies just below the Chandrashila peak My Heartfelt pranams to Lord Shiva in

Tungnath temple Path to Rudranath Temple-14 300 Ft

 

Rudranath – 3rd Pancha Kedar The face of Lord Shiva is worshipped at

Rudranath temple in a natural rock temple as Neelkantha Mahadeva. Lord Shiva is

worshipped here as Neelkantha. The temple is situated amid thick forest at a

height 2286 mtrs. From Gopeshwar 4 kms drivable road is available upto village

Sagar from where 20 kms. trek leads to Rudranath and can be approached from

Joshimath as well, by trekking about 45 kms. The temple provides magnificent

view of Hathi Parvat , Nandadevi, NandaGhunti, Trishuli and many other. There

are numbers of holy Kunds (Tanks) near Rudranath temple namely Suryakund,

Chandrakund, Tarakund etc. The Baitarini, the divine river flows pass behind the

temple. Anusuya Devi temple is located on the trek to Rudranath involving an

additional trek of 3km. Rudranath shrine : This is the only temple in India

where the image of Shiva is worshipped as a symbol of his face, a sublime,

tender aspect of Shiva, unusual, serene and

beautiful indeed to behold.Devotees come to Rudranath to offer ritual obeisance

to their ancestors, for it is here, at Vaitarani river (the water of salvation),

that the souls of the dead cross when changing world. Guptakashi temple:Kashi is

the old name for Varanasi and “gupta†means secret or hidden. Guptakashi has

an ancient temple of Shiva and derives its name from the fact that this is the

place where Shiva is supposed to have hidden himself when the Pandavas chased

him. At this place he disappeared and hid himself in a cave. Hence this place is

known as Guptakashi or the “hidden Kashiâ€. Entrance to kalimath.Kalimath is

situated close to Ukhimath, and Guptakashi. It is one of the “Siddha Peethsâ€

of the region and is held in high religious esteem. The temple of Goddess Kali

located here is visited by a large number of devotees round the year and

specially during the “Navratrasâ€. My heartfelt pranams to the idol at

Kailmath temple

Chandi Devi Temple : Legend goes that the Goddess Chandi Devi was sitting on a

rock, combing her hair when two demons that were the servitors of the two

brothers Shumba and Nishumba saw her and were totally captivated by her

intoxicating beauty. They ran back to their masters and reported the matter to

them. The whole story is narrated in the Devi Mahatmyam. The rock on which she

was sitting is close to this temple. Ransi temple on the way to Madhyamaheshwar

Ransi temple on the way to Madhyamaheshwar

Madhyamaheshwar–4th Pancha Kedar

Nandi Kund The stomach of Shiva is believed to have emerged at Madmaheshwar.

The temple of Madmaheshwar is located at an altitude of 3,289 m. above sea

level, on the slope of a ridge, 25 km northeast of Guptakashi. There is a

motorable road from Guptakashi to Kalimath. The best statue of Har Gauri in

India measuring over a metre high is found in the Kali temple. The trek from

Kalimath to Madmaheshwar is distinguished by wild unparalleled scenic beauty and

engulfed by Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Gaundar at the confluence

of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the last settlement before one

reaches Madmaheshwar.

Located at the base of Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3289 m the classic

temple architecture belongs to the North-Indian style. So sanctified is the

water here that even a few drops are considered sufficient for ablution. The

natural scenery is dramatically wild, with deep gorges & valleys, mountain sides

flung upwards towards the skies, the forests where the snow lies thick in

winter, only to be replaced by a carpet of greenery in the summer. Kedarnath &

Neelkanth peaks are visible from here, the entire ring of mountains associated

with the life & times of Shiva. The confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga just short

of the temple, is one of the prettiest spots in the region. Har-Parvati at

MadhyamaheshwaraLord Shiva-(Dakshina murti) at Madhyamaheshwara Kalpeshwar

–5th Pancha Kedar [On the way]

The hardier tourist may like to trek about 35 km to Kalpeshwar, where the locks

(hair) and head, of Lord Shiva are worshipped as JATADHAR.

Located in Urgam Valley at an altitude of 2,134 m. above sea level, the temple

is a further 10 km trek from Rudranath to Helong, the motor head on

Rishikesh-Badrinath route. The small rock temple of Kalpeshwar is where the Hair

appeared. Short of Kalpeshwar is the picturesque valley of Urgam. It is a

favorite location of meditating sages. Legend has it that the sage Arghya had

performed austerities here and created the nymph, Urvashi. Rishi Durvasa is also

believed to have meditated here under the wish-fulfilling tree, Kalpavriksha.

The sage had given Kunti the boon that she could invoke any of the forces of

nature and they would appear before her and grant whatever she desired. Known

for his quick temper, Rishi Durvasa is often recalled in context of the incident

when, along with several disciples, he visited Kunti's sons, while they were in

exile. He indicated that he and his disciples expected food. There was not a

grain to cook. Lord Krishna who

appeared and miraculously solved the problem answered an anxious Draupadi’s

prayers My Heart felt pranams to the Panch kedars.May lord Shiva always guide us

to the path that will lead us to his sacred feet. Message from the teachings of

Sai baba for 2nd November

Good Deeds Deserve Prize of Praise from Baba

The opportunity to take 'human' birth out of the millions of species, bears

ample testimony to the infinite love that God shows on us. One who sees God in

all and serves all is the true being. Only then one will realize God and it is

one's Self-liberation. In fact, liberation is not a gift given by Baba in

appreciation of our honesty and the spirit of service. Because of good deeds, we

get merit which qualifies us for the next good birth. But, liberation, in its

true sense, is freedom from the perpetual cycle of birth-death and an

opportunity to remain forever at the Feet of Baba. It is earned not by our deeds

but only by the Grace of Baba. The literal meaning of the word 'liberation'

means 'releasing'. We get real " liberation " only on attaining permanent freedom

from the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. For this, we should be positive in mind

and believe that Baba is the cause, action and result of our every action. True

Self-liberation refers to the

ambrosial Divine Grace that Baba showers on a devotee who reposes total faith

in Him, in thought, word and deed. Baba will take such devotees as an infant

into His Love-Lap and liberates them from the cycle of birth and death. What a

golden gift it is! Being born as human beings we must go on performing good

deeds and try to deserve the gift from Baba. We have to treat this human birth

as a great boon to attain Self-liberation.

 

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;

Gurur Shakshat Parambramha Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah "

May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and

remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck,

success and happiness with peace of mind.

Sai bhakt,

Deepa H

 

 

Posted By Deepa H to Sai Picture gallery