Temples in Bikaner city- A spiritual legacy

I live in a city which is popularly called as “Choti Kashi” (small ancient spiritual capital of India). My city has a history of uber temples. These temples make my city a preferred choice for religious vacation. Many of the Bikaner temples are reflection of the glorious past. I do share them on the map so people all around the world could know about the historic past of my city. These temples are built in various ancient architectural styles that they attract tourist from round the globe. I feel proud to share these worship places as Hindu religion believes in “Vasudev Kutumbakam” which means the whole world is my family. I contribute to society, travellers and researchers by adding photos plus reviews of such houses of god.

Among all the temples of Bikaner, the most popular ones I included are:

  1. Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok, Bikaner- Karni Mata temple is located 30 kilometres away from Bikaner city and on Nokha road. The front side of temple is made up of marble with silver gates. The tourists are welcome by two carved lions made up of marble. The temple is famous all over India for having 20,000 black rats and very few white rats that lives in the temple and are revered. These rats are considered holy and are called as “kabbas” in local dialect. Many people visit this temple from far off places just to pay their respect to the goddess. There is a belief that if someone get a glimpse of white rat and make a wish then their desires get fulfilled very soon. The temple witnesses a huge number of visitors and curious tourists from all over India just owning to the presence of these “rats”. The temple designed in Mughal style and is a beautiful piece of art and design.

Location on the map- https://goo.gl/maps/GHTRZvySKtPhx3DA9

  1. Laleshwar Mahadev Mandir, Shivbari, Bikaner- The Laleshwar Mahadev Mandir is situated in the centre of a fortress like premises on a 2.3 metre high plinth measuring 22*22 metres, in village Shivbari. The sanctum-sanctorum (Garbha graha) measuring 5.40mts. square encloses the jalahari in the center, made of black kasauti stone. Therein, the idols of Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle and Shakti at the top have been consecrated. Right in the center of this jalahari has been established and consecrated a “Shiv Linga” made of kasauti stone and measures 50 cms diameter and 50 cms height. The linga has four faces in the four directions and the fifth at the top is shapeless (Nirakar).The east, south, west and north face and the top Nirakar, are known respectively as Tat-purush, Aghor, Sadyojat, Vamdeo and Eeshan representing the Nigrah-Karta, Laya-karta, Shrishti-Karta, Sthiti-Karta and Anugrah-Karta facets of the Parambrahma Shiva. These very five facets have been established in seperate Garbha-griha at the four respective corners of the plinth, and at the top of the temple. Within the sanctum-sanctorum (Garbha-Graha) are consecrated exquisite and artistic idols of Mahagauri, Ganesh and Kartikeya made of pure white marble. The walls and ceiling are decorated with murals painted in gold. Outside a huge statue of Nandishwar, made of brass, in sitting posture is installed. Entering the huge gateway of the fortress like premises of the temple, one can get darshan of the main Shiv linga and Nandishwar. Within the premises are great lawns, trees, plants, creepers and flowers to inculcate in the visitors, a sense of piety, purity, serenity and spiritual strength. The temple is virtually a Sidhdha peeth where the devotees find fulfilment of their wishes and are inspired to develop faith in and devotion to God, detachment from material pleasure and mundane existence. The ambience of the temple premises elevates the devotee to a high divinely fulfilling spiritual plane. The idol of Lord Shiva, the main Shiv Linga is decorated with bejewelled Gold ornaments on the Shrawan Shukla Dashmi day each year, when a fair attracting horde of devotees and worshippers from near and far is held.

Location on the map- https://goo.gl/maps/NSMfXZsjjKt9UqdQ6

  1. Aadi Ganesh Temple, Bikaner- This temple is located on Dauji Road, Kotagate, Bikaner city. It is said about the establishment of this temple that this temple was built in 1805 by the Prime Minister of Bikaner Concession Bakhtavar Singh. This is a unique temple of Lord Ganesha. The specialty of this temple is a unique statue of Ganesha established here. This statue is different because the snake is wrapped around the neck of this idol. However, like a belt, a statue or a photo of a snake wrapped on Ganesha’s stomach is apparently visible. Generally, the idols and pictures of Lord Shiva are seen snake wrapped around their necks, but such a statue of Lord Shiva’s son Ganesh, who is a snake wrapped in the neck, is hardly another. The temple is open for devotees in the morning and evening. The hymns are organized every evening here which attracts lot of devotees.

Location on the map- https://goo.gl/maps/E4jjbEEZ7gG8anJC9

  1. Graduate Hanuman Temple- Graduate Balaji or post graduate Lord Hanuman temple is famous mostly among students. The myth says that if you regularly visit this temple then you will pass all your academics or competitive examinations. This temple is situated on panshchati circle near Jaipur road, Bikaner. The temple is surrounded by 6-7 colleges and their hostels, so from decades students visit temple and mark their roll number on back wall of Lord Hanuman statue. or touch their application on right palm of Lord Hanuman. The temple was founded in 1966 by a Kolkata based businessman. Lord Ram temple is also built with this temple.

Location on the map- https://goo.gl/maps/XQLAqMPavmBqKEt88

  1. Ramdevra Temple- Ramdevra is a village situated about 12 km to the north of Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan in India. The village is named after Baba Ramdev, a saint and a Hindu folk deity who took Samadhi (conscious exit from the mortal body) at the age of 33 years in 1459 AD. He was said to have miraculous powers, who devoted his life to the upliftment of the downtrodden and poor people of society. Maharaja Ganga Singh, ruler of Bikaner constructed a temple around the Samadhi in 1931 AD. A large fair known as Ramdevra fair is held here from Bhado Sudi 2 to 10 (Aug-Sept) every year. It is attended by a large number of devotees who come in large groups from far flung areas. Irrespective of their caste, creed or religious affiliations, these devotees throng the shrine dedicated to the saint. These groups organise night long singing of bhajans and kirtans (hymns) to pay homage to Baba Ramdev. The birthplace of Baba is situated nearly 150 km from Ramdevra between Ramderiya Undu and Kashmir of Barmer district.

Location on the map- https://goo.gl/maps/rSkntMsYcp4DoZ9s6

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Nice post @drkkachwaha

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Thank you.

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