Introduction to 5 Most Famous Vishnu Temples
Spirituality, a way of life enabling people to connect themselves with higher soul is attained by pilgrims and devotees by finding solace at the feet of the deities more particularly by visiting the five most famous Vishnu temples viz. Jagannath Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Badrinath Temple / Badri Vishal, Ranganathaswamy Temple and Sri Venkateswara Temple.
On the course of their spiritual journey of pilgrims and devotees to the majestic temples – the Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha, Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, Badrinath Temple / Badri Vishal in Uttarakhand, Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh they yearn to seek solace and semblance of mind to be kind and benevolent towards one and all.
Vedic culture is deeply rooted to attainment of skills, spirituality and semblance of mind through poised attitude. It helped evolve Vedic Astrology, Ayurveda, Dhanurvidya, Yoga, Vaastushastra and dogma of Science and philosophy that all proved to be a bedrock foundation of the Hindu Vedic Culture and traditions.
It is a fact that the potential of Spirituality can not be preached, it is to be felt and practiced for establishing peace across the Globe. Bharat or India, since times immemorial has been in pursuit of bringing all in one fold and therefore, believe in the dogma of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-the whole World is one family.
Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the Universe teach and guide people to be good Samaritans.
With this background, it is pertinent to discuss about the 5 most famous Vishnu Ji Temples to enable the pilgrims and devotees to embark upon their Spiritual Journey.
Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple or the Puri Jagannath Temple or the Shree Jagannath Temple or Jagannath Temple Odisha is the abode of Lord Jagannath or the Lord Shri Krishna, his sister Subhadra and his brother Balabhadra.
The famous Jagannath Temple or the Puri Jagannath Temple is world renowned for its Chariot Festival (Rath Yatra) from the Puri Temple to Gundicha temple. During the Chariot festival the three deities are transported in three magnificent chariots which are drawn by the pilgrims and devout devotees themselves.
Often devotees ask as to where is Puri Jagannath temple. Puri Jagannath temple is located in Puri in the state of Odisha. The distance between the capital city of Bhubaneshwar to Puri is about 67 kms which involves a road journey of about 1 hour.
For those who are curious to know where is Puri Jagannath temple, it is informed that the journey from Bhubaneshwar to Puri Jagannath temple can be covered by Bus/Train and Taxi as well. The bus takes about 2 and half hours.
Who made Jagannath Temple:
People are curious to know as to who made Jagannath temple. As per the legend, King Indradyumna of Avanti built the main Jagannath Temple at Puri. Kings of Ganga and Gajapati dynasties further developed the Puri Jagannath temple Odisha.
The Jagannath temple was built by King Jajati Kesari in 949-959 A.D. Subsequently, it was renovated by King of the Ganga Dynasty -Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva in 1078-1147 A.D. It was completed by Anangabhima Deva in the period 1190-1198 A.D. King Ramachandra Deva reestablished the deity in Jagannath temple in 1590 A.D. King Ramachandra Deva is also called second Indradyumna.
Time of Puri Jagannatha Temple Rath Yatra
The famous Puri Jagannatha Temple Chariot or Rath Yatra is organized in the Shukla Paksha of Aashadh month of Hindu Calendar. During the Chariot Jagannath temple or the Puri Jagannath temple Rath Yatra, the three deities viz. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra are transported in three separate chariots from Shree Jagannath Temple or the Jagannath Temple Odisha to Gundicha Temple.
Chariot Rath Yatra from Puri Jagannatha Temple to Gundicha Temple
The beautifully decorated three Chariots of each deity – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are pulled by thousands of devotees themselves all along the route from the Shree Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
At Gundicha temple the Gods spend a weeks time and celebrations are held with gaiety and grandeur during their stay at Gundicha Temple.
Puri Jagannatha Temple Chariots
At the Jagannath Temple Odisha or the Sree Jagannath Temple the deities- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are transported in separate chariots. The Chariot of Lord Jagannath has 18 wheels and is called Nandighosha; Lord
Balabhadra’s Chariot has 16 wheels and is called Taladhwaja; and Goddess Subhadra’s Chariot has 14 wheels and is called Padmadwaja.
Main Ceremony – The Hera Panchami at Gundicha Temple
Hera Panchami is celebrated at Gundicha temple with religious fervour and gaiety. A large number of devotees On the Hera Panchami day, Subarna Mahalakshmi arrives.
Another ceremony Dakshina Moda celebrated at Gundicha Temple
On the day following the Hera Panchami, the Dakshina Moda is celebrated with grandeur.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy temple or the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and is an architectural marvel in the Dravidian style(Chera style) of architecture. Padmanabha means the one with the Lotus Navel.
Padmanabhaswamy temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Hidden vaults house the vast collection of gold, jewels, crowns and thrones.
The Lord Vishnu is depicted in the Anantashayana posture, lying on Sheshnag, the serpent. A Shivalingam is placed on Vishnu’s right hand. A lotus bearing Lord Brahma, the creator of the world emerges from the navel of the idol, representing cosmic creation.
Padmanabhaswamy temple history
As per the Padmanabhaswamy temple history, the Padmanabhaswamy temple was buiit 5000 years ago. Padmanabhaswamy temple was renovated several times and the major renovations were carried out during the reign of King Marthanda Varma.
Dress Code at Padmanabhaswamy Temple or Sree Padmanabhaswamy
Women: Sarees, Salwar Kameez and churidars.
Men: Mundu or Dhoti which are made available on rent at the temple entrance.
Devotees need to enter the Padmanabhaswamy temple barefoot.
Padmanabhaswamy temple timings or the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple timings,
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple timings (Morning): 03:15 am-12 pm;
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple timings(Evening): 05:00 pm – 7:20 pm
Padmanabhaswamy temple darshan timings (Morning)
3:15 am -4:15 am
6:30 am-7:00 am
8:30 am-10:00 am
10:30 am- 11:10 am
11:45 am- 12:00 pm
Padmanabhaswamy temple darshan timings (Evening)
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
6:45 pm- 7:20 pm
Badrinath Temple / Badri Vishal
Badrinath Temple / Badri Vishal is dedicated to Lord Vishnu where the Lord has appeared in the form of Badri. Devotees often ask as to where is Badrinath Temple. For those pilgrims who pose the question of as to where is Badrinath temple, it is conveyed that the Badarinath Dham/ Badrinath Temple is nestled in the serene Himalayan mountains in Chamoli District of the State of Uttarakhand at an elevation of about 3,110 metres( 10279 ft) above the sea level.
It is known as Badri Vishal. Badrinath Temple / Badri Vishal is located on the banks of the river Alaknanda. From Rishikesh town, it is at an approximate distance of 300 Km. Badrinath Dham/Badrinath Temple is one of the coveted pilgrimage of Chhota Char Dham Yatra. The other being Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath Dham.
Badrinath Dham/Badrinath Temple, remains open for 6 months (from April end to beginning of November) and remains closed in winter season.
Story of Badrinath Temple
As per the story of Badrinath Temple, Goddess Laxmi, in the form of Jujube, Indian date tree (Ber tree), protected Lord Vishnu here and hence, the Dham is called Badrinath.
Badrinath Temple History
As per Badrinath Temple history it is described in Vedic scriptures, however in the 8th Century, Adi Shankaracharya renovated the old shrine. Badrinath Temple was renovated and rebuilt during the reign of King Garhwal in the 17th century.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or the Ranganathaswamy Temple
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or the Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Ranganatha and his consort Ranganayaki ( Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi). The temple is located in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple or the Ranganathaswamy temple was built during the reign of Chola Kings. It is constructed in the Dravidian style of Architecture. It is about 239.5 ft in height.
As per the legend the Sage Gautama had performed penance here to seek the Darshan of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is in reclining pose here over the serpent Adhishesha Nag. Other consort viz. Bhudevi and Nila Devi are also seen here.
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple timings,
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple timings(Morning): 7:30 am- 01:00 pm
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple timings(Evening): 4:00 pm- 08:00 pm
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple or the Sri Venkateswara temple is located in Tirumala, Tirupathi District of Andhra Pradesh. Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Vaari Temple is also known as Tirupathi Balaji Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of the Lord Vishnu.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture and is situated on Tirumala hills at an elevation of 853 meters.
The temple opening timings are -09:00 am -12:00 pm; 05:30-08:30 pm.
There are other temples which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe. Salient features about a few more Vishnu temples in India are described below:-
Ratnaalayam Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Ratnaalayam Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and his two consorts, Goddess Padmavati and Goddesss Alivelu Mangamma. Ratnaalayam Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is located in Aliabad ‘X’ Roads, Rajiv Rahadaru Shamirpet, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad.
The timings of the opening and closing of the Ratnaalayam Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple are- 06:00 am -12:00 pm ; 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm.
Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Sri Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, located at a distance of about 16 km from Tirupati is dedicated to Lord Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy. Here the deity is in blissful ‘Abhaya Hasta posture’.
The temple was built by King Karvetinagaram in the year 1232 AD. The idols of Goddess Padmavati and Goddess Andala Devi are placed in the temple.
The temple timings are 05:45 am to 08:00 pm.
Vadapalli Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Vadapalli Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, also known as Vadapalli Venkanna Swamy temple or Kalyana Venkateswara Swami is located in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Unmarried girls and boys perform Goda Devi Kalyanam Puja to find suitable match.
Conclusion
Since time immemorial, people long for eternal peace and solace. It is neither power nor pelf that provides real joy, solace and peace rather it is the good Karma that gives immense satisfaction and peace.
The role of the path of spirituality is immense in the present times when the people, owing to the stress and strain, anxiety and mad rush and chase, hardly find time for their own spiritual and mental upliftment.
A large number of devotees from India and abroad visit various magnificent Vishnu temples in India. Pilgrims and devotees throng at these pilgrimages to seek blessings of Lord Venkateswara, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Padmanbham, Badrinath, Ranganatha Swamy who all are believed to be incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
FAQs About Famous Vishnu Temple
Q.1 Who made the Jagannath temple?
Ans.1. Jagannath temple was built by King Jajati Kesari in 949-959 A.D. Later it was renovated by King of the Ganga Dynasty -Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva in 1078-1147 A.D. It was completed by Anangabhima Deva in the period 1190-1198 A.D. King Ramachandra Deva reestablished the deity in Jagannath temple in 1590 A.D.
Q.2. Where is Puri Jagannath temple?
Ans. 2 Puri Jagannath temple is in Odisha, India.
Q.3. What is special about Padmanabhaswamy temple?
Ans. 3. At Padmanabhaswamy temple the deity of Lord Padmanabha is in the sleeping or reclining posture.
Q.4. Which month is best to visit Badrinath?
Ans.4. Summer season (April to November) is the best to visit Badrinath temple.
Q.5. What is Ranganathaswamy temple famous for?
Ans.5. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or the Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Ranganatha and his consort Ranganayaki ( Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi). The temple is located in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
Q.6. Which temple is famous for Lord Venkateswara?
Ans. 6. Tirupati Balaji temple in Andhra Pradesh is famous for Lord Venkateswara.
