Uttar Pradesh is one of the popular states of India tucked with several historic temples, making it an important hotspot of spirituality.
This is a noteworthy location for the Hindu religion since two Vishnu avatars, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, are said to have been born here.
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In addition to this, Shaivites also have a special place in their hearts for the ancient civilization of Varanasi. It is the home to many Shiva shrines situated on the banks of the mighty and beautiful Ganga.
Worshippers from all over the world come here to seek spiritual guidance.
In this article, you will get to know about the following temples in Uttar Pradesh,
- Bankey Bihari Temple
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Kashi Vishwanath
- Dwarkadheesh Temple
- Sarnath
- Bharat Mata Mandir
Let’s see each of these in detail…
1. Bankey Bihari Temple
Shri Bankey Bihari Temple, which is devoted to Lord Krishna, is among the most famous temples in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Here, the words “Banke” stand for “bent” and “Bihari” stands for “Vihari” or “enjoyer”.
The main deity in this temple is positioned in the “Tribhanga” posture, which means three-angled. Lord Krishna was given the name “Banke” as the idol is tilted at 3 different points.
The original name of this Lord Krishna idol is “Kunj-Bihari,” which means “the one who enjoys playing around Kunj or groves of Vrindavan”. Kunj Bihari was worshipped at Nidhivan.
People believe that here Radha and Shyam merged together in the single black idol of “Banke Bihari”.
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This sacred shrine is considered auspicious and is therefore a frequented pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh. The charm and beauty of Banke Bihar create an overflowing wave of joy in the hearts of devotees.
The temple’s architecture is influenced by Rajasthani design. The pillars and arches add to its grandeur. It was built in 1862.
During the festivals of Dhulandi, Holi, or Hariyali Teej, the temple is beautifully decorated, and numerous devotees flock to this temple. You can visit the temple during this time to have a darshan of the divine idol.
2. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
A pilgrimage tour to Uttar Pradesh is not complete without visiting the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. This temple is revered by Lord Hanuman, who is known for the “removal of obstacles”.
It is situated along the banks of the River Assi and is one of the oldest Hindu temples that draws tens of thousands of visitors daily.
According to legend, the Sankat Mochan temple is located where Tulsidas saw Lord Hanuman.
It is also believed that Tulsidas authored the Ramcharitmanas at this well-known tourist destination in Varanasi.
Lord Hanuman in this shrine is seen facing Lord Rama (Ram Bhakt Hanuman), whom he worshipped with great ardor and devotion.
Millions of devotees come here, especially on Tuesday and Saturday. They offer flowers and besan Ladoos to Lord Hanuman and chant Hanuman Chalisa, Kiskinds, or Sundarkand.
3. Kashi Vishwanath
Kashi Vishwanath in Uttar Pradesh is one of the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most significant shrines of Shiva and is considered the prime jyotirlingas in India.
Shaivites consider it the prime center of Hindu pilgrimage, as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
The temple is situated on the banks of the River Ganga. The main deity present here is Lord Vishveshwar meaning Lord of the Universe.
Since Varanasi was called the “Kashi” previously, the shrine is known as the “Kashi Vishwanath temple”.
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The temple is built of gold and the Shiva lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is considered timeless.
The Maratha ruler, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore constructed the temple. It is said that the city stands on the Trishul or the trident of Shiva.
The three Shiva temples in the Varanasi mark the Tripundra of Shiva. Vishwanath temple stands on the central arrow and the other two temples of Kedareshwar and Omkareshwar – mark the other two Tripundra.
4. Dwarkadheesh Temple
The Dwarkadheesh Temple is one the most incredible temples, and it is situated in the eastern section of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. It was constructed in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, a devoted follower of Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna and his beloved Radharani are the presiding deities in this temple. Lord Krishna resides in a jet-black marble idol here.
The most notable feature of the Dwarkadweesh temple is the ornate pillars and murals. The temple is famous for its beautiful Maru Gurjara architecture and artwork.
There are several other Hindu deities in this place. Janmashtami, Holi, and Diwali are celebrated with great fervor here.
The Dwarkadhish Temple is accessible for darshan from 7 AM to 8.30 PM daily all year long.
Almost 3000 people visit here to see the Mangala Darshan which takes place with ardent devotion and joy.
5. Sarnath
Sarnath is one of the famous Buddhist sites near Varanasi. It is the holy place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermons.
The Sarnath Temple was built in the 3rd century BC. It is an important pilgrimage site for the Buddhists, primarily because it is where the Lord set in motion the “Wheel of Law”.
This site is frequented by thousands of devotees and Buddhists all throughout the year.
Chowkandi Stupa and Dhamek Stupa are some of the stupas that are embedded at the Sarnath Temple.
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The Temple teaches pilgrims and worshipers the importance of the temple and infuses a supreme knowledge about the oldest city, Varanasi.
The architecture of the temple is quite fascinating. Spread out in a large complex bordered by manicured gardens and palm trees, the overall atmosphere prevailing over the temple is quite peaceful.
6. Bharat Mata Mandir
The Bharat Mata Mandir in Varanasi is located in close proximity to the Haridwar Ashram. The temple displays a magnificent statue of Bharat Mata made of marble.
It is perhaps one of the unique temples representing the ardent devotion of Indians towards their motherland and “Bharat Mata”.
The temple was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and the statue was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1936.
Situated on the large complex of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, this temple portrays an undivided India.
Once you visit this temple in Uttar Pradesh, you can get an idea about the dedication of human revelation in India. This temple is a must-see destination in Uttar Pradesh as well as in India.
These are some of the popular temples in Uttar Pradesh.
A visit to Uttar Pradesh is not complete without visiting the sacred abodes of supreme souls of the universe.
These heavenly sites create an amalgamation of marvelous architecture, the high-clinging sound of the brass bells, and the intoxicating aroma of incense sticks.
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