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Temples/
Pilgrimages/ Places of worship in Uttar Pradesh
Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi)
The oldest living city in the world, Varanasi is the ultimate
destination of all Hindu pilgrims searching for moksha from the
cycle of birth and re-birth. The word 'Kashi' originated from the
word 'Kas' which means to shine. Kashi is mentioned repeatedly in
the scriptures - the Brahmanas, Upanishads and the Puranas. It is
the oldest center of learning and the University here is still
widely respected for its Sanskrit, Philosophy, and Arts faculties.
Hyuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler visited Varanasi in the 7th
century.
Stepped in tradition and mythological legacy, Kashi is the
'original ground' created by Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Kashi
Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was
destroyed in the various invasions and was rebuilt in 1776 by Rani
Ahilyabai of Indore. Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims flock to
Varanasi to offer homage and wash away their sins.
Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique
significance in the spiritual history of India. Deeply and
intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple has been a living embodiment of our timeless cultural
traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been
visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna
Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand
Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities
Krishna Balrama Mandir (Mathura)
This beautiful temple was established in 1975 by His Divine Grace
A.c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founer-acarya of the
Interational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) and has now
become Vrindavan's most popular temple and has one of the highest
standards of Deity worship and cleanliness. Hare Krishna devotees
from around the world can be seen here throughout they year,
bringing a truly international flavour to this ancient holy city.
Madan Mohan Temple (Mathura)
This famous temple was established by Srila Sanatana Gosvami and
was the first temple to be built in Vrindavana, which at that time
was just a forest. The original Deity of Madana-mohana was taken
to Karauli in Rajasthan for safety during the attack on Vrindavana
by the soldiers of the fanatical Muslim Emperor, Aurangzeb.
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