The Chaar Dhaam are among the most sacred places of pilgrimage for the Hindus. These four sites Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka- are among the first destinations of pilgrims when they want to go on a pilgrimage. In Temple towns that are not just places of pilgrimage but sacred spaces resonant with myths and legends. Explore the Himalayan dhaams, a celebration of the bounties of nature. Rameshwaram, sanctified by the holy presence of Lord Rama himself. Puri and its famous chariot festival and Dwarka, doubly blessed as it is both a saptapuri and a dhaam. A memorable journey, not only for the aspiring pilgrim but for all those interested in India's rich history.
About the Author:
Subhadra Sen Gupta is a well-known writer on Indian history and culture. A Masters Degree holder from the University of Delhi, she has always had a great fascination for the people, places and the history of India. Apart from her work on the four dhaams her books include the popular Devalaya: Great Temples of India, Devi Devata: Gods and Goddesses of India and Tirtha: Holy Pilgrim Centres of the Hindus.
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Chapter 1 | Going on a Tirtha | 1 |
Chapter 2 | Vishnu and His Dhaams | 19 |
Chapter 3 | A Palace for the Gods | 34 |
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Chapter 1 | Badrinath The Dhaam in the Himalayas | 49 |
Chapter 2 | The Badrinarayan Temple | 60 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 64 |
Chapter 4 | Kedarnath-Gangotri-Yamunotri | 70 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Badrinath | 81 |
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Chapter 1 | Dwarka Dwaravati: Krishna's Dhaam By the Sea | 87 |
Chapter 2 | The Dwarkadhish Temple | 100 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 108 |
Chapter 4 | Somnath, Prabhas Patan, Modhera | 113 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Dwarka | 124 |
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Chapter 1 | Puri: Lord Jagannatha's Kingdom | 131 |
Chapter 2 | The Jagannatha Temple | 141 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 152 |
Chapter 4 | Konarak & Bhubaneshwar | 156 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Puri | 168 |
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Chapter 1 | Rameshwaram: Lord Rama's Sacred Dhaam | 175 |
Chapter 2 | The Ramanathaswamy Temple | 184 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 194 |
Chapter 4 | Tiruppullani & Devipattinam | 199 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Rameshwaram | 204 |
Glossary | 209 | |
Bibliography | 213 |
The Chaar Dhaam are among the most sacred places of pilgrimage for the Hindus. These four sites Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka- are among the first destinations of pilgrims when they want to go on a pilgrimage. In Temple towns that are not just places of pilgrimage but sacred spaces resonant with myths and legends. Explore the Himalayan dhaams, a celebration of the bounties of nature. Rameshwaram, sanctified by the holy presence of Lord Rama himself. Puri and its famous chariot festival and Dwarka, doubly blessed as it is both a saptapuri and a dhaam. A memorable journey, not only for the aspiring pilgrim but for all those interested in India's rich history.
About the Author:
Subhadra Sen Gupta is a well-known writer on Indian history and culture. A Masters Degree holder from the University of Delhi, she has always had a great fascination for the people, places and the history of India. Apart from her work on the four dhaams her books include the popular Devalaya: Great Temples of India, Devi Devata: Gods and Goddesses of India and Tirtha: Holy Pilgrim Centres of the Hindus.
| ||
Chapter 1 | Going on a Tirtha | 1 |
Chapter 2 | Vishnu and His Dhaams | 19 |
Chapter 3 | A Palace for the Gods | 34 |
| ||
Chapter 1 | Badrinath The Dhaam in the Himalayas | 49 |
Chapter 2 | The Badrinarayan Temple | 60 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 64 |
Chapter 4 | Kedarnath-Gangotri-Yamunotri | 70 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Badrinath | 81 |
| ||
Chapter 1 | Dwarka Dwaravati: Krishna's Dhaam By the Sea | 87 |
Chapter 2 | The Dwarkadhish Temple | 100 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 108 |
Chapter 4 | Somnath, Prabhas Patan, Modhera | 113 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Dwarka | 124 |
| ||
Chapter 1 | Puri: Lord Jagannatha's Kingdom | 131 |
Chapter 2 | The Jagannatha Temple | 141 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 152 |
Chapter 4 | Konarak & Bhubaneshwar | 156 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Puri | 168 |
| ||
Chapter 1 | Rameshwaram: Lord Rama's Sacred Dhaam | 175 |
Chapter 2 | The Ramanathaswamy Temple | 184 |
Chapter 3 | Other Sacred Places | 194 |
Chapter 4 | Tiruppullani & Devipattinam | 199 |
Chapter 5 | Travelling to Rameshwaram | 204 |
Glossary | 209 | |
Bibliography | 213 |