The greatly loved siddhi vinayak temple was constructed in 1801 by rani ahilyabhai holkar of indore as a replica of the temple in siddhatek ( 98 kms east of pune ) where river bhima once flowed . The idol earlier installed under a tree today resides in a large structure that combines tradition with modernity . The present temple though multi storyed has a small main mandapam or hall with the shrine of siddhivinayak . The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold and wooden doors to it are carved with image of ashtvinayaka. Most icons of ganapati depict the elephant faced god and wooden doors to it are carved with images of ashtvinayaka.  Most icons of ganpati depict the elephant faced god with his trunk curled towards the left . But here the lord is depicted with four arms bearing a lotus , an axe , modakas , and a garland of beads. This unusual blackstone idol has a third eye on the forehead and a serpent tied around the shoulders in place of sacred thread . Every tuesday devotees throng the temple in the firm belief that their wishes and prayers will be fulfilled.  In fact they walk to the temple from flung corners of the city often barefoot everyone including film stars , industrialists , politicians have done the tuesday morning barefoot walk . Queues of worshippers stretch upto 2 km .

Iranshah atash behram the sacred fire temple of parsis the most important spiritual centre for zoroastrians the world over . And whether they have just got married started a business or bought a new car hordes of parsis from world over make their way to pay their respect to 1280 year old holy fire enshrined within the sacred atash behram . The parsis are protective about udvada because the iranshah is believed to be their oldest consecrated fire . Of course udvada is not entirely immune to change and only about 150 parsi household continue to reside here . Although the iranshah atash behram is a large structure it is virtually hidden by whitewashed walls and a protective ring of houses . While the fire temple itself is out of bounds for non zooroastrians the little streets the sandalwood sellers and the bustle in the vicinity are fascinating.  The iranshah is said to have been created out of 16 fires including fire from burning corpse , a shepherds house , a goldsmith’s hearth , a potter’s kiln and from lightning itself . Instead of waiting for lightning to strike and create a fire it is believed that the high priest nairyosang dhaval medidated for days and when the heavens finally cooperated he trapped the fire and preceeded with his rituals. Much of the fabric of old udvada is still intact and visitors can spend a wonderful evening reliving a bygone age . The old parsi houses in udvada reflect a distinct culture . Most have double otlas or porches the outer one is used for bargaining with veggie vendors while the inner one is used for praying and gossip sessions. Little gallis run behind the houses that in old days were used by nightsoil collectors and menstruating women . Most houses still have their own wells because well water plays an integral role in the purification rituals that the priests have to undergo . A picturesque seaside, Udvada is known for its Iran Shah Atash Behram Fire Temple. It became a popular pilgrimage for Parsis after the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway facilitated travel. It is abuzz with shops selling sandalwood , Zoroastrian religious objects, spices for dhansak – a dish that combines elements of Persian and Gujarati cuisine – among other things . There are 19th and early 20th century Parsi libraries, museums, old school buildings and dharamshalas religious resthouse. There colonial houses of Parsi priests. The Iran Shah Fire Temple is off-limits for people of other communities. According to the medieval text calledIran Shah Atash Behram at Udvada Kisse-i-Sanjan written by a priest, Bahman Kaikobad, the Zoroastrians landed and settled first at Diu and then set sail for Sanjan in the 18th century .The Atash Behram was consecrated using 16 fires. While Parsis prospered at Sanjan and nearby towns, the Islamic invasion of Sanjan led to their fleeing with the fire, which was housed in Navsari and for a short while in Surat, before it was moved to Udvada in 1742. . The present-day Udvada Fire Temple was built by Lady Motlibhaj Wadia in 1894. One of the heritage houses has been converted into Zoroastrian Information Centre. The recently renovated Sodawaterwala Dharamshala is a heritage buildings.Udvada is 108km from Surat and can be reached from Surat by train, bus .

The whitewashed spendor of the shrine basilica of vailankanni leaves  a lasting impression on any visitor , from a distance the effect of the white structure against a clear blue sky is stark even austere . As one goes nearer however the buildings true grandeur and beauty becomes evident and the whiteness becomes the only concession made by a gothic shrine to its tropical indian setting . This soothing and radiant color so apt for a shrine to mary mother of jesus continues to bring hopes to life long after we have left . Once the sailors had constructed the chapel they kept adding to it . They bought porcelain tiles from china , which can be seen around the altar even today . In 1606 the chapel was bought under the jurisdiction of the diocese of meliapore ( modern day mylapore in chennai ) according to a papal bull issued by pope Paul V .In 1771 vailankanni was raised to the status of an independent parish . Most of the building that we see today date from the time of rev fr sebastio xavier norhonha who served as a parish priest from 1910 till his death in 1942 . In 1962 vailankanni was raised to the status of a minor basilica by the holy see and from then on it has been called the shrine of basilica of our lady of good health . The shrine of basilica of our lady of good health is a sprawling complex that dominates the little town of vailankanni . There are four major structures within the complex the shrine basilica itself the chapel near madha kulam where mary appeared before the shepherd boy the chapel at nadu thittu where she appeared before the buttermilk boy & the museum of offerings . The path from the shrine basilica to the chapel at our lady’s tank is lined on the sides of artistic renditions of the stations of cross and the stations of rosary . There is also a sandy stretch in this path which is used by pilgrims to walk on their knees from the basilica to the chapel in fulfillment of their vows . An offering unique at vailankanni is the donation of coconut sapling . Many people also take away coconut saplings from here much the same as prasadam from temple’s. Devotees offer silver and gold versions of favors received for thanksgiving . For example a person who has become a doctor may offer a silver or golden stethoscope . A display of such items is to be seen at museum of offerings. 

The vitthal temple said to be over two millennia old has a scripture that dates back to 1195 .It lists the donors who funded the renovation of the temple then . Devotees rub their back on this scripture in the belief that they will be exempted from 84 lakh births . The roof and the stone pillars of the vithal temple have exquisite carvings . The main entrance is known as the mahadwar.  Saint namdeo lord vithal’s ardent devotee has his shrine on the first step of this entrance . This is called the namdeo payari ( step ) . To pay tribute to namdeo saintly devotion .it is custom not to touch it with the one’s feet but to worship it . The newly constructed darshan mandap opposite the main temple entrance can accommodate 80,000 devotees during the vari ( procession ) . Inside the temple there is another huge wall known as the solkhambi mandap.  It is imposing 16 pillared stone structure , constructed in 1802 . All the pillars  have exquisite carvings while the inner one known as the garuda khamb has been worked in silver . As per tradition devotees embrace this pillar before praying the lord . Pandharpur is a small place and most of the temple’s can be covered on foot . The vitthal temple is centrally located on the highest hillock in pandharpur . The perennial chandrbhaga flows a kilometer away from the temple in north south direction . The vitthal temple is said to be about 2,000 years old and could be better kept . The black sandstone idols of vitthal and rukmini are truly enchanting. After the vari is over the temple is washed with water and idols are given a different diet of spices and sugar and a new set of clothes since they are tired after a hectic day .During navratri and dusshera the deities are adorned with new clothes everyday.  Both vitthal and rukmini have an exquisite array of jewelry that includes gold , pearls, diamonds , and the navratnas ( precious & semi precious gems in nine colors ) Situated on the river bank opposite the vitthal temple the pundalik temple is dedicated to vitthal’s ardent devotee . The kolis or fisherfolk manage it . There isna warm water spring outside the temple and devotees wash their feet in it before entering . Outside the temple is a small stone boat approximately 3 feet by 2 feet which is too heavy to lift with bare hands . But put it in the water and it actually floats . One legend says that sant tukaram sang some abhang which made it float . Take a ferry across the river to gopalpur where lord krishna used to graze cattle.  It is a small place to pray . An old stone temple . Also on the other bank is ISKCON temple a quite place to pray . An old stone temple to mhasoba also stands on the opposite bank of chandrabhaga . These temple’s are about a kilometer from one another and the ferry stops at each . Vishnupad ( lord vishnu ‘s footprints ) is a rock in the middle of the chandrabhaga there’s a beautiful view of the river here . Ferries stop at vishnupad before going on to gopalpur .

 
Shivaji the great maratha was here . This legendary truth is often repeated when devotees speak of the temple to bhavani in tuljapur. The goddess is kulaswamini the patron deity of maharashtra. With shivaji many conquests attributed to her she has defined the state both geographical & spiritually.  It is said that the goddess herself gifted the bhavani talwar the divine sword to shivaji.  He set forth upon his many battles after having sought the blessings of ma bhavani his ishta devtaa ( favourite deity ) Why in the glorious glint of sunshine that flashes off the tapering temple pinnacle in the exuberant colors or red sindoor and yellow turmeric that paint the fervent pictures of the goddess grand possessions in the touching faith of her legions of devotees it is almost as if he is still here . The goddess welcomes us all in the same manner as him with her searing gaze which is fierce and compassionate ar the same time . 
The hemaad panthi style architecture marks 12th century tulja bhavani mandir which is separated from the rest of the town by a stone wall . The peshwas of pune deeply revered bhavani . Ssmartha ramdas swami and sant eknath wrote poetic verses in praise of the powerful deity . Most of the sights in tuljapur can be covered on foot . The ample space around the bhavani temple known as praangana is very useful when huge crowds of 10,000 or more devotees congregate here . To the left of the entrance is 40 ft by 16 ft stone tank the kallol tirth . Bathing in it before sunrise is said to rid one of all diseases.  At gomukh tirth a few steps ahead from kallol tirth water flows from a stones cow head set at a height of 6 ft . Equated to the ganges large crowds throng here . The vishnu tirth is on the north eastern side of the temple . It has stone steps and three entrances.  It said that lord vishnu blesses the devotee so that he may get the blessings of tulja bhavani. Goats and chicken are offered to the deity a practice that pilgrims may be witness to . Two striking deepmalas built by shivaji in memory of his triumph againist afzal khan stand on either side of homa kund . Inside the temple a stone pillared sabha mandap features images of gods and goddesses . The exquisite idol is said to possess eight to nine petya ( boxes ) of ornaments which one box equals to kilogram of gold ! One of the necklaces called tikli bears the name chatrapati shivaji maharaj on each of its gold pieces.  A beautiful marble statue of a lion ( bhavani matas vehicle ) a bed upon which the goddess rests her delicately carved simhasan ( throne ) and a shivlinga are also to be seen in the temple . Behind the bhavani temple is a round stone known as chintamani.  It’s believed to help the devotee take the right decision.  To its right is a temple to matangi the goddess who slayed the demon matanga . Uniquely the shrine is cared for by mahars , members of a dalit community . Shrines of khandoba , yammee devi and narsimha are also situated in temple premises.  The chabina a special palanquin with hand painted wooden images of animal and birds carries the deity during festival occasions and on every tuesday , friday , sunday , and purnima ( fool moon day ) . The procession which goes around the main temple is witnessed by thousands of devotees.  Sindoor and turmeric powder are thrown into the air as the goddess name is chanted. 

The golden temple is in south east amritsar in the heart of the old city . A circular road runs around the periphery of the walled area that’s the old city within which lie the jallianwalla bagh and shopping haven of hall bazar and katra jaimal singh . The railway station is in the centre of the city . The grand trunk road built in 16th century connecting delhi and lahore cuts the station roads towards the east of the city . Upmarket places such as mall road and lawrence road are to the north east of the railway statiion . Also known as the darbar sahib or the divine court the golden temple architecture reflects the basic tenets of sikhism . Just as the religion combines the principles of hinduism & islam . Sikh architecture fuses both religious styles while also expressing its individuality . Guru arjun dev had the structure built at a level lower than the surrounding land as he wanted devotees to go down the steps to reach the gurudwara a gesture symbolising humility . The harbinger has four entrances emphasing the fact that it’s doors are open to all . A marble parikrama surrounds the temple framing the pool a causeway connects the temple to the darshan deori ( entrance gate ) . A golden dome rises above the temple . There is a line of smaller domes to the front located on the four corners are chhatris ( umbrella like structure ) with fluted  metal cupolas . Marble inlay work reminiscent of the taj mahal can be seen in the lower parts of the walls while the upper parts are encased in glided copper . The temple’s first floor was originally used by sikh gurus for medidation. Also known as the sheesh mahal ( as mirror work adorns it’s interiors , it’s wall has floral designs embossed with semi precious stones . It’s arches are embellished with verses from guru granth sahib possibly inspired by the muslim practice of engraving verses from the quran . On the walls next to the staircase leading to second floor are rare sikh paintings. According to a paper written by madanjit kaur of guru nanak dev university amritsar published in the book golden temple the temple’s fresco art borrows themes from hindu mythology , pointing to the tolerant nature of sikhism . The central sikh museum to the right as you enter the temple complex through the main entrance reinforces the feeling of heroism and courage interwoven in the art and plaster bricks of the golden temple . Along the parikrama there are two ber ( jujube trees ) which have survived all attacks of the temple . One is known as the dukh bhanjani ber a sacred spot where pilgrims congregate to take a dip in the pool . To the right of the darshani deori is other ber tree to which in 1740 two sikh warriors sukha singh and mehtab singh tied their horses while attacking and eventually killing massa rangar an official who had converted the temple’s sanctum into a dance hall . Also marked out is the spot where martyr baba deep singh died fighting the soldiers of afghan general khan who had desecrated the temple . It’s said that though his neck was slashed in a battle some way from the temple he managed to reach the periphery of the complex after killing enemy soldiers. The langar hall is built behind the dukh bhanjani ber . The concept of langar was created to break caste barriers.  In a history of the sikhs volume 1 khuswant singh writes ” nanak took practical steps to break the vicious hold of caste by starting community free kitchens — guru ka langar — in all centre’s and persuading his followers irrespective of their caste to eat together ” . Guru amar das made langar an integral part of the gurudwara by insisting that those who want to meet him should first eat with his disciples . Located opposite the golden temple in the same complex the akal thakt was the seat from where orders were passed and military plans discussed.  It also has religious significance in a tradition that harks back to the days of guru arjun dev the guru granth sahib is brought here from harminder sahib at night and carried back the next morning . The akal thakt was badly damaged in the operation blue star and had to be rebuilt . Gurudwara baba atal rai situated right behind golden temple was built in memory of atal rai , guru hargobind’s son . Gurudwara mai kaulan stands in the same compound of atal rai . Guru ke mahal is located near shastri market in chowk parsia on the site where gurus once lived.  Gurudwara ramsar sahib near sgrd senior secondary school on ramsay road is where the granth sahib whose building is said to have been constructed by maharaja ranjit singh in 1833 . Saragarhi is close to the town hall and was built by the british in 1902 to honour sikh soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the queen . Next to the town hall is santokhsar sahib a gurudwara that is identical to bibeksar . A replica of the golden temple the durgiana mandir has a langar hall . The temple complex houses the lakshmi narayan mandir , the sheetala mata temple as well as hanuman mandir . It is a very sacred water tank for sikhs . It is believed to have been spotted and formed by 4th guru shri ram dass . A bath here cleanses the soul and wipes out all sins . The water of the sarovar is like nectar and is said to possess medicinal properties as well .