Stories in Stones

Devotee's visiting Pateswar temple located in Satara district Maharashtra often misinterpret this idol as Nandi , vahan of Mahadev Shiva. But the idol is of Hidu God Agni, according to vedas Agni is manifested with seven hands, three legs and two heads one of bull and other of himself.

Magnificent sculpture of Maha Vishnu seated on Seshanaga.
Garuda is on the lower left and his consort Lakshmi devi is on the lower right.

Cave-3, Badami Caves, Karnataka.

The iconic Ramappa Temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! It's a proud and happy moment to all Indians... especially to all Telugu people. Because this is the first temple/ structure which has been recognised by UNESCO in Telugu states and it is the only temple in the world that has been named with Sthapathy’s name. ( Sthapathy - Vedic temple architect and traditional sculptor ) Shri Ramappa was the creator of this Sri Rudreswara temple in the Kakatheeya dynasty.History recognised this temple as “Ramappa Temple” due to its creation, workmanship and efforts.

Shri Jagannath Temple
Puri, Orissa

Suna Besha also known as Rajadhiraja besha, Raja Besha and Rajarajeshwara Besha is an event when the Hindu deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra the presiding deities of Jagannath Temple, Puri, India are adorned with gold jewelry. Suna Bhesha is observed 5 times during a year. It is commonly observed on Magha Purnima (January), Bahuda Ekadashi (July), Dashahara (October), Kartik Purnima (November), and Pousa Purnima (December). The name Suna Bhesha is derived from two words, 'Suna' meaning "gold" and 'Bhesha' meaning "costume

Shri Jagannath Temple
Puri, Orissa

Arulmigu Subramaniyaswami Thirukovil, Marudhamalai
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Subramaniyaswami Temple, Marudamalai is a popular hill temple dedicated to god Murugan, situated near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Like most Murugan temples, the temple is situated upon a hillock, part of the Western Ghats about 12 km west from the city of Coimbatore. Near the foothill, there is a temple for Pillayar known as the "Thaan thondri Vinaayakar". There is a cave referred to as "Paambaatti Sitthar Kugai" dedicated to a Sitthar who lived here.

Source : Indian Content

మాతాచ పార్వతీ దేవీ పితాదేవో మహేశ్వరః |
బాంధవాశ్శివ భక్తాశ్చ స్వదేశో భువన త్రయం|

माचा पार्वती देवी पितदेव महेश्वरः | बन्धवासैव भक्तश्च स्वदेशो भुवन त्रयः |

Matacha Parvati Devi Pitadevo Maheshwarah | Bandhavassiva Bhaktashcha Swadesho Bhuvana Trio |

Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval (also Thiruvanaikal, Jambukeswaram) is a famous Shiva temple in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) district, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Thiruvanaikal is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu (Pancha Bhoota Stalam) representing the Mahābhūta or five great elements; this temple represents the element of water, or neer in Tamil. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream and in spite of pumping water out, it is always filled with water.

It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung glories of the deity in this temple. The temple has inscriptions from the Chola period.

Source : Indian Content

Shivrajyabhishek Sohala is the day on which the great warrior leader was given the title of Chhatrapati a royal title equivalent of an emperor.Shivaji Maharaj is considered the greatest leader of the Maratha Empire and his status to be the king took place on the 6 June 1674 at Raigad fort. Ever since, the day is celebrated annually as Shivarajyabhishek Sohala in great enthusiasm. Rajyabhishek Sohala or coronation ceremony of great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is one of the significant chapters in the history of India.

Shiva Rajybhishek Artist : B.R Kotyalkar
Currently in Aundh Museum, Satara

Sri Krishna Mandir
Patan Durbar Square , Lalitpur
Nepal

The magnificent Sri Krishna Mandir on the west side of Patan Durbar Square, Nepal. Built by one of the great Malla kings, Siddhi Narasingh.

It is said that one night, the King dreamt that Bhagwan Krishna & Srimati Radha were standing in front of the royal palace. The King ordered a Mandir to be built on the same spot.

Carved entirely in dark stone, the beautiful structure of the Mandir consists of several significant sculptures & carvings on its outside as well as on the interior walls.

Krishnapur Chhatri
Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashyapu.

Shore Temple
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

One of the oldest temples in South India built in latter half of the 7th century AD with granite blocks by Narasimhavarman II of Pallava dynasty.

As it is on the shore overlooking the Bay of Bengal it is called as the Shore Temples.
Erected on a 50 feet square platform, the temple is a pyramidal structure rising to the heights of 60 feet. It is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture.

Elephanta Caves
Mumbai, Maharastra

Engraved by:- W. Woolnoth
Year:- 1858