Gauri Kund

Last updated

Gauri Kund
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
Location
Location Uttarakhand, India
State Uttarakhand
Country India
Geographic coordinates 30°38′N79°1′E / 30.633°N 79.017°E / 30.633; 79.017

Gauri Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site and base camp for trek to Kedarnath Temple, in Uttarakhand, India. [1] [2] It is situated at an altitude of 6502 feet above mean sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas. Anekadhangavadeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam , the 275 temples reverred in the canon.

Contents

Legend

Gauri Kund is associated with Shiva's wife, Parvati, who is also known as Gauri. In Hindu folklore, Gauri committed to penance involving many ascetic and yogic practices to win over Shiva's affections. Local tradition claims that Gauri Kund is the spot where Gauri lived while carrying out these practices and it was here that Shiva finally admitted His love for Her. They were married at Triyugi Narayan, which is located nearby. There are hot springs in Gauri Kund and they are converted to bathing places. [3] [4]

This place is also associated with the legend of how Ganesha acquired his elephant head. While bathing in the kund, Goddess Parvati fashioned Ganesha from the soap suds on her body, breathed life into him and placed him at the entrance as her guard. Lord Shiva happened to arrive at the spot and he was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant at this affront, Shiva cut off Ganesha's head and Parvati was inconsolable. She insisted that the boy be brought back to life and Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on Ganesha's body. Parvati had her son back and Ganesha acquired the persona by which he is known all over the Hindu world since then. [3]

History

There are several inscriptions in the temple from historical times. One of the inscriptions states that the son of a Devadasi vowed to kill himself if the temple could not be completed. [3]

Saints and literary mention

Tirugnana Sambandar, a 7th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated the deity in one verses in Tevaram , compiled as the First Tirumurai . He is believed to have rendered the verse while he visited the Kalahast temple. As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam , one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. There is a temple in Kanchipuram, the Anekadhangavadeswarar temple carrying the same name. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, located at Padi, a north-western neighbourhood of Chennai, India. Shiva is worshiped as Tiruvalleswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Jagadambiga. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veerateeswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Thiruvathigai Veerateswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is situated in Thiruvathigai village which is about 2 kilometres east from the town of Panruti in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Veerattaaneswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Thiripurasundari. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is considered the place where the Saiva saint poet Appar (Thirunavukkarasar) converted back to Saivism, and attained final salvation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur or Thirunallur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva in Nallur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Kumbakonam, 6 km (3.7 mi) east of Thirukkarugavur, and 30 km (19 mi) south of Thanjavur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanchinadha Swamy Temple</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Vanchinadha Swamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Vanchinadha Swamy, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prananadeswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva

Prananadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirumangalakudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Prananatheswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangala Nayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located at Kanrappur near Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Appar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padikasu Nathar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Padikasu Nathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Azhagaputhur, a village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Padikasunathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Soundaranayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The 8th century Saiva saint poet Sundarar has sung praise about the temple in his works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Sivapuri in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The place is also known as Thirunelvayil. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Uchinathar. His consort is known as Uchinayagi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirukkazhippalai Palvannanathar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Tirukkazhippalai Palvannanathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Sivapuri in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva in the form of Palvannanathar and his consort is known as Vedanayaki. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innambur Ezhutharinathar Temple</span> Hindu temple of Shiva in Innambur, India

Innambur Ezhutharinathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Innambur, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam, in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Ezhutharinathar and his consort Parvati as Nithya Kalyani. Ona Kantheeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiruppaatrurai Adhimooleswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Tiruppaatrurai Adhimooleswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva (Adhimooleswarar) located at Tirupattrurai in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Tirupalathurai. The temple is revered in the 7th century Tamil Shaiva canon, the Tevaram, written by the Tamil Nayanar saint-poets and thus classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambal Brahmapureeswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Ambal Brahmapureeswarar Temple(அம்பல் பிரமபுரீசுவரர் கோயில்) is a Hindu temple located at Ambal in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Now the place is known as Koilpatthu. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Brahmapureeswarar. His consort is known as Poonkuzhalammai. The historical name of the place is Punnakavanam. Shiva is worshipped as Brahmapureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Poonguzhalammai. Ampal Brahmapureeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon. The temple is believed to be the last among the sixty maadakoil built by Kochengat Chola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anekadhangavadeswarar temple</span> Temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Anekadhangavadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Kanchipuram, near Kailasanathar temple, Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. Anekadhangavadeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metraleeswar temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Metraleeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Pillaiyar Palayam area in Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. Metraleeswarar is revered in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon. The temple is believed to have expanded during the 13th century by Later Cholas as indicated in the inscriptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirumakaraleeswarar temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Magaral, a village in Kanchipuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Thirumakaraleeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Tribuvananayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marundeeswarar Temple, T. Edayar</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Marundeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in T. Edaiyar, a village in Viluppuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Marundeeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Balambigai. The temple is located on the Southern banks of Thenpennai River on the Thirukoilur - Thiruvennainallur road. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaseeswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Vaseeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirupasoor, a village in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Vaseeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Pasupathinayagi. The temple is located on the Southern banks of Poondi reservoir on the Thiruvallur - Thiruthani road, 5 km (3.1 mi) away from the town. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Agnipureeswarar Temple in Thirupugalur, a village in Nagapattinam district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 10th century. Shiva is worshipped as Agnipureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Karundar Kuzhali. The temple is believed to be the place where Saiva saint Appar is believed to have attained salvation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oondreswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple of Shiva in Poondi, India

Oondreswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Poondi, a village in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Oondreswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Minnoli Amman. The temple is located on the Northern banks of Poondi reservoir on the Thiruvallur - Thiruthani road, 11 km (6.8 mi) away from the town. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pushpavaneswarar temple</span> Temple in India

Pushpavaneswarar temple in Thirupuvanam, a town in Sivaganga district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 7th century. Shiva is worshipped as Pushpavaneswarar and his consort Parvathi as Soundaranayagi.

References

  1. "Army restores road link to Gauri Kund". The Times of India . 29 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  2. Page 224, Hill Resorts of U.P. Himalaya: A Geographical Study, By Nutan Tyagi, Published 1991 by Indus Publishing, ISBN   81-85182-62-0
  3. 1 2 3 4 R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 110–11.
  4. Lochtefeld, James G. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. Rosen. p. 244. ISBN   978-0-8239-3179-8.

30°39′00″N79°01′00″E / 30.65000001°N 79.0166666767°E / 30.65000001; 79.0166666767