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Pilgrimages in South India
South India has important shrines of all the major
faiths of India including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and even
Jainism. However, it is the Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati, the
richest temple in the world over, which is best known of all and is one
of the most prominent pilgrimage attractions of Andhra Pradesh. The
other attractions of Andhra Pradesh include Ahobilam, the pilgrimage
centre for Vaishnav Hindus, Amaravati with Lord Amareswara Temple and
the world-famous Buddhist sculptures, rare Lord Surya Temple at
Arasavalli and Bhadrachalam said to be the abode of Lord Rama for
sometime on the shores of River Godavari, which is considered to be one
of the greatest holy shrines of South India. There is 11th century Lord
Narsimha Temple at Simhachalam, Srisailam enshrining one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas in India and Puttaparthi, the world-famous abode of Sri
Satya Sai Baba.
Sravanbelagola in Karnataka is internationally renowned for the massive
Gomateshwar monolith and is one of the most sacred Jain pilgrimage
centers. Sringeri and Dharmasthala is sacred to Hindus while Inam
Dattatreya is sacred to both Hindus as well as Muslims. Karkala,
Moodbidri, Venoor, Humcha and Narasimharajapura of Karnataka have
numerous Jain shrines and monuments. Mosques and churches of Sirsi,
Veerashaiva Matha, one of the five great Panchacharya Mathas,
Harihareshwar Temple at Harihar and the famous Lord Krishna temple at
Udupi are yet other temples in Karnataka that are a must-see. Kerala has
popular pilgrimage centers of Attukal Bhagavathy temple at Mudippura in
Thiruvananthapuram known as the Sabarimala of women, Chettikulangara
temple at Kayamkulam, Guruvayoor in Trichur district and Mannarasala
temple at Harippad dedicated to God of Serpents.
The first mosque in India is situated at Methala in Kodungalloor,
Kerala while Kondotti is the most sacred place for Muslims in Kerala.
St. Sebastian Church, Manjinikkara church and the first European church
in India are notable pilgrim places for Christians in Kerala. Tamil Nadu
has shrines dedicated to all Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakti cults of
Hinduism and range from rock temples with huge Gopurams to the cave
temples, shore temples and open-air bas-reliefs to the Dravidian style
temples. The most famous of them are Srirangam, the abode of Lord
Ranganatha near Trichy, the temple at Chidambaram dedicated to Lord
Nataraja, Dargah of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah at
Nagore, Brihadeeswara Temple and the pilgrim centres of Nanguneri,
Palani, Tiruttani and Velangani.
| Pilgrimages
in Andhra Pradesh |
| The
world-renowned Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati is said to be
the richest temple the world over and is the most prominent
pilgrimage attraction of Andhra Pradesh. However, there are many
other pilgrimage centers that are noteworthy for their popularity
and the number of pilgrims who visit the place |
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» Amaravati
» Tirupati
Balaji |
| Pilgrimage
Centers of Karnataka |
| There
are a number of famous temples at Karnataka besides the spots sacred
to various faiths of the country. However, Hinduism and Jainism have
a profound influence on the region. Sravanbelagola, known all over
the world for the famous Gomateshwar monolith, is one of the most
sacred Jain pilgrimage centers |
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» Sravanabelagola
» Gokarna |
| Pilgrimage
in Tamil Nadu |
| A
land of shrines dedicated to Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakti cults of
Hinduism, Tamil Nadu is a land of culture and religion. The shrines
range from the rock temples with huge Gopurams to the cave temples,
shore temples and open-air bas-reliefs to the ones built in the
Dravisian style of architecture, with wide Prakarams, ornamented
with elegant sculptures and wall and ceiling paintings. |
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| Places
of Worship in Pondicherry |
| Pondicherry
is a place with a number of churches and temples and other religious
places. Some of the most beautiful churches include Eglise de Sacre
Coeur de Jesus at the south boulevard, an oriental example of Gothic
splendor. Its highlights are its rare and beauteous stained glass
panels depicting events from the life of Christ. |
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| Pilgrimages in South India : Reservation Form |
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