My book of photos of statues of Lord Ganesha from various temples of India...coming soon.........by K J S Chatrath

 Would you like to contribute a photo to this book? Your contribution would be gratefully acknowledged. 

                       This photo was taken by me at the Mathura Government Museum, UP, India. 

 

                                          #Hoyaleshwara, #Karnataka, India. Photo: #kjschatrath

India - the incomparable..............by K J S Chatrath

Badoli Group of temples, 10th-11th CE, Rawatbhatta, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Photo: kjschatrath  

              #India- the incomparable. Photo taken in #Thanjavur, #TamilNadu India by #kjschatrath

 The Empress Suite in a King's mansion turned into a heritage hotel in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India. 

You know what? This is an old heritage building  not far from the Chennai Central Railway station in Tamil Nadu........Fighting with time...Photo#kjschatrath
 

 India - the incomparable..............by K J S Chatrath ; https://indianheritagephotos.blogspot.com/2026/05/india-incomparableby-k-j-s-chatrath.html

 

Kankarnath Shiva Temple, Morena, Madhya Pradesh, 11th CE.  The local legend has it that it was constructed by ghosts in one night- who had to leave it unfinished because of the dawn of the day. 

                 Colourful Capsicums (Simla Mirch) in a vegetable show somewhere in South India. 

Visit to Gaurishankar Temple, Bhedaghat........by K J S Chatrath

I visited Jabalpur a few years back. While visiting the famous 64 Yogini temple there, I also went to the Gaurishankar Temple at Bhedaghat.  

It is a small but historically significant shrine located near the famous marble rocks and the Narmada River at Bhedaghat. It is closely associated with the larger Chausath Yogini Temple, Bhedaghat complex, which stands on a hill overlooking the river.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Shankar) and Goddess Parvati (Gauri), whose combined name “Gaurishankar” symbolizes divine unity. Historically, the shrine was added later to the Yogini temple complex, probably around the 12th century, when the site was adapted for Shaivite worship.

Architecturally, the Gaurishankar temple is simpler compared to the circular Yogini temple. It stands at the centre of the courtyard and represents a later phase of construction, with a typical North Indian (Nagara-style) tower over the sanctum. Though modest in size, it forms the spiritual focal point of the complex today.

In essence, the Gaurishankar Temple reflects the transition of the site from a Tantric Yogini worship centre to a more mainstream Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, while retaining its historical and scenic importance at Bhedaghat.

Here are a few photographs that I took there: 

 

Visit to Baijnath Temple, 1204 CE, Himachal Pradesh................by KJS Chatrath

I was privileged to visit the Baijnath temple in Himachal Pradesh recently. I had last visited it about 15 years back.

The Baijnath Temple, situated in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most revered and historically significant temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in northern India. Set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar range, the temple stands not only as a centre of religious devotion but also as an outstanding example of early medieval North Indian temple architecture. Its antiquity, inscriptions, and continuity of worship combine to make it a monument of both cultural and archaeological importance. The temple was constructed in 1204 CE by two local merchants, Ahuka and Manyuka, whose names are recorded in a Sanskrit inscription found within the temple complex. 

Devotees whispering their wishes in the ears of Nandi convinced that this is the fastest and surest way to transmit their prayers to Lord Shiva. Baijnath Temple 1204 CE, Himachal Pradesh that I visited last week. Photo#kjschatrath

 

 

Uma-Mahesh 

                                                                   Lord Ganesha

Some views from Tiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu, India........by K J S Chatrath

 

All photos by K J S Chatrath