A Trip to Tungareshwar – Lord Shiv Temple in Shravan Month

A Trip to Tungareshwar – Lord Shiv Temple in Shravan Month
Shravan Month has been started for North Indian from 23rd July, 2013 and ends on 21st August, 2013 in the Hindi Calendar its Saka 2070. Shravan mass is considered as the Holiest Month in the Hindu calendar due to many festivals are celebrated during these period. Every day of the Month is considered as an auspicious. The Shravan Maas Monday falls on 29th July, 5th August, 12th August & 19th August, these Mondays are dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva & considered highly auspicious for fasting and known as Shravan Somwar or Shravan Somwar Vrats.

Tungareshwar

The Mythology refer to the story of Samudra Manthan [Churning of Ocean] which took place in the Month of Shravan, The Churnings reveals 13 different types of Jewels and a pot of Amrit [Ambrosia] and a Pot of Poison. Gods & Goddesses eagerly tasted the Amrit, None ventured forward to have a taste of poison. The Toxic poison name “Halahal” or “Kalkuta” was finally consumed by Lord Shiva on the supplication of Gods and demons. While Lord Shiva drank the Poison and stores it in his Throat, which caused tremendous heat in his body & his throat turned blue due to the impact of poison. In this way Lord Shiva got the name as “Neelkanth” [In Sanskrit “Neela” means the color “Blue” and “Kanth” means “Neck].To reduce the impact of the deadly poison Lord Shiva wore the crescent Moon on his head & also, all Gods thereafter stared offering Gangajal to Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of Poison & after these event Shivalingas have be worshipped by pouring water over the Shivlingas & process is known as “Jalabishek”. Since all these happened in the month of Shravan it has become tradition to offer water to Lord Shiva in this Month.

In these Shravan Month we decided to have a trip at Tungareshwar Shiv Temple, every year we go there on first Sunday of Shravan Month. This time Sunday comes on 28th July, 2013 & as decided we all meet early morning at Shahad Railway Station by 4.30am, we have to catch 4.45am train which start from Titwala and some of my friends are also coming from there. I have received a call from my friend that train has been depart from Titwala Station & it’s on time, we catch the same train & depart at Domivli Station. From Domivli we have to catch 5.43am – 71082- Domivli – Boisar passenger Train. Platform was fully crowded, as it was the first train towards Boisar and thereafter there is gap for another.

Train left station on time; we all occupied the seats, as I glanced outside, I could see that the rain was still on & Outside view was very good. Train Reached Vasai Road Station at 6.35am. We all got down & come out on East side. All decided to have tea and then move ahead.

Tea Time

After tea we enquired about the Auto fare at Auto Stand for Tungareshwar Phata or Sitaram Bapu Mandir, as it was 12km from railway station, they informed us if we will go private they will charge Rs.150/- per auto, as we were 6, so we have to hire 2 auto. On Auto stand, there was other option, as auto was going on Share basis, for which they will charge Rs. 30/- per person and they will drop us near Sitaram Bapu Mandir, which is the base point or starting point for tracking. We have select 2nd option & at 7.05am we catch Auto & after 15min we reached at Sitaram Bapu Mandir.

Starting point

Before we go ahead with Journey, let have some Introduction of Tungareshwar

Tungareshwar is located at altitude of 2177ft above sea level & it is situated near the village of Sativali In Taluka Vasai, in the district of Thane – Maharashtra. It is the Highest Mountain plateaus in Vasai.

It is covered with the thickly wooded & offers many opportunities to trekkers, Mountaineers and natural lovers. The Temple of Lord Shiva is on the slope of hill which is known as Tungareshwar Hill & nearby flow of Tungareshwar River & behind temple there is “Ram kund”. In addition to the ancient temple, river there is beautiful streams and waterfalls. The Best time to visit Tungareshwar is during the rainy season or winter season. It is a holy destination for the devotees of Lord Shankar

Let go ahead, as we reached Base point i.e. near Sitaram Bapu Mandir, from here we have to clamp 3km uphill to reach our destination – a 100 year old Lord Shiv Temple. We start at 7.25am with the word “Bam Bam Bole…… Har Har Mahadev…. Shankar Maharaj ki jai……

As we started through broken muddy road of the hills leading our destination, after a few minutes climb we come across streams. Which we have to cross & it is the last destination point for the Car and private vehicles. These streams flow only during Monsoons.

1st Stream & check point

After crossing stream, after a few minute climb we cross through Ashram called “Ashram of Chakachak Baba”, we were surprised with the name and how they can keep these type of name.

Chakachak Baba Ashram

After few minutes’ walk there was a forest check post & there was a ticket of Rs 20/- for Adults and Rs. 15/- for children & at these point they were checking the bag if any alcohol is carried by us or not.

After crossing Forest check post & few Minutes’ walk, second stream has come, this time water lever was little high compare to first one. A rope bridge was made to cross the stream, but everyone was crossing from the stream no one using the rope bridge. We too….

Crossing 2nd Stream

After crossing Stream, we have seen some Auto Rickshaws standing near the stream, as enquired by them, driver inform us that they will drop us near the temple and charges are Rs.50/- per seat. We prefer to track and move ahead.

Auto Rickshwas Service

On a way there was small shop selling tea and snacks, some of devotees enjoying hot tea, as weather little cold, on our way, we found waterfall with crystal water & people were enjoying……..wowowo

People Enjoying in Waterfall

After few minutes climb we heard chirping sound, the melodies call of sound birdie and hooding sound and by another realize the quieted, that movement was really very good.

Walk Way Path toward Hill Side

Some of people were coming after having Darshan & red marks of vermillion on their foreheads – they have had the blessings of the Baba.

After few minutes’ walk we found small waterfall & we have to cross these as water was flowing from the way.

Water Fall & Water Stream

As some of my friends were tired, so we decided to take rest & after taking rest we proceeded further.
After reaching the temple area, we found a route on the right side which seemed to us leading to the top of hill & Main gate was made in which “ Bal yogi Shree Sadananad Maharaj Ashram” Printed, and on left side there was way towards Mandir & in between there was shops for Snacks & small shops in which local people selling Prasad.

Way towards Temple & Shop for Snacks

After 50 minutes of climbing, we finally reached The Tungareshwar Temple.

Local People Selling Prasad

Tungareshwar Temple is small, well maintained. On both side of the Main gate of Temple there is a Small Temple.

Tungareshwar Temple

Photo frame of Lord Ganesh, Goddess Durga and Lord Shree Ram hang from the ceiling wall. In centre of the temple is Nandi Bail, the Vehicle of Lord Shiva, sitting steady as His Guard. Above Him hangs a huge bell. I ring it to announce my arrival and stand in a queue for Darshan, as there was not too much rush.

The temple room was small, but beautifully decorated in Minimalistic works of colourful glass. On one corner of the room diya was lighting and there was small temple of Devi.

In centre there was the Main ling – Lord Shiva, with a Hug serpent in brass coiled around it. Flower, Bil patras, Bill fal offered by the pilgrims are scattered around it. A brass post hangs above & water trickling down from it drop by drop over the ling.

We all decided let first clear all area & remove all the flowers & Bil patras from Shiv ling and clean it. After give bath to shiv ling & afterward done pooja & chant shiv mantra.

At back side of temple there is a small temple of Bhairav Mandir, near to Mandir there was place to broke coconut. It was already 8.50am & aarti as at 9.00am so we wait for aarti.

Small Temples near Main Temple

Before aarti, full area in the room is cleaned and I was happy that I have got the opportunity to do seva.
After the Panditji come and decorate Lord Shiva and Aarti begain, it takes around 15 Minutes and again we done Darshan & donated some amount.

In the temple premises there were lot of Monkeys jumping around and some are with the kid monkeys.

We have done Lord Hanumaji Darshan, and move towards Kodiar Mata Temple, for which we have to climb a few fleets of stairs to reach in temple, at temple priest inform me about the significance of the temple. The word “Kodiar” means “Kho Jaana” [getting lost]. He told us the goddess at the kodiar temple was an avtar of Ganga. Her vehicle is a Crocodile & she is also known as Rajmata and she belonged to Kutch.

Way towards Kodiar mata Temple

After Darshan we move towards the Jag Mata temple, for which we have to climb a few stair to reach there. At the entrance, a stands statue of “Happy Man” and a few deities in orange colour stone are neatly arranged below it.

Way towards Jag Mata Temple

Nearby there was a flow of water from the Mouth of Nandi.

We have done Darshan of Jag Mata Devi & in centre of Mandir there was a Lion Status, the Vehicle for Goddess.

Place near Jag Mata Temple

After Darshan, it’s time for us to come back, on the way we saw too much crowd climbing up in a group and we were coming down.

Devotees walking towards the temple

After crossing 2 streams we reached the start point from where we start climbing, nearby there was a Mandir of Sitaram Bapu Mandir, we have a Darshan and in way of Prasad we have got chocolate.

Near to Mandir, everyone was having Tea, which is given free to each and every one who visits here.

Sitaram Bapu mandir

After that we catch Auto to go Vasai Road Station which was standing near to the Mandir, as we all were hungry, it’s was time to have some snacks near Vasai Station & after that we purchase Railway Journey ticket up to Kopar. Train was standing on station & we catch train 69168 – Vasai Panvel & depart at 12.10pm and reached Kopar at 12.50pm & reached home remembering the pleasant journey at 1.30pm.

Important Information about Tungareshwar

Nearest Railway Station: Vasai Road [Western Railway]

Reaching at Base [Near Sitaram Bapu Mandir]: From Vasai Station [East], you can get easily share Auto Rickshaws, which will charged Rs. 30/- per person. Or one can hire all for you in these case they will charge Rs. 150/- [Negotiable].

Temple Daily Schedules
Aarti – 5.00am
Aarti – 9.00am
Naivedya – 12.00 noon
Aarti – 6.00pm

Accommodation near Temple:
Temple Sansthan has his own 8 Room with Tariff of Rs 100/- for 24 hours.
Cooking Utensils can be available for Sansthan office at rate of Rs 50/-, as there is separate cooking area.
Cooking is not allowed in Room.
Room can be booked well in Advance during Shravan month.

Accommodations

Best Time to visit these place:
During Monsoon or Winter Season if the best & preferable early morning if you wish to avoid too much crowd.

Again an unusual & wonderful experience to end the weekend…………

Mix Photo

Lastly thanks for reading & sorry, if I have missed something please update me also….. Bam Bam Bole…… Har Har Mahadev…. Shankar Maharaj ki jai……