Sacred Heritage Sites

Sacred Bathing Ghats and Pilgrimage Sites Documented

Amma Mandapam in Srirangam serves as a major ghat along the Kaveri River where pilgrims bathe before visiting the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. The site draws especially large crowds during new-moon ceremonies honoring ancestors. It also hosts festivals, rituals, and cultural gatherings throughout the year. Travelers can reach Srirangam by road, rail, or air through nearby Tiruchirappalli.

Hari Parbat: A Fort With Layers of History

Hari Parbat, also called Koh-i-Maran, sits as a historic hill in Srinagar linked to Goddess Sharika, an incarnation of the deity Parvati. The site holds both religious and military significance. Mughal emperor Akbar began fortification work in 1590 intending to establish a new capital. The present fort was built in 1808 by Atta Mohammed Khan of the Durrani Empire. After nearly two decades of closure, the fort reopened to the public in 2007.

Two entrances provide access to Hari Parbat fort. Visitors can enter through Rainawari via Kathi Darwaza Gate or through Hawal via Sangin Darwaza Gate. A 100-foot-tall Indian flag was hoisted on the fort on August 15, 2021.

Hindu Mythology and Goddess Sharika's Sacred Role

Hindu tradition identifies Hari Parbat as a pebble formed through divine intervention. According to mythology, Goddess Parvati appeared as a bird and dropped the pebble on the demon Jalodbhava. The stone grew until it crushed the demon. Parvati is now worshipped at the site as Goddess Sharika, the principal deity of Hari Parbat. Sharika is depicted with 18 arms and seated in a Shri Chakra, a sacred geometric symbol in Hindu and tantric traditions.