Kaladhamam Surendrapuri Mythological Museum

Kunda Satyanarayana Kaladhamam, also known as Surendrapuri Mythological Museum, is considered to be an abode of artistic excellence. This Hindu mythology museum is located around 60 km from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The museum was established by Kunda Satyanarayana in memory of his son Surendra.

What to See

The person who visits Surendrapuri Museum will always have a rare feeling of holiness within him. The sculptures and paintings depict stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The fantastic carvings of some important events that happened in Ramayana, Mahabharata or other great epics are maintained in an unparalleled way. Of them the most heart touching, seems to be the scene from Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna is advising Arjuna to get on for the Kurukshetra war and this sculpture is almost 36 feet high.

Surendrapuri Museum architecture becomes one of the best when one sees hundreds of nearly full sized replicas of important Hindu temples in India. Enormous posters of gods and goddesses in varied posters could also be seen. Visitors get wonderstruck seeing the modules of Lord Hanuman carrying Sanjivani Mountain and also Hanuman on his own, giving away prasad to his devotees. Other noted gallery sculptures include Vishwarupam, Yamaloka, Naga loka, Padmadweepam, Calcutta Kali statue and Shiva’s baaraat.

 Different varieties of prasadam are offered in the temple of Kunda Satyanarayana Kaladhamam. It is a must watch for every Indian as it clearly reflects the real colour of Indian culture. A creation against creation, it is beyond words and imagination and a way of fulfilling the pure essence of life.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for an adult is Rs. 300/- and for children from 5 to 10 years is Rs. 250/-. For children below 5 years no charges.  

Visitor Timings

Ticket Booking Timings are from 9 am - 5 pm. Museum visiting hours are from 9 am - 7 pm. The museum is Open All Days.

Other Facilities

Boarding and lodging are very much available nearby and refreshments are also provided inside the Museum. Mobile phones, Cameras (Still and Video) are allowed inside. The Museum is well connected by road, rail and air. The museum has ample parking space for all types of vehicles. Cloakroom facility is also available.

Kanchipuram City of Thousand Temples

Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples, is situated on the north-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal and Chennai. It was called as Kachi, Conjevaram and Kachiampathi in ancient times. Kanchipuram is regarded as one of the seven holiest cities to the Hindus of India where worshiping will helps to attain Moksha. Located on the Palar River, the temple town is renowned for its temples and hand woven silk saris. Highest quality silk and pure gold threads are used by the weavers. The city is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts, in the north by Thiruvallur district and Chennai district, in the south by Villupuram district and in the east by Bay of Bengal.

One of the oldest cities in South India, Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas during the 7th - 9th centuries, and then became the fort of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. The city got its fame during the reign of Pallava dynasty and many of the famous temples were built during their reign. The silk city is also regarded as one of the seven sacred cities of India. The magnificent temples of Kanchipuram are unique in their architectural beauty, reflecting the Dravidian tradition. Kanchi Matha, an ancient Hindu institution under the leadership of Shri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, is located here. Kanchipuram was a city of learning for Tamil and Telugu, and the great Chinese traveler, Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang), is believed to have visited the city in the 7th century.

Kanchipuram Temples

Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage site for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. There are two sects in Kanchipuram – Vishnu Kanchi, where all the Vishnu Temples are found and Shivan Kanchi where all the Shivan and Shakthi Temples are found. Kanchipuram is the abode of Ekambaranathar Temple, which is one of the five Panchabhootha Sthalams of Lord Shiva. Kanchipuram also houses 14 among the 108 holy temples of Lord Vishnu. There are also numerous Jain Temples in Kanchipuram.

Shiva Temples

1) Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
2) Ekambareswarar Temple
3) Kachapeshwarar Temple - Karchapeswarar Temple
4) Iravatanesvara temple

Vishnu Temples

1) Varadharaja Perumal Temple
2) Ulahalanda Perumal Temple
3) Vaikunta Perumal Temple - Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram
4) Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
5) Ashtabujakaram - Sri Adhikesava Perumal Temple
6) Tiruvekkaa - Sri Yathothkari Temple
7) Tiruththanka - Sri Deepa prakasa Perumal Temple
8) Tiruvelukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Temple
9) Tirukalvanoor - Sri Adi Varaha Swami Temple
10) Tirupaadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodar Temple
11) Tiruoorakam - Sri Ulagalantha Swami Temple
12) Tirupavalavannam - Sri Pavala Vanar Temple
13) Tirupputkuzhi - Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal Temle
14) Tirunilaaththingalthundam - Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple

Other Temples

1) Kamakshi Amman Temple
2) Kumarakottam Temple of Muruga
3) Muktheeswarar Temple
4) Karaithirunathar Temple
5) Onakanthan Tali
6) Kachi Anekatangapadam
7) Thirumagaraleeswarar Temple
8) Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple
9) Chitragupta Temple

Hinduism Worlds Oldest Religion

Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with billions of followers and it is the world’s third largest religion. In ancient Hindu scriptures Hinduism is referred as ‘Vaidika Dharma’ meaning “Religion of the Vedas”.

Origin of Hinduism

Unlike other religions Hinduism did not originate from a single person, single book or at a single point in time. It originated around such remote past that it is traced to 10000 B.C. One of the major Hindu scriptures known as Rig Veda was composed well before 6500 B.C. The term “Hindu” was first used by foreigners about the people living across the river Indus in the north of India around which the religion must have originated.

Attributes of Hinduism

Hinduism does not have any particular belief system and it is treated as a way of life or Dharma that governs all actions. The tradition of Hinduism is responsible for the creation of practices such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna, Puja, Tantra, Vedanta and Karma. The religion has its own beliefs, traditions, rituals theology and philosophy. Hinduism is a combination of diverse beliefs and traditions and also believes in truth, honesty, non-violence, cleanliness, pious company and prayers.

Hindu Scriptures

Basic scriptures in Hinduism are collectively referred to as “Shastras” done by the ancient rishis who taught their disciples the eternal principles of life through meditations. Two types of sacred writings are “Shruti” and “Smriti”. This has been passed on from generation to generation fro centuries. The scriptures are mostly written in Sanskrit language. Some of the major Hindu texts include Bhagavat Gita, Upanishads and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hindu scriptures teach that an Individual is an ‘Atma’ clothed in a physical body. Hindu scriptures say that ‘Atma’, a source of mind and intellect, is immortal and divine.