Showing posts with label Vaishnava Temple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vaishnava Temple. Show all posts

Monday, October 23, 2017

Thalamalai Sanjeevi Perumal Temple


Name : Thalamalai Sanjeevi Perumal Temple aka.,Nallendra Perumal Temple

Location :

At a distance of 5 km from Sevinthipatti, 39 km from Gunaseelam, 34 km from Namakkal, 95 km from Erode, 65 km from Trichy & 354 km from Chennai, the ancient and famous Thalamalai Perumal Temple is situated on a unique rock on the peak of Thalaimalai Hill. It is a renowned Vaishnava temple.

Legend :

1. In Ramayana, great of the two great epics of Hindu mythology, Lord Rama on his way back to Ayodhya with Sita after rescuing her from Ravana in Lankan lands, he had to stay at this Sthala, a spring by name Ramar Sunai was made and there is water flow always. When a person goes close this spring, he can breathe the pleasurable smell of turmeric.

2. In Ramayana, the Yuddha Kanda, Indrajit, son of Ravana and the primary of army of demons showered deadly weapons (the Brahmastra.) to kill his enemies - Rama, Lakhmana and vanaras and they were unconscious. Jambavan sent Hanuman to fetch the Sanjivi, a powerful life-restoring herb to revive the unconscious. Unable to find the specific herb before nightfall, Hanuman brought the entire mountain Dronagiri which was full of medicinal plants, to the fight field, thus helping find the herb and even with the approach of the Sanjivi hill, (fragrance of the herbs) Rama and Lakshmana and the Vanaras felt the darts slip off their bodies. Their wounds healed. Jambavan told Hanuman to replace the Sanjivi Hill but Hanuman was tired to go back to the spot and he tied the hill in his tail and threw it with full vigour. The top portion of the hill fell and that place came to be known as Thalaimalai.

Description :

 The temple is open only in the Tamil month of “Puratasi” (Mid of September to Mid of October). During this period, people from surrounding areas would come to this temple and worship. The temple is  atop nearly 2300 Feet above sea level.

This hill gets its name because it resembles the head of a person. This hill is also known as Siragiri.


The presiding deity of the temple is Nallendra Perumal, a form of Lord Vishnu. One can find shrines of Venkatachalapathy, Alamelu Mangai Thayaar, Goddess Mahalaxmi, Sri Devi, Bhudevi, Lord Anjaneya, Garudazhvar, and Karupanna Swami. If one takes a holy dip in the Kannimar Sunai and pray to Lord Nallendra Perumal, they would be void of the bad effects of Lord Shaneeswar. This temple was built by Madurai Nayaks.

There is a spring called Ramar Sunai with water flowing all the time.

Visitors need to trek for about 4 kms through rocky path running through steep stretches at times. It usually takes about 2 hours to trek upwards. The trekking starts from Thalamalai foothill, which is about 10 kms from Appananallur. From Trichy, the route goes through Guanseelam, Musiri, Manamedu and Appananallur.

Devotees walk around on a narrow path around the temple for pradakshinas. People strongly believe that going round this rock temple would give them successful marriage, wealth and child birth. Doing this ritual is now banned after an accident.


One can find Sanjivi herb spread in this hill and the pilgrims who workshopped this temple would be guarded against the sting of poisonous insects and snakes. There is no threatening to their lives.

Festivals :

Annual festival is celebrated in Tamil month of Puratasi (September / October), once in three years poojas for Edi Bhagavan (Thunder) are performed here.

Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM on Monday to Saturday and 6 AM to 2 PM on Sunday

Websites :
http://www.gconnect.in/guestarticles/thalaimalai-hills-unseen-serene-beauty-of-nature.html

http://amudhasurabi.com/tour/Trichy/ThalamalaiTemple

https://www.trawell.in/tamilnadu/tiruchirappalli/thalamalai-perumal-temple

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Sri Prasanna Venketasar temple, Thiru vaiyavoor


Name : Sri Pranna Venkatesar Perumal Temple

Location :
Sri Prasanna Venkatesar Temple, Tirumalai Vaiyavur, Chengalpat, Kancheepuram district.

Legend :

Prasannam means that which appears in the mind.  There are staunch devotees who attain darshan of Lord in their mind though they could not have it with physical eyes.   King Tirumalai Naicker had such a darshan of Lord Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and built a temple at Tallakulam in Madurai.  Similarly, a king of the Thondaiman dynasty in Thirumalayavur prayed to Lord Venkatachalapathi for safety to his land.  Lord protected his land.  When the king expressed his gratitude to the Lord, He came to this hill with His scepter and granted darshan.  Thondaiman king built this temple and named the Lord Prasanna Venkatesar.

Description : 

According to rules of worship in Tirupathi, the first worship should be dedicated to Lord Aadi Varahaswami before reaching Lord Srinivasa-Venkatachalapathi.  The same system is followed in this temple too.  There is a separate shrine for Lord.  When Perumal took Varaha Avatar, Garuda Bhagwan could not have this darshan.  Hence, this Varaha darshan was granted to Garuda in this temple.

Lord Prasanna Venkateswara in the sanctum sanctorum looks majestically holding the scepter-Sengole.  Two Mahalakshmis are on His broad chest on both sides.  Divine serpent Adi Sesha has his place in the Tiruvasi frame.   Lord is wearing Ashalakshmi-Sahasranama malas and Dasavatara Odyanam the belt around the waist.  Lord grants Netra darshan (Darshan of eyes only) without any special Alankaras on Thursday mornings.  The view of Lord falls on the devotees.  Of the Dwarapalakas, Jayan is wearing the Simha design ear ring and Vijayan is wearing the Gaja –elephant designed ear rings.  This is a different feature in this temple.  There is a separate shrine for Mother Alarmelmangai Thayar.

Lord Lakshmi Varaha is in a separate shrine with His own Kodimaram-flag post.   He has his right leg on Adisesha’s tail and the left on head head, holding Mother Mahalakshmi on His lap.  The first Deepa Aradhana is dedicated to Him as He is the pradhan murthi in the temple.  Even during festivals to Lord Prasanna Venkateswara, the flag hoisting is done in this shrine only.

Each month on the Tiruvonam Star day, Ona Dheepam is lighted in the temple.  It is said that Emperor Mahabali was a rat in one of his previous births and lived in a Shiva temple.  When a lamp in the temple was about to extinct, the rat incidentally fell on the lamp rekindling the wick of the lamp.  The lamp continued to burn.   This rewarded him with a royal birth as Emperor Mahabali.  He was graced by Lord Vishnu on a Onam Star day.  Remembering the event, a big lamp (Aganda Dheepam) is lit in the temple on each Tiruvonam star day.

Lord Srinivasa offers Darshan on the day in the front mandap.  Yajnas, Tirumanjanam and wedding pujas are performed here.  The Aganda Dheepa is placed at the feet of the Lord.  Those facing problems about marriage, concerned about children offer ghee to the lamp for relief.

There are two procession deities, Srinivasa and Kallarpiran.  The former comes in car procession during the Purattasi festival and later in Chithirai festival.  There are shrines for Chakarathazhwar, Venugopalar and Lord Sri Rama in the temple.  Sri Veera Anjaneya is at the foot of the temple in a flying posture.  Devotees submit their prayers in writing to Sri Anjaneya, cover it in a yellow cloth along with an unstripped coconut.  Lord Lakshmi Ganapathi shrine is nearby.

Moolavar    : Prasanna Venketasar
Urchavar    : Srinivasar, Kallapiran
Amman / Thayar    : Alarmel Mangai
Theertham    : Varaha Theertham
Agamam / Pooja     : Vaikanasam
Old year    : 500 years old

Websites :

http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=405


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Sri Thanthondri Malai Kalyana Venkataramar Temple


Name : Sri Thanthondri Malai - Kalyana Venkataramar Temple

Location :

The Temple is on the top of a hill in Thanthondri malai situated around 5km from Karur, Tamilnadu.

Legend :

A devotee Susharma by name was proceeding to Tirupathi with his wife seeking child boon and stayed on the banks of Cauvery for a break.  Sage Naradha appeared in his dream and directed him to go to a place called Tirumakudalur where some would receive him.  When Susharma reached the place, some sculptors received him and took him to this place.  There appeared a bright light on a rock.  The rock split.  Perumal appeared from the gap and granted the boon sought by the devotee and chose to stay for every here for the benefit of devotees.  It is also said that this is the place where a bit of Tiruvengada hill fell during a contest between Vayu and Adhisesha. Antiquity of the temple : 300 years.

Description :

Lord Perumal of the temple is a swayambumurthi on a big rock in a standing posture. Devotees offer sandals as contribution to the temple. This is a cave temple.  The temple celebrates a strange event.  Lord Perumal will appear in the dream of some elders belong to cobblers making chappals.  He will tell one of them to get a chappal of his size either for the right or for the left foot or for both.  These people will prepare the chappal to Lord’s foot size and carry it as jesters and submit it to Perumal.  This is called Chemmali Samarpanam.
The temple is 300 years old.  Presiding deity is formless.  Mother Mahalakshmi is on the chest of Lord.  The place is praised as Dakshina tirupathi-Tirupathi of South.  As in Tirupati, there is no shrine for Mother-Thayar.

Devotees pray to Perumal for cure from pimples and scars in the body by placing salt, pepper and jaggery in the temple. They also pray for wedding and child boons.  Lord responds without fail to prayers of the devotees regarding their health problems.

Festivals :

22 day Purattasi utsav in September-October drawing huge devotee crowd; 17 day Masi Magam car festival in February-March; Krishna Jayanthi in August-September; Vaikunda Ekadasi in December and Tamil and English New Year days are the important festivals celebrated in the temple.

Websites :

http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=636

Tel : +91-4324 2355531, 2365309

Naina Malai Varadarajar Temple


Name : Sri Nainamalai varadharaja swamy

Location :

Around 20 kms South of Rasipuram and 15 kms North of Namakkal

Legend :

The Boodha Ganas (an army like division of Lord Shiva's empire) approached Lord Vishnu for relief from a curse spelt on them by Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu created a spring here through a serpent named Ananha (Anantha Saras Theertham), gave darshan to the Bhoodas from its bank and relieved them of the curse.

As a token of their gratitude, the Bhoodha Ganas erected this temple for Lord Vishnu. Hence, the place is called Bhoodhapuri. The Lord is named Adikesava Perumal.

It has been there for many yugas and rishis had done topas there. The temple is called Nainachalam, because Naina rishi, the guru of Thirumalai Naicker, did penance here. Every 12 years, Lord Indira come and worship the Swamy in the form of thunder. There’s even a sculpture of his in one of the elaborately carved pillars.

The temple is considered to be present in all the 4 yugas in various names like Indhra Jalam, Padma jalam, Yadhava jalam and Naina jalam.


Description :

Nainamali varadharaja swamy is one of the most ancient temples in tamil nadu. This temple is called as "Thirupathi of Salem". Main deitials Sri Varadharaja Swamy and Kuvalayavali Thayar.

During the month of Puratasi lakhs of devotees come to the temple on saturdays. The temple is situated at a hill top. The hill top can be reached by climbing 3500 steps which would hardly take 3 hours trek up the hill. Thala vrucham is nali tree which is said to be there for four yugams in the temple.

In the maha mandapam, the sculptures of Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanan, Krishnan with butter pot, Narasimhar, Veera Anjaneyar, Manmadhan, Rathi, Ayyappan and Dasavatharams are present.,
From the 1st of Tamil month Aani to the 30th of Aadi, Sun rays fall on the Lord. There are 3 water streams.

Here Thirumanjana deepam is very famous and is visible to the near by surrounding villages and town.

In the foot the nainmalai hills is the Sendamanagalam town. Here there is a big temple built during Nayakar kings time. The main deties are Sri Perundevi samathe Lakshmi Narayana swamy

Festivals :

Brahmotsavam (feb in the tamil month of Masi (feb7thfeb19th-2013)
and Puratasi viratham on saturdays 5weeks in month of september & October

Websites :
http://nainamalai-varadarajar.blogspot.in/
http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/salem/

Address for contact and communication
Soundaraja Battachariar
No 3, perumal Kovil Street,
Sendamangalam
Namakkal District
Tamil nadu
637409
Cell     :   9443499854 & 9442397876
email :  soundararajan26@gmail.com 
email :  vararajar2012@gmail.com

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Seenivasa Perumal Temple, Malaiarasan Koil


Name : Seenivasa Perumal Temple, Malaiarasan Koil Aruppukottai

Location :

The Temple is situated in Puliampatti, Aruppukottai, Tamilnadu

Description :

The 100year old Seenivasa Perumal Temple is situated on a small hillock. There are well paved steps to reach the Temple easily. Idols of Garuda and Hanuman are placed on either side af the beginning of steps.
There are separate sannathis for Lakshmi Narayanar and Suriya Narayanar. There is separate Girivalam road for circumbation of the Hill. People go for walking on this road on morning and evening.

There is a Shiva Temple on the malai adivaramknown as Malaiarasan Temple. This temple has a Swayambu idol. The Pooja done in this temple is a good example of Shaiva and Vaishnava unity in this region. The poojari gives Vibuthi and Kumkumam as per Shaiva ritual and then we will get Theertham, Sadaari and Thulasi. After getting the Theertham, we bow down our head to get the Sadaari as per Vaishnava ritual. In the west side of the temple Poigai river is there and the devotees are insisted to bath here and enter the temple.

Website :

http://www.etownaruppukottai.com/srimalaiarasantemple-aruppukottai

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Narasimha Konda)


Name :  Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Narasimha Konda)

Location :

Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple was built on a small hill, popularly known as Narasimha Konda,  by the banks of river Penna about 15 km from Nellore.

Legend :

Legend goes that the sage Kasyapa established the temple on the bank of Pinakini. And the vedic scripture 'Brahmapurana' reveals that the seven sages (Saptarishis) performed 'yagnam' (Sacrifice) on the top of Narasimhakonda.

Description :

Vedagiri Lakshminarasimha Swamy devasthanam came into being nearly 500 years ago, on the summit of Narasimha konda. According to the rock inscriptions, this temple was built by the Pallava king Narsimha Varma in the ninth century.


There are seven tanks (Koneru) around the temple with a great hill top view of the river Penna and the Nellore city. Jonnawada is just a couple of kilometers from here on the other side of the Penna river.


You can also find two wind mills atop this hill where you can get to see them from close. Good for students and clean energy enthusiasts.

Festivals :

Bramhotsavams gets conducted at this temple very grandly in the month of May of every year.

Websites :

http://simhapuri.in/300/vedagiri-lakshmi-narasimha-swamy-temple-narasimha-konda/

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Jagannathpur Temple, Jharkhand

Restored Temple as on January 2008
Name : Jagannathpur Temple, Jharkhand

Location :

Jagannathpur Temple is located about 10 km from the main town, the temple is on top of a small hillock near to a place called Firayalal chowk (The temple is not located near Firayalal Chowk) or (Albert Ekka chowk) in Ranchi.

Description :

The Jagannathpur Temple was constructed by the king of Barkagarh Jagannathpur, Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo. The Jagannathpur Temple at Ranchi was completed on 25th December, 1691.

This temple of Ranchi is placed over the top most point on a small hillock. To reach the top visitors can climb the stairs or take the vehicle route. There are many steps and the climber needs to rest intermittently before resuming. People also take the vehicle route leading directly to the top . To facilitate the arduous climb to the top the management of the temple have made provisions for fresh water and the shade of a huge tree that many tourists generally make use of once they reach the top. The view of the city from the top is breathtaking.

The temple resembles the Jagannath Temple of Puri  in the state of Orissa quite a lot with similar architectural style. It is however smaller in size than the Jagannath Temple in Orissa.

Festivals : At the Jagannathpur Temple, an annual fair is also held every year during the month of Aashaadha of Ratha Yatra. This fair is also quite similar to that of the Ratha Yatra at the Puri's Jagannath Temple. This is a major attraction in Ranchi as thousands of pilgrims flock to the Jagannathpur Temple including the tribal as well as the non tribal devotees not only from Ranchi but also from neighbouring villages and towns and is celebrated with much pomp and vigor.

The temple collapsed on 6 August 1990. With the active participation of the then State Government of Bihar, and some devoted patrons the reconstruction of the temple started on 8th February 1992 and has now been fully restored. The temple has regained back its former glory. And devotees and ardent worshippers make a beeline to the temple every year.

Website :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple,_Ranchi 

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Singavaram - Sri Ranganathesvara Cave Temple



Name : Singavaram - Sri Ranganathesvara Cave Temple

Location :

Singavaram is located about 41 km from Viluppuram and 4 km from Gingee and comes under Viluppuram district. From Chennai it would be around 162 km.

Legend :

According to legend, it is the original image of Ranganatha from the famous Srirangam temple, which was taken away, from Srirangam and hidden in Gingee, for the sake of safety, during the plundering of Srirangam at the hands of the Muslim invader Malik Kafur.

There is an underground tunnel that connects the Rajagiri fortress with the temple and is supposed to have been used by Raja Desingh and his queen to visit the temple unobserved. The existence of the tunnel itself is an indicator of the authenticity of the image.

Description :

The 7th century Ranganatha Cave temple of Lord Ranganatha, the tutelary god (Kul Devi aka kuladeivam) of Raja Desingh is on a hill top with about 150 steps. It is a good specimen of South Indian type of rock cut shrine.



The idol of Lord Ranganatha, in a reclining posture, measures 24 ft. in length which together with the inner sanctorum, is carved out of a single rock. It is said to be bigger than that of the idol in Srirangam. Like Thiruvananthapuram Ananthapadmanatha Swamy, the head, chest and leg portions of this Perumal have to be worshipped through 3 separate entrances. Mangalasasanam was done by Sri Ramanujar.



Websites :

http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/thiruvannamalai/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sriramanvk/4822743925/

http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/09/singavaram-sri-ranganathesvara-cave.html

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Karighatta temple




Name : Karighatta Temple

Location :

Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. It is situated off the Bangalore-Mysore road just before Srirangapatna in Karnataka.



Legend :

It is referred in Varaha Purana as ‘Neelachala’, a Sanskrit word, which means 'Blue Mountain.'. It is believed that performing some aesthetic poojas (worship) at this temple could bring a lot of relief to the sufferings one may have gone through in life.

It is said that the hill got its name after a wild elephant, Kari attacked and killed four girls taking bath. To bring them back to life Sage Kutsamuni undertook a rigorous penance and requested the Lord to save His devotees.

Another legend has it that during the building of the bridge to Lanka to bring back Sita, Sugreeva brought this hillock, also called ‘Neelachala’ from Tirumala (Thirupathi). On his way several Vishnubhakhtas (disciples of Lord Vishnu) pleaded with him to leave it here and so the hill remained here.

In "Varaha Purana" it is said that when Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Varaha and shook his body some of the body hair fell on the ground near here the grass now seen here is believed to have come from his hair. Even now at the temple premises, there are sharp grasses, Eragrostis cynosuroides locally known as Dharbe hullu(grass) in Kannada, which is used for performing all sacred rites.

Description :

“Kari” in Kannada means black and “Ghatta” means hill. The hill has a Hindu temple devoted to a form of Hindu god Vishnu, called "Karigirivasa". This deity is also referred to , "Lord Vaikunta Srinivasa" or “Lord Srinivasa”, also named “Bairagi Venkataramana”. The epithet ‘Bairagi’ for this idol is derived due the fact that when ‘alankara’ (flower decoration) is done to the deity, the deity looks like a Bairagi (mendicant). The hill stands at a height of 2697 feet above sea level. It supports dry scrub jungle and many tamarind and gooseberry trees are found around the temple. A small river, Lokapavani, a tributary of Kaveri flows by the hill.



The main entrance to the temple, with huge wooden doors opens into a large quadrangle, which is the main shrine for Vaikunta Srinivasa in black stone, flanked by Yoga Srinivasa (without his consort) and Bhoga Srinivasa idols. The temple of Goddess Padmavathi is on the western side. Facing the main temple is a statue of Garuda and a Garudastamba.There is also a Kalyanamantapa (marriage hall) which is used for performing marriages and other functions. It is believed that the great sage Bhrigu has done the Prathishthapana (installation ceremony) of the deity.

The hill may be climbed by stone steps (450 in number). A winding paved road may also be used. The stone steps lead to a flat land where the temple stands. The hillock has a view of Srirangapatna and Mysore. The beautiful landscape around the hill and the confluence of Kaveri and Lokapavani rivers can be seen from atop the hill.

A stone Vishnu Pada/footprint of the lord is present behind the temple.



The famous Nimishamba (the incarnation of Parvathi, the goddess wife of Lord Shiva) temple is on the opposite bank of the Lokapavani river.It is a belief that Parvathi will clear all the problems and troubles of her devotees within a minute (nimisha in Sanskrit).

It was on this hill that the British had placed their cannons during the siege of Srirangapatnam.

Festivals :

The traditional car festival held every year is believed to have been initiated by sage Vaikhanasa as early as the Treta Yuga. This practice is being continued and annual fair takes place during Kumbha Masa Palguna (February-March), when a large number of pilgrims attend.

Websites :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karighatta_temple

http://www.itslife.in/2008/12/karighatta

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Thiruvannamalai Srinivasa Perumal - Srivilliputhur



Name : Thiruvannamalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Location :

This holy place Thiruvannamalai, being called South Thirupathi, is on the top of a small hill, just 3 Km away from Srivilliputhur in Tamilnadu.

Legends :

The Lord is said to protect the public in the form of a hunter. The Lord is all blessingful. It is also said that the mount is but Adisesha himself. There is also a tank at the foothill with beautiful Lotus flowers. It is also called Koneri washing of the sins of the devotees bathing in the tank.

Description :

Lord Srinivasa Perumal is in standing posture. The appearance of this Deity is the re-embodiment of Lord Venkatesa Perumal of Tirupathi. The adoration of this God can be equated to a pilgrimage to Tirupathi.

At downward slope of this hill is the Gopalswamy temple, in the eastern part. Vanappechi Amman temple is found in the western side. A tank called “Koneri Theertham” is at the foot of the hill. On the bank of this tank, a 12' height and 8' breath statue of Lord Vinayaka exists.

There are broad steps to climb up to this hill. At present, a ceiling has been set up over these steps for providing shadow to the climbing devotees. Here, every Saturday is considered to be significant for worship.

Festival :

During all the 5 Saturdays of ‘Purattasi’ month, Garuda Sevai festival is celebrated in grand mannar. Special buses are operated from all parts of the district to this holy place. People from in and around of Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari visit this place for worship. Everyday from morning to night, State Transport Corporation buses and Mini buses are operated from Srivilliputhur bus stand to Thiruvannamalai.

Websites :

http://www.srivilliputhur.com/srivilliputhur-temples/Thiruvannamalai,Srivilliputhur.html

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Ramdham - Ramtek




Name : Ramdham

Location :

The temple is located on the Ramgiri Hill situated in Ramtek, which is 42 km northeast of Nagpur city, Maharashtra. One can travel by car up to the entrance of the temple on the hill.

Legend :

The legend says that Lord Rama stopped at Ramtek, along with His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, while on his exile. Another fact that adds to the attraction of the town, from tourism point of view, is its association with the Great poet Kalidasa. He wrote his excellent poem, Meghdoot in the hills of Ramtek only. Infact, it is often said that it was the beauty of Ramtek Hills that inspired him to write the poem.

Description :

Ramdham is a historical temple of Lord Rama, which is said to be more than 600 years old. The temple dedicated to Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman on the top of the hill. The major attractions of Ramtek comprise of the 27 Brahmanical style temple that have been constructed atop the hill. Amongst them is the Lakshmana Temple, which dates back to as far back as 1400 AD.

The temple is known for its unique OM structure which is 350 feet long and 10.5 feet high and 11 feet wide which is situated at foot of the hill.

The town serves as the venue of the Kalidasa Festival, held every year in the month of November. A fortnight-long festival, it boasts of performances by virtuosos in the field of music, dance and drama.



The Ambala talab is a big tank found at the foot of the Ram Temple in Ramtek. A number of temples have been built around the Lake. The tank is also important because the ashes of the dead are immersed here (Pitru Pooja).

Website :

http://www.bharatonline.com/maharashtra/travel/nagpur/ramtek.html

http://gurusriguru.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html

Friday, April 23, 2010

Thiruvilwamala Sree Ramabhadraswamy and Lakshmana Swamy Temple



Name : Thiruvilwamala Vilwadrinatha temple

Location :

The place Tiruvilwamala is situated in Talappilly Taluk of Trichur district attains great prominence. Vilwadrinatha temple of Tiruvilwamala has a rich heritage in the history of temples. The place is famous for its serene and picturesque beauty.The hills and the Bharatapuzha river (which is only half a mile from the temple ) adds natural beauty to this place. These hills are called Vilwamala which is why Lord Sreerama is also called Vilwadrinathan. The temple of Vilwadrinatha is the most important of all the ‘Beejakshetras’.

Deities :

The main deity being Sree Ramabhadraswamy and Lakshmana Swamy, the Upadevas of this temple are Lord Mahaganapathy, Lord Veera Hanuman, Lord Ayyappa with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi on the same pedestal.

Legend :

Being a very old temple there are lot of intresting legends about this temple.

1. Sri Vilwadri Mahatmya, a Sanskrit text with 18 chapters, describes the origin of this ancient temple. It is in the form of a conversation between Uma (Parvati) and Maheswara (Siva). According to this, Bhargava Rama, as Parasurama is called, prayed to Siva for the liberation of his pitrus. Pleased with the prayers of Parasurama, Parameswara granted him the image of Vishnu which He Himself was worshipping. Parasurama, in his search for a suitable place for the installation of the deity, came across the beautiful Vilwadri, full of Amala trees. He constructed a temple here, consecrated the deity and laid down the pooja routine. He brought the pirtus and got them liberated as a result of the darshan of the divine deity. The place he settled down finally is still known as Bhutan mala. Self born Image The image in the sanctum facing west is Swayambhu or self born.

It is the believed that the idol here is the one, which is worshiped by Siva in Kailasa. It is four to five feet tall and is permanently fitted with a gold plated cover for the protection of the image.

It is said that there used to be a hole on the pedestal in front of the deity. The. water filled here was served as tirtha. Once a piece of kadali plantain fell into this. The priest tried to remove this by piercing the hole with a sharp instrument. He heard a cracking sound of the stone and the tool fell from his hand. The tirtha also dried up subsequently. It is believed that below the sanctum there is a cave and also a golden Vilwa tree. Some say, it is because of this that the place came to be called Vilwamala.

2. When the news of this holy shrine which Parasurama installed, spread widely, Pandavas too decided to visit this place to conduct the ceremonies for the moksha of their pitrus. They came to the banks of the River Bharatapuzha( which is also known as the Ganges of Kerala) and conducted the ceremonies under the guidance of Lord Krishna. They built a temple, there for Lord Krishna, which is now popularly known as Ivormadom Sreekrishnaswamy Temple.

3. The story of the origin of Swayambhu deity in the west is related in Vilwadri Mahatmyam. According to this, Aamalakan, son of Kashyapa Prajapati started rigorous tapas to propitiate Lord Mahavishnu. The asuras became panicky. They thought that this severe penance would bring about their ruin. They tried to create terror in Aamalakan. Aamalakan opened his eyes which emitted sparks of fire. The asuras died on the spot. The heap of the dead was transformed into rock. This is one version as how the name rakshasapara came into being. Sage Aamalakan continued his prayer. Pleased, Lord Mahavishu appeared before him asked his devotee to name any boon. Aamalakan said he desired nothing, but unstinted devotion. He also requested the lord to remain there for the protection of those who suffer in this world. Mahavishnu agreed and transformed into a deity.

4. The other version of how name rakshasapara came into being is that, The popularity of this two shrines and the power of Lord Mahavishnu increased enormously as a result of which, the asuras became furious. It is believed that on one ekadasi day, the Asura Kumbhanasika tried to stir the image on the sanctum on the western side. Lord Mahavishnu appeared and took hold of Kumbhanasika and other asuras and pulled them into a cave towards the south. They were locked up there. This particular place is what we now call the “rakshasapara”.

5. It is also said that the pathway inside the cave seen near the peepul tree close to the eastern gateway of the temple had been connected to ‘Tirunelli’ through an underground passage. The story goes that when a priest returning through this passage after worshipping the deity at Tirunelli, the young lady walking in front showing light to the priest got impure and consequently the underground passage behind was sealed forever. Even now a part of this underground passage where extreme darkness prevails is explorable.

6. There are a lot of legends about ‘Moorikkunnu’, ‘Thalavettipara’, ‘Monnuruttikallu’, ‘Maharshipala’, etc. which are only just mentioned .

7. Since Parasurama’s time, Punarjani is a symbol of freeing oneself of all sins. The ritual crawling through the cave takes place on the full moon Ekadesi day in the malayalam month of Vrischikam. It coincides with Guru Ekadesi.

Veer Hanuman Temple :

The temple has an enormous courtyard. To the southeast side of the courtyard is the idol of Veera Hanuman. There were two instances when fire broke out in this temple. It is well known that after the installation of this idol of Veera Hanuman, such a calamity never arised. This idol has immense power and devotees offer Vadamala, Vettilamala, Aval nivedyam etc to please Anjaneya, the beloved devotee of Lord Sreerama.



Punarjani:

The main attraction in the temple is the ‘Punarjani Guha’ (cave). The "punarjani" cave is in between the Vilwamala and the Bhoothamala. The Punarajani cave is a natural 15-meter long tunnel in the rocky cliff. It is believed that by crawling through the tunnel from one end to the other, one washes away all his sins and thus attains rebirth. The ritual is known as ‘Punarjani noozhal’. Once we enter the Punarjani cave it takes about 45minutes to reach the exit.

At 3.30 am on the auspicious day, the priest accompanied by his aides and ritual music heads to the Punarjani. After the rituals at the mouth, the priest drops a gooseberry into the cave. The sight of the gooseberry emerging from the other end of the cave is amazing. The movement through the cave demands all kinds of bodily postures like standing, sitting, creeping, crawling etc. Only men are allowed to perform this ritual, while women can only visit the cave. The ritual is practiced only in one day in an year, the Guruvayur Ekadasi day in ‘Vrischikam’ (November-December). 
It is believed Sage Parasurama reached here to atone for his sin of massacring Kshatriyas. Since Par...

Read more at: https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/2018/07/03/thiruvilwamala-thrissur-palakkad-cave.html
It is believed Sage Parasurama reached here to atone for his sin of massacring Kshatriyas. Since Par...

Read more at: https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/2018/07/03/thiruvilwamala-thrissur-palakkad-cave.html
Theerthams :

1. Before starting to Punarjani we have to touch the “Ganapathi theertham” (which never gets dried up) on the northern side of the mountain about quarter of a mile eastwards from the temple.

2. Next we can reach a steep rock about seventy feet high on travelling about one and a half miles over the mountain. The broad “Papanasini Theertham” is seen if we proceed a little further in the southwest direction over the narrow projection on the rock. This was made by Parasurama and the presence of Ganga has been brought in this Theertha. Railings have been provided here for the devotees to walk easily without fear of falling down from the narrow projection of the rock.

3. After making the Punarjani noozhal, custom is to go to papanasini again to purify the body and then go to the entrance once again. Next the devotees have to bathe or wash their hands, feet and face in the “Pathala Theertha” on the west at a distance of about thirty feet. It is believed that Parasurama who had brought the presence of the purified water of “Brahmakamandalu” here made this also.

4. The next step is to take holy water in our hands from the “Kombutheertha”, which was formed when Indra’s elephant Iravatha struck his tusk on the rock.

5. Nearby lies the “Ambutheertha” from which water has to be taken out using some stick or anything like that. People believe that one “Janma” or span of life is reduced from the cycle of births and deaths if we go through the punarjani cave once.



Stala Viruksham :

To the north west side of the courtyard is the banyan tree. To circle this tree is very auspicious (arrayal pradakshinam) and to see the lizard in this particular tree is considered as having the darshan of Lord Guruvayoorappan.

Festivals :

Every year thousands of people from far and near come to Bharathappuzha to offer their oblations to their Pitrus espe­cially on the new moon days in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (June-July) and Thulam (Oct-Nov).

The important annual festival here is Ekadasi. It is a belief that Lord Guruvayurappan will come all the way from Guruvayur and visit Vilwadrinathan on this particular day. Niramala, is another great festival which falls in the month of chingam.The lights and the decoration with flower garlands is one of exquisite beauty. Ramanavami is also celebrated with great splendour.

Website : http://www.thiruvilwamala.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=27

http://thiruvilwamala.000a.biz/?page_id=175

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Kottaimalai Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple



Name :
Kottai Malai (Padavedu)

Location : Padavedu is centrally located among Vellore, Thiruvannamalai and Arani in the Vellore – Polur route. While going from Vellore, there is a junction called Santhavasal at 32 km from Vellore town and from this junction you have to turn right and travel further for about 6 kms to reach Padavedu.

Description : The temple for Lord Venu Gopala Swamy is located on the top of Raja Kambeera Mountain popularly known as Kottaimalai. The temple opens only on Saturdays from 9AM to 4PM.

The only route available to this temple is a ghat road running through thick and beautiful forest. A breath taking journey to this temple can be performed sitting on a huge Tractor specially built to take the pilgrims and the materials to the temple. However the tractor takes us only to the foot of the hill. Rest of the journey is to be covered by walk for about an hour. En route we have to pass through few wooden bridges constructed around the hill. It is an engineering marvel.



All our pains vanish once we reach the sanctum where beautiful flute playing Lord VenuGopala Swamy is in a standing posture along with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The idols of this temple are known for their artistic beauty.

All the dwajasthambams seen so far are of either wood or metal and not made of stone. Here is a beautifully carved out stone dwajasthambam with the lightning arrestor at the top.


There are two water streams (sunai) on either side of the temple and water from one of them (right side photo) is very clean and is being used for drinking and abhisheham.

A temple not to be missed since this has something for all types/ ages of people - as a spiritual place and as a pleasure spot - so near Chennai.

Festivals : During a Purattasi Saturday, sun rays falls on the foot of the deity and raises to head during the early morning hours. Some say that this happens on the third Saturday and some say that no one knows on which Saturday of the month, this will happen. There will be 100s of people staying overnight to witness the event and the place wears a festive look with good lightings. Lot of Annandhanams by many people take place on the mountain top and along the way. The temple will be open for the entire overnight and the Abhishehams will be completed before 5:30 AM itself on that day.

Website : http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/kottamalai/

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Changu Narayana temple



Name : Changu Narayana temple. The place is also known by the names such as DOLA SIKHARA, GARUD NARAYANA, CHAMPAKA NARAYAN and DOLA PARVAT.

Location :

The ancient temple of Changu Narayana is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. The temple is located in Changu VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Visnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal.

Legend :

In ancient time a Gwala, a cow herder, had brought a cow from a Brahman named Sudashan. The cow was known for producing large quantity of milk. The Gwala used to take the cow to Changu for grazing. At that time Changu was a forest of Champak tree. While grazing the cow it always goes to the shade of a particular tree. In the evening when the Gwala took the cow home and started milking the cow he got only very few amount of milk. This continued several days. He became very sad so he called the Brahmin and told him that the cow is not giving enough milk.

Brahmin after observing the fact from his own eyes then planned with the Gwala to inspect the activities of cow during the day while she was grazing in the forest. Both Brahmin and Gwala hide themselves behind the trees and speculate the activities of cow. The cow went into the shade of a particular champak tree. To their surprise a small black boy came out from the tree and started drinking the cow milk. Both became very furious and they thought that the boy must be the devil and tree must be its home. So Brahmin cut down the champak tree. When the Brahmin was cutting down the tree a fresh human blood came out from the tree. Both Brahmin and Gwala became worried and they thought that they have committed the great crime and they started crying.

From the tree lord Vishnu emerged out and he told the Brahmin that it was not their fault. Lord Vishnu told them the story that he had committed a heinous crime by killing Shudarshan’s father unknowingly while hunting in the forest. After that he was cursed for the crime. He then wandered on earth on his mouth, the ‘Garuda’ eventually descending on the hill at Changu. There he lived in anonymity, surviving on milk stolen from a cow. When Brahmin cut down the tree, lord Vishnu was beheaded which freed Lord Vishnu from his sins. After hearing these words from Vishnu, Brahmin and Gwala started worshiping the place and they established a small time in the name of Lord Vishnu. Ever since that day, the site has been held sacred. . Even today we can find the descendant of Sudarshan Brahimin as priest of the temple and the descendents of Gwala as ghutiyars (conservators).


Description : The temple is surrounded by an evergreen lusty forest all around it with a typical traditional Nepalese settlement on its close suburb. The 1541m high hillock, upon which the temple rests, had also been used as a forest-hill-fort in the past.

During Lichhavi period it was not named as Changunarayan. It was then called Dolasikhar Swami. It was called so because the hill at which the temple is located is called Dolashikar and it is regarded as the guru so the name Dolashikar Swami is given.

The founder is believed to be Hari Dutta Verma who had built Changunarayan temple along with three other temples at the four cardinal directions of the Kathmandu valley, dedicated to the Hindu God Narayan. Changunarayan is also famous by the name of Champaknarayan and Garudnarayan. The three storied and two roofed temple of Changunarayan is the finest example of the Nepalese temple architectural design built in the “popular Nepalese style” on a one tired brick-stone platform. Its top roof is made out of gilded copper sheets while the lower one is having a traditional tiled roof. On the struts of the two-tiered Changu Narayan Temple, are the ten incarnations in which Narayan destroyed evil-doers.


It remains a milestone in Nepali temple architecture with rich embossed works. The two storied roof temple is standing in a high plinth of stone. According to Professor Madhan Rimal ,Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuwan University, the temple is neither in Shikhara Style nor the Pagoda style. It has a unique architect which he would like to describe as traditional Nepali style temple. The temple is all surrounded by sculptures and arts related to Lord Vishnu. Also we can find the temple of lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor and Krishna inside the courtyard of main temple.

There are four entrances to the temple and these four entrance gates are guarded by life size pairs of animals such as lions, sarabhas, graffins and elephants on each side of the entrances. The ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the other idols are carved in the struts, which support the roof. The entrance door looks like gold plated with carving of Nagas (snakes). On the main entrance gate (i.e. western entrance gate), we can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga all at the top of a stone pillar. These stone pillars has inscription in Sanskrit. This inscription is considered to be the oldest inscription of Nepal and the stone inscription pillar was erected by Lichhavi King Manadeva in 464 AD.

The following monument are located while visiting the temple from the right side after entering from the main entrance (Eastern gate) to courtyard.
1. Historical pillar erected by Mandeva in 464 AD Garuda:- flying vehicle of Lord Vishnu which has got a human face and is a devotee of Vishnu.
2. Statue of Bhupalendra Malla, King of Kantipur and his queen BhuwanLakshmi.
3. Chanda Narayan (Garuda Narayan):- 7th century stone sculpture of Vishnu riding on Garuda. This sculpture has been depicted in the 10 rupee paper note issued by Nepal Rastra Bank
4. Sridhar Vishnu:- 9th century stone sculpture of Visnu, Laxmi and garuda which stands on the pedestals of various motifs.
5. Vaikuntha Vishnu :- 16th century sculpture of Visnu seated on the lalitason position on the six armed Garuda and Laxmi seated on the lap of Vishnu
6. Chhinnamasta:- Temple dedicated to Chhinnamasta devi, who beheaded herself, offered her own blood to feed the hungry Dakini and Varnini.
7. Vishworup:- 7th century stone sculpture- beautifully carved that depicts the scene from the Bhagwat Gita, in which Lord Krishna manifests his universal form to his devotee Arjun.
8. Vishnu Vikrant :- 7th century sculpture of Trivikram Vishnu that depicts the scene of popular Hindu myth of Lord Vishn and his beloved Bali Raja.
9. Narasimha :- 7th century sculpture of Narasimha , an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killing the demon King Hiranyakasyapa to save his beloved devotee Pralahad.
10. Kileshwor:- small two storied temple of lord Shiva, who is believed to have appeared in this place for the protection of the hill.


This place has also been a pilgrimage site for the multitude Hindus residing all over the world especially for the followers of the Vaisnavait sect of the Hinduism.This has equally been a sacred religious site for followers of the Buddhism as well from the very beginning. The Buddhists take this temple as of their God Lokeswora, the HARI HARI HARI VAHANA LOKESWORA. This unique tradition found prevalent only in Nepal, has also made it distinct. This is the rare temple found in Nepal where both Hindus and Buddhists alike offer their reverences. This must be taken as an example of a unique tradition of religious tolerance and harmony that is rare elsewhere.

Festivals : The main Jatra of this temple is celebrated in the month of Baisakh however we had been hearing wrong that the Jatra takes place during the month of Magh. This is the rare temple found in Nepal where both Hindus and Buddhists alike offer their reverences. Asadh Sukla Ekadasi, Krisna Janmaastami and Haribodhani Ekadasi are some of the important events observed here every year in which a great number of devotees pour here from far and wide places take active participation on them by offering worship to the Lord. This tradition has been continuing since very long. Twice in every year, the main idol of the temple is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace of Kathmandu in August-September and December and January respectively in order to follow an age long tradition.

Recognizing its age long historic and cultural values, the world Heritage Committee of UNESCO has inscribed it into its world heritage list and declared it as a world heritage site in 1979 making it a common property of the entire mankind living in this earth.

Rampant mining of sand and stones from the Manohara stream is going on since long time. Local administration has failed to control the mining activities. Because of the mining activities the temple area has become prone to landslides. Due to overgrazing in the nearby forest, the chances of soil erosion and landslide are very high.

Website :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changu_Narayan
http://www.doa.gov.np/index/changunarayan.htmlhttp://rush--rashmi.blogspot.com/2009/06/changunarayan.html

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Padmagiri and Sudharsana Malai



Name & Deities :
1) Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar in Padmagiri
2) Sri Venkatesa Perumal in Sudharsa malai

Location: Pazhaya Seevaram is one of the famous temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar. This sthalam is found in between Chengalput and Kanchipuram, on the shore of River Palar. There are lots of buses available from Kanchipuram to this Temple.

This sthalam is one among the sthalam that is found in the hilltop where Sri Narasimhar along with the Thaayar gives his special seva to His Bhaktas. The mountain, which is found, is called with the name “Padmagiri”. This kshetram is also called with name as “Sathya Varadha Kshetram”.

Sthalapuranam:
Padmagiri:
Once, Vishnu Chitthar, a great muni in Naimisaranyam asked to the other Rishis to say which is the best and great sthalam where he can get the seva of Sriman Narayanan in Archai (one among the 5 Nilayas (or) forms of Sriman Narayanan) roopam, where he can get the complete credit of his tapas.

On hearing this, Mareecha muni, one among the muni in that group answered that there exists an sthalam, where the Perumal has already given full palan (credit) for the tapas and is gifted with nature’s beauty. He also added that the muni, who got the seva of the Perumal, is Atthiri Muni and he the wish of seeing the Perumal in Archai roopam and performed severe tapas in the place “Padmagiri”. And as a result of the tapas, the Perumal came in front of him in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar. Atthiri muni wished that the Perumal should stay in that place and the entire Bhaktas of Human community.

Triveni Sangamam :
Triveni Sangamam means 3 rivers joining in one place. In this Pazhaya Seevaram sthalam, we can find 3 rivers getting merged. The three rivers are Palaaru (Kshera Nadhi)- Cheyyaru (Bahoo nadhi) and Vegavadhi (Saraswathi). This Triveni Sangamam is termed as the Triveni Sangamam of south.

In Krutha yugam, there lived a great Sri Vishnu Bhaktan, who wanted to take bath daily in the river Ganga, which emerges from the foot of Sriman Narayanan. He took bath in this Sangamam and treated this water as the Ganga River and worshipped the Perumal in Sudharsana Malai (mountain). Another saint lived here and treated this river as the river Yamuna. Because of this, both the rivers Yamuna and Ganga emerged here and the other river Vegabagha (Saraswathi river) also emerged and these 3 rivers merge in the great Pazhaya seevaram sthalam. This river flows in between Padmagiri and Sudharsana malai.

It is 100% evident that if you take bath in this river and get the seva of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar in Padmagiri and Sri Venkatesa Perumal in Sudharsana malai is equivalent to 100 times to that of taking bath in Prayagai.

It is also 100% evident that if we take bath in this river for a month without any interruption and be rested under the shadow of Pippali tree in Padmagiri, is said to cure all sorts of sins and diseases.

Sudharsana Malai (mountain):
On the opposite side of Padmagiri (also called as Seevara malai) another mountain is found which is called as “Sudharsana malai” where Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is giving his seva. This Perumal gave his Prathyaksham to Brighu Muni and King Chakravarthy.

Festivals - Paarvettai and Seevaram : During the 3 day of Pongal festival in Thai month (Jan 14 – Feb 15), the utsavar Sri Varadhar of Sri Varadharajar temple, Kanchi is taken towards this Seevaram sthalam and this is one among the great utsavam of Sri Varadhar (Malai utsavam).

Lots of Bhaktas from Various parts come to Seevaram to visit Sri Varadharajar and Seevaram Paarvettai Utsavam is one of the worlds known utsavam among Sri Vaishnavites.

Not only in religious way, this sthalam is said to be an sthalam, which is surrounded by herbal trees, silent atmosphere and can cure lots of diseases as it is.

The temple is maintained in a great manner by the authorities. In the districts, this is one among the great sthalam and well-maintained sthalam and has been very appreciated by the government for maintaining the temple in a good way.

Lots of Utsavams are performed in this sthalam. Bramhotsavam in Aani month, Theerthavari in Swathi and Paarvettai during Thai month are said to be some of the Utsavams that are performed in a great manner.

Website : http://hindulistings.com/blog/category/hindu-temples/

Friday, April 24, 2009

Raghunathji temple



Name : Raghunathji temple

Location : Uttranchal. About a km from Dhalpur in Raghunathpura or Sultanpur. To reach the temple, cross the main road outside the bus stand and follow the lane up the hill opposite the Kailash cinema.

Legend : The temple is dedicated to lord Rama. According to a local legend, Lord Rama worshipped here after his victory over Lanka. The temple compound also hosts Annapurna Devi Temple, Hanuman Temple, Shankaracharya Temple and Garud Temple.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Joshimutt



Name : Sri Paramapurusha Perumal Temple, Joshimutt

Temple Location :
This Divyadesam is around 154 miles away from Haridwar, while travelling from Devaprayag to Badrinath.

There is no firm or conclusive agreement on the where this Divyadesam is situated. Many of the pilgrimage believe that Joshimutt is the Divyadesam which is called as "Thiruppirudhi" and some say that Thiruppirudhi is in the interior of Himalayas.

Specials:
The Specialty of this place is Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya, who came all the way from Kerala in the 8th Century A.D., performed Tapas under a tree here and after getting enlighten, established a MUTT known as "Jyothirmutt". This Jyothismutt later became "Joshimutt".

Sthalapuranam
Thiruppirudhi which is otherwise called as Joshimutt explains that it has a close relation between the Lord Emperumaan and His devotees. The devotees shows their Preethi (affection) towards the Emperumaan and they get the same from the Emperumaan. That's the reason this spot got the name as "Thiruppirudhi".

This Thiruppirudhi Kshetram is about 154 miles away from Haridwar while travelling from Devaprayag to Badrinath.

Devotees who travel towards Badrikashramam with lots of efforts and traveling in snow, they feel tired and supressed. But, after reaching this Joshimutt they are happy and feel relaxed because only few miles away from here is Badrikashramam. The Salagrama Narasimha at the Sankara Mutt is being worshipped by the devotees as considering him as the Lord Sriman Narayana.

It is said a king by named "Nandar" stayed in this Kshetram and sacrifices for the welfare of the whole humanity to live a good life, this sthalam is also called as "Nandaprayag". It is said that the Kanva Maharishi also lived in this sthalam.

In winter season, when Badrikashramam sthalam is closed, the Badrinath utsavar is took from Badrinath and kept in here and gives his seva as Badri Narayanan for his bhaktas for six months.

Among 108 divyadesams, there are two divyadesams where we cant go with our body, only our Aathma (soul) can reach. That two divyadesams are Paramapadham and Thirupparkadal. But, the Lord God shows His full view as depicted in Thiruppaarkadal, to His devotees in this location.


Sri Aadhi Sankarar has constructed a temple here for Sri Narasimha and standing posture Sri Vasudeva. To reach the temple, one has to go downwards in the step which is around 3/4 miles away. Sri Aadhi Sankarar has established a peetam and got the Gnana by doing tapas here and wrote "Sankara Bhashyam".

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Paramapurushan. He is in sleeping posture (Kidantha kolam) in Bujangha sayanam facing east. Prathyaksham for Parvathi devi.

Thaayar:
The Thaayar of Thiruppirudhi sthalam is Parimalavalli Naachiyaar.

Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangai Alwar is the only Alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this sthala perumal in 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Since, this sthala perumal is like the same way as the perumal found in Thiruppaarkadal and His disciples can't go along with their human body only their Aathma (soul) can reach, the bhaktas in their mind itself worship this perumal as the perumal in Paarkadal. Since, the bhaktas worship in their mind (Maanaseegam), the pushkarani is Maanasaras. Other theertham are Govardhana Theertham and Indira Theertham.

Vimaanam:
In Krishna avathaar, Sri Kannan protects all the Yadhavas, Aayars and all the cows from the heavy rain through the Govardhana mountain serving them as an umbrella. Likewise, this sthala perumal protects the people here having his Vimaanam as Govardhana Vimaanam.


DevaPrayag


Name : Thirukkandam - Kadi Nagar - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Devaprayag

Temple Location :

The First Divyadesam as one travels from Haridwar to Badrinath is Devaprayag. This Kshetram is also called as "Thirukkandam" and also as "Kadi Nagar".

It lies about 45 miles away from Rishikesh to Badrinath and about 1700 feet above the sea level.

Specials:

The Speciality of this sthalam is only at this sthalam the great rivers Alaknanda and Bagirathi mingle each other.

Sthalapuranam :

This Thirukkandam divyadesam is also called with the names as "Kadinagar", "Devaprayag". This sthalam is situated around 1700 feets upwards from the sea level. The Alaknandha and Bagirathi river mingle together in this sthalam and comes down and is called as "Aadi Ganga".

Prayag means the place where two rivers mingle together and since two divine (holy) rivers mingle together, it is said that this sthalam got the named as "Deva Prayag". The place where the two rivers is said to be the place where the Neela megha perumal originates and the two rivers are referred to as two pirattis.

It is said that in this sthalam Brahma devar, King Dasaratha and Sri Rama have done penance austerities here and an Idol of Raghunathji is said to be installed by Sri Aadhi Sankara.

Periyalwar is the only alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this perumal in 11 paasurams.

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this kshetram is Neelamega Perumal. He is also called with the name "Purushothaman". He is giving his seva in Standing posture facing east Prathyaksham for Bharadwaja Maharishi.

Thaayar:
The Thaayar found in this sthalam is Pundareekavalli.

Mangalasasanam:
Periyalwar is the only Alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this sthala perumal in 11 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

Mangala theertham:
Ganga Nadhi.

Vimaanam:
Mangala Vimaanam.

Badrinath


Name : Thiruvadhari Ashramam - Sri Badri Narayana Perumal Temple, Badrinath

Temple Location : This Badrinath temple is Located in Central Himalayas in Garhwal district of Uttar Pradesh.

It is found right back of Holy River Alaknanda. This Badrinath Divyadesam located is almost 10300 feet above sea level is a great Pilgrimage center in India.

Specials:

1. This temple is opened only six months in a year, from mid of May to the third week of November. But, it depends only upon the temple authorities. The temple is closed for next six months due to heavy snow-fall in winter.

2. The Perumal is transformed from this temple to Joshimutt temple for that six months when the Badrinath temple is closed. And after 6 months, he is taken back to Badrinath temple itself.

3. Badrinath is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage

Sthalapuranam :

The Perumal serves as a "Teacher" (Guru) for himself and thereby explaining the Gnana to the world in 5 different ways.

1. The characters of Aathma.
2. Character of Paramathma
3. What the Aathma has to attain.
4. The ways, to attain it and
5. The obstacles that are found for the Aathma while its attaining it.

Badrinath Temple The Perumal, Badrin Narayanan explains all these 5 different things known as "Artha Panjaga Gnanam". For a human, 5 relations are the most prominent one. They are Mother, Gather, Guru, God and the pre generation peoples. In this, Guru is so important and it is non - equivalent to anything. Without a proper guru, one cannot attain anything. So, the perumal here serves as the guru and explain the Gnana to the world.

As the same way, the perumal is born as both Naran and Narayanan and he gives the seva to both Naran and Narayanan and he gives the seva to Naran thereby explaining the Gnanam towards him.

While going towards Badrinath, one can visit enjoy and get the seva of Perumals in Haridwar, Vishnupaadham, Thiriveni Sangamam, Rishikesh, Deva Prayag, Kandam (Kadinagar), Rudra Prayag, Karna Prayag, Nandha Prayag, Joshi mutt, Hanuman Chatti, Bramagha dam, Taptha Kundam and Simha Dwaram.

Badrinath is 10,380 feet above from the sea level. Bhaktas who travel Badrinath, first should visit Haridwar, where Brahma Kundam (theertham) is found where bhaktas have a spiritual bath in that theertham before going to Badrinath. This place is also called as "Vishnu Paadham"

From here, we can see the Ganga river originating. It is said that river Ganga originates from the thiruvadi (feet) of Sri Vishnu. The Dwaram (the small entrance (or) hole) from where the Ganga river originates is said to be Haridwar. People get this Ganga water closed in a small vessel and take to their houses and keep them as sacred. Haridwar is called as "Kapilasthan", because Kapila Munivar did the tapas here and worshipped Goddess Maya and because of this, the place is also called as "Mayapuri". There are temples for Goddess Manasa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, Anjani Devi, Neeleshwarar, Dattatreyar, Navagrahas, Mahadeva and Mrithyunjaya Mahadevar.

Lots of Ashrams are found. Some of them are Kailasha Ashram dedicated to Aadhi Sankarar, Sri Vananda Ashram started by Swami Sivanandar, Gita Ashram, Swarga Ashram, Paramathma Niketan.

Badrinath is said to one among the great Dhamas (holy Shrines). Other great Dhamas are Rameswaram, Dwaraka and Jaganath. There are 5 Badris namely Vishal Badri, Dhayana Badri, Yoga Badri, Vridha Badri and Bhavishya Badri and five prayags are Devaprayag, Rudra prayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Vishnu prayag.

Devaprayag :This is the place where the Alaknanda and Bagirthi rivers mingle to one another and the river falls down as "Aadhi Ganga", In Devaprayag, Brahma devar, King Dasarathan and Sri Ramar are believed to have done tapas. And an Mutt is installed by Aadhi Sankarar here.

Rudraprayag :Rudraprayag is the place where river Mandakini joins the Alankananda river. Here a temple for Rudran is found Mandakini river rises from Kedarnath and it joins Ganga and then towards Madhya Maheshwar near Gupta Kasi. In Gupta Kasi a famous temple for Ardha Nareeshwarar is found (Artha Nareeshwarar is one of seva given by Lord Shivan where he is found as one part of his body and another side for Uma devi).

Karnaprayag :Karnaprayag is the place where Karnan did strong tapas to get all sorts of mantra arrows.

Nandaprayag :Nandaprayag is the place where the Nandakini river arises and joins Alaknanda. It is said that king Nanda did a severe tapas here in this place.

Vishnuprayag :It is believed that this is the place where Pandu King did strong tapas towards the Emperumaan Sri Vishnu and it is said that the Pandja Pandavas born here.

Badrinath Temple Next to Vishnu Prayag is a place called Hanuman Ghat where Lord Hanuman and Bheeman met each other. Once, Bheeman thought he was the strong person in the world and was travelling along this side. At that time, Hanuman laid there as a old monkey. Bheema say an old monkey lying before him in the path and shouted at the monkey to give way for him. But, the old monkey (Hanuman) told that since he is so weak, he could not able to move and told that if Bheema could mvoe the tail, he can move it and go along with his way. Bheeman thought he can move the tail with his one hand, but he could not do that. Using his full strength, he tried, but he could not even move the tail for an inch. Finally, he thought, the old monkey might be some Arakkan (or) Magic man. But finally, Anjaneyar showed his original Roopam and explains him that there are brothers (since both are Vaayu Puthras). Bheema fell to the feet of Sri Anjaneyar and asked that he should be along with them during the war against the Gauravars (Duriyodhanan and his troop). Sri Anjaneyar told that he will be along with them in the flag which is found on top of the Chariot of Arjuna.

Since, Naran and Narayanan came to this sthalam, two mountains on the names of them are found. The Nara Parvatham (mountain) is found on the Eastern bank of Alknanda river and Narayana parvatham on the west bank of Alknanda river. These two mountains are almost covered by snow, in all times.

Nara Parvatham is also called as Kubera Bhandar since lots of precious gems and diamonds are found on its glaciers. Once, there lived an arakkan (demon) by name "Sahasrakavacha", who gave lots of trouble for the Rishis and yogis. All of them prayed towards the perumal to help them out from the Arakkan. At that time, both Naran and Narayanan did tapas towards the perumal. On hearing that these two persons were doing severe tapas towards the Emperumaan, Sahasrakavachan rushed towards them to kill them. Both, Naran and Narayanan fought strongly with the demon and finally killed him. Thus, they permenantly stayed in Badrinath to help all the Rishis and Yogis from lots of Arakkans.

About 5 miles away from Badrinath, is a place found which is called as "Dharma Shila". It is believed tht only in this place, Dharma Rajan and his wife kala did tapas towards the perumal. As the Varam from the perumal, Dharma Raja and his wife asked that the perumal should also be found along with them and thats the reason why Dharma shila is found near Badrinath.

Tapta Kund :
This tapta Kund is found in between the temple (Badrinarayanan) and Alaknanda river. Inspite of being so cold and lots of snow fallings, this tapta kund excreats hot water (springs) which is said to be a special one. It is said that the Ganga river after coming from the thiruvdi of Sriman Narayanan is beared by the Lord Shivaperuman's head and since it comes out form the hot and from Kabhala of Shiva, it is said the water of Tapta kund is hotter.

After taking bath in tapta kund, bhaktas have to climb some steps up where Garudalwar is found. After worshipping him, we can reach the pragaram. The place where Garudalwar is found is called "Simha Dwaram".

Infront of Badrinath temple, the Nara and Narayanan mountain are found. Inside the temple, Badrinarayanar is found in sitting position which is termed as "Padmasana" pose. On his left is Naran and Narayanar and found, to his right, Kuberan with a big silver face is found. Narada Maharishi is also found along with them. A Sudharsana chakkaram to spiritualise the sthalam is also found. The Utsavar is Uddhava is found and infront of him, a small Garudalwar is found.

It is said that a big date (Elandhai) tree is covering the Badrinarayanar temple and it will not be found to any person in Kali yigham. The tree is said to be the hamsam of Sri Mahalakshmi and she is protecting Badrinarayanan from cold by covering him.

Moolavar and his Sannadhi :

The Moolavar Badrinarayanar is said to be made of Salagramam. He is found along with Aravindhavalli thaayar, Garudan, Kuberan, Naradhar, Utthavar, Devarishi and Narayanar. He is found in sitting pose and has 4 hands. His left hand holds the Sangu and his right hand hold the chakkaram and is lifeted upwards and remaining two hands are joined together and found as Yoga muthirai and Abhaya Varadhan.

Bhaktas can get the seva of this perumal how much times they want and all the thirumanjanam, Naivedhyam etc are done infront of the bhaktas.

Thaayar and her Sannadhi :

On the south pragharam of the temple is the sannadhi for Aravindhavalli thaayar is found and she is called as "Mahalakshmi". On the west side, Aadhi sankarar sannadhi and behind the temple, Lakshmi Narasimhar mandir and Sannadhis for Sri Swami Desikan, Udayavr Ramanujar are found.

On the north side of the temple big rock by name "Brahma Gobalam" is found in the bank of Ganga river. It is believed that if we dedicated Pindam (a ball made of rice) here for our forefathers, the next 14 generations people are said to go to heaven and Moksha. And thereafter, if one perform this, there is no need to do the Shrardham from then.

Moolavar :
The Moolavar of Badrinath Kshetram is Badri Narayanan. He is found in Irundha (sitting) thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Naran.

Thaayar :
The Thaayar found in this Kshetram is Aravindhavalli.

Mangalasasanam :

* Periyalwar - 1 Paasuram.
* Thirumangai Alwar - 21 Paasurams.

Pushkarani :
Tapta Kundam.

Sthala Viruksham (Tree):
Badri Viruksham (Date tree).

Vimaanam :
Tapta Kanjana Vimaanam.

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