Holy Pilgrimage -Divya Desam Temples in Tamilnadu State -1 at 4:04 AM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in  Tamilnadu State

Divya Desam Temples

 

About Divyadesams

Like how, India is surrounded by Oceans and Sea, the Bhakti is also spread throughout our Country. Emperumaan Sriman Narayanan who is the Paramathma is found in all of the minds and heart of the Jeevathmas, is found from Kanyakumari to Himalayas in various Thirukkolams (posture or position) in various Sthalams.

Out of these Sthalams, Alwars, who are said to be the Hamsam of Sriman Narayanan, have sung Mangalasasanam (praising of the Perumal) on the Perumal and there are totally 108 Sthalams where Alwars have done Mangalasasanam on the Perumal. These 108 Vishnu Sthalams are called as "Divyadesams".

Emperumaan, Sriman Narayanan is found in various Thirukkolam. The Thirukkolam in 108 Divyadesams are given below:

• Kidantha Thirukkolam        ( Sleeping Position )    - 27 Divyadesams
• Veetrirundha Thirukkolam  ( Sitting Position )        - 21 Divyadesams
• Nindra Thirukkolam           ( Standing Position )     - 60 Divyadesams

In these 108 Divyadesams, as we have seen that the Perumal is found on various Thirukkolam, he is also facing his Thirumugham on various directions and giving his seva, which are as follows:

• Towards East direction - 79 Divyadesams
• Towards West direction - 19 Divyadesams
• Towards North direction - 3 Divyadesams
• Towards South direction - 7 Divyadesams

These 108 Divyadesams are found throughout our Indian country and they are divided into 7 categories

About 12 Alwars

 

Alwars, who are said to be the Hamsam of Sriman Narayanan, have dedicated their lives towards the Emperumaan and they led their life by praising and doing Mangalasasanam on Sriman Naryanan. These Alwars are 12 in Number and out of which one is Sri Andal, who is a woman.

These Alwars were born in various parts of our country but they were all united in a common subject, ie dedicating their lives and praising the Lord.

Poigai Alwar, Bhoodath Alwar and Pei Alwar are collectively called as "Mudhal Alwars" were found in the same period of time.

Thirumazhisai Alwar, who thought the Perumal as his friend and has sung Mangalasasanam on Perumal.

Thirumangai Alwar, who was a great king in his starting of life but later, changed his life to work for the Perumal and for his bhaktaas.

Thondaradippodi Alwar, who is also named as "Vipra Narayanar" led his life as the slave to the Perumal and worked for the Perumal by dedicating him with Garlands.

Thiruppaan Alwar, who belonged to the Paanar family, praised the Perumal through his beautiful songs and Paasurams.

Periyalwar, is considered as the Mother, Father for Sri Andal and Father-in-Law to Perumal has sung Mangalasasanam on Perumal.

Sri Andal, who is also called as "Soodikkodutha Sudar Kodi" is said to be the daughter (brought up) of Periyalwar has created "Thiruppavai" in which she considers Sriman Naryanan as her husband. She is the only lady alwar.

Nammalwar, who sat below the Tamarind tree without having any food and sleep got Gnana and has sung Mangalasasanam on Perumal and he has worked hard to spread Sri Vaishnavam.

Madhurakavi Alwar, who is said to be the Sishyan (Student) of Nammalwar is also one among 12 Alwars.

Kulasekara Alwar, have a great bhakti towards Sri Ramar have also done Mangalasasanam on the Perumal particularly in Malayala Naatu thriuppathigal

 

Alwars, who are said to be the Hamsam (form) of Sriman Narayanan, have sung Mangalasasanam (praising of the Perumal) on the Perumal and there are totally 108 Sthalams where Alwars have done Mangalasasanam on the Perumal. These 108 Vishnu Sthalams are called as "Divyadesams".

 

Thiru Vellikeni - Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai

 

This sthalam is situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This Kshetram is considered to be more divine in Thondai Naadu Temples.

Specials :

• The great seven Munis (Saptha Rishis) - Brighu, Atthiri, Mareeshi, Markandeyar, Sumathi, Jaabali and Saptharomar performed Tapas (thavam) here and as a result of this, the sthalam is also called as "Brindaranyasthalam". This sthalam is also known as "Panja Veerathalam".
• Lord Vishnu appeared here as "Sri Parthasarathy" for Thondaimaan.
• The Lord is installed by Vyasar and Devoted by Aathreyar.
• Thirumazhisai Alwar met first Three Alwars (Poigai, Pei and Bhutham) in this sthalam.

The Deities :

he Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Venkata Krishnan. Along with Rukmani Piratiyar, he holds sword in one hand, Varadha Muthirai on the other hand and his brother Balaraman on his right, Sathaki on his left, son Prathyumnan, Grand son Aniruthan are also found near the Moolavar. This is one of the Sthalam where the Perumal shows his seva along with his three generations. He is found in standing (Nindra thirukkolam) position and facing his Thirumugham towards East direction.

The Thayaar of this Allikeni sthalam is Vedavalli Thayaar.

Sannadhis :

1.   Sri Ramar Sannadhi.

2.   Aranga Nathan Sannadhi.

3.   Moolavar Sannadhi.

4.   Thaayar Sannadhi.

5.   Sri Varadharajan Sannadhi.

6.   Azhagiyasingar( Narasimhar).

7.   Sri Andal Sannadhi.

Mangalasasanam :

1.   Thirumangai Alwar – 10 Paasurams.

2.   Pei Alwar - 1

3.   Thirumazhisai Alwar – 1

- Total 12.

Sri Ramanujar, Sri Manavala Mamunigal has also done mangalasasanam here.

Pushkarani :

 

The Main pushkarani of this Sthalam is Kairavini Saras. Some other theerthams like Agni theertham, Soma theertham, Meena theertham, Indra theertham, Vishnu theertham are also found in this Sthalam. Due to lots of Alli (LILLY) flowers in the pond, this Kshetram is so-called as "Alli keni".

Vimanam :

The Vimaanam is said to be found of Five Nillays with Seven Kalasams on it. The Five Nillays are :

• Ananda
• Pranava
• Pushpaka
• Sesha and
• Thaivagai vimanam.

 

Thiruneermalai - Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple, Tambaram, Chennai

 

Sri Neervannaperumal Temple, Thiruneermalai is one among the 108 Divyadesams found in Chennai near Tambaram (Thondai Nadu).

In this Sthalam, the Perumal is found is various positions as Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan and Nadanthaan Thirukkolam.

This Sthalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, Chengulpet District. We can reach the temple by travelling around 4 Kms from Pallavaram Railway Station, which is about 7 Kms from Chennai.

 

This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" and also as "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as "Thiru Neermalai".

Specials:

• The Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (ie) - Nindra, Iruntha, Kidantha and Nadantha Thirukkolmas.
• It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as "Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram".

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Perumal gives his seva in four different positions.

• Sri Neervannar - Nindra Thirukkolam.
• Lord Narasimhar - Irundha Thirukkolam.
• Lord Ranganathar - Kidantha Thirukkolam.
• Lord Thiruvikraman - Nadantha Thirukkolam.

 

The Neervannar is found in Nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing his Thirumugham towards East direction. He is also named as Neelamugil Vannan. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar.

Lord Ranganathar is found in Kidantha (lying) position facing his thirumugham towards South direction and the Sayana kolam is referred to as "Manicka Sayanam". He is lying on the Aadhiseshan under Ranga Vimaanam.

Thaayar
The Thayaar of this sthalam is Sri Animaa Malar Mangai and found in a separate Sannadhi.

According to Thirumangai Alwar, Thiruneer Malai is referred to:
Thirunaraiyoor	Nindra Thirukkolam
Thiruvaali	Narasiman (Irundha Thirukkolam)
Thirukudanthai	Aarai Amuthai (Kidantha Thirukkolam)
Thirukoviloor	Ulagalanthaan (ThiruVikrama kolam)

Thus, in Thiruneermalai Divyadesam, we can see all the four forms of the Perumal together.

In this temple, Muni Valmiki worshipped Eari Kidantha (Aranganathan), Iruntha (Narasimar), Nadantha (Thiruvikraman) Kola seva of the Perumal. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshman and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman

 

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 19 Paasurams
• Bhudathalwar - 1 Paasuram
  Total - 20

Pushkarani:

• Kshri includes Karunya, Sidha and Swarna Pushkarani.
• Kshri Pushkarani for Kidantha Perumal.
• Karunya Pushkarani for Nindra Perumal.
• Sittha Pushkarani for Ulagalantha Perumal.
• Swarna Pushkarani for Veetruntha Paramapatha Emperuman.

The Pushkarani is found along with the Neerazhi Mandapam.

In Kulakarai, Vasantha Mandapam is found.

Vimanam:

• Ranga Vimaanam - Sri Ranganathar.
• Santha Vimaanam - Lord Narasimhar.
• Thoyagiri Vimaanam - Ulagalantha Perumal.

 

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )