Holy Pilgrimage -Divya Desam Temples in Tamilnadu State -2 at 5:37 PM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in  Tamilnadu State

Thiru Ida Venthai - Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple,

near Mahabalipuram

 

About the Temple:

This sthalam is situated in Tamil Nadu near Mahabalipuram. By travelling around 40 Kms from Chennai, we can reach this sthalam. From Mahabalipuram its is 5 miles along the sea shore.

Some more news about this sthalam:

1.   This sthalam is called as "Asurakaala Nalloor".

2.   A grand utsavam is done during Panguni Uthiram for 9 days.

3.   At the end of Aavani Sathayam, grand utsavam for 7 days is done.

4.   Anna Dhaanam (giving food to all of the person) done in Kalisanga Madam in Amavaasai.

5.   People who want to get married can visit this sthalam.

 

The Perumal of this Sthalam is Sri Lakshmi Varaha Perumal. He is found in standing position facing his thirumugham towards East direction. Prakthyaksham for Markandeyar.

 

Thayaar

The Thaayar of this Sthalam is Sri Komalavalli Nachiyar.

Utsavar - Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal.

Seperate sannadhis for Sri Andal, Sri Aranganathan, Sri Aranganayaki.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar – 13 Paasurams.
  Total 13.

Manavala Mamunigal also did Mangalaasasanam here.

Pushkarani:

Kalyana theertham and Varaha theertham.

 

 

Thiru Kadalmalai - Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple,

near Mahabalipuram

 

About the Temple:

This sthalam, Thirukadalmallai is also called as "Mahabalipuram" and "Mamallapuram". It is situated in Tamil Nadu. 40 Kms away from Chennai and 7 miles from Thiruvidanthai.

Mahabalipuram is famous for its stone carved statues and sea shore. The speciality of the statues are shown to the world by all Pallava kings and the stone carved statues tell how their thinking is.

• The Krishna Mandapam where we can find a 8 feet Krishnar and the Gopalan (Krishnan) getting the milk from cow.
• Statue which explains the tapas done by Arjunan.
• Two big rocks in which full of shapes of Cat to Elephant, Devas, Munivas, Lord Shiva giving Pasupa Astharam, and cat in the Kolam of doing tapas and rats around it. These are the shapes which are beautifully seen in these two big rocks.
• Panja Pandavar Mandapam, Govardhana Mandapam, Panja Pandavas Ratham (Chariot) and all done in one rock and lots more can be seen.

Specials:

• This is the Avathara Sthalam of Bhoodathalwar. This Sthalam is full of Artistic work temple it is also called as "Artha Sethu".
• This place is governed by Mahabali. According to (Varam) got by Mahabali by Lord Vaamanar, the place is called as " Mahabali Puram" - This is one of the old story said about this sthalam.
• Chitra Kara Puli - Mahendravarman's Son Narasima Varma Pallavan was populary named as "Mamallan". Lots of the monumental and artistic works that are found are done by him and becasue of this, the place is called as "Mamallapuram".

Moolavar and Thaayar:

 

The Perumal found in this sthalam is Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal. He is found in Kidantha kolam in bhujanga sayanam (sleeping) and facing his thirumugham towards East direction along the sea.

On the right hand side on his heart, Gnana Upadesh known as "Gnana Tamiz Purintha Naan" is found.

The Moolavar is Thiru Vada Enthai Varaaga Moorthy on west part of Kalangarai Vilakkam (light house) near the Cave Temple.

Utsavar - Sthala Sayana Perumal (Ula Kuyya Nindraan)

Thaayar
The Thaayar of this sthalam is Sri Nila Mangai Thayaar. She is found in a seperate sannadhi.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 26 Pasuram
• Botham Alwar - 1 Pasuram
  Total - 27

Pushkarani:

There are Two Pushkaranies.

• Pundareega Pushkarani.
• Garuda Nadhi.

Vimanam:
Thaganakruthi (Aanantha Vimanam)

 

 

ThirukKadigai (Sholingur) - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholingar

 

About the Temple:

This sthalam is also named as "Kadigachalam". If we travel from Chennai, we have to first travel to Arakkonam. From their, by travelling about 25 Kms , we can reach this Sholingar. Lots of bus facilities are available from Arakkonam and lots of passenger trains stops at Sholingar station.

The Malai Adi Vaaram (Bottom of the Mountain) of this temple is called "Konda Palayam". Konda means Hill and Palayam means a town

 

Specials:

• Both in Periya and Chinna malai, the Perumal - Sri Yoga Narasimhar and Sri Yoga Anjaneyar are found in Yoga Stage.
• The Small Mountain (Chinna Malai) is about 200 feet where lord Anjaneya is found in sitting position found along with Sangu and Chakkaram in west facing direction. Here, Sriman Narayanan in the form of Sri Narasimhar gave His dharshan to Anjaneyar. Aanjaneyar is considered to be the resemblence (or) Avathaar of Shiva, but here He is resembling the avathar of Sri Vishnu.
• It is said all evil activities are cured if we take bath in the theertham of this sthalam and by worshipping Yoga Narasimhar and Yoga Anjaneyar.

Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Big Mountain (Periyamalai) is about 400 feet high where Moolavar - Sri Yoga Narasimar is found in Irundha (sitting) kolam facing his thirumugham towards East direction. The other names of the Perumal are "Thakaan" and "Akkarakani". Akkaram means Money and Wealth. This sthalam is also called as "Kadikachlam".

Thaayar

The Thaayar of the Sthalam is Sri Amirtha Valli and she is found in a separate sannadhi.

Utsavar :

Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal (Thakkan), Periyapiratiyar and Bhoomi piratiyar are found in Bhoga stage (Dhyanam stage) in the temple in Malai Adivaaram (foot hill). There are separate sannadhis for Andal, Alwars, Garuda Vagana Varadharaja Perumal, Erumbiyapa and Thottacharyaar. Both the God's in Periyamala and Chinnamala, Narasimar and Aajaneyar are in Santha Nilais (Yoga Stage).

Utsavams:

All Utsavams are conducted to Sri Bhakthavatsalar of the temple at the foot-hill temple. Special Poojas for Thayaar on every friday are done. In Kaarthigai month and in sundays, special poojas for Aajaneyar is done.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 3 Paasurams
• Pey Alwar - 1 Paasuram
  Total - 4 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

There are Four Pushkaranies.

• Amirtha Theertham (Thakkan Kulam).
• Narasimma Theertham.
• Hanumantha Theertham.
• Brahma Theertham.

Vimanam:
Simha Koshtakkruthi (Simhagra) first vimaanam, found on the entrance of the Periya malai.

Simha Koshtakkruthi (Simhagra) Vimaanam. When entered through the entrance and going round it, we can see the thaayar sannadhi and after it, we can get dharshan of Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Yoga Aanjaneyar's temple is also found on the top of the chinna malai. If we see the direction in which the Yoga Aanjaneyar is facing, we can see the Yoga Narasimhar's temple.

Sculptures and some historical news:

• This sthalam is also called as "Chola Lingapuram" since a chola king found a siva lingam and built a temple for it. Later, the shtalam is called as Cholasingapuram" and now as "Sholingapuram".

  Karikaala Cholan, when separating his Rajjyam (entire empire) into small districts, he named this place as "Kadigai Kottam". In this sthalam, pallava kings started numerous studying institutions and sculpturing centres.

  The steps from the foot hill to the mountain temple was constructed by Rajayya.

 

Kanchipuram Temples

 

Thiru Kacchi - Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple (Thiru Kanchi), Kanchipuram

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

Kanchipuram is said to be one of the major city in in South India, where lots of Saivam and Vaishnavam temples are found. It is about 75 Kms away from Chennai. Lots of bus and lodging facilities are avilable.

Sthalapuranam :

Lord Brahma devan wanted to get the dharshan of Sriman Narayanan in Chathur Bhujam (with four hands) and becasue of this, he did a tapas towards him. First the Perumal gave his seva in the form of Theertham, Which is now called as "Pushkaram". Next he gave the seva in the form of Forest, which in now called as "Naimisaranyam". But still, Lord Brahma was not satisfied. At that time, he heard an Asarari (an unknown voice from heaven) which said that to get the dharshan of Sri Varadharajar, he must do the great Ashwametha yagam (Sathya viradam) for hundred times. But, Lord Brahma felt so depressed that doesnt have time nor the patience to perform 100 Ashwametha yagam. Finally as per Sriman Narayanan, he performed one Ashwametha yagam which is equivalent to 100 Ashwametha yagam. It is said that doing one Ashwametha yagam in Kanchipuram is equivalent to 100 times of doing Ashwametha yagam somewhere else.

Brahma devan started the yagam and from the fire of the yagam, Sri Varadharajar came out and gave his dharshan in which way Lord Brahma wanted.

"Ka" - means Brahma and "Anjitham" - means who was worshipped. Since, Brahma worshipped Emperumaan as Varadharajar, this sthalam is called "Kanchi". The temple is situated in Vishnu Kanchi which is also Known as "Chinna (or) Little Kanchipuram" and in the Big (or) Shiva Kanchipuram, all Shiva temples are found.

yodhya's King Sakaranis, son Asamanjan and his wife as a result of Sabham, they were changed to Lizards and as a result of worshipping Kanchi Varadharajar as said by Ubamanyu, they two got their original positions. Both these two lizards can be seen in this sthalam in a small sannadhi. It is said on touching this lizards, all kinds of problems and diseases are cured. Still now all the bhaktas come to this temple and worship this lizards to get their problems cured.

It is said that the Narasimhar Sannadhi is first sannadhi to be built.

The theertham of this sthalam is "Sesha theertham" and is found along the north side of Nootrukkal Mandapam (100 pillared Mandapam). All along this theertham, Aadhiseshan did tapas.

When Udayavar Ramanujar lived in Kanchipuram, he worshipped and did Thirumanjanam (the divine bath for the Perumal) and for this, he used to get the water from the well which is 2 miles aawy. He was awarded with the name as "Ethiraja Maamuni" by Sri Varadharaja Perumal itself, when he became the Saint.

When talking about Udayavar Ramanujar, his student and followers Koorathalwar's Guru bakthi (respecting and doing the needful for his teacher (or)Guru) has to be explained.

Once in the Chozha empire, Nallooran, who was one of the member in that empire, was against Vaishnavam and because of this, ordered to pluck off Sri Ramanujar's eyes. But, Koorathalwar for his Guru, asked that his eyes can be taken off and not his Guru's eyes. Then he sung a great devotional poem named "Sri Varadharaja Sthavam" on Sri Kanchi Varadharajar in his sannadhi. At that time, Sri Varadharajar gave his seva and asked him what he wants. But, Koorathalwan said that he doesnt need Oonakkan (Ordinary human eyes) instead, he need the Gnanakkan (Eyes which has a broader vision of good thought) so that he can be able to spread Vaishnavam. This is one of the said story when talking about the sthalapuranam.

When talking about Kanchi Varadhar, the Garuda seva which is one of the special vaghanam during Brahmotsavam in vaikasi month.

 

Bhaktas can enter the temple through Punniyakoti Vimaanam, which is 200 height x 800 width and fully surrounded by huge walls. After entering we can find Nootrukkal mandapam (Mandapam with 100 pillars) which has extra ordinary scultures on each pillars and a chain made up of stone can be seen. Behind this mandapam, we can find the Pushkarani.

Azhagiya singar - Narasimhar is found along with Arithra Devi Thaayar and his Sannadhis Vimaanam is (cave) Gugha Vimanam.

Specials:

• Birth place of Vedantha Desikar.
• Atthi Varadhar - Once in every 40 years he is taken out from the pond and grand poojas are done during that period.
• Garuda Seva, which is a grand utsavam (festival) done in Vaikasi month is said to be the most and special Festival here.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this this sthalam is Sri Varadharajar. Other names of the Perumal are Perarulalan, Devathirajan, DevaPerumal. Moolavar in Standing position facing his thirumugham towards West direction. Prathyaksham for Brighu Muni, Naaradhar, Aadhisesan, Brahman, Gajendran.

Thaayar :
The Thaayar of this this sthalam is Perundevi Thaayar.

Sannadhis:

1.   Garudan.

2.   Kugai Narasimar.

3.   Yoga Narsimar and Chakkarathaalwar in a single sannadhi.

4.   Perundevi Thaayar.

5.   Sri Ranganaathar.

6.   Sri Ramar.

7.   Ananthaalwan.

8.   Thanvanthri.

9.   Sri Krishnar.

10.                     Sri Andal.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 4 Paasurams
• Bhoodhathalwar- 2 Paasurams
• Pei Alwar - 1 Paasuram
  Total - 7 Paasurams

Aalavanthaar, Thirukachinambi, Udayavaar, Koorathazhvaan, Vedantha Desikar, Manavala Maamuni also did Mangalasasanam.

Pushkarini:

• Vegavadhi Nadhi.
• Anantha Saras.
• Sesha, Varaga, Padma, Agni, Kusala, Brahma Theertham.

Vimanam:
Punyakoti Vimanam

 

 

Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This is one of the sthalam found in Kanchipuram and is about 1 Km away from Sri Varadharajar temple.

Sthlapuranam :

When Thirumizhisai alwar was living in Kanchipuram, a very old lady (Daasi) used to clean his house daily and did this as a small favour for him.

On becoming happy on the favour she is doing daily to him, Alwar changed her from old lady to a beautiful woman. After this, wondering at the beauty, the king married the woman and she became the queen of the place. On hearing the secret of an old lady becoming a beautiful woman, he was in an eager mood to meet Thirumizhisai Alwar.

Kani Kannan, who was great follower of Thirumazhisai Alwar, helped and followed him and his teachings. The king called up Kani Kannan and asked that Thirumizhisai Alwar should come to his palace and should sing a poem on praising him. On hearing this, Kani Kannan said that all the poems and songs that comes from the mouth of Thirumizhisai Alwar belongs to Srivaikundanathan and it is impossible for him to come to the palace and sung a poem on praising the king.

On hearing this, he showed lots of gold ornaments, silver items, Diamonds etc to Kani Kannan and since he being very close to Thirumizhisai Alwar, atleast he could sing a poem on praising him. But, Kani Kannan refused to do so and said he will not sing any song on praising the humans. The King got angry on hearing this and ordered him to get out from Kanchi at once.

Kani Kannan went to Thirumizhisai Alwar and explained all about that had happened in the palace and prepared to start getting out from Kanchipuram. On seeing this, Thirumizhisai Alwar also prepred to start from Kanchi leaving along with Kani Kannan. So, he too started along with him. While they were going, he sung a song on the Yadhothakari Perumal as Kani Kannan is leaving Kanchipuram, he is also going along with him and Alwar asks the Perumal to get up from his Aadhisheshan, which is the bed for him and roll it and wants him to quit from Kanchi.

The Perumal also got out from Kanchipuram following the Alwar and Kani Kannan. On hearing this, the king and all the people of Kanchi, begged Kani Kannan to return back to Kanchipuram.

And after this, Kani Kannan along with Thirumizhisai Alwar came back to Kanchipuram. When returning, Alwar sung a song asking that Kani Kannan has returned back to Kanchi and he want the Perumal to go and sleep in his Aadhiseshan in the temple. On hearing this, Sriman Narayanan comes back to Thiruvekka temple and gives his sayana kols seva. Since the Perumal obeyed the words of Thirumizhisai Alwar and did what he said, he is called as "Sonna Vannam seitha perumal". Sonna vannam seitha means obeying and doing the same what was told to him. This is one of the purana story said about this sthalam.

Once in Brahma logam, there was an arguement that who is greater between Naa Magal (or) Saraswathi and Poo Magal (Sri Lakshmi). Brahma said that it is Poomagal - Lakshmi Thaayar who is found on the heart of Sri Vishnu is the greatest. Next, Saraswathi asked which river is the big river. But, unfortunately Brahma answered that the greatest river is River Ganga which is originating from the feet of Sri Vishnu is the greates. On hearing this, Saraswathi got angry and quit from the disappeared and went along the banks of river Ganga and started doing Tapas.

 

Naan mughan, Brahma wanted to do the great Ashwametha Yagam in Kanchipuram and wanted Saraswathi to be along with him. So, he sent his son Vashistan to make Saraswathi come back to him. But, Saraswathi refused to come along with him. After this, Brahma devan started the Yagam keeping Savithri and all of his wives with him.

On seeing this, the Asuraas (the Demon) wanted to destroy the Yagam and went to Saraswathi and made her angry by telling her what is happening. She got angry on Brahma devan and started as "Vegavathi" river along the south direction and flow across the place of the Yagam to destroy it . But, Sriman Narayanan wanted to stop Vegavadhi river and protect the Yagam from her. So, he stoped the river by lying across the river on Aadhiseshan. Because of this, this perumal is also named as "Vaga Sethu".

This Vega Sethu then became Vegavanai and then finally named as "Vekkanai" and finally became "Vekka".

In this sthalam only, Manavala Maamunigal expalined his "Sri Bashyam" to the world.

Specials:

• In the Pushkarani of this temple only, Poigai Alwar was born.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

 

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Yathothakaari. Other names are Sonnavannam seitha Perumal and Vegasethu. Moolavar is Kidantha Kolam (Bhujanga Sayanam), facing in West direction.
Prathyaksham for Brahma Devan, Poigai, Bootham Alwar, Kanikannan.
This perumal is found in Sleeping posture from right side to left. This is also one of the speciality of this Shetram.

Thaayar : Komalavalli Nachiyaar.

Utsavar
Made with the combination of precious metal in which gold has a major part.

Sannadhis:
Pilla logacharyar.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumazhisai Alwar - 3 Pasuram
• Thirumangai Alwar - 6 Pasuram
• Poigai Alwar - 4 Pasuram
• Nammalwar - 1 Pasuram
  Total - 14

Vimanam:

Vedasara Vimanam.

 

Ashtabuyagaram - Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This sthalam is also found in Kanchipuram (chinna or little kanchipuram) and is situated about 2 Kms from Sri Varadharajar Temple. Lots of bus facilities are available from Big Kanchipuram. It is very close to Sri Yathothakaari Temple.

Sthlapuranam :

The Perumal in this sthalam is Sri Aadhikesava Perumal and he is seen with 8 hands. He holds Chakaram, Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the 4 right hands and Sangu, Bow, Kedayam (which is used to protect while fighting using a sword) and Gadha (Which can be found along with Hanuman and Bhima).

The sthalapuranam of this temple is also associated with that of Saraswathi and Lord Brahman. After all the demons were killed by Sriman Narayanan, who were sent by Saraswathi to destroy the yagam done by Brahma devan, she finaly sent a ferocious Sarbham (snake). Sriman Narayanan to kill the dangerous snake, took the form of Ashtabhuja Perumal holding 8 different weapons to kill the snake. And using all those 8 weapons, he killed the snake sent by Saraswathi. The snake is found on the Vaayu end of the yaaga sala as "Sarabeswaran" in this temple.

This Perumal gave His prathyaksham (seva) for Gajendran, the elephant.

 

The Weapons like sword, bow, Gadha etc., found in the hands of the perumal is said to be against the evil and helps for good things. All the eight things (or) Aayudham (weapon) found on the hands of the Perumal is called as "Divya Aayudha Aazhwargal".

When coming across the sculptures found in this sthalam, we can see that this temple was built by Thondaiman Chakravarthy who is popularly named as Vayiramoghan.

Specials:

• The Lord here has 8 hands in which he holds 8 different weapons.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Aadikesava Perumal. Other names are Gajendravaradhan, Chakrathaarar.

Moolavar in standing position facing West direction. Prathyaksham for Gajendran, an Elephant. It is believed that only in this sthalam, Gajendra Moksham happened.

Thaayar

Alarmelmangai Thayaar. Other name is Padmasani.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 10 Paasurams.
• Pei Alwar - 1 Paasuram.
  Total - 11

Vedantha desikar, Manavala Maamuni also has done mangalasasanam.

Pushkarani:

• Gajendra Pushkarani.

Vimanam:

Ganganakkruthi, Sanganakkruthi Vimanam.

 

 

Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This Divyadesam is found in Big Kanchipuram and is closely situated near to Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple.

Sthalapuranam :

Mahabali Chakravarthy, the grandson of Prahaladhan, did a very big yagam (or) homam to get the Devendra logam, which is referred to as "Swargham". But, the lokam belongs to Indiran, who is the King of that lokam. Being a great devotee of Sriman Narayanan, he was capitulated by temptation and deceided to acquire the Devendra Lokam. To make him understand and to punish him, Sriman Narayanan took the Vaamana avathar (dwarf) and asked for 3 feets of his land. On hearing this, Mahabali said that he can take 3 feets of his land. But as a surprise to Mahabali, Sriman Narayanan who came there as Vaamanan (dwarf) grew up in height, and his head touched the sky. Using the first step, he measured the sky and earth and with the second feet or step, he covered the heaven and more tha it. Finally, he asked for the third feet of land. For this, Mahabali surrenders his own head as the third feet and was finally bleassed by Sriman Narayanan.

 

When his head was stamped by Emperumaan's feet, he could not get the dharshan of Thirivikraman. So, he prayed for his great Ulagalandha dharshan. Since, he could not be given the Thirivikraman darshan, the Parumal gave his seva as Aadhiseshan (Ooragathaan) which can be seen next to Ulagalandha Perumal.

The moral that is explained by the Perumal is that all the things that are in exisit in this world belongs to Emperumaan, Sriman Narayanan and this is cleary explained throught the Ulagalandhan (Thirivikrama) Perumal.

All the living things (Jeeva raasis) and its Aathmaas belong to the Emperumaan's feet and it is explained through "Thiru Ooragathaan".

Mahabali Chakravarthy comes along the family of Bhaktha Prahaladhan, a great devotee of Sri Vishnu. Inspite of coming through that kind of family, he wanted to rule the Deva lokam, which belongs to Indiran. And at the same time, Devendran - Indiran wanted to rule all over the world. So to teach both of them a lesson, he took the Thirivikrama kolam, thereby reducing the leadrship and over head of Mahabali and on the other hand, by raising his feet and measuring over the sky, he states to Devendran that Deva Lokam also belongs to him.

 

In this Sthalam, Ulagalandha Perumal, Thirivikraman gave his Prathyaksham for Ooragam, who is the Aadhiseshan. Both Aadiseshan and Thirivikraman are the other ways the Emperumaan giving seva in this sthalam.

Specials:

• Inside this Sthalam, other 3 divyadesams namely, Neeragam, Karagam and Kaaravannam are found. The Vimanam and Pushkarani are found to be so damaged.
• In Thai month (mid of January month to mid of febraury month) a very big utsavam is done.
• Garuda seva is the special Vaaganam of this temple.
• Doing Thirumanjanam (divine bath to Perumal) for Ooragathaan is said to cure all sorts of problems.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

 

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Thiruvikraman. Other names are Sri Ulagalantha Perumal. Prathyaksham for Aadisheshan.

Moolavar in Ulagai (World) alantha kolam

Thaayar : Amudhavalli (Amirthavalli).

Utsavaar : Sri Loganathan.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumazhisai Alwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Thirumangai Alwar - 4 Paasurams.
  Total - 6 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

• Naaga Theertham.
• Sesha Theertham.

Vimanam:

Saara SriKara Vimanam.

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

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