Holy Pilgrimage -Divya Desam Temples in Tamilnadu State -16 at 6:02 AM

Holy Pilgrimage – Divya Desam Temples

Nepal Temple

 

 

Thiru Salagramam - Sri Moorthy Perumal Temple

 

 

Temple Location :

Muktinath is a pilgrimage shrine located 140 miles from Kathmandu in the snow clad Himalayas and it is located near the Kandaki river famous for the Salagrama stones. Muktinath is also one of the 51 Sakthi Peetams of India.

There is lots of doubt, where this Divyadesam is located. Some says that Mukthinath, which is found 170 miles from Katmandu, it is said the Salagrama Kshetram which is found on the banks of Kandaki river. Mukthinath is otherwise called as "Mukthi Narayanan kshetram".

But, some say, about 65 miles away from Katmandu, there is a place by named "Damodhara Kund", which is found on the bank of Kandaki river is said to be the Salagrama sthalam.

But, whatever it might be, we all the bhaktas should consider that the stones (the Salagramam) which is found on the bank of Kandaki river is said to be considered as the Salagrama sthalam.

Specials:

1. This sthalam is said to be one of Suyambhu sthalam (Suyambhu means created (or) originated on its own) and to explain this speciality the perumal is found as "Nithya Saanthiyam" (always (or) permanently found).

2. The Salagramam is said to be having Jeevan with in and considered to be one among the precious stones. If this Salagramam is kept in houses and done Poojas in a proper way, all the Ashta Lakshmis stay in our house and we can get out from all the burden.

3. Like how, the Thiru Neeru (Vibhoodi) that is given in Lord Shivan temple doesnt have any dhosham, irrespective of the body condition, this Salagramam also have the same character.

4. Since this Salagrama sthalam is said to be found on the bank of pure river (Kandaki Nadhi) and this Salagramam is said to be the stone of purity, there is no need to do the "Samprokshanam".
(Samprokshanam is a custom which is done to a temple whenever any false thing like anyone dies or bad issues happen in and around the Temple.)

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this Salagrama sthalam is Sri Moorthy Perumal. He is found in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumugham along North direction. Prathyaksham for Brahma devan, Rudran and Kandaki.

Thaayar:
The thaayar of this Divyadesam is Sri Devi Naachiyaar.

Mangalasasanam:

• Periyalwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Thirumangai Alwar - 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

• Chakkara Theertham
• Kandaki Nadhi

Vimaanam:
Kanaka Vimaanam.

Sthalapuranam

This Divyadesam is found almost in our Indian Border line. There is lots of doubt, where this Divyadesam is located. Mukthinath, which is found 170 miles from Katmandu, it is said this Salagrama Kshetram is found on the banks of Kandaki river. Mukthinath is otherwise called as "Mukthi Narayanan Kshetram". But, some say that Mukthinath is said that this divyadesam originated on the River Kandaki. But, some say, about 65 miles away from Katmandu, there is a place by named "Damodhara Kund", which is found on the bank of Kandaki river is said to be the Salagrama sthalam. But, whatever it might be, we all the bhaktas should consider that the stones (the Salagramam) which is found on the bank of Kandaki river is said to be considered as the Salagrama sthalam.

While travelling towards this divyadesam lots of wild animals are found, which are considered as so dreadful. Because of this, it is advisable if we go in groups containing 50 members and we can go to this sthalam only by getting the permission from the Nepal Government.

The Salagramam is said to be having Jeevan with in and considered to be one among the precious stones. If this Salagramam is kept in houses and done Poojas in a proper way, all the Ashta Lakshmis stay in our house and we can get out from all the burden. To explain about this, this sthala perumal, Sri Moorthy along with Sri Devi Naachiyaar is found facing along the direction of North, which is said to be the direction of Guberan, the God of wealth.

But if we do pooja to a salagramam which is found in damaged condition, it is not good for the family. So, doing poojas for a good conditioned Salagramam is advisable.

This Salagrama sthalam is said to be found on the bank of pure river and Salagramam is said to be the stone of purity, there is no need to do the "Samprokshanam". (Samprokshanam is a custom which is done to a temple whenever any false thing like anyone dies or bad issues happen in and around the Temple.)

Like how, the thiruneeru (Vibhoodi) that is given in Lord shivan temple doesnt have any dhosham, irrespective of the body condition, this Salagramam also have the same character.

The sthalapuranam of salagrama divyadesam is closely related to Kandaki river, Thulasi and Radhai.

Story of Thulasi:

Once, there lived a Manukula king by named Kusadwajan, who had a wife by named "Madhavi". She did a strong tapas towards Sriman Narayanan. As the result of her tapas, she earned a beautiful lady child and named haer as "Thulasi".

Thulasi did strong tapas and she had in her mind that she should marry Sri Vishnu and attain him. Brahma appeared as a result of her tapas and gave her a varam that she will marry Sriman Narayanan in her next birth. And at the same time, Brahma devan said about her previous birth. He said that in the previous birth, she was born as one among the Gopikashrees (Radhai) and Sudhamar, hamsam of Lord Krishnar got attracted towards the beauty if you (Thulsi) and got the Sabham from Radhai that Sudhaman will be born in Earth and born as Sankha Choodan.

Sriman Narayanan turned as Sankha Choodam and went towards Thulasi's house and Thulasi thinking that Sanka choodan has returned home, let her beauty to enjoy by Emperumaan. But soon after, she realised that the person who has aquired her beauty was not his husband but it is someone else and got rid from him. At that time, Emperumaan showed his seva and explained all about the varam she got and explained Sankha Choodan was also the hamsam of Sriman Narayanan. But, at the same time, Thulasi was very much worried about the act of Sri Vishnu. At that time, Sriman Narayanan, explained her that Sankha choodan was the Hamsam of him (Sri Vishnu) and Thulasi is the Hamsam of Radhai and as per the Varam given by Brahma devan, she married Sriman Narayanan.

After this, the perumal told her that her purity and her Aathma will flow like a river and that river is Kandaki river and the perumal he himself will originate from the pure river as "Salagramam", the precious and spiritual stone.

To explain more about Thulasi, the perumal in Paarkadal worn her as the Garland, so that she is found on his body forever. Bhaktas who do poojas and explain her fame in Kaarthigai pournami are said to attain good position and they are not only blessed with Thulasi but also by Sriman Narayanan.

Kinds of Salagramam:

There are different kinds of Salagramam found in their shape and structure. They are

• Lakshmi Narayana Salagramam
• Lakshmi Janarthana Salagramam
• Raghunatha Salagramam
• Vaamana Salagramam
• Sridhara Salagramam
• Damodhara Salagramam
• Raja Rajeshwara Salagramam
• Rana Ragha Salagramam
• Aadhisesha Salagramam
• Madhusoodhana Salagramam
• Sudharsana Salagramam
• Gadhadara Salagramam
• Hayagreeva Salagramam
• Narasingha Salagramam
• Lakshmi Narasingha Salagramam
• Vasudeva Salagramam
• Prathyumna Salagramam
• Sangarshana Salagramam
• Anirudha Salagramam

Like this, there are so much types of salagramam and these Salagramams are identified according to the holes and the shape and structure they are found.

If any 12 Salagramams are found and the pooja is done in a proper way in a house, the house is said to be treated as 108 Vaishnavite Divyadesams and this implies how pure and precious is the Salagramam. When this 12 Salagramam is done with proper pooja, they should keep the thirunamams of Sriman Narayanan (ie).

• Om Sri Kesavaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Madhavaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Vishnuvaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Thirivikramaya Namaha :
• Om Sridharaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Padmanabhaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Narayanaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Govindaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Madhusoodhanaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Vamanaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Rishi Kesaya Namaha :
• Om Sri Damodharaya Namaha :

So, irrespective of the size and the numbers of Salagramams, it is believed that if you worship in a proper way, Salagramam will lead us to a Good way and Mukthi.

 

 

Uttara Khand Temples

 

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.

Sthalapuranam

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

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

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.

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 onits 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.

 

 

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 deva (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 Ramar have done tapas and an Idol of Raghunathji is said to be installed by Sri Aadhi Sankarar.

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 Nindra thirukkolam facing his Thriumugam towards east direction. 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.

 

 

Thiruppirudhi - Sri Paramapurusha Perumal Temple, Joshimutt

 

 

Temple Location :

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

There is no firm agreement on the where this Divyadesam is situated. Many of the pilgimage believe that Joshimutt is the Divyadesam which is called as "Thiruppirudhi" and some say that Thiruppirudhi is found in the interior of Himalaya.

Specials:

The Speciality of this sthalam is Sri Aadhi Sankaracharyar, who came all the way from Kerala in the 8th Century A.D., performed Tapas under a tree here and after getting enlightment, 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 Emperumaan and his bhaktas. The bhaktas shows their Pireethi (affection) towards the Emperumaan and they get the same from the Emperumaan. Thats the reason this sthalam got the name as "Thiruppirudhi".

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

Bhaktas who travel towards Badrikashramam with lots of efforts and travelling in snow, they feel tied and supressed. But, after reaching this Joshimutt sthalam, they are happy and feel relaxed because only few miles away from this sthalam is Badrikashramam. The Salagrama Narasimhar who is found in the Sankara Mutt is being worshipped by the bhaktas as considering him as the Emperumaan.

It is said a king by named "Nandar" stayed in this Kshetram and did lots of Yagams for 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 this sthalam 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 go. That two divyadesams are Paramapadham and Thirupparkadal. But, the perumal gives his Kidantha kolam how he is found in Thiruppaarkadal, to his bhaktas in this Thiruppirudhi divyadesam.

Only, Thirumangai alwar has done the Mangalasasanam on his perumal. Among his 10 Paasurams, in 3 Paasurams he compares the perumal as 3 avathaars (ie) as Rama, Krishna and Narasimha avathaar of Sri Vishnu.

Sri Aadhi Sankarar has constructed a temple wher Sri Narasimhar and Nindra kola Vasudevar are found. To reach the temple, one has to go downwards in the step which is found 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 found in Kidantha kolam in Bujangha sayanam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. 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 found like the same way as the perumal found in Thiruppaarkadal and bhaktas cant 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.

 

 

Thiru Vadamathura - Sri Govardhana Nesa Perumal Temple, Brindhavanam (UP)

 

 

Temple Location :

This Divyadesam is found on the way between Delhi to Agra railway line.

To reach this Temple, one has to get down in Mathura Junction and travel about 2 miles from there and this sthalam is also reachable from Brindavan by travelling 7 miles from Brindavan .

Specials:

About 2 miles away from Mathura, is the place called as "Janma Bhoomi" is found where a temple is built and this place is said to be the prison where Vasudevar and Devaki are prisioned and this prison only, Sri Krishnar was born.

Sthalapuranam

The 3 Divyadesams namely Thiru Vadamathura, Thiru Aayarpadi and Thiru Dwaraka are connected with the Sri Krishna Avathaar, One among the 10 Avathaars of Sri Vishnu.

Brindavanam and Govardhanam are included in Vadamathura. Vadamathura is considered to one among 7 mukthi sthalams. The other mukthi sthalams are Avanti, Ayodhya, Dwaraka, Maya, Kanchipuram and Kasi. In Mathura, Kannan gives his Thampathi Samethar (Perumal along with his wife) seva along with Sathyabama in Nindra Thirukkolam.

Since, this sthalam was so pleasant and gave a peaceful and satisfied life for Sri Kannan and at the same time, an arakkan (Demon) by named "Mathu" was killed in this sthalam, this sthalam got the name "Mathura". (In Tamil, Mathuram means pleasant and peaceful).

Once, when Sri Ramar was ruling the country, rishis like Shravanar, Bargava Maharishi and all other rishis complained to Sri Ramar that an asuran by name "Lavana" was giving them problems and because of this they could not do tapas towards the perumal. So, they all asked Sri Ramar that he should put an end to it. As a result, Sri Ramar gave his great bow, which helped him to kill Mathu and Kaidaber (they are also arakkas ) to his younger brother Sathruknan.

Getting the Bow and the blessings from Sri Ramar, Sathruknan fought very hardly with the Arakkan, Lavanasuran and finally him killed using the Bow given by Sri Ramar. Thus, the Mathu town was saved from Lavanasuran and all the Rishis and Devars thanked Sathruknan and they asked him what he wants as an Varam for killing Lavanasuran?

Sathruknan asked that the Mathu town should become a very big empire, with great warriors, lots of beautiful temples and lots of Vishnu bhaktas. As requested by him, the Mathu town was blessed by Devars and Rishis and from then, Sathruknan ruled the Mathura Nagar and lots of temples were raised on the banks of Yamuna river. After Sathruknan, his generations ruled and after this, Mathura was ruled by Yadhavas (Vasudevar).

The temple where the Alwars did their Mangalasasanam on the perumal is not found now since they are destroyed by the Mohammed kings and now at that place, a big mosque is built. Close to this, the place where Vasudevar and Devaki are prisonned is found. This place is considered to be the Holy and spiritual place, since that prison is said to be the Birth place of Sri Krishnar.

And places like where Sri Krishnar did Vadham (killed) of Kamsan and the Elephant and a place by named "Vichranthi", where Sri Kannan took rest on the banks of Yamuna river are said to be some of the places which shoul be compulsorily seen by the bhaktas.

As the rememberance of Sri Krishnar in Mathura, two temples are built in the later years. The Krishnar found in these two temples are named as Dwaraknathji and mathuranathji.

The Dwaraknathji is seen giving his seva standing alone like how Tirupathi, Sri Srinivasar is found alone in Nindra thirukkolam.

Mathura town is surrounded by lots and lots of beautiful places and all these places makes us to remember the childhood days of Sri Krishnan.

About 8 miles away from Mathura is a place called "Govardhanagiri" is found, where Sri Krishnar and all of his cowherd frieds grazed cows. This Govardhanagiri is a beautiful place, which has a beautiful and pleasant surroundings and a temple is built on the top of the hill by Sri Vallabhacharyar. Bhaktas after visiting Govardanagiri, at the foot of the hill of Govardhanagiri a temple for Lakshmi - Narayanar is found where worship is done as per the regulations laid down by Sri Ramanujar.

Close to this temple, a river that flows deep and broad, is found and 18 Km away from Govardhanagiri, as a rememberance of Nandhagopar and yasodha, a small town is constructed with the name "Nandhi Gramam" on the hill top and a temple for Bala Krishnar is found.

About 6 miles away from Mathura lies Brindavan, where Sri Krishnar along with all other Yadhavars led their lives in peace. This is the place where Sri Krishnar spent his childhood days along with his cowherd frieds and did lots of leelas.

On the banks of Yamuna river, a temple by named "Rangaji Mandir" is found. Separate sannadhis for Sri Ranganathar, Sri Andal, Lord Sri Srinivasar and Sri Ramar are found.

Utsavam:

In Mathura, the Krishna Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanthi) is celebrated in a grand way, where lots of Vishnu bhaktas come to this sthalam and worship Sri Krishnar. During that time, the entire life of Sri Krishnar is depicted as a play.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this Divyadesam is Govardhana Nesan. He is also named as Balakrishnan. The Moolavar is found in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards the Eastern direction. Prathyaksham for Indiran, all the Devars, Brahma devan, Vasudevar and Devaki.

Thaayar:
The Thaayar found here in this sthalam is Sathyabama Naachiyaar.

Mangalasasanam:

• Periyalwar - 4 Paasurams
• Andal - 6 Paasurams
• Thondaradipodialwar - 1 Paasuram
• Thirumangaialwar - 4 Paasurams
• Nammalwar - 10 Paasurams

About Brindavanam, Andal has done mangalasasanam on the perumal in 10 paasurams and about Govardhanam, Periyalwar has praised the perumal in 16 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

• Indra theertham
• Govardhana theertham
• Yamuna theertham

Vimaanam:
Govardhana Vimaanam.

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

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