Pilgrimage -Divya Desam Temples in Tamilnadu State -5 at 6:12 PM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in  Tamilnadu State

 

Kumbakonam Temples

 

Sri Kola Valvilli Ramar Perumal Temple, Thiruvelliangudi

 

Temple Location :

This temple lies in the District of Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. From Kumbakkonam, we have to travel in a bus upto Anaikarai and from there to Senganoor and the temple is about 3/4 miles away from this place. The Sthalam can also be reached Via Chozhavaram, Muttakudi and Mayavaram.

Sthala Puranam:

As Lord Shukra (Venus) also known as Velli was in penance on this place and because of this, the sthalam is called as "Velliankudi".

Among all the Planet's Lord Shukra has an important place. He is the next brightest star to Sun and Moon.

He was the guru (mentor) of the Asura's (demons). He was the one who taught the life Regaining Mantra "The Sanjeevini Manthram" to Kachan, the son of Brahaspathi, the guru of Deva's.

Mayan was the sculptor of the Deva Logam. He is the father of Mandothari, wife of Ravana. He constructed many beautiful places such as Tiripura loga which floats in the sky (for Asura's) etc. This great personality wanted to have a heartiful Dharsan of Sri Ramar. He requested Sri Ramar to give Dharsan without his Sangu and Chakaram. So Sri Ramar gave these things to Garudan and showed himself as "Kola Vallvill Raman" at this place.

And Garudan has Sangu and Chakkaram in his hands here. This incident shows that a true artist is beyond love and affection towards his family (ie) he is more concentrated in his work only. So, Lord Bhrama too came here to have Dharsan.

Many Sages and Saints have performed the "Vyasa Pooja" here.

This temple is maintained under the "Vygnasa Agamam" which means:
Viganasa Maharishi was born from the soul of Sriman Narayanan. The format of Slokams which he assorted is known as "Vyganasa Aagamam", the Four Lakh Granda's (letter format) which was formed by his four students Maharishi, Athiri, Bhrigu and Kashiyapar is also known as Vyganasam.

Bodily matters were put into the Gruhyam sect while details regarding the implantation of idols of deities, prayers, rules for repenting his sins (Prayachitham) are put under the Deivegam section.

As all the wordly bliss are found here, mother earth (ie) Bhoomi Piratti came here to get the Dharsan of the Lord here.

Like how Plaintain tree bores sapplings before it dies, the humanity should also cherish forever and to explian this, the sthala virutcham (ie) tree of the temple is Plaintain tree here.

Putkalavartham is the name of the cloud which bores all blissful things to humanity. As the lord of this place bless us heartly, the Pushkalavartha cloud become his Vimaanam here.

Specials:

1. Since Lord Shukra, Lord Indra, Lord Brahma, Markandeya Maharishi, Parasara Maharishi, Mayan were all blessed by Lord Kola Valvilliraman specially here, if visited this sthalam gives all the Puniyam (Value of good deed's) gained by having Dharsan at all the 108 divyadesams. only.

2. Garudan in this Sthalam has Sangu and Chakkaram in his hands, which will be generally found on the hands of the Perumal.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Kola Valvilli Raman. He is giving his seva in Kidantha Thirukkolam in Bhujanga Sayam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Lord Shukran, Brahma, Indra, Parasara, Mayan, Markandeya Maharishi and Bhoomi Piratti.

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Maragadha Valli Thaayar.

Utsavar:

The Utsavar found in this sthalam is Sringara Sundaran.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangaialwar - 10 Paasurams.
  Total - 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

• Sukra Theertham.
• Brahma Theertham.
• Indara Theertham.
• Parasara Theertham.

Vimanam:
Pushkalavartha Vimaanam.

 

Thiru Adhanoor - Sri Andalakkum Ayyan Perumal Temple

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This temple is situated in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. 2 miles away from Swami Malai Railway station and in between Kumbakonam - Swami Malai when we travel through bus.

Sthala Puranam:

Actually in Tamil, "Pasu" means cow. Kaamadhenu which is known to be a Divine cow is said to be good to give all sorts of wealth. During Kurma Avatharam taken by Lord Vishnu, all sorts of good things come out of it, which is used to the world. One of those things is Kaamadhenu, which is gifted to Indiran, the king of swargha Lokam.

Pasu (Cow)=Aa + than + oor. "Aa" means cow. Since, the Lord gave Prathyaksham for Kaamadhenu, this sthalam is called as "Thiru Adhanoor".

The lord gives seva along with Ranganayaki Thaayar in this sthalam in Kidantha thirukkolam and having Marakkaal (Which is used as a measuring tool) below his head and a writing instrument, Ezhuthaani and Palm leaf in his left head.

The lord who is suppose to be the Paramaathma, resides (Urayum) on all of the hearts, which is considered as the place of stay of him.

He is seeing all the activities of Jeevaathma by going in depth to call to cell. As the seva of this God, he holds of the leaf (Oolai Chuvadi) and a writing instrument, he calculates the good and bad activities of all the Jeevathmaas and based on the activities, he is ruling the Jeevathmaas. Because of this reason this Emperumal is called as "Aandu Alakkum Iyan", as he keeps Marakkal, measuring instrument which is used as the measuring tool for measuring the good and bad activities.

His right hand is the hand which serves all the necessary things needed for the world (Padi alakkum Kai(hand)) and left hand for writing.

The Sun which is arising above the Earth is one of the way he sees the world. The rays of the sun is the Eye of the God. All the things are happening only after his eyes are opened.

He is not only serving for the Humans, (Mankind) but also to the flowers, rivers, mountains, animals etc. By going indepth into their body as sun rays, he is taking them along their way.

Not even a single cell and its activities can escape from his Suns rays in this world.

Because of reason, this Kshethram is called as "Aadhavanulla Oor", which is laterly called as "Adhanoor". Aadhavan means sun and at the same time as the name implies, the pushkarani here is Soorya (Soorya means Sun in tamil)pushkarani.

Being good (or) bad all the activities and the thinkings of a person should give him good and bad things. It will be even extended from his ancesstors also. What he does will be extended to their forth coming generation people. To write all this Good and bad activities calculations, he is having the writing tool is his hand.

The Jeevathmaa's Karma palan is well explained by this perumal of this Thiru Aadhanoor shetram. The Emperumal is also called as "Padiyallakum Paramadhayalu".

Only in this divya desam, the body (Thirumeni) of thiru mangai alwar reside inside the Garbhagriham (Where the moolavar is situated). But om rest of the temples, alwars will be outside the Garbhagriham.

This is one of the story said along with the sthalapuranam of this temple.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan (Aandallukumayan). Moolavar in Kidantha Kolam bujanga sayanam facing east direction. Prathyaksham for Thirumangai Alwar and Kamadhenu, the Cow.

Thayaar:

Ranganayaki.

Pushkarani:

1.   Surya Pushkarani

Vimanam:
Pranava Vimaanam.

 

Thirukkudanthai - Sri Sarangapani Perumal Temple

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This temple lies in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It's about 1 1/2 miles away from Kumbakkonam railway station. Which is on the chennai - Thanjore main line. Bus facility and staying facilities are ample.

Sthala Puranam:

When it was time for the destroyal of this world a huge pralaya came up. In order to save the vedha's Amirtham and tools necessary to create lives on earth, lord Bhrama collected all these things and put them in a mud pot and kept the pot safety on the top of the Mountain Meru.

Pralaya kalam (ie) the period of non stop heavy rain came and the pot of bhrama was washed away by the flood. In due course moving in the south direction it came to halt at a particular place. Then for the wish of all devar's (ie) heavenly people Lord Shiva broke the pot with an arrow. Immediately Amudham (ie) the liquit given eternity flowed from the pot and formed two tanks. One is known as Maha maga kulam and the othr Potramarai kulam. The remains of the pot and Amudham joined together to form "Lord Kumbeswarar". In the name of the broken pot (ie) Kumbam that place was clled Kumbakkonam or simply Kudanthai.

Lord Narayana's Marriage:
Once there was a dispute between the rishis as to whom to submit the "Avirbagam" (ie) to whom they should give more importance among the trinity "Sivan, Bhrama and Vishnu".

As they couldn't resolve the matter they sent "Brighu Maharishi" to test the Trinities and finally to select the best member. So, Brighu Maharishi went to Siva logam (ie) the place of Shiva and Bhramalogam (ie) place of Bhrama and was dishonoured by them. So angrily he went at last to Vishuloga (ie) the the place of Maha Vishnu.

There too he wasn't honoured properly. So he got very angry and kicked Maha Vishnu's heart where godess Mahalakshmi lives. But in turn Mahavishnu took the feet which kicked him and said "Oh! rishi you have kicked me, but I do not bother about that but your feet may ache due to this so let me soothe it." Saying so he tactfully took away the third eye of Brighu Maharishi which was conceled under his toe.

Due to this Brighu Maharishi regained his temper and also lost his eye of Pride.

As soon as he lost his pride he became very humble and pleaded Mahavishnu to forgive him. From this the Lord god has showed us that unless we lose our pride and become humble. What ever position we may hold, that would never fetch god towards us.

Meanwhile, as Bhrigu Maharishi gave a kick where she lived, Mahalakshmi gave a kick where she lived, Mahalakshmi got annoyed and left the scene. She came to the earth and started to live at Kollapuram.

Without Mahalakshmi the godess of Money Lord Narayana was worried a lot and came to earth in search of his beloved wife. But as he couldn't find he, he transformed himself into Lord Srinivasa and married godess Padmavathi. As Mahalakshmi left him he was not having enough money for marriage so he borrowed some money from Lord Khubera. Once again he was left alone for Padmavathidevi had a dispute with Lord Srinivasa and left Thirupati. By now, Mahalakshmi who was staying at Kollapuri came to know the news of Lord Srinivasa's marriage from Naradha. She became very angry and started to search Lord Srinivasa who had fled to Abyss (ie) paathala loga in Kumbakkonam, to escape from Mahalakshmi's angry.

Godess Mahalakshmi searched Lord Srinivasa every where but her effort gave her no fruits. So she became a small child and crawled as BalaKomalavalli in the Potramarai Kulam.

Brighu Maharishi who kicked Mahalakshmi felt very much for his action and hence took rebirth as Hema Maharishi. He saw Balukomalavalli and started to bring her up as his own daughter. When it was time for Komalavalli's marriage, Hema Maharishi performed a very hard penance and pleaded Mahavishnu to accept Mahalakshmi. Lord Mahavishnu granted his wish. On a Mahashankaranthi day Lord Mahavishnu emerged out from Vaideha Vimanam contained in the pranava vimana of Sri Rangam and came in a huge chariot and married Komalavalli Thaayar.

As the Thayaar Komalavalli was angry with Lord Srinivasa who has a standing posture to soothe her anger Lord Mahavishnu now adapted the sleeping posture of Ranganatha of Sri Rangam and became saarangapani in Kumbakkonam.

Actually Shargam is the name of the bow of Sri Rama, one of the ten Avathar's of Sri Mahavishnu. Sri Rama is very famous for his one man - one wife format of life. So on order to give assurence of Security for his wife komalavalli Lord Mahavishnu has adapted the shargam in the name of Sri Ramam and the posture of Ranganatha so as to be called as "Saarangapani".

There is a "Paadhala Srinivasar" in this temple which remainds as the above tale.

Godess Mahalakshmi repented for her mistake and from then onwards she took a vow that she would never leave her dear husband. Hence even today she never leaves out of her chamber. So only she is called as "Padhi Thanda Patni".

This place is treated incoherent with Thirupati, SriRangam, Kaatu Mannar Kovil, Alwar Thirunagari, Thruvellarai, Thiruvekka, Thiru Kandiyur, ThiruKarambanoor, Thiruputkuzhi and Thirupullamboothamkudi. This place is treatd as the place which explains the meaning of Paramathma Thathuvam.

The following three incidents:

The magical pot of Bhrama - Lord shiva who broke the neck of the pot - Lord Ranganatha who as Aaraamudhan also named Saarangapani's marriage with Komalavalli represents the power of the trinity Bhrama, Vishnu and Sivan at a single place like the I which happend at Karambanoor and Kandiyur. Even then, this place is called as Bhaskara Shetram only.

The combination of some hamsam's (ie) parts of Lord Shivan and Lord Vishnu is named as Lord Bhaskara. He has two heads and four hands. Two hands are used by him to pray Lord Shiva whereas the other two hands contain the lotus which represents Godess Mahalakshmi. Her body is of red colour, the colour of Lord Shivan and his ornaments are all of blue colour replresenting Mahavishnu.

As the powers of lord Shiva and Vishnu has combined here this place is called as Bhaskara shethram. This place paves a way to the unison of Shaiveties and Vaishnaveties.

Naadamunigal and Divya Prabantham:
During 9th, A.D, divya prabatham was not compiled. It was scattered here and there. On that time in Kaatumannar kovil also called Veera Narayanapuram near Chidambaram there lived a man called Naadhamunigal.

He worked in the temple and one day he came to hear II paasurams which had "Aara Amudhey" as its beggning. The verse was so pure, gentle and devotional that Naadamunigal was completely take aback by it. He asked the two men about the verse and enquired them regarding the last line which hinted that these II paasurams or verses were among the other 1000 verses. But the men who sand said they were Unaware about the matter.

Somehow Naadamunigal wanted to find the rest of 1000 Paasurams. But he couldnt get any clues from the men and so he was very much worried. Suddenly he remembered the first line which began with the word "Aara Amudhe" so quickly he went to the Saarangapani temple in Kudanthai and started to pray hardly. Immedietely a flash ran in his mind the last line of the II Paasurams said that it was written by Sadagopan of Thirukurukur (ie, "Kurukur Sadagopan Kuralin Maliya sonna OOrayirathul").

He thanked the god to remaind him and headed straightly to Thirukkurukur. There he came to know about the history of Nammalwar and his excellent diciple "Madhurakavi alwar" who treated Nammalwar as his god. Then he met Pharangusasadhasar who came in the way Madhurakavialwar who gave him II Paasurams (Starting with Kanninum Siruthambu...) sung by his guru. The verse was written by Madhurakavialwar in praise of his beloved guru Nammalwar.

Naadhamunigal was very happy and he went to the temple in Alwar Thirunagari (Thirukurukur) and sat in front of the Tamarind tree under which Nammalwar was sitting in his time.

He started to chant the II Paasurams of Madhurakavialwar without stopping for 12,000 times. Nammalwar appeared before Naadhamunigal and started to teach him all the 4000 paasurams and with a written copy of Dhivya prabantham. Naadhamunigal returned to Kaatu Mannar kovil Secessfully. Srimadh Naadhamunigal then divided the prabantha paasurams into 4 group each containing almost 1000 paasurams.

Henceforth Aaraamudha perumal of this Thirukkudanthai - Naatha munigal from Kaatu mannar kovil Nammalwar of Alwar Thirunagari all worked together to the rebirth of prabantham. Also the way in which Aaramudhan came to this place, bears a relation to Thirupathi and Sri Rangam. This temple Karbagraham (or) Moolavar sannathi has two entries one named Uthrayana vaasal and the other Dakshinayana Vaasal, both the terms deputing the Sun's orbit. Hence this place is also treated incoherence with Thiruvellarai.

As Aaraamudhans appearence has a relation to the myths of the trinity Bhrama, vishnu Sivan this place can be treated inaccordance to Kadhambanoor and Kandiyur.

Once upon a time Therumazhisai Alwar came to have a dharsan of Aaraamudha perumal. He was very much impressed by his beauty and wanted to have a chat with him. So he prayed the Lord and after some times, the Lord Wanted to answer his prayer and hence he lifted his head from the sleeping posture and started to get up. But, Alwar didnt wanted to disturb his sleep and hence he requested perumal not to get up and to remain in the same posture so as to bless each devotee visiting him and to treat each one of them as Thirumazhisaialwar. The post of Aara Amudhan is called as Uthra Sayanam and he is thus called as Uthanasai.

As the Lord god accepted his devotees wish as he did in Kanchipuram, this place is coherent to Thiruvekka of Kanchipuram.

Once there lived a great Sri Vishnu bhaktha named "Narayaswamy" in Thirukudanthai. He was very rich but had no children. So at one stage he devoted all his money and wealth to the Aara Amudhan's temple. His neighbors asked him to adopt a son to render rites and rituals after his death,

Narayanaswamy said them that, he did not cared that and also said them that after his death, Lord Aaraamudhan would come in person to perform his rites. So happened after his death, a young man came from nowhere and performed his last rites.

Till now on certain day of the year, all the things necessary for doing rites and rituals are kept in the Aaraamudhans sannadhi and the temple is closed, so that Aaraamudha perumal would performing the rituals for Narayanaswamy's death.

This coherates to the incident of Sri Rama performing the rites of the dead Jadayu at Thiruputkuzhi and Thirupullam boothamkudi where he took rest after finishing the rites.

At a distance of 3 miles south from this place there is Nandipura Vinnagara divya desa temple, then to the east are Thirunageswaram, Uppliappan kovil then at 6 miles south there is Naachiyar Kovil in Thirunarayur from there at 3 miles distance there is Thirucherai and after that is Thiruvellainkudi. So totally there are six divya desams to be visited.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Sarangapani. Aara Amudhan, Abayaryaapthamiruthan and Utthanasayi are the other names of Moolavar. Prathyaksham for Hema Maharishi. Moolavar is in Udhyoga sayana posture (ie) he appears as though is getting up from sleeping position.

Thayaar:

Sri Komalavalli Thayar. Also called as "Padi Thanda Pathini" ie thayaar would never (leave out) or leave away from her chamber. She has her own seperate sannadhi in this temple.

Mangalasasanam:

• Sri Aandal - 1 Paasuram.
• Periyalwar - 3 Paasurams.
• Thirumizhisai Alwar - 7 Paasurams.
• Boothatalwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Peiyalwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Nammalwar - 11 Paasurams.
• Thirumangai - 25 Paasurams.
  Total - 51 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

1.   Hema Pushkarani (Potramarai Kulam).

2.   Cauvery Nadhi.

3.   Arasalaaru.

Vimanam:
Vaidega Vimaanam.

 

Thiruppullam Boothankudi - Sri Valvil Ramar Perumal Temple ,

Tiruppullambhootankudi

 

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This divyadesam is situated in Tanjore district Tamil Nadu. 3 miles away from Swami Malai (where another famous temple for Lord Muruga is found).

Sthala Puranam:

Sri Ramapiran, who is popularly called as "Chakaravarthy Thirumagan", is doing all the final funeral for "Jadayu", which the Eagle bird. After finishing his activity, he is taking rest due to the work done for the final ceremony of Jadaayu. This is Kolam the God shows his thirukkolam to the world.

Valvil Raman, who is the Emperumaan of this sthalam, after Sitapirattiyar his wife is lost, he is holding only his Kothandam, the Bow. This is the only support he has inspite of loosing his wife.

But, Bhoomi Pirattiyyar, who helped Rama in the final funeral in Thiruputtkuzhi is giving support here and is sitting along with Valvil Ramar.

Since, the Lord does the final ceremony for Jadaayu, the Eagle belongs to the pull family (One king of bird family) and after finishing the ceremony, he takes rest. So this shetram is called as "Pullam Kudi". Kudi means the place of staying in Tamil.

Kiruthrajan, when doing tapas keeping Emperumaan in his heart and mind, Valvil Raman arised in front of him in Bujangha Sayanam. Since, the Theertham which purified Kiruthrarajan, the theertham here is called "Kiruthra theertham".

Emperumaan Sriman Narayanan showed Prathyaksham for himself. Chakaravarthy Thirumagan, Sri Ramar born as and brought up as an ordinary human being, he met his moola avathaar (Previous avathaar) Parasuramar. He minimised or reduced the Headweight of Parasuramar and made war with him and finally got his friendship and his blessings.

The primary moral of this is if how big and powerful man you may be, we must give respect and should not be trapped inside Maya.

To all of the human beings in the world, our parents are the prime most and the first person to be worshipped. Because of this reason only, Lord ParasuRama, as ordered by his father asked what he wants as "Varam" for killing his mother, he asked for her mother to regain her life. This shows how dedicated to his father and mother. And in next avathaar, he took his avathaar as Sri Ramar and he respect his father and mother as that of the previous avathaar.

Since, he was held in the forest, when King Dasaratha was dead, he could not do the final funeral to his father. But, keeping Jadaayu in his father's place, he did the final funeral to him as what he could have done to his father, King Dasaratha.

When Parasu Raman was against Rama, he showed his actual image (or) face as Parasu Ramar and Sri Ramar are not two different people but they are a single person, the final destiny Sriman Narayanan.

Likewise, after finishing all the final funeral for Jadaayu, when Rama was taking rest, Kiruthra Rajan made Tavam against sriman Narayanan, when Sri Rama along with Sangu and Chakkaram and Bhoomi Pirattiyaar prathyaksham for the king and explained him that he is Sriman Narayanan.

Likewise, he gave prathyaksham for Sri Ramar along with Sangu, Chakkaram and Bhoomi pirattiyaar with 4 (Chathur) bhujam (hand).

The final funeral of Jadaayu was done under Punnai tree, when the paramathma gave his dharshan to Rama and Emperumaan gave his dharshan to Thirumangai Mannan. This is one of the said story of this shetram. The main point to be noticed in this shetram, is only here, Sri Ramar gives his seva as Chakaravarthi (along with Sangu and Chakram).

There is one Brindhavan which belong to Ahobilam mutt here for 19th Jeeyar, Sri Maha Desikan.

After 1 1/2 Km. from here, is a small village, Mandanggudi which is the birth place of Thondar Adi Podi Alwar.

One of the five sacred things, Earth, Bhomi Pirattiyar give seva along with Sri Rama as Narayanan in Nindra Thirukkolam. Because of this reason this shetram is called "Pullam Bootha Kudi".

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Valvil Raman. Moolavar in Kidantha kolam in Bujanga Sayanam facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Chakravarthy Thirumangan Ramar and Raja Kruthra. Utsava Moorthy gives seva Valvil Raman has four hands (Chathur Bhujan) along with Sangu and Chakram.

Thayaar:

Potramaraiyaal (Hemambujavalli). She has her own seperate sannadhi.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 10 Paasurams.
  Total - 10 Paasurams.

Vimanam:
Sobhana Vimaanam.

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

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