Written by on 20 May 2012
This major pilgrim center in South India is closely associated with Ramayana. It is also the seat of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The devout considers a pilgrimage to Kashi incomplete unless he or she visits Rameswaram also and performs abhisheka for Sri Ramanatha with Ganga water.
The temple, situated on an island in the Gulf of Mannar, reflects divinity in serenity. It is a massive structure having a majestic gopuram and a 1200- metre-long corridor, the longest of such temple corridors in India.
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple: According to a legend, the Lingam at this temple was installed by Sri Rama. On His return after the battle of Lanka, Rama wanted to install the Lingam to absolve Himself of the sin of vanquishing Ravana. Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailas to fetch the Lingam. Since Hanuman was late, Sita made a Lingam out of sand. This was installed as Rama Lingam, and the worship was over.
Meanwhile, Hanuman rushed in with the Lingam from Kailas. He was disappointed to find another Lingam already in place. To pacify Hanuman, Rama had the Hanumath Lingam (Viswa Lingam) also installed alongside and ordered that pujas be first performed for the Viswa Lingam. That tradition is being followed even today.
The shrine of Parvathavardhini, consort of Sri Ramanatha, is to the right of Rama Lingam. A Sri Chakra can be seen here. There is a separate Vishnu shrine dedicated to Sethu Madhava. There are shrines for Pallikonda Perumal, Santhana Ganapathi, Ashta Lakshmi, Nataraja and Hanuman.
The pilgrimage at Rameswaram begins with a holy dip at the Agni Threertham followed by a bath at 22 other Theerthams, mostly wells situated within the precincts of the temple. It concludes at Kodi Threetham at Danushkodi.
Gnadhamadhana Parvatham: It is situated about 2.5 km west of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple. This two-storied Mandapam is on a small hillock. Sri Rama Paadam is enshrined here. From the top of the hill, one can have a panoramic view of the entire island.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple: It is situated at Dhanuahkodi. According to a legend, Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered to Rama at this spot. The idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana are installed here.
Dhanushkodi: To reach Sethu Threetham at Dhanushkodi, one has to walk three km along the shores. A dip in Sethu is considered very holy. New Moon days in Adi (Aug-Sept) and Thai (Jan-Feb) are auspicious and many pilgrims perform shraadha for their ancestors.
Festivals:
Major festivals include Sivaratri, Vasantotsav, Ramalinga Pratishta Utsav, the divine Wedding, Navaratri, Skanda shashti and Arudra Darshan.
Access: Madurai 165km; Kanyakumari 409 km; Chennai 585 km.
Thiruppullani (8km from Ramanathapuram): The Vishnu shrine, dedicated to Sri Adikesava Perumal, is one of the 108 Thirupatis. Sri Rama is said to have performed prayers here seated on Dharba grass before he set out for Lanka. Hence the place is also known as Dharbasayanam.
Devipattinam (16 km Ramanathapuram): The place was founded by Devi
Durga to commemorate Her victory over Mahishasura. In this coastal village, Sri Rama had installed nine stones in the sea to worship the Navagrahas.
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Written by on 20 May 2012
Times have changed, but the temple city of Madurai has retained the essentials of culture of yore. The history ofMadurai dates back to the 6th century BC.It was the capital ofthe Pandyan empire till the 14th century AD.Madurai was the seat of Tamil learning. The last of the three Tamil Sangams (Academies)flourished here nearly 2,000 years ago.
Pandya rulers lavished their skill and resources on the architecture of the Madurai temple. It is a twin temple dedicated to Sundareswarar and His consort Meenakshi.
There are 11 gopurams, the most attractive of them being the one at the southern entrance rising to a height of 160feet with a parabolic curve.
Madurai is one of the 51 Shakti Peetams and the temple is the seat of Bhudha.
The Golden Lotus Tank inside the temple is surrounded by spacious corridors,the walls ofwhich are covered with paintings depicting the Lord’s miracles. Adjacent to the tank are the Unjal Mandapam and the Kilikoottu Mandapam. The long rows of pillars here contain delicately-carved figures.
There is a special Peetam in a six-pillared mandapam, where the coronation of all Nayak kings took place. The coronation of Meenakshi is also performed on this Peetam every year during the Chitrai festival. Goddess Meenakshi is believed to have been born as the daughter of a Pandya King, and Siva as Sundareswarar, married her.
Meenakshi shrine: In the sanctum, the Goddess stands with a parrot and bouquet, radiating love and compassion. Meenakshi is conceived as Mother in Her loving mood.
Sundareswarar shrine: A large image of Ganesha greets the pilgrims as they proceed to the Sundareswarar shrine. In front of the shrine is the famous Kampathadi Mandapam. This contains many finely sculptured pillars, including one depicting the wedding of Meenakshi. The beautiful figures of Siva, incarnations of Vishnu and other statues are striking illustrations of excellence of Dravidian art.
The Hall of Thousand Pillars is magnificiently sculptured. In the Velliambalam, Lord Nataraja is seen in the dancing pose with His right foot raised. Usually Nataraja is depicted as dancing with His left foot raised. It is believed that here He did so in order to please His devotee, King Raja Sekhara Pandya. The dance is known as Gnanasundara Thandavam. The 985 pillars appear in a straight line from whichever angle one views them. An exhibition of many antiques, idols and interesting pieces of art is arranged here. The Vasanta Mandapam, where the deities are placed during festivals, contains rare stone images. The Nayak rulers are immortalised in wonderful statues.
Festivals:
Madurai is a city of festivals. The most important festival is the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar wedding on Chitra Poornima day (April- May). The 64 Leelas of the Lord are commemorated round the year during different festivals. The illuminated Float Festival on Thai Poosam day (Jan-Feb) attracts a large number of pilgrims. On the outskirts of the city is the finely constructed Vandiyoor Mariamman Theppakulam. In the middle of the tank, there is a beautiful mandapam.
Access:
Madurai is air, rail and road-linked with all cities. Chennai 460 km; Kanniyakumari 245 km; Thiruvananthapuram 330 km; Bangalore 435 km; Hyderabad 995 km.
Koodal Azhagar Temple: To the west of Madurai temple is this ancient Vishnu shrine with beautiful sculptures. The Lord is seen in sitting, standing and reclining postures, each depicted one above the other in a three-tier form.
Azhagarcoil (20 km):
The Vishnu temple here, dedicated to Sundararajar or Kallazhagar, is situated in picturesque surroundings at the foot of Azhagar Hills. The presiding deity is also known as Paramaswamy. Abhishekam of the Lord is performed only with water brought from Noopura Ganga, a sacred Theertham on the hills, since any other water, if used, will discolour the idol. The deities of Kalyana Sundaravalli Nachiyar, Andal, Sudarshana and Yoga Narasimha are in separate shrines. Lord Karuppanna Swamy, guardian deity of the shrine, and Goddess Rakhayi Ammai deserve special mention. A flight of 18 steps leads one to the main entrance to the Karuppanna Swamy shrine. Pujas are performed for these steps and the big wooden door.
Festival: On Chitra Poornima day,Azhagar, the brother ofMeenakshi, is taken in a procession to river Vaigai to participate in the Meenakshi- Sundareswarar wedding.
Pazhaniudircholai: This is one of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Subramanya, situated about two km from Azhagarcoil on the hills.
Tags: Madurai, Meenakshi Sundareswarar
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Written by on 20 May 2012
The Sri Subramanya temple, one of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Muruga, stands majestically on the seashore. An impressive gopuram welcomes the visitor.
The origin of this rock-cut temple goes back to Puranic days. Mayan, the celestial architect, had constructed a Siva shrine for Muruga’s worship. Muruga had come here with Devas to annihilate Surapadman, the Asura, who had encamped in the mid-ocean fortress off Veeramahendrapuram near Tiruchendur.
After the victory over Surapadman, the Devas and Devaguru Brihaspati worshipped the Lord at Tiruchendur. Hence the temple is also revered as a Navagraha Sthala dedicated to Guru. To commemorate the Lord’s victory, Skanda Shashti is celebrated at Tiruchendur as well as in other shrines of Lord Muruga for six days. On the concluding day, Surasamhara is re-enacted, witnessed by thousands of devotees.
In the sanctum, Lord Subramanya faces east, worshipping Siva. In one hand He holds a rosary of beads and in the other, flowers to be offered to Siva. Next to this shrine is another sanctum for Sri Arumuga with His consorts.
On the outer prakaram, there are shrines for Valli and Deivayanai. There are also shrines for Vishnu (in Anantasayanam posture) and Gajalakshmi in a rock-cut niche.
About 60 metres north of the temple alongside the seashore, there is Valli cave, cut inside natural sandstone rock facing east. There are two images, one dedicated to Valli and the other to Dattatreya.
It is customary for pilgrims to have a holy dip at the sea followed by a bath in a freshwater spring on the shores, known as Naazhi Kinaru, before worshipping at the temple.
Adi Sankara had worshipped in this shrine and sung in praise of the Lord in his Subramanya Bhujangam.
Tags: Arupadaiveedu, Thiruchendur
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Written by on 20 May 2012
This important pilgrim centre is situated 12 kms from Kanyakumari en route to Nagercoil. The temple enshrines Sri Sthanumalaya, the Trinity of God (Siva, Vishnu and Brahma).
Suchindrum was known as Gnanaranya. According to a legend, Atri Maharishi and his wife Anasuya, known for her chastity, had their hermitage here. Anasuya could bring rains to the parched land by sprinkling the padha theertham of her husband. When Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvati heard from Narada that a woman had excelled them all in her Pathi Bhakti, they decided to test the chastity of Anasuya.
To satisfy the bidding of their wives, the Trimurtis appeared at the hermitage of Anasuya as old brahmins seeking alms. When she was about to serve them food, the brahmins told her that they had taken a vow not to have food served by anyone wearing clothes. She sprinkled Atri’s padha teertham on the brahmins, who were immediately transformed into three babies.
Meanwhile, the long absence of the Gods worried the Devis, and they approached Anasuya for Mangalya Biksha. Anasuya sprinkled the padha theertham on the babies and the three Gods appeared by the side of their partners. The Devas and sages came to Gnanaranya to have darshan of the Trimurtis. Wheen they left, three Swayambu Lingas sprouted at the foot of a Konnai tree.
On either side of this Konnaiyadi shrine are a giant, white Nandi and Garudalwar, facing the sanctums of Sthanumalaya and Vishnu. The Vishnu idol is made of special mixture of jaggery and mustard. Hence abhisheka is perfromed only for the processional deity.
Another legend has it that Ahalya, wife of Gautama Rishi, was once disgraced by Indra, who, in turn, was cursed by Gautama. Indra then came to Gnanaranya and did penance till Siva appeared and purified him. The devout believe that Indra is till doing puja in the temple at mid-night after the ardhajama puja. As Indra was purified at Gnanaranya, the place came to be known as Suchindrum.
The temple is known for its sculptural wealth. The 134-feet-tall gopuram beacons the pilgrims from a long distance. On the eastern corridor is the shrine of Guru Dakshinamurthi next to konnayadi. The Vasanta Mandapam is a rare monument of art. The Navagrahas are engraved on the ceiling. During the Vasanta Utsavam in summer, the idols of Suchindra Perumal and Uma Devi are placed in the Vasanta Mandapam. There is a majestic Nilakanta Vinayaka or Mukkurani Pillaiyar.
On the outer prakaram, there are separate shrines for Cheravasal Sastha, Rama and Lord Muruga. There is an imposing image of Hanuman opposite to Lord Rama’s shrine. It is said to represent the Viswarupa of Hanuman as shown to Sita at Ashoka Vana in Lanka. On the northern corridor, there are four musical pillars cut out of single granite blocks.
Vigneswari (a rare feminine form of Vinayaka), Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki, Indra Vinayaka, Kala Bhairava and Saakshi Ganapathy are also enshrined.
Tags: Kanyakumari temples, Suchindrum
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Written by on 20 May 2012
Thiruvalluvar was a celebrated Tamil Poet whose period is not exactly known. But many believe that he lived between 2nd and 8th century. He contributed to the Tamil literature quintessential words of wisdom known as Thirukkural. According to one version, he was born in Mylapore in Chennai and later lived inMadurai. According to another version he was a king who ruled Valluvanadu in Kanyakumari district.
Thirukkuṛaḷ has been translated into several languages. It is divided into three sections. The fist chapter deals with virtue; the second chapter deals with Wealth and the third chapter Love. The first section has 38 chapters, the second 70 chapters and the third 25 chapters. Each chapter consists of 10 couplets or kurals, for a total of 1330 couplets.
The Thiruvalluvar statue was erected in the year 2000, on an island rock in the midst of the sea adjacent to Vivekandnda rock memorial. It is located at a place where the three seas – Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and theArabian Seaat Kanyakumari. The stone statue is 133 feet high including the pedestal. The pedestal is 38 feet high representing 38 chapters in the first part of the Kural (virtue) and the 95 feet statue represents the total chapters in the second and third parts of the Kural, Wealth and Love. Thus the statue symbolizes the themes of wealth and love based on virtue. The total weight of the statue is 7000 tons.
The pedestal is surrounded by an artistic mandapam known as alankara mandapam. There are ten elephant statues surrounding this Mandapam. To help visitors to worship the holy feet of the saint, 140 steps are constructed inside the mandapam.
The statue stands 400 meters from the mainland of Kanyakumari. Ferry service are available from the mainland to both Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue
Tags: Kanyakumari, Thiruvalluvar statue
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Written by on 19 May 2012
The pomp and style of Travancore strikes rich in the minds of the visitor whenever one visits Padmanabhapuram fort and palace. Padmanabhapuram was once the capital of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom. In 1795, King Marthanda Varma shifted the capital of Travancore state from Padmanabhapuram to Trivandrum.
Many temples were built inside the fort among which Sri Neelakantaswamy temple, Sri Ramaswamy temple, Sri Subramaniaswamy temple and Saraswathi temple are important. Ramaswamy temple was built by Marthanda Varma in 1744 AD. Scenes from Ramayana are seen in beautiful wood carvings inside the temple.
The important palaces are
- Mantrasala (King’s Council Chamber)
- Thai Kottaram (Mother’s Palace)
- Natakasala (Hall of performance)
- Four storeyed Central Building (Upparika Malika)
- Thekke Kottaram (Southern Palace)
The Padmanabhapuram palace is actually a palace complex, containing 14 palaces spread over an area of 6.5 acres. The palace is a unique feature of the ancient Kerala architectural skill. The building is always cool and quiet. Wood, latorite, burnt bricks, granite and lime were used for construction. A special combination of charcoal from burnt coconut shells, lime, white part of eggs and various vegetable extracts were used for the shining black floors. Traditional oil lamps provide light. The palace is enriched by wood carvings and murals of 17th and 18th century. There is a museum on the southwest corner of the palace where stone inscriptions, wooden and stone sculptures, weapons of the royal family are on display.
Padmanabhapuram palace is located 40 km from Kanyakumari on the national highway to Trivandrum. Take a 3 km diversion from Thuckalai. The palace is located in Tamil Nadu but administered by Government of Kerala. Visitors should not miss the 300 years old clock in the clock tower which still keeps time and a secret underground passage (now blocked) for the King and family members to escape in case of an emergency. There is also a gallery of paintings showing the history of Travancore state.
Tags: Padmanabhapuram palace, Travancore Kingdom
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Written by on 16 May 2012
Kaladi (23 km from Alwaye & 45 km from Ernakulam): This town, on the banks of Periyar river, is the birthplace of Adi Sankara, the greatest exponent of Advaita philosophy.
The Acharya established four mutts at the four corners of the country and gave a new life to Hinduism by establishing Shanmatha Sthapanam.
Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha Narasimha Bharathi of Sringeri Mutt brought Kaladi back to its present glory. He built shrines for Devi Sharada, Adi Sankara and Dakshinamurthi and a Brindavanam over the samadhi of Aryamba, mother of Sankara. The shrine was consecrated in 1910 by Sri Narasimha Bharathi and renovated by successive swamijis.
The Vimanam of the Sharada temple is in Ashta Padma form representing eight petals of Hriday Kamala. The Sankara temple Vimanam is in the form of Shodasakona, representing the 16 kalas of Divinity. There is a Krishna temple installed by Sankara.
Adi Sankara Keerthi Mandapam: It is a 46-metre-tall octagonal tower constructed in honour of Sri Sankara by the Kanchi Mutt. It houses the Paduka mandapam, Geeta Upadesam Centre and temple-like structures. On the top floor, there is an imposing image of Sri Sankara with his four disciples. The walls are painted with life and works of Adi Sankara.
Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram: Established in 1936 by Sri Agamananda, it is modelled on the lines of Belur Mutt with a statue of Sri Ramakrishna (1976).
Tags: Adi Sankara, Kalady, Kerala temples
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Written by on 16 May 2012
Once Bilvamangalam Swami and king Pooradam Thirunal of Champakasseri were sailing in a boat. They heard the melodious strains of a flute coming from an Ashwatha tree. The Swami knew that it was the music of Lord Balagopala (venu ganam), and they decided to build a temple at the spot.
At the time of consecration, a defect was found on the idol and the king and the devotees were greatly disappointed. Following the Swami’s advice, they brought an idol of Parthasarathi from Kuruchi village secretly and consecrated it at the new shrine. This event, which took place in 1613 AD, is commemorated as a boat race during Onam. The Lord is worshipped as Unnikrishna. He is seen holding a whip in the right hand and Shanku in the left hand.
Paal Paayasam (milk porridge), the noon Neivedyam for the Lord, is very popular among devotees.
Festival: 10 days during March-April. On the ninth day, the Natakasala sadhya (feast) is conducted in honour of traditional percussion instrument artistes.
Tags: ambalapuzha, ambalapuzha pal payasam, Kerala temples, krishna temples
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Written by on 13 May 2012
Neyyar Wile Life Sanctuary is one of the sought after ecotourism destinations in Kerala. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre, Lion Safari Park, Deer Rehabilitation Centre, Tree hut at Utharamkayam etc are among major attractions of Neyyar. The beauty of wildness coupled with the chance of sighting of wild animals along the banks of reservoir is a feast to the eyes of the tourists on a boat ride the reservoir.
Guided trekking programmes for one day, two days and three days are organized by Eco- Development Committees (EDC). The packages include facilities such as trekking, boating camping inside the forests etc accompanied by experienced EDC guides. Overnight halts are arranged of Kombai, Meenumutty, Theerthankara etc, well inside the sanctuary. Nature trials are also maintained for interested groups to experience the beauty of wilderness. The sanctuary offers excellent opportunities for watching birds and butterflies.
Bathing of elephants in the reservoir is interesting to watch. Tourists can also lend a helping hand to the mahout in scrubbing the elephant to clean. Elephants are fed after bath. Cooked rice and jaggery are made in to the shape of balls and fed to the elephants.
Tourists take boat to reach Lion Safari Park inside the sanctuary. Crocodile rehabilitation centre and deer rehabilitation centre are located inside the park. The charges are Rs 200 person and Monday is holiday for the Lion safari. Neyyar is often in the limelight due to the presence of fresh water crocodiles (mugger) being one of the three natural habitants in Kerala.
A large number of the threatened species of flowering plants are also identified here. Abundance of orchids is another peculiarity of this sanctuary with 125 species recorded. Elephant, tigers, leopard, guar, sambar, deer, wild boar, mouse deer, sloth bear, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, toddy cat, pangolin etc are common wild animals in this sanctuary.
The Neyyar Dam was constructed across the river Neyyar in 1964 for irrigation purpose. The reservoir spreads over 8.5 sq km area. The aboriginals in the forests belong to Kani tribe. Kanis are known for their knowledge in traditional medicines and special expertise in making handicrafts from bamboos.
Accommodation is available within the sanctuary in Tamarind Easy Hotel run by KTDC. Neyyar is 33 kms fromTrivandrum.
Tags: Neyyar Dam, Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary
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Written by on 13 May 2012
Lord Krishna is depicted as Parthasarathi, the divine charioteer, holding His Sudarsana Chakra. He is seen in a rare mood as he was in the Kurukshetra battle. The image was installed by Arjuna at Nilakkal on the banks of Pampa when the Pandavas were on a pilgrimage. The image was later shifted to this place in a shaft made of six bamboos. Hence the name Aranmula (Aru means six and mula means bamboo).
The temple is considered one of the sacred 108 Tirupatis. It is also one of the five famous Krishna shrines of Kerala, the other four being Guruvayur, Trichambaram, Thiruvarpu and Ambalapuzha.
Festivals: Aranmula boat race is held in honour of the installation of Lord Parthasarathi on the last day of Onam celebrations (Aug-Sept), known as Uthirattathi.
Vallasadya feast is held during Onam festivities with Vallomkali boat race. This commemorates an incident in which the Lord appeared before a pious Namboodri as an Athithi. A boat full of foodstuff (Thiruvona Chelavu Thoni) is still carried from nearby Kattoor village to Aranmula on this occasion.
Tags: Aranmula, Kerala temples
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