WITH THE BLESSINGS OF SRI DANVANTRI BHAGAVAN AND SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIGAL, AND WITH THE GOOD WISHES AND BLESSINGS OF GODS IN KERALA AND TAMIL NADU, WE HAD A VERY GOOD DARSHAN AT THE FOLLOWING TEMPLES.

31.03.2016 - THU -

1 .MEENKULATHI BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE, PALLASANA, KERALA  (very famous and powerful Bhagavathy temple in kerala)

Meenkulathi Temple is located in Pallassena, a village  in kerala.Meenkulathikkavu^[1] is the oldest temple in Pallasena. Tradition has it that centuries ago three families belonging to the Veerasaiva Mannadiar clan worshipped the goddessMeenakshi as their deity. An acute drought in Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu) drove them to seek greener pastures. One of them took a stone from there along with their other possessions. Worshipping their stone as their friend, philosopher and guide, they trekked to several places before reaching Pallasena. Enchanted by the forests surrounding the villages they settled there and prospered in the diamond trade. Whenever they went on business, they offered their customary prayers to the family deity. An aged member of their clan went for his customary bath before leaving on a trip home. He left his valuables and a palm leaf umbrella in the care of two youths. When he came back, he was shocked when he could not lift the things he had left with the youths. An astrologer said that Meenakshi had manifested herself under the umbrella and that was why it could not be moved. Huge crowds came there to witness the miracle. The place came to be known as Kudamannu.

The present Meenakshi temple and the adjacent temple tank were constructed over the next four centuries. A Thirumandiram was written as a testimony to the event. The Mannadiar clan has grown into 110 manais (veedus). They conduct Navarathri, Pongal and Bhairava festivals.

The structure is built in the Kerala style. It is constructed in such a way that the shadow of the wall never falls on the ground. There are two entrances, one in the north and the other in the west. The temple tank is next to the western entrance. Crossing the dhwajasthambha made of teakwood and covered with copper. The garbhagriha contains a large idol of Meenakshi Amman. Devotees are not allowed to wander around the garbhagriha. Around the main idol, the saptha maathas (several female deities - Brahmi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavai, Indrani, Chamundi and Varahi) are installed. There are separate shrines for Ganapathi, Veerabhadra, Durga, Shiva, Bhairava, Brahma Rakshas and Ayyappa. In the adjacent hill called Vamala there are shrines for Muruga, Ganapathi, Siva, and Shasta

2. SREE KADAMPUZHA BHAGAVATHY AMMAN THIRUKOVIL, MALAPPURAM DIST, KERALA 676 553.(MUTTU VAZHIPADU)

       very famous for Muttu vazhipadu and Udayaasthamana Pooja)

Kadampuzha Devi Temple is a Hindu temple and pilgrimage center at Kadampuzha, near Kuttippuram in Malappuram district, Kerala,India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga(Form of Goddess Parvati) , a Devi. There is no idol in the temple.

Karthikai day in the month Vrishchikam (November–December), is considered a special day and is celebrated in a grand manner at the temple. The deity is considered more powerful on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Annadaana (food offering) is made daily at the temple. Plastic bags are not allowed inside the temple. The coconuts are to be "offered" by carrying them on a non-plastic bags.

3. ON THE WAY - IYAPPAN TEMPLE

4. ON THE WAY BAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE/ EASWARAN TEMPLE

5. NELLUVAI ADHI DANVANTRI TEMPLE, KERALA (35 KM FROM GURUVAYUR),  We could watch the Srivari pradakshinam and Sandanakaappu)

Sree Dhanwanthari Temple at Nelluvai, is one of the most prominent and ancient temples of Lord Dhanwanthari in India. The legend states that the idol at the temple was installed by Ashwani Devas and it was the same idol worshipped by Sri. Vasudevar in the Dwapara Yuga. Hence the inference that the origin of the temple dates back more than 5000 years.

Lord Dhanwanthari is another manifestation of Lord Maha Vishnu and this was detailed in Srimad Bhagavatham. The lord emerged from the ocean during Paalaazhi Mdhanam (churning out the milky ocean), with the four hands, carrying, the divine Sankhu (Conch),Holy Chakram (Wheel), Amrutham (Divine Nector), and Jalookham (Leech), respectively. Leach is used in Ayurvedic theraphy to suck out bad blood to cure certain diseases. This signifies the lord as God of Medicine and physicians of all branches of medicine worship him as their Upaasana Murthy......Read More

6.MAMMIYUR MAHADEVAN TEMPLE, KERALA (1 KM FROM GURUVAYUR)

Mammiyoor temple or famously known as Mammiyur Mahadeva Kshetram is a Shiva temple situated in Guruvayoor, Thrissur district of Kerala, India.^[1] Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala and one among the five Shiva temples around Guruvayoor. The main deity is Lord Shiva and he is facing east and is in rowdra bhava. Later, an idol of Lord Vishnu was also installed to reduce the anger of Lord Shiva. Here, the Lord is a family man, with Goddess Parvati on his lap, and Lords Ganesha, Subrahmanya and Ayyappa beside. Nagas, Bhadrakali and Brahmarakshass are also installed in the temple. 

7. GURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE, KERALA.

குருவாயூர் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணர் கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Krishna (an avatar of the god Vishnu), located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus of Kerala and is often referred to as "Bhuloka Vaikunta' which translates to the "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth".

The presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple is Vishnu, worshipped in the form of Krishna. The central icon is a four-armed standing Krishna carrying the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki and a lotus with a Holy basil garland. This image represents the majestic form of Vishnu as revealed to Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki around the time of Krishna's birth; hence Guruvayur is also known as "Dwarka of South India". He is currently worshipped according to routines laid down by Adi Shankara and later written formally in the Tantric way, the inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, by Cennas Narayanan Nambudiri (born in 1427). The Cennas Nambudiris are the hereditary tantris (high priest) of the Guruvayur Temple.

The temple (puja) routines are strictly followed. The tantri is available full-time at the Temple to ensure this. The Melsanti (Chief Priest) enters the sanctum sanctorum in the morning and does not drink anything up to the completion of "noon worships" at 12:30 PM. Non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple.

According to legends, the deity worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. In the 14th century, "Kokasandesam" (aTamil literary work), references to a place called Kuruvayur are made. As early as the 16th century (fifty years after Narayaniyam was composed) many references to Kuruvayur are seen.

1.4.2016 - FRIDAY

8. ON THE WAY IYAPPAN TEMPLE, KERALA

9. THIRUPARAYAR RAMAR TEMPLE, KERALA  (This stone idol was worshipped by Sri Krishna Bhagawan in Dwarapa Yuga).  Vedi Vazhipadu and Meenoottal are the two important vazhipadu in practice here.  We could watch the Sri Vari procession of the God on the elephant.

      bhagawan Sri Krishna had performed the Pooja of the idols  SRI RAMAR, SRI LAKSHMANAR, SRI BHARATHAR, SRI CHATHRUKNAR - 

      It has come to the dream to a person by Lord that all these 4 vigrahas are on the side of the river and given advise to install all the 4 deities in different place for the worshipment of the devotees)

Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple, located in Thrissur district of Kerala is one of the important temples dedicated to Lord Rama.


Lord Triprayarappan

The diety Lord Rama in the Triprayar Temple is popularly known as Triprayarappan or Triprayar Thevar. The idol of Lord Rama was initially worshipped by Lord Krishna at Dwaraka. After the swargarohana of Lord Krishna the idol was immnesed in the sea. Later some fisher men got the idol from the sea near Chettuva region of Kerala and the local ruler Vakkayil Kaimal constructed a temple at Triprayar and installed the idol. The image of Rama (Triprayar Thevar) resembles the Chaturbhuja Vishnu form with four arms, bearing a conch(Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda) and a garland respectively. It is believed that the deity worshipped here possesses some of the aspects of Shiva too. It was after killing the asura, Khara that Sri Rama got both the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects. Thus Triprayar Thevar is also called Khara Samhara Moorthy. It is also believed that the portrayal of Rama with a garland held in the image's hand is also suggestive of aspects of Bhrahma and hence the deity is said to be a manifestation of the Trimoorthis. The image is adorned with necklaces and other fine jewelry. Images of Sreedevi and Bhudevi are on either side. There is an image of Dakshinamoorthy, in the sanctum facing the south. Dakshinamoorthy is commonly found in Shiva temples. There is also a lamp behind the image which is kept burning all the time. Because of these and also because of the fact that people got relief when troubled by evil spirits chathan-the deity is believed to have a Shiva aspect also.

The original idol of Rama was subject to severe wear with the passage of time. Astrological investigations however revealed that the Lord did not desire to have change of the vigraha. Therefore a raiment was made in Panchaloha and the same now covers the original stone image.

Upadevathas - Sub Dieties
Hanuman

Though there is no separate idol for Rama's best devotee Hanuman, it is believed that his presence is always there at the Namaskara mandapam(in front of the Sreekovil) of the temple. Devotees generally bow before the mandapa imagining the presence of Hanuman there before worshipping Sree Rama. The offering of flattened rice (avil) made from dried paddy is meant for Hanuman.

Ganapathy

There are two Ganapathy prathishtas inside the Nalambalam. Devotees can see a Ganapthy prathishta(facing south) in the garbhagruha(near south door) of Sree Rama's Sreekovil. Another Ganapathy prathishta(facing east) in a small sreekovil is located at south west corner of the Nalambalam.

Dakshinamoorthy

Dakshinamoorthy is worshipped in the garbhagruha(near south door) of Sree Rama's Sreekovil. The idol of Dakshinamoorthy is in Shiva Linga form adorned with Rudraksha garlands, crescent moon etc.

Sastha(Ayyappa)

Outside the nalambalam, in the southern side of the courtyard there is an Ayyappa (Shastha) shrine. It is believed that the Shastha shrine is ancient than the Rama Temple. With the arrival of Sree Rama idol, a new temple was constructed near the Ayyappa shrine. Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the important festivals of central Kerala. Lord Ayyappa of this temple also participated in this pooram before the installation of Lord Rama. Except Triprayar Thevar, all other participants in this pooram are Sasthas and Bhagavathys of different temples. This also points to the prominance of Shastha shrine

Gosala Krishnan

Near the main temple, in the northern side of the courtyard, there is a shrine of Gosala Krishna. The temple have a nalambalam in traditional gosala form. The idol of Lord Krishna faces east. There is mention about this Gosala Krishna temple in earlier sandesa kavyas.

Temple Architecture

Triprayar temple is rich in wood carvings. The sreekovil is circular in shape with a copper covered conical roof and is surmounted by a golden Thazhikakkudam. The circular sanctum has several sculptural representations of scenes from the Ramayana with a dynamic and lively vitality of design and form a lavish decoration and an integral part of the architectural edifice of the temple. Its walls are decorated with beautiful mural paintings. The namaskara mandapa, which is copper-plated, is profusely sculptured -having 24 panels of woodcarvings representing navagrahas.

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10. SABARIMALA SREE DHARMA SASTHA & PERINGOTTUKARA KANADIKAVU SREE VISHNUMAYA KUTTI CHATHAN SWAMY TEMPLE, KERALA

KANADI KAVU SREE VISHNUMAYA KUTTICHATHAN TEMPLE

The Kanadi Kuttichathan Kavu is the most holy and ancient Vishnu Maya Temple in the state of Kerala providing relief to sorrows and showering blessings and prosperity to all the devotees irrespective of caste, creed or religion. This temple having many epics and with rare historical importance is situated 20 km South-West of Thrissur in Peringottukkara, a land made sacred by the foot prints of many great sages. The presence of Brahmasree Vishnubharatheeya Swami, the sage-like Spiritual Guru and the Madathipathi of Kanadi Kavu, who had the fortune to have a holy glimpse of the sacred effulgence of Kuttichathan Swami through a strict life style of religious discipline fills the devotees with a desire to have a strong spiritual life. The all merciful and sympathetic Swamiji observes the temple rites strictly, and leads his life as a ritualistic. Thousands of devotees visit this temple every day. After listening to the orders of Vishnumaya, the son of Mahadeva (Chathan - Balasasthavu), they offer the remedial measures to overcome their personal sorrows as per the instructions of the Madathipathi and return home with a tranquil mind. There is a legend that Sastha was originally Chathan, the change of name coming through many years of usage, who was worshipped by the tribals and the Dravidians who were the owners of this land before the arrival of the Aaryans. Many devotees believe that just as Ayyanar became Ayyan and then Ayyappan and Ayyappa Swami, the Lord who pronounced, protected and advised dharma became Dharmasastha and his boyhood adventures are what we see today as the wonders performed by Kuttichathan or Balasasthavu (The boyish form of Sasthavu)

BRAHMASREE DR. K.K. VISHNUBHARATHEEYA SWAMI THE HEAD AND CHIEF PRIEST OF THE TEMPLE

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11.KODUNGALUR BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE, KERALA  (one of the very famous bhagavathy amman temple in kerala)

Kurumba Bhagavati Temple (alternatively Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple) is a Hindu temple at Kodungallur, Thrissur district,Kerala state, India. This is one of the most ancient temples in India. The idol of the goddess Bhadrakali (popularly known as "Kodungallur Amma") in the temple is unique as it has eight hands with various attributes. One is holding the head of an Asura, another a sword, next an anklet, another a bell, and so on. Routine worship at the temple every day at 03:00 and ends at 21:00 local time.^[1]

The temple is often accredited as the Moola Swarupa of Goddess Kali. Kurumba Bhagavati Temple is where Kannaki, heroine of Ilango Adigal's Tamil classic Silappathikaram attained salvation.^[2] During the reign of Later Cheras, Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) was the capital of the malayalam empire and one of the most important parts of the region. The temple is in the centre of malayalam Speaking areas and is referred as Malayala Bhagavathi by Tamil speaking communities.

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12. CHOTTANIKARA BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE, KERALA  

The temple is located near Ernakulam in the southern Indian state of Kerala and is one of the most popular temples in the state and in terms of temple architecture, this temple stands out to be an ultimate testmonial for the ancient vishwakarma sthapathis (wooden sculpture) in sculpting this temple along with Sabarimala. Bhagawati is one of the most popular deities in the area, Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple, in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson; and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. Lord Shiva is also worshiped at the temple. People suffering from mental illnesses commonly visit the temple, as Bhagawati is thought to cure her devotees. One should not miss the 'Guruthi Pooja' in the 'Keezhkkaavu' temple at Chottanikkara. This is a ritual done at late evening to invoke the goddess. Earlier 'Guruthi Pooja' was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, it is performed every day.

The presiding deity is known by various names like Rajarajeswari, Bhadrakali, Saraswathi, Durga and Amman. Rajarajeswari is worshipped as Saraswathi in the morning, Lakshmi in the afternoon and Durga in the evening. The temple is known for curing mental illness and diseases due to evil spirits. The patients are brought to the priest, who engages with them in some conversation. He nails a part of the hair of the patient in the temple tree, indicating that evil spirit is captured in the tree and the patients are cured off their illness. Neem leaves, lime and chillies are taken home from the temple, which are believed to ward off evil spirits.

There is also Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy, and Melakkavu Bhagavathy Temples.

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13. MANNAR SIVAN TEMPLE, KERALA

14. VAMANA AVATAR TEMPLE, KERALA

15. PANDALAM SHIVA TEMPLE

Pandalam Mahadeva Temple is situated in between Thottakkonam and Mulampuzha villages of Pandalam in Kerala, India. Yearly Kettukazhcha festival is one of the attractions for tourists. 10 days major festival is celebrated for Lord Sivain 'Dhanu masa' November–December every year. the festival start by hosting traditional flag names 'kodiettu' and ends by 'aarattu'. the administration of this temple held by Mahadeva Seva Samithi participated by 12 villages '12 karakal'in Pandalam. It is believed that Lord Parasuram has installed the main idol of the Garbhagriha in this temple.

Pandalam Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest temples out of the 108 Shiva temples consecrated by the great 'Sanayasin Khara Muni'. The sacred and world famous temple is located on the left banks of the Achenkovil river, one side of this temple is in the banks of Achankovil river so this temple also known as 'Mukkal Vattom' 3 km away from Pandalam town in Kerala State. Pandalam is also world famous as the home town of Lord Ayyappan.

The temple is unique with its natural procession route around the Sanctorum. The river flows touch the feet of Mahadeva Sanctorum, just like Ganges flows from Shiva's 'Jada' (hair). In addition to Lord Shiva the idols of Lord Ganesh (Ganapathy), 'Maya- Ekshi Amma', Lord Ayyappa, Nagaraja (Lord Snake), Lord Subramanian, Brahma Rakshas and Rakshas are also worshipped here. In effect the temple acts as the symbol and replica of 'KAILASAM'. Millions of devotees experienced the blessings from this holy place.

16. PANDALAM IYAPPAN TEMPLE / DARSHAN IYYAPPAN'S APARANA ROOM

Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the adopted son of the King of Pandalam. During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of Valiyakoikkal Temple near the Pandalam Palace. This temple is on the banks of river Achenkovil. Three days prior to theMakaravilakku festival, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) is taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala

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2.4.2016 - SATURDAY

17.ON THE WAY GANAPATHY, BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE, KERALA 

18. MANNADY SRI BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE, KERALA

About 500 years ago due to the miss happenings and not being blessed with children in the Pallithanam family, the ancestors of the Pallithanam family brought the Goddess from Kottarakara Mannadi Temple by performing rituals and evoking the pith of Devi in a Rithal's deer horn, to the place where Pallithanam Temple is presently situated which was a dark forest. The temple was then roof tiled with Thekkath, the Goddess was worshipped along with Peeth, Sword, Anklet and Poojas were performed accordingly. Madanthampuran and Yakshiamma were positioned as Safe Guard to Devi. Earlier Poojas were performed once in a month, later it turned to Tuesdays and Fridays. On the Pathamudhayam of Medam Month, Devi’s Divine Celebration (Utsavam) and Pooppada ritual were performed. The ancestors who had brought Devi to the temple were worshipped in the Nomenclatures of Manthramoorthy and Yogeeshwaran after their Death. During the passage of time problems arised like Poojas were not been performed systematically. Understanding this, the youth adopted the management of the temple from the Pallithanam Family. They appointed a Priest and thus Poojas performed regularly. The Pallithanam family also joined hands with the youth and this lead to the proper functioning and maintenance of the temple. Astrological evaluations were done and idols like Nagar and Brahmarakshas were worshipped. Divine celebration was decided to celebrate during Thiruvathira of Meenam month for three days, which was later extended to five and then seven days. The ritual of Devi’s visit to the Devotees on an Elephant and Pongala also started performing.

 In 1987 the temple committee members decided to modify the temple as required. New Priest was appointed as the result of astrological evaluations and modification of the temple also started according to the instructions. The evoked horn of Rithal's Deer was replaced with Devis’s idol and a separate temple was constructed for Ganapathy. Lord Shiva’s grace was observed in the astrological evaluation later conducted. It was also observed that the main entrance of the temple was to be replaced from South to East so that the Darshanam is straight and Nagar Kavu was  developed and separated. The work started in 2001, Lord Shiva was given equal importance as that of Devi in the temple. Lord Shiva was worshipped and Darshanam was provided via East Nada. Later the temple was renamed and renowned as “Pallithanam Mannadi Sree Bhagavathy Mahadevar Kshetram”

19. KOTTARAKARA MAHA GANAPATHY TEMPLE, KERALA

The deities of Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram are Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Lord Ayyappan, and Nagaraja. Even though the main deity is Lord Shiva, the main priority is given to Lord Ganesha. The main offerings of the temple are Unniyappam Udayasthamanapooja, Mahaganapathi homam and Pushpanjali.

20. TIRUVANANTHAPURAM PADMANABA SWAMY TEMPLE, TRIVANDRUM

Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The temple is built in an intricate fusion of the indigenous Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture associated with the temples located in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, featuring high walls, and a 16th-century Gopuram.^[1][2] While the Moolasthanam of the temple is the Ananthapuram Temple inKasargod, architecturally to some extent, the temple is a replica of the Adikesava Perumal temple located in Kanyakumari District.^[3]It is the richest Hindu temple in the world.^[4] In terms of assets gold and precious stones, it is by far the wealthiest institution and place of worship of any kind, in the recorded history of the world.^[5][6][7][8]

The principal deity Vishnu is enshrined in the "Anantha Shayanam" posture, the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent Adisheshan.^[9]Sree Padmanabhaswamy is the tutelary deity of the royal family of Travancore. The titular Maharaja of Travancore Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma is the trustee of the temple as Sree Padmanabhadasa, the slave of Lord Padmanabha. In line with the Temple Entry Proclamation, only those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple and devotees have to strictly follow the dress code

In the sanctum sanctorum, Padmanabha reclines on the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha.^[22] The serpent has five hoods facing inwards, signifying contemplation. The Lord's right hand is placed over a Shiva lingam. Sridevi-Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Bhudevi the Goddess of Earth, two consorts of Vishnu are by his side. Brahma emerges on a lotus, which emanates from the navel of the Lord. The deity is made from 12,000 saligramams.^[23] These saligrams are from the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal, and to commemorate this certain rituals used to be performed at the Pashupatinath Temple.^[24]The deity of Padmanabha is covered with, "Katusarkara yogam", a special ayurvedic mix, which forms a plaster that keeps the deity clean. The daily worship is with flowers and for the abhishekam, special deities are used.

The platforms in front of the vimanam and where the deity rests, are both carved out of a single massive stone and hence called "Ottakkal-mandapam." On the orders of Marthanda Varma (1706–58), the Ottakkal-mandapam was cut out of a rock at Thirumala, about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the temple. It measured 20 square feet (1.9 m²) by 2.5 feet (0.76 m) thick and was placed in front of the deity in the month of Edavom 906 M.E. (1731 AD). At the same time, Marthanda Varma also brought 12,000 shaligrams, aniconic representations of Vishnu, from the Gandaki River, north of Benares (now known as Varanasi) to the temple. These were used in the reconsecration of the Padmanabha .^[25]

In order to perform darshan and puja, one has to ascend to the mandapam. The Deity is visible through three doors – the visage of the reclining Lord and Siva Linga underneath the hand is seen through the first door; Sridevi and Divakara Muni in Katusarkara, Brahma seated on a lotus emanating from the Lord's navel, hence the name, "Padmanabha", gold abhisheka moorthies of Lord Padmanabha, Sridevi and Bhudevi, and silver utsava moorthi of Padmanabha through the second door; the Lord's feet, and Bhudevi and Kaundinya Muni in Katusarkara through the third door. Only the King of Travancore may perform sashtanga namaskaram, or prostrate on the "Ottakkal Mandapam". It is traditionally held that anybody who prostrates on the mandapam has surrendered all that he possesses to the Deity. Since the ruler has already done that, he is permitted to prostrate on this mandapam.

Inside the Temple, there are two other important shrines, Thekkedom and Thiruvambadi, for the Deities, Ugra Narasimha andKrishna Swami respectively. Thiruvambadi shrine enjoys an independent status and predates the shrine of Padmanabha. Thiruvambadi shrine has its own namaskara mandapam, bali stones and flagmast. The Lord of Thiruvambadi is Parthasarathi, the Divine Charioteer of Arjuna. The granite idol of the Lord of Thiruvambadi was brought from Gujarat by seventy two families of Vrishni Vamsa Kshatriyas. As these Vrishnies belong to the lineage of Lord Krishna, they are known as Krishnan vakakkar. The two-armed granite idol, with one hand holding the whip and the other resting on the left thigh holding the conch close to it, is in standing posture. On Ekadasi days the Lord is dressed and decorated as Mohini. There are also shrines for Rama accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Vishwaksena (the Nirmalyadhari of Vishnu and Remover of Obstacles), Vyasa, Ganapati, Sasta and Kshetrapala (who guards the temple). Grand idols of Garuda and Hanuman stand with folded hands in the Valiya balikkal area.^[3] The thevara idols of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma are housed in the south east part of the Temple.

Gopuram

The foundation of the present gopuram was laid in 1566.^[27] The temple has a 100-foot,^[28] seven-tier gopuram made in the Pandyan style.^[29] The temple stands by the side of atank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings which stands out to be an ultimate testimonial for the Vishwakarma sthapathis in sculpting this architectural masterpiece. This corridor extends from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum. An eighty-foot flag-staff stands in front of the main entry from the prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). The ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) is known as the 'Nataka Sala' where the famous temple art Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam (festival) conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

Vault B[edit]

Among the six vaults in the temple, Vault/ "Nilavara" B is very closely associated with Lord Sree Padmanabha and is not part of the Temple Treasury. On the orders of Maharaja Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the outermost ante-chamber of Nilavara B was opened in 1931. In 2011, it was opened by the Observers appointed by the Supreme Court of India.^[30] But the observers did not open the inner chamber which possibly houses a Srichakram, an idol of Padmanabha and countless valuables meant to enhance the potency of the Presiding Deity. Moreover, Devas, Rishis and Kanjirottu Yakshi reside in the inner chamber worshipping the Supreme Lord.^[31] The enchanting and ferocious forms of Kanjirottu Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of the main Sanctum. Lord Ugra Narasimha of Thekkedom is believed to be the Protector of Vault B .

There is a serpent's image on Nilavara B indicating danger to anyone who opens it. A four-day Ashtamangala Devaprasnam conducted in August 2011 declared the inner chamber of Nilavara B as forbidden territory.^[32] However, Gopal Subramanium in his report submitted to the Supreme Court in April 2014 recommended opening of this vault after conducting another Devaprasnam.

The Pushpanjali Swamiyar who is the highest spiritual dignitary of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple sent letters to the Chairperson of the Administrative Committee and the Executive Officer on February 8, 2016 expressing his strong opposition to the opening of Vault B.

The temple and its assets belong to Lord Padmanabhaswamy, and were for a long time controlled by a trust, headed by the Travancore Royal family. However, for the present, the Supreme Court of India has divested the Travancore Royal Family from leading the management of the temple.^{[36][37][38][39]} T P Sundara Rajan's litigations changed the way the world looked at the Temple.

In June 2011, the Supreme Court directed the authorities from the archaeology department and the fire services, to open the secret chambers of the temple for inspection of the items kept inside.^[40] The temple has six hitherto known vaults (Kallaras), labeled as A to F, for book keeping purpose by the Court (Since, however, an Amicus Curie Report by Justice Gopal Subramaniam, in April 2014, has reportedly found two more further subterranean vaults that have been named G and H). While vaults A and B have been unopened over the past many years the vaults C to F have been opened from time to time. The two priests of the temple, the 'Periya Nambi' and the 'Thekkedathu Nambi', are the custodians of the four vaults, C to F, which are opened periodically. The Supreme Court had directed that "the existing practices, procedures, and rituals" of the temple be followed while opening vaults C to F and using the articles inside, while Vaults A and B would be opened only for the purpose of making an inventory of the articles and then closed. The review of the temple's underground vaults was undertaken by a seven-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court of Indiato generate an inventory, leading to the enumeration of a vast collection of articles that are traditionally kept under lock and key. A detailed inventory of the temple assets, consisting of gold, jewels, and other valuables is yet to be made.

Among the reported findings, are a three-and-a-half feet tall solid pure golden idol of Mahavishnu, studded with hundreds of diamonds and rubies and other precious stones.^[41]Also found were an 18-foot-long pure gold chain, a gold sheaf weighing 500 kilos, a 36-kilo golden veil, 1200 'Sarappalli' gold coin-chains that are encrusted with precious stones, and several sacks filled with golden artifacts, necklaces, diadems, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, gemstones, and objects made of other precious metals.^{[42][43][44][45]}Ceremonial attire for adorning the deity in the form of 16-part gold anki weighing almost 30 kilograms (66 lb), gold coconut shells studded with rubies and emeralds, and several 18th century Napoleonic era coins were found many other objects.^[2] In early-2012, an expert committee had been appointed to investigate these objects, which include lakhs of golden coins of the Roman Empire, that were found in Kottayam, in Kannur District.^[46] According to Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller-and-Auditor-General(CAG) of India, who had audited some of the Temple records from 1990, in August 2014, in the already opened vault A, there is an 800-kilo hoard of gold coins dating to around 200 B.C, each coin priced at over ₹ 2.70 crores (US$ 0.5 million).^[47] Also found was a pure Golden Throne, studded with hundreds of diamonds and fully precious stones, meant for the 18-foot-long Deity.^[48] According to varying reports, at least three, if not more, solid gold crowns have been found, studded with diamonds and other precious stones.^[49][50][51] Some other media reports also mention hundreds of pure gold chairs, thousands of gold pots and jars, among the articles recovered from Vault A and its antechambers.

This revelation has solidified the status of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple as the wealthiest place of worship in the world. ^[52] It is conservatively estimated that the value of the monumental items is close to ₹1.2 lakh crore or ₹1.2 trillion (US$18 billion). If the antique and cultural value were taken into account these assets could be worth ten times the current market price.^[53]

These estimates were on the basis of the revelations since July 2011, when five vaults were opened, with the at least one remaining vault (B), which is the largest, still closed. One of the oldest existing estimates regarding Vault B, which can be considered to be at least as reliable as any other made since the discovery of the hidden treasure (or assets) of the Temple in 2011, was by the Travancore Royal Family itself in the 1880s (when an older existing estimate was updated). According to the then drawn-up estimate, the riches contained in Vault B, which is the only vault (of the reported six) that is unopened so far, since the discovery of the treasure, were worth ₹12,000 crores. Considering the subsequent inflation of the rupee, and the increase in the prices of gold and other precious metals and stones since, the treasure in the unopened vault B alone, would be worth at least ₹ 50 trillion (US$1 trillion) in present-day terms, without the cultural value being factored in.^[54] As a reference, the entire wealth of the Mughal Empire at its very zenith under Aurangzeb (in 1690), was a comparatively meagre US$90 billion in modern-day terms.^[55][56] In fact, at its richest, the Mughal "treasury" (in Jahangir's and Shah Jahan's periods) consisted of seven tonnes of gold, along with eighty pounds of uncut diamonds, a hundred pounds each of rubies and emeralds and six hundred pounds of pearls.^[57]Also, in contrast, the wealthiest Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, was worth a relatively minuscule ₹660 crores (all his conceivable assets combined) in the 1940s, while his entire treasure of jewels, would amount to just US$150 Million to US$500 million variously in today's terms.^{[58][59][60][61]} The hitherto-uncovered treasure itself is worth millions of times that of the so-called British crown jewels.^[62][63] Even with only the five smaller of the reported eight vaults being opened (the larger three vaults and all their ante-chambers still remaining closed), the treasure found so far, is considered to be by far the largest collection of items of gold and fully precious stones in the recorded history of the world.^[6][7][64]

The valuables are believed to have been accumulated in the temple over several thousands of years, having been donated to the Deity (and subsequently stored there), by various Dynasties, like the Cheras, the Pandyas, the Travancore Royal Family, the Kolathiris, the Pallavas, the Cholas, many other Kings in the recorded history of both South India and beyond, and from the rulers and traders of Mesopotamia, Jerusalem, Greece, Rome, and later, the various colonial powers from Europe, and other countries as well.^{[12][13][14][35][46][65][66][67]} Some people have suggested that a part of the stored riches reached the Travancore kings in the later years in the form of tax as well as conquered wealth of other South Indian kingdoms.^[68] Most scholars however believe that this was accumulated over thousands of years, given the mention of the Deity and the Temple in several extant Hindu Texts, the Sangam Tamil literature (500 BC to 300 AD wherein it was referred to as the "Golden Temple" on account of its then unimaginable wealth), and the treasures consist of countless artifacts dating back to the Chera, Pandya, and Greek and Roman epochs. The Malabar region (as a part of the "Tamilakam" region of recorded history) had several centers of trade and commerce since the Sumerian Period. Also, at times like the invasion by Tipu Sultan, the other then-extant temples in the Kerala and the extreme Southern region (like the Kolathiri-ruled area), stored their wealth for safekeeping, in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.^{[12][13][14][35][46][65][67][69]} Also, much of the treasures housed in the much larger and as-yet-unopened vaults, as well as in the much smaller cellars that have been opened, date back to long before the institution of the so-called Travancore Kingdom, e.g. the 800-kg hoard of gold coins from 200 B.C that was mentioned by Vinod Rai. Noted archaeologist and historian R. Nagaswamy has also stated that several records exist in Kerala, of offerings made to the Deity, from several parts of Kerala.^[70] Lastly, it has to be remembered that in the Travancore Kingdom, a distinction was always made between the Government (State) Treasury (Karuvelam), the Royal Family Treasury (Chellam), and the Temple Treasury (Thiruvara Bhandaram or Sri Bhandaram). During the reign of Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, hundreds of temples that were mismanaged in the Kerala region, were brought under the Government. The excess ornaments in these temples were also transferred to the Vaults of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Instead the funds of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple were utilised for the daily upkeep of these temples.

On 4 July 2011 the seven-member expert team tasked with taking stock of the temple assets decided to postpone opening of Chamber 'B'. This chamber is sealed with an iron door with the image of a cobra on it and it has not been opened, due to the belief opening it would result in much misfortune.^[71] The royal family said that many legends were attached to the temple and that chamber B has a model of a snake on the main door and opening it could be a bad omen.^[72] The seven-member team will consult with some more experts on 8 July 2011 and then they may take the final decision on opening of chamber ‘B’.^[73] An Ashtamangala Devaprasnam conducted in the Temple to discern the will of the Lord revealed that any attempts to open Chamber 'B' would cause Divine displeasure and that the holy articles in the other chambers were defiled in the inventorying process.^[24] The original petitioner whose court action led to the inventory taking, T.P. Sundarajan, died in July 2011, adding credence to those who believe in the folklore around the temple.^[74]

The Kerala High Court ruled in 2011 that the state government should take over the control of the temple and its assets, but the Travancore royal family appealed to the Supreme Court.^[75] An independent report was commissioned, and was completed in November 2012,^[76] finding no evidence that the royal family were expropriating the treasures.^[75]

As of March 2013, vaults B, G, and H along with their several ante-chambers were yet to be opened; while inventorying of the items in vaults C, D, E, and F were just completed; and formal inventorying of vault A had commenced. Over 1.02 lakh 'articles' had been retrieved from Vault A and its ante-chambers, till that point, though only a small part of them had been inventoried then. An 'article' could be either an individual item, or collections of several items, examples of the latter being a cache of 1,95,000 'Rassappanams' (Gold coins) weighing 800 kg and sets of Navaratnas (collections of nine different kinds of diamonds). There are over 60,000 fully precious stones, set as parts of larger pieces of gold jewelery, amongst those items inventoried as of March 2013.^[77] The results of the inventory are not to be released until the completion of the whole process by order of the Supreme Court of India.^[76]

In April 2014, Amicus Curiae advocate Gopal Subramaniam filed a 577-page report to the Supreme court of India alleging malpractices in the administration of the temple. According to him, the authorities failed to perform their ethical duties by opening many bank accounts, trusts and also not filing Income Tax returns for the past ten years. He alleged that Vault B was opened despite a previous ruling of the Supreme court prohibiting the same.^[78]

The report states, "The large amount of gold and silver, the discovery of which was a shock to the Amicus Curiae, is a singular instance of mismanagement. The presence of a gold plating machine is also yet another unexplained circumstance. This discovery raises a doubt of the organized extraction by persons belonging to the highest echelons. There appears to be resistance on the part of the entire State apparatus in effectively addressing the said issues. The lack of adequate investigation by the police is a telling sign that although Thiruvananthapuram is a city in the State of Kerala, parallelism based on monarchic rule appears to predominate the social psyche."^[79] The Supreme court bench comprising justice R. M. Lodha and justice A. K. Patnaik ordered a change in administration by forming a 5-member committee and appointing Vinod Rai as auditor. The committee will include Thiruvananthapuram District judge K. P. Indira,^[80] Thantri and Nambi of the temple and two members to be decided in consultation with the Government of Kerala. Additionally, IAS officer and former administrator of the temple, K. N. Satish was appointed as executive officer.^[81][82] The Government of Kerala agreed to comply with the Supreme court order.^[83] Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma remains the trustee of the temple and still does the ritual duties as the titular Maharaja of Travancore, but has no responsibility regarding the temple management after the interim ruling by the Supreme Court ^[84][85] The report also found the existence of two more vaults that were never even made mention of or hitherto spoken about.

The report named them Vault 'G' and Vault 'H'. Like Vault 'B' and all its antechambers, both these vaults and their antechambers were yet to have been opened, as of May 2014.^[86][87] The report also mentions that Mr. Subramanian found several large trunks filled with artifacts made of precious metals and precious stones outside of the eight vaults and their antechambers.^[88]

The CBI and the Intelligence Bureau have red-flagged the appointment of Gopal Subramaniam as a Judge in the Supreme Court. The IB cites Mr Subramaniam's report on Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as one of the instances where he relied heavily on his spiritual instincts rather than rational logic and hard facts.^[89] In his second report on Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Mr Subramaniam himself reveals,"It was his morning ritual of [shutting] his mind and seeking guidance, which resulted in discoveries in this direction."^[90]

The Amicus Curiae has also been accused of conducting poojas in the Temple in violation of its customs.^[89] He performed poojas at the Thevarappura in the Temple and in front of the Vedavyasa Shrine. Despite opposition from the Royal Family and the Tantries of the Temple, he pulled out a stone Yantra from the nearby Marthandan Madhom Palace and did pooja on it for several days. The Tantries explained that the Yantram had no connection with the Padmanabhaswami Temple and that it was for the protection of the Palace. But the Amicus Curiae insisted on having it installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple. Due to severe opposition from the Tantries the Yantram remains where it was. Every morning, Lord Padmanabha is to be awakened only by blowing the conch shell and chanting the Sripada Sooktham. But the Amicus Curiae introduced the daily rendering of Venkatesa Suprabhatam to awaken the Lord. The Supreme Court requested the Tantri to take the final decision on whether the Suprabhatam could be sung. Following that, the Senior Tantri Nedumpilli Tharananalloor Parameswaran Namboothiripad directed the Temple authorities to stop the chanting of Suprabhatam forthwith as it was causing 'Anya Mantra Yajana Dosham' (affliction due to worshipping the Deity with incompatible mantras) to the Presiding Deity and the Temple. As atonement for this dosham, the Tantri wants Vedic scholars to chant 12 'muras' each of Rig Veda and Yajur Veda. In his first report to the Supreme Court, the Amicus Curiae directed the Tantries to examine whether a Sri Yantra can be installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum in front of the utsava moorthi.^[91]

According to a report by Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai, records shared with him show that Vault B has been opened a number of times in recent decades: twice in 1991 and five times in 2002. It also shows it was opened after 2011 against the court’s ruling. Speculation is that it has been opened several more times than actually recorded. Record states that some silver items were removed and replaced by other gold items, also later removed.^[92] Once Vinod Rai's report was out, Princess Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi clarified that Mr Rai could be referring to one of Vault B's ante-rooms, which was opened even in 2011 by the Supreme Court-appointed observers. The anteroom leads into another room which has never been opened.

==

21. ATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE,

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a Hindu religious shrine at Attukal in Kerala, India. The temple is renowned for the annualAttukal Pongala festival, in which over three million women participate.^[1] A festival that has figured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the single largest gathering of women for a religious activity, the Attukal Pongala continues to draw millions of women with each passing year. According to the Attukal Temple Trust, around 4.5 million devotees are expected to attend the pongala in 2016.Attukal Temple is situated within 2 kilometres of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Goddess Kannaki (Parvathi) is the main deity in this temple. The mythology behind the temple, relates to the story of Kannagi who was married to Kovalan, son of a wealthy merchant. After marriage, Kovalan met a dancer and spent all his riches on her forgetting his wife. But when he was penniless, he went back to Kannagi. The only precious thing left to be sold was Kannagi's pair of anklets. They went with it to the king of Madurai to sell it. But an anklet was stolen from the Queen which looked similar to Kannagi's. When Kovalan tried to sell it, he was mistaken for the theft and beheaded by the king's soldiers.

Kannagi got infuriated when she heard the news and rushed to the King with the second pair of anklet. She broke one of the anklets and it contained rubies while the Queen's contained pearls. She cursed the city of Madurai, and it is said that due to her chastity, the curse came true. Kannagi is said to have attained salvation after the Goddess of the city appeared before her.

It is said that on her way to Kodungallur, Kannagi passed Attukal. She took the form of a little girl. An old man was sitting on the banks of a stream, when the girl went to him and asked him whether he could help her cross it. Surprised to find the young girl alone, he took her home. But she disappeared. She came back in his sleep and asked him to build a temple where he found 3 golden lines in his grove. He went ahead and did the same, and it is said that this is at the location of the present Attukal temple.

Pongala festival

Worship during Attukal Pongala at Tippu Street, South Fort, Thiruvananthapuram.

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Attukal Pongala is the main festival of this temple. Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is a 10 days festival which falls on February - March every year (Malayalam month of Makaram - Kumbham). The festival begins on the Karthika star with the traditional Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony, the idol of Devi, is embellished with Kappu (Bangles). The 9th day of the festival is the major attraction, The Attukal Pongala day and the festival will conclude with the Kuruthitharpanam at 10th day night.

Millions of women gather every year in the month of Kumbham around this temple and prepare Pongala (rice cooked with jaggery, ghee, coconutas well as other ingredients) in the open in small pots to please the Goddess Kannaki. Pongala (literally means to boil over) is a ritualistic offering of a sweet dish, consisting of rice porridge, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. It is done as an offering to the presiding deity of the temple - the Goddess - popularly known as Attukal Amma. Only women are allowed to participate in the Pongala ritual.

TEMPLES VISITED IN TAMIL NADU

22. KANYAKUMARI - GANDHI MANDAP, VIVIKANANDA ROCK, TEMPLE

23. VIJAYAPATHI - VISWMITHRA MAHARISHI TEMPLE

The Only Place you can see Temple for Raja Guru Vishwamitrar .

Every Anusham nakshathra Abishegham, Aaradhanai, Annadhaanam at Vijayapathi. 

Yagham is conducted at the place where Vishwamithrar conducted Yagha.. say Mystic Selvam...

Vijayapathi is a Village in Radhapuram Taluk , Tirunelveli District , Tamil Nadu State . Vijayapathi is located 11.5 km distance from its Taluk Main Town Radhapuram . Vijayapathi is 60.4 km far from its District Main City Tirunelveli . It is 608 km far from its State Main City Chennai 

பூர்வ ஜென்ம பாவங்களை பூரணமாக கரைக்க – ஒரு அதி அற்புத பரிகார ஸ்தலம் விஜயாபதி

Rajarishi Vishwamithrar Temple at Vijayapathi

ராஜரிஷி விசுவாமித்திரர் சந்நிதி விஜயாபதி

(about Pandit Balan Speech: http://sadhanandaswamigal.blogspot.in/பரிகாரத்திற்கே பரிகாரம் )

திலா ஹோமம் , ராமேஸ்வரத்தில் செய்வதைக் காட்டிலும், பல மடங்கு பயனுள்ள , உங்களின் பூர்வ ஜென்ம பாவங்களை பூரணமாக கரைக்க - ஒரு அதி அற்புத பரிகார ஸ்தலம் - இந்த விஜயாபதி. ப்ரம்ம ரிஷி , ராஜ ரிஷியான விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷி - நெடு நாட்கள் தங்கியிருந்த ஸ்தலம்.

இந்த பித்ரு தோஷம் நாம் சேர்க்கும் எந்த ஒரு புண்ணிய காரியத்தையும் நம்மிடம் சேர்க்காமல் தடுக்கும் சக்தி வாய்ந்தது; எனவே, பிதுர் தோஷம் நீக்கிட நெல்லை மாவட்டத்தில் ராதாபுரம் அருகில் இருக்கும் விஜயாபதி என்னும் கடலோர கிராமத்தில் இருக்கும் ஸ்ரீவிஸ்வாமித்ர மகாலிங்கசுவாமி திருக்கோவிலில் நவகலசயாகம் செய்ய வேண்டும். ஆன்மீக ஆராய்ச்சியாளர் மிஸ்டிக் செல்வம்ஐயா கூறுவது    

ஸ்ரீவிஸ்வாமித்ரமஹாலிங்கசுவாமி திருக்கோவில் . 17,50,000 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பாக,விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷி அவர்களால் நிர்மாணிக்கப்பட்ட சிவாலயம் இது.சில நூறாண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு,விஜயாபதி ஒரு மாபெரும் துறைமுக நகரமாக இருந்திருக்கிறது .இந்த விஸ்வாமித்ரர் மஹாலிங்க சுவாமி திருக்கோவிலில் மூலவராகிய ஸ்ரீ விஸ்வாமித்ர மஹாலிங்க சுவாமி சன்னதிக்குப் பின்புறம் இந்த சித்தரின் ஜீவ சமாதி அமைந்திருக்கிறது

எத்தனையோ பரிகாரங்கள் செய்தும், கடும் தோஷத்தால் அவதிப்படும் ஆத்மாக்களுக்கு - ஒரு மாபெரும் வரப் பிரசாதம் விஜயாபதி. இங்கு வந்து நவகலச யாகம் செய்த பலருக்கு , பூர்வ ஜென்ம ஞாபகங்கள் வருகிறதாம். 

நவகலச யாகம் செய்பவர்களுக்கு 64 வகையான தோஷங்கள் நிவர்த்தி ஆகின்றன.நீங்கள் ஜாதகம் பார்க்கும் நபர்களுக்கு , கீழே குறிப்பிடும் அறிகுறிகள் , அமைப்பு இருந்தால் - நீங்கள் தாரளமாக பரிந்துரை செய்யலாம். !

இராமாயணகாலத்தில் தாடகையை கொன்றதாலும்,அதன்பிறகு சிறந்த சிவபக்தன் இராவணனை வதம் செய்ததாலும் ஏற்பட்ட பிரம்ம ஹத்தி தோஷம்,தந்தை தசரதனின் பேச்சை மீறி வந்ததால் ஏற்பட்ட பிதுர் தோஷம் போன்றவை நீங்கிட, விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷியால் முதன்முதலில் தில்லைவன காளியம்மாள் குடியிருக்கும் விஜயாபதியில் நவகலசயாகம் ஸ்ரீஇராமபிரானுக்கு செய்யப்பட்டது.

விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷி இராம லட்சுமணன்களை அழைத்துச் சென்று,தில்லை வனக்காட்டில் ஒரு யாகம் நடத்தினார்.அப்போது, அந்த யாகத்தைக் கெடுப்பதற்காக தாடகை என்னும் அரக்கி வந்தாள்.அவளை, விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷியின் உத்தரவுப்படி ஸ்ரீஇராமபிரானும்,ஸ்ரீலட்சுமணபிரானும் கொன்றார்கள்.அப்படி கொன்றதால்,இருவருக்கும் பிரம்மஹத்தி தோஷம் உண்டானது. அந்த பிரம்மஹத்தி தோஷம் நீங்கிட,நவகலசயாகம் செய்த இடமே விஜயாபதி ஆகும்.விஜயாபதி  இன்று விஜயாபதி மேலூர்,விஜயாபதி கீழுர் என இரண்டு கிராமங்களாக இருக்கின்றன.300 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு விஜயாபதி ஒரு மாபெரும் நகரமாக இருந்தது.விஜயாபதி துறைமுகத்திலிருந்து இலங்கைக்கு கடல்வாணிகம் செய்திருக்கின்றனர்.

ஆக,இந்த கோவிலும் கிராமமும் யுகங்களைத் தாண்டி இருக்கின்றன. .

இங்கே,நவகலச யாகம் செய்ய மதியம் 12 மணிக்குள் வந்துவிடவேண்டும். இறங்குபொழுது எனப்படும் மதியம் 12 மணிக்குப் பிறகு நவகலச யாகம் செய்வதால்,நமது அனைத்து தோஷங்களும் நாசமடைந்துவிடும்.

ஒன்பது கலசங்களில் ஒன்பதுவிதமான திரவப்பொருட்களை நிரப்பி, நவக்கிரகங்களை ஆவாஹனம் செய்து, மந்திரங்களை ஓதி, இங்கிருக்கும் வில்வ மரத்தடியில் இந்த ஒன்பது கலச நீர்களும் உரிய ஜாதகரின் தலையில் ஊற்றுவார்கள்.அதன் பிறகு,அந்த ஈர ஆடையோடு, ஒரு பர்லாங்கு தூரத்தில் இருக்கும் கடலுக்குச் சென்று கடலில் நீராட வேண்டும். நீராடிய  பின்னர், கடற்கரை மணலில் நெற்றி கடற்கரையில் படுமாறு இடது பக்கம் மூன்று முறையும்,வலது பக்கம் மூன்று முறையும் (மனதுக்குள் ஓம்சிவசிவஓம் என ஜபித்தவாறே) உருள வேண்டும்.அதன் பிறகு,மீண்டும் கடலில் சென்று நீராட வேண்டும்.இப்படி மூன்று முறை செய்ய வேண்டும்.இப்படிச் செய்த பின்னர்,கோவில் பூசாரி ஒரு எலுமிச்சை பழத்தினால் நம்மை திருஷ்டி சுற்றிவிட்டு,அந்த எலுமிச்சையை கடலுக்குள் எறிந்துவிடுவார்.நாம் அணிந்திருந்த ஆடையை கழற்றி,(வேறு ஆடை அணிந்துவிட்டு) அதை கடலில் எறிந்துவிடவேண்டும்.

உடனே,கடற்கரையிலிருந்து அரை பர்லாங்கு தூரத்தில் இருக்கும் தில்லைவனக் காளியம்மன் கோவில் வரை திரும்பிப் பார்க்காமல் வந்தடையவேண்டும்.

தில்லை வனகாளிக்கு பூஜை செய்து இனிப்புகள்,எள் பதார்த்தம்,பழங்களை அங்கிருப்பவர்களிடம் விநியோகிக்க வேண்டும்.நவகலச யாகம் முற்றுப்பெறும்.உடனே, வேறு எந்த கோவிலுக்கும்,யாருடைய வீட்டுக்கும் செல்லாமல் நேராக நம்முடைய வீட்டுக்குச் செல்ல வேண்டும்.இப்படிச் செய்வதால்,நமது 64 விதமான தோஷங்கள் நீங்கிவிடும்.இந்த தோஷங்களில் பிரேத சாபம்,நவக்கிரக சாபம்,குரு சாபம்,குல தெய்வ சாபம் நீங்கும்.


விஜயாபதி நெல்லை குமரி நெடுஞ்சாலையில் வள்ளியூரிலிருந்து பிரிந்து ராதாபுரம் என்னும் ஊருக்குச் சென்று அங்கிருந்து 10 கிலோ மீட்டர்கள் தூரத்தில் கடலோரமாக அமைந்திருக்கும் கிராமம் ஆகும். கன்னியாகுமரியில் முக்கடலும் சங்கமிப்பதாக சொல்லுவார்கள்.அது ஒரளவே உண்மை.நிஜத்தில் இந்த விஜயாபதியில் தான் முக்கடலும் (வங்காள விரிகுடா, இந்து மகா சமுத்திரம்,அரபிக்கடல்) சங்கமிக்கிறது. இந்த நவகலச யாகம் செய்ய விரும்புவோர்


இங்கே விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷியால் ஹோமகுண்ட கணபதி கோயிலும்,அதையொட்டி விஸ்வாமித்ர மகாலிங்கசுவாமி திருக்கோவிலும் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது.இன்றும் சூட்சுமமாக விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷி இங்கு வாழ்ந்து வருகிறார்.விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷி அவர்கள் யாகம் செய்த இடமே படத்தில் நீங்கள் காண்பது!!! இந்த இடத்தோடு சேர்ந்து ஒரு சிறிய கிணறு இருக்கிறது.இந்தக் கிணற்றைத் தோண்டிப் பார்த்ததில், சாம்பல் நிறைய கிடைத்திருக்கிறது.இந்த சாம்பலை மேல்நாட்டைச் சேர்ந்த சிலரும் வந்து எடுத்துப்போய்,ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து பார்த்ததில்,  சாம்பலின் வயது 17,50,000 ஆண்டுகள் என தெரிந்துள்ளது.எனவே,இராமாயணம் நிஜம் என்பதற்கு இந்த விஜயாபதி விஸ்வாமித்ர மகாலிங்கசுவாமி கோவிலும் ஒரு ஆதாரம் ஆகும்.

இங்கிருந்து வெறும் ஐந்து கிலோமீட்டர்கள் தூரத்தில் கடலோரமாக அமைப்பட்டிருப்பதுதான் கூடங்குளம் அணுமின் நிலையம்!

ஓம் ஹ்ரீம் மஹா பைரவாய நமஹ!!
ஓம் விஸ்வாமித்ர மகரிஷியே போற்றி! போற்றி!! போற்றி!!!

Thank :
http://www.aanmigakkadal.com/
http://koodalbala.blogspot.com/
http://www.livingextra.com/

24. UVARI SWAYAMBUNATHA SWAMY TEMPLE

25. TIRUCHENDUR - MURUGAN TEMPLE

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (Tamil: திருச்செந்தூர் முருகன் கோவில்) is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan situated in Tamil Nadu, India.The puranic name or historical name for this temple is jayanthipuram.It is also one of theArupadaiveedu (six major abodes) or Six sacred temples of Kaumaram religion. It is the only one among the Six sacred temple complexes to be situated near the sea shore. Other five are situated in mountain region.

It is one of the largest temple complexes (by area) of India and it is one of the most visited temple complex in India (devotees from countries like Singapore,Malaysia,Sri Lanka,England,Australia). It is the only temple in Tamil Nadu which has a separate bus terminal.The sannathi street of this temple is the longest of its kind among the temples of Tamil Nadu. This is the only temple where Raja gopura is situated in western gate. This temple is the largest temple among all the temples built by saints.This temple is not constructed by Kings,it is built by three holy saints. It is one of the richest temple (by wealth) of Tamil Nadu.This is the only Hindu temple which has no Eastern gateway. This temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification.^[3] This is the only temple in Tamil Nadu where sanctum sanctorium is below the ground level.The 133 feet Rajagopura,built in the shores of Bay of Bengal,very near to the sea,just within 200 meters is still a mystery and an outstanding example for the Tamil temple architecture and an example for extreme civil engineering of Ancient Tamils

An Asura by name Surapadma was ruling Veera Mahandrapuri, an island fortress, as his Capital. He performed many austerities invoking Lord Siva and Lord Siva granted him many boons. Later he became arrogant and captured three worlds and made the Heavenly immortals to do menial task. Devas were unable to bear his torture and complained to Lord Siva. Lord Siva opened His frontal eye to create a son to kill the asuras. Six sparks of fire where issued from the frontal eye of Lord Siva. The divine sparks of grace were received by river Ganges through Agni, the God of Fire and passed on to the Himalayan lake Saravana Poigai. Here they were transformed into six babies.

These babies were suckled by the six Kirithika nymphs. Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi Devi came to Saravana Poigai. When the Goddess Uma fondly clasped the babies, they became Lord Arumuga with six faces and twelve arms. When the child Arumuga had grown into a youth God, Lord Siva asked Him to destroy asuras and free Devas from their cruel bondage. Lord Muruga reached Tiruchendur with his huge army and encamped. He sent his lieutenant Veerabahu to the asuras as an emissary and asked Surapadma to release the Devas. Since Surapadma turned down the request, war was started.

The intense battle continued for few days. During the first five days of the War the brothers of Surapadma and all other asuras perished. On sixth day in the battle between Lord Muruga and Surapadma, the lance of Lord Muruga pierced Surapadma (who got himself transformed as a frightful mango tree ) and broke it in twain. The broken pieces instantly transformed themselves into a mighty Peacock and a Chanticleer. Lord Muruga took Peacock as his vahana (Vehicle) and Chanticleer on his banner.

After Surasamharam ( Destruction of Surapadman) Lord Muruga desired to worship his father Lord Siva. Hence Mayan, the divine architect constructed this shrines at Tiruchendur. Even now Lord Subramaniyan is seen in the posture of worshiping Lord Siva in the Sanctum sanctorum.

As detailed in Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen Hindu puranas, While the deities hailed the glory of Kartikeya for having killed Tarakasur, Kartikeya himself was saddened by his act. He told the deities--'I regret for having killed Tarakasur because he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Is there any way to atone for my sin?'Lord Vishnu consoled him---'Killing a wicked person, who nourishes himself on the blood of innocent people, is not a sinful deed. But, still, if you feel guilty then there is no better way to atone for your sin than worshipping Lord Shiva. Install Shivalingas and worship them with deep devotion.' Kartikeya instructed Vishnukarma to make three divine Shivalingas. Later on Kartikeya installed these Shivalingas at three different places and worshipped them with appropriate rituals. In course of time these three holy places came to be known as Pratigyeshwar, Kapaleshwar and Kumareshwar. Kartikeya, while worshipping at Kapaleshwar sprinkled holy water on the Shivalinga and prayed so that Tarakasur's soul rested in peace. He also offered sesame seeds to Lord Kapaleshwar and prayed --'May my offerings made in the form of sesame seeds reach Tarak—the descendant of Sage Kashyap.' This way, Kartikeya was absolved of his sins.

Near the temple is also a holy temple dedicated to Ayya Vaikundar considered to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The followers of Ayya Vaikundar is called Ayyavazhi sect of the Vishnavite, and his teachings are contained in Akilathirattu, a holy book. Ayya Vaikundar was the architect of "Samabandhi Bhojan" meaning feeding of poor and downtrodden among the backward communities and scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, who were considered to be untouchable by the rulers of the erstwhile Trivancore (now Kerala State) together under one roof. This was not liked by the rulers and they gave him many physical and mental trouble including putting him in the company of a hungry tiger in a lock up. But they were perplexed by his mystic acts and released him unconditionally.

26. VANA THIRUPATHI - SRI VENKATESA PERUMAL TEMPLE (DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED BY HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN MANAGEMENT)

This beautiful temple is built by the owner of the famous hotel chain Saravana bhavan in their native place. The temple is getting popular among tourists going to Tiruchendur temple and the nearby Vaishnava Nava tirupathi temples. The temple is very neatly maintained with sannadhis of many popular deities and beautiful paintings of religious importance on the walls. There are two entrances -one of Srinivasar and another of Adinarayana perumal. The Lord looks stunning and one can have peaceful darshan without much crowd.

The temple is about 45 kms from Tirunelveli and around 20 kms from Tiruchendur. The nearest railway station is Kurumbur on the Tiruchendur route.

Sannadhis

Srinivasar / Raja Ganapathi / Anjaneya / Chakratalwar / Narasimhar / Padmavathi thayar / Andal / Vadapalani andavar / Rajagopala swami

Dakshina moorthy / Guruvayoorappan / Brahma / Vishnu durgai / Tirutani murugan / Garudan / Adinarayana / Several village dieties

Specialty of the temple

The Lord has lot of resemblance to Srinivasar of Tirumala and one can have peaceful darshan as long as one feels.

The ladoo prasadam given free to everyone also would remind one of Tirupati ladoo prasadam.

Temple timings

The temple is open from 6 am to 8 pm - no closure in between.

3.4.2016 - SUNDAY

27. KUMBABISHEGAM AT NATHAMPETTY TEMPLE

28. SRIVILLIPUTTUR ANDAL TEMPLE,

Srivilliputhur Andal temple (also called Srivilliputtur Divya Desam) in Srivilliputhur, a town in Virudhunagar district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located 74 km from Madurai. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vadapathrasayi and his consort Lakshmias Andal. It is believed to be the birth place of two of the Azhwars, namely Periazhwar and his foster daughter Andal.

The temple is associated with the life of Andal, who was found under a Tulsi plant in the garden inside the temple by Periazhwar. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periazhwar, who later found it, was highly upset and stopped the practise. It is believed Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate the garland worn by Andal to him daily, which is a practise followed during the modern times. It is also believed that Ranganatha of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal, who later merged with him.

The temple has two divisions - the one of Andal located on the Southwest and the second one of Vadapathrasayi on the Northeast direction. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines, the garden where Andal is believed to been born and two of its three bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, 192 ft (59 m) tall, is the official symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Vijayanagar and Nayak kings commissioned paintings on the walls of the shrine of temple, some of which are still present.

Kumbabishekam of the Andal temple was scheduled on 20 January, 2016 by TamilNadu Government.^[1]

Vadapathrasayi is believed to have appeared to Andal, Periazhwar and sages Markandeya and Bhrigu. The temple follows Thenkalaitradition of worship. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Aadipooram festival, the birthday of Andal, celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi (July - August), is the most prominent.

The temple has two divisions - the one of Andal located on the Southwest and the second one of Vadapathrasayi (Vishnu) on the Northeast direction. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines, the garden where Andal was found and two of its three bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, 192 ft (59 m) tall, is the official symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The tower is originally believed to have been built by Periazhwar with the prize money he obtained from religious debates in the court of Vallaba Pandya in Madurai.^[3]

The Andal shrine houses the image of Andal and Rangamannar. Garuda, who brought Ranganathar, the divine bridegroom, fromSrirangam is also housed in the same shrine. The walls around the shrine has paintings of the life of Andal. The second hall from the entrance towards the sanctum, the Kalyana Mandapa, houses huge life-size sculptures of Mohini, Rama, Kamadeva, Rati and many other deities.^[3]

The Vadapathrasayee division has two precincts. The sanctum in the second level approached through a flight of steps houses the image of Vadapathrasayee in a reclining posture and his consorts, Lakshmi (Sridevi) and Bhudevi, are shown attending to him at his feet. Sage Bhrigu stands near his head and sage Markandeya is near his feet. Thebanyan tree whose leaf is known as Vatapatram, on which Vishnu is said to rest in the form of a baby during deluge, is at his head, behind Bhrigu. Images of Panchamurtis -Tumburu, Narada, Sanatkumara, Kinnara Mithuna, the Sun and the Moon are shown all around Rangamannar as well as representations of Villi and Puttan are seen at his feet. The sanctum has three doorways from which the presiding deity can be seen. The hall leading to the sanctum, Bhopala villam, has a hall with detailed teak wood carvings depicting incidents from the Puranas and the ten avatars of Vishnu, the Dashavatara. There are a set of carvings that decorate the ceiling.

29. SRI VAIDYANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE

30. AIYIRAM KANNUDIYAL SRI DEVI TEMPLE

31. MUKTHI NILAYAM - SRI SHIRADI SAI BABA DEVOTEE'S  TEMPLE - 108 VIGRAHAMS

32. GNANA THATHA SWAMI - (SHIRADI BABA)

33. SRI MADURAI MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE:

Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River^[2] in the temple city^[3] ofMadurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city^[4] of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature. Though the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE.^[5][6][7] It is said that the temple was actually built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam. In 14th century the Mughal Commander Malik Kafur who gifted to some valuable gold puja items. Mughal Empire (அவுரங்கசீப்) Aurangaship also gifted lot of Puja(தங்கத்தால் ஆன பூஜை பொருட்கள்) items to Amman Temple and Madurai Adhinam(மதுரை ஆதினம்). It was some changes by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar around the 16th century. It was Vishwanatha Nayak who rebuilt the temple in accordance to shilpa shastra.It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high,^[5] and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbhagrihas(sanctums) of the main deities. The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 on Fridays,^[8] and receives an annual revenue of ₹ 60 million. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple.^[8] It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The temple is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city.^[9]The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.

Mīnākṣī Tamil மீனாட்சி) is an avatar of the Hindu goddess Parvati - the consort of Shiva,^[10] one of the few Hindu female deities to have a major temple devoted to her. The name "Mīnachchi" means fish-eyed and is derived from the words "mīna" meaning fish and "akṣi" meaning eyes. The lady goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple, not Sundareswarar, unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity.^[3] According to Hindu legend, in order to answer the prayers of the second Pandya king Malayadwaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamalai, Parvati appeared out of the holy fire of the Putra Kameshti Yagna (sacrifice for childhood) performed by the king.^[11] According to another legend, the goddess herself gave notice to Kanchanamalai in one of her previous births that Kanchanamalai would have the privilege of mothering the goddess. The girl who came out of the holy fire had three breasts. A voice from the heavens told the king not to worry about the abnormality and added that the third breast would vanish as soon as the girl met her future husband.^[6] The happy king named the girl "Tadaatagai"^[12] and as the heir to the throne, Tadaatagai was trained carefully in all the 64 sastras, the fields of science .

As the time came for Tadaatagai's coronation, she had to wage war in three worlds encompassing eight directions. After conquering Brahma's Abode, Sathyaloka, Vishnu's Abode, Vaikunta, and Devas' abode Amaravati, she advanced to Shiva's Abode Kailasha.^[5] She very easily defeated the bhoota ganas (IAST: Bhūtagana, meaning Shiva's army) and Nandi, the celestial bull of Shiva, and headed to attack and conquer Shiva. The moment she looked at Shiva, she was unable to fight and bowed her head down due to shyness, and the third breast vanished immediately.^[5] Tadaatagai realized that Shiva was her destined husband. She also realized that she was the incarnation of Parvati. Both Shiva and Tadaatagai returned to Madurai and the king arranged the coronation ceremony of his daughter, followed by her marriage with Shiva.

Vishnu weds Meenakshi to Shiva

The marriage was to be the biggest event on earth, with the whole earth gathering near Madurai. Vishnu, the brother of Meenakshi, prepared to travel from his holy abode at Vaikuntam to preside over the marriage. Due to a divine play, he was tricked by the Deva, Indra and was delayed on the way. After the marriage, the pair ruled over Madurai for a long time and then assumed divine forms as Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, the presiding deities of the temple.^[13] Following the tradition, every evening, before closing the temple, a ritual procession led by drummers and a brass ensemble carries the image of Sundareswarar to Meenakshi's bedroom to consummate the union, to be taken back the next morning in dawn.^[6] The marriage is celebrated annually as Chithirai Thiruvizha in Madurai. During the period of Nayakar rule in Madurai, the ruler Thirumalai Nayakar linked the festival

34. SRI PATHINATTAM PADI KARUPPANNA SWAMY TEMPLE

The Guardian lord of Alagar malai - 18am padi Karuppasamy

Pathinetampadi Karuppa samy( '18-steps' - Karuppa Samy)

When we enter into the enterance,first we have to pray the "protection deity of the Alagar malai",called pathinetaampadi Karuppa Samy. The Legend has it that, Lord Rama had sent Sita to the forest when she was pregnant and lived in Saint Valmiki's Ashram. While in the Ashram, She brought a male heir of Rama to the world.

One day when she was going out for some chores of the Ashram, she asked the Saint to take care of her child in the cradle. The Saint was watching the child and meanwhile went into a deep meditation. When Sita returned, she found that the Saint was in meditation and didn't want to disturb him to tell him that she was taking her child.

When the Saint was out of the meditation, he found the child missing. So he put some holy grass (Dherbai) in the cradle and with his mantra he made that as a child. Later when he found that Sita was having her real child, he was so confused and asked Sita to treat the new baby also as her own child.

When Sita was returning to Rama, he was expecting only one male heir. But to his astonishment, he found two boys (Lavan and Kushan) approaching him. Again to test the purity of the boys, he set a fire and asked the boys to cross the fire to reach him. He told that whoever was his real heir would cross the fire unscathed. Unknowingly the boy brought up by the Saint, stuck in the middle of the fire and burnt his body becoming very dark.

Finally, Rama got to know what had happened in the forest to have two boys instead of one. Then he blessed the burnt boy to become his escort god (Protection God) and called him “Karuppannan” which became Karuppa Sami.

He wields an "Aruval" which is a very significant weapon in Tamil Nadu and is considered, in itself, as a symbol of Karuppanar himself. Some Aruvals may reach the height of even 5 feet, especially the ones in Thiruppaachhi. The Most Important musical Instrument Which like by God karuppanan are Tappu,Tharai,kombu Tharai,Otha thamukku,Pambai,Udukkai and Urumee.

Another legend has it that,The king of Malabar,was scheming to get the utsavar idol of Azhagar into the Malabar coast and let no thought go wasted.The minister for treasury suggested that the best way to get the idol would be with stealth and magic.

Two days later, 18 people, learned in all sorts of magic, tantra, religious rights and warfare, secretly left for the capital of the Pandia Empire, Madurai. The were accompanied in spirit by the Guardian Deity of Malabar, Malayala Karuppu. Tackling their way through the western and eastern ghats, they ended up at the outskirts of Madurai. Before them, the four towers of Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple thrust high into the skies, twinkling with lights. Ignoring this splendid sight, they turned their heads left. The lonely but equally impressive tower of Azhagar kovil, shone bright in the night lamps.

They had arrived!!!

The arthajama pooja was just over in the temple, and the temple priests were locking up the individual shrines, when it happened. Eighteen large men attacked the temple, with their magic and might. The priests were however, fully equipped for such an attack. Afterall, the presence of a solid gold idol did not come without its share of dangers. They invoked the kshetra palakar for his help and chanting the name of the lord, they went to defend the temple. Within no time, the eighteen attackers lay dead on the ground. The priests buried them just outside the main door, as a symbol of their victory.

It was then that they heard a rustle, like air moving in water. And before them materialised a mighty figure. Dressed as a warrior, complete with a long-sword and matted locks, pitch black in colour, stood Malayala Karuppu. “Oh priests of the temple of Azhagar!!! You have shown immense loyalty and bravery in defending this temple. I am impressed. As a gift to your loyalty and as a penalty for aiding a thieving mission, I will guard this temple till the end of times. I will assure that robbery and other immoralities do not take place in the temple and in the surrounding villages. I will guard the temple, over these very eighteen bodies. In times of trouble, I will come in aid”. Having said this, he suffused into the temple doors, making them glow bright for a moment, before they returned to normal. Malayala Karuppar had taken his place and since he guards over the eighteen bodies of the would be thieves, he is called Pathinettampadi Karuppar and is the guardian deity of Azhagar Malai.

The main doors of the Karuppar temple remain closed most of the year. It is believed that Karuppar resides within them looking over the kshetra and the neighbouring areas. During this time, people worship the door itself as the guardian deity. They smear sandal paste over the doors to reduce the heat of Karuppar’s Ugram and make offerings of long forged swords. Some of the swords are double a man’s height and offer a very frightening sight. The doors also act as the seat of the local Panchayat. People who utter lies in the vicinity of the doors have their lives destroyed by the guradian god’s wrath. Villagers wanting to resolve criminal and civil issues, make the accused promise in front of the doors, the belief being that if he did do wrong and refuses it in front of the door, then Karuppar would give him his rightful judgement. A nominal fee of Rs 6 is charged for any such case brought to the temple doors.

The door is, however, kept open once a year during the Brahmotsava. A strange thing happens that day. The jungles surrounding the temple, which are usually alive and vibrant with the calls of birds, go absolutely silent. Not a single bird is found in the vicinity on that day, and the temperature in the region increases by several degrees above the average. People believe that this is a manifestation of the god and his vented ugram. Special poojas are offered to the open doors before thay are closed again at night, never to open for another 365 days.

Karuppar also takes part in the day to day running of the temple. Every morning, the priest who brings water for Azhagar’s abhisheka has to pause before the doors and promise that the water was indeed brought from the Noopura Gangai and not from anywhere else. At the end of the day, the accounts of the daily activities are laid before him and finally he is also entrusted with the keys of the temple treasury at night. He is also invoked for the protection of the lord and his retinue when Azhagar embarks on his 10 day long trip to Madurai, in the month of Chithirai every year.

And that brings us to the grandest story ever of the Azhagar Temple. One that is enacted every year, to this very day.

4.4.2016 - MONDAY

35. THIRUPARANKUNDRAM SRI SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE

Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple and one of the Six Abodes of Murugan, located at Tirupparankunram. The temple offers a mystic beauty; is carved in rock and is monstrous in size for such an architecture. According to the legend it is whereMurugan married Deivayanai, the divine daughter of the king of heaven, Indra, and he is said to have worshipped Shiva here as Parangirinathar.

36. KOODALAZHAGAR PERUMAL TEMPLE, MADURAI

Koodal Azhagar is believed to have appeared to slay the demon Somuka who abducted the four Vedas. The temple followsThenkalai tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the fourteen day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) being the most prominent. 

37. SRI VEDANTHA DESIGAR TEMPLE

38. IMMAYILUM NANMAI THARUVAR - SIVAN TEMPLE, MADURAI

This is the temple where Lord Shiva worship himself. 

pls watch the following link and see the importance of this temple which is worthknowing and darshan the deity without fail.

http://www.madurai360.in/a-madurai-360/madurai-temples/sri-immayil-nanmai-tharuvar-temple.html

39. OTTRAIKAL NARASIMHAR - SWYAMBU KSHETHRAM

Narasingam is a village located 8 km from Madurai on the road to Melur. It is named for the nearby cave temple dedicated to Yoga Narasimha Perumal, at the foot of the Yanaimalai hills. This temple was constructed in 770 A.D. by Madurakavi alias Marankaari who was the minister of the Madurai King Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan . There is a front mandapam (court). The sculpture of Narasinga Perumal is carved out of the hill itself. The temple is a good example of the cave sculpturing of the Pandya Kingdom. In front of this there is a stone temple for the goddess Narasingavalli. This place, though not a Divyadesam sanctified by Azhwars' hymns, is situated between two holy places — Alagar Koyil in the north and Thirumohur in the east.

According to another legend, Lord Siva was afflicted by Brahma Hathi Dosham (a curse that descends upon a Hindu if he murders aVedic Brahman) after He plucked one of the five heads of Lord Brahma. He was relieved of it after He took a bath in the holy water source there, also known as Chakra Theertham, and He worshipped Lord Narasimha. It is believed that taking a dip in the Chakra Theertham, which is near the temple, rids one of all sins.

40. SRI KALAMEGA PERUMAL, SRIMOGUR

Thirumohur Kalamegaperumal Temple is a hindu temple near Melur, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the "108 divya desams", and is located 12 km north-east of Madurai. It is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram. The temple is accessible by the town bus services available from Madurai.

     Thirumohur is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desas. The presiding deity Himself led Nammalvar to Vaikunta. Thirumohur is the Divyadesa where Perumal took the Mohini (enchanting woman form). A single visit and prayer in the temple guarantees salvation to the devotee.
The Ksheerabthi Nathar and Mother in the shrine are in a praying pose before the presiding deity and this is known as Prarthana Sayanam.

Chakkarathalwar: Sudarsanar (Chakkarathalwar) has 16 hands with 16 weapons, rolling feet and the idol bears holy mantra letters. This is the only temple where Sudarsanar has all these special aspects. Though there are Sudarsanar shrine in other famous Vaishnava temples as Srirangam, Kancheepuram and Srivilliputhur, this is the only shrine where He appears with such holy letters. Behind the Chakkarathalwar is Yoga Narasimhar known as Narasimha Sudarsanam. The shrine is very famous as the expectations of the devotees for business development and marriage alliances end in success.

41. SRI THIRUVATHAVUR - SRI MANICKKA VASAGAR  TEMPLE (BIRTH PLACE TEMPLE)

Manikkavasakar is said to have born in Vadhavoor (Thiruvadhavoor, near by Melur in Madurai district), seven miles from Madurai on the banks of river Vaigai. He belonged to saivite temple priest guild. His father was a temple priest.^[1] The group wore a top tilted knot to denote servitorship to Lord Siva like sambandar, etc. A mural and statuette of Manikkavasagar with head knot is seen in Tirupperunturai near Pudukkottai. A poetic and elaborate hagiography of Manikkavasagar and his works was written in the 16th century and is called Tiruvilayadal puranam, meaning "An account of divine deeds". The same is not available now in its original form. Another called Vadhavoorar puranam and yet another Sanskrit work of the 12th century CE on the same saint is now missing.

According to accounts the king of Pandyan dynasty had selected Manikkavasagar as a part of his legion after seeing his military acumen and had once entrusted him with a large amount of money to purchase horses for his cavalry. On his way he met an ascetic devotee of Siva, who in fact was Siva himself. Manikkavasakar received enlightenment, realised that material things are transitory and built the temple of Siva in Tirupperunturai with the money.^[2] King Varaguna also was preached with knowledge of reality and blessed with mukthi after Lord Siva made him realize his small worldly mistake. Varaguana maharaja immediately gave up his throne and attained muthi at feet of Lord Sivan.

Manikkavasakar's birth name is unclear, but he was known as Vadhavoorar after his birthplace. Manikkavasakar means man with words as precious as Manikam.

According to Ramana Maharshi, it's said that when Manikkavasakar died, his body dissolved in a blinding light without leaving a corpse behind him.

42. SRI PALANI ANDAAVAR TEMPLE, PALANI.

The idol of the Lord Muruga in Palani, was created and consecrated by sage Bogar, one of Hinduism's eighteen greatsiddhas out of an amalgam of nine poisons or navapashanam. The legend also holds that, the sculptor had to work very rapidly to complete its features, but that he spent so much time in creating the face, he did not have time to bestow but a rough grace upon the rest of the body, thus explaining the contrast between the artistic perfection of the face and the slightly less accomplished work upon the body. A shrine to Bhogar exists in the southwestern corridor of the temple, which, by legend, is said to be connected by a subterranean tunnel to a cave in the heart of the hill, where Bhogar continues to meditate and maintain his vigil, with eight idols of the Lord.

The deity, after centuries of worship, fell into neglect and was suffered to be engulfed by the forest. One night, Perumal a king of theChera Dynastys, who controlled the area between the second and fifth centuries A.D., wandered from his hunting party and was forced to take refuge at the foot of the hill. It so befell, that the Lord Subrahmanyan, appeared to him in a dream, and ordered him to restore the idol to its former state. The king commenced a search for the idol, and finding it, constructed the temple that now houses it, and re-instituted its worship. This is commemorated by a small stela at the foot of the staircase that winds up the hill.

The idol of the deity is said to be made of an amalgam of nine poisonous substances which forms an eternal medicine when mixed in a certain ratio. It is placed upon a pedestal of stone, with an archway framing it and represents the god Subrahmanya in the form He assumed at Palani - that of a very young recluse, shorn of his locks and all his finery, dressed in no more than a loincloth and armed only with a staff, the dhandam, as befits a monk. It is from His youthful appearance and the staff He bears, that the appellation Bāla-dhandāyudha-pāni, meaning the young wielder of the staff-weapon, is applied to Him.

One curious aspect of the deity is that He faces west rather than east, the traditional direction at most Hindu temples

Panchamirdam (mixture of five) is believed to be a divine mix prepared by Vinayagar at the end of the divine encounter. He mixed honey, dates, banana, raisins and jiggery and distributed it to Shiva and Karthikeya. The practice is followed in modern times where the devotees are provided Panchamiram as a Prasad

43. SRI AZHUKKU MOOTTAI SIDDHAR - JEEVA SAMADHI, KANAKAMPATTI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkAxp2lEIE

you can watch the above link by typing in youtube and you can find the siddhar's image and also his samadhi set up.