SREE SWAMINATHA SWAMY, SWAMIMALAI

SREE SWAMINATHA SWAMY, SWAMIMALAI

Swamimalai, a small hillock is the abode of Sree Swaminatha Swamy, one of the 6 army camps (arupadaiveedu - ஆறுபடை வீடு) - 4th padaiveedu.   Swamimalai is easily approachable from Kumbakonam and at a distance of 8 kms and on the northern bank of river Cauvery.  Lot of town buses ply from Kumbakonam.  The place in yester years was knwon as Thiruveragam. 

The temple has two entrances and 3 praharams and the south side gopuram has 5 storeys.

The first praharam is at the base of the temple where Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi bless the devotees as we pass the Rajagopuram and Kalyana Mandapam. Here is the Dakshinamurthy sannidhi and also sannidhis for Subramanyar and Mahalakshmi and also the well with 'Vajra Theertha'.  In the inner prahara, Lord Subramanya with Valli alone gives darshan as Senapati and with Deivayanai alone as Sabapathi and as Shanmugar with consorts Valli and Devayanai.  There are sannidhis for veerabahu, Idumban and Arunagirithar also.

In the second praharam, which is midway between the ground and the Lord Swaminatha Swamy sannidhi, after ascending a few steps on the prahara the Sudhai depicting the Upadesam to father Lord Siva can be seen.

The third praharam has the sannidhis of Netra Vinayagar, swaminathar, Urchavar, sani bhagavan, durga and chandikeswarar, surya and chandra bhagavans.   The dwajasthambam is on the third prahara in front of the Sree Swaminatha Swamy.    There are 60 steps to reach the third praharam from the ground depicting the 60 years cycle.  

The Lord here is known as 'Swaminathan' as the he gave the meaning of the Pranava Manthra to Lord Siva, his father.   It is for the reason of not able to spell out the meaning of Pranava Manthra by Brahma, Lord Subramanya took Brahma under his control and did the act of creation himself.  When lord Vishnu approached Lord Siva for the release of Brahma, on instructions from Lord Siva, he released Brahma.  When the father then asked for the meaning of the Pranava Manthra, Lord Subramanya asked his father to be in the proper posture of learning, the lord with folded hands and bowing his head heard what the meaning of Pranava Manthra from Lord Swaminathan. 

It is also said that Saint Bhrugu got a boon before commencing an or penance that anyone disturbing his meditation would forget all his knowledge.  Such was the power of penance, that the sacred fire emanating his head reached the heavens.  The frightened devas approached Lord Siva for his grace and the Lord extinguished the fire and lost his knowledge and the lord Swaminathan taught him the meaning of Pranava Manthra and lord siva regained his knowledge.

Sthala Viruksham is Nellimaram.

Arunagirinathar and Nakkerar have sung in praise of  Lord Swaminatha Swamy.   Nakkerar in his Thirumurgatrupadai has praised the lord as:

இருமூன்று எய்திய இயல்பினின் வழா அது 
இருவர்ச் சுட்டிய பல்வேறு தொல்குடி,
அறுநான்கு இரட்டி இளமைநல் யாண்டு 
ஆறினால் கழிப்பிய அரண் நவில் கொள்கை 

மூன்றுவகைக் குறித்து முத்தீச் செல்வத்து
இருபிறப்பாளர் பொழுதறிந்து நுவல    
ஒன்பது கொண்ட  மூன்றுபுரி நுண்ஞாண்
புலராக் காழகம் புலர உடீஇ
உச்சிக்கு கூப்பிய கையினர், தற்புகழ்ந்து 

ஆறெழுத்து அடக்கிய அருமறைக் கேள்வி 
நாஇயல் மருங்கின் நவிலப்பாடி
விரையுறு நறுமலர் ஏந்திப், பெரிது வந்து 
ஏரகத்து உறைதலும் உரியன்; அதா அன்று.






On every Thursday, the Lord gives darshan with the Vairavel.   Swamimalai is the kuladeivam for the many people living around Kumbakonam.  Tonsure as an offering is done here.  Swaminatha swamy abhishekamm/archanai can be done by contacting the temple authorities and on payment of Rs.3000/-.  Golden chariot of the lord can be taken round the first praharam corridor on payment of Rs.1201/-

Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer
Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple
Swamimalai - 612 302
Thanjavur district Tamil Nadu, India

Phone: (+91) 435 245-4421

Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.00 am - 12.00 Noon

Evening: 4.00 pm - 10.00 pm

Sree Mariamman, Samayapuram, Tiruchirapalli

Sree Mariamman, Samayapuram, Tiruchirapalli

Samayapuram Mariamman temple is at a distance of  15kms from Trichy and very well connected by road.  With the new Trichy-chennai national highway, one can have the benefit of the 6 lane road upto 2 kms before the temple.

One of the important temples in Trichy, the Goddess considered to be very powerful is made of “Sudhai” and in sitting posture with left leg folded and right leg over the head of 5 asuras.  Sakthi cult is prevalent over ages and Samayapuram is considered most important among various temples in south for sakthi worship.  The place is also known as Kannapuram.  There are two stories about the tempe and as per one, as the body parts of Parvathi fell in different places of India after the Dkashan's Yagna, the eyes fell here.  In an other version, it is said that the amman was at the Srirangam temple as Vaishnavi and the Ugram of her could not be withstood, and the then Jeeyar wanted the deity to be removed and as per that the statue was taken to Kannapuram.  Later the Kings of Vijayanagara Samrajyam when they were at Kannapuram worshipped the deity and built the tempe at Samayapuram in 1706 AD.  The deity is also called as "Ayiram Kannudaiyal" in Tamil meaning having 1000 eys.  There are sannidhis for Vinayagar, Murugan and Naga Kanni.  Those desirous of progeny, the lady tears a portion of the saree she wears and ties it in the Neem Tree before the Naga Kanni as a thottil with a stone placed on it and after confinement they perform pooja here.

Renovation work which was started in 2011, was completed in February 2017 and the Kumbabhishekam for the temple also was done on 6^th February 2017.  The sanctum sanctorum alone was redone at a cost of Rs.5 crores.  51 homa gundams were made at the time of Kumbabhishekam for various deities.  Tiruparankunram Sivachariar Sri Raja Bhattar and Tiruvanaikovil Chandrasekhara Sivachariar presided over the functions.   A multi-storey building has come up for tonsure (Mudi Kanikkai -முடிகாணிக்கை).

Theppam in Samayapuram is famous and is celebrated during the summer month of April-May of the year.  At the time of poochorial to the amman on the last Sunday of Tamil Month Masi, flowers are offered from Srirangam temple and during  Chithirai ther (car) festival on the first Tuesday of Chithirai Tamil Month, offering come from Thiruvanaikoil Akilandeswari temple.  During the poochorial, Amman observes Vrahdam known as "Pachaipattini Viradham" for the welfare of humanity and no neivethyam of cooked items with thaligai is offered to the Goddess during that period of 28 days.  Fruits like grapes, orange and tender coconut and uncooked thulu mavu are only offered during that period.  Abhishekam with flowers to the amman are made which is known as Pocchorithal.

Devotees believe that illness and disabilities get cured with the offering of small metallic replicas in silver and steel of various parts of the body needing cure and they are deposited in the hundi.   Sthala vruksha is Neem Tree.

Temple Timings:

5.30 AM- 9.00 PM

4.30 AM - 9.00 PM in the tamil month of Margazhi

Kamakshi Amman, karuvazhakkarai (கருவாழக்கரை)

Kamakshi Amman, karuvazhakkarai (கருவாழக்கரை)

This temple is on the road leading to Poompukar from Mayiladuthurai and at a distance of 8 Kms from Mayiladuthurai and on the northern bank of river Cauvery.   It is next to the place called Natham and about 1.7 kms from there.  After passing Melaiyur, it has a bus stop and the temple is around 100 metres from the bus stop.  In fact, it is part of Sembanar Koil block of Nagapattinam district.

Karuvazhakkarai kamakshi

The following link has details of nearby places which may help to identify the place correctly.
http://www.onefivenine.com/india/dont/maps/villages/Nagapattinam/Sembanar-Koil/Karuvazhakarai

On 3^rd March 2018, I went to this temple for Darshan and the temple is also called as Karuvazhakkarai Kamakshi (Mariamman) temple and in front of sancturm and near the balipedam is the deity of Karuppannaswamy.  

As we enter the small gopuram, the view of the temple with vinayagar on the left can be seen.

                                                                           Urchavar

The temples outer prakara also has the deities Pechiamman and kali.   A devotee has sung in praise of the Amman and this has been inscribed in the wall of the temple.   (Kamakshi Katakshamalai - காமாக்ஷி கடாட்சமாலை)

The photo bleow shows the Bala Periyava of Kanchi Mutt in the temple on 26th February 2016 when he was on a camp to Mayiladuthurai.

The temple has a Poosari and also a Gurukkal comes and performs Pooja when you contact and phone up in advance.  Many people around Mayiladuthurai who are settled outside come to this temple to offer their prayers and the deity is also a Kuladeivam for these families.   I have once come across, one Vis Gopal who had written Karuvazhakkarai Kamakshi Anthathi in a website.  

Above is the View of entrance gopuram from the front and from the rear and one more picture of the main deity is given here.

Above map also may be useful for those who would like to have darshan at this temple.  Taxis and auto plying at Mayiladuthurai knew the route to this temple but will have to tell them to alert you when the Bus Stop Melaiyur is reached.

SREE SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE, THIRUPARANKUNDRAM

SREE SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE, THIRUPARANKUNDRAM

Tiruparankundram is about 8 kms from Madurai, in the Madurai-Thirumangalam route and very well connected from Madurai by city buses from Periyar Bus Stand of Madurai.  It has a railway station too in the Madurai-Kanyakumari railwaly route.  People prefer to go by road.  This is one of the 6 houses of Lord Muruga (Arupadai veedu) and on a rock.    Only a few steps have to be covered, as the temple is at the foot of the hill.

Nandhi and Kalakandi

According to legend, the marriage of Deivayanai, the divine daughter of Indra, with Lord Subramanya took place here.   Indra worshipped Siva here as Parangirinathar.  The temple has sannidhis for other deities - Vinayagar, Siva, Vishnu, Annapoorani.   In the other Arupadai veedus, Lord Muruga is in a standing posture, while in Thiruparankundram, he is sitting and in wedding form with consort Deivaynai and around them are Brahma, Maharishi Naradha, Indra- King of Devas.  Saraswati without her Veena and Savitri are by his side and Sun, Moon and Ghandarvas are above him. . Lord Vishnu's  temple is oppostie to that of Lord Muruga.  He is known as Pavazhakanivai Perumal and located where normally the nandhi of Lord Siva would be.  Hence the temple is also known as Mal-vidai - Mal for Vishnu and vidai for nandhi.  Nandhi gives darshan with his consort Kalakandi in the mahamandapam and by his side are the twin vinayagars.  As the temple has been carved out of the rock, there are no prakaras as such (Pillaiyarpatti has prakaras). 



                                           Annapoorani from dinamalar website

As you come out of Lord Muruga's sannidhi, darshan can be had of Lord Dakshinamurthy and coming down a few steps, Lord Sanesswaran in a separte corridor blesses devotees.  Lord Dakshinamurthy graces the devotees with his left hand on a snake under his feet.

Behind the Lord Siva linga, in the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Muruga gives darshan as Somaskandar with Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati.  As the linga was installed by Durga, he is known as Devi Lingam. Sage Madanga Maharishi is by his side.   No abhishekam is performed to him except oil, as the Lingam has been treated with a paste known Shantakaram. Sage Veda Vyasa and Parasara have worshipped him.  Lord Siva here is addressed as Parankundranathar and Sathyavagiswarar. 

Mother Durga is in the north of Rajagopuram and with demon Mahishasura under her feet.  To the left of her is the Karpagavinayagar holding a sugarcane with sages around him.

When Lord Siva created Murugan with the spark from his eyes, Parvati ran from the place unable to bear the heat and her anklet broke and the pearls from it rolled out and beacame Nava Sakthis also called as Nava Kalis.   As these kannigas thought of Lord Siva, they became pregnant and Parvati cursed them to be to live with their pregnancy.  Nava Kalis appealed to Lord Siva for a remedy.  He made her to agree for delivering of the children for the welfare of the world.  The children, thus born would help Lord Muruga in his war with Surapadhman.   The nine heroes born to the Nava Kalis were - Veerabagu, Veerakesari, Veera Mahendran, Veera Maheswaran, Veera Rakshan, Veera Marthandan, Veerandhagan, Veeradheeran and Veera Suran.  There is a separate shrine for these in the front mandapam of the temple.

                                                                Urchavar

When Lord Subrahmanya was staying at Kanda Verpu, the two daughters of Lord Maha Vishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli, cherished the desire of becoming the consorts of Subrahmanya. With this aim in mind they both went to Saravana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfil their desires.   Pleased with their prayer and worship, Lord Subrahmanya appeared before them and told Amrita Valli, "You will be brought up by Indra as his daughter and I shall marry you in due course." Her younger sister Sundara Valli was also graced with a similar blessing. She was born to sage Sivamuni and brought up by Nambi, the headman of Vedas (Hunters).    Amrita Valli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru, the abode of Indra, and told him, "I am the daughter of Maha Vishnu and the responsibility of looking after me has been entrusted to you." On hearing this, Indra became very happy and directed Airavatam, his white elephant, to take care of the child.
The elephant with all love brought her up and affection and she attained the age of marriage in course of time. Hence she came to be known as Devayanai, one who was brought up by the heavenly elephant of Indra.   When Lord Subramnya defeated the Demon Surapadma, the relieved devas were in praise of the Lord.   Indra desired to get his daughter Devayanai married to Subrahmanya, as a mark of his gratitude for relieving him and the devas from the depredations of the demon Surapadma.   As Lord Subrahmanya agreed to this marriage, Indra sent a messenger to bring his wife Indrani and daughter Devayanai from Mount Meru.
The marriage took place at Tirupparankunram. 

                                                 Vahanas of Siva, Vinayagar and Murugan

The Vahana of Lord Siva, Lord Vinayaga and Lord Subramanya are at one place and near the kodimaram. (Flagstaff).   It is believed that the Devas are in the form of White Peacocks in Thiruparankundram to worship Lord Muruga.  White Peacocks can be seen around Tiruparankundram.  During festival times, flag is hoisted for Lord Siva but in the procession for all festivals, Lord Muruga is taken.  Girivalam is followed here on Pournami day.

Vaikasi Visagam and Soorsamharam in Karthigai (Nov-Dec) are very important festivals in this temple.   On the full moon day – poornima in Aani month (June-July) three fruits – mango, plantain and jack –முக்கனி - are offered to the Lord with special pujas.

Temple Timings:
05.00 AM - 01.00 PM
04.00 PM - 09.00 PM

MADURAI DINDUGAL TEMPLES

MADURAI  DINDUGAL TEMPLES

I have had darshan at temples in the region of Madurai- Didnugal earlier but have not recorded in the blog.  This time, I had gone to Dindugal on 28th September 2017 and could have darshan at Kottai Mariamman temple, Gnanmbika sametha Kalahastheeswarar temple and nearby anjaneyar temple, Sinivasa perumal temple at Begampur and also at Badrakali temple.  At Thadikombu, 12 kms from Dindugal, is the Soundararajar temple and had darshan in the evening.   The first temple to have darshan on arrival at Dindugal was 16ft tall, Anjali Varada Anjaneyar at Chinnalapatti.  I had engaged an auto for half a day and starting at 9.30 AM, I first proceeded to Chinnalapatti.   Anjaneya had special alangaram of carrying the sanjeeva parvatham.   Returned from Chinnalapatti and then went to Kottai Mariamman Kovil.   A separate blog has been posted for Anjali Varadha Anjaneyar, Chinnalapatti.
                                            Viswarupa Anjali Varadha Anjaneyar Temple

Kottai Mariamman kovil is a large complex adjacent to the Dindugal Fort.  A copper mast at the entrance of the shrine is called Kamba Thadi.  From here, the vinayaka shrine is on the South and Madurai Veeran and Navagrahas in the North.  There are shrines rear the main deity for Karuppannaswamy, Muneeswaran, Kali and Durga. In 18th century, there was a small petam for the deity.   Army men of Tippu Sultan built a temple and installed the deity, which today is the guardian deity of Dindigul.  The Mariamman is on a sitting posture with 8 hands.  Temple Timings: 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM.

The Badrakaliamman close to the moat of the fort is also near the Ayyappan temple.  Had darshan here and also took photos of fort with moat from here as also the entrance to the temple.  Badrakali Amman picture is from web.

After that, I had darshan at Srinivasa Perumal koil, which was to be closed just then.  The time was 11.50 AM.   This temple is a very big templ with a large Garuda at the entrance.   Damodara Vinayagar and Navaneetha Balakrishna are in the outer prakaras.  Moolavar and urchavar of this temple are srinivasa perumal.   Chakarathazhvar and Narasimhar are in a Separate sannidhi.   Anjaneya gives darshan in the inner prahara and the traditional belief is Navagrahas live in his tail.    Temple timings: 06.30 AM to 12.00 noon and 4.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

                                                               Garuda at the entrance

                                                     Srinivasa Perumal Temple entrance

                                                                  Srinivasa Perumal

                                                              Alarmelmangai thayar

Nearer to this temple is the Saneeswaran temple, which was closed.   Next moved to Sree Gnamba sametha Kalahastheeswarar temple - also the Abirami temple.  Separate blog  has been posted on this temple.  By the side of the Abirami temple is the Veera anjaneyar temple.  This also would have been closed, but the bhattar permitted a few people around to have darshan and closed the temple.  The time was 1.00 pm

Though it was 1.00 Pm, I was able to get darshan at Vellai Pillaiyar temple.  All the temples mentioned in the morning session except Viswarupa Anjali Varada Anjaneyar at Chinnalapatti are closer to one another and in the area of Begampur.  The temple left out in the area is the 108 vinyaga temple.  A picture of the Vellai Vinayagar temple:

Later in the evening, I had darshan at the Sree Soundararajaperumal Temple at Thadikombu, which is famous for the sculptures.   A separate blog is posted about the temple.   Next morning 29th September 2017, Friday reached Madurai.   Due to other functions to attend at Madurai, I had darshan of Goddess Meenakshi on Friday evening with the Goddess performing Siva pooja as alangaram for Navarathri on that day and later Lord Muruga at Thiruparangundram.   Was fortunate to have darshan of Urchavar  led by the elephant proceeding to Meenakshi Amman temple and also darshan of the lord in quick time.   On Saturddy morning, had darshan of Sree Saneeswarar of Kuchanur (Near Chinnamanur) 20 kms from Theni.   I went by bus to Chinnamanur from Madurai and had local bus to Kuchanur.   Separate blog posts have been added for Thiruparangundram and Sree Saneeswarar Kuchanur (குச்சனூர்).

Photos taken at Meenakshi amman temple/Tiruparangundram/Kuchanur are:-

                                                 West gopuram, Meenakshi Amman temple

                                                                  Thiruparangundram

                                                                           Kuchanur

Returned to Bangalore by road on 1st October 2017 afternoon.

Links to posts of Madurai-Dindigul temples

1.  Viswarupa Anjali varadha Anjaneyar, Chinnalapatti
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/10/anjali-varadha-anjaneyar-chinnalapatti.html
2.  Sree Abirami temple, Begampur, Dindigul
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/10/abhirami-sametha-padhmagireeswarar.html
3.  Sree Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Thadikombu, Dindigul
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/10/sree-soundararaja-perumal-thadikombu.html

4. Sree Saneeswaran temple, Kuchanur
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/10/sree-saneeswaran-temple-kuchanur.html
5. Sree Subramnyam Temple, Thiruparankundram
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/10/sree-subramanya-swamy-temple.html

Sree Saneeswaran Temple, Kuchanur

Sree Saneeswaran Temple, Kuchanur (குச்சனூர்)

On 30th September 2017, I left by bus from Arapalayam Bus Stand to Chinnamanur, which is on way to Cumbum.    The bus touches Theni and 20 minutes from here, bus arrived at Chinnamanur.  From here, there are options of Share Auto at Rs.10/-, Auto at Rs.80/- one way and by bus for Rs.5/- and all these stop just short of the temple entrance arch.

It had been a small temple but seeing a lot of expansion of mandapams nowadays.  Sree Saneeswaran, here is a swayambu idol. River Surabhi flows nearby.   Surabhi is a Jeevanathi and gets its water from Rajavaikal of Suruli River.  Legend has it that King Dinakaran ruled Kalinganadu with Maninagaram as Capital and was passing through the 71/2 years spell of Saturn and was suffering.   Chandiravadanan, son of King Dinakaran did penance among dense forests of Shenbaga, sandalwood and Kongu trees on the banks of the river Surabhi, to get relief for his father.  Pleased with the devotion of Chandiravadanan, Saneeswaran appeared before him at Shenbaganallur and granted the wishes of Chandiravadanan.    This place was later on called as Kuchanur.   Prasadam of Uchikala puja is first offered to the crows.  The prasadam normally is Ellu Satham, mixture of cooked rice and powedered til seeds.  Devotees who come here light oil lamps and offer food to crows. 

Being a Saturday, there was crowd in the temple and the temple authorities are also expanding the temple premises with more mandapams.

5 week celebrations take place during the tamil month of Adi. (Jul-Aug). Details can be had on the specific poojas performed and also for special occasions from:

The Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Sanishwarabhagavan Temple,
Kuchanur,
Uthamapalayam (Taluk),
Theni District.
Pincode - 625 515 
Phone - 04554-321108

Temple Timings:
Saturdays -         06.00 AM - 03.00 PM and 04.30 PM to 08.30 PM
All other days -   07.00 AM - 01.00 PM and 04.30 PM to 08.00 PM