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

SREE SOUNDARARAJA PERUMAL, THADIKOMBU, DINDIGUL

SREE SOUNDARARAJA PERUMAL, THADIKOMBU, DINDIGUL

Thadikombu is 10 kms south of Dindigul and is on the Dindigul-Karur National Highway. The Sree Soundararaja Perumal temple, at Thadikombu is 500 years old and was built by King Achutha Devaraya.  This place was known as Thaalaampuri in those days.  It is said that King Achutha Devaraya, a descendent of Krishna Devaraya built this temple and the Siva temple at Tharamangalam with intricate sculptures in these temples.  The Rajagopuram with 5 tiers is of 90ft height.  

Lord Soundararaja with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi is in standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum.   A Sage on a curse as a frog (Mandookya), did penance on Lord Vishnu here to come out of the curse.  A demon, Thalasuran was harassing him during the penance.  On prayers of the Sage, Lord Vishu, Kallazhagar from Madurai destroyed the demon and as requested by the Sage, stayed here as Soundararaja Perumal.  Here too, the Lord goes to the riverbed of Kudaganaru similar to Vaigai river of Kallazhagar during Chithra Pournami. On each Tiruvonam star day, a deepam is lit at the feet of the Lord.  The Urchavar follows this deepam in procession and it is considered auspicious to have darshan of the same.  Hayagreevar and Saraswathi bless the devotees from separate sannidhis.  Honey abhishekam is done to Hayagreevar on Tiruvonam Star days.  Devotees offer Cardamom Mala to Hayagreever these days to overcome forgetfulness.   Devotees pray for their wards to shine in educat

                                         Sculptures in the temple in Anna Mandapa

Mother Soundaravalli graces from a separate shrine. Lord Vinayaka and Vishnu Durga and deities of prosperity – Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi graces at Her shrine. Mother’s shrine may well be called a museum of sculptures with the Ranga Mandapam nearby. The sculptures include Lord Vishnu measuring the three worlds, Lord Narasimha, Vaikundanathar, Venugopala, Lord Vishnu on Gaurda, Anjaneya carrying Lord Rama on his shoulders, Chakarathalwar, Oordhvathandavar (cosmic dance of Lord Shiva), Oordhvakali, Akora Veerabadra, Rathi and Karthaveeryarjuna.    Chakkarathazhwar is surrounded by Gayathri Devathas and on the rear Lord Narasimha is surrounded by Ashta Lakshmis.  Visvaksenar,  Irattai Vinayagar, Perumal's Dasavatharam, Lakshminarasimhar have separate sannidhis.

On the outer prakara, Lord Danvantri blesses devotees.  Herbal lekiam is offered for abhishekam to Lord Danvantri on Amavasyas (New Moon days).   

Swarna Akarshna Bhairavar in a separate sannidhi here is the speciality.  Special poojas are offered on all saturdays and sundays and ragukalas and krishnapaksha ashtami to Bhairavar.   The earlier practice was to keep the temple keys at the feet of Lord Bhairavar and close the temple.  It is believed the Bhairavar only keeps the safety of the temple.

Ten avatars of Vishnu, Dasavathram are depicted in Anna Mandapa also known as Ranga Mandapam, which features rare life size sculptures. The temple has two inscriptions dating from the Nayak period. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and enshrined within a granite wall.   A damaged inscription in the temple from the period of Rama Raya is found in the Garuda Mandapa. An inscription in the Sundara Pandya Madap indicates the conduct of marriage festival of Kallazhagar in Madurai. Other inscription mention that the people of Madurai consider Thadikombu as their northern settlement. 


                                         Vimana of Lord Soundararajan sannidhi

Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Adi, that is july-August.  Car festival takes place in the same month on the full moon day.  Sthala Vruksham is Vilva.

Temple Timings:

7.00 AM- 12.00 Noon

4.00 PM-  08.00 PM

ABHIRAMI SAMETHA PADHMAGIREESWARAR, DINDIGUL

ABHIRAMI SAMETHA PADHMAGIREESWARAR, DINDIGUL

The Abhirami sametha Padhmagireeswarar temple is in the midst of the Dindigul town and this area of the Dindigul is known as Begampur.   The temple is of large size and Sree Gnanambika sametha Sree Kalahastheeswarar also giving darshan here.   An ancient temple built by Chera kings and later renovated by Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings and Naickers of Madurai.
Vinayagar here is known as Vanni Vinyagar.  Lord Siva who came as Bhairava to destroy Dhindimahasura is in the Prakara.  Devas, as a token of their gratitude made a Siva Devotee Dharmabla as the king of Dindeeswaram.  The earlier hill top temple was built by this king.

Pala Pattadai Chokanatha Pulavar was a great tamil scholar and had collected details from Palm leaf manuscripts and brought them into print.  He has said that Dindeeswaram was the earlier name for this place, which became Dindigul later, in foreward to his book, Thendral vidu thoothu - Messeage to Padmagirinathar through wind.   He has said Dindeeswaram is referred in Thevaram hymns too.   This temple has 2 presiding deities, Sree Padmagireeswarar and Sree Kalahastheeswarar.  

Lord Padmagireeswarar was the at the hill top earlier.  Lord would come to the ground on festive days and a mandap was built near the present temple.  King Achutha Devarayar was a staunch devottee of Kalahastheeswarar and to worship the lord daily, he installed Kalahastheeswarar and Ganambikai near the mandap in the year 1578.  As the rulers for the region changed, further additions were made to the temple.  They also brought the Lord Padmagireeswarar and Abirami amman to this mandap and thus temple with two presiding deities came into being.   Brahma prayed Lord Siva to have relief from a dosha and Siva appeared from a (lotus) Padma tank and gave darshan.  Thus the lord got his name 
Padmagireeswarar. 

                                        Abirami Ambikai

Kali came here in a fury to destroy a demon named Analan.  Shiva softened her fury and married her.  Kali was later called as Abirami Ambikai.  A festival is celebrated in April-May, Tamil month Chithirai, with Shiva's marriage.  During this period, Brahmothsavam is celebrated.  Sage Viswamitra employed a brahman to help in his yagna.  The Brahman was demanding more and more for his work and the Sage cursed him to become a deer to teach him a lesson.  He also told the Brahman that he had to pray Padmagireeswarar here to get over the curse.  This incident also is played during the festival.



Shiva tested his devotees Bahu and Subahu by intercepting them when they were going for worship, in the guise of a Tiger and as if he were to kill them.  They requested the tiger to wait until they finished their worship of Lord Siva and the tiger accepted the offer.  The two returned after worship and offered themselves to the tiger.  Siva gave darshan to his devotees and gave them salvation.  This is symbolically celebrated in the tamil month of Karthigai - november-december of the year.

During skanda shashti, the marriage of murugan and valli is enacted.  Sage Agasthya has passed through this place while going to Pothigai Hills and he prayed the Vinayagar here and in the girivalam path, there is a Agasthya vinyaga.  

                                              Subramanyar

Just after the mandap of the easwarars, Dakshinamurthy is giving Darshan with his two disciples.  On the prakara, Lord Varadaraja Perumal facing North blesses the devotees.  On Vaikunda Ekadasi, Perumal passes through the entrance of Abirami amman sannidhi as there is no sorgavasal here.   Anjaneya blesses the devotees who is by the side of the perumal. 
   
                                       Dakshinamurthy

                            Varadarajaperumal and Anjaneyar

Golu during the Navarathri festival 2017 in the temple was allowed to be photographed.

Varuna has worshipped the lord here when he lost the job. Devotees pray here for jobs.

Girivalam is performed on pournami days (Full Moon days) and the path is shown in the board of the temple -




Temple Timings:
06.00am-12.00 noon
04.00pm-09.30pm

ANJALI VARADHA ANJANEYAR, CHINNALAPATTI, DINDUGAL

ANJALI VARADHA ANJANEYAR, CHINNALAPATTI, DINDUGAL

Anjali Varadaha Aneyar temple is at Chinnalapatti, 1 km from the National Highway No.45 and Chinnalapatti is 12 kms from Dindigul and on the Dindigul-Theni route.    While proceeding from Dindigul, take a right turn at Chinnalapatti and the temple is at a distance of 1km from there.  Though the temple itself is small, the anjaneyar here is 16ft tall and is made of saligram stone.  He appears here with hands folded and the gadhai (mace) resting on his feet.

But alankarams are made to the deity with butter, fruits, Vadamala etc., as also on different additional items added to bring in shape of carrying Sanjeevi Parvatham or in a sugarcane field etc., and the priests here are doing a great job especially with a huge idol of this nature.   Raja alankaram is also done bedecked with silk robes and jewellery.   He is adorned with green constumes as Maruti. On somedays he is also seen as Venkatachalapathy of Tirupathi.  All credits go to the Bhattars who take special interest in the decorations.

On 29th September 2017, Friday I had darshan here and the alankaram was carrying the sanjeevi parvatham.

It is said that it is one of six abodes connected with the chinks of the Sanjeevini hill fell, when Anjaneya carried it to Srilanka.  

Those who have vehicles can reach from Dindugal and those who take bus to Chinnalapatti, local autorickshaws are avialbale at Chinnalapatti.

A temple Board gives details about the vimana and also the poojas done at this temple:

Some details from visiting card - Mob ph no of Sri  V R Sundararaja Bhattachariar priest of the temple - 9443226861 and also gives the rates for the various special sevas - Vadamala-Rs.600, Vennaikappu-Rs.18000, Raja alankara with silk/jewellery-Rs.5000 and 16 types of abhisekams for Rs.7500/-