Thiruvazhthanoor( Therazhandur) Devadiraja Perumal- Divya desam, Nagapattinam district

This divya desam is in a serene and peaceful village.

 Devadiraja Perumal is the Moolavar of this temple and Amaruviappan is the Utsavar.
This is a Krishnaranya kshteram.
As it was month of Margazhi we could see the presiding deity decked up in  stone studded crown, kavacham   with Sankha, chakra, mace, sword and the spear. we felt as if we are in the  sannidhi of  emperor of the universe. Blessed to see the Lord in this alankara as it was festival time of Markazhi.
Here we see God flanked by Garuda  and Prahlada,
Garuda is given a special status and a place inside the sanctum instead of his usual  seat facing the God outside the sanctum.
Amaruviappan or Rajagopala swamy  gives a beautiful darshan with a cow and and a calf with a staff in his hand.
As per the legend Brahma took all cows from Gokulam and hid them at this place.
When Krishna came to know he created same number of cows in Gokulam.
Realising his folly Brahma requests Krishna to give darshan at Triuvazhanthanoor .
Krishna appears as Amaruviappan ( one who is flanked by cattle)with a calf and a cow. A beautiful sight, a speciality of  this temple.

More details about this temple , check how this place came to be known as Therazhandoor
 This is the birth place of Kambar , the great Tamil poet.

The other Krishnaranya kshetrams are Thiru Kannangudi ,Kapisthalam,Thirukannapuram, Thirikannamangai. Shall post soon.

                                              

Tiruvaheendrapuram-Devanatha Swamy temple- Cuddalore - Divya desam

This  divyadesam of Lord Mahavishnu is situated in Cuddalore near Chidambaram.
Aheendiran  ( Ananda Azhvaan Adiseshan) worshipped Perumal here and the place came to be known as Thiru Aheendrapuram.

The serpent God Adisesha made a well in this sacred place by digging it with his  tail as per the instruction of Lord Vishnu as He was thirsty. This well, known as Sesha theertham can be seen in the outer prakaram of the temple. There is an idol of Adisesha on this well .  Read that devotees make offerings of milk, turmeric ,salt in the well akin to that is offered for serpents on anthill. But presently I saw this covered and locked. The water from this well is used for making Prasadam for the Lord here


 There is also a theertham brought here by Garuda which is a  free flowing river at the backside of the temple known as  garuda Nadi. Water from garuda nadi is used for Tirumanjanam.

 The Utsvar is known as Deivanatha Swamy.  Lord's consort is Hemambujavalli. There are shrines for Ranganatha Swamy ,Andal, Ganesha, Rama and  Rajagopala Swamy.

 Opposite side of the main temple there is a shrine for   Lord Hayagreevar which is situated on a small hill known as Oushadagiri. It is full of medicinal plants. It is believed that  when Hanuman carried the Sanjivini hill a small portion fell here, The  temple here is frequented by students as Hayagreevar is  embodiment of knowledge and learning.

It is believed Desikacharya stayed here for about 40 years doing penance in the  Oushadagiri hills . There are special niches here for the great Acharya and Manvala mamunigal .

More details here and here

Opening time 6 Am-11 Am

4.30 pm -8 pm.

                                                                      Garuda nadi

                                                        Hayagreeva shrine

Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple- Kodungallur, Kerala

Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple  is a very famous temple in Kerala and is situated on the Kochi- Guruvayur route in Kodungallur . A 2 hours ride from Kochi via Paravoor would take one  to this temple. 

The Goddess here is endearingly known as Kodungallur Amma. She is in a fierce form here and  this is a Shakthipeetam.

 Kannagi , the heroine of  Silpadikkaram, after burning down Madurai city in her anger when her innocent  husband was killed by the king  proceeded to Kodungallur and merged with the Goddess here.

 Other than the Goddess there is a shrine for  Shiva in the inner prakaram itself. There are shrines for Ganapathy , and Kurumba Bahgavathy. Turmeric is the main offering for this Goddess. There is also a Tavittu Bhagavathy. Thavittu meaning husk and devotees offer husk to the small deity here.

The temple is very big , attractive with its  sprawling  grounds fully   dotted with banyan and peepul trees . Architecture is also very simple , and has some beautiful paintings of various Goddesses and of furious Kaanagi  expressing her anger to the king.

The Meena Bharani festival is very famous here which is a colourful and a highly spiritual exercise . It draws huge crowd from far and near.

                                                            Thavittu Bhagavathy

Abihirami temple- Dindigul

Abhirami Koil , Dindigul is a popular temple among the locals, the temple complex houses  2 Shivalingams  and 2 Ammans in separate shrines.
 Shivalingams are known as  Padmagirishwarar and Kalahastheeswarar.
Amman here are Gnanambigai and Abhirami and this temple is popularly known  as Abhirami Amman temple.
There are shrines for  Pillayar, Subramanya,  Perumal ,Navagrihas. It is interesting to see a Garuda statue  on a pillar here . The Durgai amman in the outer prakaram draws huge number of devotees.

The temple of Padmagirishewarar was on top of the Dindigul rock  and later it was brought here.
It is believed  Mother Kali had come here to kill one Asura and she was very furious.  Shiva helped her calm down and married her. She looked very alluring and was named Abhirami

Check temple history and legend in this link.
Pictures which I had shot few years ago.

                                                     

Alangudi - Gurusthalam-

 This is one of the  Navagriha sthalam dedicated to the Guru Griha and is situated in Alangudi which 18 Kms from the town of Kumbakobam

 The Navagriha Jupiter, Guru manifests here as Dakshinamoorthy.

Apatsahayeshwar is the presiding deity and is a swayambhu and Ezhwarkuzhali His consort . On the Southern side of the circumambulation path is shrine of Guru and devotees throng here  to propitiate the deity .

A mere Drishti of Lord Guru Bhagawan will shower lot of blessings on the devotee.

 Thousands  light oil lamps in front of the Guru Bhagawan here on Thursdays and offer Archana to the Lord.

20 Kms from Alangudi is the temple of Rajagopalaswamy at Mannargudi. Visit this temple as this is a beautiful temple. Lord of this temple will captivate your heart

Tanjai mamani Kovil- Tanjore

Tanjai mamani kovil  is a cluster  of 3 temples which forms a single divya desam. The first and second one are Vishnu temples  known as Manikundra Perumal and Neelamegha Perumal in seated postures.We could not see the idol of Neela megha Perumal as there was no priest in the temple. The third one is  Veera Narasimhar Koil again deity here is  in a sitting posture and his  consort is known as Tanjai Nayaki. Very few people visit these temples  and many temples I visited needs lot of maintenance and attention.

                                                                 Veera Narasimhar Koil

                                                      Manikundra Koil

                                                             Neelamegha Perumal Koil