Kapisthlam- Gajendra Varadha Perumal

This  temple is the 22nd among the 108 divyadesams of Vishnu . Here the Moolvar is known as Aadi Moola Perumal and consorts are Pottramaryar thayar( Mother) and Remamani Thayar.  Utsavar is Gajendra Varadha Perumal, giving darshan with Sree devi Boodevi and Andal. There are separate shrines for Remamani Thayar and Andal. The main idol in the sanctum is in a reclining posture.

 The story of Gajendra Mokasham is depicted on the outside walls of the sanctum. This is believed to be the sacred place where elephant Gajendra, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu was rescued by the Lord from the clutches of a crocodile. For details on this story click  here.

 Bali and sugreeva, also believed to have worshipped the God at this temple hence the name Kapi( monkey) sthalam.( place)

This temple is on Tiruvayyaru road 10kms from Kumbhakonam.

How to reach- Many buses ply from Tiruvayyaru and Kumbhakoam to this town.Kumbhakonam is the nearest railway station and the town has good accommodation facilities.

Temple timing 6-30 -12noon  

 5pm-730pm

Check pictures below
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNQLZNEtxbw2WkhgKoS-JeSUEgE-VQ5zKgEvs31

Sri Varaha Moorthy temple-Thiru Vidanthai, Chennai

Thiru Vidanthai,  Sri Varaha Moorthy temple is situated en route to Mahabalipuram on the East Coast road and is one among the 108 divya desams of Vishnu. Alwars have sung in praise of the God here and this temple sits smugly in a village off the Mahabalipuram road in a calm and serene atmosphere.This temple is about 1000 years old and as it is  near the sea coast many structures and carvings have  corroded here hence it is under the care of Archaelogical Survey of India and I was a bit disappointed when they didn't allow the cameras inside. But I have tried to make the best of my visit by clicking some beautiful shots from outside.

Varaha Swamy is one of  reincarnations of Vishnu, he took the form of a boar to save Mother Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. There are a very few temples dedicated to Varaha Swamy. Here the idol is about 61/2 feet high, an  exquistively carved idol with Boodevi on His left thigh. He is giving Mantropadesham to Boodevi and at his feet are Adisesha , the serpent God and his wife.

The Utsavar is called as Nithya Kalyana Perumal . It is believed that a visit to this temple and praying here by following certain worship pattern would help  one to find  a good life partner. 

The legend says that as per the wishes of a Maharshi, the Lord here married all his 360 daughters one per day throughout the year and united them all into one as Boodevi who is the Thayar ( mother Goddess) here.There is also separate sannidhi for Thayar and Andal. The sthala vriksham is at the back side of the temple.There are beautiful carvings on the pillars here near the Garudalwar sannidhi which is opposite to the main sannidhi. The carving are etched beautifully as if idols have been stuck on the pillars. The  temple must be around 4-5 acres and there is a  bell tower, dwaja sthamba and balipeetam, typical of any temple front in Tamilnadu.

How to reach:

Chennai is well connnected by air, road and rail. Umpteen number of buses ply from various parts of the city towards Mahabalipuram. Thiru Vidanthai bus stop is 3 Kms. from Kovalam. Distance to Tiruvidanthai from Chennai is 50 Kms.

Check pictures below.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOwwwp5hHtelMVz6OQ265WgWy94_zhd3CrPem7t

Valvil Ramar temple- Tirupullam Boothankudi- Tamil Nadu

Valvil Ramar temple is 7 th divya desam of Vishnu and here Bala Ramar is the Moolavar. Here  the Utsavar  Lord Ramar gives darshan in Chathurbhujam  form with Sree devi and Boodevi. The legend is assosiated with Ramayana. Rama is said to have given moksham to Jaytayu here. One would find Lakshmana  and Jatayu inside the sanctum depicted on the wall near the Lord Rama's lotus feet.  Lord is reclining here under the Punnai tree. There is a separate sannidhi for the the Goddess , Hemambhuja valli and a separate sannidhi for Yoga Narasimhar.It is also believed that Yoganarasimhar fulfills the wishes of aspiring job seekers.

Devotees pray here for their ancestors .A temple set in sylvan surroundings, an absolutely calm and quiet place.

How to reach- This temple is in Kumbhakonam ( Tanjore dist) and Tiru Adanoor another divaydesam and Swamimalai, one of the Aarupadai veedu's of Lord Muruga , are close by and about  which I would be writing soon.

More pictures in the link

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMjfk25F1t0Igm4ljxGMSmReEl36vekorwXIibZ

Harasaba Vimochana Perumal- Tirukkandiyur, Tamil Nadu

This temple at Tirukkandiyur  is one among the divyadesams of Vishnu and  is very near to the town of Thiruvaiyaru and here  Lord Vishnu is known as Harasaba Vimochana Perumal as he liberated Hara  (Siva) from  a Saba (curse) which He incurred when he removed one of the five heads of Brahma. 

Moolavar , Main deity here is also known as  Bali Nadhar and Thayar is Kamalavalli. Idol in the temple resembles that of Balaji of Tirupati. A temple sans crowd and the serene atmosphere helps  one to  worship in peace.  Just outside   the sanctum there is separate niche for Chakrathazhvar .Near the main entrance of the  temple one would find the Hanuman shrine. Kamala Valli thayar has a separate sannidhi so has Andal. The 20 day festival in the month Avani is famous here.

Had an opportunity to visit this temple for a second time last week.

Thiruvayaru is the birth place of Saint Thayaraja ,the great Carnatic music composer who has composed hundreds of  hymns on the Lord Rama. Tiruvayyaru town is about 11 Kms from  Tanjore which is famous for its Big temple. 

How to reach-  Tanjore is the nearest town well connected by rail and road.The nearest airport is at Trichy which 60 Kms from Tanjore.


https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMhuTBHBHHCAf07R3R6Rri01B--Yb0mmuyulvbD

Sri Viswarupa Anjali Varatha Anjaneyar temple Chinnalapatti- Tamil Nadu

Tomorrow  is  Hanuman Jayanthi and I thought it is appropriate that my next post should be on Hanuman and hence this post of the Chinnalapatti Hanuman temple.

Sri Viswarupa Anjali Varatha Anjaneyar temple is situated in the quaint little village of Chinnalapatti which is 15 Kms from the the town of Dindigul. The temple here is small, a pretty neat structure but the idol of Anjaneyar here is huge, about 16 feet in height  made of Saligrama stone. One can view the idol right from the entrance of the temple. The Lord here stands with His hands folded and  with his mace -'Gadha'  resting on his legs. His eyes are like dark marbles which sparkle and gives a feeling as if he is looking at his devotees wherever they stand.

  He is always adorned with beautiful costumes and  priests here who do the alankara(decorations) need a special mention as it is not easy to decorate a huge idol. He appears magnifcient in his various alankaras made of butter, fruits, sweet jalebis, and vadas. Offering Vada mala, a garland made of vadas  (a south Indian snack made of black gram ) numbering 108-1008 is  very  famous here . He is also bedecked with silk robes and jewellery like a king, known as Rajalankara. When He becomes Maruti he is adorned with green costume. These various alankaras are really a visual treat. The temple becomes a beehive of activity on Saturdays.  

The most attractive thing here is photography is allowed even inside the sanctum.

This is considered to be one of the  six abodes of Anajaneyar where chunks of the Sanjeevani hill fell during the great Ramayana war when the Anjayear returned  with the Sanjeevani hill to revive the unconscious Lakshmana. There are about 5 more places considered equally holy , the others are at Suchindram, Namakkal, Nanganallur in Chennai , Deivaseyalpuram and Nugarveliya in Rampoda, Sri Lanka .

Chinnalapatti town is famous for handloom weaving and Chinnalapatii silk is a speciality of this place . Unfortunately this variety of silk is losing charm and is almost extinct now a days. 

How to reach- Nearest rail station is at Dindigul Chinalapatti town is 15 Kms. from Dindigul. There are many buses plying from the town of Dindigul.
My google photos.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMEy8rtW1L1GnKH-c72LVfVxDmoAm-wBEU8uBOf