Darasuram-Airavateeswarar temple, Kumbakonam,Tamil Nadu

Darasuram, Airavateeshwarar temple is a replica of Tanjore Big temple but smaller in size. Darasuram temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chola  II  in the 12th century. This temple is a store house of  art work. One can see magnificent work of  art and the finely  chiseled work on each and every stone, carved  to perfection. Even the steps leading to the temple has a story to tell.  The ceiling of the temple has exquisite carvings. Minute work on the pillars  fills the mind with awe and fascination. The main mandapam of this temple is in the form of a chariot drawn by horses. This temple is a protected  under UNESCO World Heritage monuments.

The presiding deity here is  Airavateeswara (Siva) and His consort is Periyanayaki. The legend is that the deity here was worshipped by  Airavata (elephant), the mount of Indra. There are also shrines dedicated to Sarabeshwarar; a form Siva took when he wanted to quell the anger of Narasimha after killing Hirnyakashipu, then for Dakshina Murthy, a niche for Lingodhbavar and Vinayagar. The Vimana is akin to the big temple but approximately 1/3 of its size.

The Nandi found outside the temple is huge and there are a few steps near it which produces musical notes when tapped. It is protected with a mesh presently.

Great care is being taken to maintain the exterior as well as the interior . Lush green lawns stands apart with fine contrast to the pink sand stone temple.

Interesting features: The chariot shaped mandapam leading to the temple. Musical steps near the Nandi mandapam outside.

How to reach- Darasuram is about 4 kms. from the temple town of Kumbakonam on Kumbakonam - Tanjore route. Trichy is the nearest airport, the distance being 83 Kms. 

The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam and many buses ply from Kumbakonam to Darasuram.

Accommodation-Kumbakonam has many  budget, luxury and deluxe hotels.
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNzWw41UMHw8zHYqO5s1JP-s76SFFLBiVK-vhhV

Sree Vallabha Kshetram- Tiruvalla

Sree Vallabha Kshetram in Tiruvalla, Kerala is a temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu  and is one among the 108 divyadesams , a temple which has captivated my interest very much, in recent times.  Sree meaning Mahalakshmi and Vallabha means Her husband, hence the deity here known as Sree Vallabha. The temple is constructed in typical Kerala architecture .  Set in picturesque surroundings, the temple has exquisite carvings and murals.  The flag mast here is 50 feet tall,  carved out of a single rock with Garuda's image atop and  is believed to have been created by the legendary craftsman Perumthachan.  This temple has something additional than the flag mast,a Garudathara , which is unique and appeared magnificent. This also has a Garuda's image atop.There are sub shrines around the temple for Ayyapa , Karuppaya swamy etc.

Interesting facts-
The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
Also known among divyadesam as Tiruvalavazh- Vishnu, Kolapira Perumal,
Moolasthanam is outside the West gopuram.
Kathakali is performed here almost  everyday in the evenings.

 How to reach-This temple is situated in Pathanamthitta District. There is a rail station in Tiruvalla and this temple is 2 1/2 Kms. from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum/ Kochi . the former being a little closer to Tiruvalla.


Accommodation- recommend either stay in Trivandrum or Kochi as  one gets  plenty of choices.


Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMcTw1h__aaDVaz2k8TQ4O1gRQ_BYlsOEHLy0bx

Coonan Kurisu Palli (The bent Cross Church) - Mattancherry.

Coonan Kurisu (Bent Cross)Palli (Church) or Holy Cross church - is a place of historical importance and faith for the believers. A shrine sandwiched between row of shops  in the busiest street of  Mattancherry, Kochi( My home town) Kerala.

Historical importance- When St. Thomas, disciple of Jesus Christ landed in Kerala in A.D 52, he could convert a good number of local inhabitants to Christianity. He also established 7 churches in Kerala. The present Christian population claims its descent from this early origin.They are known as Syrian Christains in view of the Syrian liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christanity in India. They are popularly known as Nazranis(followers of Jesus of Nazerene). Christanity thrived in Kerala because of the benevolence and tolerance of the Travancore rulers. When Portuguese arrived they were successful and eager to bring the Christians under the church of Rome. But when their power declined, the hold of Roman Catholic church also weakened. After that about 25,000 Syrian Christians reaffirmed their allegiance to the Syrian orthodox tradition  in front of an improvised cross at Mattancherry known as Coonan Kurisu satyam (oath)

Interesting facts: This small church attracts hordes of believers irrespective of the caste, creed and religion. They  offer worship by lighting the candles and it is believed that every single wish gets fulfilled here. This shrine gets crowded on Fridays.

http://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Syrian-Christian-of-Kerala-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html#ixzz12ub7cosG

http://www.edmontonknanayachurch.org/knanaya.php

How to reach-  Kochi is well connected by air, road and rail. The nearest airport is Nedumbassery which is 50 Kms from Mattancherry. Ernakulam Junction is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of 10 Kms.
Cabs, autos and buses ply to Kochi . One can always board a Mattancherry bus from South bus stop in Ernakulam and get down at the last stop at Mattancherry. Jew town and Synagogue are at walkable distance.

Accommodation- For stay, excellent hotels are available in Ernakulam / Kochi.

For other religious institutions in and around Kochi check List of temples

Check my new blog Chitra's Jewel Art , my new venture.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6fSkVgC_Q8dkjMgoVh_hee2HgQ2fLWE2_FrX4

Ambalapuzha - Sree Krishna temple

Ambalapzha  Sree Krishna temple is  in Alleppey district, Kerala. It is about 16  Kms. from Alleppey, the Venice of the East which is interconnected by lot of lagoons, lakes and sea.

This temple is known  as  Dwaraka of the South  which was built by Chemagasseri Devanarayanan Thampuran  between 15-17th AD.This an important Vaishanava temple in Kerala.

The temple here has Krishna's idol in the form of  Parthasarathy which Krishna assumed during the great Mahabharata war. He has a whip in His right hand and a conch in the left .This temple is very much popular like the Guruvayur temple. Here also, the deity is worshipped as child Krishna.The temple also has a shrine  for Guruvayurappan and there is a nagathara outside the main shrine.

Legend is that, saint Vilvamangalam, an ardent  devotee of Krishna while cruising along the backwaters with the Maharajah of Travancore, heard  sweet flute music.  Swamy Vilvamangalam could see a bright glow and  a form of Balamurali Krishna ( young Krishna with flute) on a Peepul tree . Feeling the God's presence, a temple was constructed in that place.

Fascinating facts- Ottam thullal, a performing art form  was started here by the great artist Kunjan Nambiar. One can still  see his mizhavu which is preserved here in an enclosure. The make up and the costume of this art form is unique.

Thunjathu Ezhuthachan, a great poet and scholar  is believed to have penned his famous work Adyathtmika Ramanayam kilipattu here which has no parallel till date.

Ambalapuzha palpayasam is very famous (a porridge made of milk ,hand pounded rice and sugar ) and has exceptional sweetness and one can find devotees queuing up for the same.

How to reach- Alleppey is connected well with rail and road. The nearest airport is at Ernakulam

Accommodation - Good hotels are available in Ernakulam or there are many holiday resorts near Alleppey. The famous boat houses are a huge attraction for the tourists both foreign and local. One would get 5 star to economy boat houses.

Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMevOiRS5Lfe-NO3I2yYSSXRsN77asKcKkR5gML

Kasi Viswanathar Koil & Lakshmi Nararayana temple - Kalpathy, Kerala

Kalpathy is in Palakkad , the border town between Kerala and Tamilnadu. Kalpathy is synonymous with the famous car festival of Kasi Viswanathar temple.This is a 600 year old temple on the banks of Kalpathy river. A woman named Lakshmi Ammal brought a bana Linga from Kasi (Varanasi ). This event is inscribed on a pillar in front of the temple. The Rajah of Palakkad allocated the place for this temple. The Sivalingam here is very small. The Amman here is known as Vishalakshi. There are sub shrines for Kalabhairavar, Dakshinamoorthy, Murugan and Ganapathy.This temple has been renovated recently.

There is also a small temple of Lakshmi Narayana Perumal near by. The idol here is of Lord Narayana in a sitting posture  with Goddess Lakshmi  on His lap. This temple has sub shrines of Ayyapa and Anjaneya.

Interesting facts- The  Viswanathar temple is famous for the annual chariot festival which attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across the world.

The chariots are embellished with fine carvings and I have included some pictures of the same.

The temple is surrounded by agraharam(garland of houses) or row of houses which are about hundred  years old and is declared as a heritage village. click here to see the beautiful pictures of the Heritage village known as Paithraga gramam which is on my other blog. 

Many perform the last rites here on the banks of the river Kalpathy  for the departed souls of their loved ones.

How to reach-  Nearest airport is in Tamilnadu Coimbatore which is 60 Kms. away.

The nearest rail station is Palakkad where many express and mail trains stop.

Palakkad falls on NH 47 and this temple is about 5 Kms. from Palakkad town.

Accommodation- Decent hotels are available in Palakkad town itself.

Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipM5X49qeKLLGy9SBkrsU4KfouwsGq7GIgrGDkuO?key=CLaKkJ7ToODJVQ