The Temples

GaythriV · Jul 23, 2014

Beautiful thread specially the jyotirlingams - darshan at one place. Thanks for sharing.

dark_angel · Jul 27, 2014

Shakti Peethas

The shakti peethas are places consecrated to the worship of shakti or sati .This goddess Shakti, the Goddess of power is the complete incarnation of Adi shakti has three manifestation ,

Goddess durga Goddess of strength and valour
Goddess Mahakali goddess of destruction of evil
Goddess Gowri, the goddess of benevolence.

Muthuraji · Jul 30, 2014

[h=1]Madambakkam Sri Dhenupureeswarar[/h]

This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in the suburb of Chennai called Madambakkam, near Tambaram. This temple is over 1000 years old (956-973 AD), which is said to have been built during the reign of Parantaka Chola II or Sundara Chola, father of Rajaraja Chola I (who constructed Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur). The temple is believed to be rebuilt of stone during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I. Saint Arunagirinathar (15th Century A.D.), has composed a hymn on this temple.
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[h=2]History according to Shastra[/h]According to the sthala purana, there was a rishi called “Kapila” who was performing penance to Lord Shiva to attain Mukthi. He possessed a Shiva Linga for which he was performing pooja everyday. One day during his pooja, he was holding the Shiva Linga in his left hand and doing Abhishekam with milk in his right hand. He was caught with a Dhosha as he had held the idol in his left hand.This sin, resulted in his not attaining Moksha. Because of the Dhosha, he had to take another birth as a cow and live that life praying to God, in order to attain Moksha. He took birth as a cow in the village of Sitreri and was grazing near a lake in South India. One day, the master of the cow saw the cow emptying its udder of its milk on a small stone buried in the ground. He angrily hit the cow for having wasted its milk. Unable to bear the pain, the cow stamped it’s leg on the ground where it hit the buried stone. When the stone started bleeding, the man got frightened and called all the villagers who dug the ground and excavated a Shiva Linga. The master of the cow prayed to God to forgive him for his folly.

Lord Shiva appeared and said that it was his act for the sake of Kapila Rishi, who was born as the cow. Kapila Rishi also apologized to Lord Shiva for having kicked on the head of the Linga. Lord Shiva forgave him and Kapila attained Moksha.
The people then informed the king who was coming on a visit towards Sitreri. The king arranged to construct a temple for Lord Shiva there and the God was named as Sitrerinadhar and Goddess, Nampirattiyar. The place where people met the king alongside the lake is today’s Rajakizhpakkam. And the village Sitreri (means small lake) is now called as Madambakkam.
[h=2]Deity[/h]The presiding deity is called Lord Dhenupureeswarar (facing the east) and the Goddess, Dhenukambal. Unlike most temples, where the sanctum is either square or rectangle, this is apsidal in shape which is called as Gaja prishta Vimana (Shaped like an elephant’s back) in Sanskrit. This type of feature is found in few other Chola temples in and around Chennai. Even today we can see a scar on the Shiva Lingam, caused by the Cow (Kapila) while it kicked the ground because of the pain when it was beaten up by its master. Lot of contributions have been made to this temple by Vijayanagara rulers. Many sculptures in the walls of this temple, stand testimony to the subsidies given to this temple in the form of lands, livestock, jewels etc.,
Another rare feature of this temple is, it houses Lord Sarabeswarar on one of the pillars in it. Lord Sarabeswarar is another form of Lord Shiva who took this form to bring down the anger and ferociousness of Lord Narasimha. Lord Sarabeswarar took the form of Yazhi bird with human body and eagle's wings having Godess Durga and Godess Maha Prathyangira Devi in each of his wings.

Another rare feature of this temple is, it houses Lord Sarabeswarar on one of the pillars in it. Lord Sarabeswarar is another form of Lord Shiva who took this form to bring down the anger and ferociousness of Lord Narasimha. Lord Sarabeswarar took the form of Yazhi bird with human body and eagle's wings having Godess Durga and Godess Maha Prathyangira Devi in each of his wings.
[h=2]Festivals & Pooja-s[/h]Festivals like Pradhosham and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated with pomp here.
Poojas are performed here to Sri Sarabeswarar on Sundays during Rahu Kalam (4.30 to 6 PM), which attracts hundreds of devotees here.

[h=2]Location[/h]The temple is situated between Tambaram and Medawakkam near Rajakizhpakkam. There is also another rare temple nearby, housing 18 Siddhars, Sri Seshadri Swamigal and Maha Meru (Lalitha Parameshwari).

The temple now is under the control of Archeological Society of India.

Muthuraji · Jul 31, 2014

[h=3]Guduvancheri Kalyana Anjaneyar Temple[/h]

Lord Hanuman aka Anjaneya, the great devotee of Lord Rama, has always been portrayed as a staunch bachelor. However, Lord Hanuman is found along with his consort Suvarchala Devi in the Kalyana Anjaneyar temple at the Thailavaram village near Chennai, India. The temple is located well on GST high road (Chennai – Tricy route) in Thailavaram village, which is located between Guduvanchery and Maraimalai Nagar. The distance from Chennai is around 40 km and the distance from Guduvanchery to this temple is around 3 km. The temple is located next to the famous SRM Engineering College.

The Kalyana Anjaneyar temple is perhaps the only temple where Lord Hanuman is found along with his consort. The temple authorities claim that there is a reference of Hanuman’s wife in Parasura Samhita. Suvarchala is the daughter of Lord Surya (the Sun God), who was the guru of Lord Hanuman.

The temple is very small. Lord Hanuman’s idol is eight feet long and has four hands, which itself is different from the other temples. The goddess Suvarchala is found along with Hanuman only as Utsav idol (the metal idol).

This is a small temple but has an enormous bell about 32 feet high. The top portion of the bell, measures 18 feet with a flag at its mast. The 18 feet concept is said to stand for the 18 chapters of the `Bhagavad Gita.'

The bell called Ghanta Sthamba also functions as a sannidhi for Lord Rama with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana. The utsava moorthi of this Lord blesses the devotees. The moola vigraham, housed deep inside the bell and not visible to the visitor, is made of Rosewood.

At the base of the bell are four small statues of Anjaneya, with hands folded.

This bell is said to represent the great Vaishnava Acharya, Swami Desika, who according to traditional accounts was an incarnation of the bell of the Tirumala temple.
Address :
Sri Seetha Rama Sath Sangam and Sri Guru Seva Samithi Ashram,
GST Road,
Dakshina Brindaranyam,
Thailavaram -- 603 203

Muthuraji · Aug 1, 2014

[h=3]Chettipunyam Sri Yoga Hayagreevar Temple[/h]

Chettipunnyam village is three km west of Singaperumalkoil, near Chengalpattu.

It is difficult to take one's eyes off the images at this temple, not only those of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Anjaneya, but also those of Lord Devanathan, Goddess Hemabjavalli, Yoga Hayagriva, Lord Varadaraja and Andal. Though known as Devanathaswami Temple, it originally had only the Moolavar and Utsavar images of Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram. The temple's history dates back to 400 years though it could have existed even before that. The village got the name of Chettipunnyam as Chettiar weavers and dyers lived there in large numbers and they used to dry the dyed yarn and cloth in the nearby hill.

It was in 1848 that the idols of Hayagriva and Devanathan, which were worshipped in underground chambers at Thiruvahindrapuram, one of the 108 holy places near Cuddalore, were brought by Dewan Rangachar to this village to be safeguarded during alien invasion. Though not mentioned in the Azhwar's hymns, the idols, as they were brought from Thiruvahindrapuram, are considered no less holy.

Hayagriva images are generally found along with Goddess Lakshmi. But the idol at Chettipunnyam temple, though small in size, is that of Yoga Hayagriva, which is said to be a rarity.

The temple rituals are conducted according to the Vaikanasa Agama.
Address :
Sri Yoga Hayagreevar
Temple,
Chettipunniyam,
Kanchipuram District

Muthuraji · Aug 2, 2014

[h=3]Tiruporur Murugan Temple [/h]

The History of Thiruporur start with the battle of Thiruporur was fought against “Thalayaya Asuran” in ether or Air and connotes the vanquishing of "arrogance or pride". The conflict between good and evil has always fascinated mankind. The places where such battles were waged have attained historical immortality. Legend has it that Lord Muruga fought with Thaaraga in this place and slayed him. Hence the name Porur. 'Por' in Tamil means war. Stone inscriptions state the names as 'Samarapuri' and 'Yudhapuri', which are synonymous. When Lord Muruga's spear pierced the earth, water came gushing out and that is the 'Vallaiyaar odai', the holy tank. Thiruporur is an ancient little hamlet nestling around the imposing "Arulmigu Kandaswamy Thirukoil".

It was over 450 years ago, the founding guru of Thiruporur Adhinam Srimad Chidambara Swamy who was an ardent worshipper of "Madurai Meenakshi Amman" had a vision of the Goddess bidding him to build a temple for Lord Muruga at Thirupporur. This happened when the savant challenged the Goddess that he would not eat until she graced him with her vision. Many days passed and Chidambaraswamy was almost in a coma. Suddenly he could hear the anklets of the Goddess Meenakshi and when he opened his eyes slightly he got a magnificent glimpse of the divine feet.

The Goddess then raised the swamy to his feet and as her hands touched him, his skin turned golden. She told him that six earlier attempts to establish the temple had failed. Chidambaraswamy reached Thiruporur to find it was a dense forest full of palm trees. He could hardly make out where the attempts to build the temple had been made. When he had despaired of locating the site, Lord Muruga himself appeared as a small boy and gave him the vision of the sanctum sanctorum. Thereafter, Chidambaraswamy unearthed the Swayambu Moortis of Lord Muruga with his consorts and established the temple.

Those days Thiruporur was one of the hamlets under the reign of a minor Muslim ruler. When the Muslim ruler's daughter was afflicted with a form of virtigo, his minister "the dubash" suggested that the ruler seek the blessings of the nearby Chidambaraswamy as all other efforts to cure his young daughter had proved unfruitful. The Muslim ruler accepted the suggestion and prostrated, along with his daughter before Shri Chidambaraswamy. When Sri Chidambaraswamy applied the sacred ash to his daughter's body, she was cured instantly. In his unbounded happiness, the ruler gifted the entire land to the Kandaswami Adhinam and built a shrine to Devayanai in the temple. Shri Chidambaraswamy established the "Satakshra Yanthram" in the temple and pleaded to Lord Muruga to empower it.

Today people who pray in this temple are blessed with their daughter's marriage, victory in legal suits, and recuperation after long illnesses”. Northwest of the temple is a small hillock where Lord Siva as "Kailasanatha" and Parvati as "Balambiga" are present. It is believed that sage Kanva worshipped in this place, which is much more ancient than the Kandaswamy temple. The Visaka utsavam in Vaikasi month is very elaborately celebrated in this temple and the entire village partakes of the annadanam on that particular day. A fast undertaken on the "Vaikasi Visakam" is said to take one close to spiritualism.

This shrine is indeed very special for Lord Shiva as He lives along with His family in this shrine. Lord Shiva is called as Vanmeega Nathar and the Goddess is Punniyakaarani. The holy tree of this place is the Vanni tree. Pictures depicting the life of Chidambaram Swamigal can be seen in the temple. Chidambaram Swamigal was actually a very proud person. He installed two chakras, one in the sanctum sanctorum and the next on a platform in an exclusive sanctum sanctorum. Daily poojas are conducted for these chakras. And in the second one images of Vinayaka. Muruga, Valli, Devasena and various other gods have been engraved. It is believed that any prayers to this chakra will be heard. A rare vibration can be felt while we are in the sannidhi, which is believed to be due to the power of the chakra. Chidambaram Swamigal is believed to have stayed in this temple from the year 1645-1659 and involved himself in the temple activities.

This temple attracts lots of devotees during days of Visakam, Krithigai and Thiruvaathirai and on sashti. The 'Soorasamhara' festival, the day on which Lord Muruga slayed the asura Soorapadman, is celebrated with great fervor. Apart from this, the spring festival (from mid April to mid May) and the Navarathri festival (during September and October) are also celebrated with great pomp and splendor. Worshipping Kandaswami of this place is believed to be as effective as worshipping Lord Muruga in 'Aarupadai Veedu'.

This tank has never dried so far; at least no one has ever heard of it has 9 wells in it. It is so much attractive that people are tempted to have bath / swim. As it is highly slippery due to fungus on the steps of the tank, it is advised that people observe a lot more care while take bath / wash in this tank. The temple tank has a shrine of Ganga Vinayaka and brims with water.

dark_angel · Aug 3, 2014

4 Adi shakti Peethas

Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Devi Bhagavata, the Kalika Purana and the AstaShakti recognize four major Shakti Peethas (centers), like Bimala (Pada Khanda) (inside the Jagannath temple of Puri, Odisha), Tara Tarini (Sthana Khanda, Purnagiri, Breasts) (Near Berhampur, Odisha), Kamakhya Temple (Yoni khanda) (Near Guwahati, Assam) and Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) (Kolkata, West Bengal) originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga. The Astashakti and Kalika Purana says (in Sanskrit):
"Bimala Pada khandancha, Sthana khandancha Tarini (Tara Tarini), Kamakshya Yoni khandancha, Mukha khandancha Kalika (Dakshina Kalika) Anga pratyanga sanghena Vishnu Chakra Kshyta nacha"
Further explaining the importance of these four Pithas, the "Brihat Samhita" also gives the location of these Pithas as (In Sanskrit) "Rushikulya* Tatae Devi, Tarakashya Mahagiri, Tashya Srunga Stitha Tara Vasishta Rajitapara" (Rushikulya is a holy river flowing on the foot hill of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine).

The 4 Adi shakti Peethas are

1. Vimala temple , (puri , odhisa , inside temple complex jaganath puri )

2.Tara Tarini temple , (Behrampur , Odisha )

3. Kamakhya devi temple (Guwahati , Assam )

4. Kalighat temple ( Kolkata , West bengal )

dark_angel · Aug 3, 2014

The Vimala Temple or Bimala Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vimala (Bimala), located within the Jagannath Temple complex in Puri in the Indian state of Orissa. It is generally regarded as aShakti Pitha, among the holiest temples dedicated to the Hindu Goddess

The temple is located in the south-west corner of the inner enclosure of the Jagannath temple complex and on the western corner of the tower of Jagannath, next to the sacred pond Rohini kunda. The temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite. It is built in the Deula style with four components; vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), nata-mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings).

The central icon of Vimala is of sixth century CE.The present structure, based on its architecture, seems to have been built in the ninth century under the Eastern Ganga dynasty, possibly over ruins of an earlier temple. Its architecture is similar to the shrine of Narasimha near the Mukti-mandapa (a temple hall) in the Jagannath temple complex, dated to the ninth century.[SUP][1][/SUP] The Madala Panji states that the temple was constructed by Yayati Keshari, a ruler of Somavashi Dynasty of South Kosala. Kings Yayati I (c. 922–955) and Yayati II (c. 1025–1040) are known by the title Yayati Keshari. The sculptures, especially the parshvadevatas (attendant deities), as well as the background slab of the central icon, reflect the Somavashi style and may be part of the original temple, on whose ruins the new temple was constructed. Vimala is believed to have preceded even the central Jagannath shrine.
Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankara (c. 8th century) is believed to have established Govardhana matha in Puri, with Vimala as its presiding goddess. According to Starza (author of The Jagannatha Temple at Puri), the Jagannath Temple was once a centre of worship for the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, along with their consorts and the three central forms of the Hindu Goddess, Sarasvati, Lakshmi andParvati (in the form of Vimala). The Shri Vidya sect devoted to Goddess worship was strong here until the 17th century. Slowly, Shri Vidya and Shiva-centric Shaiva traditions were eroded but remnants continue, with the Vishnu-centric Vaishnavism becoming the sole tradition. The Tantric Panchamakara, which includes fish, meat, liquor, parched grain and ritual intercourse, were replaced with vegetarian offerings and dance of devdasis. Fish was caught locally and offered to the goddess. King Narasimhadeva, who ruled between 1623–47, ended the meat and fish offerings of the goddess, although the tradition was later partly revitalized. Today, the goddess is offered meat and fish on special days.

Muthuraji · Aug 4, 2014

[h=3]Kattankulathur Sri Kalatheeswarar Temple[/h]Kattangulathur is a small village on GST Road (the highway connecting Chennai and Trichy) located near Neyveli (outskirts of Chennai). The village has a small but ancient unknown temple named Kalatheeswarar temple. This temple is considered equivalent to that of Kalahasti temple and the belief is that it can cure problems caused due to snake (sarpa dosham).

The best way to reach this place is either by taxi or on your own vehicle. The other option is local train. The village is at a distance of around 48 km from Chennai. Once you enter into the Kattangulathur village from GST Road, you can reach the temple within 300 meters in a lane.

Kalatheeswar (Lord Shiva) is the main deity of the temple. The goddess is Gnanambikai. There are idols of other Gods and Goddesses such as Ganesha, Subramanya with Valli and Devasena, Bhairav, Vishnu, Durga, Chandikeshwara, Brahma, Dakshinamurthy, and others. The highlight of the temple is it doesn’t have Navagraha (nine planets). Instead, it has two idols of Raghu and Kethu alone (for those who do not know, Raghu and Kethu are two planets among Navagraha).

You should be lucky to find this temple open. The temple remains closed almost for the entire day as hardly anyone visits this temple.

Muthuraji · Aug 5, 2014

KUBERAR HISTORY

Lord Kubera is well known to every one. Very few people would beunware of his fame. By Chanting his name again and again, prosperous life willresult.Lord Kubera is the leader of "Yatchas" he is the verybest among them. Many people do not know that there is a difference between"Yatchas" and "Bhoothaganas". Rakshas of shiva aresemidivine gods and their devotees are "Bhoothaganas"."Yatchas" are there to help mankind and procure wealth.They plead with the Lord for the betterment of good people and the created tohelp devotees.Kubera is one of the "Yatchas" he was very much devotedto Shiva. He performed severe penance invoking the blessing of Shiva. Heimpressed Shiva with his immense Bhakthi and relentless efforts.
Shiva gave darshan to Kubera with Goddess Parvathi. Kubera was stunned to seethe splendor and beauty of Goddess Parvathi. He felt sorry that he had notworshipped such a fine Goddess earlier and one of his eyes winked. GoddessParvathi was angry that Kubera was seeing her with evil intention. She made hiseye burst. Kubera lost one eye sight. Lord Kubera requested siva to forgive himand pleaded that he had not seen the Goddess with any evil intention. Sivaasked Goddess to decide. Goddess Parvathi forgave Kubera and let one of theeyes grow on smaller size. So one eye of kubera is smaller than the other.Kubera was rewarded by shiva with the post of one of the Guards of eight disas.Kubera was given the post of guarding northen direction. Goddess made him theLord of wealth and materials.Kubera is the God of wealth and material but not its originator.His responsibilities is to distribute the above two things properly. Creatingwealth and distributing the same is the divine mother Goddess Lakshmi. Kuberais seen with his family in the photographs. In his hand a vessel studded withNavarathinas will be there in some photographs he is seen in blessing pose andthe Gold coins and Navarathinas are pouring down.Lord Balaji or Venkateswaraat Thirupathi is said to have Borrowed money from Kubera for his marrige and heis still paying the interest on the loan amount. Hence it would seen that lordVenkateswara will be in protection during the ashadmasa.
Kubera is the God of wealth and other worldly things. So doing Pooja to kuberawill enrich one's life. However that itself is not enough. To have a wealthyand comfortable the life one has to perform Sri Lakshmi Kubera Pooja only.There are separate Mantras and Vidhis to perform the same. They are to bestrictly followed. Pooja performed on Pournima and "Amavasaha" daysin November will give very good results.Even ordinary people can doKubera Pooja. It should be done with discipline and Sincerity.