Mannargudi Thaayar OOnjal

25th January 2011:

After our trip to Srirangam we had booked our tickets from Srirangam to Chennai. Our Tickets didn't get confirmed so we decided to make a Visit to Mannargudi.

In the Evening we first went to Vaduvur Ramar Temple and then reached Mannargudi. Exactly during the time we entered the temple, the temple elephant Sengamalam was coming out of the temple.

We never knew about the Utsavam, so it was a plesant surprise for us. We had a good darshan and one cannot explain the beauty of Sri Sengamalavalli Nachiyar, The sight was a treat to our eyes. Below are the pictures that I have enjoyed.



Srirangam Kattazhagiya Singar - Utsava Vigraha Prathistai

26th January 2011:

Adiyen had the Bhagyam of participating in the Samprokshanam of Utsavar Vigraham @ Kattazhagiya SIngar Thirukoil. Here are the pictures of the Utsavam

Kattazhagiya Singar - Uthsavar Prathistai

2 days to trip to Vaishnavaite Temples around Mysore.

13-Nov-10

We took the Saturday Morning Shatabdhi Express from Chennai to Mysore. The train reached Mysore around 1.30 pm and we had already organized for a car to pick us from the Station.

Our Journey started towards Talakad, where we can have the Darshan of Sri Keerthi Narayana Swami Temple and we reached Talakad around 2.45 pm. Took bath in the Holy Cauvery and then went to the temple. Unfortunately the temple was locked and they have performed Balalayam. The priest was also not there. So we spent some time around the temple and had started our Journey towards Sathyagalam. Talakad is visited by Swami Sri Ramanujar during his stay at Karnataka.

Sathyagalam is located in a place called Shivanasamudram near Kollegal. It’s around 70 kms from Mysore. This is where Sri Vedantha Desikar stayed during the Kalabam @ Srirangam. There is a temple for Sri Varadharaja Swamy known as Kote Varadharaja Perumal. This temple was recently renovated and had Samprokashanam few months back.

One can find the Utsavar of Desikar in a standing posture. This is unique about this sthalam. It is said that he was eagerly looking towards Srirangam to return back. Kalabam is the period where Srirangam was invaded by the Mughals, So many Sri vasihnavites lost their lives during this invasion. It was Swamy Desikan who started from Srirangam with the literary works and Swamy Pillailokacharya who carried the Namperumal idol.

They were actually celebrating the Thirunakshatram of Desikar and we were fortunate to have the Darshan of Sri Parakala Mutt Jeer. The people at the temple were so friendly and had asked us to stay there overnight to be there tomorrow to see the Celebrations scheduled on the 14th’Nov’10. But our schedule didn’t allow us to do so. We started to Madhyarangam, which is few minutes away from Sathyagalam.

Madhyarangam has a nice temple for Sri Renganatha Swamy. Kaveri first spilts into two behind Sri Rangapatnam and the temple is called as Adhi Rangam, after the temple it connects before Mandhyarangam and get split into two and again it gets connected at Mookombu near Trichy and gets split into two and from there they directly join the Ocean. So Srirangaptana is called as Adhirangam, this place is called as Madhyarangam and Srirangam is known as Anthyarangam.

It was around 7.30 pm when we reached Madhyarangam and the temple was closed. We approached the priest who is staying few feet away from the temple and he was there in the temple in another 15 minutes with the thaligai . We were so blessed to have the Darshan of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. The temple has a separate sannathi for Sri Ranganayaki Thaayar, however we didn’t had an Opportunity to visit the thaayar as it was too dark and there was no power supply available.

We started back to Mysore and reached Mysore around 10 pm.

14-Nov-10

We started towards Srirangapatna @ 8 am and reached there by 8.30 am. We had bath in the Holy River and had a great Darshanam of Sri Ranganatha Swamy and from there we started towards Melkote. Immediately after you take a diversion on the mainroad towards Pandavapura, you can find the birth place of Sri Ananthalwar. The temple would be open from 10:30 am till 2 pm. This was recently constructed and is a beautiful place to spend time. It has a very calm atmosphere and has a theertham called Sri Parasarar Sri Pada Theertham. The Main deity here is Thirumalaiappan with Sri & Bhu Devi Thaayar and we have Udayavar, Madurakavi Alwar and Sri Ananthalwar here in the Sannathi.

After this we directly started towards Thondanur, which is locally known as Thonnur Kere. This is the place where Swami Ramanuja landed in Karnataka and had lived for many years. We directly went to the Great & Huge Thondanur Lake, which was built by Ramanujacharya. Had a holy dip and then started towards Sri Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple.

Narasimha Swamy temple Is said to be built by Prahaladhan and this si the place where Ramanujacharya cured the daughter of Kind Biddhi Deva from Bhramaratchasa and got converted into Vaishanvism. You can find an Olaipetti used by Ramanujacharya here in this temple. Also he is found in the form of Adishesha.

A few feets away we can see the temple of Thondanur Sri Nambi Narayana Swamy. This temple is in a very sad situation and I feel really sad every time I see this temple. They don’t even have funds for lighting the lamps. The Archakar does the Thiruvaradhanam once in a day and they offer the food made for them first to the lord.

The Moolavar here is Sri Nambi Narayana. He looks amazing with the Conch & discuss interchanged on his hands. He was said to have done Samasryanam to Thondanur Nambigal. Thondanur Nambi is one of the Great Acharya who offered Shelter to our Ramanujacharya. It’s really sad to see this place in a sad condition. There is no Thirumanjanam to Perumal & Thaayar. In most of the Karnataka Vaishnavite temples Thaayar is seen on the Left of Perumal. But here Aravinda Valli Thaayar is on the right side of Perumal.

When we come out of the temple just few feet away there is a temple for Sri Venugopala Swamy. The Moolavar is Sri Parthasarathy Swami in Iruntha Thirukolam with Rukmani & Sathyabama. Utsavar here is beautiful. Sri Venugopalan with Rukmani & Sathyabama. He is in a stage called Tribangam, which is a posture in Bharatanatya. The specialiy here is that his left legs are in the front and the right leg is behind.

After this we started towards Thirunarayanapuram alias Melkote, which is another 17 kms drive from here. We reached Melkote around 5.45 pm. When we entered the place, the incharge at the toll gate informed that the Rajamudi has arrived from the Mandya Treasury. The reason behind this trip was to attend the Rajamudi Utsavam @ Melkote and this was our final destination of our 2 days trip. So we directly went to the Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple. Had Darshan of Cheluva Narayana Swamy and then when we coming out there was a purappadu of Sampathkumarar with Udayavar. Actually they were also celebrating the final day function of Swami Pillailokacharyar. We had Darshan of the Purappadu and immediately started to the Narasimha Swamy Temple @ Melkote.

We had good Darshan and started walking down. When we reached the main temple, Satrumurai was going on. They were reciting Thiruvaimozhi. Around 9 pm this got over and we had Theertham, Satari & Prasadam.

After this we visited Sri Manavala Mamunigal Sannathi, which is outside the main temple. Had a great Darshan and came back to the main temple, within few minutes, sri Chellapillai came out on procession with the Rajamudi, which was said to be presented to the temple by the Mysore King, Krishna Raja Wodayar. After the beautiful Darshan we started back to Chennai. We had our Trains booked from Mandya to Bangalore and then we took the Shathabhi Express from Bangalore to Chennai and reached Chennai around 11 am.

This 2 day trip was memorable and it was great to visit the temples of 2 Great Acharya’s who were involved in protecting the Great Nidhi of Srivaishnavam , SRIRANGAM NAMPERUMAL & SRI PADHUKA SAHASRAM. I felt blessed during this trip.

Varahanatha Kalahalli

Last Saturday, we had plans to visit Srirangapatna and then to  Melkote. A day before that I was browsing through Pbase.com/svami for any temples that are on the way. I was impressed by the Idol that was there on the Website and wanted to visit the temple. Immediately I took the number that was available from the website and called the priest. He gave a rough sketch of the route and asked me to call him when I start from Srirangapanta.

We started to Srirangapatna as per the plan on Saturday Morning/ Had Darshan of Sriranganatha Swamy, who was dressed in Raja Alangaram. Then we started to Kalahalli. The route was difficult as our driver often kept forgetting the name of the place. From Srirangapatna, we need to take  a road towards to Pandavapura.  The road would split into two, one towards Melkote on the right and we need to take the road towards left and should reach a place called Chinkulli and then should reach Bukinkere Village. From there it's just 3 kms away.

Anyways we can ask the local people for help. Better ask the route for Bukinkere from Pandavapura. We took almost an hour and a half, as a driver was not sure about the way and also the roads are not so great. We reached the place around 11.30 am. No one was there and the surroundings were beautiful. I learnt that the temple is around 2500 years old and the Salagrama Shila is the Aradhana god of Kanva Maharishi. We had called the priest Vijayakumar Bhattar as soon as we reached. He had asked us to take a dip in the river behind and told it's a triveni sangamam of River Kaveri, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Theertha.

More information can be found on the following link. ( Which helped me a lot of times to explore temples in Karnataka)

http://vishnutemplesofkarnataka.info/Mysore/Kalhalli.htm

Also note that the temple is now being renovated and balalayam has been performed, The archakar does the rituals with utmost care and this can be observed when you are there

மன்னார்குடி சம்ப்ரோக்ஷணம்



22nd August'2010: This is an important date in my lifetime. This is when I had been part of the samprokshanam festival in my lifetime. I never imagined in mylife that I will be so closely associated with the Rajagopala Swamy Temple and his beauty. But Anybody who visits him will never forget about him. For me staying away from him is a painful thing. If I don't get to see him in a month, it will create a guilty feeling within me.

Me & my Friend started from Chennai on the 20th Night. We reached Kumbakonam around 7 am in the morning of 21st. It was raining very badly and we reached Mannargudi around 8.30 am. Even at Mannargudi, it was raining heavily, we were afraid that this rain shouldn't be a problem for the festival in the temple. So we got ready by 9.30 am and went to the temple. Directly went to the Yagasalai and was blessed to have darshan of Sengamalavalli Thayar and Sri Rajagopala Swamy.  I am not sure If I am the right person to explain  the beauty of the Divya Thampathi's.

Hemambhja Nayaki - Sri Sengamala Thaayar

We had a good darshan of the Divine Parents and enjoyed the festivity around the area. The entire place was filled with joy. The rain was pouring heavily by now.  We also had an opprtunity to see great personalities like Sri M.A. Venkata Krishnan Swamy and Sri Velukuddi Swamy. I was blessed to have the Darshan of the Divya Thampathi's along with Velukkudi Swamy. After that me and my friend and had a plan of visiting Sri Ranga, Pavitrotsavam was going on and today was the famous "பூச்சாண்டி சேவை".Periya Perumal will be completly covered with Pavithrams. So we went out to have breakfast at Mannargudi and then returned back to the temple again.

Sri Velukudi Swamy was delivering a Course on Rajagopala Swamy. You need not explain the beauty of his speech. That too he is talking about the most Handsome person in the world. I never wanted to move out of the temple, but Periya Perumal was calling us. So we had to leave Mannargudi.

We reached Trichy around 2 pm and got into the temple. There was a Huge Crowd and we somehow managed to have his Darshan by getting Rs.250 ticket. We qucikly started back to Mannargudi and reached the temple again around 10 pm. Had Ekantha Darshanam of Sri Paravasudevar and returned back to our place. Since we had been to Srirangam, we didn't get the pass for entering the Terrace of the temple. We tried our best, but nothing worked out for us. I felt really sad that I won't be able to fulfill the purpose of the visit.

The next morning we started ar 6.20 am. Near the Uadayavar Sannathi, there was a stair case set up for reaching the terrace. We had requested the policeman over there to allow us to take some snaps of the Gopurams & Vimanams. He allowed us to go upstairs. This is the moment we were waiting for and we never came down from there.

We were standing at the Rohini Mandapam and were very close to the Moolasthana Vimanam. We had a complete Glimpse of the entire temple and enjoyed the Samprokshanam.  Also Garuda Bhagavan was there Since 6.45 am till 10.45 am to Witness the happenings and it was an unbelievable scene to watch both of them around the Moolasthana Vimanam during Samprokshanam of the Vimanam.

It was Rajagopala Swamy's Grace, that we were able to be there close to the moolasthanam and watch the happenings. More pictures on the samprokshanam can be viewed at my picasa webalbum. Pls find the link for the same.

https://picasaweb.google.com/kasankar13

அஹோபிலம் நவநரசிம்ம தரிசனம்

Ahobilam:

Srimad Ahobila Mahaa Kshetra Nivaasaaya Mahaatmane

Ahankaara Vinaasaaya Aadidevaaya Mangalam

Aho Viryam Aho Shouryam Aho Bahu Parakramaha

Narasimham Param Daivam Ahobalam Ahobalam

Jwala Ahobila Maalola Kroda Karanja Bhargavah

Yogananda Chatravata Pavanah Nava Moortayah

This was another long awaited trip of mine, I couldn't make it because I was not sure about the route and a proper company for the trip. I have always heard about the difficulties involved in the trip and somehow was too scared to make a trip. Also I wasn't that confident about making this trip. On one of the weekend me and another friend of mine were discussing about visiting Ahobilam. Immediately we prepared our itinerary and booked our tickets.

We started our journey on the 24th of July'10. We took the Chennai Express, got down at Cuddapah Station. From there we took an auto to reach the Bus stand and had our Lunch at Cuddapah itself. It was a rainy day at Cuddapah and we expected the same at Ahobilam. From Cuddapah we got into the bus going to Allagada and the journey was a little long. It took about 2 hours for us to reach Allagada. It was again raining there and we went to an ATM to pickup cash as there are no ATMS available at Ahobilam. We were informed by the locals that the last bus to Ahobilam had already left and we have to hire an auto. We had no options and went to a roadside shop and were having Tender Coconut. To our Surprise the bus to Ahobilam stopped near the shop. We got into the bus and reached lower ahobilam around 4.30 pm.

Before our trip I had called the Manager of the Ahobila Mutt. His name is Badri.Unfortunately the moment we reached Ahobilam, it started raining heaviliy and there crowd was huge. He informed us to wait as there are no rooms available. Within 30 minutes of time he had arranged a room for us with a nominal rent. also arranged for a Guide and a Share Auto.

We quickly checked into the room, took bath were ready by 6 pm for the Visit. In 30 minutes time we covered Chatravada Narasimhar Temple and Yogananda Narasimhar Temple. It had stopped raining by then. Then we came down to visit Bhargava Narasimhar Temple. A surprise ride was waiting for us. There was no proper route to the temple. The entire road was muddy and full of water. It reminded me of my trip to Malaimel Nambi Temple at Thirukurungudi. It was even more thrilling than that trip. There was no one on the way to temple. We saw another family returning back from the temple and they had hired a Jeep. The Share Auto was stopped at a point and we had to walk for about 5 minutes from there to reach the Bhargava Narasimhar Sannathi. We had to climb about 50 steps and there is a Theertham named Bhargava Theertham next to the Steps. Lord Parasurama is said to have done penance here at this Kshetra. Hence he is called Bhargava Narasimhar and the Theertham is called as Bhargava Theertham.

Chatravada Narasimhar is seen in seated posture and is seen laughing and playing Athithala to the dance of two gandharva's. Yogananda Narasimhar is seen in meditating posture with the Yogapattam tied on his legs.
On the way back from Bhargava Narasimha temple, the Auto's headlight didn't work. It has again started raining and it was pitch dark. Once the auto got stuck on the road and myself and the guide had to get down to push the auto.

Later we saw another auto coming on the way and actually it has come in search of us. Immediately within few seconds the Auto got stuck in a muddy place and the soil was so lose as we could see frogs and other insects in the route. The folks who came in the second auto helped us move out of the place.

We reached the Ahobila Mutt and had nice chappathi's. There is a person who brings food to the mutt. The food was delicious and we enjoyed eating it. Later we went to the Prahalada Varadan Temple at the Lower Ahobilam. It was time for Evening Satrumurai. We had Theertha, Panakam and Satari. Had a Very Good Darshan of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Thaayar at a Seperate Sannathi. We reached our room and had a good sleep. The Guide had instructed us to be ready by 6 am and wanted us to come to mutt.
We were ready by 6 am. Our Guide was waiting for us in the mutt. We took a local bus from Lower Ahobilam to upper Ahobilam. We reached Upper Ahobilam by 6.30 am and we started our walk towards Pavana Narasimha Temple. It took us 2 hours to reach the temple. We had to start from Ahobila Narasimha Temple and initially have to Climb a steep steps. Had to climb around 1000 steps and the walk from there was interesting and was less difficult compared to the climb. During the climb we could see the Malola Narasima temple and Kroda Narasimha Temple. After having Darshan of Pavana Narasimha we came back to Ahobila Narasimha Swamy Temple around 10.30 am. After Darshan, we had our breakfast at Ahobila Narasimha Swamy madapalli. It was tasting like amrutham for us after the hectic journey to Pavana Narasimha Swamy temple. We took rest for a while and by 11:15 am we again started our trek. From Ahobila Narasima temple we can reach Kroda Narasimha Swamy temple in 10 minutes and Malola Narasimha Swamy temple is another 20 minutes walk from there. But our Guide took us to Jwala Narasimha Swamy temple through a beautiful and thrilling route. This trek till the steps to Jwala Narasimha Swamy temple seem to be easy and after one point we have climb steps. We had around600-700 steps. While climbing the stairs I asked one of the person about the temple. He poined out the middle of the hills which was seen in the opposite side and informed that is the sannathi of Jwala Narasimhar. I lost my hopes of visiting Jwala Narasimha Swamy. But we saw elderly people making it happen. I gathered some courage and energy and started walking towards the Jwala Narasimha temple. When we get closer to the temple, the route becomes narrower and we had to go beneath the waterfall to reach the temple. This is the place, where the river papanasini raises.
I had no hopes of returning back and was so damn scared to comeback. Our Guide informed us that we don't go to Ugrasthambam as it was raining. We saw one of the priest at Jwala Narasimhar Sannathi for performing Thiruvaradhanam. It was great, those priests at Ahobilam are self less and we should really appreciate the fact that they come here every day for performing Thiruvaradhanam to perumal. We saw arathi and left the Jwala Narasimhar Sannathi. On the way back we saw few people coming back from Ugrasthambam and they informed us that it just takes 45 minutes to go there and it's very easy. I was tired and had no hopes, so I informed my friends that I am not coming, But they wanted to give it a try. So I informed them that I would be waiting down for them Our Guide didn't join us for the Jwala Narasimhar Sannathi. So I went down carefully and was sitting with him. He informed that it would take minimum of 3 hours for them to comedown. It was boring and I was tired and lost patience. To my surprise within 20 minutes the other two came down and they were also scared to go to Ugrasthambam.

From there we went to Malola Narasimhar Sannathi. Had darshan of the perumal and completed visiting 8 Narasimhar and we started walking down to Ahobila Narsimhar's Sannathi. The feeling was great when we reached the Ahobila Narasimhar Sannathi. We had lunch in one of the Mutt there and the food was great and helped us fulfil our hunger. We then started to Karanja Narasimhar Sannthi on the way to the Lower Ahobilam.

We reached Lower Ahobilam, took rest for an hour and then started our Journey back to Cuddapah to catch our train back to chennai.

Overall this was an Enthralling experience for us.I couldn't believe myself completing this Yatra within 2 days..This was only possible because of the blessings of Narasimha Swamy.

Visit to Thirukostiyur

On the 24th of May'2010, I had an opportunity to visit Thirukostiyur. I had been to Ponamaravathi, which is part of Pudukkotai District for a Wedding. I immediately thought of going to Thirumeyyam or Thirukostiyur. I wasn't sure as which one I would be visiting. I was suppose to go to Karaikudi to visit one of my friends place. I got down at Karaikudi and tried calling him and his phone was switched off. Then I took a Bus to tirupattur and checked in a lodge. Took bath and got ready around 6.30 am. When inquired they informed that Thirukostiyur is very close by, so I took an Auto and reached Thirukosityur by 7 am. Unfortunately the temple wasn't open. I just visited the temple from outside and started back to Tirupattur. Waited for my friend and he picked me up for our trip to the Wedding.

Once the function was over, we started our trip to Thirukostiyur and it was around 11:30 am when we started off. We reached the temple exactly around 12 pm. There wasn't much crowd and we had a good darshan. This is the 70th Divya Desam I am visiting and that too on a Ekadasi Day. First we saw Sowmya Narayanan. It was a pleasant experience and they asked us to rush to the Thaayar temple as they were about to close the temple. Also since it was Ekadasi, they were performing Ekantha Thirumanjanam to Utsavar. After having the darshan of Thaayar, we went to the Astanga Vimanam. It was a pleasant experience.  Once we were back to the Thaayar sannathi , i remembered about the Kaarya Sitthi Vilaaku prarthanai at Thirukostiyur. I was lucky to see the moolavar again after the Thirumanjanam. Was fortunate to have the Ekantha Darshanam of him.

Also got prasadam's from the Bhattar.

Quick Facts:

Moolavar: Uraga Mellanayaan

Thaayar: Thirumagal Natchiyar

Utsavar: Sowmya Narayanan, Madhavan

Prathyaksham to Kadambha Maharishi and Indiran

Vimanam is Astanga Vimanam

Pushkarani : Deva Pushkarani & Thiruparkadal

On the Ground Floor, we can have the Darshanam of Sri Krishna in dancing posture along with Rukmani & Sathyabama Thaayars. On the First floor is our Sowmya Narayana Perumal on the Sleeping Posture. The Second Floor you would see Upendra Narayanan in Standing Posture and on the last floor we can have the darshanam of Paramapadha Nathan with Thaayars.

Also just after the Dwajasthambam, we could see a separate sannathi for Lord Shiva and towards the left of the main entrance we have separate shrines for Sri Ramanuja Acharya and Sri Kosti Purnar , Thirukostiyur Nambigal. This is the place our Udayavar was named as Emperumanar. I felt so blessed after seeing the lord here.

I am more attracted towards to our god in sleeping posture. He is just awesome and no one explain his beauty.