Gandhamadhana Parvata, Rameswaram

Mt. Gandhamadana is believed to be the hillock from whose summit, the Hindu god Hanuman commenced his flight to Ravana's Lanka. Kalidasa [Kumarasambhava, VI] refers to Gandhamadana, in the vicinity of the mythical city of Osadhiprastha in Himalaya Mountain, having Santanaka trees.

Nath tradition holds that Parashurama, after enacting his vengeance, sought out Dattatreya atop Mount Gandhamadana for spiritual guidance. Their conversations gave rise to Tripura-rahasya, a treatise on Advaita Vedanta. It was here the deity instructed the warrior-sage on knowledge of scripture, renunciation of worldly activities, and non-duality, thus freeing Parashurama from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Thanumalayan Temple, Kanyakumari

The Thanumalayan Temple is of importance to both Shaivaite and Vaishnavite sects of Hinduism, as the name Stanumalaya denotesTrimurtis; "Stanu" means Siva; "Mal" means Vishnu; and the "Aya" means Brahma.

The temple is an architectural achievement, known for its quality of workmanship in stone. There are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone, and which stand at 18 feet (5.5 m) in height; these are an architectural and design highlight of the temple grounds. They are in the Alankara Mandapam area, and they emit the sounds of various musical notes when struck. There are an additional 1035 pillars with carvings in the area known as the dancing hall.^[3]

There is an Anjaneya, (or Hanuman), statue which stands at 22 feet (6.7 m) and is carved of a single granite block. It is one of the tallest statues of its type in India. It is also of historical interest that this statue was buried in the temple in 1740, fearing an attack by the Tipu Sultan and was subsequently forgotten. It was rediscovered in 1930, and subsequently restored for viewing by the then Devaswom Board Commissioner Rajya Seva Praveena Sri M.K. Neelankantha Iyer of Kottarathu Mathom, Moncompu.^[4]

There is also a Nandi statue, made of mortar and lime, which is 13 feet (4.0 m) tall and 21 feet (6.4 m) long, it is one of the biggest Nandi statues in India.

The religious significance of the temple stems from the fact that the main statue of linga represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (maal) and Brahma (Ayan), (as well as giving the temple its name). The representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India. Anthropologically it may have stemmed from the fact that the main temple at Padmanabhapuram was Vaishnavite, and the Nanjil Pillais and other communities in Nagarcoil were primarily Shaivaites, because of the influences from Chola, Chera and Pandya kingdoms. One of the unique aspects of the temple is the presence of the gods across the length and breadth of the Hindu pantheon, from Rama and Krishna to Amman and kandan. The different Hindu sects from Vaishnavism, Shaivism, to more localised Tamil sects like amman, kandan are represented in the different idols of the temple.

Anasuya, the wife of Atri Maharishi was famous for her purity and devotion to her husband. She could perform miracles by sprinkling the ‘Holy water’ to bring rain to a parched earth or to transform objects to her desire. When the three Goddesses – Lakshmi, Saraswathy and Parvathy heard from Sage Naradha the powers of this earthly woman and wanted to test her chastity. The Goddess decided to ask their husbands God Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to test Anasuya’s devotion to her husband. The three God’s on request of their wives transformed themselves into three old beggars and went to the hermitage where Anasuya was living and sought alms from her. When Anasuya was about to serve them food they told her that they had taken a vow whereby they could not accept alms from a person wearing clothes. Anasuya was in a caught in a awkward situation as denying alms to old men were a sin and also she could not stand dress-less in front of three men. She then got an idea of transforming the three men into three babies, so that she could serve them the alms, she prayed and sprinkled a little ‘holy water’ on the three old beggars. They were all immediately transformed into babies and removing her clothes she offered them food. The Goddesses after learning what had happened, went to Anasuya and narrated the whole incident and pleaded her to give them back their husbands. Anasuya then prayed and restored them back to their original form. Later they understood that Anasuya’s fame as the chastest woman on earth was justified. Thus the Thrimoorthy came to be represented by the Lingam at Suchindram; the bottom represents Brahma, the middle represents Vishnu and the top Shiva.

Nellaiappar Temple, Thirunalveli

The temple of Swami Nellaiappar and Sri Kanthimathi Ambal is situated in the heart of the city. The river Tamirabharani referred to by poets as "Porunai" flows round the town. In the distant past the town was a bamboo forest; hence it was known in those days as "venuvanam". One of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and other brilliant sculptural splendours, this is one of the largest temples in South India. Siva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor. There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. A little to the south of Swami Nellaiappar Gopuram stands the Gopuram of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal temple. It was here, where composer Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar composed the carnatic song 'Sri Kanthimatheem' in Hemavathi ragam.

Sripuram Golden Temple Vellore

Home > Golden Facts The ‘Sripuram’ temple of Mahalakshmi is made of tonnes of gold gleamed and glittered on 24 August 2007 under the rays of the sun when it was unveiled by Sri Narayanieetam for consecration who is an old godman of 31 years and known as Narayani Amma. It is amongst thewonders of the world for devotees and they say that the only temple completely covered with gold is this temple. The workers from Thirupathi Thirumala Devasthanam numbered 400 and above, coppersmiths and goldsmiths have worked for about 6 years to build it with Rs 600 crore Gold for an area of 55,000 Sqft at a stretch of 100 acre in the Malaikodi city, which is at a distance of 6 km North ofTamil Nadu from Vellore. Before using Gold, the coppersmiths created a base of copper on the structure of the templemaking nine layers beaten of foils. The Mahalakshmi statue is in the sanctum sanctorum which is of stone granite and covered with the gold kavacham. Murali is a trustee of Peetam said that Sripuram is the dedication of Amma to mankind and world. He also said that Amritsar’s Golden Temple has not more Gold than the Sripuram temple.

Rameshwaram temple

The temple and the island of Rameswaram have acquired this name because, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, the God of Gods here on return from Sri Lanka. According to legend, after killing Ravana Lord Rama returned with his consort Goddess Seetha to India first stepping on the shores of Rameswaram. To expiate the "dosha" of killing a brahmin, Lord Rama wanted to offer worship to Lord Shiva. Since there was no shrine in the island had despatched Sri Hauman to Kailash to bring an idol of Lord Shiva.

Thiruaannamalai, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Shiva is known by devotees as Annamalayar or Arunachaleswarar. And this is believed to be the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva. The history of this Annamalayar temple dates back to thousand years. Mention has been made in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam, both great works in Tamil.

Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva. Unable to see the crown, Bramha saw a thazhambu flower which had decked Siva's crown falling down. He asked the flower as to the distance of Siva's crown whereby the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness.  

The thazhambu flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruaannamalai

Sree Ramar Padam, Rameswaram

Sri Ramar Padam temple, residing on a hillock in Pamban Island is incidentally the highest point on the island too. The temple houses the footprints of Lord Rama. This is the location where Hanuman allegedly met Lord Rama and conveyed his sighting of Sita at Ashokavanam in Sri Lanka.From the top of this hillock, the entire island of Rameshwaram is visible.

Nellaiappar Temple, Thirunalveli

The temple of Swami Nellaiappar and Sri Kanthimathi Ambal is situated in the heart of the city. The river Tamirabharani referred to by poets as "Porunai" flows round the town. In the distant past the town was a bamboo forest; hence it was known in those days as "venuvanam". One of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and other brilliant sculptural splendours, this is one of the largest temples in South India. Siva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor. There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. A little to the south of Swami Nellaiappar Gopuram stands the Gopuram of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal temple. It was here, where composer Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar composed the carnatic song 'Sri Kanthimatheem' in Hemavathi ragam.

Suchindrum Temple, Kanyakumari

The place got the name of Suchindrum from the Sthala Purana. Hindu mythological legend has it that king of devas, Indra got relieved of a curse at the place of the main linga in the temple. The term "Suchi" in Suchindrum is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit meaning that stands for "purify". Accordingly, Lord Indra is supposed to visit the temple for performing "Ardhajama Pooja", or worship, at midnight every day.

There is an Anjaneya, (or Hanuman), statue which stands at 22 feet (6.7 m) and is carved of a single granite block. It is one of the tallest statues of its type in India. It is also of historical interest that this statue was buried in the temple in 1740, fearing an attack by theTipu Sultan and was subsequently forgotten. It was rediscovered in 1930, and subsequently restored for viewing by the then Devaswom Board Commissioner Rajya Seva Praveena Sri M.K. Neelankantha Iyer of Kottarathu Mathom, Moncompu.[4]There is also a Nandi statue, made of mortar and lime, which is 13 feet (4.0 m) tall and 21 feet (6.4 m) long, it is one of the biggest Nandi statues in India.The religious significance of the temple stems from the fact that the main statue of linga represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (maal) and Brahma (Ayan), (as well as giving the temple its name).

The representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India. Anthropologically it may have stemmed from the fact that the main temple at Padmanabhapuram was Vaishnavite, and the Nanjil Pillais and other communities in Nagarcoil were primarily Shaivaites, because of the influences from Chola, Chera and Pandya kingdoms. One of the unique aspects of the temple is the presence of the gods across the length and breadth of the Hindu pantheon, from Rama and Krishna to Amman and kandan.

The different Hindu sects from Vaishnavism, Shaivism, to more localised Tamil sects like amman, kandan are represented in the different idols of the temple.The 10 day Car Festival celebrated in this temple during between December and January every year attracts crowds of thousands of people. Another festival known as Teppam is celebrated during between April and May every year. The Sanskrit workSucindrastalamahatmya gives a full fledged legendary account of the origin and development of this temple.

Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Temple or Pullirukkuvelur (Tamil:வைதீஸ்வரன் கோவில்) [1] is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing" and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadiastrology in Tamil. It is located 7 kilometers from Sirkazhi, 235 kilometers from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 110 km from Thanjavur and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai.The holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar, and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.[1][2]The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the nayanars).

The temple has a 5-tier gopuram (temple tower) and large precincts. The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctum. The first precinct around the sanctum has the metal image of Subramanya, worhsipped here as Muthukumara Swamy. The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya (Sun god), Jatayu, Vedas, Sampati.[4] The shrine of Thaiyalnayaki who stands with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases of the devotees is present in the second precinct facing south. The large precinct also has a small shrine to Dhanvantari and shrine of Angaraka in stone sculpture. The southern gateway from this precint leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine. The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica) which possesses medicinal properties.[4] It is located in the eastern gateway of the temple. The eastern gateway also has the shrine of Adi (original) temple that has a smaller replica of the main shrines. There is a fine metal image of Gangavisarjanar inside the temple.[4]

Arulmigu Avinashilingeshwar Thirukoil, Avinashi

This temple is located at on Erode road, Avinashi 40 kms from Coimbatore. This temple was built by 'Sundara Pandiya' in the 15th century. The Sthalapuranam states that two boys were taking bath in a tank when a crocodile swallowed one. Three years later a 'Thread ceremony' was performed to the boy who survived. Though their family was happy on the occassion, there was grief in the family of the boy who was swallowed by the crocodile. On his way to meet 'Cheramaan Peruman', Sundaramoorthy Nayanar happened to pass by Avinashi and heard the tale. Moved by this, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar composed and sang for 'Lord Shiva' to resurrect the dead child. His prayers were answered and water started flowing into the empty tank and crocodile emerged from it with a grown boy of 8 years.

The car festival is the most exciting of the festivals in this temple. This temple's car is one of the biggest in South India and is noted for its fine wooden carvings.

Dandayudapani Temple of Salem

Protesting against the decision of Lord Shiva on the Mango issue favouring Lord Ganapathi, Lord Muruga left His parents and settled in Palani.  On His way to Palani, He relaxed at this place with His peacock vahan.  Later, a devotee on his way to Palani also relaxed here when a voice said “I am here as Dandayuthapani”.  The devotee did not understand the voice and proceeded to Palani.  Lord Muruga came to him as a devotee, gave a begging bowl to this devotee and asked him to build a temple at this place.  With the money collected through the bowl, he built this temple here.  

As Lord Muruga was angry on the Mango issue, this fruit is offered as Nivedhana to Lord here.  It is also believed that the grace of Muruga had made Salem famous for mango production.  Devotees praise Lord as Mambazha Murugan.  Mango-Mambazham in Tamil.

Thiruparankundram Temple Madurai

Thiruparankundram temple is dedicated to the Lord Subramaniya. It is situated 8km south from Madurai district. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramaniya. This is cave temple, One of the sangam poet Nakkirar has sung a log poem about this Temple is called Thirumurugatrupadai. Devayanai Marriage, Thirumalai Nayak and Mangammal Sculptures are there in this temple. The most important sculputure is Lord siva with flag of Rishaba in his hand cannot be found anywhere else. The important festival in this Temple is Vaigasi visagam, which is celebrated as Lord Subramaniyar's birthday, and Surasamharam, which is celebrated in the month November or December every year.Presiding deities of the temple are Lord Muruga and Goddess Devasena.

Other deities - Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and Ganapathy - are represented as well.Entrance in the ancient cave temple leads through a row of massive square pillars ornamented with lotus-shaped medallions.Inside the cave temple there has been preserved ancient painting of Nataraja - dancing Shiva. Cave temple contains also the sculpture of presiding deity Sri Subramaniyaswamy (Muruga). Rock-cut temple contains also 41 inscriptions revealing the early history of the temple. Before the ancient rock-cut temple there is built front part - mugha mandapam.Separate entrance leads into Sani Bhagawan - another shrine in this temple. In the western side there is rock-cut chamber which houses the lingam but in the eastern side there is one more shrine with Vishnu and Durga opposite to him. Temple contains many more carvings of deities.In the south-eastern part of Kambaththadi mandapam there has been found a 30 m long tunnel.

Temple contains also two historical wooden carts which are used for ceremonial purposes in certain proccessions.

Yoga Narasimha Temple Sholingur

This Shekthram is situated in Madras-Bangalore Rail line. Fast  way  is to take brindaavan express/Tirupati express from Madras to Arakonam Junction and take Bus from  there.Bus facility is not very good from Arakonam (you can hire an auto for Rs 125/). Sholingar Railway station is 9 miles from the temple,which is far away from the temple.Don't get down at sholingur station to go to temple. One can take a direct bus from Madras to Thiruththani ( famous Murugan temple town) and from there you can get plenty of buses to sholingur.You have to take an auto from Sholingur bus stand to go to Kondapalayamwhere the both Narasimhar and Hanuman temle are situated.Thiruvallur divya desam is close to Thiruththani and if you are taking a Cab you can cover that temple also on your return to Madras. Moderate facilities are there for stay.  There  is  a big  Kalyana  Mandapam  for  organized  group  tours,  and  several  "Mess" facilities are there.Sunday,Friday are crowded days in the temple.Beware of fierceful monkeys on your way to hill top. The scenic beauty from the top of the hill is wonderful.Remeber to take a dip in the Takkan kulam. Wonderful tank with full of water for the most of the time in the year. 

 It is believed that Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar came to this palce after hiranya vatham and stayed here for "ever" in this Yoga sayanam posture. It is well kown that  Srinarasimha avathaaram took place at "Sri Ahobilam". However, since munivars requested the presence of Sri Narasimha here on an endless timescale, The LORD Narasimha chose to stay here for ever. This is also confirmed by thirumangai aazhwaar's reference to "thakkkaanai" in his paasuram presented in this article.  Among all the other avathaarams this and the "vaamana avathaaram are the most significant becuase of the fact that they both accomplished the misssion instantly.

Many of the LAkshmi Narasimha bakthaas believe that by praying to this LORD (who is an instant acccomplisher), their prayers are fulfilled instantly if not atleast an instant relief is offered without delay by this LORD.  (An analysis is presented at the end of this thala puraanam on narasimha  avathaaram and this shrine's importance as "kadigai" or instant reliver.). It is a belief that, One, would  attain Moksham simply by staying here for one Kadigai  (period  of time) ie approximately half hour in  this  shekthram.  Hence  it  is  named Thiruk kadigai. It is believed that Saint Vishvaamitrar meditated  for  one kadigai on Lord Narasimhar and obtained his title "Brimha Maharishi"  here. The Saptha Rishis and vaamathEvar came to this  place  and  and  started  penance  to  have darshan of Narasimha Avathaaram, and the Lord fulfilled their  wish  within one kadigai of penance. Hence this hill is known as Kadikaachalam. 

After Sri Raama avathaaram, aanchneYa wanted to go back to sri vaikundam, and serve the LORD there. The Lord instructed anchnEya to goto this place and protect the rishis penance from the oncoming danger. Two demons by name "kaalan and kEyan" appeared as soon as the rishis started penance and started to distrub their effort. Sri hanuman wanted an instant tool to stop it and Lord Rama offered him his changu and chakram with the help of which Hanuman killed the demons and prevented the tapas of saptha rishis and vaamathEvar .  Hanuman also had the darshan of sri Narasimha in his avathaara kOlam at the lapse of a kadigai, and along with the rishis, and accepted the order of Lord Narasimha to sit in front of HIM in the small hill  and serve as a  protector for those whoever comes to this hills seeking relief from demons or demon effects. 

It is believed that Lord Narasimha  asked Hanuman to stay here until the end of the Kali yugam and reach him after that. There is no other place AanchnEyaa has such prominance, ( a hill and temple as his OWN abode) and also with changu chakram and with four hands. Sage Durvaasa once sought the thiruth thuzhaay maalai (ie thulasi garland) of this perumal  and danced with great joy by sporting this "maalai" on his own shoulder and and sirasu. There were many saadhus present at that time  and were witnessing this event. Buthan or mercury one of the Nava grahams was also present in the form of a saadhu and he laughed at this sage's act. Sage Thurvaasa cursed him and lord budhan had to stay here in this sthalam and served all those sages who came with great pleasure to this shrine after taking bath in the paandava theerththam and got his curse (spell) cured or removed.

 On  the  way to hills Garuda Aaaroodar Varadha Raaja perumal sannithi is  there.  It is believed that Kaanchi Varadhar offered  Garuda  Vaahana  Sevai  to Maha Achaaryar known as Thottaachaaryar here. (as he was not able to goto  Kanchi that year and instead did meditate on this LORD to offer that darshn there itself).  Even to-day this event is observed in Kaanchi and simulatneously here as a "puase" is kept at the entrance of this temple during the bramotsavam and garuda sErvai such that the LORD goes to kadigai for that instant to offer sEvai to thottaach chaaryaa. Similarly "erumbiyapa" was also one of the great mahaans lived in this place and served the LORD. This place is also used to be very fertile like chola naadu and was hence called as "CHola Simha puram" which became sholinga puram later. In pattinap paalai, it is refeerred that, Cholan karikaalan peruvaLaththaan called this district as "kadigaik kOttam": when he subdivided his kingdom into 48 distritcs.

This place is also one of the 74 simhaasanam established by Sri Raamaanuja in his 74 simhhaasanaas outlining the principles of Sri vishitaahthvaitham.    Similar to Gunaseelam near Trichy, this place is also known for  relief from possessing, Billi Sooniyam, etc. People come here and do  Vratham  for many days, take bath in Thakkaan  kulam  which  is  believed  to  have  the essence of many Mooligais and climb  the  hills  every  day  to  pray  anchaneYaa and Lord Narasimhar and get their "Pini" or "Diseases" or "Theeraatha nOykaL" cured here. This place is also known for the presence of many "Siththars" similar to Thiruvannaamalai, Kollimalai, and Kutraalamalai. It is believed that the administration of this temple is under the Aatheenam  of  Sthala  aachaarya purushaals of Thottaachaaryar Clan

Tiruthani Murugan Temple

Tiruthani Murugan temple is a Hindu temple, on the hill of Thiruttani, Tamil Nadu,India, dedicated to Lord Muruga. The hill has 365 steps indicating 365 days of the year.It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, the six holy abodes of Lord Muruga. The other five are: Palani(56 km west of Dindigul), Swamimalai (5 km east of Kumbakonam), Tirupparangunram(5 km from Madurai), Pazhamudircholai (25 km north of Madurai) and Thiruchendur(165 km south of Madurai).

Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple

Arulmigu Mutharamman temple

is located in the middle road on the western side of agasthesswaram. Agastheeswaram is situated amidst ponds, lush green paddy fields, plantains and coconut grooves just 2 Km northwest of Kanniyakumari, 2 Km north east of circular fort and 17 Km north west of Nagercoil the capital