Thirunallar

Thirunallar- Legend behind the temple

Thirunallar is a small town in Karaikal, India, in the Union Territory of Pondicherry (better known in the Tamil language as Puducheri), and can be reached by road from the town of Karaikal which lies in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Thirunallar is most noted for the shrine of Lord Shani (Saturn), Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple within the temple dedicated to Lord Darbharanyeswaran, a form of Lord Shiva.

We can reach by road via Trichy - Thanjavur - Thiruvarur - Karaikal - Thirunallar or Thanjavur - Kumbakonam - Thirunallar

The Story of the Pachchai Padigam (In the Tamil language, Pachchai = evergreen, Padigam = decadal verse) Thirunallar possesses one of the greatest pieces of Tamil hymnal literature called "Pachchai Padigam". This hymn is written in praise of Lord Darbharanyeswaran. Story has it that in the 7th century C.E. (Common Era), in Madurai, the capital of the Pandian Kingdom, the king Ninraseernedumaran converted to Jainism. During this time, Jainism was spreading in influence in South India. Soon, all but his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and his minister Kulacchirai Nayanar - both staunch Saivaites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) had embraced Jainism, forsaking the old religion. This caused immense agony to the queen and the minister who were anxious to reclaim both king and kingdom back into the fold of the traditional religion (Saivism).

To these two grief stricken individuals came news of the camping of boy saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Vedaranyam. Having heard of the miracles performed by this young Saivite saint in Thanjavur district, they sent an urgent invitation to him to visit Madurai and extricate the king and his subjects from the clutches of Jainism.

The arrival of the Saivate saint irked the Jains, who are said to have then set fire to his holy dwelling. But by his yogic powers, Sambandar had the heat transferred to the king, who consequently suffered in agony. The young saint then sang the Padigam 'Mandiramavadu Neeru' and sprinkled a few grains of holy ash on the right side of the king's body to alleviate the pain. The Jains in turn chanted the Aruga Mantra (Jain Mantra) and stroked the left side of the king's person with peacock feathers, but it only aggravated the pain! In response to entreaties by the king and his ministers, Sambandar applied a few more grains of the sacred ash to the king's left side also and the poor Pandian monarch, who only a little while ago was the very picture of suffering, misery and distress, now smiled gaily and was free of his burns.

But the Jains challenged the Saivites further, asking that the Mantras of both religions be written on palm leaves and consigned to flames to see which one survived the ordeal of fire (thereby showing superiority over the other). The Jains first placed their palm leaf onto the fire but it was soon consumed by the flames. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar placed on the flames one leaf containing the forty-ninth Padigam of the Tevaram hymn which was sung at the shrine of Lord Darbharanyeswaran Shiva at Thirunallar. The leaf remained untouched by the flames and maintained its evergreen freshness, reestablishing Saivism as the true religion in Pandian capital. Hence the glory of the Thirunallar temple.

A particular story of Rabindra nath Tagore struck me as a mirror of what we value most in education today.

There was a king of mighty means who bemoaned the fact that his parrot couldn't speak.He called the Rajpandit and asked him what could be done.The pandit immediately said that a great 'yagna' must be performed.thousands of pandits were called,hundreds of thousands of measures of ghee and wood and whatever else were brought and the 'yagna' was performed.All those provid...ing the accoutrements for the 'yagna' became instantly rich,buying big properties and living happily ever after.

Once 'yagna' was done,a golden cage had to be built for the bird.So,jewellers and metal smiths came into the act and went home rich.

The parrot was caged.Now,the pandit declared that all the great literature of the world was to be transcribed on bits of paper and fed to the parrot to give it wisdom.Scribes from across the world were set to the task.Once the work was done,they were paid enough to feed their next few generations.

Meanwhile,the parrot didn't like the cage and fluttered around it.So ironmongers were called to make foot cuffs for which they received a handsome reward.But the parrot was still restless,so barbers were called to clip its wings and they too went home rich.By now the area around the palace had become like a fair ground with food-sellers,entertainers and their ilk making a fortune as people thronged to see the 'tamasha'

One day,it occurred to the king that he should inquire about the progress made by the parrot.On visiting the fair ground,he was satisfied to see that the parrot had become a crowd puller.He retired satisfied,in spite of a lone minister;s suggestion that he actually see the state of the parrot.

By now the pandits and the scribes had started feeding the poor parrot scraps of wisdom.It couldn't fly,couldn't speak.The air was so thick with people that it could not breathe.But they continued to stuffpaper into it,till the bird finally died.Undaunted,the pandits took the stuffed parrot in a grand procession to the king.Happy to see such a large gathering,the king poked the parrot to hear it speak.But nothing happened.''why pandit,the parrot still doesn't speak said the angry king.''Ah my lord '' said the pandit,''she is now so well educated that she doesn't need to speak.''And the king mighty pleased,retired to his chamber convinced that he had made one parrot speak.

The founders of our educational institutions get rich.The teachers,who give tuition classes get rich.the uniform makers,the text book wallahs,the school inspectors,the examination board inspectors all get rich.But no one bothers about the poor student who lies brain dead in the midst of it all.Imagine Tagore as a fortune teller.He wrote this over a hundred years ago.

Krishnamachari Santhanam.

Master the mind and be the Mastermind.

The mind must become the servant of the intellect, not the slave of the senses. It must discriminate and detach itself from the body. Like the ripe tamarind fruit, which becomes loose inside the shell, it must be unattached to this shell or casement which is the body. Strike a green tamarind fruit with a stone and you cause harm to the pulp inside. But do this to a ripe fruit and what happens? It is the dry rind that falls off, nothing affects the pulp or the seed. The ripe aspirant does not feel the blow of fate or fortune. It is the unripe man, who is wounded by every blow. So too, your ignorance must fall off through your own efforts. It will not come to you as a gift or miracle. Truth, Bliss and Peace that is won by your own struggle with untruth and injustice will be the lasting treasure for you. - SAI

Kedareshwar

Harishchandragad is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar region of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, and it has played a major role in guarding the surrounding region. Harishchandragad is quite ancient. Remnants of Microlithic man have been discovered here. The various Puranas (ancient scriptures) like Matsyapurana, Agipurana and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. Its origin is said to have been in 6th century, during the rule of Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era.

To visit Fascinating Spots in Harishchandragad is Saptatirtha Pushkarni, Kedareshwar Cave, Konkan Kada (Konkan cliff), Taramati peak, Caves on Harishchandragad, Nageshwar temple near Khireshwar, Temple of Harishchandreshwar.



My humble pranams to this Huge ShivLing at the Kedareshwar Cave at Harishchandragad which is a hill fort near kalyan in the Ahmednagar region of India.

It is said that when the fourth (and the only remaining) column breaks, the world will end.This is the cave of Kedareshwar, in which there is a big Shivlinga, which is totally surrounded by water.The total height from its base is five feet, and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shivlinga, as the water is ice-cold.




 There are sculptures carved out here. In monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way.

If you want to have live darshan of the Kedareshwar please watch the video link below.

Har Har Mahadev!!

Krishnamachari Santhanam.

Thirupparkadal

Thiruparkadal  has a rarest among the rare, temple in the country, where Thirumal stands on God Siva to show the world, the amalgamation of Vaishnavism with Saivism and to enlight both of them are one and the same.

Thiruparkadal village, as it was called as Karapuram in ancient time, is a scenic fertile area surrounded by greenish fields and holds two Sivan temples and two Vishnu temples with it. One of interesting factor about this village is, here Lord Vishnu lay on Adisheshan prevents the gushing Sarasvathi river from disrupts and destroy the yagha performed by Lord Brahma to seek the grace of Thirumal at Kanchi.

It is said that one Vaishnava Maharishi named Pundareegar visited Thiruparkadal to have Darshan of Sri Ranganatha swami. But he found a Siva lingam into the sanctum Sanctorum named Sree Doseswarar instead of Vishnu, by seeing this he was disappointed and returned back.

Lord Vishnu wanted to fulfill the aspiration of the Vaishnava devotee, and transformed himself as an old vaishnavite, and enquired Maharishi. Maharishi shared his disappointment with old vaishnavite. But the old man insists that it is only Thirumal Sannathi and asked the Maharishi to visit the temple once again, and accompanied the Maharishi to temple and then disappeared. Maharishi walked right into inner Sanctum of the temple and seen the Thirumal with Abhaya Mutra standing on Siva lingam. This was on Ekadasi day, and from on that day the presiding deity is called as Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal. This temple is hailed as the place to show the devotees that Siva and Hari are one and the same. Every year on Vaigunda Ekadasi day, a number of devotees visit this temple. Another vaishnavite temple called as Sri Ranganathar temple is situated at the side of the Prasanna Venkatesa perumal temple

Temple Architecture and Significance

The Rajagopuram of Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is in dilapidated state. Next to it is, Kodimaram, Pundareega Pushkarani and an altar, small mandapam and Maharishi Gopuram welcomes us. There is another mandapam in the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum which has also Shrines for Thumbikkai Azhwar, Nammalwar, Madurakavi Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, and Boothathazhar.

Inside inner sanctum, the presiding deity lord venkatesaperumal stands on Avudaiyar (Siva lingam) with Abhaya Mutra. It is a most memorable and pleasurable moment to have Darshan of Both Hari and Siva. There are carvings of Krishna Devarayar, Dhalavan Naicken, Rani Mangammal, Aranganayagam and Aranganayaki, all in praying pose.

The Sprawling temple renovated by the king of Vijayanagar. Krishna Daverayar has also shrines for Alamelu mangai thayar, Anjaneyar, Karudazhwar, Desikar, Rukmani, Sathyabhama, Thirukkachi nimbi adigal. This temple was patronized by Krishna Daverayar, and hence inside the Sactum, there is an idol of him.

Thirukkovilur

Tirukoilur chief Malayaman ruled from this place around the 13th century. Tirukoilur chiefs were friendly with the Kadavas and Magadai mandalam chiefs. Malaiyaman is related to the Cholas through marriage.

Lord Vishnu in the name Thiruvikkrama Swamy & Pushpavalli Thaayaar (Vaamana Avathaaram) temple is located in the center of the town. Town revolves around the temple. Tirukkovalur is the birth place of dravida vedam or Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham. This temple is one of the Nadu Naatu Tiruppathi temples comes under 108 Divya Desams and one among the pancha krishnaaranya kshetrams. To have a complete view of the temple one may visit the website www.thirukovalur.org. East of the town has the Sivan Temple situated on the banks of River Ponnaiyar (South Pennar River). Near to the temple, inside the river, there exists Kabilar(Saint) Kundru (tiny mountain).

The Lord is known as Ulagalanda Nathar meaning, “He measured the worlds in three steps. The Lord of the shrine is also known as Venugopalan. The presiding deity is made of wood. In no other shrine, the Lord is as tall as in Thirukovilur. Against the known tradition, the Lord holds the wheel in the left hand and the conch in the right.

Thirukovilur is one of the celebrated 108 Divyadesams and is significant in the Nadunadu region. The tower is 192 feet tall and is the third biggest in Tamilnadu. Sukra, the teacher of the demon king has a temple here.

The celebrated Nalayira Divya Prabandam (4000 songs in praise of Lord Vishnu and in praise of Sage Ramanuja) sung in praise of the Lord by the twelve Azhwars was born in this holy soil only. Poigai Azhawar, Boothathazhwar and Peyazhwar are the great devotees opening the first songs in the volume.

Krishnamachari Santhanam.

Srirangam

Srirangam, the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu, is situated in an island surrounded by the revered river Cauvery, near Tiruchirappalli. Lush green mango groves, banana gardens, Coconut groves add color to the island. Srirangam is the foremost among the eight shrines of Lord Vishnu.

It is one of the most important among the 108 pilgrim centres in the whole of India. The shrine has glorious spiritual and cultural hertitage and is held in great reverence by all Hindus, particularly the vaishnavites. The entire complex is full of architectural marvel. It draws a lot of devotees from all parts of the world. The ‘Rajagopuram’ is 236 feet high with 13 tiers and is the tallest temple tower in Asia.

Krishnamachari Santhanam