GoTirupati

Sunday, February 14, 2016

vadakkumnathan temple history timings

As per the Legend stated in Brahmanda Purana, Parasurama who exterminated Kshatriyas for 21 times performed a Yajna to get relieved from the Sins and donated all his lands to Brahmans as a Dakshina. He requested Lord Varuna (God of Rain) to throw a piece of Land from the sea to retire and continue with his penance.

Lord Varuna gave him a winnow (surpa), which turned into a territory. Another version is that Varuna asked Parasurama to hurl the axe into the sea which turned into the territory. It was then known by Surparaka which came from the word Surpa (winnow). This is the present day Kerala as per the legends.

He then went to Mount Kailash and requested his Guru Lord Siva to make Kerala as his abode. On his disciple's request, Siva with His Consort Parvathi, Ganapathi, Subramanya and other Gana's followed his disciple and disappeared after reaching Thrissur. Parasurama saw the self-manifested Siva Linga under the huge Banyan Tree. This is the first place where Lord Siva manifested himself and this place known as Sri Mula Sthana.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Darshan Timings

Morning Hours: 4:00 am - 10:00 am

Evening Hours: 5:00 pm - 8:20 pm

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Thanjavur Big Temple History Timings

This temple was built during the reign of King Raja Raja Chola. From the inscriptions, it is known that this temple was constructed exactly 25 years and 275 days after his ascension to the throne. In the 13th century, Pandya built shrines for Goddess Varahi. Subramanya Swamy temple inside the temple complex was built in 15th Century AD

The 13 tier Vimana Gopura is of 58 mt tall. 29 mt Square base supports the octagon shaped Sikhara. This cupolic dome weighs 81 tons rests on a single block of granite, which is 7.8 mt square. The four corners of the Sikhara are ornamented by two Nandis each. The unique feature of this Vimana is that its shadow never falls on the ground. This Vimana Gopuram is considered as Dakshina Meru ( Meru Mountain of the South). Huge Siva Linga in the Vimana Gopuram is of 8.7 mt high. Lord Siva her known by Brihadeeswarar.

How to reach Brihadeeswarar Temple?

By Air

Tiruchirapalli International airport is 61 km away

By Train

Direct train is available from Chennai Central to Thanjavur.

By Road

From Chennai, Temple is 382 km away.
From Tiruchirapalli, it is is a 1-hour drive from the airport.
A direct bus is available from Chennai CMBT to Thanjavur.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Indra, God of heaven who came to The Earth to perform penance for Lord Siva, reached Kadamba forest, the present Madurai. His followers did a search in this place and found a small Siva Linga and informed Indra on the same. Indra did penance here and offered prayers to this self-manifested Linga to get out his sinful deed (Killing Brahman).

A merchant from Manavur, by name Dhananjaya, took a night halt at the temple built by Indra. Next day morning, he is surprised to see that the Siva Linga had been worshipped by the flowers. Merchant informed the Pandya King Kulasekara about the miracle. Knowing this King ordered his staff to built a temple and a town at this place.

His heir Malayadhvaja Pandya and His Wife Kanchanamala performed Putra Kameshti Yajna, while the Yajna was progressing a 3-year-old girl born out the holy fire, walked out and sat on the lap of Queen Kanchamala. The girl with eyes likes a fish had three nipples on her chest. The king and queen were upset on seeing the abnormality, a divine voice informed the King and the Queen that "raise her like a boy with all skills, the third nipple will disappear when she meets her future husband".

As advised, they named the girl "Thadhathagai" and ascended throne after her father's death. She expanded the kingdom and declared war on three worlds, conquered Satyaloka (Brahma's abode), Vaikuntam (Lord Vishnu's abode) , Amaravathi (Deva's abode) and advanced to Kailash to take on Siva. When she came face to face with Siva, her third breast vanished and in shyness bowed her head down. She realized that Siva is here destined Husband.

Another version, It was Indra who ran to Kailash seeking residence when Amaravathi was conquered. When Thadathagai reached Kailash, encountered Siva, and her third breast disappeared. Siva told her to return to Madurai and anticipate his arrival. Lord Siva arrived Madurai after 8 days and the celestial wedding took place.

Lord Vishnu, could not reach the hall in time and the marriage went on without him. On knowing this, he stopped at the banks of Vaigai and manifested himself as Kallazhagar.

Sriperumbudur Temple History

Sriperumbudur Temple is dedicated Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu here was known by Sri Adi Kesava Perumal. This Temple is located at a distance of 60 km from Chennai. This is the birth place of the holy saint Ramanuja charya. He stayed here for four months during his childhood.

Interesting things associated with temple construction. The four gigantic pillars at the entrance of the temple are designed with yali sculptures on them. At the time of temple construction, the workers were not able to lift the pillars as they so huge and they gave up. Next day morning, they are surprised to find the pillars installed at the right place. They came to a conclusion that some giants might have done this installation. Hence, this place got the name Sri Perum Budur, which means Great Town of giants.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple History

As per the Legends, there was a competition held between Lord Siva and Goddess Kali at Chidambaram with Lord Vishnu as a judge. While dancing heavily, Lord Siva's earring got detached and fell on the ground. Lord picked up the ring with one foot and fixed it at its original position. As Kali can't imitate this posture before a man, she withdrew from the competition and left angrily to the town border and stayed there. Goddess is here known by Thillai Kali Amman. Lord stayed here as a Govindarajaswamy to watch the cosmic dance of Nataraja.

This temple was built by the King Simhavarman from Chola dynasty in the 5th Century A.D. Later this temple was renovated by Pandya's and Vijayanagara Kings. There are four Temple towers facing all the four directions, East, West, North and South. Each tower is of 7 storeyed structure and is 135 feet high.