Hanumangarhi

Hanumangarhi 

Hanuman Garhi, the temple dedicated to Hanuman, is one of the important temples of Ayodhya situated in the centre on a mound visible from a long distance and is approached by seventy six step. The present temple built in 10th century, has rectangular shape with four bastions on each corner 

On the western gate of Ramkot Vikramaditya got a temple constructed which later on came to be known as Hanuman Tila and than became famous as Hanuman Garhi. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman lived here and guarded the Ramkot. This temple was built by the Nawab of Awadh with the help of Saint Abhyaramdas. Hanuman Garhi is also known for its spectacular views of the setting sun.

Lepakshi Temple

Lepakshi

When Sita was abducted by Raavan, they bumped into Jatayu, a demi-god in vulture form, who tried his best to stop Raavan. Lepakshi, in Andhra Pradesh, is said to be the place where Jatayu fell.

This was the famed Hanging Column or Pillar of Lepakshi temple, located in Anantapur district in southern Andhra Pradesh. “This is the pillar which does not rest on the ground fully,” the guide said, rising to stand beside us, and beaming triumphantly, almost as if he were the architect of this marvel. There are about 70 pillars at this fabulous 16th-century temple of stone in Vijayanagar style, but this one is the best known and a tribute to the engineering genius of ancient and medieval India’s temple builders. However, it is a bit dislodged from its original position — it is said that during the British era, a British engineer tried to move it in an unsuccessful attempt to uncover the secret of its support.

Much of the temple is built on a low, rocky hill called Kurmasailam — which translates to tortoise hill in Telugu, after the shape of the hill. The temple dates back to 1583 and was built by the brothers, Virupanna and Veeranna, who were initially in the service of the Vijayangar kings. However, Puranic lore has it that the Veerabhadra temple was built by the sage Agastya. It has idols of Ganesha, Nandi, Veerabhadra, Shiva, Bhadrakali, Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Another legend gives the town a significant place in the Ramayana — this was where the bird Jatayu fell, wounded after a futile battle against Ravana who was carrying away Sita. When Sri Rama reached the spot, he saw the bird and said compassionately, “Le Pakshi” — ‘rise, bird’ in Telugu.

Besides the Hanging Pillar, another draw is the spectacular Nandi, located almost a mile before the main temple — the first structure you will encounter. At 27ft in length and 15ft in height, it is a colossal structure, reputedly India’s biggest monolithic Nandi. Besides the record size, the perfectly proportioned body, finely-carved ornaments, and smooth contours add to its grandeur and make it a popular photo-op with visitors.

Once you reach the temple’s outer enclosure, you will see a mammoth Ganesha — hewn in stone and leaning against a rock. Perpendicular to it is a massive Naga with three coils and seven hoods. It forms a sheltering canopy over a black granite Shivalingam. It’s reckoned by many as the largest Nagalinga in India.

There are two red blotches on the western wall of the inner enclosure, explained by a gory story. Virupanna, the royal treasurer, was accused of drawing funds without the king’s permission from the state treasury to build these shrines. However, he forestalled the enraged king’s punishment by blinding himself, and those maroon spots are said to be the marks left by his bleeding eyes!

The temple’s main deity is Veerabhadra, the fiery god created by Shiva in his rage after the Daksha Yagna and the immolation of Parvathi. There are several forms of Shiva here — a majestic Kankala Murthi, Dakshinamurthi (Guru of Gurus), Tripuranthaka or Tripurasurasamhara (vanquisher of demon Tripura); Ardhanareeshwara (the half-female, half-male form, where Shiva and Parvati are equally represented in one body), etc. Another shrine has the fiery goddess Bhadrakali, though bearing an uncharacteristically serene expression.

The Lepakshi temple also has the finest specimens of mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings. We were informed that the 24 by 14 ft fresco of Veerabhadra on the ceiling before the main sanctum sanctorum is the largest in India of any single figure. The rest of the frescoes are also beautiful and show an impressive attention to detail with colours strikingly contrasted — black limework against an orange-red background with some green, white, black, and shades of ochre-gold and brown mostly applied to a stucco surface specially treated with lime. The Shiva-Parvathi kalyanam — an enduringly popular subject with traditional Indian artists — finds expression here. However, these frescoes are peeling off in many places and in need of better maintenance and expert restoration.

After the ache in the neck from gazing upwards at these alluring frescoes, we sat down for a while, rubbing our necks, in the splendid Natya Mandapam or dance hall with its superbly sculpted pillars. The Kalyana Mandapam is another hall known for its artistic beauty. Among the many eye-catchers in this temple, the frieze of geese with lotus stalks in their beaks stands out.

The Lepakshi temple is close to the famed pilgrim town of Puttaparthi, where the nearest decent accommodation is available — whether in the ashram or in the Andhra Pradesh government-run Sai Aaramam. From here, it is an hour’s drive to the temple. From Hyderabad it is about 480 km and about 130 km from Bangalore. The climate is hot for most of the year and early mornings are the best time to visit. If you have time, check out nearby Dharmavaram, the well-known silk weaving centre, and Hindupur and surrounding villages where, elegant cottons are woven

Sri Veerattaneswarar temple

Sri Veerattaneswarar temple

The temple is praised in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns of celebrated Saivite saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundar and Manicka Vasagar. “Presiding over the Vedas, clad in tiger skin Many worshipping with raised hands Surrounded by Bhooda Ganas, Mother Uma singing My Lord Veerattaneswarar on the north of Kedila River Stands majestically] dancing.”-Gnanasambandar This is the 7th Shiva temple in Nadunaadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

10 day Vasanth Utsav festival during Panguni-Chithirai Tamil months covering English March to May with Lord gracing from the Mandap; Chithirai (April-May) Sadayam star festival on Saint Appar Salvation event; 10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June with Panchamurthi procession on silver vahan; 10 day Aadi Pooram; 10 day Manickavasagar utsav in Margazhi, 1 day Margazhi Tiruvadhirai with Theerthavari etc.

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi, large in size with 16 stripes on.

The place and the temple are closely linked with the history of Saint Tirunavukkarasar. Though born to Saivite parents and brought up by his Shiva devotee sister Thilagavathy, Marul Neekiar – that was his baptism name – embraced Jainism and rose to Guruhood there with the name Dharumasenar. His sister, a staunch Shiva devotee, dedicated herself to the service of Lord Shiva by maintaining the temple, prayed to the Lord seeking her brother’s home coming to Saivism.

Lord Shiva caused a severe stomach pain to Appar. None in the Jain camp could cure him. He came to sister Thilagavathy, fell at her feet for relief. The affectionate sister took the brother to Veerattaneswarar shrine, chanted the Panchakshara-five letters-Na Ma Shi Vaa Ya – and put the sacred ash on his forehead. Appar also consumed the ash and was miraculously cured instantly of his deadly stomach pain. Out came spontaneously Appar’s first hymn called Kodhil Neediya Tirupathigam beginning with the line “Kootru Aayinavaru Vilakka hileer”. Pleased with his poetic skill, Lord Shiva honoured Appar with the title Tiru Navukku Arasar-Tirunavukkarasar meaning king of tongues.

Devotees seeking the grace of Lord Veerattaneswarar are relieved from the three basic evils glued with humans – viz. Aanavam-arrogance, Kanma, that which follows birth after birth and illusion. Devotee visiting this temple reaps the benefit of seeing the Lord in His abode Kailash. Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns. 

Lord Shiva of this temple is also praised as Sri Samharamurthi (Tirukedilavanar). It is also believed that Lord Ammai Appar is praying Himself in the sanctum sanctorum. Mother is also praised as Sri Tirupurasundari. Lord Vinayaka is worshipped as Siddhi Vinayaka.

Other Sacred springs of the temple are Shoola theertham, the well in the temple, Chakkara Theertham, a tank and River Kedila.

The immense benefit the devotee derives here is total peace of mind. Every disease will be cured by prayer, stomach related pains and ulcers in particular by applying the sacred ash and consuming it, freedom from enemies, disappearance of any curse following the family generation after generation, releasing the ancestors too from their sins ensuring total salvation are the benefits awaiting the devotee in this temple. Those seeking child boon consume the milk used in the abishek of Lord.

Devotees also pray for job opportunities, family prosperity also.

Devotees decorate the entrance of sanctum sanctorum with garlands (Nilamalai) and do traditional offers as Pottu Kattudhal, offer Mangal Sutra to Mother, perform Trishadi archana containing 300 or Sahasranama archana with 1008 names of the Lord, break coconuts, perform abishek to Lord with curd, fruit juices, green coconut, panchamirta a mixture of five ingredients, scented powders, gingely oil, sandal, rosewater sacred ash vilwa leaves etc. and abishek with conches and Kalasas. Abishek is performed to Mother with turmeric powder. Devotees offer vastras to Mother and Lord. They also feed the visiting devotees.

Indira the king of Devas, Lords Brahmma and Vishnu, Pandavas the five brothers, Saptha Rishis (seven sages), Vayu the God of Wind, Varuna the God of Rain, Yama the God of Death came to this temple in their chariots to worship Lord Veerattaneswarar. Hence, the temple is designed as Rath. Thanjavur Peria Koil (Big Temple) Vimana was designed after this temple by Rajaraja in the temple he built at Thanjavur. The temple is designed with such mathematical accuracy by the Pallavas that the shade of the temple does not fall on the ground. This is the place from where Lord Shiva destroyed the three lokas-Tripuras - simply by His boisterous laughter, without the aide of any weapon or army.

The temple has many firsts. It is here that the Lord destroyed the three great evils – arrogance, fate and illusion. Thevaram hymns were uttered first here. All Shivagama puja codes were formulated from this temple. Car festival and design of cars were drafted from this place. This is the only temple that is adored in great number of Thevaram hyms, the divine Tamil hymns of three saints-Gananasambandar, Appar and Sundarar- came to delight the devotees and taken as scriptures by later scholars from this place. The sculpture depicting the wedding of Shiva-Parvathi is behind the presiding deity. The sanctum sanctorum and the Mandap are in Rath (Ther in Tamil) shape.

10 day festival for Appar-Tirunavukkarasar is very devotionally celebrated in April-May. 10 day Vaikasi (May-June) Visakam Brahmmotsavam includes car festival and Tripura Samhara. Saint Tirunavukkarasar made his Uzhavaram, an instrument with a sharp edge fixed with a stick for removing the bushes on the way to Shiva temples in this sacred land. It is also noteworthy that the Thevaram hymns of the three saints contain more mention about Tripura Samhara episode. Lord of the temple purifies all His devotees from the three great basic evils polluting the human mind. This is also the land where Lord granted darshan to Appar in Wedding form, hence weddings are conducted in the temple.

Mother Periyanayaki shrine is in right of that of Lord. Those facing delays in wedding pray here for early good results. The devotee should bow down while wearing the vibhuti-sacred ash.

Three wicked demons, Tharukakshan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali performed severe penance on Lord Brahmma and obtained powerful boons that would keep them ever alive without death. With this boon, they began to harass the Devas and others. All of them appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva made earth His Rath, Sun and Moon the wheels, Brahmma the charioteer and the Devas His army. He made a bow of the Meru Mount, Vasuki the serpent the chord, Vishnu the bow with Agni (fire) the sharp point and mounted on the Rahth. Suddenly, the axis of the Rath broke. Immediately, prayers were offered to Lord Vinayaka for the remedy. Lord began the March

Devas accompanying the Lord thought that Lord would win the war with their help only. Realizing their pride, Shiva used no weapons on the enemies. He simply laughed at them. A fire ball came out of His laughter and reduced the demons to ashes. Realizing their folly, Devas bowed down their heads in shame. The arrogance of both the demons and the Devas were destroyed simultaneously by the Lord.

Lord pardoned two demons and made them His security guards-dwarapalakas. One became player of his Kudamuzha instrument. This is the story celebrated as Tiripura Samharam.

 

Thiru Koneshvaram

Thiru Koneshvaram

Thiru Koneshwaram, lovely located on a rock promontory of Trincomalee, was built by Rishi Agastya on the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of King Ravana. This place is unique in this respect, the Lord building a temple for his devotee as a reward for his devotion. Lord Rama is believed to have offered his prayers here, too, in order to get rid of the malediction of killing Ravana who was a Brahmin, meaning Brahmahasthi Dosham. The famous temple built here during the glorious era of the Tamil Pallava and Chola and Pandya empires, was destructed by bigoted Portuguese Christians between 1622 and 1624

Kiriteswari temple, Bangladesh

Kiriteswari temple

Ruins of original Kiriteswari Temple. It is one of the 52 Piths, as one part of “Kirit” (means Fore head) of Sati was dropped here. Beside the new temple is this the old Kiriteswari temple named as adi mandir. Kiriteswari Temple was rebuilt by Rani Bhabani of Natore ( now in Bangladesh). Kiriteswari Temple situated in kiritkona village. Devi/deities's name is Devi Vimala & Bhairav is Samvarta. The construction of the the temple is more than 1000 years old and this place was considered to be the sleeping place of Mahamaya. Local people call this temple as "Mahish Mardini" and this is the oldest mark of Architecture.

Sri Rajadi Raja Srinivasa Govinda temple

ISKCON Bangalore has initiated the construction of Sri Rajadi Raja Srinivasa Govinda temple on Vaikuntha Hill. The total built area of the temple is 70000 square feet and it is estimated that the rate per square feet is approximately Rs. 5000/- You can also be part of this glorious project by contributing towards as many square feet as possible. Visit www.iskconbangalore.org/bricksevaslist

Thanrhondrishwarar-The temple in Kokkattichcholai in Tamil Nadu,India

Kokkattichcholai

The temple in Kokkattichcholai is a so called Tamil "Thanrhondrishwarar". This means a Shiva-Lingam "self manifested deity". It is therefore a "Swayambhu-Lingam". Hindus believe this Shiva-Lingam to be more than 10,000 years old. Kokkattichalai likes to be counted as the 5th Ishwaram temple of Sri Lanka. But the real 5th Ishvaram temple was located at the southern shores of the island and destroyed be the Portuguese.