Chowalloor Siva Kshethra, Kerala
The ancient Chowalloor Siva Kshethra or Mahadeva Temple, as it is
called is famed to be over centuries old. Located `approximately three
kilometers towards east from the world famous pilgrims paradise
Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is yet another significant pilgrim centre
for saints and God seekers alike. Considered to be one of the oldest 108
sivalayas consecrated by Lord
Parasurama, the fascinating legends linked to the Chowalloor Siva Temple
bear testimony to the ancestry and age of this Temple.
History
Lord Siva, the deity of Thrissur Sree Vadakunnatha Temple is said to
have manifested himself on an umbrella carried by one of his beloved
devotees, a pious old Namboothiri from Chowalloor Mazhavannoor Mana
(Illam of Namboothiri), who used to walk all the way to Thrissur to have
daily Darshan of the Lord. When his devotee become too old to walk and
worship him regularly, the Lord is said to have accompanied him to his
native home in Chowalloor. Later a temple was constructed at the very
place where the Lord appeared to his devotee.
Unique Features
The devotees have the good fortune to worship Siva family a rare
phenomenon (Lord Siva, Sree Parvathy, Sree Ganesh, Sree Subrahmanian
(Murukan), Sree Ayyappa and Sree Anjaneya) Which is not seen else where
in kerala. (if not in too many Temples in Kerala).
In the TWO
TIERED round Sreekovil or Sanctum Sanctorum, the Swayambhoo idol of lord
Siva is seen facing west and that of his consort Sreeparvathy facing
east affectionately showering blessings in all directions. The
Sapthamathrukkal, precious black stone idols symbolizing the seven
divine Mothers are also worshipped in the Temple in the form of Bimbas
made of Krishnasila, yet another rare phenomenon.
Sri Ambe Ma temple
The antiquity of the temple dates back to more than 5,000 years. The
tonsuring ceremony for Lord Krishna when He was a three year child in
Gokhula was celebrated in this temple by Nandagopa and Yasodha. Since
then, only male children’s tonsuring ceremony is observed by parents in
this temple. It is not followed for the aged and female children. The
belief is that the male child would
enjoy a prosperous life filled with wisdom as Lord Krishna if this
ceremony for male children is celebrated the next day of its birth day.
Sri Ambe Ma Ambica temple, Ambaji, Gujarat state.
In front of the Ambica shrine, in a pit-like place there are idols of
Nageswarar, Hanuman, Nagarajar. We can do the abishek and flower pujas
ourselves directly.
The hundi is 10 feet long made of copper.
It is not vertical as in our temples. Contributions are put in. Kumkum
and Laddu are offered as Prasad. Lord Someswarar temple is within 8 km
around this temple. Old Ambaji temple is in Kappar Mountain 4 km from
here. There is rope car facility to this 900 step temple. Only the feet
of Ambica and a lamp are in the temple. Idols made of marbles are
available for sale.
Devotees pray in the faith that male
children would be wise and prosperous as Lord Krishna, if they tonsured
the next day of their birth day
This is altogether a different
Ambica Temple where only a Yantra is placed on a Lion Vahan which is
fixed in marble plate decorated with jewels as Ambica. This is called
Vishayantra, with an Ambica appearance.
This is also called
Sri Yantra. As Sri represents wealth, it is believed that worshipping
this Yantra would bless the devotee with prosperity. This is made of
gold and placed on a tortoise vahan. There are 51 letters on the
Yantra. Devotees are not allowed to go close to the yantra for darshan
as the devotee cannot bear its power. Hence, a bandage cloth is tied
around the eyes of those wishing to go close.
The shrine is
small in size. The mandap and the prakara are made of marbles
aesthetically. Peepal tree-Arasamaram is the sacred tree of the temple.
They call the Mother Ambe Ma and Chachar Chowkvali. The Kalas on the
103 feet tall tower weighs 3 tonnes – 3000 kilo and is covered by gold.
The antiquity of the temple dates back to more than 3000 years. It is
said that Lord Krishna’s tonsuring ceremony was celebrated in this
temple when He was three years old and playing in Gokhulam. Nandagopa
and Yasodha took him to this temple then for the purpose. Hence, only
male children alone are tonsured in the temple and not female children
and the aged.
Vinayaka worship is very popular in north. Lord
Vinayaka graces in the shrine with His consorts Siddhi and Buddhi and
sons Shub and Laab and with their sons Kushal and Sam (Vinayaka’s
grandsons). The red Sendhura mixed with oil is applied on Vinayaka
according to northern tradition.
Demon Mahishasura had the
boon from Agnideva that he could not be destroyed by any weapon. Proud
of his boon, he rounded up Indraloka and his greed drove him to capture
Vaikunda and Kailash. Because of his strong boon, even Shiva and
Narayana could not kill him. They sought the help of Mother Bhagavathi
who would destroy any one misusing the boon power. Mother Bhagavathi
destroyed the demon, stayed in this place and is blessing the devotees.
According to another story, Sri Rama and Lakshmana met Sage Srungi and
sought his guidance to reach Lanka to rescue Mother Sita. He advised
the princes to worship Ambaji Ambe Ma for guidance. Ambika blessed them
with a weapon (astra in Sanskrit) called Ajai to conquer Ravana and
rescue Sita.
Sri Veeratteswar temple
Moolavar : Veeratteswar, Kruthivasar
Amman / Thayar : Iangilai Nayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
Historical Name : Tharuka Vanam
City : Thiruvaluvoor, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Of the Atta Veera
sthalas, this temple is the sixth in the rank. This is the only Shiva
temple where devotees can have the Feet Darshan of Lord.
There
are five wells in the holy spring-theerthas of the temple known as
Pancha Mukha wells. In his celebrated hymns, Saint Tirugnana Sambandar
had made special mention about this temple. Lord Vinayaka of the temple
is praised as Selva Vinayaka.
Majority of the devotees seek
wedding and child boons from the Lord. People use to bathe in the holy
spring in Lord’s shrine on new moon days and pray for removal of evil
effects on their children. Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is the special Lord
of the temple. A Yantra is installed behind this shrine where people
pray for total release from spells and witchcrafts and other such evil
magic. People praying to presiding deity Kruthivasar are blessed with
mental peace. People also pray for employment, progress in trade and
profession, promotions also.
Devotees perform archanas to Lord
after having a bath in the holy spring on new moon day-Amavasya. Those
seeking wedding boon offer Kalyana Malai with conch and Kalasa abisheks.
They also cover Lord with sandal paste. Abisheks are offered in rice
flour, turmeric, cosmetic powder, oil, milk, curd, green coconut,
panchamirtha, lime fruit juice, honey and sandal mixtures. Some devotees
arrange Annadhana-feeding, distribute nivedhana offered to Lord to
other devotees and perform usual abishek and aaradhanas.
Lord
Gaja Samhara Murthi is praised as the Special Lord of the temple. The
idol-sculpture is so realistic showing the tearing of the elephant
(Gaja) keeping His feet on its head and wearing its skin. The idol is
huge in size. Mother Uma is holding Her child Lord Muruga in fear.
Lord Muruga as a child points His finger on Lord.
Pancha
Brahmma Thertham (spring) is in between the Lord and Nandhi. People
bathe here for child boon. Saraswathi Theertham blesses the devotees
with wisdom and high education. Yantra Pratishta is behind Lord Gaja
Samhara Murthi as the Rahasya Pratishta in Chidambaram. Samahara Murthi
graces from the Gnana Sabha-Court of Wisdom. The feet darshan of Lord
Shiva is available to devotees in this temple only.
Sani
Bhagwan in the temple appears fighting with King Vikrama Raja. Defeated
by Sani, the king fell in the theertha the holy spring. Bathing in the
spring, the king worshipped Lord for relief. Sani Bhagwan sought the
pardon of Lord. His leg got damaged. There is a separate shrine for
Sani in the temple holding a bow.
The structure of the temple
is different here. It begins from Nandhi followed by a tank, then the
sanctum sanctorum. Of the nine dances of Lord Shiva, Gaja Samhara dance
is praised as Oordhva Thandava.
48,000 sages had performed
penance in this place gaining wisdom. Of the Theerthas in the temple,
the one before Lord’s shrine known as Patala Ganga or Eesana Theertham
is praised as the most sacred in the temple.
As the place
eluded (Vazhuvudhal in Tamil) destruction by pralaya floods, the place
is called Vazhuvur. The name in scriptures is Tharuka Vanam.
The sages in the Tharukavanam grew proud that no divine grace was
required as every thing they get came from their penance and own power.
Their wives too shared their opinion. To teach them a lesson and erase
their pride, Lord Shiva came there as a Bikshadana the beggar and Lord
Vishnu as an enticing woman. The sages lost themselves at the sight of
the Mohini and their wives on Lord Shiva’s handsomeness. Lord Vishnu
and Lord Shiva created Aiyanar and disappeared. Realizing that they
were cheated, they performed a yajna and brought out Fire, tiger, deer,
axe snakes, demon Muyalaga to attack Lord Shiva. Failed in their
attempts, they finally created a wild elephant to kill Him. Lord
Bikshadana entered into the belly of the elephant. The world became
dark. Mother held Lord Muruga in fear. Lord churned the belly of the
elephant which cried aloud unable to bear the pain. He came out dancing
tearing its belly. The sages fell at the feet of Lord and sought His
pardon. As Lord Shiva killed the Gaja-elephant, He is praised as Gaja
Samhara Murthi.
Parvathamalai and Temple
Parvathamalai is located near Thenmadimangalam Village, 20 kms from
Polur. It is part of Javadhi Hills and accessible through Kadaladi
village 25 kms north of Tiruvannamalai or through Thenmadimangalam.
Parvatham means mountain and Parvatha Malai as it is called, connotes
“Hill of Hills” or “Queen of Hills”. Parvathamalai presents eight
different shapes from eight directions around the hill.
At the summit of the Hill is the Mouna Guruswamy Ashram and more
importantly a very powerful Temple at which resides the Siva aspect in
the form of Lord Mallikarjuna (i.e. White Jasmine) and the Sakthi aspect
in the form of Parvatha Rani or Parvathammal. Parvathammal is also
called Lordess Brahmarambika (and Maragathambika). Inside the sanctum
sanctorum there are also deities dedicated to Sri Ganesha and Lord
Murugan.
A Temple at this site is believed to have existed for
the last 2000 years although it is not known exactly when the current
Temple was constructed at the top of Parvathamalai. However a record
(Malai Padu Kadaam) shows that King Maa Mannan who was ruling that area,
during the year 300 A.D used to visit a Temple (at this site)
frequently and worship Lord Shiva and the Goddess. It is said that 2000
years ago great yogis (Siddhas) constructed a Temple at the top of the
hill for doing meditation.
Reaching the top of Parvathamalai is
an arduous task. It is a vertical mountain over 4,000 feet in height
that has iron rod steps, track steps, ladder steps, and sky steps
(agayapadi) not found at other such sacred mountains. The Kadapaarai
Padhai section of the climb up the Hill is considered to be the toughest
part of the trek. This part which is punctuated by iron rods drilled
into the rocks and chains to assist during the sharp ascent is also only
wide enough to accommodate one-way traffic. Thus one has to raise one’s
voice voice from the bottom of this section and wait for
acknowledgement from the other end before starting to climb the
Kadapaarai Padhai section.
One of the legends associated with
Parvathamalai states that when Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevini hill to
revive Laxman a piece of Sanjeevenimalai fell at this spot. For this
reason this particular area is famous for various herbs and shrubs which
can cure the deadliest diseases. It is not just herbs that can cure
disease but it is thought that the breeze alone from the Hill wafting
through the plants and shrubbery is enough to help cure illnesses.
There is a legend at Parvathamalai associated with the two saints Guru
Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayam—who were to later reside on caves on
Arunachala Hill. However when Guru Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayam
stayed on Parvathamalai, they accidentally cooked and ate an unknown
herbal leaf (known as ‘Karunochi – Siddha Medicine’) and regained their
youth forever.
Another legend associated with this sacred site
recounts that when Lord Siva returned from the Himalayas to South India,
He stepped on Parvathamalai on His way to Arunachala.
The
history of Parvathamalai is interconnected with that of the famed Sri
Mallikarjunar Temple at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. The encompassing
legend goes so:
“Sage Siladha performed severe penance on Lord
Shiva seeking a boon to have children. Two sons were born to him, Nandhi
and Parvathan. Sanakadhi Rishi called on the sage and said that Nandhi
would live on earth only for a short while. As a result of this prophecy
Siladha fell into grief. Nandhi assured his father by saying that he
would win over death by his penance on Lord Shiva.
Pleased with
Nandhi’s penance, Lord Shiva appeared and made the young child His
vahana (vehicle) and passed the order that devotees should come to Him
only after being allowed by Nandhi. Nandhi’s place of penance at the
foot of the hills at Sri Mallikarjunar Temple at Srisailam is also known
as “Nandiyal”. His brother Parvathan also performed penance on Lord
Siva and became the hill – Parvatha Hill – i.e. Parvathamalai”.
This sacred place as it is under 30 kms from Arunachala is also infused
with Arunachala’s radiating spiritual power. Sri Sankaracharya of
Kanchipuram saw the hill in the shape of a Siva Lingam. Increasingly as
the fame of Parvathamalai spreads, many devotees and pilgrims visit and
climb the hill to worship at the Temple on the summit in order that they
may attain bliss and enlightenment. One of the unique features of the
Temple on Parvathamalai is that all may enter the inner shrine (sanctum
sanctorum) in order to perform their own puja to Lord Shiva, His
Goddess, Sri Ganesha and Lord Murugan. The busiest times at
Parvathamalai are the days of full moon, no moon and new moon.
It is reputed that there are Siddhars who have made this Hill their home
and who keep their presence a secret only choosing to reveal themselves
to few devotees of the Divine. It is believed that these Siddhars visit
the Temple on the top of Parvathamalai at midnight to worship the
presiding deities there. Though no one can or have seen them in physical
bodies, Villagers around ‘Parvathamalai’ down below say that they can
clearly hear the sound of ringing bells, blowing conch and beating drums
exactly at midnight when pujas are performed by siddhars. Devas and
spiritual beings from other lokas are also believed to worship on the
Hill every night.
"Siddhars have spoken volumes about Pancha
Nathana Nataraja. They say that this deity is such a rarity in the
Universe that even the Devas would give anything just for the chance of
worshipping him. They say that on the Nataraja Abisheka days which occur
in certain Tamil months (Chitra, Aani, Aavani, Purattaasi, Margazhi and
Maasi), the Devas perform their worship to this deity in subtle form.
This kind of worship is similar to the sookshma worship done by the
Devas at the peak of the Arunachala Hill and on the Parvathamalai Hill."
It is reported by visitors that at night many paranormal activities
occur on Parvathamalai. That it is possible to experience both Jyoti
Darsanam at night and also to imbibe an almost other-worldly
intoxicating scent of flowers. The Goddess idol at the Temple has a
dazzling smile and Divine light can often be seen on her face and
cheeks. When the devotee walks away from Goddess Brahmarambika in the
sanctum sanctorum, the size of the deity instead of diminishing, appears
to increase in size and it seems as if the Goddess steps forward and
approaches the devotee.
This place is filled with stories of
miracles witnessed in one form or another. Devotees often report seeing
images of both the snake and trishulam when lighting camphor in front of
Lord Shiva. Some devotees have seen a nine foot King Cobra visiting the
Sanctum Sanctorum for the worship and others have sight of three eagles
circling the top of Parvathamalai.
Sri Tirumalai Kumaraswami temple
Moolavar : Kumaraswami (Lord Kartikeya)
There are 626 steps to reach the temple. The presiding deity is also
called Mookkan. Tirumalai Kali graces from the top of the hill. There
are 16 steps to reach Lord Vinayaka shrine. 16 steps represent 16 kinds
of wealth, it is believed.
Kumaraswami Temple situated on a hill in Panmozhi, Tirunelveli, India.
During the construction of the temple, elephants were used to carry the
pillars and beams to the hill. As strong rope was not available those
days, it was made of palm fibres which, sometimes would give up dropping
the pillars down. When the pillars fell down with great sound, a woman
ascetic Sivakami Ammaiyar would stop them with her head caring not her
life. The pillars would be dragged upward again. Till such time, she
would be keeping her head against the pillars preventing them from
falling further down. She had such power granted by Lord Muruga. She
also carried bricks on the plaintain stems to the hill top. There is a
statue for Ammaiyar in the temple.
Once, there was a deity of
Mother Kali at the hill. Lord Muruga appeared in the dream of the
priest Poovan Pattar and said that He was among the bamboo bushes at a
place called Kottai Thirattu and that ants would guide him to the spot.
Lord informed the king of Pandala too of this fact. When the Pandala
king came there, Poovan Pattar also accompanied him. They found the
spot and dug the place to take the deity out. While doing so, the nose
of the deity was slightly damaged. This is still visible on the deity,
hence the Lord is also called Mookkan.
To avoid any danger to
the Lord due to floods and enemy attack, the temple is built at a height
of 500 feet. The temple is built according to Kerala design and style.
Pandala kings have left a huge property to the temple.
Airavateshwarar temple, Kumbakonam
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85
feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot
drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings.
The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple. Periya Nayaki Amman temple
Airavateshwarar temple gopuram.
The Great Living Chola Temples. at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
and Darasuram were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th
centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.
The legend is that
Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshipped Lord Siva in this
temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the
presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who
was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over
the body. Yama took a bath in the sacred tank and was rid of the burning
sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham. It gets its
supply of fresh water from the river Kaveri and is 228 feet in width.
Pilgrims make a point to bathe in the tank. In the recent past Raja Raja
Chola and Karikala Chola worshipped the Siva Lingam in this temple.
Volume II of the South Indian Temple Inscriptions deals with a number of
endowments of the Pandya Kings also (see pages 556 to 562). On the
temple walls these inscriptions are given, from which it is seen that
the temple was known in those days as Raja Rajeswararen and Raja
Rajapuram. Two such inscriptions are copied here.
Inscription
No. 563 at page 557. No. 23 of 1908 on the inner Gopura of the temple,
right of entrance. Record dated in the 10th Year, Tai 11, of the reign
of the Pandya King Maravarman alias T ribhuvana Chakravartin
Srivallabhadeva registering the provision made for repairs and for
celebrating festivals in the temple of XXXI Ra (ja) ra (ja) isuram
Udaiyanayanar, by the residents of Uttattur-nadu, a sub-division of
Kulottunga-valanadu.
Inscription No. 564 at page 558. Record
dated in the 31st Year, Makara, Ba. Dvitiya, Uttarashada (probably a
mistake for Uttaraphalguna) of the reign of the Chola king Tribhuvana
Ghakravartin Sri RAJARAJADEVA registering the grant of land (Irandu Ma
mukkani araikkani) 23/160 of a veli to meet the expenses of worship,
offerings, etc., to the God by a native of Peruchchalipuram, a village
in Kilar-kurram, a sub-division of Pandyakulapati-valanadu.
As
originally Airavata worshipped the Lingam, the Lingam is named after him
as Airavateswara. The Goddess in this temple is known as Deva Nayaki.
Whatever remains of the sculptural part of the temple is on the inside
wall of the outer prakaram(outer courtyard), about a foot from floor
level. 'The carvings contain different poses of gymnastic feats seen in
the modern circus, shown by females keeping their head at the centre and
legs interwoven in such a skillful way as to form the circumference of a
circle. It may be a depiction of the present-day gypsy tribe
entertaining villagers with gymnastic shows and dancing poses. Such
gypsies are still to be seen visiting the interior villages of the
country. Very many styles of physical feats shown by both men and women
have been carved in the stone.
Mangalanathaswami Temple
(Paadal Petra Stalam)
Deities: Mangalanathar (Shiva)
The Mangalanathaswamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai is considered
the Kasi of the south. The ‘sthala virutcham’ in the temple is about
3,300 years old and this was proved in a research conducted by the State
government.
47 temples built by the Sethupathy Kings with no ‘sthala puarnam'.
One of the 47 temple is Mangalanathaswami Temple
