Ambika Temple, Baripada, Orissa

Ambika Temple, Baripada, Orissa

Ambika Temple, one of the most ancient temples in Baripada of Orissa, located at about 55 Kilometre from the district. It is dedicated to the Goddess Ambika. Ambika Devi is a Jain Yaksi who is a dedicated attendant of Lord Neminath. She is regarded as the patron deity of material prosperity, childbirth and protection of women.

A reservoir named as Devkund or Deokund is situated just near the temple. This Kund is famous for the healing powers for human beings. The local believes it as bliss of god, while the geologists call it as this area is rich in mineral resources. It controls the 50 feet high waterfall and is situated near the temple.

Sri Satchinadeswarar temple

Sri Satchinadeswarar temple

Moolavar : Satchinadeswarar, Satcheeswarar, Amman / Mother/Thayar : Karumbanna Solli, Ikshuvani
Old year : More than 2000 years old
Historical Name : Tirupurambiam, Kalyanamanagar, Punnahavanam
City : Tirupurambiam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Honey abishek is performed for Pralayam Katha Vinayaka ( Vinayaka who protected from deluge) on Vinayaka Chaturthi festival day. The wonder is that the honey used for abhishek does not pour out.

On the Vinayaka Chaturthi day, Lord Pralayamkatha Vinayaka abishek is performed with honey. The wonder is that the honey used for abishek does not flow out. No abishek is done during other days.

This is one of 24 sacred places attributed to Lod Dakshinamurthy. Sage Agasthya, Brahmma, four Sanakathi rishis and Sage Viswamitra worshipped here. King Haridwajan, suffering from a disease called Muyalagam due to the curse of Sage Durvasa got cured in this temple by the grace of Lord Shiva.

Lord was too merciful to grant His darshan in the form of Dakshinamurthy to a poor wood cutter who was carrying fuel to the temple from the banks of the tank in the east of the temple.

The Shivalingas worshipped by Nalvar – Ganasambandr, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar – Agasthya, Pulasthya, Sanaka, Sananthana and Vishvamitra are in line in the first corridor (prakara) of the temple. The temple for Mother-Goddess Karumbanna solli is in the second prakara. Dakshinamurthy temple is on the banks of the tank in the east.

Sthala Vinayaka – Vinayaka of the place: He is fair in complexion. Though it is said that there are Sthalapurana and another literature called Ulanool, no edition is now available. Also only 10 verses are available from the Purambayamalai authored by Pandit Sundaresa Wandayar.

As the place could not be destroyed by Pralaya the deluge, an exception to this natural rule (Prambu), the place is called Tiru-Purambiam. Deluge could not cover this place. The place is also known as Kalyanamanagar and Punnahavanam.

A girl, Rathnavalli by name came to this place with a youth arranged by the parents for her marriage, came to this place before their marriage due to force of circumstances. Unfortunately, the youth died of snake bite but was restored to life by Saint Ganasambandar who was incidentally present in the place. He also conducted their wedding, with Lord Shiva and the Vanni tree as witnesses.

As Lord Shiva was witness (Satchi) to the marriage, He is praised as Satchinathar. The Vanni tree is in the second prakara. This episode finds a chapter in Tiruvilayadal Puranam (an epic on Lord Shiva written by Paranjothi Munivar) and also in the Sthalapurana.

The cave temple at Yanaimalai

The cave temple at Yanaimalai

NORTH Tamil Nadu abounds in Narasimha temples. And the most important among them is the one in Sholingur, whose original name was Gadikachalam or Chozhasimhapuram. There are not many temples in South Tamil Nadu, exclusively dedicated to Lord Narasimha though He is worshipped in sub-shrines in some temples. However, there is one dedicated to Him — the cave temple at Yanaimalai, eight kilometres from Madurai, on the road to Melur. This place, though not a `Divyadesam' sanctified by Azhwars' hymns, is situated between two holy places — Azhagarkoil in the north and Thirumohur in the east. There is a hill in the shape of an elephant adjoining it, hence the name Yanaimalai. The Yoga Narasimha Perumal temple is situated to its west in a village called Narasingam. It was built by Maran Kari, a minister of the Pandya king Jatila Varman, also known as Komaran Sadaiyan.

According to the Sthala Puranam of Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, known as Koodal Manmiyam, published 80 years ago, sage Romasa had installed the Narasimha idol in a cave in the hill. And the 87th chapter of the Uthara Kandam of the Brahmanda Puranam says the sage did penance on the banks of the tank called Padma Thadagam, as it was filled with lotus flowers, near the Gajagiri Kshethram (the present Yanaimalai) seeking progeny, and wanted the Lord to appear in His Narasimhavatara. The Lord appeared as Ugra Narasimha and the heat that emanated from Him was unbearable. Even the celestials were affected by it and they all came to Gajagiri Kshethram and prayed to the Lord to calm down. The Lord could not be pacified and then they sought the help of Prahlada, whose arrival quietened Him to some extent. They prayed to Goddess Mahalakshmi, who also took Her abode in Him as Narasingavalli, after which He became Yoga Narasimha. The Lord later granted the boon sought by the sage.

According to another legend, Lord Siva was afflicted by Brahmahathi Dosha after He plucked one of the five heads of Lord Brahma. He was relieved of it after He took bath in the holy water source here, also known as Chakra Theertham, and He worshipped Lord Narasimha. It is believed that taking a dip in the Chakra Theertham, which is near the temple, rids one of all sins.

The Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam, written first by Perumbatrapuliyur Nambi and later by Paranjothi Munivar, says that the Chozha king, who could not win the battle against the Pandya ruler, sought the help of Jains.

They created a giant elephant using their mystic powers and directed it to kill the Pandya king and destroy his capital. But the Pandya prayed to Lord Siva to save him and his capital. The Lord sent to him the `Narasinga Asthram,' which turned the elephant into a hill.

To commemorate this event, a stone elephant was installed in Madurai near the Vaigai facing the north, which is found near the Yanaikkal bridge even today. Inscriptions in the cave temple say that Maran Kari, the minister of the Pandya king, started the construction of the temple in 770 A.D., which remained unfinished, either due to his death or due to some other calamity, and was completed by his brother Maran Eyinan later. He also built the Muka Mandapam and consecrated the temple.

The fort around Azhagarkoil is also known as Iranyan Kottai, and even now a stone idol of Lord Yoga Narasimha is found atop its entrance. A big idol of Yoga Narasimha, found in the outer Prakaram of the Azhagarkoil temple, known as `Jwala Narasimhar,' is said to be ferocious. To pacify Him, regular Thirumanjanam is performed with gingelly oil. A hole is found in the ceiling above the idol which is believed to let out the fire emanating from it.

The foot of the hill, where the Narasimha temple is located is known as Narasingam or Hasthigiri or Gajagiri.

The inscriptions at the temple are in ancient Tamil, Brahmi and Vattezhuthu. There are two inscriptions of Srivallabha Pandya, which speak about the gifts made to the temple. There are also inscriptions of later Pandyas and one of them, belonging to the rule of Sundara Pandya, (1216 A.D.) gives details about his conquest of the Chozha country. Another inscription says that land gifts were made at Iyakkimangalam village for conducting the festival in the Yanaimalai Temple.

Inscriptions belonging to the rule of later Pandyas, especially Maravarman Sundara Pandya I, are also available but most of them are incomplete. The Yoga Narasimha idol at the temple is six feet high, sculpted on the hill itself.

There are Mahamandapam, Garuda Mandapam and Mukhamandapam of the Pandya period. The shrine of Goddess Narasingavalli faces south, at the entrance. Inscriptions say that there was also an `agraharam' for Vedic Brahmins, but there is no trace of it now.

The temple bustles with activity during the Narasimha Jayanthi, and on Masi Makam day, when Sri Kalamega Perumal of Thirumohur visits this place for the `Gajendra Moksham' festival.

The temple is unique for its utsava idol of Narasimha in a standing posture with the Sudarsana and Panchajanya in His upper two hands while the left lower hand holds the Gathai and the right is in the Abhaya Hastha posture.

A similar Narasimha idol is worshipped atParikkal. Efforts are on to renovate the temple. The Balalayam was set up on April 7 and the Lakshmi Narasimha Apthan Kainkarya Sabha has decided to undertake the work. It has proposed to make gold-plated copper coverings for all the idols, make Thiruvachis for the Moolavar and Utsavar idols, provide them with new Peedams, construct a three-tier Rajagopuram, cover the ceiling with tiles, provide marble floorings inside the sanctum sanctorum, raise the compound walls, cover the outer Prakaram with granite slabs, repair the Vimanams, Garuda Mandapam, Thayar Sannithi, and also build a new Mandapam in front of the Thayar Sannithi.

Contributions for the renovation may be sent to the secretary/treasurer, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Apthan Kainkarya Sabha, 1/8, Mela Mada Veedhi, Thirumohur-625107, Madurai district.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad

Akshardham Temple is located 28 km away from Ahmedabad in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. The temple was laid down by the foundation of Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and provided with one of the best architectures in India. The symbol of humanity this architectural masterpiece is visited by millions of devotees every year.

This beautiful 10 storeyed Akshardham temple is build up of 6,000 tonnes of pink sandstones and is also comprises of 93 sculpted pillars. The entire structure of sandstone is standing erect without the use of iron rod is the main attraction of the temple. Apart from that, the complex of the temple also holds a garden, lake and a waterfall that increases the beauty of this amazing monument.

Akshardham temple is an amazing way to discover the real Indian culture and religion.

Polo Temple

Polo Temple

An ancient place in a forgotten forest.

The Polo Forest region of Gujarat is a quiet retreat, nestled in the Aravalli hills bordering Gujarat and Rajasthan. The word "Polo" is derived from "Pol" which means "gateway" in Sanskrit. The forest was a gateway between Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The Polo Forest region played host to the ancient kingdom of Vijayanagar. Polo Forest conceals a number of amazing temples built during the 10th to 15th century A.D.

The Sun Temple, Modhera

The Sun Temple, Modhera

In the middle of the desert in Gujarat lie the haunting remains of what must have been one of the greatest temples of mediaeval India, the Sun Temple at Modhera. The most visible and famous ruin at Modhera is that of a ritualistic bathing tank in front of the Sun Temple. This tank, with its pattern of steps, has been the inspiration for many an architectural effort, even today. From this tank, a broad flight of steps goes up to the temple itself, through an ornate torana, or gateway.

The torana leads onto the mandapa that forms the heart of the temple. The shafts of the columns of this hall are exquisitely carved, almost embroidered. This temple is little more than a ruin now, yet the poignant remains are ample testimony to the magnificence that must have been the great Sun Temple of Modhera.

Sri Pandurangan temple

Sri Pandurangan temple

Moolavar : Pandurangan
Mother / Thayar : Ragumayee
City : Thennangur, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

Lord Panduranga, 12 feet tall appears standing majestically in the sanctum sanctorum. It is specially noteworthy that all the deities related to Sri Chakra – Maha Shodasi, Rajarajeswari, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Brahmma, Vishnu, Rudra, Easwara, Vinayaka, Bala, Annapoorani, Ashwaruda, Rajamadhangi, Varahi, Pratyangara, Sarabeswara, Chakkarathazhwar, Yoga Narasimha, Agoramurthy, Vanadurga, Parasaraswathi, Medha Dakshinamurthy, Subramanya, Chandi Mahalakshmi, Brahmi, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Mahendri, Chamunda, Mahalakshmi are in the temple in idol forms.

Resembling the design of Puri Jagannath, this temple stands majestically with a 120 feet tall tower and Gold Kalasas of 9.5 feet with Sudarsana Chakra above. The saffron flag flying above the tower invites the devotees with blessings of the Lord. It is not simply wonderful but thrilling to see a tower of this stature facing east. Passing the Balipeeta, there is the 16 pillared Maha Mandap. Entering the Mahamandap, one feels that he/she had entered the gates of Paradise. Baghwan Garuda is occupying the centre space as a Gem. Lord Govindaraja Perumal enjoys and graces the Wedding festival in the mandap as in Tirupathi except on Saturdays.

The temple follows both the orthodox sampradaya of South and the Bajan Sampradaya of North.

The Brindavan of His Holiness Gnanananda Swamigal adds more sanctity to the temple.

Made of Salagrama stone, Lord Panduranga in this deity form is 12 feet tall in a standing form. Mother Raghumayee nearby is adding beauty to beauty. Lord Panduranga showers His blessing as a King of Mathura on Sundays, in a simple form showing His Lotus feet for the darshan of devotees on Thursdays, with silver coverings on Fridays and as Lord Venkatachalapathi on Saturdays.

Lord appears in fruit Alankara on the Tamil New Year day-Vishu Kani Utsav. On the Gokhulashtami day, Sri Vaishnava Muthagi Sevai is followed. Lord appears in many alluring forms as Rajagopala, Giridhari holding the Govardhana Hill, as Geethacharya, as Parthasarathy and Radhakrishna. It is said that Lord played his flute under the Thamala tree (the sacred tree of the temple) in Dwapara Yuga which drew Radha towards Him. It is noteworthy that this Thamala tree is brought to South. Dwarapalaka idols are made of Panchaloka – a mixture of five metals.

The structure of the temple resemble the Pandaripuram temple in Maharashtra with Lord Panduranga accompanied by Mother Raghumayee blessing devotees. The temple was built by the disciple of His Holiness Gnanananda Swamigal, His Holiness Haridasgiri Swamigal. It is being administered by His Holiness Namanandagiri Swamigal presently.

All the deities related to Sri Chakra worship are in this temple. Prayer is the best path to reach God. Every one can do the worship depending on their means and knowledge. The significance of the temple is the Nama Sangeerthana principles followed in worships because Music takes the soul to God.

Lord Panduranga is majestically 12 feet tall made of Salagrama stone. He graces in a standing posture.