Masilamaneeswarar Temple

Masilamaneeswarar Temple

Location: Tirumullaivayil near Avadi .
Shiva: Masilamaneeswarar .
Ambal: Kodiyidai Nayaki .

This is one of the Shivastalas in the vicinity of Chennai, near Avadi. It is considered special to worship Kodiyidai Nayaki here and Vadivudai Nayaki at Tiruvotriyur on full moon days. Ramalinga Adigalar refers to Shiva here as 'Mullaivayil Vaazh Masilamaniye'. Ten Tirumullaivayil is another Shivastalam with the same name Mullaivayil, in Chola Naadu. Tirumullaivayil is the 22nd of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

Legends: Nandi is said to have accompanied a devout King Tondaimaan in his battle, per the grace of Shiva. The feet of his elephant supposedly got entangled with the mullai creeper here; and when the obstacle was removed, the Shivalinga was revealed. Sage Sundara is said to have worshipped here first after losing his eyesight.

The Temple: This temple with a gajaprishta vimaanam common to this region occupies an area of about 1 acre . A grand Rajagopuram forms the southern entrance to this temple visible from a distance. The sanctum here has been in worship since the Sangam period. There are shrines to Rishabantikadevar, Natarajar and Bhikshatanar here. Elements of Pallava architecture are seen in this temple as in the lion pillars in the Vinayakar shrine. The nandi faces away from the sanctum in keeping with the legend. There are two Erukku pillars in front of the sanctum. Inscriptions from the period of Uttama Chola, speaking of Sembiyan Mahadevi's (10th century)endowments to this temple, are seen in this temple..

Festivals: The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (Taurus), and Vasantha Utsavam in Aani. .

Manickavasagar and Lord Shiva

Manickavasagar and Lord Shiva

Saint Manickavasagar, then heading the cabinet of Pandya king, came to this place Tiruperundurai, now Avudayarkoil to buy horses. He heard sounds of Shivagama Mantras there and saw a Guru sitting there. The prime minister fell at the feet of the Lord and begged Him to teach him wisdom. While learning, Manickavasagar plunged into deep meditation. When he opened his eyes, he found his teacher absent in the place and understood that his Guru was none other than Lord Shiva Himself. He spent all the money he carried for buying horses in building a temple for his Guru-Shiva and dedicated himself in the service of Lord.

As the saint failed to carry out the order of the king, he ordered the saint to be arrested and jailed. Lord Shiva converted the foxes in the forests into horses, brought them to the king as instructed by Manickavasagar. After delivering the horses, Lord went away. However, at midnight, the horses became foxes and started howling. Angry king, made Manickavasagar stand on the sands of Vaigai river in Madurai under scorching Sun. To teach a lesson to the Pandya who acted against His devotee, Lord made Vaigai flow in spate. King ordered to strengthen the banks to avoid a breach. Lord also came to Madurai as a coolie for the repair work. The king struck him with a cane for not doing the work properly. The blow only fell on the king and every one in Madurai leaving its scar on them. The King came to know that all that happened was Lord Shiva’s design, fell at the feet of Manickavasagar and begged his pardon. Avudayarkoil was the ground for this Tiruvilayadal Purana story (an epic by Paranjothi Munivar speaking of the great plays enacted by Lord Shiva for His devotees).

Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple

Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple

Moolavar : Amirtha Kadeswarar
Urchavar : Somaskandar
Amman / Thayar : Vidyujothi Nayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
State : Cuddalur, Tamil Nadu

Shivalinga in the temple is made of Navapashana- nine herbals. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 3, 4 and 5 of Panguni-March-April and the rays of Moon on the Apipasi Annabishekam day. It is said that Sani Baghwan had eagle as his vahan the vehicle. It is said that Emperor Dasaratha gave him crow then replacing the eagle. Hence, it is said that Sani Bhagwan-Saturn in the temple with the eagle vehicle belongs to the period prior to Ramayana days. Special pujas are performed to him on Saturdays in the month of Purattasi-September-October.

The temple is in the shape of a Rath-Car. The left wheel is stuck to the earth as Lord Vinayaka pressed it. Lord Kunjithapada Nataraja graces with Mother Sivakami in a leaning position. The life history of the celebrated saivite Nayanmars are sculpted on the wall of the main shrine. The pleasing feature is that Lord Arthanareeswara graces with Nandhi the bull vehicle on the right wall while Lord Ranganatha is below. Special pujas are performed to Lord Ranganatha on Vaikunda Ekadasi day in December-January. On the back wall, Lord Vishnu graces with a Shivalinga on His hand with Sri Andal, Garudazhwar and Sri Anjaneya. Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai graces on the opposite side. Saint Arunagiriar has sung the praise he Lord of Muruga in this temple. Lord Gangadhara and Lord Aalinganamurthy also grace from this ghoshta walls. Lord Dakshinamurthi graces from the Vimna-tower above the sanctum sanctorum with a flute and Veena. Lord Vinayaka graces in the name of Aaravara Vinayaka.

Those facing adverse effects of Mars planet pray in this temple. Also those 60 years old (Sashti Aptha Poorthy) pray here for longevity with Homas,

It is believed that all the nine planets pray to Lord Shiva in this temple on their respective days. Accordingly, Lord Shiva is dressed with clothes of different colours attributed to the planets. The shrine is regarded as one meant to seek relief from various planetary problems faced by devotees. The Navagraha shrine is opposite to the shrine of Mother.

Mother Vidhyu Jothi Nayaki - Vidya-Saraswathi, Jothi-Mahalakshmi, Nayaki-Durga) combining the powers of three Shaktis graces as Saraswathi with Veena in the morning, with elephant as Mahalakshmi in midday and with trident as Durga in the evenings. Hence the name Vidyajothinayaki. Mother also has the name Jothi Minnammai. Those seeking wedding and child boon worship Mother with turmeric and bangles.

Saint Tirunavikkarasar’s hymn dedicating himself to the service of Lord saying “My job is only to serve my Lord” was sung in this temple.

Lord Vrushaba Thandavamurthi graces in a dancing form on His Nandhi-Vrushab or bull vehicle- is the procession deity with 10 hands. Special pujas are performed to Him on Pradosha days – 13th day of new moon or full moon day. His darshan is available only on this day. In the peeta-stage below are Mother Parvathi, Lord Vishnu, Bhairava, Veerabadra, Lord Vinayaka, Maharshis Narada, Brungi and Mruganda, Nandhi Deva, Gandharvas a group in the celestial world known for musical skills and Boodhaganas.

Lord Vinayaka, who destroyed the pride of Indira is in a separate shrine with the name Aaravara Vinayaka as He created great noise by pressing the Rath and taking the nectar pot-Amirta Kalasa. He looks with an indignant face with head leaning left.

Place for planet Mars: Before waging His war against demon Surapanma, Lord Muruga visited this temple to worship mother and get the bow. Hence, Muruga in the temple appears with a bow. Planet Mars worshipped Lord Muruga here. Mars is a procession deity here.

Lord Brhamma on the wall appears worshipping Lord Shiva. Yama the Lord of Death and his assistant Chitra Gupta are on both sides. Sage Patanjali is nearby holding Lord Nataraja on his head showing his overwhelming joy of enjoying the dance darshan of the Lord. Mother Durga appears without toe. Below Her are the Meru Mount and the Sri Chakra installed by Acharya Sankara.

Devas who churned the nectar ocean began to consume it without worshipping Lord Vinayaka who angrily took away the pot to teach them a lesson. When He passed through this place, once a Kadamba forest, a drop of nectar fell on the earth and it became a Swyambu Linga. Realizing their folly, Indira and Devas came here and begged Lord Vinayaka’s pardon who in turn advised them to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, responding to their prayers gave them the nectar and stayed here as Amirthakadeswarar – Amirtha-nectar, Kada the pot and Easwara the Lord.

Athithi, mother of Devas was worshipping Lord Amirthakadeswarar for granting the nectar to her children. Indira did not want to see his mother coming to this place each day and wanted to take the Lord to his Indraloka itself to help his mother. He changed the temple as a car and tried to pull it towards his place. Lord Vinayaka pressed the left wheel which got stuck to earth. Indira’s attempts failed to lift the car-temple. He begged Lord Vinayaka for help who agreed to let the temple if Indira installed a crore of Lingas. Indira took the challenge with pride but every piece got damaged. Realizing his pride, Indira fell at the Feet of Lord Amirthakadeswarar. Lord asked him to make one Shivalinga chanting His name thousand times. Indira made the Rudrakoteeswara Linga. Lord appeared before him and said that He wishes to stay here itself and do the worship for his mother. Indira obeyed. It is believed that Indira performs pujas to the Lord in this temple each day.

Kabilar Kundru Tamil Nadu, India.

Kabilar Kundru

Kabilar Kundru or Kabilar rock is a hill rock in the middle of the Ponnaiyar River near Tirukoilur in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.

It is known for Tamil poet Kapilar did Vadakirrutal (fast unto death) here, after his friend Vēl Pāri killed in a battle. It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu by the Archaeological Survey of India.

East of the Tirukoilur has the Siva Temple situated on the banks of River Pennar. Near to the temple on the banks of the river, there exists Kabilar(Saint) Kundru (tiny mountain).

Tirukoilur is one of the "Ashta Veeratanams" [Ashta - eight Veeratanam - Place of Bravery].

Lord Shiva took various forms(incarnations) to destroy evil and establish justice, of which eight Avatars(forms) are very famous and Tirukoilur is one of them.

Kapilar was refliterature Sangam poet. He was a contemporary of Karikala Chola, Irunkōvēl and Vēl Pāri. He was the close friend and confidant of Vēl Pāri, one of the Vēlir kings. He was born in Thiruvadhavur in the Pandyan Kingdom. Initially a poet at the Pandyan court, he would leave at an early age and show his talent at various places before finally ending up at the court of Vel Pari.Kapilar would hear about the generosity and virtue of Vēl Pāri, a powerful Vēlir King who ruled over Parambu nādu, a heavily fortified kingdom that comprised about 300 villages, and pay him a visit. They would go on to become the thickest of friends. He would be his confidant and stay with Vēl Pāri until the latter's last breath.

During this period the three crowned Tamil kings were in the process of expanding their empires and turned the independent Velir chiefs into sub-ordinates or eliminated them. When the three crowned Kings besiege the kingdom of Parambu, Vēl Pāri a warrior like no other will refuse to bow and face them head on. Kapilar would sing some of the most notable poems in praise of his patron during this time. In the end, Vēl Pāri would finally be killed by treachery after defying them for years.

Kapilar, a true friend, would then take the two daughters (Angavai & Sangavai) of Vēl Pāri and go in search of appropriate grooms. He would knock on the doors of the other Vēlir kings and unsuccessfully plead with each before finally giving up. He would be let down each time as the other Vēls would fear retribution from the 3 crowned kings. The most notable of these encounters is when he sings to Irunkōvēl and the latter would throw an insult and shut the door on the great poet. He would finally leave the two princesses in the care of Brahmins.

The death of his friend will affect him so greatly that he would perform vadakirrutal, one of the Tamil acts of committing suicide. He would sit facing north and starve himself to death. The place where kabilar committed suicide by starving is now called as Kabilar Kundru.

It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Mandagapattu (Thirumurthy Temple)

Mandagapattu (Thirumurthy Temple)

It is 20 kms from Villupuram and 17 kms from Gingee in the Villupuram – Gingee road. This shrine, called the Trimurti Temple, is generally considered as the first of the Pallava cave-temples and was commissioned by Mahendra I in the early 7th century on a 100ft hillock. The Pallava temples along with a similar group by the Chalukyas of Badami represent the earliest Hindu stone temples in southern India. The temples were a significant architectural innovation as they marked the transition from wooden structures to stone. An inscription on the temple calls it the Laksitayatna and dedicates it to Brahma, Isvara, and Vishnu. “Mahendravarman showed leanings towards Jainism before he gravitated towards Hinduism — which is probably why one finds Jain settlements near his cave temples.

Steps at the end of a wide stone courtyard lead up to an uncovered porch before a simple rectangular mandapa with four massive equidistant pillars. The pillars of the mandapa facade have square bases, octagonal central sections and square capitals with curved corbels. Inside, another row of similar pillars divides the mandapa into three aisles. The aisles lead to the Trimurti shrines, deep plain niches cut into the rear wall.

Satrumalleswarar Temple (Dalavanur)

At Thalavanur, close to Mandagapattu, The central mandapa pillars have large medallions carved on each face of the square sections at the base and top. Steps lead to the entrance between these pillars. Above the entrance is an elaborately carved lintel. The temple houses door guardians flanking a linga. Above this, a gently curved eave has a row of equally spaced candrasalas with carved faces. On either side of the mandapa facade are deep niches with gently-leaning Dvarpalakas.

A small flight of rock-cut steps carved on the hill takes us to the shelters of Jain monks who probably meditated and rested there.

Candi Bima

Candi Bima

Located in the village of Dieng Kulon, District Batur, Banjarnegara, Central Java, temple is situated in the southern most complex enshrinement Dieng. Large and impressive, C. Bima is located about 1 km south on the road from C. Gatotkaca. The roof, its most remarkable feature, displays numerous sculpted Shiva heads looking out from horseshoe arches. The decoration originates in South India, for example, the Pancha Rathas in Mamallapuram and Galaganatha in Pattadakal.

The back of the temple (west side) is shown here; its central kala arch, with garlands dropping from the kala's mouth, is still intact. Just above is a band of swags, below a row of dentals that transitions to the first course of the roof, a simple band of rectangular elements beneath a lotus petal overhang. Above this rests the lowest course of arches, each framing a head of Shiva. The arches are lined with lotus petals. The arches of the second course contain kalasa pots, symbolizing abundance. Above, on the sides, rounded and ribbed amalaka capitals sit upon very short columns. The course above contains one arch with a (now missing) Shiva head, in front of a rectangular facade with lotus petal overhang that imitates the first course of the roof.

The projecting central facets are both wider and taller than the facets on the side. This imparts a strong verticality and momentum to the upward thrust of the structure, a tour de force of the builder's art.

Galtaji Temple

Galtaji Temple

Location : Near Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, On Jaipur-Agra Highway
Built by: Diwan Rao Kriparam
Built in: 18th Century
Dedicated to: Sun God, Lord Hanuman/Balaji
Highlights: Fresh Water Springs

Galtaji is a holy pilgrimage of India, located 10 kms away from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The vast complex of Galta Ji has several temples in it. The Temple of Galtaji is famous for its natural water springs. Set amidst the beautiful landscape, Galtaji Temple offers a picturesque view of the city. Galtaji is considered holy place, as Saint Galav spent his life meditating here. However, the temple was built much later by Diwan Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II, in the 18th Century.

The outstanding structure of the Temple looks more like a mansion or Haveli.The complex of Galtaji has numerous temples, pavilions, natural springs and holy 'kunds'. Built in pink sandstone, Galtaji Temple appeals to the aesthetic sense of the visitors. The temple, dedicated to the Sun God, is the most famous temple built on the top of a hill. The temple is decked with rounded roofs, exquisitely carved pillars and painted walls. Out of all other temples, Hanuman temple stands out, being surrounded by hundreds of monkeys. Besidesall other attractions, Natural water springs draw special attention of the visitors.

The water of these springs is accumulated in the tanks or 'kunds'. In all, there are seven tanks, holiest being the Galta Kund, which never goes dry. It is considered auspicious to take bath in the holy waters of Galtaji. Thousands of people come every year to take a dip in the tanks to rinse out their sins. Makar Sankranti is regarded as a special day to take bath in the holy waters of Galtaji.

Galtaji Temple is a prehistoric pilgrimage location, in a lush green landscape of nature. The location of temple is such that it provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding plains. The Galtaji Temple is a souvenir of the former age and a sacred pilgrimage of the Hindus. The tranquility of the Temple, attracts people from far and near, to visit it again and again.