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.

Prasat Sikhoraphum

Prasat Sikhoraphum

Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer temple located in Thailand, between the cities of Surin and Sisaket. It was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II for Hindu worship.

The temple is composed of five sandstone and brick towers, on a base made of laterite. There are sandstone bas-reliefs on the main tower depicting Shiva, Brahma, Ganesha, Vishnu and Uma. The door frames have sets of apsaras, devatas and dvarapalas. The temple was converted for use by Buddhists in the 16th century. Architectural contributions influenced by Laos are evident on the tower roofs. The name comes from the Sanskrit word of South India shikhara, meaning tower sanctuary.

Baladevjew Temple

Baladevjew Temple

Baladev Jew Temple is situated in Ichhapur (Tulasi Khetra), Kendrapara, Odisha. Baladevjew Temple is a very famous temple of Odisha and Balarama is its main divinity. However, Jagannath and Subhadra are also worshipped in the Ratna Sinhasan in the main temple. An idol representing tulasi as a goddess in a seated position is also present after the sacred seven steps.

The present shrine of Siddha Baladeva Jew was constructed during the Maratha rule in Orissa (1761 AD) of Ichhapur (Kendrapara). It was constructed by the king of Kujanga, Raja Gopal Sandha and Zamidar (land lord) of Chhedara killah, Srinivas Narendra Mahapatra. One saint (Santha) Gopi Das and Sairatak Giri convinced the then Maratha Chief Janoji and constructed the Jagamohan, Bhoga Mandapa of the main temple, temple of Gundicha and compound wall.

It is believed that Khan-I-Duran, the subedar of Odisha during the Moghul Emperor Aurangeb demolished the temple in 1661 and built a mosque on the remains of the temple. Devotees of Lord Baladev Jeu, took the deity in disguise in a boat through the river Govari and kept the deity in a secret place near Baranga (Chhedara) Jungle. Afterwards it was shifted to Balarampur village near Luna river at Sakhi Bata. Later it was transferred to the present day Icchapur temple.

The deities of Lord Baladevjew, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra wear different costumes and are decorated in different ways during different important festivals. This tradition is known as Besha (alankara). The Rath Yatra here is famous for the Brahma Taladhwaja Rath.

Some Important Alankara are -

1.Sri Raghunatha Besha on Chaitra Purnima Festival.
2.Padma Besha on Kartik Purnima Festival and Tulsi Vivah in Kartik.
3.Gamhabhisheka Besha – From Shraavana Sukla Dashami to Purnima,holy srinakshatra ceremony of Lord Balarama
4.Pushyabhisheka Besha on Pausha Purnima festival
5.Kanchi Kaveri Besha on Vasant Panchami festival.
6.Suna Besha (Bali Vamana Besha) on Bhadrapad Dwadashi Day
7.Krishna Balarama Besha on Phalguna Purnima festival
8.Dwibinda banara besha that was offered by Pandit Binod Behari Dash who was a famous Sanskrit scholar of Ichhapur, Kendrapada

Badami - rock cut temple

Badami - rock cut temple

Badami formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka,India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake. Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.

The Puranic story says the wicked asura Vatapi was killed here by sage Agastya.

The rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then, with tolerance and a religious following that inclines towards Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, whereas cave 4 displays reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras. Deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide critical evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture.

The Pallavas under the king Narasimhavarma I seized it in 642 AD & destroyed the Vatapi. Pulakeshi son Vikramaditya I of Chalukyas drove back Pallavas in 654 AD. and led a successful attack on Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas. The Rashtrakutas came to power in Karnataka including Badami around 757 AD and the town lost its importance. Later it was ruled by the Hoysalas.

Then it passed on to Vijayanagara empire, The Adil Shahis, Mughals, The Savanur Nawabs (They were vassals of Nizams and Marathas), The Marathas, Hyder Ali. The Britishers made it part of the Bombay Presidency.

Badami has eighteen inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important. The first Sanskrit inscription in old Kannada script, on a hillock dates back to 543 CE, from the period of Pulakeshi I (Vallabheswara), the second is the 578 CE cave inscription of Mangalesha in Kannada language and script and the third is the Kappe Arabhatta records, the earliest available Kannada poetry in tripadi (three line) metre.One inscription near the Bhuthanatha temple also has inscriptions dating back to the 12th century in Jain rock-cut temple dedicated to the Tirtankara Adinatha.

Sri Nanundeswarar temple

Sri Nanundeswarar temple

Moolavar : Nanundeswarar
Urchavar : Chandrasekharar
Mother / Thayar : Parvathi
Old year : More than 1000 years old
District : Mysore, Karnataka

Sri Veerabadra in the temple is considered very important and famous. He is holding bow, arrow, sword, dagger and danda. Traditionally Mother Badrakali is the main deity with Lord in Veerabadra temples. Here, Mother Dakshayani occupies the prominence holding lotus bud in Her hand in standing form. Daksha, father of Dakshayani is right of the Lord. All the three are standing on a lotus shaped Peeta.

For total eliminations of sins following from past birth, for pardon for wrongs done unknowingly, devotees perform Panchamirtha abishek, offer betel leaves garland and perform archanas with vilwa. They offer curd rice as nivedhana. Also those affected by poisonous bites and suffering from prolonged illnesses pray here.

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother and do Angapradakshina.

Daksha with an intention of humiliating Lord Shiva, did not invite Him for a yajna he conducted. Mother Dakshayani, his daughter went to Her father furiously and demanded to stop the rituals but Daksha insulted her too. With a view to stop the Yajna, Dakshayani fell into the fire pit. Lord Shiva created Veerabadra from His fury and sent him to destroy the Yagna totally. Veerabadra not only destroyed the Yajna but took off the head of Daksha. Not satisfied, Veerabadra took Mother Dakshayani from the fire pit and danced ferociously keeping Her on his shoulders.

Daksha’s wife Prashudda Devi fell at the feet of Lord Shiva and begged for the life of husband Daksha and daughter Dakshayani. Lord Shiva, with all kindness to her prayer, restored both to life and granted Darshan to Daksha and Prasuddha Devi. Remembering this event, Sri Veerabadra graces darshan with Dakshayani in the temple.

The scar caused by sage Parasurama is visible on Shivalinga. As a tradition, rice abishek to Lord Shiva is performed only in the month of Aipasi-October-November, but it is a daily performance in this temple to Lord Nanjndeswara. It is said that Annabishekam is performed to Lord to reduce the venom element in Him as He destroyed a highly poisonous demon.

Also a medicine called Suganditha Sarkarai made of dry ginger, butter and sugar is offered to the Lord. It is believed that Sage Gautama performs midday puja to Lord in this temple. As Lord Nanjundeswara offers cure to all diseases of devotees, He is praised as Raja Vaidya – Royal Physician.

Mother Parvathi is in a separate shrine right of the Lord. In between the shrines of Lord and Mother, is the shrine of Lord Narayana whose wedding festival is celebrated in the month of Aavani-August-September. Lord Shiva conducts the marriage of Lord Narayana. Similarly, Shiva-Parvathi wedding is conducted by Lord Narayana. During summer, Lord and Mother visit the top floor of Vimana and go round. It is noteworthy that there are two Vilwa trees on both sides of the Vimana.

According to belief, Lord Shiva is facing Northeast direction-Eesanya corner. Hence, Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, to have the view of the Lord, is just on the side of northeast. As the very tower of the temple is regarded as Shiva Linga, there is a Nandhi outside the temple also. The third, Alankara Nandhi in the prakara is facing outside. Special pujas are performed to Aalankara Nandhi on Pradosha days (13th day of both new moon and full moon fortnights).

Lord Dakshinamurthy graces in the temple with His 14 disciples. There is a Nandhi in this shrine also.

The 24 forms of Lord Shiva, Maragatha Linga (emerald Linga) installed by Tippu Sultan, Vennai Ganapathy (butter Ganapathy), Lord Muruga in the midst of serpents, Lord Chandikeswara in standing form and the Navagrahas (9 planets) with weapons on a lotus peeta are the shrines a devotee cannot afford to miss.

A demon, Kesian by name and terribly venomous was harassing the Devas the subjects of the celestial world. They appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord advised them to conduct a yajna in this place of confluence of three rivers Kapila, Koundini and Manikarnika and throw the demon in the fire pit when he came there. Devas followed the instructions of Lord. When the demon came there, they pretended to welcome him and threw him in the fire. Lord appeared there in the form of Agni-Fire and destroyed him. As prayed by the Devas, Lord stayed in the place in the name of Nanjundeswara as He destroyed the demon poison personified. Nanju means poison.

In the days that followed, this Linga disappeared. Sage Parasurama, seeking relief for the sin he committed by killing his mother Renukadevi, came here to install a Shiva Linga for worship and began curing the place. When the sage was removing the bushes, he found a Linga bleeding. For causing the injury to Lord, he was about to end himself, when Lord appeared and granted darshan. Parasurama raised the temple in the place.

Sri Kumbeswarar temple

Sri Kumbeswarar temple

Moolavar : Kumbeswarar
Amman / Thayar : Mangalanayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
District : Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The glory of Lord of the temple is praised by Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in their hymns. This is the 26th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Theerthavari festival is celebrated in the Mahamagam tank on Masi Magam (February-March). Sabthasthanam festival in Chithirai (April-May) when the Lord and Mother visit 7 places at a distance of 20 kilometres. Tirukalyanam (wedding festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), Tirumanjanam in Aani (June-July), Aadi perukku and Aadi Pooram (July-August), Panguni festival (March-April) with special pujas, Butter pot festival on the Aswathi star day in Masi (February-March), on the 8th day, and the procession of Panchamurthis are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Masimagam is the biggest festival in Tamilnadu.

The Pottramarai tank is in front of the temple. Those visiting the temple during the Mahamagam festival (famous festival celebrated once in 12 years as the Kumbh Mela in North) take bath in the tank. The story goes that the 9 divine maidens had a dip in this tank after their bath in the Mahamagam tank. As the Linga is of sand, no abishek is performed. Only Tirumanjanam is applied. The Linga is broad at the bottom and narrows at the top in the shape of a needle. There is a Nadaswaram (a musical instrument) made of stone which is well maintained. A lion carrying some stones on head in the front hall of the temple stands as an example of the Tamil sculpture art.

Aavani covering August-September is the Malayalam New Year Day when Sun will be in Leo that determines the weather of the year throughout. The practice of fasting during the Sundays of this month praying to Sun and Nagaraja for protection of the crops from creatures as rat etc. is followed since ancient days.

During the devastating pralaya floods, Lord Shiva placed all ‘creation materials’ in a pot (Kumba) and saved them, hence Lord is praised as Kumbeswarar. Special pujas are performed in this temple on Aavani Sundays in August-September.

Devotees enter the temple through the Rajagopuram, pass the long Mandap, Bali Peeta and the Kodi Maram (flag post), seek the blessings and Sri Nandi Deva and worship Lord Kumbeswarar. They then go through the prakara worshipping the 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Mathas, Kamadenu, Bhava Linga, Mahalinga, Lord Dakshinamurthy and Lord Valanchuzhi Vinayaka. They then have to proceed to Mother’s shrine through the shrines for Lords Bikshadana, Muruga, Akshayalinga, Sahasralinga, Mothers Annapoorani, Gajalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi and Lord Brahmma. There is a glass room where Lord is in a reclining posture. Then are the shrines of Mother Ashtabhuja Durga, Navaneetha Vinayaka, Kiradhamurthy, Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Jurakeswarar, Sastha, Great soul Govinda Dishithar, Nagambal. After worshipping Mother Mangalambika, devotees leave the temple after worshipping at the Navagraha (nine planets). It is believed that following this worship procedure would bring all the boons wished by the devotees.

Devotees pray to Mother Mangalambika for distinction in education and seek wedding and child boons, for progress in trade and profession and prosperity. They worship mother with red flowers on Sundays in Aavani month-August-September.

Lord Shiva announced that the Mango brought by Sage Narada would be presented to one who wins a marathon round of the whole world. Lord Vinayaka circumambulated His divine parents Shiva and Parvathy and established the fact that world means Father and Mother and going around them fulfilled the condition of competition. He won the mango. Based on this philosophy, the prakara structure of the temple covers both Lord and Mother shrines. In other temples, the prakaras are separate. There is no abishek to the presiding deity. The Linga is broad in base and sharp at the top as a needle point. The stones of the temple have musical tones. There is a lion sculpture in the Navarathri Mandap holding long stones on its head.

The Pottramari tank – tank with golden lotus flowers – is in front of the temple. Those coming for the bath in Mahamagam tank bathe in this tank also. After their bath in the former tank, it is said that the Navakannikas bathed in this tank also. Hence, this is practiced. Kumbamuni Siddha is in the outer corridor of the temple. Devotees pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of planets.

Mother Goddess is praised as Mangala Nayaki and Mantra Peeta Nalathal. Sage Tirugnana Sambandar in his hymns had praised Mother as Valar Mangai. Lord Shiva parted half of His body with Mother Parvathi, He had also parted 36 crore of His Mantra Shakti-power with Her. Mother also has Her share of 36 crore Shakti and the share of Lord makes it to 72 crore. Thus Mother is praised as Mantra Peeteswari. Of the 51 Shakti Peetas, this the first place. She wears the yellow sari with turmeric on the face and the Kumkum on the forehead. She glitters with all mercy.

The Mahamaha tank measures 3 acres situated in the heart of the Kumbakonam town. During the Pralaya floods, when nectar flowed from the pot, Lord Shiva made it fall in a pit on earth. This pit is the Mahamagam tank. The Kumbakonam Mahamagam festival is celebrated once in 12 years on a Poornima-full moon day when Jupiter enters Kumba-Acquarius and Sun Simha zodiac signs. On this day, other holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Saraswathi, Cauvery, Kumari, Bayodhini and Sarayu also bath in the tank to cleanse themselves of their sins. It is also believed that those bathing on this day in the tank, takes the benefit to seven families related to them.

Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Aadhi Vinayaka as He had arrived here well before Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi to the place. Lord Muruga had received the Mantra Upadesa from Mother Mantra Peeteswari before waging the war against Surapanma. He is praised by Saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns. Lord Shiva came here in the guise of a hunter (Kiradha) and broke the nectar pot here. Special pujas are dedicated to Him on the Magam star days by devotees to realize their wishes.

When the world was facing destruction due to the devastating tsunami, Lord Brahmma approached Lord Shiva to know wherefrom He had to restart creation. Lord Shiva suggested that Brahmma make a magic pot with the sand collected from various sacred places and float it in the flood water and also taught the procedure of leaving it on the water. The pot stopped at a place. Lord Shiva shot an arrow on the pot. The nectar spilled and spread on all directions. That nectar mixed with the sand and became a Linga. This Linga is Kumbeswarar.