Thiruvamathoor: Sri Abirameswarar Temple.
This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The place Amathoore is also known as Vanni Vanam which is about 6kms from Vizhupuram.
The temple tower is of five tiers. There are two prakarams in the temple.
As we enter into the temple we see Dwajasthambam and Bali peetam.
Here we see a big Nandi known as Maha Nandi.
Hear we see padala Nandi also.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abirameswarar is facing east and his consort known as Muthambikai facing west, in separate temple.
Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai and Vanni Vruksham seen inbetween the sanctum of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.
Teertham is a well, known as Thanda Teertham, and pushkarani known as Aambalam.
Sthala Purana says long back cows were without horns. They were attacked by wild animals so the cows worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Lord was pleased and blessed them with horns. Hence the place was known as AAmathoore and Lord Siva in this place known as Abirameswarar.
Other deities seen in the temple are Maal Thuyar Teertha Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar, Natarajar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichaadanar, Sahasra Lingam, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chatta Nadhar, Arunachaleswarar, and Saptha madhar, Chandeeswarar, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalwar and 63 Nayanmars.
Sri Rama worshiped Lord Siva in this place with Thanda Teetham to get rid of Brahmahathi dosha by killing Ravana. Lord Murugan worshiped Lord Siva and Parvathy here before he left for war against Soorapaduman. Parvathy bestowed Lord Murugan with her Sakthi Vel here in this place.
Brungi Muni worshiped Lord Siva and neglected Goddess Parvathy. Parvathy did not like his attitude, so he was cursed by Parvathy to become Vanni Vruksham. Later he worshiped both Lord Siva and Parvathy and was blessed by them.
To south west corner of temple premises we Sathya mandapam known as Vatta palagai.
Stone inscriptions of first Rajaraja Cholan, Rajendra Cholan, Veera Rajendran and first Kulothunga Cholan are seen.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Abirameswarar of this temple. Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Thiruvarutpa by Vadalore Ramalinga Swamigal and Thiruvamathur Kalpagam by Irattai Pulavar are rendered to Lord Siva of this temple.
Sree Rama Kshetra:
After our visit to Dhrmasthala, we continued our journey towards Katteel Durga temple.
On our way we saw the arch of this temple as Sree Rama Kshetra.
Shri Shri Athmananda Saraswathy is founder of this temple. He is disciple of Sri Nityananda Swamiji. The temple Rama kshetra was built in Dharmasthala village as per the wish of his Guru.
The magnificent temple structure was so colourful and attractive; we stopped and visited the temple.
We have to climb steps to reach the main entrance. The temple was in the style of Iscon temple. We entered into a big hall with high ceiling.
To left we see steps leading to the main sanctum of Sri Rama and Seetha made of granite stone, which is very attractive. To other three sides we find about 36 small individual sanctums.
In these sanctums, we see Ganapathy, Hanuman, Brahami, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Chamunda, Durga matha, Soorya, Chandra, Budha, Bruhaspathy, Sukra, Sani, Raghu, Kethu, Bairava, Lord Siva, parvathy, Vishnu, Brahma, Saraswathy etc.
We find steps leading us down from another side. In the main hall there are marble idols of Swamiji and Shiridi Baba.
The premises are clean and well maintained. Out side the main temple within the compound we see Navagraha’s with their vahana in individual small mandapam.
There is a separate mandapam with a small sanctum for Nagar.
Side view of the temple.
Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.
The place Thirumarai kadu / Vedaranyam is about 45 Kms from Nagapattinam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam.
The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram.
As we enter through the main Raja gopuram we see a 16 pillar mandapam and the pushkarani is seen to our left.
As we cross the mandapam, we see small sanctum for Ganpathy.
After having darshan of Ganapthy, there is one more pillar mandapam to cross and enter in to the inner Gopuram of the temple
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is One of 64 Sakthy Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thayagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Natanam.
Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram.
Teertaham is Manikarnikai and Veda teertham.
The temple prakaram is very big and it was full of water.
Importance: Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here in this place. After their worship the temple main door was locked from inside. There was another door from the side which people were using to enter into the temple. Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar reached this place on their visit to temples in the south. They were surprised to see the main door closed and came to know the reason. Sambandhar asked Navukkarasar, to sing on Lord Siva to open the door for devotees. Lord Siva was pleased by the Hymns, which he sung and the door opened on its own. Sambandhar was requested to sing to keep the door closed and opened here after. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva the temple main door closed on its own. From that day onwards the main door is used by devotees to enter in.
Goddess voice is melodious like Veena, hence she is known as Veena Vadha Vidushani.
So here we Saraswathy Devi without Veena and instead she is in the form of meditating with palm leaf in her hand.
Durgai in this temple is facing south and she is worshiped as Kaval Deivam.
Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvthy marriage in this place.
A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rate, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakkravarthy.
This place Thirumarai kadu is birth place of Paranjyothy Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilayadal Puranam.(Siva Leela).
Others like Manu Maandata, Dasaradha, Rama, Mavali, and Pandvas worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed.
The ”Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vruksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”
Sundarar Thiu Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan known as Melakkumaran.
The place Thirumarai kadu / Vedaranyam is about 45 Kms from Nagapattinam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam.
The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram.
As we enter through the main Raja gopuram we see a 16 pillar mandapam and the pushkarani is seen to our left.
As we cross the mandapam, we see small sanctum for Ganpathy.
After having darshan of Ganapthy, there is one more pillar mandapam to cross and enter in to the inner Gopuram of the temple
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is One of 64 Sakthy Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thayagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Natanam.
Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram.
Teertaham is Manikarnikai and Veda teertham.
The temple prakaram is very big and it was full of water.
Importance: Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here in this place. After their worship the temple main door was locked from inside. There was another door from the side which people were using to enter into the temple. Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar reached this place on their visit to temples in the south. They were surprised to see the main door closed and came to know the reason. Sambandhar asked Navukkarasar, to sing on Lord Siva to open the door for devotees. Lord Siva was pleased by the Hymns, which he sung and the door opened on its own. Sambandhar was requested to sing to keep the door closed and opened here after. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva the temple main door closed on its own. From that day onwards the main door is used by devotees to enter in.
Goddess voice is melodious like Veena, hence she is known as Veena Vadha Vidushani.
So here we Saraswathy Devi without Veena and instead she is in the form of meditating with palm leaf in her hand.
Durgai in this temple is facing south and she is worshiped as Kaval Deivam.
Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvthy marriage in this place.
A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rate, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakkravarthy.
This place Thirumarai kadu is birth place of Paranjyothy Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilayadal Puranam.(Siva Leela).
Others like Manu Maandata, Dasaradha, Rama, Mavali, and Pandvas worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed.
The ”Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vruksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”
Sundarar Thiu Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan known as Melakkumaran.
- Sree Rama temple.
The temple is in Sitaram bagh, Hyderabad city. The temple is about 400 years old.
The temple is a private temple managed by Rajastani family. There is a main Raja gopuram in different form. There is no hundi in the temple.
As we enter through the main entrance we see many families residing inside the compound. There is a way leading from side to the temple. The place looks like a fort.
We see different vahanas which is used during the festival time .
There is a sixteen pillar mandapam as we enter inside.
we cross and enter inside and we see a separate sanctum for Lord Ganesha.After worshipping Lord Ganesha we climb few steps, to Lord Srirama temple.
We enter into a maha mandapam of Srirama sanctum.
Here we see Dwajasthambam and a small sanctum attached to it with Garudazwar and Hanuman for darshan. we seek the permission of Garudazhwar and visit the main sanctum.
Inside the main sanctum we see Lord Rama with Seetha, Lakshmana, Baratha and Saturugnan. This is rare thing. Main deity of Srirama and Baratha are of black stone and the rest are white stone.
In front of the main deity there are three steps. To the top most one we see brass idols of Sri Rama, Seetah and Lakshmana. In the second step we see Radha krishnar and in the last one saligrama stones.
As we come out there is another perumal temple with separate entrance. As we enter in we see garudazwar in a small sanctum near Dwajasthambam. In front of Garudazhwar we see Perumal with Thayar. There is a separate sanctum for Thayar.
As we walk out from a side entrance we enter in to see a sanctum for Sri
Hanuman and near by a separate sanctum for Mataji. there is a big pipal tree in front of Hanuman mandir.
- Ayodhya:
This is one of 108 Divya Desam. Birth place of Lord Sri Rama.
Ayodhya is situated on the bank of River Sarayu. This place is 7 kms from Faizabad. This is a popular pilgrimage centre. The ancient city of Ayodhya according to Ramayana was founded by Manu. This is one of the seven sacred cities
According to Purana. Ayodha is famous for its close association of Ramayana. It’s a city full of sacred temples and historical significance. Atharvana Veda describes Ayodhya as “a city built by Gods and being prosperous as Paradise itself”. Various faiths have grown and prospered simultaneously in different periods. Jains consider that 5 tirthankars were born in Ayodhya and the first Tirthankar Rishabadev is one amoung them.
- River Sarayu:
The River was full of water and water flow was wild. We did enjoy the dip in the river. Some sort of arrangements is made for changing dress. There is lot of cows with panda’s standing there to do the godhan pooja for pilgrims.
- Hanuman Gadi
This is temple of Hanuman and it is most popular temple of Ayodhya. The temple is in center of the town. One has to climb about 70 steps to reach the main sanctum. The main temple there is statue of Anjana Devi with Bal Hanuman on lap. Legend says Hanuman stays here and guarded the Ramkot. The faithful belief is that all the wishes are granted with a visit to the temple.
- Kanaka Bhavan:
This is the palace of Sri Rama. We climb few steps and enter into a big hall. Here we get to have darshan of Rama’s Paduka. This was the place from where Rama climbed into the chariot, to leave Ayodhya for vanavasam
There is another mandapam in which we have the main sanctum. Here we see Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana. There are two sets of idols we see here, one is the main idol and the other was worshipped by Sri Krishna. This is the place where Rama and Janaki matha lived. Main deity is decorated so well we hardly feel like leaving the place.
- Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi
This is the main place of worship in Ayodhya. This is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on the elevated ground in the western part of the city. Lot of checking is there. We are not allowed to take anything inside. One has to walk a lot to reach the main place. They have kept the idol of Seetha Sri Rama and Lakshmana. It is so far we hardly get to see clearly and has to imagine and feel happy. We have the darshan of Hanuman to the side
- Janma Bhoomi Karyalaya:
This is the place where the work is going on for the construction of Sri Rama mandir. There is a model of the temple is exhibited. Pillars with carvings, designed ceiling material, doors and all the designed stones to the sides of the walls are ready. They intend erecting the temple with these ready materials by year 2013.
- Sitamari
This place is about 7 kms from Raiyapur.
As per Purana Sita was abandoned by Sri Rama. She stayed in Baradwaj Ashram and
gave birth to Lava and Kusha. After the kids grew up and they met Sri Rama, she wanted to leave the world and she merged with her mother Bhoodevi forever in this place.
UP tourism has developed this place as a tourist spot. we see a Hanuman statue, siva lingam and Sita in a basement room relating to the story of he merging with her mother.
There is a big hall where they have kept Sita idol as if she is within the earth. beautiful glass paintings are to the walls. The doors are adorned with pictures relating to Ramayan. There is water running to the sides of this place.
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