Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple

Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple

Thirunallar is one of the most famous holy places in South India located in Karaikal which is 160 km south of Pondicherry (Pudhucherry). Thirunallar is famous for Lord Saneeshwara's (Saturn) temple. The only temple where Lord Saneeshwara lost all his power to Lord Shiva (Dharbaranyeshwarar) which saved his devotee Nalan from Saturn's curses. That's the story about the temple. A lot of People visit the place every Saturday to get similar blessings.

Saneeswaran is reputed to be both, a giver and destroyer. A person who prays to Saneeswaran will be blessed with not only riddance from the problems and worries faced, but a life that one desires.

THIRUNALLAR is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Saneeswaran Bahavan. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous tanks of theertams, the Nala theertam is the most important one. One have to take bath in this nala theertam inorder to get relived for Lord Saneeswara bahavan. If we did that, then the effectes of Sani will be reduced as we can good results in our life. Its a belief form ancient time.

SATURDAY IS THE SPECIAL DAY FOR THIS GOD.

Eachanari Vinayagar Temple

Eachanari Vinayagar Temple

The temple is among the oldest one in Coimbatore and dates back to 1500A.D.The moolavar at this temple was actually meant for Perur Patteshwarar temple and since it got struck on its way from Madurai, Eachnari became the blessed place. The deity's height is 6 feet and the width is 3 feet and is one of the biggest in SouthIndia. The last kumbabishekam was performed in 1990.

The splendid architecture of this temple is a visual treat in itself. Legends have their tales that the presiding idol was being brought from Madurai on a cart for establishing it in the new temple. Along the way, wheels of cart broke down on the highway and people accompanying the cart tried to move the idol so that they could establish it somewhere else. However, none of them succeeded and they decided to built a temple on the highway itself. Due to its location, you may visit some problems in parking your vehicle but the temple is worth visiting on your trip to Coimbatore. Experience the religious aspect of your trip to Coimbatore!

Karmadai Ranganathar Temple

Karmadai Ranganathar Temple

Located about 30kms from Coimbatore on the Mettupalayam Highway is the Swayambu Ranganatha temple in Karamadai set in the backdrop of the blue mountain. Karikala Chozhan and Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar are said to have made contributions to the temple. Thirumalai Nayakkar built the temple walls and several mandapams in and around the temple.

Railway Line and the temple

A British engineer wanted to construct a railway line near this temple that would have caused inconvenience to the temple and its festivals. Pleased with the sincere prayers of the devotees, Lord Ranganatha is said to have come, in a white horse, in the dreams of the British engineer, who then is said to have changed the direction of the railway line.

The happy British engineer donated a wooden white horse to the temple. To this day, the utsavar deity takes the street processions on this white horse.

The story

People in the region, who used to find their livelihood grazing and milking cows, found a particular cow returning without milk after a trip every morning. Surprised at this, they followed the cow and found that the cow stopped at a particular spot and let out the milk.

On digging the mound, they found Lord Ranganatha beneath.

Delighted at this occurrence, they built mandapams around this place and constructed the temple for Ranganatha who is seen here as a Swayambu Murthy – one who came out of the earth on his own. Unlike other Ranganatha temples, where he is in a reclining posture, only the moolavar deity’s face can be seen.

Ramanuja’s visit to Karamadai Ranganathar

Ramanuja is said to have visited this temple on his way from Srirangam to Thiru Narayanapuram (Melkote).

Festivals

Navarthri Festival

Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival

Chariot Procession, that takes place on the full moon day in Maasi, is a special highlight at this temple.

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Ranaganatha East Facing Swayambu Moorthy (only face is seen)

Thaayar : Ranganayaki

Utsavar : Venkatesa Peruma.

Palani Murugan temple

                            

Palani is one of the most visited and popular temple in Tamilnadu dedicated to Lord Muruga and is one of the revered 6 Padai Veedu shrines of Murugan.

Palani Hills

The temple of Dhandayudhapani is located atop the Palani hills, which is about 324 metres above the sea level. 690 stone steps line the mountain passage and an electric winch and cable cares also takes pilgrims up the hill. Anyhow, walking through the steps give breathe-taking view of the palani hills and temples. Further, heading towards hill through steps leads to get good view of small temples. Once you reach the top of the hill, you need to take several rounds towards temple to get the blessings from Lord Murugan. Once you came out from the main shrine, you will see the golden top of the main temple. Before get down, you should look around and see the nice view of palani and nearby areas. In addition, you can get the excellent view of Kodaikanal hills and near by Idumban hills.

Palani Murugan Temple is also known by other names such as Tiru Avinankudi, Palani Subramanya Temple, Palani Murugan Kovil, Dandayudhapani Swami Temple, and Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Thirukkovil. Bhogar Shrine at Pazhani Temple

Bhogar who created the Navabashana idol and sanctified the deity is said to have lived before 3,000 B.C. The shrine of Bhogar is found in the southwestern corridor of the hill temple. There are also images of Nava Durga or Bhuvanesvari and the Maragadha (emerald) Shiva Lingam who were worshipped by him. There is an underground passage which is said to link the sanctum sanctorum with the Bhogar shrine.  The walls of the shrine describe the history of the temple.

Palani Murugan Temple Festivals

Thai Poosam Festival or Thaipusam, Agni Nakshatra, Kandhar Shasti (Shasti Vratam in the month of Aippasi), and Vaikasi Visagam are the most important festivals celebrated at Palani Muruga Temple. Other festivals celebrated here include Thirukarthigai, Pankuni Uttiram (March - April), Chitra Pournami, and Aani Annabhishekam.

In the Tamil month of Aadi, the Pazhani Temple celebrates the Aadi Perukku, Aadi Krithigai, Aadi Amavasai, and Aadi Laksharchana festivals.

Tirunelveli Sri Nellaiappar Temple

Tirunelveli Sri Nellaiappar Temple

Thirunelveli/Pancha Sabha Kshetram/Venu Vanam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located on the river banks of Tamraparani at the heart of Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva built by the Pandya Kings date back to 17th century.  This temple occupies 14 acres of acres massive land with majestic Rajapouram, stunning Maha Mandapams, Tamra Sabha (celestial cosmic dance hall) with exquisite paintings and murals.

Presiding deity – Sri Nellaiappar/Venuvananathar/Veimathanathar/Nelvelinathar/Salivatheswar/Venuvaneswarar/Venuvana Mahalingeswarar/Tamra Sabhapathy/ Swayambhu Moorthy with his consort Goddess Sri Kanthimathi Ammai/Vadivudaiammai

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.  Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.

Theertham – Potramarai Theertham, Karumari Theertham, Sindhupoonthurai Theertham, Tamrabharani

Sthalavruksham – Moongil ( Bamboo)

Worshipped by – Sage Agastya

Sannidhis –Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Vishnu as Nellai Govindan, Santhana Sabapathi, Lord Nataraja,

There are three wide circumambulatory paths located in this temple.  In the First Praharam there are sannidhis of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, Lord Chandikeswara, Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini, Lord Bhairava and  Lord Govinda.

In the Second Praharam there are astonishing pillars which produces Sapthaswaras (Sa,Ri,Ga,Ma,Pa,Da,Ni) and Tamra Sabha of Lord Shiva positioned here.  In addition to this, there are idols of 63 Nayanmars, Goddess Ashtalakshmi, Lord Shaneeswara and Sahasra Linga.

In the Third Praharam there is a sannidhis of Lord Subramanya with Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai. 

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Iyypasi Kalyanostavam, Brahmostavam, Karthikai, Thaipoosam, Ani Car Festival,

There are several interesting myths associated with this temple.  There was a righteous Brahmin Veda Sarma; he was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva.  He was meticulously followed the rituals of a Brahmin prescribed in the Veda and sacred scriptures.  He made his livings by Vedic chants in this means he receive alms from the villagers.  It was his daily practice to offer Lord with whatever received as alms.  As any other day, he received harvested rice but not yet processed as alms and kept it for parched. He went to have a holy dip in the pond.  Suddenly, the sky turned cloudy and started raining heavily with thunder storms.   Veda Sarma was hysterical at this sight, thought of his alms were roughly washed off with the down pour.  He dashed to the place where he had kept the grains to dry, he earnestly prayed Lord to save the grains.  He was surprised to see the heavy down pour washed off the rest of the places, eaving behind the place where grains kept for drying.    His grains were remained untouched and dried out on the bright sunlight when the remaining land was flooded with water.  Veda Sarma hurried to the palace of King Rama Pandya and informed the miraculous incident.  King and his men scurried to the spot to witness the spectacular event.  Thus the presiding deity of this temple has got the name Nelvelinathar.

Another legend has that there was Brahmin used to bring Milk to the Palace on daily basis.  One day while he was on his way to Palace stumbled upon a stone and dispensed the whole milk on the stone.  This incident repeated continuously for few days.  The poor Brahmin was worried of these bizarre happenings and informed the King.  King and his men arrived on the spot and started the excavation process.  While the work was in progress, the spear strongly hit on the stone and blood oozed out.  The people gathered were shocked to witness the incident, instantaneously there heard a divine voice and a Linga appeared with abrasion on it.    In this temple the presiding deity – self manifested Linga can been seen with a cut mark on it.

THE SURYANAR TEMPLE TAMILNADU

THE SURYANAR TEMPLE TAMILNADU

Suryanara Temple Tamilnadu

The Sun Temple Image

The Suryanara Mandir

Suryanar Mandir

Image Of  Lord Suryanar

The  Suryanar Koil temple is located about 1 km from Tirumangalakkudi which lies between Kumbakonam and Mayavaram, near Thanjavur, in Tamilnadu. This is the  the first of the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu.The Suryanar Koil is very famous  known as Surya Sthalam, Suryanaar Kovil is dedicated to the Sun God or Lord Surya, the first of Navagrahas . The other eight Navagrahas are seen facing the Sun God. Besides, Suriyanar Temple also embodies the shrines of Kasi Vishwanath, Visalakshi and Brihaspati (Guru) within the sanctum. The Koil Theertha Vinayakar (Ganesha or Pillayar) shrine is a prominent sculpture here. There are around 15 theerthams in the Suryanar Temple. The one which is located inside the temple is called as Jnana Koopam. The inscriptions from the period of Krishna Deva Raya speak about the endowments made to this temple. The nearby Poolaivala River is an added attraction to this temple.

The trust about the Suryanar Koil temple  :

It is whispered that those who are affected by 'Graha Dhosham' and negative influence of Lord Shani (Planet Saturn), Ashtama Shani and Janma Shani can visit Suryanar Koil to get relieved of their sufferings. Wheat, Red Lotus, Erukku  and Sakkarai Pongal are some of the offerings to worship the Lord. The other eight Navagrahas are seen facing the Sun God. There is a tank called Surya Pushkarni, which lies to the north of the Rajagopuram. This is considered as a sacred bathing ghat.

History:

Lord Siva, pleased with their devotion absolved them of their sins and decried that there will be nine sannadhis for the navagrahas in the Suryanar temple (this is the only temple where all the navagrahas are present with separate sannadhis) and those who pray here will get relief from their problems.

Those who suffer the ill effects of Kalathara Dosham, Vivaha Paribandha Dosham, Puthra Dosham, Puthra Paribandha Dosham, Vidhya Paribandha Dosham, Udyoga Padhibandha Dosham, Surya dasai, Surya bukthi would benefit from worshipping at this temple. Father, Athma, physical strength, right eye, governmental largesse are the beneficial aspects of this planet.

If one bathes in the nine ghats in this place continuously for 12 Sundays, they will be saved from sufferings and blessed with a happy and peaceful life.

Sree Surya Puranam When the world came into existence, the first sound that reverberated was ‘Ohm’. Surya was born from this ‘Omkara naadham’. Sree Markandeya Puranam has explained this factor. Suryan was the son of Sage Kashyap and was the grandson of Sage Maarisi. Surya married Soorvarsala, the daughter of Viswakarma. Vaivasvatha Manu and Yamadharmarajan were his sons and Yamuna, his daughter. It should be mentioned here that the chariot of Surya has only one wheel. It is drawn by seven horses in seven colors. Lord Surya, who is the chief of the grahams, appears with a lotus in his divine hands. Surya Bhagawan blesses his devotees with good health, fame and efficient management.

The presiding deities are Puranavaradheeswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha – Rudran. His color is red and his vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses. The grain associated with his is wheat; the flower – lotus, yerukku; fabric – red clothes; gem – ruby; food – wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.Suryanaar Koyil was built by the Chola kings.

Build
Inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120) refer to this temple as the Kulottunga Chola Martanda Alayam. Kulottunga Chola is said to have had a good relationship with the Gahadwal dynasty of Kanauj (1090 – 1194), whose rulers were Sun worshippers, and hence Suryanar Koyil, is considered to be an expression of their influence in South India.

The temple the tower of the temple is 15.5 meter in height and consists of three tiers. At the top of the tower are five domes. To the north of the rajagopuram lies the sacred bathing ghat, called Surya Pushkarni. It is important to bathe in this ghat before offering worship at the temple. If not, one should at least sprinkle its water on one’s head.

Special features of the temple All the grahams face Surya Bhagawan in this temple. As soon as one enters the temple, there is a sacrificial platform (Bali peetam). To its east lies a mandap where one can see an idol of a horse. The Lord’s vehicle is the horse (vaahanam) which goes by the name ‘Saptha, meaning seven in Sanskrit. The one-wheeled chariot is drawn by seven horses.

Timing
According to Atharvana Veda, one who worships Surya Bhagawan will be relieved from diseases pertaining to the eyes and heart. This temple is open from 6 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on all days.

Festivals
Requirements for worshipping the Lord Flower – Senthamarai (Red Lotus)
Samith (sacrificial fuel ) – Erukku ( madar plant )
Dhaniyam (grain) – Wheat
Vasthram – Lotus red
Neivedhyam – Sakkarai pongal

Ratha Saptami in the Tamil month of Thai, and the first Sundays in the months of Aavani (Leo) and Kartikai(Scorpio) and Vijaya Dasami are celebrated in this temple.

OOTY ELK HILL MURUGAN TEMPLE

OOTY ELK HILL MURUGAN TEMPLE 

Temple view 

Temple Enterence

108 steps (padis)

Lord Murugar 40 feet Statue

Moolavar

Elk Hill is the place in Udagamandalam (Ooty) South India. Famous for Lord Murugar Temple. It is a Replica of Batu caves  Malaysia. Approximately 40 feet statue of Lord Murugar constructed and placed in the form of Suthai -Made up of Brick and Cement) in a standing posture out side this temple open space. *Side view of the Temple from Top* The Moolavar is very much pretty .Other than Lord Murugar, Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddesses Sakthi, Nava Kanikas and Navagraha sanithanams are there in the hill. ...

Administration: This temple is under the Hindu religious Endowment  Board and taken care by Marriamman temple Ooty.

                                                                                  

Nature, flora and fauna: The hill is surrounded by thick forest trees. The scenic beauty and calm atmosphere of this zone makes devotees  happy feeling and a good place for meditation.

Festivals:

Thaipusam  festival.

Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (which falls in late January/early February) has been celebrated here as grand festival. A procession begins in the wee hours of the morning on Thaipusam from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple towards  Elk hill. Devotees carry containers containing milk as offering to Lord Murugan either by hand or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called 'kavadi'. From Elk hill Ratham decorated by flowers carring the idol of balamurugar goes down the town later. The kavadi may be simple wooden arched semi-circular supports holding a carrier foisted with brass or clay pots of milk, peacock feathers.                                                    

Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar Temple

                Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar Temple

God is portrayed as male in some religions. God is portrayed as female in some other religions. 

There are religions who worship nature as the God. According to some religions, the God has no shape and name. As per Hinduism, God doesn't have shape, God has shape, God is in the form of self, animal, bird, male and female. To explain this, I might have to write hundreds of blog posts. Keeping that aside, there is a temple in South India where God is portrayed as half-man and half-woman. That rare temple is located in a place called Tiruchengode (Thiruchengodu) in Tamil Nadu state of South India.

Lord Shiva is one of the main Gods of Hinduism. Ardhanareeswar, one of 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva, has half-man and half-female to represent the unity of Shakti and Shiva. Even though Ardhanareeswara is a well known manifestation of Shiva, you cannot find a temple or shrine for Ardhanareeswara. As far as I know, the only temple dedicated for Ardhanareeswara in the form of half man and half woman is located only in Tiruchengode. (There are temples for Ardhanareeswara where the idol is in the form of Shiv Linga). Thus, Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar temple is considered as a rare temple.

Tiruchengode is a small town located near Erode. The hill top temple of Ardhanareeswarar is the famous temple of Tiruchengode. Tiruchengode is supposed to be very ancient city. You can find the reference of Tiruchengode in ancient Tamil literature such as 'Silappadikaram'. In those days, the city was named as 'Kodimada Chenkunrur'. The temple is located at a height of 1900 feet from the sea level. You can reach the temple either by motorable road or through 1200 steps. You can find various mandaps and small shrines if you use the steps to reach the temple atop hill. When you climb the steps you can also notice the images of snakes and five headed serpents carved on either side of the pathway. As per the legend, there was a deadly combat between Vayu, the Wind God, and Adi Sesha, the serpent couch of Lord Vishnu. Sesha was defeated and overthrown on this hill with bleeding wounds. As Sesha's blood fell on this hill, it got the name 'Chengodu' (Chen refers the red color in Tamil language). Due to its association with the serpent God Adi Sesha, the place is also called as Naga Giri.

Once you reach the hilltop, you can enjoy the sight of aerial view of Tiruchengode city before entering into the temple having the gigantic five tiered north facing tower. Even though the temple tower faces the north direction, the sanctum sanctorum of Ardhanareeswarare faces the western direction. Once you enter inside the temple, you will reach the 'Chengottu Velavar' shrine. Chengottu Velavar is the name of Murugan in this temple. Chengottu Velavar is as popular as Ardhanareeswarar. Arunagirinathar and others have sung hymns on Chengottu Velavar. Velavar carries swear (vel) on right hand and cock on his left hand. The image is very short hardly 31/2 feet high, but very attractive. This shrine is exactly located at the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. 

In front of the shrine of Velavar, there is a mandap full of beautiful life size sculptures of various Gods, Goddesses, and saints such as Rathi, Manmada, Nandi in different posture, a king with three wives, Veerabhadra, and Kali. There is a small idol of Selva Vinayaka is also located in this mandap.

The sanctum sanctorum has the idol of Ardhanareeswarar made of 'Navapaashanam'. The right side of the idol is male and the left side is female. It's a combination of Shiva and Parvati. The great saints such as Manikavasagar and Sambandar have sung on Ardhanareeswarar. Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar temple is one of 275 Padal Petra Sthalams (275 important temples of Lord Shiva). As per the legend, sage Bringi, a great devotee of Shiva avoided worshiping other deities including Parvati. Hence, the God appeared as half-Shiva and half-Parvati for Bringi. You can find the idol of Bringi saint with three legs in the main shrine. The highlight of the shrine is that you can find water always springing up perennial at the foot of Lord.

There is a separate shrine housing the processional (utsav/metal) idol of Ardhanareeswarar. The temple also houses other shrines and idols such as Mallikarjun, Sagasraling, Ilupai Viswanath and Visalakshi, Nataraj with Sivakami, Vinayak, Adi sesha, Sangameswar Vedanayaki, Bhairav, Surya, Arunagiri, Siddhi vinayak, Kumaresar, Navagraha, and Lingothbhava.

Adi Sesha shrine is also found which is rare to find in Shiva temple. There are more beautiful sculptures in the temple such as Nataraj and dancing Kali, Kuravan and Kurati, etc. There is a separate shrine for Adi Kesava (Vishnu). Kedara Gowri, Nallesar, Mukkodu Vinayakar, Nalvar, Chandikeswarar, 63 nayanmars, Kubera Lingam, Lakshmi, Nageswarar and various other Shiv Linga idols are also found in this sculpture-rich temple.

This temple was constructed and renovated by various kings including Cholas and Vijayanagara Kings.

A artistically beautiful temple with full of extraordinary sculptures located at top of the hill - A must visit.

Thiruvattaru Adi Kesava Perumal Koil

  

Thiruvattaru Adi Kesava Perumal Koil

Huge 22 feet Adi Kesavan seen in a Bhujanga Sayanam
Sun’s rays fall directly on the Lord for a week in the month of Puratasi and Panguni

Located about 30kms from Nagercoil off Marthandam near the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border and one of the 13 Malai Naatu Divya Desams is the Adi Kesava Perumal Koil. This is one of the oldest temples in this region.

Though this Divya Desam is located in Tamil Nadu, there are no big temple towers that are typical of Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu. The temple has been built in typical Kerala style on a 3 acre land. All poojas are in Kerala style - Thaanthriga Vithi and the priest is from Kerala as well. 

Asuras Kesan and Kesi tried to disrupt the Yaagam of Brahmma and troubled the Devas, who requested Lord Vishnu to help them destroy the asuras. Vishnu came here, killed Kesan and kicked down and slept on Kesi displaying his Sayana Kolam. Kesi’s wife invoked the blessings of Goddess Ganga, who along with Tamaraibarani, came with great velocity to cause floods here. Seeing this and as per the instructions of the Lord,Bhoodevi created a mount to block the over flow. Realising the fault, Ganga and Tamaraibarani split into two and into a circular formation around the Lord in a symbolic gesture of garlanding the Lord.

As the Lord killed the Asura Kesan, he came to be called ‘Adi Kesavan’. This Divya Desam is surrounded and circled by rivers (River Parali) from all sides. Hence, this place came to called Thiru ‘Vatta-aaru’.

Lord seen sleeping in opposite direction
One has to climb 18 steps to reach the Adi Kesavan Sannidhi, where the 22 feet Lord, made out of 16008 Saligramams, is seen in a West facing Bhujanga Sayanam (seen sleeping in the opposite direction –Head in the South, Feet in the North). 

This Maaru Sayanam of Lord sleeping from right to left is also seen in Thiruvekka in Kanchipuram.
http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/10/108-divya-desam-kanchipuram-thiruvekka.html
Adi Ananthapuram
The temple is older than Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum (about 50kms from here). Adi Kesava Perumal is said to be the elder brother of Anantha Padmanabhan and hence, this place is referred to as Aadhi Ananthapuram. This temple is also known as Chera Naatu Srirangam. 

Between the 3rd and 9th day of Puratasi and Panguni, during dusk, Sun’s rays directly falls on the Lord inside the sanctum, almost as a mark of respect from the Sun God to Adi Kesava Perumal.

Parasuraman is said to have undertaken penance at this place and performed daily poojas for Adi Kesavan

Chaitanya Maha Prabhu visited the temple in 1510AD

Sage Vashista is said to have stayed here for several years

Inscriptions and Sculptures

There are close to 50 inscriptions inside the temple in the outer prakarams in both Tamil and Sanskrit including those relating to Kulothunga Chozha I and his contribution to this temple. In addition to the inscriptions, one also finds a number of stunning sculptures on the pillars similar to the ones in Krishnapuram and Sri Vaikuntam. 

Another remarkable feature is the mandapam outside the sanctum measuring 18ft width and 3 ft height that has been built on a single stone in the 12th Century AD. 

There is reference to Thiru Vattaru in the more than 2000 year old famous Sangha time Tamil literature ‘Pura Naanooru’. Hence, this temple can be said to belong to that time or before.

Kumbabhisshekam
It has been over 400 years since the last Kumbabhishekam at this temple. Initiatives are currently on for the Kumbabhishekam.

Azhvaar Praise
NammAzhvaar has sung 10 verses of praise of Adi Kesavan of ThiruVattaru.
“Vattrataan Adi Vanangi, Ma Gnalap Pirapu Aruppan
Kettaye Mada Nenje, Kesavan Em Perumaanaip
Paattu Aai Pala Paadi, Pazhavinaigal Patru Aruthu
Naatarodu Iyalvu Ozhinthu Narananai Nanninamey”- 3947

Singing praise of Kesavan and worshipping Him provides salvation from rebirth and takes one away from worldly attachments.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Adi Kesava Perumal, West Facing Bujanga Sayanam
Thaayar : Maragada Valli Thaayar

Utsavar : Adi Kesavan
Azhvaar : NammAzhvaar has praised the Lord with 11 paasurams (3946-55)

Festival: 

Panguni, Aipasi 10 day festival
Avani Thiruvonam
12 day Kalapa Pooja festival in Thai

MAHA AVATAR BABAJI - PARANGIPETTAI

MAHA AVATAR BABAJI

Maha Avatar Babaji - a saint born in the year 203 AD and experienced to be alive in the Himalayas still became a household name after Superstar Rajinikanth made a movie on him and the spiritual experiences through him.

Paramahansa Yogananda, another reputed spiritual writer, has written about the conversations he had with Maha Avatar Babaji, in his book "The Autobiography of a Yogi". The name Maha Avatar Babaji was given by Shyamacharan Lahiri and other disciples of the saint who met him between 1861 and 1935.

SAA Ramaiah who co-founded the Kriya Babaji Sangah to propogate the Kriya Yoga teachings of Babaji has had the privilege of building a temple for him at his birth place.

Where was Maha Avatar Babaji born?

The erstwhile South Arcot District has had the privilege of being the birth place of several saints like Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), Thirugnanasambandar, Sundaramurthy Nayanar, Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, Arutprakasa Vallalar Ramalinga Swamigal, Kanchi Maha Swami Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi and Maha Avatar Babaji.

Born in Parangipettai (Porto Novo) near Cuddalore, as Nagarajan, to Swethanatha Ayyar and Gnanambal on 30 November 203, in the tamil month of Karthigai on Rohini Star, Babaji had a normal childhood like any other child. In fact there is a painting of Babaji as a child in the meditation hall of the temple, narrating an incident as revealed by him to his disciples.

When Nagarajan was four years old, his mother had put away a jackfruit for a family religious function and not knowing this, the little boy had eaten up the pieces before they could be offered to God. Angered by his act, his mother had punished him by gagging him with a cloth in his mouth.

Swethanatha Iyer was a priest in the Muthukumaraswamy temple in Cuddalore. When Nagarajan was between five and seven years old, he was kidnapped during one of temple festivals and sold as a slave in Kolkata. He managed to gain the sympathy of his master who released him soon after and he then joined a group of wandering sanyasis and had an opportunity of meeting Sage Agasthya who advised him to go to Kataragama (Sri Lanka) and find his Guru who was waiting for him there.

With great difficulty, the 11 year old Nagarajan reached Kataragama where he met Saint Bhoghar and became his disciple. Bhoghar taught him Vasi Yogam and with his grace, he was also able to get a vision of Lord Muruga.

After that he spent several years in Badrinath practising Kriya Yoga and then attained self realisation. All these facts are as revealed to his disciples Shri V T Neelakantan and Shri SAA Ramaiah. The latter has built a temple at the exact birth place of Maha Avatar Babaji at Parangipettai (Porto Novo) near Cuddalore.

he Maha Avatar Babaji temple is a very simple single shrine temple with an adjacent meditation hall. Currently construction is going on to build a mandapam in front of Babaji's shrine. On either side of the sanctum sanctorum, there are sculptures of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga as he appeared before Babaji in Kadaragama. There is a Yaga Gundam in front of the shrine called Gowri Shankar Peetam. Babaji Padham used to be installed here but has been moved into the shrine owing to the construction that is currently happening. Every Thursday, abhishekam is performed for Maha Avatar Babaji and special pujas are held on his birthday.

On the sides of the shrine are panels depicting various incidents that happened in his life and that of his primary disciples, as narrated by him to Shri SAA Ramaiah.

There are two decorative pillars in front of the shrine which bear images of his primary disciples. Behind the temple is a meditation hall, that has an idol of Shri SAA Ramaiah and paintings of Maha Avatar Babaji and incidents of his life. Visitors are allowed inside this meditation hall for uninterrupted concentration.