Ayravatheshwarar Temple @ Darasuram

Ayravatheshwarar Temple @ Darasuram

Ayravat is the name of the Elephant that devendran, the King of devas had. It is believed that the Ayravat elephant worshipped Lord shiva in this temple. The Lord shiva is henceforth named Ayravatheshwarar and is seated on a padmam or the Lotus flower. The Basement of the linga is a lotus flower. The sanctum or the Garbagraham is in the form of a Chariot drawn by horses.

                   This temple is located 4km from Kumbakonam and it is popular for its Art & Architecture. This temple is being recognized as world heritage monument by UNESCO. I was really lucky visiting this temple early in the morning of August 15^th, the 70^th Independence day of India. Very proud to be an Indian and especially a Tamilan. I was really spell bound looking at each & every pillar of this magnificent temple. Had to really rush as we had plans to visit other temples. A day will not be enough to fully enjoy this temple, especially if you are an art lover and also interested in learning the history with a bit of interest in Hinduism. This temple is not only a holy place to worship the Lord in the form of Linga but also a museum of the ancient Tamil Sirpakalai.

  This temple has similar design as the Thanjai Periya koil. As the history states, this temple was constructed by the grandson of the great RajaRajaCholan, Rajarajacholan 2, son of Rajendra Cholan. Standing firm crossing centuries, as a master piece depicting the skills of the Tamil people, I was wondering how BIG those Chola Kings must have thought to construct such wonderful temples.(Lesson learnt: THINK BIG) These are evidences of the artistic treasure and depth of the talent and skill in our genes. How long it must have taken for the people to collect such huge rocks. As history states there were no such rocks in the 100 Km radius of Tanjavur or Kumbakonam. Also, think of the number of the Sirpis (the one who makes Statues on stone) who must have worked in making such master pieces. Every pillar, every stage has lots of details and lot of images relating to various stories in hindu religion.
 The entrance of the Ambal Sannathi Mandapam on either side looks like below:

 
















Below is an interesting art form of the Elephant and Bullock together. Find if the elephant or Bullock has swallowed the other

Find if the Bullock or the Elephant wins?!

 

Notice the minute designs made in the 12th Century on the rocks! This covers the entire surrounding of the temple premisis

We entered through the street leading to the Ambal (Goddess) temple, as we entered we found people working on the silk threads making silk sarees. Also note, Darasuram is also famous for the silk sarees. Walking along the left side, we found a notice board set up by the archeological survey of India warning people not to exploit the temple and handle it safe. Anyone causing harm will be punished with 2 years imprisonment/ 2 lakh fine or with both.

As we walked through the lawn surrounding the temple maintained neatly with very old trees in between, we saw the Nandhi (Bull, the vahana of the lord Shiva) in front of the temple. Walking few steps down to see the Nandi, there are 7 steps adjacent to Nandi. It was mentioned that the steps will sound like the SaptaSwaras (S R G M P D N). If we throw stones on these steps it will sound like the seven swaras. 

The steps sounding the Saptha Swaras. Great Cholas !!

Entering the temple, we could see another notice board requesting people not to light lamps in places other than designated or apply oil or ghee on pillars. As we enetered the main Gopuram, we saw the mandapam with the Chakras on either side mounted on Elephants looking like a Chariot. Climbing the stairs had lopts of pillars. Each and every pillar had lots of artistic work depicting the hindu gods and their deeds. You can find the goddess Brahan nayaki (Periya Nayaki) in this hall to the left of the God Shiva and as you enter further. There is also a separate temple/Sannidhi for the goddess Devanayaki. 

Ambal temple

This temple also has exquisite art forms. Below are few pictures of the art works that captivated my attention in the temple within the short timing I was in the temple.

The Window structured as 2 Snakes twisted to catch a rat. Do you think is it an easy work?

The elephants and the women in dance poses

Sang the song “Kaapathuve Unathu Bharam- by Thanjai Naalvar” in front of the Ayravatheswarar seeking his blessings and returned back home with my mind filled with awe, divine thoughts and wonder for the Chola Kings. It was said that Darasuram is the later name for Rajarajapuram. He had ruled from here with his military camp (Padai Veedu) on all 4 directions.

The Morning Sun shining on the temple Vimanam

The Pillars with wonderful art works of the Gods & Godesses of the Hindu Religion

தென்னாடுடைய சிவனே  போற்றி ! என்னாட்டவர்க்கும் இறைவா  போற்றி !!

For more detail about the stories, history, temple, more Pictures or Photographs and the Chozha legends refer links below

http://kumbakonamtemples.in/airavateswarar-temple-darasuram.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darasuram
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airavatesvara_Temple
http://kumbakonam.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=244

Dhamal, Dhamordhara Swamy Temple

Dhamal, Dhamordhara Swamy Temple

A beautiful temple located in a village called Dhamal in Kanchipuram district.
The Deity: "Sri Thirumal Azhagi Samedha Dhamodhara Perumal.

I would tell it as a temple set up in a garden than a regular temple. Felt like standing in middle of beautiful trees and flowering plants. The street leading to the temple is long with old fashioned home on either sides with beautiful Thinnais (Resting place for the passer by or chit chat place for the localities in front of house). Few of the houses have been remodeled to today's houses. But I personally loved the old style houses with wooden pillars and door which we will have to bend to enter in. A large hall with an opening in the Middle for the sun light to pass in (Called in Tamil as Mittham)

The temple  has the Deity- Lord Vishu and Lordess Lakshmi in the names Dhamodhara and Thirumal Azhagi respectively. There are also Sri Andal, the Azhawars, and Anjaneyar Sannadhi. As you enter, you can see the Lordess first and to her left is the Lord mounted little above the ground  level. He is beautiful wearing anklets and all the deities are beautifully decorated. A special mention about the priest here is necessary for his devotion is quite obvious.

As the Name Suggests- The Lord is Dhamdaran- The Lord when He was tied with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara)", denoting a divine pastime in which Krishna's mother Yasoda bound Krishna for being mischievous. (Used by various Vaishnava adherents.). One  can see the mark of the rope aroundthe lord's waist every month-on the day when the star Rohini falls.

The Garuda Sevai:

The procession begun  with The God  gigantically seated on the Garudar. Dressed blissfully in silk and wearing all the gems and flower garlands. As he walked through the street, there were women dancing with the sticks (Kollattam),there was the music of Nadaswaram played my a man and women, followed by the people chanting sacred Matras. The Lord stopped in front of  every house, where people offered him with beautiful vastras (Dresses), fruits, dry fruits, garlands. He wore the dresses happily and looked beautiful in every one of them. As the procession moved, people came  every house came out offering to the god & offereing water/ butter milk for the devotees. I totally enjoyed the procession listening to the beautiful songs played by the Nadaswaram Vidwans. As the procession was about to end, The Lod danced for the song "Thandananahi"- Annamacharyar Krithi & entered back in to the temple.

Garuda Vahanam

The Procession from the temple

Kollattam & Nadaswaram in front of the procession

Damodara swami wearing all the clothes offered by devotees

For more details of this temple:
http://anudinam.org/2013/08/26/dhamal-dhamodhara-perumal-temple-thirupavitrotsavam/

Mutharasanallur Shivan Temple, Trichy

Mutharasanallur Shivan Temple, Trichy

Mutharasanallur Shivan Temple is yet another Shivan temple where there are 3 dities of Lord Shiva as Kadambar, Rathna Girishwarar and Thiru Eingoynathar. Hence the Place is named as Muth-arasanallur (Place ruled by Three Lords).

Visited this temple yesterday evening and  immediately thought of writing this blog.

There are 3 different places in the Trichy > Karur route in the river Bed of Kauvery.
1. Kadambar Koil-Kulithalai
2. Iyer Malai- Rathna Girishwarar
3. Thiruengoinathar- ThiruEngoiMalai

There is a  famous belief that Visiting these 3 temples in a day is very auspicious and cures all sins.

Kalaiyil Kadambar (Visit Kadambar in the morning pooja)
Mathiyam Rathnagirishwarar (Iyer Malai in the Noon pooja- This is a steep hill with 1017 steps)
Iravil ThiruEngoinathar (ThiruEngoimalai in the evening/ night Pooja)

It is really hard to make all these temples in a day. It is believed that one of the king couldnt make it & hence the Lord Shiva came below the Villva Tree & said those who cant make it can visit the Gods together in Mutharasa nallur. Felt really blessed to visit the temple. There are three different Sannidhis in the Premisis of the temple. The Lord resides with their corresponding goddesses.

Renovation is under progress for this temple.

For more details  with Pictures also visit:
 http://drlsravi.blogspot.in/2012/12/mutharasanallur-rathna-girishwarar.html
 http://travel.bhushavali.com/2010/01/kadambar-koil-trichy-tamil-nadu.html
https://indiatemples.wordpress.com/tag/kulithalai/
http://www.trichy.com/placesofworship/maragathal.htm

துடையூர்,விஷமங்களேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்

விஷமங்களேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்

On the Banks of Kollidam is this beautiful temple. Situated on the highway from Trichy-> Musiri-> Namakkal. Awesome temple that I felt blessed visiting. The temple is silently located. The lord shiva named Kadamba vana விஷமங்களேஸ்வரர் is in the Gigantic Long Linga Form and to his Left is Goddess மங்களநாயகி. She is a dazzling Beauty.

Surrounding the Shiva sannadhi , to the left is Veena Dakshina Moorthy. This is the first place I saw Dakshinamoorthy playing Veena. Behind the Shiva Sannadhi is Uma Alingana Moorthy, Lord Shiva Hugging parthy at one of his sides. There is Lord Brahma to the right of Shivan Sannadhi. There are also Durgai & Chandikeshwarar. There are also Saraswathi, Lakshmi Narayanar Sannadhi adjacent to Shivan Saanadhi. the temple is Small and compact. One can feel the vibration entering the temple. It is one of the PAADAL Petra Sthalam. Appar Peruman has Sung in Praise of the Lord Shiva.

It is believed that no poisonous insects bites people here in Thudayur. Near by this temple is a Maha Kali temple and the Grama Devathas temple. The temple can be seen from the highway and one has to cross a small bridge and travel parallel to Kollidam to reach this temple.

Photo courtesy: www.koil.com

Detailed description of this temple is given here: 

http://www.shivatemples.com/vt/vt_kovil2/vt83.php

Mayavaram Mayuranathar or Mayureshwarar

மயிலாடுதுறை  (Mayiladuthurai) is named so because the Goddess Parvathi took the form of Pea hen and danced to Marry the God Shiva. The tamil word Mayil means Peacock and Aadu means to dance and Thurai means venue or place.The presiding deity is a swayambhu lingam or a self-manifested lingam, the symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva's consort is known by the names Abhayapradhambikai, Abhayambikai, Anjalanayaki and Anjalai. Abayambal is an enchanting Beauty.

According to myth, the goddess Parvathi, once offended Lord Shiva. Shiva was so annoyed he cursed Parvathi to be born as a lowly Peahen. Later, when Parvathi repented, Shiva reduced this sentence. Parvathi had to pray first at Mylapore and then at Mayavaram at the end of which she was ridden of her curse and became known as "Abhayambal".


My Trip: We visited this temple on our way back from Vaideeswaran temple. We reached the temple around 11 AM. We entered via one of the side gates which had a School for the Kids. Walking through the Prahara, we could see Abhayambal first dressed in Green a mesmerizing beauty. Then we has the darshan of the Lord Parameshawara named Mayuranathar. The temple is quite simple with all the Upa- devathas.

Side entrance of the temple

The beautiful view of the Gopuram

The shrine depicting the Naalvar (Appar Sundarar Manikavasagar Thirugnanasambandar) and Abhayambal. Also Shivan Parvathi seated

For more history and details:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayuranathaswami_Temple,_Mayiladuthurai
http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/tamilnadu/mayavaram/