Category: Bhakti

  • Lalitha Sahasranama Introduction

    Lalitha Sahasranama Introduction

    The worship of Shiva and Shakti is unique to Hinduism.

    One prays the Male and the Female Principles.

    Kanchi Periyavar performing Pooja to Kanchi Kamakshi wit Bala

    Kanchi Periyavar, Kamakshi and Bala.image

    Kanchi Periyavar, Kamakshi and Bala

    Though Hinduism advocates The Realization of the Self, which is a Principle and beyond Attributes,Hinduism recommends worship of gods in the form of Idols.

    In this sense in Hinduism,God exists in Form and at the same time does not.

    For details read my post ‘God Exists, Yes And No’

    Worship of Gods in Human forms that in a form which one likes is special feature of Hinduism.

    In theory therefore there are, in this perspective, as many Gods as there are tendencies ,

    Details of Worship of Gods is also provided.

    Of the innumerable Gods and Goddesses, Adi Shankaracharya chose Six and regulated the worship , The Shanmathas.

    Please read my blog on this.

    There are various ways one can worship these Gods and Goddesses.

    Goddess Lalitha is worshiped in Four different ways

    The worship of Goddess Lalitha is called Sri Vidya.

    The Sri Vidya is to be practiced by any of the following Four ways,traditions

    1.Samayacharam. Worshiping in The Mind

    Worship is done mentally, internally and no object is used in this tradition

    2.Dakshinacharam,Worshiping through an Object, Sri Chakra or an Idol.

    3.Vamacharam is worshiping through the terrible aspects of The Divine, Laya Pradhana

    Kaulacharam is worshiping through the Human Body/parts.

    ‘Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Classes begin on Monday, 25th April,as it is an auspicious day and thereafter the classes shall be on every Sunday between 7 and 8 PM IST.
    Duration. One hour.
    Word by word meaning, Explanation with Sri Bhaskararaya’s commentary and Sri Vidya Upasna.
    Fees Rs. 800/ month. WhatsApp +919480591538’

    This includes Rituals some which are erotic in nature.

    It is Tantra Shastra.

    Ref:

    http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/Resource/essays/4traditionsofsrividya.html

    * This post and the others to follow are meant to give basic information.

    Some of the points which need elaboration ,I will do a little later.

    ‘Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Classes begin on Monday, 25th April,as it is an auspicious day and thereafter the classes shall be on every Sunday between 7 and 8 PM IST.
    Duration. One hour.
    Word by word meaning, Explanation with Sri Bhaskararaya’s commentary and Sri Vidya Upasna.
    Fees Rs. 800/ month. WhatsApp +919480591538

    Links are provided for clarification

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  • ‘முத்தைத்தரு’ Aruna Girinathar Tiruppugazh Divine Glory

    Arunagirinathar was a Tamil Saint who lived in the Fifteenth century in Thiruvannamalai.
    He was a wastrel when he was young and a womanizer.
    He  used to visit prostitutes regularly.
    His parents expired and he was living with his elder sister who was un married and was a Mother to him.
    They fell on hard times.
    They had no money.
    Arunagiri could not bear the pain of not visiting the  prostitutes.
    He was in an agony, on seeing her brother, His sister said to him,
    ‘If it is a Woman’s body you wacome to Me,
    I can not bear your suffering’
    Shocked Arunagiri was brought back to his senses.
    He went to the Temple at at Thruvannamalai, repented his sins to Lord Subramanya, climbed up the Temple Tower, and Jumped.
    Lord Subramanaya held him in his hands,said,
    ‘Arunagiri, Your Life’s work is not over yet,
    Compose songs on Me,
    Arunagiri said,
    I am a wastrel, Not educated, How can I compose songs?
    Lord Subramanya  took out His Triad, wrote the Pranava,’ OM’ on his tongue much like what Kali did for Kalidasa and gave him the first lines of a song.
    Those lines are, 
    ‘முத்தைத்தரு’
    I am reproducing the text and meanings below.
    Thiruppugazh , in Tami had originally 1600 poems.
    Now  only around 1008 are reportedly available.
    The beauty is not single Meter is repeated in another song.
    The pronunciation is a bit, though.( in some songs)
    All these song are on Lord Subramanya .
    These songs are on surrender to God(Subramanya,Life and all the Temples of Lord Subramanya, including the one in Sri Lanka (Kathirgamam)
    The songs have profound meanings.
    Lord Subramanya.
    Lord Subramanya.
    I shall , if I can,translations some time.
    In the meanwhile I am proving song  ‘முத்தைத்தரு’ from the Film Arunagirinathar, sung by TMS.
    Another one from the same movie,the repentance of Arunagiri for Tamil Lovers.
    Saint Arunagirinathar
    Saint Arunagirinathar
    இராகம்: கௌளை
    தாளம்: திஸ்ர த்ருபுடை/மிஸ்ரசாபு
    தத்தத்தன தத்தத் தனதன
    தத்தத்தன தத்தத் தனதன
    தத்தத்தன தத்தத் தனதன ….. தனதான
    முத்தைத்தரு பத்தித் திருநகை
    அத்திக்கிறை சத்திச் சரவண
    முத்திக்கொரு வித்துக் குருபர ….. எனவோதும்
    முக்கட்பர மற்குச் சுருதியின்
    முற்பட்டது கற்பித் திருவரும்
    முப்பத்துமு வர்க்கத் தமரரும் ….. அடிபேணப்
    பத்துத்தலை தத்தக் கணைதொடு
    ஒற்றைக்கிரி மத்தைப் பொருதொரு
    பட்டப்பகல் வட்டத் திகிரியில் ….. இரவாகப்
    பத்தற்கிர தத்தைக் கடவிய
    பச்சைப்பு யல்மெச்சத் தகுபொருள்
    பட்சத்தொடு ரட்சித் தருள்வதும் ….. ஒருநாளே
    தித்தித்தெய ஒத்தப் பரிபுர
    நிர்த்தப்பதம் வைத்துப் பயிரவி
    திக்கொட்கந டிக்கக் கழுகொடு ….. கழுதாடத்
    திக்குப்பரி அட்டப் பயிரவர்
    தொக்குத்தொகு தொக்குத் தொகுதொகு
    சித்ரப்பவு ரிக்குத் த்ரிகடக ….. எனவோதக்
    கொத்துப்பறை கொட்டக் களமிசை
    குக்குக்குகு குக்குக் குகுகுகு
    குத்திப்புதை புக்குப் பிடியென ….. முதுகூகை
    கொட்புற்றெழ நட்புற் றவுணரை
    வெட்டிப்பலி யிட்டுக் குலகிரி
    குத்துப்பட வொத்துப் பொரவல ….. பெருமாளே.
    பதம் பிரித்தல்
    முத்தை தரு பத்தி திரு நகை
    அத்திக்கு இறை சத்தி சரவண
    முத்திக்கு ஒரு வித்து குருபர என ஓதும்
    முக்கண் பரமற்கு சுருதியின்
    முற்பட்டது கற்பித்து இருவரும்
    முப்பத்து மூ வர்க்கத்து அமரரும் அடி பேண
    பத்து தலை தத்த கணை தொடு
    ஒற்றை கிரி மத்தை பொருது ஒரு
    பட்ட பகல் வட்ட திகிரியில் இரவாக
    பத்தற்கு இரதத்தை கடவிய
    பச்சை புயல் மெச்ச தகு பொருள்
    பட்சத்தொடு ரட்சித்து அருள்வதும் ஒரு நாளே ?
    தித்தித்தெய ஒத்த பரிபுர
    நிர்த்த பதம் வைத்து பயிரவி
    திக்கு ஒட்க நடிக்க கழுகொடு கழுது ஆட
    திக்கு பரி அட்ட பயிரவர்
    தொக்கு தொகு தொக்கு தொகுதொகு
    சித்ர பவுரிக்கு த்ரி கடக என ஓத
    கொத்து பறை கொட்ட களம் மிசை
    குக்கு குகு குக்கு குகுகுகு
    குத்தி புதை புக்கு பிடி என முது கூகை
    கொட்புற்று எழ நட்பு அற்ற அவுணரை
    வெட்டி பலி இட்டு குலகிரி
    குத்துப்பட ஒத்து பொர வ(ல்)ல பெருமாளே.
    பத உரை
    முத்தை = முத்துப் போன்ற முத்திச் செல்வத்தை.
    தரு = அளிக்கும்.
     பத்தித் திரு நகை = வரிசையாய் விளங்கும் பற்களை உடைய.
    அத்திக்கு = யானையால் வளர்க்கப்பட்ட தேவசேனைக்கு.
    இறை = இறைவனே.
    சத்தி = சத்தி வேல் (ஏந்திய).
    சரவண = சரவணபவனே.
    முத்திக்கு = வீட்டுப் பேற்றுக்கு.
    ஒரு வித்து = ஒரு வித்தே.
    குருபர = குரு மூர்த்தியே.
     என ஓதும் = என்று ஓதுகின்ற.
    முக்கண் பரமற்கு = மூன்று கண்களை உடைய சிவபெருமானுக்கு.
    சுருதியின் முற்பட்டது = வேதத்தில் முற்பட்டு நிற்கும் பிரணவத்தை.
    கற்பித்து = கற்பித்து.
    இருவரும் = பிரமன், திருமால் ஆகிய இருவரும்.
    முப்பத்து மூ வர்க்கத்து = முப்பது மூன்று வகையான
    அமரரும்- தேவர்களும்.
    அடி பேண = (உனது)திருவடியை விரும்ப (அவுணருடன் போர் செய்த பெருமாளே).
    பத்துத் தலை தத்த = (இராவணனுடைய) பத்து தலைகளும் சிதறும்படி.
    கணை தொ(ட்)டு = அம்பைச் செலுத்தியும்.
    ஒற்றைக் கிரி மத்தை = ஒப்பற்ற மந்தரம் என்னும் மலையை மத்தாக நட்டு.பொருது = (கடலைக்) கடைந்தும்.
    ஒரு பட்டப்பகல் = ஒரு பட்டப் பகலை.
    வட்ட = வட்ட வடிவமாக உள்ள.
    திகிரியில் = சக்கரத்தினால்.                        இரவாக = இரவாகச் செய்தும்.
    பத்தற்கு இரதத்தைக் கடவிய = பத்தனாகிய அருச்சுனனுடைய தேரைப் பாகனாகஇருந்த நடத்திய.
     பச்சைப் புயல் = பச்சை மேகம் போல் நிறமுடைய திருமால்.
     மெச்சத் தகு பொருள் = மெச்சத் தகுந்த பொருளே.
    பட்சத்தொடு = (என் மீது) அன்பு வைத்து.
    ரட்சித்து அருள்வதும் = (என்னைக்) காத்தருளும்.
    அருள்வதும். ஒரு நாளே = ஒரு நல்ல நாளும் உண்டாகுமா?
    தித்தித்தெய ஒத்து = தித்தித்தெய என்னும் தாளத்துக்கு ஒத்த வகையில்.
    பரிபுரம் = சிலம்பு (அணிந்த).
    நிர்த்தப் பதம் வைத்து = நடனப் பதத்தை வைத்து.
    பயிரவி = காளி.                                                 திக்கு = திக்குகளில்.
    ஒட்க நடிக்க = சுழன்று நடிக்கவும்.        கழுகொடு = கழுகுகளுடன்.
    கழுது = பேய்கள்.                                               ஆட = ஆடவும்.
    திக்குப் பரி = திக்குகளைக் காக்கும்.     அட்டப் பயிரவர் = எட்டு பயிரவர்கள்.
    தொக்கு…..தொகு = தொக்குத் தொகு என வரும்.
    சித்ர = அழகிய.                                                  பவுரிக்கு = மண்டலக் கூத்தை.
    த்ரிகடக என ஓத = த்ரிகடக என்று ஓதவும்.
    கொத்துப் பறை = கூட்டமான பறைகள்.
    கொட்ட = முழங்கவும்.                                களம் மிசை = போர்க் களத்தில்.
    குக்குக்குகு…குத்திப் புதை புக்குப் பிடி= இவ்வாறு ஒலி செய்து.
    முது கூகை = கிழக் கோட்டான்கள்.
    கொட்புற்று எழ = வட்டம் இட்டு எழவும்.
    நட்பு அற்ற அவுணரை = பகைவர்களாகிய அசுரர்களை.
    வெட்டிப் பலி இட்டு = வெட்டிப் பலி இட்டு.
    குலகிரி = குலகிரியாகிய கிரௌஞ்ச மலை.
     குத்துப்பட ஒத்து = குத்துப்படத் தாக்கி.
    பொர வ(ல்)ல = சண்டை செய்ய வல்ல.
    பெருமாளே = பெருமாளே.

    http://thiruppugazhamirutham.blogspot.in/2012/08/5.html

  • When Lord Rama Realized He Was ‘Brahman’

    One of the differences between the Avatars Rama and Lord Krishna(both being the Avatars of Vishnu) is that Lord Krishna  was aware all the time He was the Avatar of Vishnu, while Lord Rama was not aware of it.

    Lord Sri Rama
    Lord Sri Rama

    Excepting in one instance.

    Lord Rama was facing Ravana in the Final battle in the penultimate day before the death of Ravana in the Battle field.

    The battle was fierce and both Rama and Ravana were fighting each other fiercely.

    Ravana was matching Rama arrow for arrow(Astra) and Castra(Divine Weapons).

    Rama got weary and sent his Rama Bana, which can never return unconquered.

    There is famous saying about Lord Rama in Telugu,

    Oka Mata,Oka Bana, Oka Baarya’

    One word, One Arrow, One Wife -That’s Sri Rama.

    This Rama Bana went screaming at Ravana.

    Ravana saw this and realized he could do nothing about it.

    He remembered the Sathi Ayudha, given to him by his Grand Father, Lord Brahma, who told him thus,

    “In  battle field when everything fails for you, you us e this.

    Nothing can stop it. It will destroy everything’

    Ravana sends it across.

    It meets up with the Rama Bana and goes past it towards Lord Rama.

    Lord Rama was stunned.

    He was helpless.

    It was nearing his neck.

    Without being Conscious, He utters the Pranava ‘Om from His Navel (Nabhi)

    Pranava, coming from the Reality, shatters the Sakthi Ayudha.

    Rama realizes He is more than the son of Dasaratha, husbanf Sita or the Preceptor of Hanuman.

    Ravana recalls the second part of his Grand father‘s Boon,

    ‘ If and when this Sakthi Ayudha fails, understand thatwho is facing yoyu is Para Brahman

    Ravana gets down from his chariot and prostrates  before Lord Rama, saying,

    ‘ Now In Know You are The Brahman,

    I can not win you,

    Dying in Your hands will grant me Mukthi.

    I can not surrender for people have died, including my brothers and son,s for Me.

    I can not sully them’

    Ram replies,

    .’Ravana, you are with out Arms to-day,

    Go to-day and come forth prepared to morrow’

    Related:

    Following is the procedure for performing Sri Rama Navami Pooja.

    For Sankalpam, please refer my blog on Sarasvati Pooja and make necessary changes-Kara nama Samvatsaram,Punarvasu,Ashtami/Navami)

    Astothram. Click The Link below.

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/03/31/sri-rama-navami-pooja-details-with-mantras/

    Birth Date of Lord Rama.

    As for as The Ramayana goes, external evidence is provided in the Puranas(means ‘ very old’) , Eighteen in Number( in Sanskrit) and in regional Languages of India, be it Tamil,Telugu,Kannada, Malayalam,Hindi,Bengali,Oriya,other languages .

    In addition Dialects of India have this spread through word of mouth.

    Though the versions vary in embellishments, the basic fact that there was a King called Rama , he had been sent to forest with his wife called Sita by his father who wanted to appease his wife(not Rama’s mother),she was abducted by a Chieftain called Ravana of Sri Lanka and he was killed by Rama , never varies.(History of The Tamils by P.T.Srinivasa Iyengar)

    http://ramanisblog.in/2011/03/13/birth-date-of-lord-ramaroute-taken-by-him-to-sri-lanka-maps/

     

  • Brahma’s Temple Forms The Base Of A Triangle,Tirupattur

    Tirppttur as is often called, is Thiruppidavur.

     

    Details are provided below.

     

    This is the only Temple for Brahma.

     

    There are two legends for the  non-existence of Temples for Brahma.

     

    Brahma Lied. When there was an altercation between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma s to who was greater , there appeared a Linga of Lord Siva accompanied by a Divine Voice commanding them to find the feet and the head of Lord Siva and whosoever finds them first will be declared as the greater among the two.

     

    Brahma assumed the shape of A Swan and started flying high to find the Head while Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha(Wild Boar) and head towards the feet.

    Both of them could not find it and while they were returning they met .

     

    Vishnu informed Brahma that he will declare that He did find the Head of Lord Siva .

     

    Brahma and Vishnu prostrated before Lord Siva( as a Lingam).

     

    Vishnu declared that He could not find the Feet of Lord Siva, regretted His Arrogance and moving away from humility.

     

    Brahma confirmed that He did see the Head of Lord Siva and The screw pine flower,தாழம்பூ  was a witness.

     

    Lord Siva cursed that Brahma would not have a Temple on Earth and the Flower should not be used for His Worship.

     

    Even to-day the use of this Flower for Siva Pooja is forbidden.

     

    Another legend has it that Brahma became arrogant because He had Five Heads and assumed that He was equal to Lord Siva and Lord Siva removed Brahma’s Fifth Head.

    And cursed Brahma that He would never have a Temple on Earth.

     

    Tirupattur is a Place where Lord Siva Blessed Brahma who repented for his act.

     

    The Philosophical explanation is that as Lord Brahma is the progenitor, who creates the human beings and as Birth id the cause od all Misery in Life. worship of Brahma is avoided.

     

    One may note the fact that, in Christianity ‘The Wages of Sin is Death’ while in Hinduism ‘The wages of Sin is Birth’ as birth is the cause of everything including death.

     

    Three Temples are located in Tirupattur.

     

    Lord Brahma(Brahmapureswarar (Swambu Lingam ‘ self created)and Devi Brahma Sampath Gowri.

     

    Lord Vishnu(Purushottaman and Poornavalli)

     

    Lord Siva(Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi)

     

    The temples forma triangle.

     

    Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva Templates  top two pints and he Brahma temple forms the Base, indicating that, much as would like to avoid it, Birth is the only starting point for  Self Realization and one can reach Higher levels of Spirituality through the Grace of Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva , through Sustenance ad apparent Destruction

    Tirupattur is located 30 kms from Trichy in TamilNadu, on the Trichy Chennai National Highway 45.

    It is 10 Kms from Samayapuram towards Chennai.

    Landmark : After you cross Siruganur towards Chennai, there is a left detour from the main highway, towards Tirupattur.

    There is a signboard on the highway, which shows the way to Tirupattur.

    The temple is 4 Kms away from the detour on the highway.

    By Air

    Air India, (http://indian-airlines.nic.in), Air India Express (www.airindiaexpress.in) and have regular flights connecting Chennai and Trichy.

    By Rail

    Trichy is well connected by rail. Being centrally located, almost all trains to the southern region of the state pass through Trichy. You can access Southern Railway’s official website, www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in for more details.

    By Bus

    There are a number of Government Transport Corporation Buses, and also a host of private luxury bus operators from Chennai to Trichy.

    The distance is 320 Kms, and the travel time is approx 6 hours.

    The entire stretch is a Tolled 4 Lane National Highway No.45.

    The Temple finds mention in the hyms of the revered Saivite Saint Sundarar.

    The presiding deity is Lord Brahmapureeswarar in the form of Swayambu Lingam.

    The presiding deity is Devi Brahma Sampath Gowri.

    There is a separate shrine for Lord BrahmaThe idol of Lord Brahma is in meditative pose sitting in Padmasana on a lotus.

    Abhishekam to Lord Brahma – Timings

    On all days except Thursday 08:00 am
    On Thursday 06:00 am

    The Temple complex consists of the 12 Shiva Lingams, installed and worshipped by Lord Brahma.

    The Temple Complex also has the Jeeva Samadhi of Yogi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga.

    The temple is under the administration of The Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, Government of TamilNadu.

    Acknowledgement.http://www.brahmatemple.org/brahma_howtoreach.htm

     

    Photos.

    Brahma Temple Tirupattur.
    Brahma Temple Tirupattur.
    Purushottamar Temple,Tirupattur.
    Purushottamar Temple,Tirupattur.

     

    Purushottamar temple, One who can rewrite Fate,Tirupattur
    Purushottamar temple, One who can rewrite Fate,Tirupattur

     

    Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tirupattur.
    Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tirupattur.
  • Adi Sankara Thirsty, Goddess Offered Spring Siruvachur

    Located an hour away by Road from Tiruchirapalli.  Siruvachur MadhuraKaliamman, is a powerful Deity, specially for alleviating the sufferings related mind and Black Magic induced ailments.

    Legend has it that Adi Sankara, felt thirsty when he visited this place and Madura Kali provided a Spring to quench his thirst.

     

    The Temple is open only on Mondays and Fridays between 8am to 8pm.

    ‘Madura Kaliamman Temple is an important temple for mother Goddess in Trichy and Perambalur regions in South India. The temple is open only on every Mondays and Thursdays. It is said to be the Kula Devta (family deity) of Chankarendra Saraswati Swamigal – famously called as Kanchi Periyavar or Kanchi Shankaracharya….

    Madurakaliamman, Siruvachur.
    Madurakaliamman, Siruvachur.
    As per one legend, Kannagi of Silappadikaram calmed herself in this site after burning Madurai city. As per another legend, Chelli Amman was the original deity of the place. However, she was controlled by a tantric. Madura Kaliamman destroyed the tantric and rescued Chelli Amman. Chelli Amman offered this site to Kali and moved to a nearby hill.
    It is believed that the saint Sadasiva Brahmendra constructed the temple. As per another belief, Adi Shankaracharya felt thirsty when he visited the place; the Goddess offered him water in the form of a spring; later she gave darshan to him and appeared in the form of Madra Kaliamman idol…
     It is believed that the temple is very old (though not the current structure) and it was even renovated by Kulothunga Chola….
    Siruvachur Madurakaliamman.
    Siruvachur Madurakaliamman.

    How to reach Siruvachur.

    On the Chennai-Trichy highway (NH45), the temple is located around 270 kms from Chennai (7 kilometers after Peramabalur) and around 50 kms from Trichy. While travelling from Chennai to Trichy, the temple’s entrance Arch is located on the right side, on the main road, after the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College. From the arch, the temple is at a distance of around 2 kms.

     

    On Mondays and Fridays, devotees can hire auto rickshaws available near Arch to reach the temple. There are few mini buses from the Arch to the temple, but the frequency is less.

     

    By road, all the buses between Trichy and Perambalur will stop at the Siruvachur arch.  The Permabalur-bound buses start from Chathiram bus stand in Trichy, which is located near the Rockfort temple (Mainguard Gate).(Chathiram Bus Stand)

    http://siruvachurmathurakaliassociation.org/reaching%20the%20temple.html

     Festival:
         
      The Poochoridal festival begins on the first Tuesday following the new moon day in the month of Chithirai – April-May. The main festival is then followed for thirteen days from the next Tuesday in a grand manner drawing a huge crowd. Mount worship (malai Vazhipadu), Wedding festival with the deity gracing from a silver horse and rath (car). The temple is opened during these days with pujas. It is festivity in the temple on Tamil and English New Year days, Aadi perukku in the month of July-August, 10 day Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, Iypasi Deepavali in October-November, Karthikai deepam in November-December, Margazhi day and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Thai Pongal falling almost on January 14, Thai Poosam in January-February and Masi Shivarathri in May-June.  
         
     Temple’s Speciality:
         
      The temple has the Sri Chakra installed by His Holiness Swami Brahmmendra. The temple is open only on Mondays and Fridays when pujas are conducted and during the festival days. The temple is not opened on other days.
    Opening Time:
         
      The temple will be opened at 8.00 a.m. Abishek to the deity is performed at 11.00 a.m. and adored with gold coverings. The temple is open till 8.00 p.m. these days for public darshan.

    Moolavar : Madhurakalaiamman
    Urchavar : Madhurakali
    Amman / Thayar :
    Thala Virutcham : Marudham tree
    Theertham : Tirukulam
    Agamam / Pooja :
    Old year : 1000-2000 years old
    Historical Name :
    City : Siruvachur
    District : Perambalur
    State : Tamil Nadu