The recent assaults in Brazil and India have raised questions about those countries’ safety records. Here are the places where travelers should actually be wary.
India is included, not because of Terrorism , but of increase in the number of Rapes.
Hang your heads in Shame.
Preferable to be called a Country of Terrorism than of Rapists.
Story:
Protest Against Rape.
It’s been an alarming past few weeks for fans of international travel.
I have been posting on Temples ,India, on the bond that exists between Man and God.
Here is a Temple where the Temple Priest , Daily, at the stroke of Noon , dresses up like the wife of Lord Siva, Akilandeswari, and performs the Middy Pooja(Ucchi Kala Pooja).
Priest Performing Go Pooja, dressed up as Goddess Akilandeswari.
Thiruvanaikaval (Tamil: திருவானைக்காவல்) (also Thiruvanaikal, Jambekeswaram) is a famous Shiva temple in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple was built by Kocengannan (Kochenga Chola), one of the Early Cholas, around 1,800 years ago. It is located in the Srirangam island, which has the famous Ranganathaswamy temple.
Thiruvanaikal is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu (Panchabhoota Sthalams) representing the Mahābhūta or five great elements; this temple represents the element of water, or neer in Tamil.[1] The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream and in spite of pumping water out, it is always filled with water.[2]
Akila, The Temple Elephant.
It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all of the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung glories of the deity in this temple. The temple has inscriptions from the Chola period.
..
Thiruvanaikaval Temple Pra
There were two Siva Ganas (Siva’s disciples who live in Kailash): ‘Malyavan’ and ‘Pushpadanta’. Though they are Shiva Ganas they always quarrel with each other and fight for one thing or other. In one fight ‘Malyavan’ cursed ‘Pushpadanta’ to become an elephant on earth and the latter cursed the former to become a spider on earth. The elephant and the spider came to Jambukeswaram and continued their Shiva worship. The elephant collected water from river Cauvery and conducted ablution to the lingam under the Jambu tree (Eugenia jambolana) daily. The spider constructed his web over the lingam to prevent dry leaves from dropping on it and prevent sunlight directly falling on it. When the elephant saw the web and thought it was dust on lingam. The elephant tore them and cleaned the lingam by pouring water and the practice continued daily. The spider became angry one day and crawled into the trunk of the elephant and bit the elephant to death, killing itself. Siva, in the form of Jambukeswara, moved by the deep devotion of the two, relieved them from the curse. As an elephant worshipped Shiva here, this place came to be known as Thiru Aanai Kaa (thiru means holy, aanai is elephant, kaa (kaadu) means forest).[2] Later the name ‘Thiruaanaikaa’ become ‘Thiruvanaikaval’ and ‘Thiruvanaikoil’.
In the next birth, the spider was born as the King Kochengot Chola (kotchengannan cholan meaning red-eyed king) and built 70 temples and this temple is the one among them.[2] Remembering his enmity with the elephant in his previous birth, he built the Shiva Sannathi (sanctorum) such that not even a small elephant can enter. The entrance on the sanctorum of Jambukeswara is only 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide.[2]
Jambukeswarar, Thiruvanaikaval.
Legend behind king’s red eyes
There was a story behind the king’s red eyes – When he was in his mother’s womb the palace astrologer predicted a sacred time to give birth to enable the newborn’s well being. The queen went into labor early, before the time predicted by the astrologer. The queen hence told the servant to hang her upside down for the time to come so that she could have a wise and virtuous son who could head the kingdom righteously. This waiting time inside the womb made the baby’s eyes red. After becoming the king, he build the temple for Siva and Goddess Akilandeswari in the name of Aanaikka (elephant protected) later days it changed to Thiruvanaikovil.
சிவன் கட்டளைக்காக அம்பிகை, பூலோகத்தில் மானிடப்பெண்ணாக பிறந்தாள். இங்கு காவிரி நீரில் லிங்கம் பிடித்து வழிபட்டாள். சிவன் அந்த லிங்கத்தில் எழுந்தருளி அவளுக்குக் காட்சி தந்தார். அம்பிகையால் நீரில் லிங்கம் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட தலம் என்பதால் இது, பஞ்ச பூத தலங்களில் “நீர்’ தலமானது. பிற்காலத்தில் ஜம்பு என்னும் முனிவர் சிவனை வேண்டி இங்கு தவமிருந்தார்.
சிவன் அவருக்கு காட்சி கொடுத்து, நாவல் பழ பிரசாதம் கொடுத்தார். பழத்தை உண்ட முனிவர், அதன் புனிதம் கருதி விதையையும் விழுங்கி விட்டார். அவர் விழுங்கிய விதை வயிற்றுக்குள் முளைத்து, தலைக்கு மேலாக மரமாக வளர்ந்தது. அவர் சிரசு வெடித்து முக்தி பெற்றார்.
நாவல் மரத்துக்கு “ஜம்பு’ என்றும் பெயருண்டு. அம்பிகையால் அமைக்கப்பட்ட நீர் லிங்கம் இந்த மரத்தின் கீழ் அமைந்தது. பக்தராகிய ஜம்புவுக்கு முக்தி தந்ததால், சுவாமி “ஜம்புகேஸ்வரர்’ என பெயர் பெற்றார்.
தலபெருமை:
சிவன் வடிவில் அம்பாள் அம்பாள் வடிவில் சிவன்!: பிரம்மா, ஒருமுறை தான் படைத்த பெண்ணையே அடைய விரும்பினார். இதனால் அவருக்கு “ஸ்திரீ தோஷம்’ உண்டானது. தோஷ நிவர்த்தி பெற சிவனை வேண்டினார். அவருக்கு அருள சிவன் கைலாயத்திலிருந்து கிளம்பினார். அப்போது அம்பிகை, தானும் வருவதாக கூறினாள். சிவன் அவளிடம், பிரம்மா பெண்கள் மீது மோகம் கொள்பவர் என்று சொல்லி அவளை உடன் அழைத்துச் செல்ல மறுத்தார். ஆனால், அம்பிகை சிவனிடம், “”நான் உங்களது வேடத்தில் வருகிறேன், நீங்கள் சேலை அணிந்து என் வேடத்தில் வாருங்கள்!” என்றாள். சிவனும் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள இருவரும் மாறுவேடத்தில் சென்றனர்.
சிவமும், சக்தியும் ஒன்று என்பதன் அடிப்படையிலும் இந்த திருவிளையாடல் நிகழ்ந்தது. பின்னர் பிரம்மாவுக்கு இருவரும் பாவமன்னிப்பு வழங்கினர்.இங்கு நடக்கும் பிரம்மோற்ஸவத்தின்போது சிவன், அம்பாள் இருவரும் மாறுவேடத்தில் பிரம்ம தீர்த்தத்ததிற்கு எழுந்தருளி, பிரம்மாவிற்கு காட்சி தருகின்றனர். பிரம்மா அவர்களைத் தியானம் செய்யும் சமயம் என்பதால், அப்போது மேளதாளம் இசைக்கப்படுவதில்லை.
மாணவி அம்பாள்:
சக்தி பீடங்களில் ஒன்றான இத்தலத்தில், அகிலத்தை (உலகம்) காப்பவளாக அம்பிகை அருளுவதால் அகிலாண்டேஸ்வரி’ என்றழைக்கப்படுகிறாள்.
The airport nearest to Thiruvanaikaval is in Thiruchirappalli or Trichy. The airport is at a distance of about 5 km from the main city of Trichy and about 12 km from Thiruvanaikaval. There are many domestic as well as international flights coming to Trichy. One can take a private cab from outside the airport to reach Thiruvanaikaval.
Some Temples in Tamil Nadu,India address the issue of childlessness.
The most famous in The Garbarakshabigai Temple,Thirukkarukaavoor,
Located near Kumabakonam,The Temple city(about an hour by Bus),this place can also be reached from Papanasam(near Kumbakonam.
Well connected by road;railway station is Papanasam-Tiruvarror -Myladuthurai route)
Nearest airport Tiruchi.Boarding and Lodging is not available.Stay in Kumbakonam.
The temple is closed for Darshan between 1 and 4 pm.
The presiding Deities are Mullaivana Nathar and Garbharakshambigai.
Mullaivana Nathar
The Lingam representing Mullaivana Nathar is Swayambu(It came into existence of its own)
One can see the marks of the strands of the plant around the Lingam.
The Abisheka is not performed as usual.
Punugu (Civet Oil) is used to anoint the Lord on specific days.
Garbharakshamikai is known to Bless those who pray in the Temple for be-getting a child.
Also for smooth delivery without complications.
The Procedure.
1.Visit the Temple and wash the steps leading to The Sanctum Sanctorum.
You will be given a golden idol.
Keep it in front of the Deity in a Special Swing,provided by the Temple authorities and pray for the grant of a child.
The idol is to returned.
Rs 500 is charged for this,
Once you conceive visit the temple , collect the special oil , mix it with half a kilo of Ghee and take a tea-spoon daily at home.
In case you run out of the oil.you can get it by sending Rs 225 to the temple.
Also apply the Oil around your stomach the moment you get labour pain.
This Temple has worked miracles for many a couple.
“Garbarakshambigai Temple history : Sage Nithuvar and his wife Vedhika were living in this garden of mullai flowers when the following incident happened which lead Parvathi devi to take the avatar of Garbarakshambigai to give special protection to women during pregnancy.
Thousands of years back, two Rishies ( saints ) Gowthama and Gargeya did penance in this garden of mullai flowers. The story is that, Sage Nithuvar was living here with his wife Vedhika. One day when Sage Nithuvar was away, sage Urdhvapada visited the mullai garden.. Vedhika was tired and sleeping deeply without showing hospitality to the sage..infact she was having pains due to pregnancy but Urdhvapada unaware of her difficulties got angry that she din’t bother to wake up and felt she could be sleeping purposely , decided to curse her .The curse made her get diseased and it also hurted the child in her womb.Vedhika was in worst pain of her life and deeply hurted that her own child is being gradually destroyed and prayed for to Goddess Parvathi to help her ….Goddess parvathi took the avatar of Garbarakshambigai and appeared before Vedhika and protected her child in the womb by holding it in a “kalasam ” – divine pot..The goddess has helped the child grow in the divine pot untill it grew as full fledged child. .. Scientifically people know about test tube baby, but it has happened before thousands of years in our holy country, india, where goddess herself has saved a womens pregnancy and blessed her.
When Vedhika cried as she was not able to feed the baby with her milk, A sacred cow came infront of the temple and made a lake of sacred milk. The sacred “kulam” is found even now where i fed pori for fishes when i visited the temple. Vedhikai prayed to Goddess Garbarakshambigai to remain in the temple forever and bless all women with good soul mate, child birth and safe pregnancy.”
Thiruvidamaruthur , A Saivite Kshetra, is located 8Km from Kumbakonam and about forty minutes drive from Myladuthurai.
The Temple is dedicated to Lord Mahalingam,Siva in Linga Form.
MahaLingam,Thiruvidaimaruthur.
It is one of the Panchakrosha Sthalas. The Ammbal Shrine is one of the Sakthi Bheetas. Chakkara Maha Meru is installed here.
Uma, Vinayaka Muruga, Thirumal, Lakshimi, Saraswati, (Deities), Vashista, Agasthya, Pattinathar, Badragiriyar, Romarishi, Kapila, Markandiya rishi, (Saints). Sivavakiya (Siddhar) Varagunadeva, Sukeerthi, Veerasena, Chitrakeerthi, Uvanasuvan, Maandada, Vasuman., Anjatthuvasan (Kings), Nandagan (Brahmin), Vedas, Airawatha (Elephant vehicle of Indra) and others are bestowed with grace by the Lord.
The saints Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavasakar and Sambandar visited and sung in praise of the lord.
Pattinathar and Karuvoor Thevar Sung Psalms about the Deity.
Usually, a temple will have a Linga in the sanctum and Parivara Devatas in the temple around. It is a peculiar feature in this temple that theParivara Devatas are at the following places.
Murti(Deity)
Place
Vinayaka
Thiruvalanchuzhi
Muruga
Swamimalai
Nataraja
Chidambaram
Surya(Navagraha)
Aduthurai
Dakshinamurti
Alangudi
Bairavar
Sirkazhi
Nandi
Thiruvavaduthurai
Somaskantha
Thiruvarur
Chandeeswara
Thiruvoypadi
The Sthala Vruksha is Marutham.
There are 3 temples having Maruda tree (anjanam) as their Sthala vrutshas. They are:
This place is named as Idaimarudur as it is in between Srisailam and Ambasamudram. It is also called Shanbagaranya, Saktipura, Tapovana, Muktipura etc.
The presiding Deity is Mahalinga (Great Linga) because Siva worshipped Himself. Her consort is Perunalamamulaiammai. She is Bruhatsundara Gujamabika. In her Shrine is a cell facing north. This is the temple of Mookaambika (in North Indian style). The Goddess is in the pose of doing penance. She is mentioned as Pidari Parameeswari in inscripitions. There are many Lingas in the Shrine. Agasthiya Linga, Kasyapa Linga, Chola Linga , Chera Linga, Sahasara Linga, Panchabhuta Linga, a cluster of 27 Lingas behind Chokkanatha are some.
Brahmahathi (Hathi- sin caused by a murder – Brahminicide) is found in the south wall (south torana vayil) with head disheveled and face immersed betwixt the knees. Varaguna Pandiya’s horse accidentally crushed a Brahmin and killed him. The sin followed wherever he went. The king came to this temple. The Brahmahathi could not enter and waited outside. The king went out by another entrance. The Brahmahathi is waiting outside still. The king was relieved of his melody. People inflicted with mental disorders go round the circumambulatory path and get redress.
There are two Puranam
Brahmahathi
Sthala purana written by Sivakkolundu Deshika of Kottaiyar
Marudavana Puranam.
There is an Ula written by Mahavidvan Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai. The Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thiruvidaimarudur Mummanikkovai, Thiruppazh, Thiruvidaimaurudur Pathirruppathanthathi, Thiruvidaimaurudur Kalambakam, Thiruvidaimarudur Nondi Natakam contain sufficient information about the temple. Kandapuranam, Lingapurana, Brahmavaivartham and Sivarahasya mention the glory of the Lord.
Pandiyan King, Varaguna, who, according to tradition, lived in the seventh century A.D. Once he went for hunting in a nearby forest and when he started back home, dusk had already fallen. The horse, fatiqued by the hunt, was anxious to get back to the stables,and literally flew over the path. Meanwhile an aged Brahmin, also travelling through the forest, had called it a day and was lying fast asleep under the shelter of a large tree. Unfortunately the path which the King’s horse took was led over the very place where the old man lay sleeping. The hooves of the horse crushed his chest, and he perished on the spot. So fast was horse that the King had no inkling of this terrible calamity. Only when the soldiers following him saw the dead Brahmin and informed him, did the King come to know of the tragedy. He lost no time in observing the penances and sacrifices ordained in the sastras for absolution from this sin; but the damage was done Brahmahathi (spirit of the dead Brahmana) clung to him all the more tightly. In despire, the King sought the help of Lord Sundaresvara of Madurai.
Such was the sincerity and devotion this grief-stricken King that one day as he was circumambulating the shrine, he heard a divine voice command: “Do not despair O King ! A Chola king will invade your Kingdom soon. Fight him and he will be defeated. As he flees back to his country, chase him without harming him. He will lead you to Thiruvidai-marudoor where Lord Shiva Himself worshipped His own image. There the sin which is clinging to you now will leave you”.
I may mention that the Abhijt Muhurtha is normally between 12 and 1230 pm and it is not necessary to look for an auspicious time for performance of auspicious events.
Each Nakshatra has a Lingam assigned to it.It is recommended that archana with Vilvam for the respective Lingam associated with the specific Nakshatra is performed.
In the Prharam, there is a small sannidhi dedicated to Lord Krishna(as a Crawling child) as revealed to Sage Kashyapa along with Lord Siva
Boarding or Lodging facilities are not upto the mark.
Suggest staying in Kumbakonam or Myladuthurai.
Nearest Airport is Tiruchi.
Though well connected by Trains, it is preferable to use Bus as the service is excellent and the frequency of Buses is admirable.
Related.
Abhijit Muhurtha.
According to Vedic astrology there is a special muhurat called abhijit. This muhurat is auspicious for any work. Abhijit muhurtha is not special to any particular condition but it is present every day. Astrologers say that a day’s 8th muhurat is called abhijit muhurat.
The duration of the abhijit muhurat lingers up to 48 minutes. 24 minutes before and after the sidereal time is called the abhijit muhurat. Basically it stays up to 48 minutes but the duration may reduce if the day is shorter. As the abhijit muhurat is auspicious people opt for this muhurat to perform their work. Abhijit muhurat safeguards a work even if the day is inauspicious.
Astrologers say that if in any condition an auspicious work does not have a good muhurat then natives can perform their works on the auspicious abhijit muhurat.
English: Corinthia Grand Hotel Royale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Most important check out the reputation of the Hotel from ordinary people and do not assess it by Brochures and Internet ads.
1. Don’t yell at the staff. Ever.
2. Don’t tell anyone your room number. (A desk agent should point to your room number, and not announce it to the world.)
3. Don’t get bent out of shape when the night desk agent asks to see your “new friend’s” identification. Additionally, do not let a hotel employee into your room if they do not have an I.D.
4. Don’t blame hotel staff for stealing your stuff. My personal experience is that the guests eventually find 99% of the items that guests report stolen from their rooms. However, it is your right to ask the manager to call the police to file a police report.
5. Don’t order from room service if you notice the pages are dirty and torn. Don’t order if the menu reads “Winter Menu” when it’s spring.
6. Don’t use the bathroom washcloths to take off your makeup or shine your shoes.
7. Don’t throw anything in the room garbage if you don’t want the hotel staff to know about it, including insulin needles (or any needle) without properly disposing of it.
8. Don’t abuse the privilege of late checkout. If you really need one past 1:00 p.m., ask for the manager.
9. Don’t leave your luggage unattended in a hotel lobby – even for a second.
10. Don’t be embarrassed! Call the hotel after you’ve checked out, and they will send your forgotten sex toys. Just like they would send your baby blanket back to you.
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