Every year Lord Vishnu,Kallazhakar from Azahkar Koil, near Madurai,Tamil Nadu,India, on the Pradhamai(the next Day after Full Moon in the month of Chiththirai-April end) after adorning himself with the Garland prepared for him by Andal(Srivilliputhur, 48 Km from Madurai) who pined for him eventually married Him) rushes to Madurai from Azhagar Koil, visits Suthapas , a Rishi, who was cursed by Sage Dhurvasa for having failed to respect him.
Suthapas was born as a Frog(Mandukam) and was in penance in Madurai.
Dhurvasa had decreed that Suthapas shall obtain salvation by Lord Vishnu when He crosses the River Vedavathi,Vaigai now.
True to Dharma Lord Vishnu gets down the river on a horse and enters Madurai.
Lord Vishnu gets down the River, riding a Horse.
Being the elder brother of Goddess Uma, He is being accorded all the respects due to a brother by Goddess Uma,Meenakshiamman, Madurai.
Temple priests offer the Obeisance on behalf of Goddess Uma.
The festival coincides with Meenakshiamman Thirukkalyanam in Madurai.
Legend has it , as the elder brother of Uma, Lord Vishnu , gave Her away to Lord Siva, Chokkanathar(Godenhued) on this day.
Earlier the marriage was celebrated in Madurai in Maasi (about two months earlier)
King Tirumalai Naicker, to build unity among Saivite and Vaishnavas , merged these two festivals into one and had it celebrated in Chithirai.
Madurai will be brimming with Devotees from the day Lord Vishnu enters the River(அழகர் ஆற்றில் இறங்குதல் ).
Live telecast of this Fesival On Vasanth TV on 24 April 2013 ,17 hours IST
As I have been mentioning in my posts, Hinduism relates to God in a very personal way, though The Vedas declare that The Reality .is Formless, Attribute-less’
Yet Worship of Personal God(Iswara) is encouraged as it disciplines the mind to shed off its encumbrances.
And Hindus relate to God in very intimately.
God is seen as Mother, Father,Lover,Child, Preceptor and Friend.
As there are many individuals , all of them being unique, so are their dispositions.
You feel close to your father, Mother, Lover or friend.
You relate to God at that level.
Mother!
Goddess Lalitha
Who can replace Mother?
One who suffered, at the time of pregnancy, forsakse her pleasures for us,
Gave us her food,
Never slept when we were awake or asleep,
Made us eat when she had nothing to eat,
Weathered the storms of Life,
Suffered when we were in Pain,
Never left us even as we kick her around,
We remain her infants even when we become grand parents,
Would we ever replace her?
“
Having Borne (me) for ten months braving all discomforts, happy at having begotten (me) taking me in both her arms and giving her precious breastfeed, such a one will I ever see in any other birth? 2. Having borne me for 300 days after doing penance to Lord Shiva day and night, can I apply fire to such a mother? 3. Fondling me on the cot in her lap, on her person with love, protecting me always, how can I light the pyre to such a mother? 4. Having Borne (me) bearing the pain at delivery and giving me her milk cheerfully day and night protecting me, how can I apply fire to such a body? 5. How can I, instead of getting happy with rich offerings to her, offer rice to the mouth which lovingly called me as honey, nectar, fragrant flower etc.? 6. After showering rice on mother’s head how can I place the burning ember on it without flinching , which lovingly kissed me, calling me endearingly “my son”. 7. The earliest fire lit was to Tripura, the next one was in Lanka, and third was the spark lit in the mother’s womb, let the fire lit by me now be over. 8. Alas! The hand that fondled me is now being roasted in fire. What a cruel sinner I am? 9. O Lord of “Shonagiri”, has she been burnt and taken refuge at Your Feet, one who did penance to you ‘day and night’ to beget me? 10.Mother was alive yesterday at home or in the street, today she is consumed by fire and has become ashes. Come ye, one and all without hesitation, to sprinkle milk. Every thing in the world is Shiva’s Form (Shiva Mayam). – Pattinathar
That’s Mother.
Can there be anything more natural than identifying God as Mother?
When we can say thus about a Human Mother, what can we say about the Mother who gives Birth to the Universe?
She is the One who creates The Universe within a fraction of batting of an eyelid.
When your Mother leaves you, she reaches out to you as she did for Gnana Sambandar whom she gave her Milk, which she didd not to her son, Lord Subramanya!
Lord Siva reached out to a woman in Labor when she called out to Him !
Lord Subramanya called out to Avvaiyar, a Tamil Saint ‘Mother’.
Lord Vishnu made ‘Vakula Devi, as his Foster Mother(In Lord Balaji of Tirupati Avatar) for he wanted to repay the debt of having been brought up by Deakai in Krishnavatara.
He was both a Mother and Father to Dhruva.
Lord Siva is called Muniye Mukknnappa( Yogi ,My Father with the Third Eye)
The Great Kalidasa calls Kali as ‘Matha, marakathasyama’ in Shymala Dandakam.
As Lord Visnu received Chandra (Moon) from his curse, this place is known as Indhaloor.
Lord Narayana gave dharsan as Vennchudar perumal in the standing posture to the Moon god in Thalaisangaadu.
But here at this place he is in Veera Sayanam posture.There he was full of light being as Vyomajyothi piran.
But here he is full of fragrance (Parimalam) and hence he is called as Parimala Rangan.
He has 4 hands here. River Cauvery is under his feet here.
As he promised river Cauvery to increase here status, he made her as his bed at Srirangam, took her as his mother at Thirucherai and here at Thiru Indhaloor, he has taken river Cauvery above his head.
Vishnu
Thus gave her the status of river Ganges who is on the head of Lord Shiva.
As the perumal of this place, converted the position of river Cauvery and Lord Chandra into a pious state, Thirumangaialwar calls him as a Brahmin.
The vedas were created to instruct rules for human beings to lead a happy life.
The Surya and Chandra revolve around the world to give prisperity (like wheels ie Chakra).
Hence the vimaana of this place is called as Veda Chakra Vimaanam. Sri Rangam is known as Aadhi Arangam (first) while Thirukudanthai is Madhiya Arangam (Middle) and Thiru Indhaloor is known as Andiya Arangam (Last).
Recovery of Vedas
From the puranas we learn that Brahma, Chandra, Yama, Ambareesha and Viswamitra were offering their daily workship here. Brahma was tutored to do his creation by Lord Ranganatha. But the two demons Madhu and Kaitaba, stole away the Vedas and disappeared into the sea. Brahma complained to the Lord who took Mastyavathar- fishform and retrived the Vedas.
In order to restore the original fragrance to them, the Vedas did penance to the Lord and the place was converted into “Sugantharanyam”. The Lord took his abode there and He came to be known as Parimala Ranganathar.
The Goddess came to be known as Parimala Ranganayaki.
The river cauvery, in order to get supremacy over river Ganga, offered penance to Lord Ranganatha here and was granted a boon.
Just like Srirangam and Kumbakonam, this place also became famous.
The Ganga is said to flow into the Cauvery during the Tula festival to rid herself of her pollution which she takes over from the people who take their bath in the river.
Hence the Cauvery here a bath in equals a bath in the Ganga.
Another interesting episode is connected with the life of Chandra the Moon.
He was suffering from consumption because of the sabams given by Dwajapathy and Dhatchan and was losing his form slowly
He was asked to take his bath here in the cauvery and offer worship to Lord Ranganatha.
He was eventually cured of his disease and the place came to be known as Indupuri and the Theertham Indu pushkarani.
In the Tamil month of Aiypasi on all the 30 days, the deity is taken to the banks of the river.
On the first day of the month and Amavasai, Lord Ranganatha comes on Garuda Vahana.
There are three prakarams in the temple. The little image of Kannan familiarly known as Santhanagopalakrishnan promises children for the issuless.
The plates that adorn the walls of the sannidhi have intricate workmanship on them. Viswaksena, Yoga Narasimhar and Chandra have Moolavigrahams. In the shrine dedicated to Sri Rama one can see the stone as well as bronze images of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman and small idols of Bharatha and Satrugna.
Thirumangai Azhwar has sung in praise of the Lord here.
Thiruindhalur,Mayiladuthurai
Following in his footsteps Sri T.Narasimhachariar composed the “Indalur Erratai Mani Malai”.
History
The temple dedicated to Lord Parimala Ranganatha at Tiruindalur, Mayiladuturai.
This temple is one of the Pancha Rangams, the others being Srirangapattinam, Srirangam, Adirangam (Koiladi) and Kumbakonam.
The idol which was hitherto believed to be made of brick and mortar for over many centuries was found to be made of a single beautiful green stone of granite measuring 12 feet by 5.5 feet with intricate workmanship in minute detail on the jewels, the kireetam, peethambaram.
One sees even the nails in the hands and feet sharp and in lovely shape.
The Seshasayanam, the five-headed serpant, has been fixed separately, over the head of the deity and it has also been made of stone. Brahma is seen near the wall in a line with the nabhi-naval and at the feet is seen Santhanagopalakrishnan.
The images of Sridevi and Bhoodevi are on either side of the idol on the floor.
In Sri Vaishnavism, another school, Vishnu assumes five forms:
In the Para Form, Para is the highest form of Vishnu found only in Sri Vaikunta also called Moksha, along with his consort Lakshmi, (and Bhuma Devi and Nila devi, avatars of Lakshmi) and surrounded by liberated souls like Ananta, Garuda, and a host of Muktas (liberated souls).
In the Vyuha form, Vishnu assumes four forms, which exercise different cosmic functions and controls activities of living beings.
In the Vibhava form, Vishnu assumes various manifestations, called Vibhavas, more popularly known as Avataras from time to time, to protect the virtuous, punish evil-doers and re-establish righteousness.
In the Antaryami; “Dwelling within” or “Suksma Vasudeva” form, Vishnu exists within the souls of all living beings and in every substance.[43]
In the Arcavatara or Image manifestation, Vishnu is visible and therefore easily approachable by devotees since Para, Vyuha, Vibhava and Antaryami forms can only be imagined or meditated upon because they are beyond our reach. Such images can be
This is the only Temple where The Trinity of Hinduism ,Brahma Vishnu and Siva are worshiped in the same premises, each with a separate Temple in the precincts.
Here you have all the Seven Gurus, Jupiter.Sarasvati is seen with Brahma.
Saturn, Sani will never spare any one, including the Trinity.
Even Lord Siva was caught,he was made to be beg and Lord Vishnu had to hide in the stem of a Lotus!
The exceptions are Anajaneya and Ganapathi.
In this temple, Lord Sani is found before Ganapathi and Anjaneya(Hanuman).
Legend has it that those who worship Sani will be relieved of their sufferings.
Uthamar Kovil (also known as Thirukkarambanoor) is a Hindu temple in Tiruchirapalli city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for the Purushothaman Perumal Temple. It has shrines for the trinity of Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the same complex, making it a unique temple where shrines for all three gods and their consorts in the same place. There are very few temples where Brahma, the first of the trinity, is worshipped in iconic form, which makes this temple an important place of worship. The temple also contains a shrine for Guru,Saraswati and Navagraha. The worship during Thursdays called “Guruwaar Pooja” is very prominent in the temple.
Vishnu emerged as a Kadambha tree at this place, giving the name “Kathambanur”, which later became “Karambanur”. The name Karambanur is mentioned by Thirumangai Azhwar in Nalayira Divya Prabandam, in which he refers the presiding deity as “Karambanur Uthaman”. The temple is commonly called “Uthamar Kovil” after the name of the presiding deity. The temple is also called Bhikshandar Kovil as the Hindu god Shiva is present in the form of Bhishadanar (a mendicant) and believed to have attained cure by worshiping Vishnu at this place.[1]
As per Hindu legend, once Vishnu wanted to test the devotion of Brahma. He raised as a Kadhamba tree in the place and Brahma, knowing this, started his worship practise with Thirumanjanam (ablution). The water from the ablution filled a tank nearby, which came to be known as “Kathamba Theertham”. Vishnu was satisfied with the devotion of Brahma and gave a boon to Brahma to have a shrine in this place. Shiva wanted to get rid off the sin holding the cut head of Brahma and went on a sacred trip. While coming to this place, Vishnu requested his consort Lakshmi to give alms to Shiva. Shiva’s grail was filled by the alms and Lakshmi came to be known as “Poornavalli” (the one who filled the grail).[1]
Purushothamar, Uthamar Koil.
The temples has images and separate shrines for Purushottamar, Bikshadanar, Brahma and their consorts. This is one of the few Temple in the world, where the Hindu Trinity are worshipped with their consorts in six separate shrines within the same temple complex. The Sapthaguruor seven forms of Guru at this temple are identified with the other images. The seven forms are Sadasiva Guru representing Bikshatanar, Brahma representing Brahma Guru, Soundarya Parvathy representing Sakthi Guru, Brahaspathy representing Deva Guru, Varadarajaperumal representing Vishnu Guru, Subramanyar representing Gnana Guru and Sukrachariar representing Asura Guru.
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The priests of the Bikshadanar shrine belong to the Shaivacommunity, while the priests of Purushothamar are from Vaishnava community. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:30 p.m. The Saiva and Vaishnava sects have their own rituals. The ritual of Bikshadanar comprises four steps: abhisheka(sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Bikshadanar and Soundarya Parvathi Amman. The worship is held amidst religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram(Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi for Bikshadanar. The major festival of the temple, the Brahmotsavam, is celebrated during the Tamil month of Kartigai (November – December) when festival images of both Purushotamand and Bikshadanar are carried together in the streets surrounding the temple. The Temple is administered by the HRCE Department of the Government of Tamilnadu]. Kadambha Thiruvizha is a festival when the festival deity of Ranganthar is brought to the Kadambha tank of the temple for Theerthavari.[1]
If you plan to take on Srirangam to uthamar koil distance on your own, you would want to know how much you will be spending on fuel. Check our Fuel Price Calculator, to estimate your trip cost. We have updated Petrol, Diesel, AutoGas and CNG prices across all major cities in India!
From Tiruchi.
It is about 20 minutes from Bus.
Catch buses to Perambalur from Chathiram Bus stand and get down at Samayapuram Till gate.
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.
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.
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 Brahma. The 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.
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