Recently I was told to visit an Ayappa temple run By Ayyappa Sangam in Tiruchi.
I have seen some of the Ayyappa temples in places other than Sabarimala.
Most of them start with good intentions and discipline and time takes a toll on both.
“3 km from the Bus Stand, Located near the district court of Trichy, is a peaceful temple and attracts many people in all week days. This temple is famous for its discipline and neatness. Special pooja’s for unmarried, child expecting peoples. Open : 5 a.m. to 10.50 a.m. & 5 p.m. to 8.50 p.m.”
The temple is located near the Court.
Ayyappa Temple, Tiruchi
Absolute Silence is what one notices and of course cleanliness.
There no shouting calling out the Names of God nor is the habit of Dakshina in the ‘plate’
If your mobile phone rings inside the temple premises, it is confiscated and returned you after 48 hours and a Notice is put out to this effect.
Wise and insightful sayings are put up on the Wall.
All instructions to the Devotees are in a polite , yet firm language.
If you want to feel Divinity please visit this temple.
I had been on a trip to Temples of South India for the past five days and that’s the reason I Have not been able post as much as I would have liked.
Once in about three or four months I get the itch to travel and I prefer temples of India.
While embarking on visit to temples,I wold not call them Pilgrimage for Pilgrimage is a conscious decision to visit places and com plete the vows.
I do not ask for or pray for anything, for I am convinced long back God knows what I deserve and what ever I get is for my Good,
I visit the Temples for the sheer joy it gives me.
I have learnt couple of lessons in visiting temples.
The first is never set a time frame for Darshan.
Temple Of India
About 23 years back, i went to Tirupati with my nephew with my seven-year Daughter.
My nephew, who is three years younger to me, declared that we would be back in 10 hours at Chennai,six hours for Car travel, two hours for Darshan of Lord Balaji and two hours Margin!
I told him not to set time frame for God for He sets the Time for us.
We went ahead and had a special pass at Rs 150 which entitled on to have Darshan in a Special queue.
Once we entered the inner queue with iron railings from where you can not come out,, we had to wait for 17 hours to have the Darshan!
During this period I had to feed my daughter who refused to come down from my Hip and organise for natural ablutions!
Well, that was that.
From that day I never fix a tome frame to have a Darshan.
I have been visiting temples since then.
When I visit this way, I never had to wait for Darshan and there would be practically be no crowd at all.
Then I refined this approach, by not even listing the temples i want to visit, excepting a couple of Temples.
For the rest I go as my mind tells me.
I got better results.
Later I decided not to use private transport of any special entrance facilities offered at the temple for a quick darshan.
The experience was still better.
This time I had thought of visiting Tirukkadayur(Thirukkakkdavur is the correct pronunciation) and a vow I had to complete for the natural delivery for my Daughter in law(she delivered a baby girl seven months back) at Thayumanavar temple at Tiruchi.
Excepting these two I had absolutely no plans.
I ended up with visiting 20 temples in five days with no Private transport, traveling by only by Public transport.
And the Temples were chosen for me by the others!
At Mayiladuthurai, This job was handled by my friend’s(friend since college days since 1967) wife and at Tiruchirapalli by my friend’s daughter who is Computer Professional aged 25!
Believe me not only the visits were better, smoother and the Darshan, the best in my life.
For these people who had done this without any anticipation, six letters of the word Thanks is not enough.
This trip also reinforced my belief, which I have expressed often , that the present generation of youngsters, obsessed with worldly things and Gadgets are more informed , more helpful and more Religious without pretenses.
To conclude I can only say that Faith is what Faith does.
Note. I will be posting some articles on the Temples I visited with some unique information and Photos.
People who are unable to get suitable Alliance ,in Tamil Nadu , generally visit Thirumanancherry ,perform certain Rituals nd this practice is reported to be producing good results.
I came to know of an older Temple near Mayuram (Myiladuthurai Kuttalam).
Praying at this Temple of Lord Manavaleswarar and Parimalasugandhanayagi ensures speedy marriages for those whose marriages are delayed.
The Temple is near Kuttalam(near Mayuram)and on the way to Vanaathirajapuram.
The Temple is reported to be old and the details are.
Kumabhishekam is on March 19, 2014.
Invitation is below.
Manavaleswarar Temple ,Tiruvelukkudi
I understood the following procedure is to be followed.
Perform Yagna at the Temple, which starts around 11 am.
These Yagnas are to be performed on Mondays.
It is very auspicious if it is performed on the days of Full Moon which falls on Monday.
The charges payable at your convenience, though they charge Rs. 285.
You may buy two Archanai materials from the shops.
The Boy or Girl is tied with a Gangana(band on the Wrist) at the Sannidhi of Parimalasugandhanayagi.
Deepas(You can get them at the shops near the temple) have to be lit .
The number of Deepas is equivalent of the Age one to be married.
Then one has to sit in Yagna, which is likely to take three hours.
After the Yagna, the Temple priest calls one by one and advises them as to the number of days they have to come to the Temple.
The Temple is reported to be yielding good results for those who worship there with faith.
The nearest Town for stay is Mayuram(Myiladuthurai)
Related:
Parvati once expresses her desire to have the experience of an earthly wedding to Shiva. This story is believed to be in fulfillment of this wish expressed by her. A dispute in Mount Kailash occured over a game of chess. In accordance with the verdict of Shiva, Parvati recedes to an earthly life and amidst her wandering reaches a place called Komal, where Lord Vishnu assumes a form of a cowherd to take care of his sister. He releases her from the clutch of the curse in a place called ‘Thiruvaaduthurai’ and Parvati sheds her assumed cow’s form and takes Her normal form in ‘Kuthaalam’ in the sacrificial fire of Sage Bharata Muni. Shiva and Parvati then unite in marriage in Thirumanancheri. Shiva is also called as ‘Sonavaararivaar’ for keeping up His word.
God Vishnu, upset over the events, wanted to reconcile the couple. He went to Shiva to justify his case. Shiva told Vishnu about Parvati’s wish to experience a wedding on earth and assured Vishnu that all events would lead to that end. He also told Vishnu to take the cow to bathe in the Cauvery so she could regain her original form. Vishnu did so and soon Parvati was herself again.
Parvathi was then instructed to go and live as the daughter of Bharata Muni, a saint living nearby. The story goes that Bharata Muni approached Shiva for his hand in marriage to Parvati, thereby granting her wish that she be married on earth.
Udhvaganathar looks as groom in this moolasthanam and Ambal is bride, God and Goddess exhibits their view of newly married couple status in the south prakaram. Mangala Ragu God exhibits his view of with his full body near Lord Durgadevi in the north prakaram. This scene are giving significance of this temple. In this place Rathi and Manmathan join together. By grace of lord Uthvaganathar Rathi gets Mangalya Pitchai it’s hightly belived who ever adorn with garland to the Lord Udhvaganathar and Goddess Kokilambal are relieved from their curse and sin besides gets wedding in an earlier stage.
As the place has the reputation of being the wedding venue of Lord, there is no shrine for Navagrahas the nine planets. Instead, Lord Himself is sitting the Easanya –northeast corner.
Prayers
Those facing delays in marriage due to planetary adversities, pray here lighting 48 lamps for relief.
Thanks giving:
A yajna is conducted in the temple on full moon days from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. especially for those facing delays in marriage. Men and women having this problem are advised to participate in the proceedings. Realizing their wish, they perform abishek and archanas and express their gratitude to Lord and Mother.
Greatness Of Temple:
This place is sung by Saivite saints along with the praise of Kuthalam in their hymns also known as Tiruthuruthi. The wedding of a princess was fixed to a prince here, but her parents died before the event. The bride side cancelled the marriage. The prince begged the Lord to get him the princess. Lord sent a Bhoodha (something like a ghost but used for good purpose), brought the princess and solemnized their wedding.This is also the place where saint Sundarar had a bath in the Agni theertham and got his disease cured. It also has the reputation of Lord Shiva offering half of Himself to Shakti.
Temple History:
Mother Parvathi was born to Sage Bharatha in Kuthalam near Tiruvelvikudi. She performed penance for 16 Mondays on Lord Shiva to have His hand as Her Lord. Mother made a Linga of sand for the penance. On the 17th Monday, Lord appeared before Parvathi as Manavaleswarar and promised to marry Her. Accordingly, the rituals (Velvi in Tamil) were conducted with Brahmma being the head priest for this divine marriage. Hence, the place is named Tiru Velvikudi.No poet can describe the beauty of smiling mother in the temple. Lord Shiva blesses all men and women granting their wedding boon.
In Hindu Temples the Deities are offereds as Naivaedyam(refer my post on how to offer Naivedyam) various things.
Most important are the betel Leaves, Nuts and Plantains.
The was a post in Facebook yesterday that while Muslims carry The Koran, The Christians The Bible, the Hindus take Coconuts and fruits because Hindus always think of Food, even in Temples.
Nothing can be farther from The Truth.
Hinduism is not a crowd puller not does it seek popularity and does not need external expressions of Piety, in fact this is condemned by Lord Krishna in The Bhagavad Gita as’ Hypocrisy”Aashadabhooti.
Then why these the things are taken to temples and offered?
Coconut has three Eyes , as it were.
Coconuts.
Hinduism,more specifically Saiva Siddhartha , lists three Impediments to Spiritual Evolution.
Here Pathi is Siva in Saiva Siddhanta, (corresponds to Brahman),Pasu (Jivatman) and Paasam(Bondage)
Once the chain in transcended one becomes the One of which he is a part(rather he reverts to the Original State)
Betel Leaves.
Look at the shape of the Betel leaves,
Betel
It represents the Female principle, The Potent and Latent One(Prakruthi, loosely translated as Nature )
Nuts represent Experience , the taste a mixture of sweet and bitterness.
Betel,Plantaisn,Nuts.
When Nature is is expended by one by experiences he is released from Bondage.
Plantains or any Fruit , according to Indian Philosophy, represents Fruition or completion of any Effort.
These representative offerings are to remind One of the Impermanence of Life and the need to realize Self or Godhood.
This is what is behind the offerings of these to Deities in Temples.
As to carrying Religious Books like the Koran or The Bible, to Temples, it is to be noted that Hinduism advocates Religion as Purely Personal and no Public worship is sanctioned in the Vedas.
Building Temples and collective worship is a later development by Agama System( refer my blog on Agama and Vedas)
I shall post some blogs on the type of offerings and their meanings later.
I agree that people should know Thevaaram Tiruvaasakam or Slokas by-heart and Pray at the Temple.
It should be from the heart not by referring to Books.
Please try, it is easy.
This post is not against Mr.Ilangkumaraar’s views, I understand his anguish, but to inform people that our offerings at the Temples and other practices are not illogical.
To begin with at least Switch off the Mobile Phones in the Temples.
சாட்டை அடி “கடந்த ஞாயிறன்று என் சகோதரி, திரு.இளங்குமரனார் அவர்களின் “சால்பியம்” வகுப்பில் அவர் கேட்ட கேள்வியால் சாட்டையால் அடித்ததைப் போல் உணர்ந்தேன் என்றாள். அதை என்னிடம் சொல்ல நானும் அதையே உணர்ந்தேன். கேள்வி இதுதான்: திரு.இளங்குமரனார்: தாங்கள் கோயிலுக்கு செல்லும்போது எதை எடுத்து செல்வீர்கள்?
மாணவர்கள் : தேங்காய், பழம் – அர்ச்சனைக்கு
திரு.இளங்குமரனார்: கிறித்துவர்கள்?
மாணவர்கள் : பைபிள்
திரு.இளங்குமரனார்: முகமதியர்கள்?
மாணவர்கள் : திருக்குரான்
திரு.இளங்குமரனார்: நாம் எப்போதும் சாப்பாடு பற்றி நினைப்பதால் இது போல் தேங்காய், பழம் எடுத்து செல்கிறோம். அவர்கள் அந்த நேரமும் இறைவன் நினைப்போடு இருக்க பைபிள் மற்றும் திருக்குரான் எடுத்து செல்கிறாற்கள்.
நாம் எப்போது தேவாரம், திருவாசகம் கோயிலுக்கு எடுத்து செல்லப்போகிறோமோ தெரியவில்லை. அன்று தான் இறைவனின் முழு அருளைப் பெறுவோம்.
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.”
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