Tag: Thiruvarur

  • Muchukunda Helped Krishna.Lived In Hyderabad

    Kalayvana, born of Sage Gargya,was a Dravidian King brought up by a Yavana King.

    Gargya who had been insulted and ridiculed by the Yadavas. This brahmana went to the shores of the southern ocean and began to perform tapasya. His desire was a son who would be the scourge of the Yadavas. As part of the tapasya, he ate only iron dust for food. The tapasya went on for twelve years and at the end of it, Mahadeva was pleased. The brahmana obtained the desired boon.

    He vowed to defeat Lord Krishna of  Dwaraka.

    Krishna found it difficult to defeat Kalayavan and resorted to a strategy and by this ingenious method had Kalayavana killed by Muchukunda , a Dravidian King.

    Muchukunda was the King who received the Seven idols of Lord Shiva from Indra and had them established in them Seven places , called as Saptavidanga Sthalas of Shiva.

    Please read my post.


    Muchukunda Chakravarthi was a  Tamil king.

    Indra, the King of the Devas sought Muchukunda’s help in defeating the Asuras and was successful in defeating the Asuras.

    Indra was extremely grateful to the king.

    He offered the king a gift of his choice.

    Muchukunda,  asked for the lingam worshipped by Indra.

    Thiruvarur Temple.Image.jpg
    Thiruvarur Temple,A Saptha Vidanga Sthala by Muchukunda.

    Indra did not want to part with his precious lingam, but the king wouldn’t accept anything else.

    Indra decided on a deception, and showed Muchukunda seven lingams and asked him to choose the one he wanted.’

    https://ramanisblog.in/tag/saptha-vidanga-sthala/

     

    Muchukunda, son of King Mandhata, was born in the Ikshvaku dynasty.

    He was the ancestor of Lord Rama.

    He lived in the present Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

    River Musi’s original name is Muchukunda River.

     

    The Muchkunda river i.e.Musi River is a tributary of Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau region of Telangana state in India. It originates in Ananthagiri Hills of Rangareddy dist, the hills where Muchukunda had his long sleep.So, the river gets the name as that. It flows through a major portion of Hyderabad, India and divides the historic old city with the new city. It was known as Muchukunda river in olden days, this name was changed to Musi,which name is still in use today. The reason for change of original name “Muchukunda” is not known.

     

    Kalayavana wanted to know the names of all the powerful on the earth from Narada. He was told the names of the Yadava kings. So he decided to attack the Yadavas. He collected thousands and thousands of chariots, horses, elephants and infantry. Then he came to Mathura to wage war.

    Krishna was worried. He realized that the Yadavas would become weakened from their war with Kalayavana. And if Jarasandha’s attack came after that, the Yadavas might even lose at the hands of Jarasandha. On the other hand, if the Yadavas became weak from a war with Jarasandha, they might lose the war with Kalayavana. There was danger from both sides. It was, therefore, necessary to build a strong fort from where the Yadavas could wage a long drawn out war, even in the absence of Krishna. On the shores of the ocean Krishna, therefore, built the city of Dvaraka. There were many gardens and lakes in Dvaraka. But more importantly, it was surrounded by walls and moats on all sides and there were several forts inside the city. All the citizens of Mathura were brought to Dvaraka.

    Krishna then appeared before Kalayavana. At the sight of Krishna, Kalayavana began to follow him, desirous of a fight. Krishna had a plan.

    Seeing him, KAlyavana came out filled with happiness. Seeing Krishna before him, the strong one followed him.

    39. The lord of the Yavanas followed Govinda with the desire of capturing him, but he could not seize that great yoga-adept.

    40. The celebrated and powerful king, Muchukunda, son of MAndhAtA, achieved great success in the battle between Devas and Asuras in the ancient times.

    41. When the gods requested him to ask for a boon, he accepted sleep. He was extremely tired, and so the following words emerged from his mouth.

    42. O gods! I will burn the person who wakes me up, with my eyes blazing with anger,” and he kept saying it again and again.

    43. So, Shakra and the other gods said, So be it. Then he took permission of the gods and came to the king of the mountains.

    44. The very tired king entered one of the caves and kept sleeping till the time he saw Krishna.

    45. O king! NArada had told VAsudeva all about the boon he had received from the gods and his power.

    46. Krishna, followed by that mleccha enemy, entered Muchukunda’s cave like a very humble person.

    47. The intelligent Keshava stood near the head of the royal sage, Muchukunda, carefully avoiding the path of his vision.

    48. The Yavana entered and saw the lord of the earth, sleeping and radiant like KritAnta (death). Then that most wicked one went towards him.

    49. He, assuming the king to be VAsudeva, spurned him with his feet, just as the insect jumps into fire, bringing his own destruction.

    50. The royal sage, Muchukunda, woke up on being kicked. He was very angry for being woken up and also for being touched by the feet.

    51. Then, remembering the boon given by Shakra, he looked at him standing before him. As soon as he looked at him angrily, he burnt up entirely.

    52. The fire erupting from the eyes of Muchukunda burned Kalyavana in a moment, just as lightning burns down a dry tree.

    * I shall be writing on how Muchukunda Legend helps date the Second Great Flood in the south

    Citation.

    http://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-vishnu-purana/d/doc57634.html

    Muchukunda

    http://mahabharata-resources.org/ola/ky_GP.html

  • Seven Shiva Vishnu Prayed Indra Deceived Saptha Vidanga Temples

    In North India we have the Pancha Kedar, five temples of Shiva in the Garhwal Region.

     

    In the south, there are seven Shiva Temples, which are to be seen in a day.

     

    These are called the Saptha Vidanga Sthala.

    Thyagarja Temple,Thiruvarur.jpg
    Thiruvarur Temple.Saptha Vidanga Sthala

     

    Vidanga means, ‘not chiseled’ Saptha, Seven.

     

    In these seven places one finds the Shiva Linga.

     

    Muchukunda Chakravarthi was a  Tamil king.

    Indra, the King of the Devas sought Muchukunda’s help in defeating the Asuras and was successful in defeating the Asuras.

    Indra was extremely grateful to the king.

    He offered the king a gift of his choice.

    Muchukunda,  asked for the lingam worshipped by Indra.

    Indra did not want to part with his precious lingam, but the king wouldn’t accept anything else.

    Indra decided on a deception, and showed Muchukunda seven lingams and asked him to choose the one he wanted.

    Muchukunda prayed to Shiva to identify the correct lingam.

    Shiva was pleased and helped him identify the original lingam prayed to by Indra.

    Indra was so impressed by this that he gifted all the seven lingams to the king.

    Muchukunda returned to earth with the seven lingams and installed them at various places in his kingdom.

    The original one he kept at the temple at Thiruvarur, and the others at Thirunallar, Vedaranyam, Thiruvaimur, Thrirukkaravasal, Thirukkuvalai and Nagapattinam.

     

    Normally, it is the top portion of the lingam – the ellipse which is believed to be swayambhu. The base – avudayar- is made by hand. In all these seven lingams, the whole lingam – the base as well as the top portion – form a single piece, and are believed to have appeared just the same way, without being made, and hence the name. All the seven lingams are of different sizes, though they are made of the same material – maragatham – or emerald. However, it looks more like Jade than emerald, as it is translucent. The biggest one is at Thirunallar, while the one at Thiruvarur is of medium size. However, it must be mentioned that these two are the only two of the original lingams left. I am not too sure of the originality of the 5 other lingams, because at 2 temples, we were told that the originals had been stolen ages ago, and the lingams presently there had been installed by saints in their place.

    In ll these temples the Navagrahas face the same direction unlike in the other temples where they face different directions.

     

    In some temples all of them are in a Single file, while in some others they are in the usual pattern of 3’s.

     

    These Navagrahas face the Lingam , in the former case.

     

    In these temples Somaskanda is the Utsava Murthy,Shiva and Parvati with Muruga in the centre.

    Main Deity is Thyagaraja.

    Post on Individual Sthala follows.

     

    Please read my post on Somaskanda

     

     

     

  • Subrahmanya With Vel Pointed Down Neendoor

    Lord Subrahmanya Killed Sura Padma, on the orders of Lord Shiva,

     

    The day he killed Sura Padma is celebrated as Sura Samhara .

     

    He annihilated Sura with His Spear, Vel.

     

     

    The Vel was given to Him by Goddess Uma at Sikkil, a Town near Thiruvarur,Tamil Nadu.

     

    The idol  Lord Subrahmanya sweats on the Sura Samhara Day when the Vel is being handed over to Him by Uma.

     

    The festival is being celebrated even to-day, please read my post on this.

     

    The Vel being a powerful weapon, which Subrahmanya wields represents the three principles ,Icha Sakthi(Drive of Desire).Kriya(Action) and Gnana(wisdom)

     

    The tip of the Vel, wielded by Subrahmanya always points upwards.

     

    But in some temples of Kerala the tip of the Vel points the down ground.

     

    This is very rare.

     

    Legend has it that after the killing of Tharakaura, Lord Subrahmanya was inan angry mood (Ugra Bhava) and has the vel pointed downwards.

     

    Murugan is worshipped here in the form of Devasenapathi, the supreme general of the holy forces. He is in a very angry mood as he had “Tharakasura Nigraha Bhavam”.

    He faces east as seen in most of the temples.

    Mahaganapathi, Dhakshinamoorthi (Lord Shiva), Thooninmel Bhagavathi (Bhadrakali), Shathavu, Durga, Nagaraja and Bhahmarakshs are installed here as subordinate deities..

    Tuesday is an important day in this temple..

    April – May are time of festival in this temple.

    Six days main festival in this temple.

    Neendoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple hosts the arattu festival celebrated on a grand scale on the Medashasti day. Thaipoosam is another famous festival.

     

    Pandavas and Vyasa worshiped Subrahmanya here.

     

    Airport:Cochin.

     

    Rail.Ettumanur Rail Way Station , Kuruppan Tara Rail Way Station are the very nearby railway stations to Neendoor.

    How ever Kottayam Rail Way Station is major railway station 11 KM near to Neendoor .

    Buses are available from Kottayam.

     

  • Nine Temples For Pitru Dosha Parihara

    Though it is mandatory to perform Sraddha for the ancestors, many of us do not perform.

     

    Pitru Dosha,, curse of the Pitrus for not being properly when they were alive and no performance of Sraddha may be atoned in some temples.

     

    One is Gaya Sraddha and the performance of Sraddha at Benares.

     

     

    There are some more temples where the Piru dosha parihara Poojas may be performed.

     

    Rameswaram is another.

     

    Some more temples where the Parihara may be performed.

     

    4.Seshampadi near Kumbakonam.

     

    5.Sethalapathy.

    Swarnavalli sametha Muktheeswarar temple is at Thilatharpanapuri 2.6kms from Koothanur.

    Koothanoor is near Poonthottam which is on Mayavaram – Tiruvarur Road.

    The nearest railway station is at Poonthottam. The main deities here are Swarnavalli Thayar and Mukthiswarar.

    The name Thilatharpanapuri comes from two words thil meaning Gingely and tharpana is the Hindu ritual of performing pithru karmas (ritual of paying tribute to ancestors) to ones ancestors.

    It is also known as Sethalapathy.

     

    6.Gokarna,Karnataka.

     

    Airport.Dabolim, 91 Km,Goa.Hubli, Karnataka,124 Km.

     

    Trains are available from Major Cities of India.Railway Station Gokarna Road.

     

    7.*Srivanchiyam, near Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

     

    May be reached from Kumbakonam, Tiruvarur.

     

    Buses are available.

     

    Airport.Tiruchi.

     

    Railway Station,Mayiladithurai.

     

    8.Triambakeswar.

     

    Trambakeshwar (Trimbakeshwar) is an ancient Hindu temple in the town of Trimbak, in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, India, 28 km from the city of Nashik.

    It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingaas.

     

    9..Thiruvengadu, near Sirgazhi.

     

    Airport.Tiruchi.

     

    Railway Station.Mayiladuthurai.

     

    How to Reach Thiruvengadu by bus.

    From Sirkali: Busess are available from Sirkali

    Bus No. 5-Sang – Sirkali to Poompuhar
    5-CRC – Sirkali to Poompuhar
    CRC – Sirkali to Poompuhar
    Bus Stop for thiruvengadu temple – Thiruvengadu Temple/Thiruvengadu SSD Hr. Scondary School.

    From Mayiladuthurai:Busess are available from Mayiladuthurai

    Bus No. 12-Ranga – Mayiladuthurai to Mangaimandam
    Anand – Mayiladuthurai to Perunthottam
    28-Ramani- Mayiladuthurai to Nangur
    4A-CRC – Mayiladuthurai to Elayamuthukoodam/Mangaimadam
    34-CRC – Mayiladuthurai to Perunthottam

    Bus Stop for Thiruvengadu temple – Thiruvengadu Temple/Thiruvengadu SSD Hr. secondary School.

     

    * Please read my post on this.

     

  • Chariots Of Gods,Temple Cars Of India

    Hinduism identifies Gods with   Human Life so much that Gods have Parents,Brothers, Sisters,Children and Family Life.

     

    The Vedas declare that the Reality is Nameless Formless.

     

    However Hinduism encourages worship Gods in Idol for, and attribution of Human properties are allowed as they are a tool to Realize God or Self.

     

    For details please read my post ‘Gods have name and Form, Yes and No’

     

    Birthdays of God , like Janmastami for Lord Krishna, Arudra Darisanam of Lord Siva, Pooram Nakshatra For Andal, Marriages Uthiram  Nakshatra for Lord Siva and Parvati are all celebrated with grandeur.

     

    On such special occasions the Deity is bedecked with jewellery,  Flowers,  and taken around in a Chariot around the city on a fixed Route.

     

    They are fixed with lighting arrangements, Music troupe leads with veda Mantras recital.

     

     

    “Temple cars are chariots used to carry representations of Hindu gods. The car is usually used on festival days called Ther Thiruvizha (தேர் திருவிழா) usually happens once in a year, where many people gathered around the temple and pull the cart.

    ThiruvarurSrivilliputhurTirunelveli in Tamil Nadu and Puri, in Odisha, host some of the largest annual temple car festivals.

    One of the very old and ancient festivals that often mentioned in the devotional hymns of saints like ( Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar) and many Tamil literature, usually held during the summer between March and April months of every year, lasts more than 25 days. The main attraction of the festival is the procession of the great temple car of Thiruvarur (in Tamil: ஆழித் தேர்). This great chariot is said to the biggest one of its type in size and height. It is 96 feet (29 m) tall and weights more than 300 tons.[1] The size of the largest temple cars inspired the Anglo-Indian term Juggernaut (fromJagganath), signifying a tremendous, virtually unstoppable force or phenomenon.

    As of 2004, Tamil Nadu had 515 wooden carts of which 79 need repairs. Annamalaiyar TempleTiruvannamalaiChidambaram Natarajar Temple are some of the temples that possess huge wooden chariots for procession each. In particular, Natarajar temple celebrates the chariot festival twice in a year one at summer (Aani Thirumanjanam (June- July)) and another at winter (Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December – January )). Lord Krishna of Udupi has five temple cars, namely Brahma ratha (biggest), Madya ratha (medium), kinyo (small), and silver and gold rathas.(wiki)

     

    Some famous Temple Cars.

     

    Srivilliputtur Temple Car
    Srivilliputtur Temple Car
    Temple Car Festival ,Srivilliputtur
    Temple Car Festival ,Srivilliputtur
    Temple Car Festival ,Tiruvarur.
    Temple Car Festival ,Tiruvarur.
    Temple Car,Thiruvannamalai
    Temple Car,Thiruvannamalai

     

    Temple Car Festival,Puri
    Temple Car Festival,Puri

    Some information on Temple Cars.

     

    ‘Among the various types floats may be set as the god bearing or the area where it is built. Usually all consist of a very strong base, arranged on four huge wheels, between 1 and 2 m in diameter, solid wood with axes large section through them. This base has a height ranging from the smallest 2m (counting the wheel height) to the highest 5m, consists of several bands in which various figures are carved religious. Based on a large structure standing whose height will vary according to the type of the float, the largest reach 29m. The structure, also of wood to save weight, a network is usually heavily braced to prevent lateral bumps or break the piece swings. On it is placed around the casing, which is incredibly varied in color and shape, the decor is very dense: the structure is painted in many colors, it will hang cloth banners, pompoms straw, ties, etc. Also depending on the procession can be seen figures or decorations of gold and silver. The image of the god who is carried in procession included within the carriage and is adorned with flowers, and more items. In total the weight of a float often reach 300 tons.”

    http://tectonicablog.com/?p=30720