Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Temple, Nandalur

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy

Sri Maha Vishnu is sheltered in a beautiful gentle form as Sri Saumyanatha Swami in Nandaluru temple. The deity of the temple is known for his consideration towards the devotees who are in dire necessity of God’s blessings. It is believed that He blesses all his devotees generously.

Location

Nandalur is located on the banks of the Bahuda River on the Kadapa – Tirupati main road, about forty kilometres from Kadapa in the Annamayya district.

Click here for Google Maps Location

In the olden days, this region was ruled by a king namely Niranthara Maharaja. He had a concubine named Nelanda. As per her wish, Maharaja Niranthara built a village and named the village ‘Nelandaluru’ on the banks of the Bahuda. Maharaja gave Nelandaluru to the Brahmins as Agrahaaram.

According to Mackenzie Kaifiyat (he was the first surveyor general of India), Nelandalur later became Nendalur and then Nandalur. Nanda means Lord Vishnu. It is the town where Lord Vishnu appeared as Sri Saumyanadha. His temple in Nandalur has a history of more than a thousand years and is resplendent with magnificent architectural splendour.

Legend

There was an interesting ‘sthalapurana’ about the temple and God. Once upon a time, Lord Vishnu went on a world tour as per Maharishi Narada’s wish and visited different parts of the world. During his visit, Sri Maha Vishnu reached the banks of River Bahuda.

After seeing the beauty of this region Sri Maha Vishnu wanted to settle there with the name of Sri Soumyanatha Swamy with an enchanting appearance. Sthalapurana reveals that it was Narada who asked Lord Vishnu to roam around the earth which was consecrated and puja was performed.

Temple Description

Nandalur Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Temple has exquisite sculptures. The Temple has three entrances and Gopurams. The main entrance faces the East and the other two face the North and the South. The East Rajagopuram is built in five stairs with five ‘kalashas’ at the top.

A three-storied gopuram has also been built on the north gate. A gopuram was also built on the south gate but it got destroyed over time and now only the gate remains.

As soon as one enters the temple from the main gate, one will see the temple in a wide courtyard. Opposite the main temple, there are Dwajastambam, Bali Peetham and Garudamandapam. There is a pushkarini in the north direction of the Dwajastambam on the temple premises.

Sri Veeraanjaneya Swamy appears in the mandapam on the south side of the Dwajastambam. Devotees believe that Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy protects the devotees from all ‘grahapeedas.’

The main temple consists of Ranga mandapam, Mukha mandapam, antaralayam and Garbhalayam. The Ranga mandapam built with pillars along with Pradakshana mandapa. The main temple from Mukha mandapa is on elevated platform. On the way to Mukha mandapam there are Dwarapalakas on both sides.

In the main sanctum sanctorum, we find the Lord Sri Soumyanatha Swamy having four hands with Shanku, Chakra, Gadha and Abhaya Hastam.

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy, Nandalur

Abhaya mudra

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy is similar to Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala in His features. The only difference between Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Soumynatha Swamy is that Sri Venkateswara Swamy shows his feet with Varadamudra and Sri Soumyanatha Swamy bears the Abhaya mudra.

Chokkanadha Swamy

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy also known as Chokkanadha Swamy is a beautiful deity. About 6 feet tall Sri Soumyanatha Swamy shines brightly without any lamps from sunrise to sunset when the temple is open. Even though the entire temple is dark, light continues to shine on the Moolavirattu in the sanctum sanctorum.

This light can be seen even on moonlit nights. It is a great feature that the temple is built with light-emitting towers on the Lord at a distance of about 105 feet from the main door. In temple premises, there are small ‘garbhalayas’ for Sri Vishwakshena and Sri Narasimha Swamy.

108 Pradakshinas

Many ‘leelas’ of the Lord are in circulation. It is a deep rooted belief among the devotees that doing nine pradakshnas and standing in front of the Swami in the Pradakshina Mandapam and if wished for any desire it would be fulfilled.

It is a tradition in this temple that the devotees who have fulfilled their wishes should come back to the temple and thank the lord and do 108 pradakshinas. In this way, devotees who make 108 circumambulations to fulfill their wishes can be seen in this temple regularly.

History of the Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Temple

Historical evidence reveals that the temple has a history of more than one thousand years. Inscriptions reveal that the Chola king Kulottunga Chola (1069 – 1122) built this temple in the 11th century and presented 120 acres of land to the Lord.

Inscriptions also reveal that Prataparudra, the ruler of the Kakatiya kingdom who ruled with Orugallu as his capital, built the Galigopuram of the temple and gave five villages to the Lord and made regular offerings with the income coming from these sources.

It seems that Saluva Narasimharaya, who ruled the Vijayanagara Empire before ascending the throne of Vijayanagara during his stay as Dandanatha at Tanguturu near Nandalur and after becoming the emperor of Vijayanagara visited and served this Lord.

Thiruvengalanath’s wife Chennamani, who ruled with Pottapi near Nandalur as her capital, and also Jakkala Thimmasani, offered jewels to the Lord. However, during British rule, the temple began to lose its glory when the grants were stopped.

Sir Thomas Monro, who worked as the Collector of Kadapa and later as the Governor of Madras State during the years 1800-1807, restored the grant system but it was not in operation for a long time. Owing to financial difficulties, the temple lost its former glory. Later it started running with the help of devotees.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams took the administration of the temple in the year 2022. The emperors, kings, rulers, poets, singers, orators worshipped this Lord. Evidence reveals that the poets who wrote the Mahabharatha in Telugu – Nannaya, Tikkana and Erra pragada visited the Lord.

Sri Thallapaka Annamacharya, who worshipped Tirumala Sri Venkavenkateswara Swamy with more than 32 thousand ‘kirtanas’, visited this Lord and wrote ‘kirtanas.’ Tallapaka, the birthplace of the Annamacharyas of Tallapaka, is six kilometers away from Nandalur.

Annamayya who visited many times wrote on Sri Soumyanatha Swamy as

Choodanannichata jaanadu jokkaanaadhudu
Veedemicche naaku chokkaanaathudu
Chullara Vettu Jetala Chokkanadhu
Pullamlo Neladalur Chokkanadhu

Brahmotsavams

The Brahmotsavams of Sri Soumyanatha Swamy are performed every year in the month of Ashada for ten days besides daily poojas.

During the Brahmotsavams different ‘vahana sevas’ including Radhotsavam and Kalyanotsavam are performed in a grand style. Besides the Brahmotsavams, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dhanur Masa Pujas will also be performed annually.

Transport and Accommodation Facilities

There are no accommodation facilities for the devotees in Nandaluru. Accommodation is available in private lodges in Rajampet and Kadapa. Nandaluru is located at a distance of 40 km from Kadapa, 10 km from Rajampet and 100 km from Tirupati.

Transport facilities are available from Rajampet, Tirupati, Chittoor, Anantapur, Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Srisailam, Bangalore and Chennai. Passenger trains stop at Nandaluru. All trains have stops at Rajampet on the Chennai-Mumbai main railway line.

Final Word

The visit of ‘Nandaluru’ brings out peace and joy to the devotees.

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Tallapaka

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple

Tallapaka is the Birthplace of Padakavitha Pitamaha Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya who wrote more than 32 thousand kirthanas on Sri Venkateswara Swamy of Tirumala. There is a Vishnu temple in Tallapaka. The deity of the temple is Sri Chennakesava Swamy who is known for His benevolence towards the devotees who are in dire need and He is known to bless all the devotees liberally.

Tallapaka is located at a distance of eight kilometers from the Rajampeta town in the Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh. Previously the place was known as Tatipaka as the people of the area used to live in palm leaf huts. The hut is also known as Paka in Telugu. Later Tatipaka changed to Tallapaka. Sri Chennakesavaswamy Temple is one of the ancient temples of Tallapaka.

Legend

There is an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and the deity there. As per legend, the temple of Tallapaka Sri Chennakesava Swamy temple was established by Janamejaya Maharaja. Along this temple, many Vishnu temples and Shiva temples are associated with the name of Janamejaya. Janamejaya’s father Pareekshit Maharaja was the grandson of the Pandavas and Son of Abhimanyu.

One day, Parikshit Maharaja went hunting, and when he saw an animal, he chased it. The animal entered the ashram of Shameeka Maharshi. Pareekshit entered the Ashram and asked the Maharshi about the animal. However, the Maharshi did not answer as he was in a yoga sleep (Yoga Nidra). With this King Pareekshit got angry and put the dead snake around Maharshis neck and left from the Ashram.

After some time, the son of Maharshi entered the Ashram and saw a dead snake around his father’s neck. He got angry and cursed that – “Whoever put the dead snake around my father’s neck will die within a week due to a snake bite”.

After some time Shameeka Maharshi woke up from his yoga sleep and was upset to know what had happened and told Pareekshit Maharaja about the curse. With this, the Maharaja built a large building to escape the curse and stayed in it. Finally one day the Maharaja died after being bitten by a snake. After that, Janamejaya Maharaja the son of Pareekshit did the Sarpayaga. He wanted to completely eradicate the snakes that had caused his father’s death.

After Sarpayaga Janamejaya built 108 Shaiva temples and 108 Vaishnava temples and worshiped the deities to get rid of the sin he had incurred by Sarpayaga. Local mythology reveals that Chennakesava temple was one of the temples built by Janamejaya.

History of Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple

According to historical sources, the temple was built by the Chola kings around the 11th century A.D. It is believed that the Kakatiyas, the Vijayanagara emperors, and the local rulers developed the temple. During the last decade, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams undertook the development of the temple.

At present, the temple is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Sri Chennakesavaswamy was worshipped by the ancestors of the Tallapaka Annamacharya. The history of Annamayya shows that Annamayya’s grandfather Narayanaiah was a devotee of the Swami. Local legend also reveals that Sri Chennakesava Swami wrote the Beejaaksharas on the tongue of Tallapaka Annamacharya.

Sri Chennakesava Swamy temple Hanuman

Temple Description

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple is located next to the house where the Annamacharya lived in the village of Tallapaka. Sri Sudarsana Chakrattalwar Temple is located in front of the temple. The temple consists of Mukhamandapam and Garbhalayam. In Garbhalayam, we can see Sri Sudarshan Chakratalwar carved on a black stone.

At the bottom of the Sudarshana Chakra, we can see Lord Krishna in a reclining position with butter in hand. Sri Sudarshana Chakrattalwar is worshipped as Sri Sudarsana Chakrattalwar and as Sri Santana Venugopalaswamy also.

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple - Tallapaka

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple is located in a spacious courtyard facing east. There are Balipeetham, Dwajasthambam, and Garudalwar Mandapams in front of the main temple in temple premises. The main Temple consists of four mandapas i.e. Mukhamandapa, Antaraalayam, and Garbhagruha.

In the main sanctum sanctorum, we find the idol of Sri Chennakesava Swamy having four hands with Shanku, Chakra, Gadha, and Abhaya hastam.

In temple premises, to the northeast side of the main temple, there is a separate temple for Sri Anjaneyaswamy. Devotees believe that by worshipping this Swami they will get rid of planetary sufferings and attain all kinds of victories.

Brahmotsavams

Tallapaka Sri Siddeswara Swamy Brahmotsavams will be performed every year in the month of Ashada for Nine days apart from daily poojas. During Brahmotsavams different vahana sevas including Rathotsavam and Kalyanotsavam will be performed in a grand style. Besides Brahmotsavam, every year Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Dhanur Masa Pujas will be performed grandly.

Accommodation and Transportation

No accommodation facilities for the devotees in Tallapaka. Accommodation is available only at private lodges in the towns of Rajampet and Kadapa. Tallapaka is located at a distance of 50 km from Kadapa, 8 km from Rajampet, and 95 km from Tirupati.

Transport facilities are available from Rajampet. There are regular buses to Rajampet from Tirupati, Chittoor, Anantapur, Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Srisailam, Bangalore and Chennai. All trains stop at Rajampet Railway Station on the Chennai- Mumbai main railway line.

Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple, Tallapaka

Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Tallapaka

Siddheswara Swamy Temple

There are many temples in different parts of our country for Lord Shiva. Since ancient times, many deities, and sages have worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga. Many Shiva temples are said to have been constructed by Sri Ramachandramurti.

One of such temples established by Lord Rama in the Threta Yuga is Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Tallapaka. After Sri Rama, Lord Shiva in Tallapaka received the worship of many sages and Siddhas. Hence, Swamy is named ‘Siddheswara’.

Tallapaka is located at a distance of eight kilometres from Rajampeta town in Kadapa district. Tallapaka is the birthplace of Padakavithapithamaha Tallapaka Annamacharya. Previously the place is known as Tatipaka. The people of the area used to live in a palm-leaf hut. The hut is also known as Paka in Telugu. Later Tatipaka changed to Tallapaka.

Tallapaka Annamacharya
Tallapaka Annamacharya

Legend

There is an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God. As per legend, Sri Ramachandra Murthy established Sri Siddheswara Swamy here during the Treta Yuga. Sri Ramachandra Murthy along with Sita Lakshmana during their Vanavasam (exile) visited this place known as Dandakaranya.

Sitadevi was attracted by the natural beauty of the place and asked Lord Rama to stay in the area for some time. Lord Rama agreed and stayed here for some time. During this period Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga. After that Lord Rama left the place and the sages worshipped this Shiva Linga. This Shiva Linga disappeared at the beginning of Kaliyuga.

In Kaliyuga the Siddhapurushas who came to this place in their journey identified the Shiva linga surrounded by trees and bushes. They cleaned up the surrounding areas, built a temple, and performed pujas. Historical sources reveal that the ancestors of the Tallapaka Annamacharya including the father of the Tallapaka Annamayya were priests in this temple.

Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple - Nandi

History of the temple

According to historical sources, the temple was built by the Chola kings around the 11th century AD. It is believed that the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara emperors, and the local rulers developed the temple. During the last decade, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams developed the temple. At present, the temple is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Temple Structure

Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple is located in a spacious courtyard. The temple faces east. To the opposite of the main temple, there are Nandeeswara, Dwajastambam, and Balipeetham. The main temple consists of Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, we find Lord Sri Siddheswara Swamy in the form of a Linga. Opposite Swamy, there is a small Nandeeswara. In Antaralaya we can see the Utsavamurthis.

In temple Mukhamandapa there is a separate temple for Deveri of Siddheswara Swamy. In this temple, we can see Goddess Sri Kamakshi Devi facing south. We can see Maha Ganapati, Siddhi Ganapati, Dakshinamoorthy, Valli Devasena sametha Sri Subramanya Swamy in Mukhamandapa.

Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple

It is said that a sage named VekaTatayya used to live in this area. Once he had a headache. He used many medications for headaches but, he was not relieved of it. He reached the place with a severe headache and was about to break his head. Then Swamy appeared and gave relief from headache and gave a boon to Veka Tatayya that those who suffer from headaches should be relieved if their head touches Veka Tatayya’s head.

We can find Veka Tatayya’s image in Mukhamandapa. People who suffer from headaches hit their heads to Veka Tatayya’s head. Devotees can visit Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple in the temple premises.

Along with the temple of Sri Siddheswara Swami, devotees can also visit

  1. Sri Sudarsana Chakrattalwar Temple,
  2. Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, and
  3. The Annamacharya Meditation Hall in Tallapaka.

Brahmotsavams

Brahmotsavams are performed every year in the month of Ashada for nine days for Tallapaka Sri Siddheswara Swamy apart from daily poojas. During Brahmotsavams different vahana sevas including Rathotsavam and Kalyanotsavam are performed grandly. Besides Brahmotsavam, every year Sri Mahashivarathri, and Kaartheeka Masa Pujas are also performed in a great way.

Accommodation and Transporation

There are no accommodation facilities for the devotees in Tallapaka as of now. Accommodation is available at private lodges in the towns of Rajampet and Kadapa.

Tallapaka (click on the name for Maps Location) is located at a distance of

  • 50 km from Kadapa,
  • 8 km from Rajampet, and
  • 95 km from Tirupati.

Transport facilities are available from Rajampet. There are regular buses to Rajampet from all corners. All important trains stop at Rajampet Railway Station on the Chennai-Mumbai main railway line.

YanaiMalai Narasingam Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

Narasingam Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

To put an end to the atrocities of evildoers and to defend His true devotees Lord Mahavishnu took as many as 24 avatars of which the most popular are the ten avatars called Dasavatara. In almost all Vishnu temples we can have dharshan of Dasavataras in a separate sannidhi.

Of the main ten avatars, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna avataras are hailed as poorna avataras and the temple of these avataras in our country is legion. Next to these avataras, Narasimha avatara of the Lord is very popular and Narasimha temples particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are innumerable.

Though Lord Narasimha has taken abode in temples such as Ugra Narasimha, Yoga Narasimha, Prahlada Varada Narasimha and several other forms like Ahobilam Kshetra, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temples are too many.

Yanaimalai Narasingam Temple

In Tamil Nadu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temples located in Sholingur, Parikkal, Singirikudi, Sevilimedu, Narasingapuram, and Velachery in Chennai are very popular.

The most popular Narasimha temple where the Lord appears as Yoga Narasimha is the one near Madurai City.

Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai
West tower of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

The very place where the cave temple of Sri Yoga Narasimha is situated is called Narasingam, a small village at the foothills of the massive rock called Yanaimalai just 8 km from the city of Madurai. Of the 108 Divya Desams, 18 are in Pandya country.

Of these 18, there are Divya Desams temples in Thirumalirumcholai known as Alagar Kovil at a distance of 20 Kms from Madurai and Thirumohur Sri Kalamega Perumal temple 10Kms from Madurai. Narasingam temple is located between Alagarkovil on the North and Thirumogur on the East.

It is believed that in 770 A.D. one Madurakavi also known as Maarankari who served as a minister under the Pandya king Parantaka Nedunchadayan (775-795) of the First Pandya Empire, commenced the construction of this temple and later the construction was completed with a Mukha Mantapam by his brother Maaran Eyhinan.

The Cave Temple

The temple has its puranic legend behind its inception.

Once, Sage Romasa did penance on the banks of Padma Sarovar (lotus tank pond) at the foot of Gajagiri (yanaimalai) and prayed to Lord Vishnu to give him darshan as Narasimha. As Narasimha appeared in his ugra (ferocious) form the rishis and devas were frightened by the intense heat of His fury and propitiated Him to calm down.

Prahlada and Sri Mahalakshmi rushed there, prayed, and pacified Sri Ugra Narasimha who calmed down and appeared to them as Yoga Narasimha, took abode in this kshetra as Yoga Narasimha and Sri Mahalakshmi also stayed here as Sri Narasinga Valli. The presence of the colossal rock running to more than a kilometer, serving as a natural backdrop to this impressive temple has its legend.

Gajagiri and Hasthigiri

According to Thiruvilayadal Purana which narrates the 64 leelas of Lord Sundareswara tells us that a Chola king sought the help of Jain monks to win the battle against a Pandya King. When the King implored Lord Shiva to save him, the Lord dispatched the Narasimha Asthra which turned the wild elephant into a massive rock.

Therefore, this rock is called Yanai Malai Tamil and is also known as Gajagiri and Hasthigiri, The rock resembles a crouching elephant.

Another Legend

There is another legend that tells that Lord Shiva took a holy dip in the Chakra Theertham here, worshipped Sri Yoga Narasimha, and got rid of his brahmahathiya dosham which afflicted him following his act of removing the head of Lord Brahma.

Therefore, it is believed that taking a holy dip in this theertham would absolve us of our sins.

The sprawling lotus pond on the right side of the temple arrests our attention with a lot of lotus flowers. The lotus pond, the gopuram, and the backdrop of the huge yanaimalai rock add charm and beauty to the temple. The entrance of the temple is adorned by a three-tier gopuram with five kalasas.

After the entrance, there is Maha mandapam followed by Artha mantapam and garbagruha. As we enter inside on our left is the separate south-facing sannidhi of Sri Mahalakshmi called Sri Narasingavalli Thayar in this temple. The gopuram and other mantapams belong to Pandya period.

Sri Narasingavalli Thayar - Yanaimalai Narasingam Temple

Yoga Narasimha

The Yoga Narasimha form of Sri Narasimha Moorthy is closely associated with Sudarsana Chakra, the prominent weapon of the panchayudas of Lord Maha Vishnu. In Sudarsana idols, Sri Sudarsana Moorthy with four, eight, or 16 hands wielding various weapons is shown within a shatkona (six points) yanthra, and behind this idol Yoga Narasimha in the yogic posture wielding Sudarsana in all his four hands gives dharshan.

Yanaimalai Narasingam is the most famous Yoga Narasimha Temple in Tamil Nadu.

YanaiMalai Narasingam Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy

In the Yanaimalai temple, the sanctum is bursting with the glorious and imposing presence of Lord Yoga Narasimha majestically seated in yoga posture with both hands on His folded legs with yoga battam. The six feet tall majestic moorthi has been carved on the rocks and a sanctum is formed in front of it.

The upper hands wield Sanka and Chakra and the front hands are held on the slightly lifted knees. In front of the Moola moorthi is the ursavautsava idol of Sri Narasimha in standing posture with four hands. The upper hands hold Sanka and chakra while the front right hand is in abhaya mudra and the left hand rests on the mace.

Inscriptions

There are several Brahmi and Tamil inscriptions in this temple. Two of them speak of the gifts granted to the temple by Pandya king Srivallabha (1101-1124 AD).

Two more inscriptions refer to the conquest of Chola country by Sundara Pandya (1216-1238AD). There are also references to the presence of Vedic scholars in the village and the gifts of lands to them by kings.

Festivals

Narasimha Jayanthi is celebrated grandly in Yanamalai Narasingam Yoga Narasimha temple. On Maasi Magam day (February) Sri Kalamega Perumal from Thirumogur visits Narasingam for the Gajendra Moksha festival.

On every Swathi Nakshathra day, special thirumanjanam and poojas are performed.

On Saturdays, hundreds of devotees throng the temple. Devotees believe that a dip in the holy Padma Theertham and Dharshan of Yoga Narasimha will absolve us of our sins and that Lord Narasimha will bestow on us His abundant grace for health, peace of mind, and santhana baghyam.

Arulmigu Yoga Narasinga Perumal Thiru Kovil Location

Narasingam village is just 2Kms from Othakkadai, Madurai – Melur main road. Othakkadai at a distance of 8Kms from Madurai is the bus stop from where one can engage an auto and visit both Thirumogur (4Kms from Othakkadai) and Narasingam temple. One can visit this temple and be blessed.

Wiki Link for more information

Click here for Google Maps Location

Goddess of Kolhapur – Sri Mahalakshmi

Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

Sri Mahalakshmi is the consort of Mahavishnu. The divine couple’s dwelling place is Vaikunta. Sri Mahalakshmi accompanied Sri Mahavishnu in most of his incarnations.

Tirumala Venkateswara is one of the incarnations of ‘Lord Vishnu’ and so Tirumala Venkateswara is also invoked with the name ‘Srinivasa’ in which ‘Sri’ means Mahalakshmi and ‘Nivasa’ means ‘abode’, – ‘the abode of Mahalakshmi’ .

Daughter of the Ocean of Milk,
Glow of heavenly bodies,
Abode of fortune,
Beloved of Sri Mahavishnu,
Goddess of Wealth – Sri Mahalakshmi

Sri Mahalakshmi is the domicile of fortune. Deeply hurt by the placid behavior of Mahavishnu towards Sage Bhrigu who visited Vaikunta to test Mahavishnu, Mahalakshmi left Vaikunta and settled on earth in the ancient city of Kolhapur.

Shri Ambabai Temple, Kolhapur

Kolhapur - Sri Mahalakshmi Temple
Copyright @ mahalaxmikolhapur official website

Kolhasura and Karaveera

Kolhasura and Karaveera, the two giants, were rulers of Kolhapura. Goddess Lakshmi did a ferocious war and executed the two giants. From then onwards, Kolhapur has been considered as the most significant place, and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as Kolhapuravasini and Karaveerapuranivasini.

After it, Mahavishnu, in search of Mahalakshmi reached earth and settled at Venkatachala on the name of Venkateswara. Lord Venkateswara did penance for ten years at Kolhapuram to get back Sri Mahalakshmi but failed to convince her.

12 years of penance

On the suggestion of Asariravani, Sri Venkateswara Swami performed 12 years of penance on the bank of the Swarnamukhi River at Padmasarovaram. Pleased with Sri Vishnu’s penance, Mahalakshmi appeared in Padmasaravoram as Alamelmangamma and Padmavathi in the golden flower which contains 1000 petals and restored the fortune of heaven to Venkateswara.

Swarnamukhi River at Srikalahasti
Swarnamukhi River at Srikalahasti

Legend: The Story of Mahalakshmi

According to the legend, Sri Mahalakshmi, the consort of Mahavishnu felt insulted and left Vaikunta in anger and settled down in Kolhapur. Then the eminent Agastya accompanied with his peer members, reached Kolhapur to see Mahalakshmi.

They recited the Goddess with innumerable names like

  • Padmavathipuramani,
  • Yakshalayamani,
  • Shivalayamani,
  • Dakshina kasimani (The place where Sathidevi eyes fell during Daksha Yagna),

Karaveerapuramani also invoked her with different slokas.

Delighted with their hymns, Mahalakshmi blessed them that she would stay in Karaveerapuram, blessing the people on earth.

How the names Kolhapuram and Karaveerapuram did come into use?

Lord Brahma created Gayasura, Lavanasura, and Kolhasura on earth. The three were born in the zodiac sign of monsters and as they grow, their behavior and attitude turn cruel and violent. They harassed people and sages. Unable to tolerate their attitude, Lord Vishnu killed Gayasura and Lavanasura. Kolhasura was the only one who survived among the three.

He developed an attitude of revenge on Sri Vishnu who slaughtered his brothers. He realized that he could kill Vishnu only after attaining the power that he could gain from severe penance. Leaving his responsibilities to his son, Kolhasura went for penance.

Immediately after he left, Sukesi, the enemy of Kolhasura, killed his two sons and seized Kolhapura. He tortured the Gods and sages and made them think that Kolhasura was better than Sukesi. They waited for the day of Kolhasura’s return. After a few decades, Kolhasura returned to his kingdom. He was shocked to hear the assault of Sukesi on his kingdom.

With anger, he killed Sukesi, his sons, relatives and regained his throne. Even then, the revenging attitude on Gods and sages did not die. He tried to kill them but he couldn’t. He was disappointed and searched for reasons. He traced out the mystery behind it.

Kolhasura – Penance – Asking Goddess to leave Padmavathipuram

Kolhasura sensed that Sri Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of heavenly bodies resided at Padmavathipuram in Kolhapur. He understood the reason behind his continuous failures. He decided that he should keep aloof Mahalakshmi from Gods and that he could achieve only through penance.

He assigned his responsibilities to his son Karaveera and reached the forest. He did deep meditation to impress Mahalakshmi. Satisfied with his Prayers, Sri Mahalakshmi appeared before him and asked him to convey his desire. He requested Goddess Lakshmi to leave Padmavathipuram for 100 years.

Blessing Kolhasura, Goddess left his kingdom. But by the time he returned to his place, he almost crossed his age and so he handed over his responsibilities to his son Karaveera. Karaveera was more cruel than Kolhasura and tortured Gods. Trembled by his behavior, Lord Shiva put Karaveera to death. While he was dying, he requested Lord Shiva to bless him so that his place should be called in his name.

From then onwards, the place has been called Karaveerapuram.

After Karaveera’s Death

On hearing the death of Karaveera, his father Kolhasura raged and started harassing the Gods. On request, Goddess Lakshmi answered the Gods that no one could kill him for 100 years and so suggested them to wait for time. Once the time given was crossed, Sri Mahalakshmi killed Kolhasura.

While he was dying, he requested Mahalakshmi to bless the place as the holy shrine and it should be called in his name. From then onwards, the place was denoted as Kolhapuram and Sri Mahalakshmi settled in that place blessing her devotees.

LIVE DARSHAN

Sri Mahalakshmi

The temple is highly known for its artistic sculpture. In the temple’s sanctum Sanctorum, Goddess Lakshmi is placed on a two-foot seat, carved on a six square feet pedestal.

Kolhapur - Sri MahaLakshmi

The deity is in a sitting posture, holding the objects of symbolic value in her four hands.

  1. The first holds a citrus fruit,
  2. the second-hand holds a large mace,
  3. the third holds a shield and
  4. the last has a bowl.

The image of Mahalakshmi is three feet, embellished with jewels and gems. A stone lion statue stands behind the statue of the Goddess. Unlike the other statues, this statue faces west. The light of the setting sun touches the face of the image through a small open window, three times a day, for three consecutive days, two or three times a year.

The devotees of Mahalakshmi specifically visit more in numbers during those three successive days to see the wonder of the temple. Sri Chakra is placed over the sanctum Sanctorum. The existence of the Mahalakshmi temple goes back to the very early centuries.

Later in the 11th century, during the time of Gandaraditya, the area of the temple extended. Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi temples were built along with the path to circumambulation around the temple. Sriyantra was placed between the main deity of the temple and the statue of Mahakali.

The Architectural beauty of the temple

Of all the temples of Mahalakshmi, the temple of Kolhapur is the most famous and significant temple. It is located in Maharashtra on the bank of the Panchaganga river. Its history goes back to 6000 years. The kings of different dynasties were involved in building this temple. This temple was built in a spacious place.

It displays Hemandpanthi’s architectural form with beautiful sculpture. The temple has four archways in four directions with five domes. One dome is in the centre and the other four domes lie in four directions North, South, East, and West.

Under the dome on the east lies the sanctum of Mahalakshmi with Kumaramandap under the center dome, West – Ganapathi, North – Mahakali, and South – Mahasaraswathi. Inside the temple premises, various shrines of Gods and Goddess consecrated namely Venkateswara, Radha Krishna, Kalabhairava, Vinayaka, Simhavahini, Tulja bhavani and many more along with Navagrahas.

Mahalaxmi_Temple,_Kolhapur
This is a South view of Mahalaxmi Mandir Kolhapur. Old temple with made of creative work on the rocks.

What does Devi Mahatyam speak about?

Mahalakshmi appears in nine different forms: Mahishasuramardhani, yogindra (Mahakali), Kaushika (Maha Vidya), Sunandha (Vindhyavasini), Raktadhamtika, Shakambari (Daanya Lakshmi), Durga, Bhima, Bhramari.

Sri Mahalakshmi Srinivasa

Sri Mahalakshmi is the beloved of Mahavishnu. She is an embodiment of virtuousness and righteousness, pervaded all over Mahavishnu who is an embodiment of the universe. She spread through in every part of Mahavishnu as eight Lakshmi’s –

  1. The eternal body – Bhagya Lakshmi,
  2. two hands – Daanya Lakshmi,
  3. Two shoulders – Veera Lakshmi,
  4. heart – Bhootha Kaarunya Lakshmi,
  5. virtuousness – Keerthi Lakshmi,
  6. placid nature – Sowmya Lakshmi,
  7. Nandaka kadgam – Sourya Lakshmi and
  8. the whole structure – Sarva Samrajya Lakshmi.

Due to being spread through the body of Vishnu, Swamy is also named ‘Sri Mahalakshmi Srinivasa’.

Rituals and Prayers

Worship services are offered every day five times starting with the Suprabhata service (Opening of the temple). The Kakada Aarti is (the morning aarti) followed by Morning Mahapuja at 8.00 AM. Thereafter, the afternoon Aarti along with other services; the temple closes with Shej Aarti (the Night Aarti).

Every Friday, special and specific prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi. The Full Moon day of Chaitra month and the Dasara festival are splendidly celebrated. A festival image of the deity is taken out on procession around the temple courtyard on Full Moon Days.

Kolhapur - Sri Mahalakshmi Temple

How to Reach Kolhapur

Road and rail transport facilities to Kolhapur are frequent from Hyderabad which is about 540 km distance. Mahalakshmi also appeared as Padmavathi at Tiruchanur. The Goddess Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur and Padmavathi at Tiruchanur are known as the Goddesses who shower their love and blessings on those who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly.

So let’s visit these temples to seek their blessings and to overcome all hurdles and obstacles in life.

Click here for the official website

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi, Basara

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi

There are very few temples of Goddess Saraswathi Devi. Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi temple is one of the ancient historical temples in India. Basara is situated in Nirmal District of Telangana State and is 35 km away from Nizamabad town.

As per sthalapurana, in the olden days Sri Vyasa Maharshi lived in this place, hence the place called ‘Vasara’. Later, Vasara became ‘Basara’ due to the influence of the Marathi Language.

Legend

There is an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and Goddess. Accordingly, Vyasa Maharshi installed Goddess Gnana Saraswathi Devi in Basara from the sand on the banks of Godavari.

Kumarachala Parvata

In the olden days, Kumara (Lord Subrahmanya) Swami, came to Bhooloka and took a rest for some time on a mountain in this region. Hence the mountain is named ‘Kumarachala Parvata’. After the Mahabharata war, Vyasa Maharshi came to the south and reached the Kumarachala Parvatha and spent some time there doing penance in a mountain cave.

One day while doing penance, Jaganmata appeared to Vyasa Maharshi and asked: “Bring three handfuls of sand from River Godavari and pour it on the earth and perform puja for that sand”. According to the Jaganmata’s words, sage Vyasa took three handfuls of sand from the Godavari and poured it on the earth. Immediately the sand became three holy idols.

The three idols are

  1. Sri Saraswati Devi,
  2. Sri Lakshmi Devi and
  3. Sri Mahankali.

Kumarachalavasini

Goddess Saraswati is also known as ‘Kumarachalavasini’ because the goddess is enshrined on ‘Kumarachala Parvatha’ (Mountain).

Another Legend

According to another legend, after the end of the Mahabharata war in the Dwapara Yuga, Vyasa Maharshi reached South India and reached the present Basara region after traveling to different places. Looking at this glorious area, sage Vyasa wanted to stay here for some time and set up an ashram.

He used to bathe in the Godavari river every day bring sand with three handfuls and perform puja. Meanwhile, one day he bathed in the Godavari river as usual brought three handfuls of sand, and made three idols. Those three idols are Sri Saraswati Devi, Sri Lakshmi Devi and Sri Mahankali Ammavarlu.

Sthala Purana reveals that sage Vyasa worshipped these three idols.

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi, Basara
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi, Basara

History

As per historical records, the temple was first built in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Rashtrakuta king. The temple was destroyed due to the attacks of the Muslim rulers in the 13th century A.D. After that, Sri Vidyaranyaswamy rebuilt the temple in the 14th Century A.D.

Makkaji Patel, the local leader played a major role in the construction and development of the temple. During the Godavari Pushkarams in the year 2013, the temple was renovated.

The Godavari River is located one kilometer away from the Gnana Saraswati Temple in Basara. On the banks of the river Godavari, there is a temple for Lord Siva. In this temple, Lord Siva is being worshipped as ‘Sri Suryeswara Swamy’ in Lingarupa.

There are idols of Mother Godavari and Vedavati near Shivalayam. There is a temple of Sri Vedavyasa on the main road near the road leading to Sri Gnana Saraswati temple premises.

Temple

In Basara, Sri Gnana Saraswathi Ammavari temple was built in a large area.

  • On the North and the West sides, there are Gopuradwaras to enter the main temple.
  • It is a three-storied gopuram on the north and a five-storied gopuram on the west.
  • The main temple consists of Mahamandapam, Mukhamandapam and Garbalayam.
  • Utsavamurti of the Goddess appears in Mukha Mandapam.

In Garbhalaya, we can see the Goddess of Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi Ammavaru holding veena in two hands we can also see the Lotus flower in one hand and akshamala in the other. In addition to the main deity Sri Saraswathi Devi, we can also see Sri Lakshmi Devi on the right side.

On the northern side of the temple premises, we can see various gods on the platform under the neem and peepul trees. In the temple premises, there are temples for Sri Dattatreya Swamy and Sri Mahankali Ammavaru.

Aksharaabhyasam

There is Vyasa guha (cave) on the hill near the temple. It is said that sage Vyasa did penance in this cave. ‘Aksharaabhyasam’ (It is an age-old practice in which a child is given initiation of education in the temple or a sacred place or done in front of a priest etc.) is the first step to acquiring knowledge. It is believed that doing such Aksharaabhyasam in the temple in Basara temple will be fruitful.

Hence, Hundreds of parents perform Aksharaabhyasam with their children every day in the temple. In this temple, daily sevas like Suprabhatam, Sahasranamaarchana, Ekanthaseva are being performed.

There are weekly and monthly rituals performed in the temple. Annual Brahmotsavams are celebrated in the month of Ashvayuja Masam for nine days during Dasara in a grand style. Special pujas are performed on the occasion of Sripanchami, to Sri Saraswathi Devi in Maghamasam.

Goddess Saraswati beside Godavari river
Goddess Saraswati beside Godavari river

Route

In Basara, accommodation facilities are available for the devotees in temple cottages and private cottages.

Basara is located at a distance of 145 km from Adilabad and 35 km from Nizamabad on the Hyderabad-Manmad railway line and has train facilities from Secunderabad, Nanded, Nizamabad, and Kamareddy.

There are bus facilities from places like Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Bhainsa, Nirmal.

Click here for the Google map’s location.

Sharadindu samaakaare parabrahma swaroopini
Vyasaraapeetha nilaya saraswathi namostute!!

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Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tirumakudal Narasipura

Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple

Next to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, there are several well-known and lesser-known Sri Narasimha Swamy Temples in Karnataka. Some are in the crowded cities/towns which are ancient and hence in the interior area; some are on the river banks and some on the confluence of three rivers such as Nira Narasingpur in Maharashtra and some in the caves.

However, there is one temple which is dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy (Gunja Narasimha Swamy) in Tirumakudal Narasipura locally called TN Pura. This temple is old and unique. It is well known for ‘’Kumbha Mela’’ in South India. It is on the right bank of the Kaveri.

Two other rivers Kapila and Spatika which is Gupta (hidden) join the confluence. This place is just about 30 Km from Mysore on Mysore Kollegal State Highway and about 140 Km from Bengaluru.

Gunja Shri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami Temple – Google Map’s Location

Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tirumakudal Narasipura
Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tirumakudal Narasipura

Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple – Sthala Purana

Before this Temple came into existence in this area near Kaveri River, one Washerman (Dhobi) was daily coming to wash clothes on one big stone. One night he had a dream in which Lord Narasimha asked him to remove his idol which is below the stone on which he was washing the clothes and construct a temple for him. But he asked God where and how he would get money for this work.

Finding Gold

Lord asked him to look under the stone. He removed the stone dug the soil and found some gold coins there. He then arranged to construct the Sanctum Sanctorum for Lord and used the stone also he was using for washing the clothes. Lord after seeing this Temple asked him to visit Kashi which is now known as Varanasi in U.P, the very famous Pilgrim Center.

Dakshin Kashi

He visited and the Lord told him that he earned an additional Punya (Merit or Sanchit) of about a coral bead vine seed (Rosary Pea) more than that one accrues by visiting Kashi. So with this, this place became ‘‘Dakshin Kashi’’ for him and it is said that devotees who visit this ‘‘Gunja Narasimha Swami Temple’’ get one Gunja more Punya than Kashi. And the name tag Gunja came into usage with the name of the God Narasimha.

It signifies therefore the importance of this place and vice versa to Kashi. Gunja is a seed from a plant known as Rosary Pea or Gulaganji in Kannada The botanical Name is Abrus Precatorius. This plant grows in front of this temple and on the sides.

As Washerman built this temple and wished that he would be given Moksha which the Lord granted, after Washerman’s death, the temple authorities of that time carved their images on the threshold [Hostilu in Kannada] of the door in his memory and his wife’s.

480px
Decorative door jamb and lintel over a minor shrine in the rear prakara of the Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple at Tirumakudal Narasipura

Temple Renovations

Over time, Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple was renovated by the then-ruling kings in Dravidian style. Hoysala architecture with inscriptions from the Krishadevaraya period in Nagari script is also found. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

However, there was another major repair and restoration work needed in recent times due to flooding and loosening of soil during the year 2008 in this temple. It developed cracks and some structures of the temple crumbled.

However, some devotees extended help for this work and completed it with the help of the descendant.

Inside Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple

On entering the temple there are colourful pillars in Ranga Mandapa followed by the main Sanctum where the main idol is seen weighing balance with a twig (berry stalk) with seeds of Gunja tree between his thumb and forefinger.

Another interesting aspect to note is that the devotees here (who believe it is an ill omen if the Lizard falls on any part of the Body,) touch the Lizard carved inside the roof just like Kanchipuram’s Varadaraja Perumal temple (Arulmigu Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple) to remove the evil effect. Devotees climb up one small ladder kept there to touch it and get rid of any doshas on them.

Pillared_entrance_to_mantapa_of_Gunjanarasimhaswamy_temple_at_Tirumakudal_Narasipura
Pillared entrance to mantapa of Gunja narasimha swamy temple at Tirumakudal Narasipura

About Temple Rituals and Festivals

The temple is open daily from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:30 to 8:30 PM and Puja is performed as per Agama Shastra.

Every year, the Chariot / Car Festival is conducted for Narasimha Swamy and Agastheswara Swamy and once in three years Kumbha Mela is held for three days. The Kumbha Mela commenced in 1989 in this holy place of which there is reference in Skanda Purana.

The Kumbha Mela of Allahabad and Nashik is replicated here when lakhs of devotees assemble to take a holy dip in the confluence of three rivers. A spectacular view of ancient India unfolds with ochre-clad sadhus joining people to take a dip.

Devotees may visit one temple after another in this town. One of the oldest Peepal Trees (Botanical name Ficus religiosa) is situated here. It is said to be approx. 200 years old. The place is known as “Bahuvara Prasadi’’.

It is believed that childless couples come here to pray for a child and install a Naga idol to fulfill their wishes.

Pancha Linga Darshan

Devotees go for Pancha Linga Darshan when they come here.

These Lingams are

  1. Markandeswara Lingam,
  2. Someshwara Lingam,
  3. Garageshwara Lingam,
  4. Agastheshwara and
  5. Hanuman Lingam.

Hanuman Linga Agastheshwara Temple which is one of five Pancha Lingams which was believed to be founded by Agastha Rishi is worth visiting. To reach this temple, one has to cross a river in Coracle. Ganapathi Temple and Sri Sasal Vyasaraya Mutt are other attractions.

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Sri Garuda Swami Temple – Koladevi

Sri Garuda Swami Temple

Many animals and birds are worshipped as the vahanas of many deities. In Vishnu temples, we worship Garuda along with two lions which are installed on the gopuras, vimanas, and on the four corners of the outer wall which represent the prominent members of animal and bird kingdoms.

Lord Krishna identified Himself with Garuda and Lion in Bhagavad Gita as:

“I am the Lion among the animals and Vainateya (Garuda) among the birds: (verse 10:30) “Mruganamcha mrugendra aham, Vainateyascha Pakshinam”.

Every year Sravana Sukla Panchami Day is earmarked for the adoration and worship of Garuda.

garuda puranam

Amruta Kalasa Garuda

Maharshi Kashyapa married Vinata and Kadru. Garuda was born to Vinata and hence he is adored as Vainateya. Sri Vaishnavas worship him as the personification of the Vedas. Kadru gave birth to snakes. When Vinata lost a wager with Kadru, as agreed, she became a slave to Kadru and to release his mother from bondage, Garuda went to Indra Loka and brought nectar (amrutham).

In many places, Garuda is shown holding a pot of nectar in his hand and is called “Amruta Kalasa Garuda”. Lord Maha Vishnu is at all times surrounded by Nityasuris, Anantha, Garuda, and Vishwaksena.

Sruti declares, “tat Vishnor Paramam Patham; satha pasyanthi Soorayaha” (In the paramapada Lord Vishnu is forever be held by the Nityasuris with unblinking eyes.).

  • Garuda and Hanuman are the two prominent carriers of Lord Maha Vishnu.
  • Garuda is always in the presence of the Lord with folded hands waiting for the command of his master. He is hailed as “Garudalwar.”
Statue of Garuthmantha - Garuda Panchami
Statue of Garuthmantha inside Tirumala Temple

There is a Garuda Temple… (Koladevi)

This Garuda temple is situated in Koladevi Village, Kolar District of Karnataka State. Koladevi village is located in the Mulbagal division. During the reign of Vijayanagara kings, Mulbagal was the eastern entrance to the empire (Moola Vayil meaning primary entrance and Moola vayil corrupted as Mulbagal).

Here in a separate temple, a very unusual statue of Garuda has been installed.

Sri Garuda Swami Temple, KolaDevi

Legends Behind the Origin of the Temple

Jayatu fought with Ravana

There is an interesting Puranic legend behind the origin of this temple. When Ravana was abducting Sita Devi the Eagle King Jatayu fought with him and fell wounded. When Rama and Lakshmana were roaming the forest searching for Sita Devi, they met Jatayu, gathered information about the Devi and when Jatayu breathed his last Lord Rama performed his obsequies.

The people of Koladevi village believe that this is the place where Jatayu was cremated. In Kali Yuga Bhrighu Maharishi erected a temple for Garuda here in memory of Jatayu.

Arjuna’s worship of Garuda (To get rid of Sarpa Dosha)

One more legend says that the presence of the unusual statue of Garuda in Koladevi is due to Arjuna’s worship of Garuda here. Though Dakshaka Naga residing in the Khandava forest escaped unscathed when the forest was burnt by Agni at the behest and collaboration of Arjuna and Krishna, Arjuna suffered for sarpa dosha.

Saints advised Arjuna to worship Garuda to get rid of the dosha. Garuda was ready to remove the dosha on condition that, Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi should come to this holy spot, sit on his two shoulders, and give darshan to devotees. Garuda also wanted the Lord to wield a bow and arrow in his two hands reminiscent of his avatar as Sri Rama.

To help Arjuna, Lord Mahavishnu fulfilled the wish of Garuda. Arjuna worshipped Garuda who appeared carrying Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi on both his hands, and got rid of his sarpa dosha.

Darshan of Garuda

In the Sanctum we have the darshan of Garuda in a relief sculpture of wonderful workmanship and beauty. Garuda with prominent canines and mustache, and with a dagger in his waist, has his right leg bent to the back with the left in front, sporting widespread wings. Ashta Naagas adorn his various limbs.

Garuda’s serene and satisfied countenance faces north where the separate shrine of Hanuman is located. He carries on his right palm Lord Vishnu with two hands armed with a bow and arrow and on his left palm Sri Mahalakshmi.

It can be noticed that both the Lord and His consort are seated on peetams. Shanka and Chakra adorn the sides of Garuda’s face.

There is a legend that after the Kurukshetra war, Pancha Pandavas visited this place when Arjuna established the Hanuman Sannidhi adjacent to Gardua and Sage Vasishta installed Lord Srinivasa, Sri Padmavathi and Rama, Sita, Lakshmana idols. In recent years lots of devotees have visited this temple of Sri Garuda Bhagavan.

Hanuman Sannidhi - KolaDevi

Belief…

Devotees believe that a visit to this temple and darshan of Lord Garuda would cure them of their chronic ailments, mental stress, fear, sickness following bites by venomous creatures, etc. Devotees have the great opportunity of having the darshan of Lord Mahavishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi and Garuda together.

Thondaman Chakravarthi – In service of Lord Venkateswara – Thondamanadu

Thondaman Chakravarthi / Thondamanadu Temple

The holy place where the Supreme deity of Kaliyuga Sri Venkateswara Swami along with His Consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi appeared to the King Thondaman Chakravarthi who built the temple in Tirumala and receives His puja and prayers and stayed as per king wish is ‘Thondamanadu’.

The deity of the ‘Thondamanadu’ temple Sri Venkateswara Swami is known for His consideration towards the devotees who are in dire need of God’s blessings and He blesses all the devotees liberally. Thondaman Chakravarthi, who was the brother of Aakasaraju ruled the kingdom Thondamandalam or Thurdeeramandalam with this place as the capital. Hence this place was named ‘Thondamanadu’.

Legend

There is an interesting sthalapuranam behind why Lord Venkateswara Swami stayed in Thondamanadu. Aakasaraju, father of Padmavathi Devi and fatherin- law of Sri Venkateswara Swami ruled Narayanapuram or Narayanavanam as his capital.

After the death of Aakasaraju, his son Vasudasa, brother of Thondaman fought for the Kingdom. As per the wish of Padmavathi Devi, Lord Venkateswara Swami supported Vasudasa, brother of Padmavathi Devi. But Thondaman is a dearest devotee of Lord Venkateswara, hence Lord gave His Conch and Discuss to Thondaman.

When the battle became fierceful, Lord Venkateswara made peace between both. According to the peace treaty, the kingdom was divided into two and Narayanapuram was given to Vasudasa and Tundarimandalam was given to Thondaman. As per Lord Venkateswara’s order, Thondaman built a temple in Tirumala. Lord Venkateswara Swami stayed there.

Thondaman Chakravarthi – Visiting Tirumala every day

Thondaman Chakravarthi used to go to Tirumala temple every day to worship Lord Venkateswara. As days passed on, due to his old age it became difficult for Thondaman Chakravarthi to visit the temple every day. He felt very unhappy. On seeing his unhappiness and struggle, Lord Venkateswara Swami visited Thondaman’s house and received his prayers and as per Thondaman’s wish, Lord Venkateswara Swami stayed here with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

The speciality of this temple is, that we can see Lord Sri Venkateswara Swami with His Consorts here in sitting posture. It is the rear posture of Lord Venkateswara. We cannot see anywhere else. Thondaman Chakravarthi built a temple in his own house and spent his whole life praying to Lord Venkateswara Swami.

Temple Structure

In Thondamanadu, Sri Venkateswara Swami temple is towards the East and it was built in a large area. The main Entrance has Raja Gopuram. The Raja Gopuram consists of Three Tiers at the top. There are Balipeetam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudalwar Mandapams in front of the main temple in temple premises.

The main Temple consists of four mandapas i.e.

  • Mahamandapa,
  • Mukhamandapa,
  • Antaraalayam and
  • Garbhagruha.

At the entrance of Antaraalayam, we find the idols of two dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya.

In the main Sanctum Sanctorum, we find the Idol of Sri Venkateswara Swami in sitting posture having four hands with Conch, Discus, Yogamudra, and Abhaya hastam along with His Consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on both sides. This is the only place where Lord Venkateswara Swami is in a sitting posture.

Thondamanadu

Belief

It is believed by the devotees that, intimacy will be increased between the married couple, and quick marriage for unmarried youth is done by praying to this god. In addition to Main Deities, we can also see Utsava Murthies

  • Sri Srinivasa Swami,
  • Sri Sitaramalakshamana Swami,
  • Sri Anjaneya Swami,
  • Sri Viswaksena,
  • Sri Ramanujacharya and
  • Sri Thondaman Chakravarthi in Antarala.

History of the temple

It is known from the Historical Evidence that the Temple was constructed during the 9th and 10th Century AD. The Vimana of this temple resembles that of the Anandanilaya Vimana of Tirumala. The kings of Chola, Pallavas, Vijayanagara, and other rulers performed pujas here for their well-being.

During the later 20th century the temple lost its Glory. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams took over the temple in 2008, initiated many developmental works and reconstructed the temple. After reconstruction, in 2016 kumbabhishekam was performed. In August 2017, TTD organized Pavitrotsavams in the temple. Recently TTD constructed Rajagopuram also.

Festivals and Rituals

In the temple, everyday daily rituals are being performed as per Agama Sastras. In Every Friday, Abhishekam is being performed. Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dhanurmasa Utsavas are being performed every year grandly.

How to Reach

Thondamanadu is situated Seven kilometers from Srikalahasthi and 28 kilometers from Tirupati in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Transport facilities are available from Srikalahasthi. The visit of ‘Thondamanadu’ and the Darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swami results endless blessings for the Devotees.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Article by P.Raja, posted in Sapthagiri Magazine

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Pondicherry

Every temple is a place of great importance and it forms the very crux of almost every pious Hindu’s existence. As everything is done with the blessings of the Lord, the Hindus invariably go to temples to offer their prayers.

There was a time when temples played multipurpose roles in the life of the people. Apart from a place of worship, a temple was also a court of law, a center for distributing medicine, a school where education was given free of cost to the privileged few, and a yoga-practicing hall.

A consolation center for bereaved souls and a savior of folk arts, the temple also played the role of a provision hub during times of famine. It was also a museum of architecture and paintings.

Seeking the blessing of the Lord in a temple is a custom in our land. The Lord’s blessing can be sought only through prayer. Knock and it shall open. Ask and it will be given. The blessing people receive from the Lord is not only meant for that day but all the days to come.

People pray to God saluting Him all the time with their palms joined together. It symbolically means that they are together; they think alike; and their vibrations are in harmony with each other. The action denotes the recognition of soul and soul force.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple Ganesha

Saluting as per Dharma Shastras

Dharma Shastras have devised certain codes of conduct in saluting others.

  • The guru or the teacher should be saluted by placing the joined palms against our forehead.
  • The father, responsible for our sojourn on planet Earth, and the king who cares for our safety deserve to be saluted by placing the joined palms close to our mouths and noses.
  • Wise men, sages, and elders should be saluted with both palms joined together in front of our chest.
  • The mother takes the best of places in the human body. She should be saluted with both hands joined together in front of our navel.

Inside the temples, the deities should be saluted with the palms joined together and raised above our heads.

anjali mudra prayer gesture

All these parts of our body play significant roles. The belly, the heart, the nose, the mouth, the head, and the overhead are symbols of a healthy body, happiness, long life, knowledge and prosperity, and enlightenment respectively.

Spiritual science also explains that the force generated by the soul in its field of electricity and magnetism is stored in three important centers of the body and made to radiate from here to different parts. To raise our palms together above our heads is to say that the lord is above everything else.

It is good to meet the Lord quite often to receive His blessings. We get the satisfaction of being blessed by the Lord Himself and the blessed being can be sure of the fruits thereof.

The Glorious Manakula vinayagar Temple

Folklore and History vie with each other to say a lot about a temple for the pot-bellied and elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesh, in Pondicherry. A favorite among locals and tourists alike, He is also a much sought-after God.

Word – Manakula

Regarding the name ‘Manakula’, two different interpretations exist.

  1. The word ‘Manakula’ is a combination of two Tamil words – Manam (Mind) + Kulam (Pond). In a pond like a mind, a fallen dead leaf too can create a ripple. Vinayagar’s blessings, it is believed, will make the mind unperturbed and calm. That may be a symbolic interpretation.
  2. The following down-to-earth interpretation is more appropriate: Manal (Sand) + Kulam (Pond).

Old Pondicherry was punctuated with a lot of ponds surrounded by dunes. A deity, mostly Vinayagar, was installed on the bank of the pond. That made it conducive for the local people to worship the deity immediately after their bath in the pond. Hence the name Manakula Vinayagar.

Manakula Vinayagar temple is the only Hindu temple in the French Quarters of Pondicherry, while the Tamil quarters house several temples on every street. To our doubt ‘why?’ the following folktale typical of Pondicherry clarifies it thus: Long ago when Europeans ruled Pondicherry there lived an atheist who was a bosom friend of the governor of the colonized territory. No one knows for certain whether the governor and his friend were Dutch, Portuguese, English, or French, for these were the four who ruled this historically renowned place at different times.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Elephant

Story of Manakula Vinayagar Temple

To come to the story, the atheist behaved like a despot and quite often ill-treated the natives. The governor neither questioned his attitude nor lent his ear to the grievances of the natives. Since none dared to question him, the atheist poked his nose into the worship of Hindu idols. He had often seen the natives going to a temple, very near to the sea. He had nurtured a strong desire to throw away the idol of the temple into the sea and demolish the temple.

One day the atheist went with his henchmen to see what the natives did in the temple. He was taken by surprise when he entered the temple. Some people prostrated themselves before the image; some lit camphor and broke coconuts against the stone slabs; some closed their eyes and recited mantras while some stood silently praying to the Lord. What was more surprising to the atheist was the curiously shaped image that the natives called God.

The image had a big and oval face with a long trunk for a nose. It had a pot-like belly and its colour was pitch black. “What the hell is the name given to the half elephant and half glutton?” the atheist enquired of his men. “They call it Pillaiyar,” replied someone in his gang. The atheist laughed and his villainous laughter brought utter silence in the temple.

Atheist – Tried to throw stone image into the sea

Everyone shivered. “Go and lift that stone which they call God and throw it into the sea,” he commanded his henchmen. The unruly gang immediately jumped into action. Helpless, the natives stood watching the evil action of the vandals. With great difficulty, they lifted the image and carried it to the seashore.

They boarded a catamaran with the image, while the atheist stood on the shore happily watching their movements. Soon his men returned to tell him that the stone image had been thrown into the deep sea. Happy at heart, the atheist with his followers marched towards the temple to bully and insult the natives. But he was taken aback to see the image of Pillaiyar seated in the very same place in the temple.

manakula-vinayagar-temple

The reappearance of Stone Image (God)

He saw the natives praying in silence. He knew well that the natives could not have brought in another image within that short time. But at the same time, he wondered at the sudden reappearance of the image. “How did that stone come back?” he shouted at the natives in the temple. “We do not know. When you left this temple we prayed with our eyes closed. And when we opened our eyes we saw Him seated in the vacant place,” said a native. “Is that so? Does that stone presume to set its wits at me?” the atheist roared.

He then commanded, “Carry the statue. Tie it to a bigger stone. Go a long distance into the sea and roll the stones together into the depth of the sea”. His order was obeyed. But when they came back to the temple they were shocked to see the Pillaiyar again. Suspecting some foul play, the atheist stared at the smiling faces of the natives. One mustered courage and said, “This Pillaiyar is a very powerful deity. No force on earth can destroy Him”.

Final Attempt

The atheist wanted to make a final attempt. He told his men to lift the image and take it to the seashore. When it was done he asked all the natives who had gathered in the temple to quit the place. He then closed the doors of the temple and locked it.

Carrying the key with him, he went to the seashore and boarded a boat with his companions and the image. Under his supervision, the image was thrown into the deep sea. With great satisfaction, they returned to the temple. When the atheist unlocked the doors of the temple, he was horrified to note the reappearance of the Pillaiyar.

A large crowd had already gathered there. Many laughed at the foolish action of the atheist. Sneering at the crowd, the atheist ordered his men to fetch crowbars.

Gangsters trying to break

When the weapons reached the place, he commanded, to the sorrow of the natives, “Use these crowbars against their Pillaiyar and break the idol into pieces. Let the powerful deity save himself”. The gangsters began to smash the sharp edges of their crowbars against the image. But they could not make even a dent in it. They repeated their action but to their great disappointment, the crowbars broke up into tiny pieces and fell. A splinter from a broken crowbar flew whizzing toward the atheist and hit his right kneecap. Crying in pain he fell before the image.

Later it was reported to the governor that the atheist went to the temple every morning and evening without fail to worship Pillaiyar, the powerful deity. No wonder that the governor realizing the unquestionable powers of the Lord, arranged for a decent construction to house Lord Vinayagar. Hence the name ‘Vellakaran Pillayar’ (Whiteman’s Vinayaga).

manakula-ganesh

Stopping Natives from worshipping

The fact that Francois Martin, the Founder of Pondicherry, tried to stop the natives from worshipping the Lord or performing any form of Pooja in 1674 proves without an iota of doubt that the temple is nearly five centuries old.

As the story goes, the weavers and others who lived in that area planned an exodus for they believed that it was foolish to live in a place where worship of the deity was banned. And Martin has no other go but to lift his ban for without those weavers his company would have undergone a heavy loss. It must be mentioned in passing that during the reign of Dupleix, Manakula Vinayagar, and His abode remained undisturbed although Madame Dupleix was bent on transforming the places of Hindu worship into churches.

Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai

An uxorious Dupleix had no way but to lend deaf ears to the complaints and grumbling of the locals. Another proof of its existence and survival can be seen through the famous Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai (1709-1761). The most famous Tamil diarist to date, Pillai was Dubash to Monsieur Dupleix, the French Governor-General of French India. The Diary he maintained from 1736 till his death immortalized him as it was a record of matters political, social, and personal. Being an eyewitness report of the manners of the court and society, it is an invaluable treasure.

Ranga Pillai’s keen observation, fostered by his status in society, made his Diary a sourcebook of history. Very interested in contemporary events, he records in it “the valuable account of things historical, political and social appertaining to the period embracing the rise, the Zenith and the decline of French power in India.” The Diary opens to us vistas of bygone times. We are introduced to the customs and manners of the natives in the 18th century. He describes the religious rites and festivals of Hindus and other sects.

Not only do Pongal and Sivarathri other sects find their places in his Diary but also the Fire Festival and the hunting festival. In the entry dated April 7, 1748, Pillai wrote: “…Between half-past eight and nine tonight, Murugu Pillai, the Choultry manager, came to my nut-godown and, standing near the door of the Manakukulam Pillaiyar Temple, called me and asked if I had heard what had been going on in the town for the last two or three days” (Vol.5, p.18).

Another entry dated October 2, 1748

reads: “The shells burst in the air, and twenty or thirty fragments would fly half a mile or a mile. The pieces whistled as they flew, like a kite flying in the air. One shell struck Mir Ghulam Husain’s gate, another struck the Governor’s kitchen house and gardens. Others fell near the tobacco godown and the stable on Vellala Street. Another struck a Topasi woman’s house near the Pillaiyar temple beside the Manakulam tank, and broke her legs…The Europeans, I think, are a hundred times more alarmed than the Tamils. All of them fear the shells. Such is the effect of the shells which the English fire daily.

Many would have been wounded and killed if such had been God’s will; but by His grace, it has been otherwise, and despite all the bombardment, there has been little loss. God’s will is too great for man to comprehend, as all the Shastras say. Is it not true? That was why many of the great and wise renounced worldly pleasures for solitary meditation. All know this…” (Vol.5, P. 381) (The quotes are from H. Dodwell’s English translation of The Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai).

These two entries serve ample testimony to the facts that Ranga Pillai had his tobacco godown quite close to the Pillaiyar temple and his was an unquestionable belief in Pillaiyar’s power.

Manakula Vinayagar - Golden Kavasam

During 17th Century

Perhaps built during the 17th century, it is one of the ancient temples here. Sandwiched between the street that takes us to Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the street to the Governor’s House, this temple facing east is only a stone’s throw from the promenade.

Mahakavi Subramania Bharati and The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram shower their highest honor on this Lord Vinayagar, popularly known among the locals as Manakula Vinayagar.

First, listen to Bharati praying to Pillaiyar during his decade of stay (1908-1918) in Pondicherry:

“…ManakulaVinayagar, Master of the heavenly mystery, Grant to me, I pray, the strength and skill Of self-control. For this gift gained, All other gifts ensure unsought. Grant me firm courage. Then wishing For happiness for all living beings, With the worship of Your Feet my sole vocation, God Ganapati, I shall live in joy.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Historians and scholars believe that the Ashram of Sri Aurobindo and the temple are nearer to each other not by accident but on purpose. Lord Vinayaga is chief of all Vedas while Sri Aurobindo is an authority on the Vedas. And both bless all their devotees who come seeking their help. No wonder their abodes are quite close.

960px Aurobindo Ashram Pondichery Outside view

The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram had a special relationship with Pillaiyar. She considered him her friend. On several occasions, she has referred to Ganapathi. The Mother who never recommended idol worship had a statuette of Pillaiyar on her desk. When asked, it is reported that she replied: ‘He is our friend’.

In her letter dated 8th November 1962 (later published in Sri Aurobindo’s Action, March 1980) addressed to her devotee, Mr. Madanlal Himatsingka, she writes: “… each one must invoke Ganesh according to his feeling – the traditional way is not necessarily the best” and continues to narrate her own experience with him, “In 1930 we were having regular meditations in the Prosperity hall, on the significance of flowers.

At one of these meditations, quite unexpectedly, Ganesh appeared suddenly to my inner view. He was of golden light and surrounded by a very luminous golden aura. His form was the usual one as in his images. It was the first time I ever saw him and I expressed some surprise over his sudden appearance. Then he told me, “You see I am a living being quite real and concrete – and to give you a concrete proof of my reality I shall send to you henceforth, all the money you will need. And on this promise, he disappeared. He has kept his promise for years and the money was coming abundantly”.

In the issue dated November 2004 of Sri Aurobindo’s Action, its editor Shri Shyam Sunder writes:

“…In the 1960s when Sri Aurobindo Memorial Fund Society purchased the huge adjacent property bearing premises No. 64, rue d’Orleans (as the present Manakula Vinayagar Koil Street was then known) out of funds provided by Shri Madan Lal Himatsingka, a devotee of the Mother, she arranged the transfer of a small piece of land on the northern side of the property, by way of a gift, to the Ganesa temple to provide the needed suitable space for parikrama inside the temple. As the story goes Ganesa had asked her for it. Ganesa, Mother had told us, had helped her in financing the Ashram” (p.12).

Thus a piece of land measuring roughly 12’x120’ went from Sri Aurobindo Memorial Fund Society to Lord Ganesa and today devotees are happy to go round the deities and do Parikrama. What a wonderful gift of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram to Lord Ganesa who kept his word!

No wonder that visitors to the Ashram from different corners of the globe rush to have His blessings as well.

Thousands of Pillaiyar devotees throng His abode every day and on Fridays, not to speak of Vinayaga Chaturti festival, it is always a milling crowd. Twowheelers, four-wheelers, and heavy vehicles pay their homage to the Lord before they start serving their new masters. Visitors to the Ashram from different corners of the globe rush to have His blessings as well.

A ten-day festival in Manakula Vinayagar Temple is celebrated every year since 1957 and each day’s expenditure is met by a particular community in the town.

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