Shani Peyarchi on 21st December, 2011 !! Thirunallar Sri Shaneeshwaran Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Nilanjana Sambasam Ravi Putram Yamagrajam

Chaya Marthanda Sambootham Tham Namami Shanishcharam

The planet Saturn (Shani) changes its position from one zodiac sign to another on 21st December, 2011.  It’s believed that the changes in planets position and their motion influence the behavior of human beings to a large extent. In other sense, Saturn starts its movement from Kanni Rasi (Chitra Nakshtram 2nd Padam to 3^rd Padam) to Tula Rasi.  During this transition period it may cause some sudden changes in the lifestyle of the people.  Worship of Lord Shani during this day brings abundance of pieties.  Lord Shani is the son of Lord Surya and Chaya Devi, he undertakes the responsibility of distributing Karmas (Good and Evil) of human being.

Thirunallar Shaneeshwaran Temple is one of the oldest temples situated in Karaikal.  This shrine is located in the temple premises of Lord Dharbharanyeshwar, one of the thevara padal Petra Shivasthalam.   Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarmurthy Nayanar sung praising the glories of   Lord Shiva in this temple.    Saint Arunagirinathar also visited this temple and sang praising the glories of Lord Muruga in his divine composition ‘Thirupukazh’. 

The legend has that King Nala of Kingdom Nishadha was afflicted with the curse of Lord Shani; he arrived at Thirunallar and prayed to Lord Shaneeshwara.   King Nala was while preparing himself for oblations, his back portion of the knee remained unwashed.   Lord Shani was waiting for an opportunity to overrule him, utilized the chance aptly.  Due to the affliction of the curse of Lord Shani, Lord Nala lost his fame and glories, Kingdom and his family.  His chaste wife Damayanti regained her righteous husband back in her life with her virtues and intelligence.   He arrived in Thirunallar at the holy instruction of Sage Bharadwaja and prayed to Lord Shani.  He took holy dip in the Brahma Theertha situated in the temple and got relived from the curse and recuperate his glories.  The holy tank – Nala Theertham in this temple is capable to relieve all the curse of Lord Shani.

Lord Shani is black in color and clad in black cloth.  His celestial vehicle is Crow.  Seasme seeds and gingly oil are used to make offering to Lord Shani.  Commanly used flower for worship is Kuvalam.  The precious gem Blue sapphire represents Lord Shani.

There are many holy tanks situated in this temple and they are Brahma Theertham, Vani Theertham, Hamsa Theertham, Agasthya Theertham and Nala Theertham etc..  The Sthalavruksham of the temple is ‘Kusha Grass’ / Dharba.

This temple remains open from 6.00 A.M to 1 P.M in the mornings and 4.00 P.M to 9.00 P.M. in the evenings.  As Saturdays are the most auspicious days to worship Lord Shani, the temple remains open from 6.00 A.M to 2.00P.M in the morning.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Saphala Ekadashi on 21st December, 2011 !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Please follow the link to read the glories of Saphala Ekadashi:


http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2010/12/saphala-ekadashi-on-31st-december-2010.html


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

Sri Shankara Narayanan was born in 13^th March 1969, in a village called Thandalam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.  At the age of thirteen he was chosen by his predecessor Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal on 29^th May 1983 as his successor and honored him with the title Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi.  Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi is the 70^th Shankaracharya/pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam, Sri Sankara Mutt, Kanchipuram.

He started his schooling in his native village – Thandalam.  While attending school, he also learned Sanskrit and attained knowledge in Veda Sastras from his father Sri Krishnamurthy Sastri who was a renowned Vedic Scholar.  His father was teaching Rig Veda in Sri Sankara Kainkarya Sabha Padasala in Polur.   Shankaran also joined as a student at the Veda Padasala while he was studying in sixth standard.  Before long, Shankaran became proficient in Veda Sastras and mastered various sastras.

 

 

 

Shankaran had his first Darshan of 69^th Pontiff of Sri Shankara Mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal at the age of eight.  Subsequently, he often visited Mutt, especially during the days of Navaratri Pujas.  When Shankaran was elevan years he had the first Dharshan of Mahaswamigal Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal while Mahaswamigal was on a camp at Satara.  After one year of interval Shankaran had the Dharshan of Mahaswamigal once again.  This time Mahaswamigal engaged in a long conversation with him.  His proficiency in Veda Sastras and pious nature attracted Mahaswamigal. 

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal initiated Shankaran to the holy order of Sanyasa on 29^th May 1983 with the title Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi.  His ardent devotees known him in the divine name ‘Bala Periyaval’/’Young Holy One’. 

Please visit : http://www.kamakoti.org/ for more information.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

The Significance of Markazhi Month !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

The holy month Dhanur/Markazhi is an propitious month to worship Lord Sriman Narayana at the early hours of dawn.  Sri Andal sung praising the glories of Lord in her sacred nectar like composition ‘Thiruppavai’ consists of thirty Verses.  Sri Andal was born in Srivilliputhur was the daughter of Periyalwar a staunch devotee of Lord Vadapatra Sayee.  She was found in a Tulsi garden, Periyalwar brought up her with great affection and divine love for Lord Vadapatra Sayee.    Her divine love for the Lord turned into greatest liking towards Him to attain Him as her husband.   Sri Andal emphasizes the importance of Markazhi Nombu in the holy month of Markazhi and the importance of austerities one has to follow to attain the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana in her beautiful composition ‘Thiruppavai’.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Manakkanychara Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Arul Cheytha Mozhikela Adarchurikai Thani Uruvi

Porulcheydham Yenappern        Yenakkondu Pookodithen

Irul Seitha Karunkoonthal Adiyil Arindherininra

Marulseitha Pirapparuppar Malarkarathi Nidainitta

Manakkanychara Nayanar lived in Kanycharur/Kancharur, one of the prosperous lands in Chola Kingdom.  He was a chief of King’s army. He was highly respected and admired by the people of the Kingdom.  He was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva.  He served the devotees of Lord with utmost respect and honor.

Manakkanychara Nayanar had no offspring for a long time.  He and his wife lived a pious life, they prayed to Lord Shiva for a virtuous child.  In due course of time, his wife delivered a beautiful baby girl with the grace of Lord.  Their happiness had no bounds; celebrated the birth of their child in a grand manner.   They brought up her with lot of care and affection.   Years passed by, the girl child grown into a stunning beautiful young lady.   Her mesmerizing beauty captivated the eyes of everyone.  She was grown into a most beautiful young lady who always presented herself in royal attire, her alluring thick and dark cloud like curly hair locks with dazzling precious jewels on her body all these mounted her beauty.

Manakkanychara Nayanar’s daughter attained suitable age for marriage, so her parents decided to search for a suitable bridegroom for their one and only daughter.  With the grace of Lord, Eyarkona Kalikkama Nayar – an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was chosen as bridegroom, his astonishing physical appearance were resembling the brilliance of Lord Surya, he was the perfect match for Manakkanychara Nayanar’s daughter and the couple engaged in their marriage vow.   The families were extremely happy at the union of the striking couple.

The festive atmosphere remained for long time with the happy faces all around.  Suddenly, there appeared a devotee of Lord with smeared ash marks, matted hair locks, Rudraksha etc.. The Shiva Yogi captivated all the attentions of the crowd instantly with his divine appearance.  Manakkanycharar enthusiastically hurried to receive the Shiva Yogi with utmost reverence.  The devotee was pleased at the humbleness of the Nayanar and enquired about the reason for the joyful atmosphere.  Manakkanycharar called out his daughter and instructed her to get the blessings from the devotee of Lord.  Manakkanycharar earnestly replied to Shiva Yogi about the marriage of their one and only daughter.   While his daughter paying obeisance to the devotee, her beautiful curly hair locks grabbed the attention of him.  Shiva Yogi revealed his desire to have the curly hair locks of her daughter for making Panychavadi (used for decorating the chest of a Shiva Yogi).  Manakkanychara Nayanar without any hesitation, without even considering about disfiguring the beauty of his daughter, cut a bunch of curly hair locks (In olden times, it was treated as bad omen to cut the hair of a woman in an auspicious occasion) from the splendidly adorned bride’s hair and delightfully handed to Shiva Yogi. 

Instantaneously, the Shiva Yogi disappeared from the sight.  A brilliant illuminating blue light appeared on the sky.  Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati appeared on their celestial vehicle.  The deities showered flowers on the divine couple and the witnessed were astonished at the unparalleled devotion of Nayanar.  This event amplified the respect and honor of Eyarkona Kalikkamar’s reverence towards Manakkanychara Nayanar.

In the Tamil month Markazhi – Swathi is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day to commemorate the above incident.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!