108 Divya Desams !! Thiru Thalaichanga Nanmadhiyam Sri Nan Madhiya Perumal Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Thiru Thalaichanga Nanmdhiyam is one of the 108 Divyadesams of Lord Vishnu located 12kms east of Shirkazhi, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

Presiding deity – Moolavar - Thiru Nan Madhiya Perumal , Utsavar – Vyoma Jyoti Piran with his consort Moolavar - Goddess Sri Thalaichanga Nacchiyar, Utsavar – Sri Semkamalavalli Thayar

Mangalasasanam – Thirumangai Alwar

Pushkarani – Chandra Pushkarani

Vimanam – Chandra Vimanam

Prathyaksham to – Lord Chandra, Nithyasuris, Deities

Festivals – Navaratri Utsavam, Pavitrostavam, Vaikundha Ekadashi

The legend has Lord Chandra married to 27 daughters of Dakshaprajapati with a promise to keep all the daughters equally contented and peaceful.    Unfortunately, Lord Chandra could not keep up his promise to Dakshaprajapati.  He found immense pleasure in the company of one of his wives Revathi and disregarded rest of them.  Hence, it created an extreme unhappiness and grief amongst them.  Dakshaprajapati came to know about the reason for his daughters sorrow and cursed Lord Chandra.  Due to the curse of Dakshaprajapati, Lord Chandra started to diminish his brightness afflicted with the illness of ‘Kshaya’ (shrink). 

Lord Chandra prayed to Lord Vishnu for the liberation from the curse.  Lord Chandra arrived on this sacred land at the divine instruction of Lord Vishnu.  He had a holy dip on the pond situated here and underwent severe austerities praying to Lord.  The most compassionate Lord was pleased at the devotion of Lord Chandra.  Lord Sriman Narayana with his consort appeared before him and blessed Lord Chandra with the liberation from the curse.  Hence, the deity has got its name Chandra Sapa Harar.

Another legend has that Lord Chandra who was the son of Rishi Atri and Thara was learning under the guidance of Deva Guru Brihaspati.  Lord Chandra cast an evil eye on Guru Patni.  It made Guru Brihaspati cursed him to shrink his beauty and brightness. 

This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00 AM in the morning and 5.00PM to 8.00PM in the evening.

Contact Person - Sri .T.Varadarajan Bhattar Swamin - 9965273712.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Mohini Ekadashi on 2nd May, 2012 !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!



Please follow the link below to read the glories of Mohini Ekadashi :



http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2011/05/mohini-ekadashi-on-13th-april-2011.html

Jai Sriman Narayana !!



275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiruvakkarai Sri Chandramoulishwarar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Thiruvakkarai Sri Chandrasekhareshwarar Temple is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in a village called Thiruvakkarai.  This is one of the oldest temples built by the Kings of Chola Dynasty during the 12^th century.   This temple is situated 25 km away from Pondicherry on the river banks of Shankarabarani/Varaha Nadi.   In this temple Lord Chandramoulishwarar worshipped in his three faced form known as Gnana Lingam and the three faces were to be precisely Thathpurusham, Vamadevam and Akhoram.

Presiding deity – Sri Chandrasekharar/Sri Chandramoulishwarar/Pirai Soodiya Peruman with his consort Goddess Sri Amrutheshwari/Vadivambal/Vadiambikai

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam

Theertham – Thamarai Theertham, Sankarabarani

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sekkizhar

Festivals – Pournami, Maha Shivaratri,

Worshipped by – Sage Kundalini and attained the Abode of Lord Shiva in this sacred place.

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Goddess Vakrakali, Vakra/Kanta Linga (This Linga was worshipped by the demon Vakrasura implanted inside his throat, it  turns out ice cold during summer and during the period of monsoon the Linga remains with dewdrops on it.) Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Varadaraja, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Vishnu Durga, Sage Kundalini Samadhi, Lord Brahma, Lord Krishna with Goddess Satyabhama and Rugmini, Navagrahas, Dhanumalayan (Idol of Lord Shiva with three faces, reveals the eternal truth of the three entities Lord Brahma (Ayan), Lord Vishnu (Mal) and Lord Shiva - Dhanu), Sapthamathas (Varahi, Indrani, Koumari, Vaishnavi, Brahmani, Dhumukhi and Chamundi), Sahasra Lingam, Yogeshwara Lingam,

The legend has that demon Vakrasura was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  He worshipped Linga embedded inside his throat.  Lord Shiva was pleased at the austerities of Vakrasura and offered him several boons.  He pleaded to Lord for immortality and was provided.  Soon, Vakrasura started harassing the deities and Rishis.  All the deities approached Lord Shiva for help, Lord Shiva instructed them to seek the help of Lord Vishnu.  Lord Vishnu had a battle with Vakrasura and beheaded him with his Dice. The demon Vakrasura had a sister Durmukhi.  When her brother was killed by the deities she turned out ferocious and started tormenting the innocent people.  At the heinous act of Durmukhi, Lord Vishnu sought the help of his sister Goddess Parvati to eradicate Durmukhi from the very Earth.  Goddess parvati transformed herself into her fierce form slayer of evils, Goddess Kali with eight hands and had a ferocious battle with the demon Durmukhi in the sacred land; she vanquished the demon with the grace of Lord Chandramoulishwara and reinstated righteousness on this land.

Worship of Lord Chandramoulishwara and Goddess Vakrakali in this temple provides abundance of peace and prosperity in the life of worshipper.  It also benefited to get rid of all the adverse effects of planets and cure from physical and mental illnesses.

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.30 PM in the morning and 6.00AM to 8.30 PM in the evenings. 

 Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirumayendirapalli Sri Thirumeniazhakar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Thirumayendirapalli Sri Thirumeniazhakar temple is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva situated in a village called Thiru Mayendirapalli in Shirkazhi, Chidambaram.  This temple is just 4 kms away from another Thevara Shivasthalm – Thirunallur Perumanam in Achalapuram.

Presiding deity – Sri Thirumeniazhakar with his consort Goddess Sri

Mullainagai Vadivambikai

Pushkarani – Mantra Pushkarani

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

Worshipped by – Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Brahma

This temple remains open from 7.00 AM to 10.00 AM in the morning and 5.00PM to 7.30PM in the evenings.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Sri Ganga Saptami / Ganga Jayanthi on 28th April, 2012 !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Sri Ganga Saptami falls on Shukla Paksha Saptami, seventh day of bright fortnight in the month Vaishakh.  Sri Ganga Saptami is an auspicious day to worship River Ganga, the day in which holy river Ganga descended from Heaven to Earth.  

In Padma Puranam - Patala Khandam and Narada Puranam - Uttara Bhaga also describes the glorious myths of River Ganga.   After descending from the Mount Himalaya the Holy River Ganga forcefully inhabited the sacrificial arena of Sage Jahnavi while he was engrossed in  meditation. The Sage Jahnavi got disturbed at this and in a fuming rage he swallowed the holy river and later he released her out through his right ear. Thus, the holy river has got the name 'Jahnavi'.  The holy river Ganga is the River of life on the earth is the purifier of all the sins of human beings.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Hindu Sanatana Dharma !! Symbolic Acts Performed During Prayers and its Description !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A simple prayer before the deity with hands folded and placed near the heart is the most common form of praying in Hindu religion. But there are also various other acts that Hindus perform while praying like lighting the lamp, offering flowers and leaves, burning camphor or offering Bhog/Neivedhiyam etc. In Hinduism, each act performed has a symbolic meaning.

 

Sprinkling of Water and Sipping while performing Puja:

Sprinkling of water symbolically performs the purification of the surroundings. Sipping of water is purification of oneself.

Lighting of Lamp:

It symbolizes removal of ignorance and ushering in of knowledge. The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes.

Burning of Camphor:

Burning of camphor symbolizes the destruction of our egos and arrogance. When ego melts what is left is the pure Self.

Lighting of Incense:

This is used for fragrance which symbolically suggests the presence of the deity and the love of deity.

 

PerformingAarati:

Waving of lamp and camphor around the deity is symbolically an act of surrender.

Breaking Coconut:

Symbolically breaking of coconut is act of destruction of one’s ego. Coconut kernel and the water is also considered to be the purest form of offering that a devotee can make.

Offering of Betel leaves and Betel nuts:

Betel leaves and nuts symbolize fertility and prosperity ,is usually offered for the birth of children at home. It is also part of all important pujas among hindus of South India origins.

Ringing Bells at the end of   Puja:

The bells that are rung during puja are to keep out other noises and it is also a means of celebrations. Bells rang in the beginning is done to ward away evil forces.

Offering of Bhog/Neivediya/Prasad:

Symbolically, offering of good indicates a thanksgiving to the deity. It is an act of sharing God’s bounty. It is then distributed as 'prasad.' What is offered should be shared with the poor and the needy.

Offering of Flowers:

Flowers are offered basically because of their fragrance and due to the association of a particular flower with a particular deity. For example Bilva leaf is associated with Lord Shiva and Tulsi with Lord Vishnu. Puranas have stories which explain why a particular flower is associated with a particular deity.

On the symbolic level, the flowers and leaves are picked up with five fingers and is offered with all five fingers. It is usually placed at the feet of the deity. The five fingers symbolically indicate the five senses and thereby surrendering of it before the deity. Flowers are also offered by bringing it close to one’s heart. This symbolically suggests that one is offering the soul or atma to the deity.

Circumambulation of deity:

The act of Circumambulation of deity or Pradakshina described as in some places mainly in temples people walk around the Sanctum Sanctorum three times in clockwise direction. It is symbolically to cross the nether world, earth and heaven to reach Brahman.

 

Knocking the two ends of forehead before Pujas in South Indian origins:

Some devotees knock the two ends of forehead before beginning prayer and puja in South India. It is believed that the nerves connecting to the intellect passes through these two ends and the knocking are to invoke Lord Ganesha, the god of Budhi (intellect).

The act of arms crossed across the chest and holding ear tips/Thoppukarnam:

 
In South Indian Hindus while praying knock both the sides of forehead and then put arms crossed across the chest and hold ear tips and then sits and stands before the deity a few times. This is known was Thoppukarnam in South. It is a sort of self-imposed penance and praying for forgiveness.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

JaiJa

Courtesy : Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil, Malaysia.

 

Sri Sankara Acharya Ashtothara Sathanamavali !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Om Sri Sankraracharyaya Varyaya Nama:

Brahma Gnana Pradayakaya Nama:

Agnana Timiradityaya Nama:

Su Gnanambudhi Chandramasey Nama:

Varashrama Pratishtathrey Nama:

Srimathey Nama:

Mukthipradhayakaya Nama:

Shishyopadesha Nirathaya Nama:

Bakthabhishta Pradhayakaya Nama:

Sukshma Thathwa Rahasyanjnaya Nama:

Karya Karya Prabodhakaya Nama:

Gnana Mudranchithakaraya Nama:

Shishyahruthapa Harakaya Nama:

Parivrajyasramodhartrey Nama:

Sarva Thanthra Svanthathradhiye Nama:

Advaita Sthapanacharyaya Nama:

Sakshakth Sankara Roopabruthey Nama:

Shanmatha Sthapana Acharyaya Nama:

Thrayimarga Prakashakaya Nama:

Veda Vedanta Thathwagnanaya Nama:

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Santaya Nama:

Samsararnavatarakaya Nama:

Prasanna Vadanambhojaya Nama:

Paramartha Prakasakaya Nama:

Purana Smruthi Saranjnaya Nama:

Nithya Thrupthaya Nama:

Mahathey Nama:

Suchaye Nama:

Nitya Anandaya Nama:

Nirathankaya Nama:

Nissangaya Nama:

Nirmalatmakaya Nama:

Nirmamaya Nama:

Nirahankaraya Nama:

Vishwa Vandhya Padambujaya Nama:

Satwa Pradhayakaya Nama:

Sad Bhavaya Nama:

Sankhyathitha Gunojwalaya Nama:

Anaghaya Nama:

Sara Hrudayaya Nama:

Sudhiye Nama:

Sarasvatha Pradaya Nama:

Sathyathmaney Nama:

Punya Seelaya Nama:

Sankhyayoga Vichakshanaya Nama:

Taporasaye Nama:

Maha Thejasey Nama:

Gunatraya Vibhaga Vidhey Nama:

Kalighnaya Nama:

Kala Dharmajnaya Nama:

Thamo Guna Nivarakaya Nama:

Bhagavathey Nama:

Bharatijetrey Nama:

Saradahvana Panditaya Nama:

DharmaDharmavibhagajnaya Nama:

Lakshya Bheda  Pradarsakaya Nama:

Nadabindu Kalabhinjnaya Nama:

Yogi Hruth Padma Bhaskaraya Nama:

Atindriya Jnana Nidhaye Nama:

Nitya Nitya Vivekavathey Nama:

Chit Anandaya Nama:

Chinmayatmaney Nama:

Parakaya Pravesakrutey Nama:

Amanusha Charitradhayaya Nama:

Kshema Dhayiney Nama:

Kshamakaraya Nama:

Bhavyaya Nama:

Bhadrapadaya Nama:

Bhurimahiney Nama:

Vishwa Ranjakaya Nama:

Swaprakashaya Nama:

Sadadharaya Nama:

Vishwa Bhandavey Nama:

Subhodayaya Nama:

Visala Kirtaye Nama:

Vagisaya Nama:

Sarva Loka Hithothsukaya Nama:

Kailasa Yatra Samprapta Chandramoul Prapujakaya Nama:

Kanchyam Sri Chakrarajakhya Yantra Sthapanadikshithaya Nama:

Sri Chakrathmakatatanka Poshithamba Manorathaya Nama:

Sri Brahmasutropanishad Bhashyadhi Grantha Kalpakaya Nama:

Chaturdik Chaturamnaya Prathishtathrey Nama:

Maha Mataye Nama:

Dvisapthatimatochetrey Nama:

Sarva Digvijaya Prabhavey Nama:

Kashaya Vasanopethaya Nama:

Bhasmodhoolitha Vigrahaya Nama:

Gnana Athmakaika Dandadhayaya Nama:

Kamandalu Lasatkaraya Nama:

Vyasa Sandarshana Pritaya Nama:

Bhagavadpada Samjnakaya Nama:

Chatussastikalabhijnaya Nama:

Brahmarakshasa Poshakaya Nama:

Soundarya Lahari Mukhya Bahustotravidhyakaya Nama:

Sri Manmandana Mishrakhya Svayambhujaya Sannutaya Nama:

Totakacharya Sampujyaya Nama:

Padma Padarchitanghrikaya Nama:

Hastamalaka Yogindra Brahmajnana Pradayakaya Nama:

Suresvaradishat Shishya Sanyasasrama Dayakaya Nama:

Nirvyaja Karuna Murthaye Nama:

Jagat Pujyaya Nama:

Jagad Guruvey Nama:

Bheripataha Vadyadi Raja Lakshana Lakshithaya Nama:

Sakrutsmarana Santhushtaya Nama:

Sarvajnaya Nama:

Jnana Aanandayakaya Nama:

Sri Sankara Bhagavathpadh Acharyobhyo Nama:

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!