Thaipoosam on 27th January, 2013 !! Sri Skandhasramam !! Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

Vetrivel Muruganukku Ara Haro Ara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Skandhasramam Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple is located in Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Subramanya  was built by Sadguru Saint Sadananda Swamigal  famous for its exquisite paintings and stunning idols of Gods & Goddesses. 

 

Presiding deity – Sri Swaminathan Swamy

 

 

Festivals – Skandha Shashti, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam, Hanumath Jayanthi, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Sankataharana Chathurthi, Pournami, Amavasya, Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri,

 

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha (32 forms of Lord Ganesha & Heramba Ganapathy) Lord Nandikeshwara, Goddess Annapoorni, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Goddess Sri Durga, A giant size of Lord Sudarsana Murthy, Lakshmi Narasimha along with Prahalada, Yoga Narasimha, Bana Linga/Ashta Sahasra Linga, Panchamukha Anjaneya (Goshtamurtham- Veera Anjaneya, Baktha Anjaneya), Sri Garudalwar, Sri Varahamurthi, Sarabeswara, Goddess Prayangira Devi, Lord Venkateswara, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Lord Venkateswara Perumal with Goddess Alarmel Mangai Thayar, Dattathreya, Goddess Sri Maha Tripurasundari, Bhairava, Sage Suka, Maharishi Veda Vyasa, Sadguru Sri Sadananda Swamigal,

 

This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.30 PM in the morning and 4.30 to 8.00 PM in the evenings.

 

 

Vetrivel Muruganukku Ara Haro Ara !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Saint Narayana Theerthar !! Life of Saint Narayana Theerthar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Narayana Theerthar/Govinda Sastri was born to Nilakanta Sastrigal & Parvati Ammal a pious Bhramin couple lived in Villathur a small village in Guntur, Andra Pradesh in the year 1675.  At the early ages of childhood he earned profound knowledge in Veda Sastras, Sanskrit, dance and Music.  He was married at a young age.  Once, his wife way away from home to visit her parents.  Govinda Sastri had immense desire to meet his wife  So he decided to cross the river Krishna as usual,  while  crossing the river suddenly the water level has  increased and he was trapped into the strong current.  As a great scholar of Darma Sastra, Govinda Sastry  was remembered what has to done at the circumstances of life or death.  He pulled out the sacred thread from his body and tossed into sky chanting mantras.  Miraculously, the water level has come down and    took vow of Sanyasa as it was the second birth for him.   Shortly he arrived in his in-laws house, his wife was received him with great honor not as her husband but as a revered saintly person.   Govinda Sastri preceded to Kanchipuram and trained under the scholarly guidance of Sri Sivaramananda Theerthar.   Consequently, Govinda Sastri was initiated to Sanyasasrama by his Guru Sri Sivaramananda Theethar and came to known as Narayana Theerthar.  

 

 

Sri Narayana Theerthar resumed his spiritual tour to many sacred temples of Lord Vishnu.  He visited Prayag, Mathura, Brindavan, Puri and undertook holy dip in the pond situated there and arrived Varaha Kshetram/Tirupati, there he could listen to a divine voice instructing him to visit Thiruvaiyaru.  Sri Narayana Theerthar visited Gunaseelam Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Perumal and arrived on the sacred lands of River Cauvery.  While moving through this sacred land, he felt excruciating pain in his abdomen.  He was completely thwarted with the unbearable pain.  He earnestly prayed to Lord Venkateswara.  On that night Lord appeared in his dream and instructed to follow a Swetha Varaha that would cure his illness.  Soon there appeared a Swetha Varaha and darted through the river banks.  Sri Narayana Theerthar sincerely followed the Varaha, finally it scurried to the temple of Lord Venkateswara located in Bhupathirajapuram.  Sri Narayana Theerthar followed the Varaha, it dashed to the sanctum sanctorum and disappeared instantaneously.  Sri Narayana Theerthar in an ecstasy realized that the severe pain in his abdomen was vanished without any trace.    

 

 

After this mysterious incident, Sri Narayana Theerthar settled in Varahapuri/Bhupathirajapuram/Varagur and commenced the composition of ‘Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini’ praising the perpetual glories of Lord.  He composed this stunning piece of music at the temple of Lord Venkateswara Perumal, Lord was pleased at this art work of Sri Narayana Theerthar and enjoyed every bit of it dancing to the tune of it.  Lord Anjaneya accompanied to this merriment by tapping hands together.  This brilliant piece of music of Sri Narayana Theerthar consists of 12 Tharangam  stunningly narrates the birth of Lord Krishna, wondrous childhood pranks of Lord Krishna and concluded with the glorious marriage of Lord Krishna with Goddess Sri Rukmini.  Sonti Venkatasubbaiyah, father of Sonti Venkataramanaiya (Guru of Saint Sri Tyagaraja) was one of the disciples of Sri Narayana Theerthar.  Sri Narayana Theerthar established a Bajana Sampradaya with his prominent disciples and celebrated the Krishna Janmashtami Festival in Varagur Sri Venkateswara Perumal Temple in a grand manner.  This magnificent festivity attracts huge crowd to this temple every year to immerse in the divine bliss. 

 

 

In the year 1745 Sri Narayana Theerthar attained the Abode of Lord in Thiruppanthuruthi on a Shukla Paksha Ashtami day in the Tamil month Masi.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !! 

 

 

Abhimana Kshetram !! Varagur Thiru Venkatesa Perumal Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varagur/Varahapuri/Bhupathirajapuram/Bhuloka Vaikundham Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple is one of the Abhimana Kshetram of Lord Vishnu located on the river banks of Kudamurutti River (tributary of river Cauvery) in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Vishnu famous for its exquisite architectural and stunning murals, built by the King Paranthaka of Chola Dynasty.

 

Presiding deity – Thiru Venkateasa Perumal/ Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal with his consort Goddess Sri Bhudevi Nachiyar

 

 

Significance –  This is the Birth place of ‘ Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini ‘ a famous composition of Sri Narayana Theerthar

 

 

Lord Venkatesa Perumal as a Swetha Varaha provided Dharshan to Sri Narayana Theerthar

 

 

Sri Narayana Theerthar attained salvation at the feet of Lord Vishnu on this sacred place.

 

 

Festivals – Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Uriyadi, Sri Rama Navami, Avani Avittam, Vaikundha Ekadashi, Akshya Thrithiya,

 

 

The legend has that this sacred land was under the regime of Chozha King Bhupathi Rajan.  In 17^th century there lived a pious Brahmin, a fervent devotee of Lord Vishnu Sri Narayana Theerthar  in Andhra Pradesh.  Once he was crossing a river trapped into the current of the water.  Immediately he took vow of Sanyasa and accepted Sanyasashramam.  After this incident he undertook spiritual tour to many scared temples of Lord Vishnu, he visited Tirupati Bajali temple and Gunaseelam Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Perumal.  He preceded journey through this stunning land, while moving through the river banks he felt excruciating pain on his abdomen.  He earnestly prayed to Lord, on that night Lord appeared in his dream and instructed him to follow a sweetha Varaha that would cure his terrible illness.  Saint Narayana Theerthar sincerely followed the Swetha Varaha appeared before him, it scurried into the Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple located in Bhupathirajapuram and vanished into the sanctum sanctorum.  Hence, this place has got its name Varahapuri.  Shortly, Sri Narayana Theerthar realized the relentless pain in the abdomen left without any trace.  After this incident, Sri Narayana Theerthar resided in Varahapuri and composed many sacred verses praising Lord Krishna famously known as ‘Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini’.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Sri Narayana Theerthar and enjoyed every bit of his compositions, the most pleased Lord danced to the tune of Sri Narayana Theerthar while he was singing and praising the glories of the Lord accompanied by Lord Anjaneya tapped with both the hands.

 

 

 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 11.30 PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 8.00 PM in the evenings.

 

Please follow the link below to read the Life of Sri Narayana Theerthar:



http://www.indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-tribute-to-saint-narayana-theerthar.html

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirukudanthai Karonam Thiru Someswarar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thiru Kudanthai Karonam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva famous for brilliant architectural work was built during 13th century by the Kings of Chola Dynasty.  In this temple Lord Shiva was worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.

 

 

Presiding deity – Sri Someswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Soma Sundari

 

 

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

 

 

Theertham – Maha Makam / Chandra Pushkarani

 

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Maleeswarar & Mangalanayaki worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Somanathar & Thenmozhi Ammai,

 

 

Worshipped by – Lord Vishnu, Lord Chandra,

 

 

Festivals – Masi Makam, Maha Shivaratri, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Arudra Darisanam, Thiru Karthikai, Navaratri, Skandha Shashti, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi Visakam, Markazhi Utsavam,

 

 

 

 

 



The legend has that there was time the entire universe was predestined to deluge. Lord Brahma secured the essentials of creation along with the nectar of immortality in a pot, kept it safely on atop the hill situated here. At the time of deluge, the water swamped the whole area and the pot was floated for some time and finally settled in a sacred land came to known to as Kumbakonam/Kudamukku. Lord Shiva shot an arrow on the pot and the nectar of immortality stretched all over the place, a Linga was originated on this land and it was worshipped by Lord Chandra.   Thus the presiding deity has got its name Someswarar. 

 

 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirukudanthai Karonam Thiru Kasi Viswanthar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirukudanthai Karonam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva famous for the exquisite architectural and stunning murals built by the Kings of Chola Dynasty.

 

 

Presiding deity – Thiru Kasi Viswanatha Swamy with his consort Goddess Sri Visalakshy

 

 

Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

 

 

Theertham – Maha Makam

 

 

Festivals – Masi Makam, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram,

 

Worshipped by – Lord Rama, Lord Chandra, Lord Surya, Nava Kanyakas – Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Godavari, Sarayu, Narmada, Cauvery, Krishna, Tungabadhra,

 

 

Lord Rama before leaving to Sri Lanka arrived on this sacred land consecrated a Linga and worshipped Lord Rudra. Thus, Lord Rama attained a vivacious force of Lord Rudra capable to eradicate the demon King Ravana.   This Bana Linga/Rama Linga/Maha Linga  can be seen on the circumambulatory paths.

 

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayani, Sapamathar, Navagrahas, Bhairava, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Rama Lingam, Goshtamurtham – Sri Dakshinamurthi,

 

 

 



 

 

 

The legend has that the holiest rivers known as  Nava Kanyakas - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Godavari, Sarayu, Narmada, Cauvery, Krishna, and Tungabadhra appealed to Lord Shiva regarding their status, they  were turned out impure by the human beings after washing off their sin in these holy waters.   They earnestly prayed to Lord Shiva for getting rid of the sin multiplied in them.  The most compassionate Lord instructed the Nava Kanyas to have a dip in the Maha Makam pond situated here.  Thus, Nava Kanyakas got rid of their accumulated sins.

 

 

This temple remains open from 6.30PM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.

 

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!