Thiruvahindi puram Devanathaswamy-Hemambhujavalli temple–A divya desam, temple for Lord Hayagriva

One of my long cherished wishes came true when I visited this temple last Wednesday with all my family members.

I had visited the Chettupunyam temple where the utsava vigraham of this temple is housed till today near Chennai  click the link to visit   my blog on that temple   http://drlsravi.blogspot.in/2011/04/yoga-hayagreevar-temple-at-chettypunyam.html

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruvahindi puram is near cuddalore in Tamil nadu. It is about 10 kms from cuddalore and is also about 20 kms from panrutti. regular buses and autos ply here in either direction, the temple houses the main  Devanathaswamy Sengamalavalli thayar as well as Oushadagiri where Sri Hayagreevar and Mahalakshmi are enshrined on top of the hill

LEGENDS AND STORIES :

.It is the only divyadesam with lord Vishnu as Hayagreevar the custodian of the Vedas and is very important for education related problems. It is also the Navagraha parihara ksethram for Rahu and Ketu

It is the only temple in South India for Lord Hayagreevar

Once when all the rishis came to have darshan of Vishnu he was missing from Thiruparkadal, vaikuntam and was traced to this place near Kumbakonam close to the sea and a hillock where he was in resplendent form witnessing the pujas of Sage Bhrugu and his daughter Mahalakshmi hence he married Mahalakshmi and stayed here

Once when Maha Vishnu  was very thirsty he asked Garuda to bring water from a pure pond in Patalam since Garuda was delayed  Adiseshan  dug a well with his tail and quenched Mahavishnu’s thirst. This well is in use till today for preparing prasadam. Devotees offer salt and jaggery here into the well as offerings . Meanwhile Garuda came back with the water and was hurt that he was late the compassionate lord asked garuda to use the water to start a river below the hill and devotees bathe here before coming . The river is called Garuda Nadhi today it is more famous as Gadilam/ Kedilam

The temple has unique sannidhis and vigrahas both garuda and Hanuman have the anjana mudra pose

Lord Narasimha here has Mahalakshmi on his right thigh unlike the other temples

Thirumangai alwar has sung about this temple in 11 hymns

Vedanta Desikar stayed here close to 40years and did penance .He also dug a well with his own hands on the Oushadagiri hill.This hill is part of the sanjeevini hill and houses many rare herbs. Desikar lived to be 102 years and all his works mention this temple both in Sanskrit as well as Tamil He had a great love for Sri Rama in this temple and Sri Hayagreevar was his ishta devatha and he made his own sculpture of this lord and prayed to him

^{way to the Hayagriva sannidhi}

The corridor leading to the Hayagriva sannidhi

The Devanathaswamy sannidhi from the top of the steps

Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevar Perumal Picture from the internet

The entrance to Devanatha swami temple shows the scheme in the sanctum also

inside there are separate sannidhis for Andal.Sri Ranganathan,  Sri Rama, SriLakshmi Narasimha, Anjeneya and Senkamalavalli thayar

Sri Vilakkoli perumal temple at Kanchipuram-A divya desam

This temple is a Divyadesam no 35 of 108. It is also known as Thoopul (Place where Darba grass forest was present),Thiru Thanka and  Sri Deepa Prakasha temple

How to reach:

This temple is within walking distance of the Azhagiyasingar temple and the Varadaraja perumal temple close to the MG road ok Kanchi (Chinna Kanchi)

Legends and Stories:

once Brahma had a difference of opinion with saraswathy. Various temples quote various reasons as fight between Saraswathy and Lakshmi brahma sided Lakshmi, etc. bottom line there was misunderstanding between the couple . Brahma was upset that he had no temple on earth hence wanted to do ashwamedha yagna to please perumal but as his wife Saraswathy was not prepared to accompany him he was aghast he prayed to lord and went ahead with the yagna with Savithri and his other wives. This angered Saraswathy she sent some asuras to prevent the yagna.The asuras blocked the light so  darkness enveloped the place. Brahma prayed to lord Vishnu who came to his rescue as a flame of fire and lit up the place this dispelling the darkness hence he is known as Deepa Prakasha.

The perumal inside is facing west and standing with Maragadhavalli thayar in a east facing sannidhi

The temple Pond

Sri Vedanta Desikar was born here next to the temple and his son Nayina Varadachariar  has rebuilt the temple and also a sannidhi for Sri Vedanta Desika in this temple  where he is seen with Gnana Mudra, A separate sannadhi for Desikars Ishta devata  Lakshmi Hayagreevar is also found.

Thirukandiyur Shira shapa vimochana perumal a divya desdam

Just across the road from the Kandiyur Shiva temple is this perumal temple who gave relief to Shiva from his curse of chopping Brahma’s head. The lord is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoo devi. There is a separate sannidhi for Kamalavalli thayar behind the main sannidhi

The dwajasthambam at the entrance of the main sanctum

 

Temple details

Kamalavalli Thayar sannidhi

Tiruvellarai Pundarikaksha perumal- Near trichy-A divya desam

This is one of the Divya desam in and around trichy.The Temple is supposedly built by Sibi chakravarthy and the other name for this is swetha varaha puram. Thetemple is huge around 10 acres and the structure is mammoth. The place abounds in white granite hence vellarai. The temple  is supposedly more than 64yugas old. the present structure is traceable to Mahendra pallava and to later Cholas and Krishnadevaraya too. There are seven theerthams within the temple complex and it is believed that Ramanujacharya has lived here for some time. Manavalamamuni and Desikar have sung of this great shrine.

How to Reach:

From trichy take the salem road and in 10 kms you will reach a right turn which leads to  Manachanallur in another 20 kms. From here head north west for 6 kms and you will come across the huge unfinished rajagopuram which is mammoth

Legends and history:

Considered to be older than Srirangam, it is also known as
Swethagiri, Adhivellarai, Uthama Kshethram and Hita Kshethram.
According to the Puranas, 64 `Chathuryugas’ (the present Kaliyuga
being one among them) have passed since the Lord was enshrined here
and the temple was built by Emperor Sibi.

Bhoomidevi and Sage Markandeya were among those who worshipped the
Lord here. Sibi brought 3,700 families of Srivaishnavite Brahmins
from the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna and settled them here as per
the advice of Sage Markandeya. When one of them passed away, the
emperor was perturbed but the Lord told him that He would take the
place of the 3,700th Brahmin.

According to another legend, the emperor, before he built the
temple, one day saw a white boar (Swedha Varaham) in the forest and
chased it. It hid itself in an anthill near the place where Sage
Markandeya was doing penance. When he enquired the sage about the
boar he asked him to pour milk over the anthill to find it.

He did so and found the massive idol of the Lord in its present form
emerge from it. The Lord told the emperor to build a temple there.
This was said to have happened millions of years ago.

The Goddess in this holy place is known by the beautiful names of
Pankaya Selvi and Shenbagavalli. According to legend She did penance
here for union with the Lord, who appeared as Krishna from a well
known as `Poonkinaru,’ long before the Lord took the incarnation as
Devaki’s son in Mathura. That seems to be the reason for Saint
Periyazhwar addressing the Lord here as child Krishna. Assuming the
role of Yasodha, he appeals to the Lord to allow Him to apply
`Kaappu’ on Him.

In ten poems, he portrays the childish pranks of Lord Krishna. But
for Thirumangai Azhwar the Lord here is the one who took
incarnations as Parasurama, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Varaha and
Koorma. He also refers to the Lord taking the form of Hamsa and
Parimuka Perumal (Hayagriva), which are not so well known. He has
also sung the glory of the Lord in his `Siriya Thirumadal’ and
`Periya Thirumadal.’ Both the saints have dedicated to the Lord 24
Pasurams.

There are massive walls and praharams. When you enter the rajagopuram you come to the swasthika well at present repairs are taking place and there is no water here.

The next gopuram leads us to the praharam with Anjeneya, Thayar complex,,chakrathalwar,and the two doors to the sanctum which are called uttharayana and dakshinayana entrances

Thayar complex seen in the far end and the main steps to the sanctum on the right

The devotee has to pass 18 steps first representing the 18 chapters of Bhagwat Gita. The next 4 steps at the Gopuram-tower entrance represent the four Vedas. After worshipping at the Bali Peeta there are 5 steps representing the five Bhoothas-space, water, fire, wind and earth. There are two entrances to the sanctum sanctorum, the Dakshinayana entrance open from Aadi to Margazhi Tamil months covering from July-August to December-January and the second Utharayana open from the Tamil months Thai to Aani covering January-February to June-July.

The thayar is the powerful leader in this house. This is the Naazhi kettan vasal where  she reprimands perumal after he arrives late. In fact during kalyana utsavam the thayar remains seated and only the lord stands up to tie the thali here. This is due to a boon Lakshmi devi obtains from Vishnu during the churning of the Milky ocean.

When you climb the steps you come to the ante chamber leading to the garbhagruha with a standing perumal

The presiding deity is Pundareekakshan in a standing posture You can see Garudan and Adiseshan on either side standing as pilgrims.Below them you can see markandeyar and Sridevi facing the lord on each side and you can see Suryan and Chandran above waving the chamaras

The entire idols appear to be of wood and only oil application is done no abhishekam

A word of caution here the archakas are very forceful in getting your “Voluntary contribution” to the daily needs of the temple .

The thayar sannidhi is also equally impressive with a big serene thayar pankaja valli.Here also contributions are sought belligerently.

The Praharam also has the Chakrathalwar and hanuman sannidhi. The hanuman here is very powerful and prayers to him cost 200 for curd rice prasadam, 500 for a vadamalai .The eyes of Hanumar are very appealing and appear shining to entice you

Near by in a cave temple there are a lot of stone engravings of the Cholas holas tracing grants for many generations dated to 565 AD this also has many inscriptions of the Pandya’s and the hoysalas

There are a lot of miniature carvings all around the temple like the krishna killing the baka sura below

 

 

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple at Anbil

I have been fascinated with the name Anbil as I first came across it in the novel Ponniyin selvan by Shri Kalki. The prime minister of Sundar Chola  anirudha brahmarayar hailed from this place . The next connection of Anbil is the recovery of copper plates of the Chola kings at this place 
This temple is one of the 108 Divya desams
Anbil is also known by the names of Tirumaalayanturai, Mandookapuri, and Bhrahmapuri.
This temple is referred to by a pasuram of Tirumazhisai Alwar where he addresses seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position - Tirukkudandai, Tiruvekaa, Tiruvallur, Tiruvarangam, Tiruppernagar, Anbil and Tirupparkadal
How to Reach:
In the trichy Ariyalur road after you cross Lalgudi proceed straight  for about 8 kms. the road was horrible but we managed.The temple is right on the main road with a big board we can not miss on the left hand side

Legends and History:
It is one of the temples built by Sundara chozha the father of raja raja chola . It seems he prayed here once before going to battle. Since he emerged victorius he built the temple in a grand manner.
Once when Manduka Maharishi was in penance under water. Saint Dhurvasa waited for him on the bank for long time. Since Saint Manduka did not see the sage,Saint Dhurvasa cursed him to become frog( manduka is frog in sanskrit).  Saint Mandukacame to this place and did penance on Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu appeared before him and blessed him,so Saint Manduka regained his form. This place was previously called as “Mandukaa (frog) puri”. The pond here is also called as “Manduka Theertham”.
Once when Thirumezhisai Alwar came here, he sung a song on Lord Vishnu to appear on him and make the people know that he is Lord Vishnu’s ardent devotee, and Lord Vishnu came out of Thirumezhisai Alwar and appeared here as “Vadhivazhagiya Nambi”

As you enter you see the main sannidhi and the dwjasthambam.

The main prahram leads into the Sanctum of the wonderful pallikonda perumal with Sri Devi and Bhudevi both on each side of the lord holding his legs. so We can not see the lord’s feet. The utsava murthy is called Sundara varada  perumal. Andal is depicted here in the sitting posture.
To the South east is the thayar Sannidhi

There is a nice Garden around the temple . it is wel maintained



Senai mudalvar’s sannithi seen behind which was acknowledging Sundara Chozha’s contribution.
Mangalasasanam:
1 Paasuram
Thirumazhisaialwar has sung in praise of this sthalam – 2417.

Uthamar kovil- Trichy Guru sthalam

This is a very unique temple where all the three major gods of the hindu pantheon Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are present with their consorts in one temple.It is a very rare temple for brahma.
It is One of the 108 divyadesams and a temple for Shaiva-Vaishnava unity. it is a Divyadesam  next to only Srirangam . It is The only temple where all the 3 moorthies are present with their consorts in separate sannidhis.
All the seven gurus – Brahma Guru, Vishnu Guru, Siva Guru, Sakthi Guru, Subramanaya Guru, Deva Guru, Asura Guru – are present here. This is the only temple where Lord Brahma himself is present as Lord Guru facing South in a separate shrine with the vimanam and Urchava moorthy. In other temples, only Lord Dakshinamoorthy will be present as Lord Guru. So this is a very significant Temple for Guru Worship.
Lord Brahma normally seen only as koshta moorthy in the outer prahara walls of the sanctum sanctorum is having a separate shrine here.
Goddess Saraswathi, seen in a separate temple only in Koothanur, is present here in a separate sannidhi with vimanam.
How to reach:
The temple is situated  near the tollgate area of Trichy on the Trichy Salem road. As you proceed on the highway you can see a railway overbridge . The temple is to be approached below this flyover on to the right side. There are no rajagopurams for the temple
Legends asociated with the temple:

Once when King Janaka was on a pilgrimage he , came here and conducted a yagna here. When everyone was praying with closed eyes, a dog spoiled the sanctity of the yagna items. At the end of the yagna, the rishis forgot the completion sloka of the yagna. A Worried janaka prayed to Perumal and a sage coming that way told Janaka to pray to the Kadhamba tree there. On doing so, King Janaka heard the holy voice that informed about the spoiling of the sanctity of the Yagna by the dog. So Janaka started another yagna with new yagna items which completed successfully. Happy Janaka enquired the identity of the Sage who guided him. The sage smiled and asked to worship the Kadhamba tree again. On doing so, the Kadhamba tree which was nothing but the form of Vedas, spilt into two and Purushothama perumal in sayana pose with Lord Brahma in his Naabi lotus and Lord Shiva in Bitchadanar form by the side gave dharshan. King Janaka then built this temple.

King Sathkeerthivarthan begot a child by praying in this temple so  he did elaborate renovation by constructing the mandapams, praharams here as thanks giving. He started many temple functions as well.

King Dasaratha performed yagas here to beget good progeny hence many childless couples frequent this place.
Siva incurred a brahma hatti dosham when he  choped off the fifth head of Brahma who had become egoistic ( Shiva has had 63 avatarams and this avataram was to show the rishis that ego is  bad and even Shiva can suffer from wrong conduct). The Skull cap stuck to his hand and would not dislodge hence he prayed to Vishnu to help him redeem himself.He devoloped so much hunger that the kapalam (skull ) in his hand would never be full.Shiva prayed to the thayar mahalakshmi who filled his  kapalam and made the kapalam unstuck from shiva’s hand. Since Shiva was a beggar here it is  called Bhikshandarkovil and the satisfying thayar is called poornavalli
(The reason why Shiva took the form of Bitchandar is explained in Sivapuranam as follows:
Once the rishis at Tharukavanam near here (now called Thirupparaithurai in the Trichy-Kulitalai route) were very egoistic feeling that their knowledge and spiritual powers are just sufficient to uplift the people. They felt God is not at all needed since one’s karma only is responsible for the pain and pleasure of him. Equally the rishis’ ladies were also very egoistic thinking that they were the most beautiful of all the worlds including the devaloka and the consorts of the 3 moorthies. Wanting to teach a lesson, Shiva took the form of a beautiful full nude beggar with all his sheen as Bitchadanar accompanied by Vishnu as Mohini.
To teach the lesson first for the ladies, they both went to Agraharam begging. On seeing such a divine personality with a magnetic voice for the first time, the ladies forgot themselves, forgot what they were doing and came to streets to see him. On seeing the beauty of the Mohini (Vishnu), they felt ashamed and embarrassed with their egoistic thinking about their beauty. Followed by the ladies of the rishis, both Bitchadanar and Mohini went to Tharuhavanam, 15 kms from Uthamar koil, where the rishis were doing a yagna.
On getting furious over their ladies getting attracted towards this nude beggar, the rishis did different things like creating an elephant, Tiger etc., through yagnas, sending mantras and vedas to fight Bitchadanar but nothing could stand in front of Him. Shiva finally revealed his true identity and did a furious dance in front of them. On knowing their mistake, the rishis at once surrendered to Bitchadanar. The rishis learnt hard way that learning all the mantras and vedas are only to promote the human lives and to do good to the society.)(from http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/visit-to-trichy-and-tanjore-temples/)
Brahma was once tested by Vishnu who hid in a kadamba tree and when Brahma grew anxious at not seeingMahavishnu  he was given a darshan by Mahavishnu in the kadhamba tree
Sage Kadhambar did penance at the banks of this temple tank and got the dharshan of all the 3 moorthies with their consorts. The temple tank is called Kadhamba Pushkarani in his name.
Speciality of this temple’s history :
Sanaga, Sananthana and Sanath kumaras  are given the first teachings on Saivam here and at the same time  Maarkandeya Maharishi was given the darshan of perumal
At this divya desam There is a mangalashasanam by Thirumangai Alwar - 1 Paasuram.
Azhvaar Paasuram
Peraanai, Kurugkudiyum Perumaanai, Thiruthankal
Ooraanai, Karamabanur Uthamanai, Muthilangu
Aaratheninrunthaanai Kandathu Thenn Arangathe….
Azhvaars referring to Lord as ‘Uthamar’
Thirumangai Azhvaar called this Lord ‘Uthamar’ and hence the name ‘Uthamar Koil’. Among the Azhvaars, only Tirumangai Azhvaar and Andal have referred to the Lord as ‘Uthamar’. (Andal in Tiruppavai sings……Ongi Ulagalantha Uthaman Per Paadi……..). Belief is that Thirumangai Azhvaar stayed at this place and renovated the Srirangam temple. Thirumangai Azhvaar said that he could see the Uthamar from Srirangam.
Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi  are facing South
Lord Vinshnu as Purushothama perumal in sayana pose and Goddess Pooranavalli Thayar  are facing east
Lord Shiva as Bhikshandar is  facing west and Goddess Sondharya Parvathi, Vadivudai Nayaki facing south.
In the northeast, Vishnu Guru Varadharaja Perumal, Brahma Guru Lord Brahma and Knowledge Lord Goddess Saraswathi are present in separate shrines facing south.
Apart from this, Natarajar, Subramaniyar, Saneeswarar, Andal, Lakshmi Narayanar, Ramar, and Bama Rukmani samedha Venugopala are present in separate shrines.
Perumal  as purushothaman is in the sayana kolam with poornavalli thayar in the sannidhi below
 
Shiva’s consort here is Soundarya Nayaki or Vadivudai Nayaki.  .  

Brahma and Saraswathi.are in seperate sannidhis inside the main praharam
There is a seperate Hanuman in front of the Vishnu sannidhi who is very powerful in granting wishes.Jayaveera Anjaneyar with his left leg in front



Thursdays are very crowded and best avoided . I went on a wednesday and itwas peaceful.
The annual brahmostavam for Perumal is in Chithirai (April) and that of Shiva during Vaikasi (May). The utsava vigraha of Lord Ranganathar of Srirangam is being brought to the Kadhamba theertham here during the Masi festival.
Worship benefits:
Here Lord Brahma got his privilege as the creator of all lives and so by worshipping Lord Brahma one is sure to get all his wants.
Here Goddess Lakshmi as Pooranavalli Thayar ended Shiva’s hunger by filling the begging vessel of Shiva and so by worshipping the Pooranavalli Thayar, one will be free from hunger and poverty and will be blessed with all ishwarya.
By worshipping Goddess Saraswathi present in a separate sannidhi one will be blessed with knowledge and education.
By worshipping Bitchadanar who ended the egos of the rishis, one will be free from his ego and bad wills.
Temple timings:
6am – 12.30pm and 4pm – 830pm
Temple Address
Uthamar Koil
Manachanallur Taluk
Bitchandar Koil
Trichy 621 216
Read more http://templesoftamilnadu.co.in/2010/04/30/uthamar-koil-or-bitchandar-koil/

Tirukoilur Ulagaanda perumal-Trivikrama temple Divya desam

My next stop was this temple which I could see from the shiva temple. Tirukoilur is a small place and I could find the temple easily . The whole town seems to be around this temple and the outer walls have been severely encroached upon by shops so much so the outer praharam is non existant the gopuram leads to a blocked passage overflowing with shops!! as you can see below the view from outside

and the view of the same gopuram from inside!!

(Below a view of the Rajagopuram)

Legends of the temple;

This temple was originally a brick and mortar structure in the period of Parantaka Chola I (early 10th century); it was patronized by the great Chola rulers Raja Raja Chola I and Raja Raja II.  Rajendra Deva in the 11th century rebuilt it of granite.
The temple has a large number of inscriptions. The most important is the record if the 6th year of Rajendra Deva II. One of his governors for this area, Narasimhavarman, pulled down the old bricks which were cracking and rebuilt the central shrine entirely of fine black granite. He also built the enclosing verandah and the front mandapa. He also presented the central deity a canopy of pearls. After the construction, he engraved the walls with true copies of records found on the walls of the earlier structure.
There are plenty of other inscriptions that record many gifts from various kings such as Kulottunga I, Vikrama Pandya, Kulottunga III, Rajendra Chola I, Saluva Deva Narasingha Maharaja, Chakravartin Rajarajadeva, Rajaraja Chediyarayan, Immadi Narasa Nayak, to name a few
. The story is about the vamana avatara
click here for elaborate link to Vamana avatara
This divya desam is held sacred by all Vaishnavites as it is here that the Divya prabandham was composed. The first three azhwars met here and sang the glories of Lord Vishnu here. On one stormy night, Poigai azhwar sought shelter at a dehali (known as Rezhi in tamil). Soon, another passer by, Bhudhath azhwar sought shelter at the same dehali. The shelter was very small and both could sit. Some time later, a third passer by, Pey azhwar requested shelter at the same place. They all decided that they could stand in the small area. suddenly they felt another presence in their midst. Since it was dark and there was no light, both Poigai azhwar and Bhudhath azhwar sang a song praising Vishnu and when the song was over, the third visitor Pey azhwar had the vision of the Lord. He described what he saw and all three azhwars enjoyed the vision. The three then started to sing the glory of Lord in 100 verses each. They form the part of Iyarpa, a portion of the Divya Prabandham. Thus the Divya Prabandham was born at Tirukoilur on a stormy night.
Click here for a detailed description of the temple's  speciality
The temple proper:
As you enter the main gopuram you are in the outer praharam.a short staircase leads you to the main praharam after you cross the kodimaram.
The main sannidhi has a huge 17 feet Ulagalanda perumal with his right foot raised. You can see brahma worshipping the right foot and lakshmi sitting below this foot. The left foot is being worshipped by Bali’s grand son namunchi. In front of the lord are Prahlada and Bali chakravarthi on one side and several rishis Mirukandu rishi, Brahma, Shaunaka rishi, Kashyapa rishi, kavala rishi,on the other side. Today was the purattasi sunday  so the lord was in the Muthangi (Pearl studded dress). The unique feature here is the chakra is in the lords left hand and the conch is in his right hand a reversal signifying his happy mood!!

As you exit from the main sannidhi you see a unique sannidhi for Vishnu Durga which is rare in Vishnu temples. She is the Maya devi who is born as the eight child before Sri krishna.
The outer prahara has separate sannidhis for thayar Poonkoval Nachiyaar(Pushpavalli), Vamana,Lakshmi narayana, Lakshmi Hayagreeva,Lakshmi Narasimha,,Andal, Udayavar, Senai Mudaliar, Manavala Mamuni, Chakrathalwar,  Varadaraja and Venugopala here. There is also a Rama temple behind the Thayar shrine.

The place is one of the Pancha krishna kshetrams
The five panchakrishna kshetrams are Tirukkovilur, Tirukkannankudi, Kapistalam, Kannapuram and Kannamangai.
The Temple is under control of the emperumanar Jeeyar mutt
I visited the temple again today 27/4/2013 here are a few more snaps

View from the Main east facing gopuram

view of the Rajagopuram from inside

Lakshmi narasimhar sannidhi

I learnt today that the rajagopuram is the third tallest in Tamilnadu behind Srirangam and Srivilliputhur