Sri Mruthyunjayeshwarar temple Kanchipuram

This is one of the ancient still fully functional temple of that Era in Kanchi and under supervision of the ASI

How to Reach:

The temple is very close to the Kanchi Railway station on Kammala street. If you are reaching by road it's on the main road after the bypass landing on the chennai Bangalore  side

Legends and stories:

The temple is from the  Pallava time (dates to 700CE or around )

The devas wanted eternal life so Brahma directed them to do penance to Shiva at Kanchi and they consecreted the temple here. The lord is also known as Iravatheshwarer

Sri Markandeya Rishi is supposed to have prayed here to this shivalingam

The temple is famous for doing 60 th/70 th and beyond birthdays. 

Those who experience health issues can pray to the lord for safe and long life

The temple is small and very peaceful. The entry is via the steps on the left side as seen above

The main shivalingam is about 3 feet and faces east in the garbagruha. In the ante chamber there is an ancient homa kundam on the right

The outer walls of the temple are filled with multiple carvings of divine events. They are all relief carvings not idols carved and placed like in later temples these carvings are a part of the wall itself

there are two small sannidhis for Vinayaka and Murugan behind the main temple. These don't have the same carvings on their walls

the sthala vriksham is vilvam

It's a small peaceful ancient temple .please do visit for long life

The priest is a professor in the local college and available before 9:30  am Evenings temple opens by 5 pm to 7 pm

Adhishtanam of Shri Thotakacharya in Kamakshi temple Kanchipuram

 One of the other prominent Sishyas of Adi Shankara was Shri Giri 

Sri Sankara, with his three principle disciples, namely, Padmapadar, Sureshwarar (Mandana Mishra) and Hastaamalaka, went from place to place, and preached Advaita. Sri Sankara gave intense training to his disciples.  ShriThotakacharya(Giri)  One of the other disciples, Giri, while listening to the discourses, would not ask any doubts, would not open his mouth, and would be silent all the time. Some of the other disciples thought that this Giri was a dumb idiot and did not know anything. One day, all the disciples were ready to listen to Sri Sankara's discourses. Sri Sankara waited for Giri to arrive. Ultimately, Giri turned up but instead of keeping silent on that day, burst forth into eight slokas which had never been heard by the disciples earlier. These were the creation of Giri. On hearing this, all the disciples felt ashamed and praised Giri. These slokas are called "Thotaka ashtakam". Giri was named as Thotakar by Sri Sankara.(from Kamakoti.org) He was made the first Jagadguru (head) of the Jyotirmaṭha Pīthaṃ, the original northern maṭha founded by Ādi Śaṅkara in Uttrakhand. He founded a maṭha by name Vadakke modam in Thrissur, Kerala.(from wikipedia) On learning that his Guru took samadhi at Kamakshi Temple at Kanchipuram, he took decided to return back to Kanchipuram and took samadhi near to his Guru's samadhi.

Thotakacharya's adhistanam can be seen within the Kamakshi temple near to the theertham next to the Durga sannidhi below the Neem tree.

Adhishtanam of Shri Padma padacharya seen in Shri Ekambareshwarar temple Kanchipuram

 Shri AdiSankara had many disciples and prominent among them were Sureshwaracharya, Padmapadacharya,Hastamala, Thotakacharya. These disciples were giants in their own stead but drew strength from the guidance of their guru and  travelled with Adishankara . At appropriate times they were given charge of his various mutts established by him and contiinued the legacy. I recently came to know from the Kanchi mutt that the samadhis of Padmapada and Thotakacharya  are also in kanchi where they came on hearing that their guru had left his earthly form wished to be interned near his samadhi (as per Kanchi mutt belief and records) . We can find the Adhishtanam of Sri Sureshwaracharya inside the Kanchi mutt( click to see my blog on this acharya)

 

Shri Padmapadacharya

Sri Sankara went to Kasi and by that time, he had a lot of disciples. One of them, Sanandhyaya, was drying the clothes of his Guru and suddenly Sri Sankara called him to the other bank of the river as he needed the clothes urgently. Sanandhyaya, little realising that he would drown, starts walking into the river. However, the Grace of his Guru resulted in a lotus materialising wherever he was keeping his foot. When asked as to how did he cross the river, he says that when his Guru calls, he is not to worry about anything. Sri Sankara named him as Padma Padar (lotus feet).

( above from Kamakoti.org Kanchi mutt website)

 Padmapada was the first head of Puri Govardhana matha. He is believed to have founded a math by name Thekke Matham in Thrissur, Kerala. Keralites believe that he was a Nambuthiri belonging to Vemannillom, though according to textual sources he was from the Chola region in South India.

Padmapāda, together with Sureśvara, developed ideas that led to the founding of the Vivarana school of commentators. The only surviving work of Padmapāda known to be authentic is the Pañcapādikā. According to tradition, this was written in response to Shankara's request for a commentary on his own Brahmasūtrabhāsya, and once written was destroyed by a jealous uncle. The surviving text is supposed to be what Shankara could recall of the commentary; certainly, all that survives of the work is an extended gloss on the first four aphorisms.

(above detail from wikipedia)

Padmapadacharya's Guru bhakti was exemplary. 

Once he came to know of his Guru's samadhi in Kanchipuram,

he too rushed back to Kanchipuram and took samadhi at Ekambareshwar temple.

The samadhi temple is known as "Vishnu-eswarar"

and just outside the south gopuram of

the Ekambareshwar temple, Kanchipuram..

(As received from a trusted source)

Thiru Kolanjiappar temple Vriddhachalam -a rare swayumbhu Murugan Temple

This weekend a group of friends from the hospital took a break and visited Thirunallar, Swamimalai, Srimushnam and Vriddhachalam on prompting from one group member we visited this temple .

There is a unique way of passing on our prayers for suitable  consideration  to the lord Muruga here .we are to make a request in writing called "Piradhu" in Tamil and cost of the pradhu seva  is proportional to the distance of the temple from your residence  by km. For example Chennai vaasis paid Rs.250. In 90 days when it is fulfilled you revisit and thank him suitably.

How to reach 

The temple is 5 km towards Ulundurpet from the main Vridhagirishwarar temple on the highway across the river on mettupalayam Cuddalore road

Inside the door frame the carvings depict how the temple was discovered.  A cow was nurturing the idol with milk daily and on digging below the ant hill where milk was being poured the swayumbhu moorthy was discovered .It is believed that it was the divine mother Parvati  nurturing her children 

Legends and stories:

The nayanmar Sundarar took leave of Virudhagirinathar without singing any songs praising him and was proceeding on his way but Shiva and Parvati wanted to bring back Sundarar so he sent Lord Muruga to bring him back.

Murugan went dressed as a hunter, waylaid Sundarar and robbed him and when Sundarar demanded his possessions back. Murugan asked him to come to vridhachalam . Sundarar  understood the mischief of Shiva and returned to Vridhachalam

The Murugan here is formless and a swambhumoorthy .

The main sanctum has 2 sannidhis one for Siddhi Ganapathy and one for Murugan. There are 2 vimanas .

Siddhivinayaka(pic from Google)

Kolanjiappar swayambhu Murugan(pic from Google) 

The devotees first fills in his piradhu kattudhal sheet and brings it to the priest who places it on the lord's feet and this is then tied to the hundreds of spears in the front courtyard

(pic from Google)

The temple also dispenses neem oil of medicinal value to be applied to wounds and aches with utmost reverence 

The front has a separate shrine for Muniappan and behind are shrines for Idumban and Kadamban

The Veeranar shrine in front 

Shri Maikanteshwara Manikyavalli temple at Dadapuram near Tindivanam

This is a small temple built in 1025 AD by Kundavai the sister of Raja Raja chola . The village houses a Karivaradaraja vishnu temple, Vinayaka temple and also a Jain temple all  built by her.

How to reach: 

The temple is 2.5 kms before Tindivanam on the  road from cheyyar to Tindivanam parallel to NH 45

Temple legend 

As you enter the arch

view as you enter

Nandi  in front

main door of the temple

kostha vigrahas on the north

Dakshinamurthy

vinayaka in his north west sannidhi

Vishnu behind the sanctum

Brahma on the south west side

stand alone lingam behind

Vishnu Durga

Ambal Manikyavalli (@ Kamakshi) sannidhi on the north west side of the temple

Bhairavar standing alone 

Suryanar

Priest Kumaraswamy at the main door the legends are inscribed on either side

Better view of the Nandi

It is a poorly patronised temple but ancient . It is famous as a rahu ketu parihara sthalam . The priest Sri Kumaraswamy does not even own a cellphone  but was very enthusiastic to show me around 

Vadavambalam Adhishtanam of Shri VISWATHIKENDRA Atmabodhendra Saraswati the 58 th Acharya of the Kanchi mutt

Among the many wonders brought to light by the Paramacharya of Kanchi many years ago this Adhishtanam of his parama guru was brought to light by this Mahan in a very desolate area .Thankfully with the blessings of the present acharyas the place is being re built and is a very popular pilgrimage spot for the followers of the Kanchi muttVadavambalam Adhishtanam Vizhupuram district

From the  NH 45  from Chennai side  you can take  the road to panrutti/Neyveli/Kumbakonam/Tanjore    at the 15 th Km you will come across the four road junction it is known as the Koliyanur Koot road. You can reach this junction from Vizhupuram also by taking the left road at the old hospital inside Vizhupuram  or from Pondy from the Thavalakuppam to Vizhupuram road  . Proceed towards Panrutti and after 4 kms once you cross the bridge you can see the road to Vadavambalam on the left this is after the road to Poovarasankuppam, there are a lot of signboards put up now(This was taken when I visited again today on 14/8/16).

You can reach it from Panrutti also. it is a small village road likely to be missed if you are not careful. Turn left there and in less than a  kilometer you will see the Kanchi mutt Adhishtanam.( These are the pics of the old structure It has been re built on 20/10/16)

This is the Adhishtanam of Shri Atma Bodendra the 58 th Acharya (who was  the guru of Shri Bodhendra of Govindapuram).    

58.Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati : He was a native of Vriddhachalam, and son of one Viswamakhi. His pre-sanyasa name was Visvesvara. He toured extensively and stayed at Benares for a long time. He wrote a Bhasya on the Sri Rudram. It was Atma Bodha that directed Sadasiva Brahmendra to write the Gururatna Malika. He attained mukti on the banks of the river South Pinakini, known in Tamil as Then Pennai on Krishna Ashtami in the month of Tula of the cyclic year Eswara (1638 AD).His pontificate was for 52 years

(above courtesy the Kanchimutt website Kamakoti.org)

The Adhishtanam is looked after by Shri Rajashekara Sharma  a young graduate of the mutts patashalai and can be contacted on phone correct.9445229081 and 9952328339. 

( you can see him doing pooja in the photo above)


(The Aradhanai of this periva falls on 30/10/10 to be held at the Adhishtanam premises itself)
I visited the place on 31-10-10 and saw that there was a gala celebration on the previous day

29/08/15

I have since my last visit been to this adhishtanams many times over the last 5 years and been blessed. Here is a video of the nithya puja on 9/8/15.The young priest at work can be seen here

Today  14/08/2016 my wife and I visited this Adhishtanam and were blessed .

Today 25/09/16 I had the opportunity to visit again. There is re construction of the place in full swing. Full kudos to the people who are carrying out this great task

14/10/16

Today I received the following message

VADAVAMBALAM VISWATHIKENDRA ATHMA BODENDRA SARASWATHI SWAMIGAL

KUMBABISEKAM ON 21.10.2016 AND

ARADHANAI ON 22.10.2016

I received the following pictures from the organisers on 22/10/16 when the kumbabishekam and aradhanai were performed. If you watch the homam closely you can see Mahaperiyava himself is blessing the event,Please do visit and get his blessings

I had darshan on 20/11/2016  here are a few pics of the adhishtanam







from the Kanchi calender 2018

58. Sri Atma Bhodhendra Saraswati
1586 - 1638 A.D.
आचाय - 58 - िवािधकाबोधेः
वृाचल ··· आसीत ्॥ ११५ ॥
िवािध ··· िकममेयम ्॥ ११६ ॥
ापाशत ··· चूडामिणम ्॥ ११७ ॥
अयं च ··· वेिदतम ्॥
Viśveśvara was the son of Viśvamakhindra;
resorting to the fact of Paraśivārya, known as
Navaśaṅkara from the first preceptor toured all
places successfully, from Setu (Rāmeśvaram) to
Sătāgiri (Himalayas).
Since he possessed intellect more than anyone in
the Universe, men of wisdom call him Viśvādhika
and Navaśaṅkara. His erudition in composing
works such as Rudra bhāṣya is beyond words -
immeasurable.
The preceptor Viśvādhikendra carrying out
the responsibilities of preceptor for fifty-two
years, (later) handing over the responsibilities
to Bodhendrārya, and proceeding in southern
direction reached eternal abode, meditating on
Lord Śiva with the crescent moon in the crown, on
the banks of river Garuḍa
on the eighth day of the black fortnight in the
month of Tulā of the year Ăśvara.
This preceptor Śră Navaśaṅkara residing on the
banks of river Tridaśa was revered by eminent
men, departed in the southern direction and
attained siddhi on the banks of river Garuḍa after
handing over the responsibilities to the disciple Śră
Bhagavannāma Bodhendra.

last Wednesday 23/05/2018 I was traveling in the area and came to  vadavambalam by about 1 pm  after visiting Thiruvahindipuram. I expected the door to be closed and mentally was prepared to do a pradakshinam and hand over some money to the old man sitting outside. I was traveling with full family including my inlays. It was nothing short of a miracle that as we parked our car Sri. Rajashekara Sharma the priest parked his bike and welcomed us. It seems he was going out of town and wanted to do an early pooja before leaving and it was our divine fortune that the vadavambalam Periyava graced us with his great mercy and gave us darshanam and we were all thrilled.

Update on 22/08/19

Enroute to Kumbakonam I travelled on this road and since the road is being coverted into a 4 lane highway familiar landmarks including the sign boards are lost. The road to Vadavambalam is the road after the culvert after the 4 road junction from vizhupuram It is after the road to Poovarasan kuppam temple when you are travelling from Vizhupuram side. It is before the bridge on the Gadilam river So ask for vadavambalam around the river bridge