Tuesday 20 December 2011

Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna, Sri Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar, Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi, Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple at Dharmashala TULU NADU - KARNATAKA - UTTAR KARNATAKA

 20, December 2011.
To add to my list of  Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal dharshan I planned to go for the Tulu Nadu (Karnataka ) Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam at Gokarna. This is Thirugnanasambandar Paadal petra sthalam.  When I discussed with friends, every body suggested to add more temples during this visit. Murudeshwar, Udupi and Dharmasthala are the temples which were added in the list of my yathra. One of my best friend Mr C K Namdev who helped me a lot  and arranged for accommodation  at Gokarna and Udupi. I cannot forget the hospitality extended to me by his daughter during the stay at Gokarna. I was honoured that they dined along with me and they even skipped the usual non vegetarian  sea food, since I am a strict vegetarian ( Now !!!).

The yathra went like this......
After reaching the Mangalore at 4.25 Hrs on 17-12-2011, boarded the Mangalore Verna Passenger  train to Gokarna ( 225 Kms ) starts at 06.50 Hrs. On seeing the Murudeshwar Temple Gopuram and Shiva statue from long distance  got down at Murudeshwar station and went to temple, through auto  from the main road. The auto driver charged me only Rs 20, which is a surprise to me. Shiva statue is the second tallest in the world ( 123 feet, 1st is at Nepal ) with a history of the sthalam is constructed under the statue made up of Stucco suthai. The Rajagopuram is of 20 story height  ( 237.5 feet ) with 2 nos of electric lifts.

After having a darshan at Murudeshwar came to main road to catch the bus to Gokarna. Since there is no straight bus to Gokarna went through  Kumta. In Gokarna temple did pooja to Mahabaleshwar as directed by the priest and able to touch and  feel the Shiva statue  of very very small size ( Kottai pakku ). The fee paid to the temple was Rs 150.00.  The temple is constructed  unique  Kerala style with wood and Mangalore tiles with out Rajagopuram.  Amman sannathi is at the back of the Shiva temple.  The Vinayagar temple is in front of the Shiva temple and one can see the mark on the statue hit by Lankan King Ravana. After the dharshan went to sea shore on the western side of the temple entrance. Since the day happened to be a week end Saturday lot of school children and public came for darshan.

After the darshan of Mahabaleshwar, left for UDUPI about 16.45 Hrs via Kumta by bus after thanking Mr Namdev’s daughter and his son-in-law. Arrived Udupi at 00.30 Hrs on 18-12-2011 and went to the lodge Mallika. The room was reserved by Mr Namdev’s brother-in-law  Mr Ganesh.  After having a sleep of  just 3 hours went to Udupi Temple. Even though there was a heavy rush I could  be able  to have  two different alankara dharshans of Sri Krishna through Kanaka kindi (Window grills). After dharshan vacated the lodge by 08.00 Hrs and proceed to Dharmasthala.

From Udupi there are no frequent buses. Got the bus at 09.00 Hrs and it took nearly 3 hour 15 minutes to reach the Dharmasthala temple ( 110 Kms through hill route. The road in many places are very bad. Since the day Sunday, happened to be a weekly holiday, very heavy rush was there. It took me about  30 minutes to deposit my Chappel and back bag. Got Rs 200 ticket and moved through  very very long QQQQQQQ and had the darshan of Sri Manjunatha Swamy and Ammavaru. After darshan came out at 13.00 Hrs and boarded the bus ( Near the temple entrance) to Mangalore to catch the Chennai super fast Express Train which leaves by 16.00 Hrs. I was little upset  for not able to spend more time to see the Bahubali statue and other places, importantly missed the free meals as every body suggested. When I reached the station the time was 15.45 Hrs and announcement  call to board the train.

Total distance covered in the yathra  is 2500 Kms in 72 hours ( 16th  09.00 hrs from Chennai Home  and reached on 19th Dec 2011 at 09.00 Hrs ) of which Darshan time in the temples was around  7 to 8 hours only.

GOKARNA AND MURUDESHWAR
( The history is taken from the wikipedia website ).The origin of the name "Murudeshwara" dates to the time of Ramayana. The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshipping a divine Lingam called the Atma-Linga. The Lanka King Ravana wanted to attain immortality by obtaining the Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva). Since the Atma-Linga belonged to Lord Shiva, Ravana worshipped Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. By this time Narada had asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind. As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva offers her to him. On his way back to Lanka Narada tells Ravana that Lord had not given him the real Parvathi and that the real Parvathi was in Pathala. So Ravana frees his companion, goes to Pathala and marries a king's daughter, assuming her to be the real Parvathi. He then returns to Lanka, where his mother asks him for the Linga. Ravana then comes to know of the tricks played on him by Lord Vishnu. He therefore prays to Lord Shiva again, begging for his forgiveness. Lord Shiva appears and this time, Ravana requests the AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord Shiva agrees to give him the boon with the condition that it should never be placed on the ground. If the AtmaLinga was ever placed on the ground, all the powers would return to Lord Shiva again. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.

Sage Narada, who came to know of this incident, realised that with the AtmaLinga, Ravana may obtain immortality and create havoc on earth. He approached the Lord Ganesh and requested him to prevent the AtmaLinga from reaching Lanka. Lord Ganesh knew that Ravana was a very devoted person who used to perform prayer ritual in the evening every day without fail. He decided to make use of this fact and came up with a plan to confiscate the AtmaLinga from Ravana.

As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk through his srichakra. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because with the AtmaLinga in his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At this time, Lord Ganesh in the disguise of a Brahmin boy accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold the AtmaLinga until he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the ground. Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the AtmaLinga on the ground.

267. SRI MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE, 
GOKARNA - THIRUKOKARNAM 
Now this place is called as Gokarna. This is 267th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and only one sthalam in Thuluva Nadu on the sea shore. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of  Lord Shiva of this temple.

( Entrance of the temple)

Moolavar : Sri Mahabaleshwar, Sri Piranalingeswarar,
               Sri Aathma lingeswarar
Consort  : Sri Gokarneswari, Sri Thamragowri

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple architecture is similar to Kerala style architecture with wood and mangalore tiles. Moolavar is facing west and there are entrance on the south and west side. Ambal is facing east, in a separate sannadhi. Moolavar is very small and can be touched through a hole like avudayar below the ground level. Devotees can do abhishekam and pooja to the moolavar through their own hands.

Sannadhi for Thathreyar and Adi Gokarneswara, Vinayagar, Mahisasura Marthini. There is a Vinayagar sannidhi on the east side of the temple and there is a scar on his head due to Ravana’s hit.

Brahma, Agasthiyar, Kamadhenu, Markandeyar, Saraswathy, Vasistar, Ravanan, Nagarajan  worshiped lord shiva of this temple.

HOW TO REACH :
Gokarna is on the train route Mangalore to Goa and about 5 KMs from Railway station.
Buses available from Udupi and Mangalore.

CONTACT DETAILS:
The temple web site : CLICK HERE  
Contact: Administrator,
Shri Samsthana Mahabala Deva,
Post: Gokarna, U.K,Karnataka
Phone :  +91 9482331354 / 08386-257956
E-Mail : info@srigokarna.org

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( Moolavar vimanam - View through  shades )
( Side entrance of the moolavar sanctum  )



( Vinayagar temple  on the main temple street - Marks of Ravana's hit on the head)
( Aadhi Sankara's mandapam on the sea shore )
( A small temple on the hill )
( Temple car / Chariot ) 
MURUDESHWAR

Entrance arch of the Temple about a KM on the main road  - Opposite is the Murudeshwar railway station - Built by Tamil sthapathy where Temples name is written in Tamil- Latter learned that Mr Ganapathi Sthapathi's Son in law had done this project.

( Rajagopuram is of a unique construction - The Rajagopuram has Lifts to climb to the top )
( Moolavar Vimanam  - A Tamil Nadu type architecture / Dravida  )


( Temple complex view )
( Entrance of the Rajagopuram )
( Second tallest man made structure of Shiva Statue in Asia )
( Stucco sculptures under the basement - Ravana asks brahmin boy ( Vinayagar ) to keep the Siva Lingam )
( Ravanan hit Vinayagar on head )
( Ravanan tried to lift Shiva Lingam - Shiva lingam  has become like cow's ear ( GOKARN ))

SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE - UDUPI
HISTORY : One of the popular story goes like this. The main statue of Sri Krishna at Dwaraka got completely covered by gopichandanam ( holy sandal wood). A sailor from Dwaraka loaded this heavy lump in his boat as ballast, in one of his trips along the west coast. The ship was caught in a terrible storm while sailing in the western coast of Malpe. When the meditating Sri Madhvacharya sensed this by his 'aparoksha' or divine gana thirushti (knowledge), he got the ship safely to the shore by waving the end of his saffron robe and pacifying the storm. The  pleased captain of the ship offered Sri Madhvacharya anything in the ship in return. Sri Madhvacharya asked for the sandal wood piece containing the statue of Sri Krishna. Later as the story goes,  Sri Madhvacharya took it to the lake, purified it and installed it in the mutt. 
( Temple complex view with Temple Tank )
( Fire wood chariot )
( Temple chariot )
( Rajagopuram in front of kanakakindi statue )
( Temple entrance arch )
( Temple complex view )
( 5 tier Rajagopuram ) 

SRI MANJUNATHA SWAMY TEMPLE AT DHARMASTHALA

HISTORY : Initially this place was a small village by the name Kuduma in Mallarmadi and was situated in Belthangady. In this village resided a Jain Bunt chieftain, Birmanna Pergade, along with his wife, Ammu Ballalthi. The house they lived in was known as Nelliadi Beedu.

Legends foretell that the four guardian angels of Lord Dharma disguised themselves as human beings and visited the chieftain’s house. They were searching for a place where Dharma could be preached and it could be propagated and continued. The Pergade family received them with due respect as is shown to visitors. The Dharma Daivas were very pleased with the hospitality shown by Birmanna Pergade and appeared in his dreams that night. The guardian angels informed the chieftain the purpose of their visit and requested the Pergade couple to vacate their house and follow the path of Dharma and also worship the Daivas. The Pergade couple vacated the house at Nelliadi Beedu and built another house for themselves. Till date, the worship of the Dharma Daivas continues in this house.

Again the Dharma Daivas appeared in the dreams of the chieftain and instructed him to build separate shrines for the four Daivas. You will find that the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple has four separate shrines dedicated to the four Dharma Daivas. Pergade was also directed to choose two persons of noble descent who would act as the oracles of the Dharma Daivas. Pergade chose four worthy persons who would assist him in performing his duties as an Executive Head of the four shrines.

The Daivas promised that the Pergade family would get abundant resources in the form of charity and fame through the Kshetra. Brahman priests were invited to perform the rituals after Pergade constructed these shrines. The priests requested Pergade to also build a Shivalinga besides the Daivas. Annappa Swamy, the servant of the Daivas, was subsequently sent to Kadri, near Mangalore, to procure a Shiva Lingam. Shortly afterwards the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple was erected around Shiva Linga.

( Temple entrance is like a palace, no Rajagopuram like in Tamil Nadu ) 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Saturday 3 December 2011

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple / Sri Mahadevar Temple, Thiruvanchikulam, A Shiva Temple at Sringapuram, Sri Sangameswara - Shiva temple at Koodalmanikyam, Sri Bhagvathy Amman Temple at Kodungalur in Kerala State, India.

                                                                             03, December 2011
On 2nd December 2011, I had been to Sundarar Padal Petra Malai Nadu Shiva Sthalam in Kerala State. During this visit I had the darshan of Sringapuram Shiva Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman and koodalmanikyam Shiva at Irinjalakuda. All the temples were built in large area with typical Kerala style architecture using wood and mangalore tiles. Both Thiruvanchikulam and Koodalmanikyam temples are under the control of Archaeological Department, since they were built more than 1000 years. During my visit I stayed in the temple’s guest house and charged me only Rs 150.00. For booking of Guest house the temple office may be contacted. The telephone number is 0480- 2812061 ( Advance amount will not be accepted, but over phone can be booked ).

266. THIRUVANCHIKULAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE 
Now this place is called as Thiruvanchikulam. This is the 266th  Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and only  one sthalam in Malai nadu. 

Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple

Moolavar    : Sri Mahadevar /  Sri Anjaikalatheeswarar
Consort      : Sri Umaiyammai

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east and devotees used to enter through western  entrance, since this is very convenient  from the national high way. The moolavar is very small in height.

It is believed that Lord Shiva lived here along with Parvathi, Karthikeyan and Ganapathy, hence there is no separate sannathi for Devi Parvathy.

HISTORY
Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Cheraman Perumal were close friends. A portion of the temple was built by King Cheraman Perumal who ruled that place with Kodungallur as capital.There is a sannidhi for Sundarar. 

The temple is very old and there are old Malayalam vattezhuthu inscriptions  found on the stone wall. All the deities names were written in Tamil also along with Malayalam.

LEGEND
Parasuraman worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to remove the sin caused by killing his mother. It is believed that Sundarar on white elephant and Cheraman Perumal on a horse went to Kailash from here.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple timings are between 05.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 
The Temple office can be contacted over Land line 0480- 2812061.

HOW TO REACH
The route,  I followed are given below.

Chennai – irinjalakuda ( By Allepy Express ) – Irinjalakuda - Kodungallur – Thiruvanchikulam by bus – and to the temple by auto – Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple – Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple – Irinjalakuda – Chennai ( Alleppey Express ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

( Entrance Mandapam Pillars are very big )
Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple - Entrance Mandapam Pillars are very big  
( Back side entrance )
                                                    Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple
( Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple- View of Thiruvilakku with moolavar vimanam )
( Thiruvilakku on the road side )

TEMPLE MAP

SRINGAPURAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE

Srigapuram is very close about a KM from Thiruvanchikulam and the temple is very near to Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple


Moolavar : Sri Mahadeva

The Shiva idol in this temple was believed to be installed by sage Rishyashringa and hence the name Sringapuram. This is one of the temples where Shiva is placed without Goddess Parvathi. The prime feature of the temple  is Shiva Idol in a sorrowful mood, after the self immolation of Sakthi during the renowned Dakshayagam. The temple is big and there are no other deities except Ganapathy.

It is believed that the Shiva Linga was installed and worshiped by Rishyashringa. Hence this place is called as Sringapuram. 



KOODALMANIKYAM TEMPLE

Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda is about 3 KM from Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar temple. 

Moolavar : Sri Sangameswara 

The temple is in Irinjalakuda is an ancient temple in Kerala. This the only temple dedicated to Lord Bharata. The temple architecture is known for its marvelous beauty and craftsmanship in wood. The temple has impressive gate way facing east direction and a round shaped sanctum. There is vast temple tank inside the premises. The outer   wall  runs in kilometers.  There is an attractive koothambalam used for art performance. 





( Moolavar vimanam conical shape )

KODUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE
This temple complex is very big facing east with entrance on all the four sides. The other name of the temple is Kurumbakavu Temple.


( Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple - Thiruvilakku with entrance )

( Thiruvilakku on the north side view )
 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh,

 07, November 2011
I went to the SRISAILAM temple on 5th and 6th of November 2011 and had a good darshan. I reached the temple at about 18.00 hrs  and stayed night at the temple and returned back on 6th Sunday. Since the visited  time was a week end and also holiday on Monday, there was a heavy rush in the Temple, mostly from North India. Another reason for the crowd is there are special poojas   from 27th Oct to 15th Nov 2011. The rush was regulated like Tirupati to stand in long Q with usual ‘jarkandi’. I also visited second time to this temple and the details are posted in a separate post. (CLICK HERE ).

Since Cell phone and Cameras are not allowed I could not take pictures inside the temple  and some of the pictures taken out side the temple is uploaded in this post.

268 /1. SRI MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE, SRISAILAM - THIRUPARUPATHAM 
Now this place is called as Srisailam. This is the 268th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1st sthalam of Vada nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord shiva of this Temple. Thirunavukkarasar  worshiped Lord Shiva while returning from Kailash. Thirugnanasambandar  and Sundarar has sung hymns from Kalahasti. 

( 5 tier Rajagopuram night  view )

Moolavar    : Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy.
Consort      : Sri Bramarambika Devi

Some of the Important features and details of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and other three directions also has similar Rajagopurams built in dravidian style. This is one of the  12 JyotirLinga temples. Ashta lingams are installed at the back  of the  Shiva shrine.  Ambal Temple is a level above Shiva’s Sannadhi with steps.

In the main temple there are two Copper plated  Dwajasthambams (one at the back apart from front side). The Moolavar Vimana is  Gold plate covered in steps and glitters from high mast light.

There is a Trisulam on the top of the moolavar Gopuram instead of kalasam.  The praharam pillars are tooooo big. The temple is very big  with beautiful sculptures / reliefs on the high stone walls. It is not like Tamil Nadu Temples, where no Nayanmars, Chandran, Suryan and Navagrahas sannadis.

It is not known the antiquity of the temple and it was  believed to be 3000 years old.  The front mandapams were built  during 1374 CE by Reddy Kings.

Nearby temples are, Sakshi Ganapathi and Sikaram Temple which are about 1 KM and 8 KM on the way to Ongole.
     
HOW TO REACH : 
Andhra Pradesh Transport buses available from major cities of Andhra Pradesh. 
On the Train Route from Chennai to Kolkata, get down at Ongole and reach Srisailam by bus. 
From Ongole to Srisailam by bus via Markapur also possible.  

CONTACT DETAILS :
Temple web site http://srisailamonline.com/

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE CLICK HERE

DETAILS OF MY SECOND VISIT TO SRISAILAM : CLICK HERE

( dwarapalaka stucco image on the street)
 ( Dwarapalaka stucco image on the street ) 
( Night view of Somaskandar stucco image ) 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---