Tuesday, 23 August 2022

Sri Gayathri Peedam / Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple / Maha Miruthyunjaya Devar Temple, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

The Visit to this Gayathri Peedam at Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilizing this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples, and Epic Ramayan-associated sites in Sri Lanka. 

The Gayathri Peedam at Gayathri Siddhar Sri Murugesu Square, Nuwara Eliya, central part of Sri Lanka very much associated with the Epic Ramayana, and Ravana’s son Indrajit is directly connected to the Sthala Purana of the temple.  The Gayathri Peedam is also known as Guru Peetam.


Moolavar    : Sri Mrityunjaya Devan
Consort      : Sri Gayathri Devi ( with five faces in a sitting posture )

Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The Gayathri peedam faces with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Gayathri with 5 faces, Lord Shiva and Parvati, Vinayagar, and Valli Devasena Subramaniyam are on the arch.

In Sanctum Sanctorum ma Gayathri is in a sitting posture with 5 faces. In Gayathri Devi’s sannadhi Koshtam, Sri Rama Gayatri, Vishnu Gayatri and Krishna Gayatri. There are separate sannadhis for Sri Agasthiyar and Vishwamitra, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Miruthun Jaya Deva, Radha & Krishna and 4 forms of Gayathri are in the praharam.

A stucco large size Shiva Lingam is on the top of the terrace. In the mandapam Shri Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, along with Sri Vinayagar and 108 Bana Lingas (in 2013). Maha Samadhi with Sri Murugesu Swamigal’s image and a Shiva Lingam, Museum, Sri Murugesu Swamigal spiritual Centre are in the same complex.

ARCHITECTURE
The Outside appearance, is like a modern building, and the shrines are constructed in the Mandapam. The Shrines are built with sanctum sanctorum and mukha mandapam. The Vimanam is of North Indian style.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Peedam was founded by Sri Sri Murugesu Swamigal also known as Gayathri Siddhar and managed by his disciple Sri Kannaya Swamigal, under Sri Gayathri Peetam (INT) Trust. Swami Murugesu used the same teaching methods as the Maharishis of ancient times. All his work was done in love for his guru, Dr. Pandit G. Kanniah Yogi, a Saptarishi from a hermitage in the dense jungle of the Nilgiris hills of South India.

Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple also Known as Maha  Miruthyunjaya Devar Temple.
The location of Gayathri Peetam where Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple is situated is significant. Gayathri Siddhar Sri Murugesu Maharishi chose this site with deep spiritual realization. And thereafter confirmed by several revelations disclosed by some south Indian sages during his spiritual search throughout his younger days. The Lankatheeswarar Temple is the first holy place in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to Goddess Gayathri Vedha Madha. The Gayathri Mantra is chanted in this temple incessantly.

Surprisingly the latter revelations were also further confirmed by the great sage Sivabalayogi Maharaj on his first visit to Sri Lanka in the 1970s. At a radio interview given to the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation, Sivayogi Maharaj quoted “that during one of his spiritual Visions with Lord Shiva”, the Yogi was commissioned by Lord Mahadeva to sanctify and consecrate the “Athma Lingam” at this holy site at Nuwara to Eliya. Owing to the mentioned occurrences during the Ramayana era.

Sri Lankatheeswarar (Sri Maha Miruthyunjaya Devar). In 1970 Sivabalayogi Maharaj honored Siddhar Murugesu by bringing this sacred Siva Lingam to Sri Lanka and consecrating it at this shrine. Since then this holy place has been known as Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple. This Shiva Lingam is miraculous. It is growing in size and the growth is witnessed by many devotees. Sivabalayogi Maharaj requested Gayathri Siddhar to Continue this ritual as a sign to break the barrier between the almighty and the commoner.     

Gayathri Siddhar Sri Murugesu Maharishi
The great sage Sri Murugesu Maharishi lived here for more than seven decades and quenched the spiritual thirst of his devotees. He was a saintly soul who scientifically practiced and propagated Gayathri Sadhana among the common. He had written many spiritual books and articles based on intentional spiritual research. Gayathri siddhar firmly believed that serving the common mass is a special aspect of true spirituality. His service liberated many from the sufferings described as the true “Maheswara Pooja”, by him, He offered selfless service to everyone and anyone who sought his assistance.

Along with his spiritual appreciation based on Gayathri Sadhana Sri Murugesu Maharishi strived to fulfill his social objectives by facilitating peaceful coexistence among every religious, ethnic, and language group for the well-being of mankind. Gayathri Siddhar’s ultimate divine goal is to evangelize the great Gayathri and Miruthyunjaya Mantras. His devotees in Sri Lanka and from several other countries such as India, Malaysia, South Africa, America, Germany, and several other European countries follow his spiritual practices. During his formative years Siddhar Murugesu had associated with profound sages such as Sri Gnanandagiri Siddhar’s Guru Sri Kannaiah Yogi’s eminent guidance refined him. Now Gayathri Siddhar’s divine love energizes us. His Jeeva Samadhi ( Guru Peedam ) at Gayathri Square is the sanctuary of the needy.

There are 108 Bana Lingams brought from the Narmada River of India, are waiting for their consecration during our Visit in 2013. Later in 2017, all the Bana Lingas were installed in a separate temple called Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple also called Yogashram. It is believed that The Lingams are growing day by day due to regular poojas and sweating also observed on the banam.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 19th January 2011.

Agasthiyar
LEGENDS
According to the legends, it is believed that Prince Indrajit ( Meganathan ) the son of ancient king  Ravana who ruled Sri Lanka performed “Siva Thabas and Nikumbala Yajna” at this location. It is also assumed that the Trimurtis (Siva, Brahma, and Vishnu)  appeared here to acknowledge Indrajith’s power of reliance through Nikumbala  Yajna. (In spite of this Ravana was defeated by Sri Rama).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri days, Navaratri, Siddhar Murugesu Swamigal Guru Pooja, Full moon days, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 15.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Address: Swami Murugesu Square, No 82, Lady MacCullam’s Drive, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
The Landline number is 052 – 222609 and the mobile number is 077- 3249554 may be contacted for further details.
Website: srigayathripeedam.org and http://swamimurugesu.blogspot.com/

HOW TO REACH
The Gayathri Peedam is at Gayathri Siddhar Sri Murugesu Square, Nuwara Eliya, central part of Sri Lanka.
The Gayathri Temple is 1.9 km from Nuwara Eliya Bus Stand, 31 km from Ramboda, 73 km from Kandy, and 171 km from Colombo.
The nearest Railway Station is Nanuoya is about 8.5 km.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

No comments:

Post a Comment