tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82426610741120933332024-03-26T04:50:32.727-07:00Temples of Indiatemples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-78152185180891053752021-02-13T06:28:00.357-08:002021-02-13T21:52:13.486-08:00Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"> <b><i>SRIMATHE RAMANUJAYA NAMAHA</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i> SRIMATHE NIGAMAANTHA MAHADESIKAYA NAMAHA</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i> ACHARYA TIRUVADIGALE SARANAM</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i> nrsimhasUrim AcAryam nrsimham paradaivatam |
prApya-prApaka-bhAvena prapadye paravAnaham |</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_qEDkynmD_qBy2iJ0VGXblMsb71r9YY8gFcXanw4HIrD5IrsDoRjlo2CAfrFPmPIBwtvcTW2xoVj2MWF_xxIaJ8bj4LhzjbnwCn8AGymZCiU4yeku2qkEmCEHUVMpQDb9ZHjaONQwGQ/s3955/IMG_9123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Parikkal Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy" border="0" data-original-height="3955" data-original-width="2966" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_qEDkynmD_qBy2iJ0VGXblMsb71r9YY8gFcXanw4HIrD5IrsDoRjlo2CAfrFPmPIBwtvcTW2xoVj2MWF_xxIaJ8bj4LhzjbnwCn8AGymZCiU4yeku2qkEmCEHUVMpQDb9ZHjaONQwGQ/w480-h640/IMG_9123.jpg" title="Parikal Lakshmi Narasimhar" width="480" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Visiting a temple, seeking His blessings and having His darshan are all HIS WILL. How many times have we not planned to go to a temple and yet for some unknown reason, either the trip does not materialize or we return without having His darshan. There are times when we are not even able to plan a trip to a temple. Strangely, however, there are many occasions when we are blessed with a beautiful and satisfying darshan even without much planning from our side. I guess He decides when and whom He will allow to have his darshan. I will say it is always HIS CALL and we got one such recently.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ever since the pandemic took over, I have not moved out of my home like most of us. But the yearning to see my Perumal was rising within. The craving for seeing HIM in all His varied decorations (alankarams) was eating me up. I started initially praying Him that soon turned to pestering HIM and asking as to why he was not calling us for the darshan. But luckily, he heard me this time sending me the divine call finally. We could suddenly plan for a temple trip near Chennai.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was longing to see Parikal Lakshmi Narasimhar for over five years now. It just remained a plan until the last weekend. KK, friends and I without much planning left for Parikal. We started around 12 noon from Chennai. On our way, we stopped at Aryas at Villupuram for some quick snack and drove straight to the temple town to reach around 4 pm for a lovely darshan.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Parikal Narasimha swamy Temple near Villupuram</h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is one of the four Narasimha Swamy temples in this region. The four Narasimhar temples are</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Parikal Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple near Villupuram</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Poovarasankuppam, 15 km from Panrutti</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narasimha Swamy temple, Singrikudi, 12Kms from Pondicherry</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Anthili, 4 kms from Thirukoviloor.</span></li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Legend:</h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTB4_j2T1rQgf6LBNh8sqS4esiKQuuqUBuRkj6Y8eiCtr9XCWLUokg374SXJLG-6sWgOMWRvvJB8lSIpPoW49cTQneNDyA5GkLownSekifcwD9ag2kNM2qCqZAwiWX_5O7onF1jYyfVE/s4032/IMG_9068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Parikal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Gopuram" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTB4_j2T1rQgf6LBNh8sqS4esiKQuuqUBuRkj6Y8eiCtr9XCWLUokg374SXJLG-6sWgOMWRvvJB8lSIpPoW49cTQneNDyA5GkLownSekifcwD9ag2kNM2qCqZAwiWX_5O7onF1jYyfVE/w480-h640/IMG_9068.jpg" title="Lakshmi Narasimhar, Parikal" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Parikal Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is a very ancient temple said to be around 1800 years old. King Vasantaraja had ruled this region with his capital at Vriddhachalam. Legend says that he was continuously troubled by an Asura named Parikalasuran. Hence on the advice of his Guru, he did severe penance. Lord Narasimhar was pleased and as a blessing to the Raja, he destroyed Parikalasuran here with his fury. Seeing this ugra avataram, the king Vasantharaja, invoked the blessings of the divine mother Goddess Lakshmi to calm Lord Narasimha and bless the devotees as a shanta swaroopi. Kanakavalli thayyar is said to have sat on the lap of Lord Narasimha, calmed him down and blessed the king and the rishis in this posture. King Vasantaraja was so delighted to have this darshan that he ordered the place to be named after the asura Parikalasura, as the asura was in a way responsible for such an adorable darshan. Hence it came to be called as Parikalapuram and later became as Parikal.</span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The History:</h3><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">This temple is situated between two rivers, the Thenpennai and Garuda. Hence Parikal is considered to be as holy as Srirangam. History says that this temple was built by King Vasantaraja of Vriddhachalam. But during Mogul invasion, even this temple was not spared. Later king Veera Narasimha of Karnataka rebuilt this temple. Several inscriptions on the temple led us to this discovery. Raja Raja Chozhan 1 is said to have built the temple tank.</span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The temple:</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaog5-TskOhvCKSrvOtK5K9wlA2zultKWfHhkMT0GznBKN0vCWN4jRVyugsMOF5UorX_nCyTofZS0kZ-JKyd_t1cxPQlOa8j1aQlFThI9-6xbZfGud6UOvx3xDpFZRkpc0A_BoNzDAi2o/s4032/IMG_9072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Parikal Narasimha dwajasthambam" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaog5-TskOhvCKSrvOtK5K9wlA2zultKWfHhkMT0GznBKN0vCWN4jRVyugsMOF5UorX_nCyTofZS0kZ-JKyd_t1cxPQlOa8j1aQlFThI9-6xbZfGud6UOvx3xDpFZRkpc0A_BoNzDAi2o/w480-h640/IMG_9072.jpg" title="Parikal narasimhar" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This temple has no Rajagopuram and is situated at the centre of the village. At the sanctum Sanctorum, Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar is seen in a sitting posture with Goddess Lakshmi on His left lap. This is the only temple where the goddess Lakshmi is seen embracing the lord with her right hand on His back and both of them looking at the devotees to shower their blessings. In the sanctum, you will also see the idol of Hanuman which was installed by Vyasaraja. As told by the priest, the idol installed by Vyasaraja is very unique with a bell on the tip of the tail. It is also a distinctive practice in this temple that the food after being offered to the lord is offered to Hanuman. In all other temples, it is offered to the goddess. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The utsavar moorthi is Narasimhar in a standing posture with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. One can also see the beautiful archa<b> </b>vigraha of Sudarshana and Lord Narasimhar</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are separate shrines for Kanakavalli thayar and Lord Varadarajar. Lord Varadarajar is in a standing posture facing Southside. A separate sanctum for Hanuman is also seen. Here we can see both Veera Anjaneya and bhakta Anjaneya </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The vimanam of this temple is ashtakona vimaanam. The teertham is Garuda theertham and the sthala vrishkam is Magizham. There is a well inside the temple called as Naga Koopam. It is believed that this water cures many illnesses.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Renovation of the main temple, Balalayam:</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since the ancient temple struture is dipiliating, the authorities have taken up the renovation of the main temple. Hence, the sanctum sanctorum is out of bounds for the public. However, the replica of Lakshmi Narasimhar as seen in the sanctum, is consecrated in a small shrine with the utsavar. This replica is made from a fig tree while the one in the sanctum is of saligramam. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The narasimhar and thayaar with their smile and benevolence welcome every one of his devotees and we do get a feeling that all is well</span>.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Prarthana sthalam:</h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is known as a prarthana sthalam. It is a runa vimochana sthalam as well.Devotees throng to this temple to get rid of the Runa. Runa or debt here means the five dharmic runa. It is believed that only when we are absolved from these debts, we attain moksham.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Devotees throng to this temple for rina vimochana and recite the Rina Vimochana Narasimhar sthothram.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is the video link for the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj5frQywvdU">rina vimochana sthothram by Maalola Kannan</a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tj5frQywvdU" width="320" youtube-src-id="Tj5frQywvdU"></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were fortunate enough to visit Poovarasan kuppam Lakshmi Narasimhar and Singrikudi Narasimhar on the same. More about these two temples in the next post.Hoping that you also get his darshan soon</span>.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How to reach:</h3><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">By Road:</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take the Chennai -Trichy highway. After Villupuram, take a right just before the Kedilam crossroad. Cross the railway line to reach the temple.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">By Rail</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Passenger trains from Villupuram and Vriddhachalam stop at Parikal Station<br />Located around 25kms South West of Villupuram and 3kms west of the Kedilam Cross Road off the Chennai-Trichi National Highway.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Temple Timings:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Morning: 6 A.M to 1 P.M</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Evening: 4 P.M to 8 P.M</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tirumanjanam is performed on every Swathi nakshatram.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">CONTACT: Raghavan Bhatter: 99439 34152</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> 7010040152</span></b></div><div><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #535353; font-family: Lato; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-55143616784339437592018-03-24T00:14:00.001-07:002018-03-24T00:40:16.530-07:00Sri Veda Narayana Swamy Temple - Nagalapuram<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt;">A LESSER KNOWN BUT A MUST SEE TEMPLE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeItY57JexsHgWs3XN3VlvwF0yEdwK8o8S0I6Ze1REt_MPN0pEV3CBomsEAfSpV_ozqctbnoi0AXyrfoEHyI8aX3Ugb5x4OupMMrz_hLs7Od7XAgDaLMxmasv9blmdqvbP3pRU277rI4/s1600/IMG_6435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeItY57JexsHgWs3XN3VlvwF0yEdwK8o8S0I6Ze1REt_MPN0pEV3CBomsEAfSpV_ozqctbnoi0AXyrfoEHyI8aX3Ugb5x4OupMMrz_hLs7Od7XAgDaLMxmasv9blmdqvbP3pRU277rI4/s640/IMG_6435.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sri Vedanarayana Swamy temple is, one of the many lesser known
Vishnu temples, situated in Nagalapuram in Andhra Pradesh and is about 75 kms
from Tirupati and 90 kms from Chennai near Uthukottai. As the name suggests,
this is a temple dedicated to Lord Vedanarayana who blesses His devotees in
Matsya avatara here. Matsya avatara is the first of the Vishnu avataras.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As per legend, Somakasura, a dreaded asura, stole the Vedas and
hid them deep under the waters of the mighty ocean. At the request of Lord Brahma,
Lord Mahavishnu took the first incarnation as Matsya avatara in the form of a
fish and rescued the Vedas from the asura before handing them over to Brahma.
As He brought back the Vedas to us, the presiding deity here is named as Swamy
Vedanarayana who is seen with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This temple was built by Sri Krishnadevaraya, the emperor of
Vijayanagara. The place is called Nagalapuram after his mother Nagulamba. We cannot
miss seeing the majesty and grandeur of the construction as one crosses the
gopurams and go around the prakaras, the wide pathway around the temple. Maintained
by TTD now, the beautiful gardens along the prakaras of the temple are a visual
treat.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFxxsORI1WQ-O8ZyBCGUUN0SmRfYwb8n8yVVsOv80AxitW6-T70TIppduhb7nvFNZsCCW4lOZaddH5MMyutgsEUq_wcQGTier5PyRluvKrw878EA8AysekzrAqG6DkqKA3yQrkkUSubE/s1600/IMG_6434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFxxsORI1WQ-O8ZyBCGUUN0SmRfYwb8n8yVVsOv80AxitW6-T70TIppduhb7nvFNZsCCW4lOZaddH5MMyutgsEUq_wcQGTier5PyRluvKrw878EA8AysekzrAqG6DkqKA3yQrkkUSubE/s640/IMG_6434.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intricately sculpted dasavatharam on the pillars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2>
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">SURYA POOJA</span></i>.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The unique feature of this temple is the Surya Pooja done on the Dwadasi,
Thrayodasi and Chaturdashi days of Sukla paksha of Phalguna(March) month every
year by Lord surya himself to Sri Veda Narayana Swamy. On these three days, the rays of the setting sun enter the temple through
very small openings in the two gopurams and sneak through the openings in the threshold of the
sanctum to touch the idol of Vedanarayana swamy between 6pm to 6.15 pm. On Dwadasi
the sun’s rays fall on the feet of the lord, on Thrayodasi they fall on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nabhi</i> (navel) of the lord and on Chaturthi
fall on the forehead of the lord. This happens without fail on these three days
every year. Is this marvel, an astronomical wonder or an architectural genius, the
debate goes on!!</span><br />
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<h2>
<i><span style="color: red;">THE TEMPLE</span></i></h2>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The first glimpse of the temple gopuram gives us the darshan of
the Dasavathara on the temple gopuram. As we cross the first gopuram which is
huge, we can see the tidy and elegant gardens maintained by the devasthanam. On
entering the next gopuram, the wide and clean prakarams of the temple present
themselves. On looking straight we see the main temple of the presiding deity Sri
Vedanarayana Swamy with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. At the right side we
see the temple dedicated to the goddess . On our left we can see the shrines
dedicated to Lord Rama. Lord Narasimhar and Lord Anjaneyar. There is a big <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yaga shaala</i> in front of the Ramar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sannidhi </i>where the yagas are performed.
On the opposite side of long corridor, we see the shrine dedicated to Lord
Veera Anjaneyar</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As we enter the main gopuram, I noticed something very different
in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dwara palakas</i> at the shrine.
There are three sets of dwara palakas for the three doors before we enter the
sanctum sanctorum. The first is Vishwaksenar and Thapasa, next is Jaya and
Vijaya and at the third door are Manikandan and Sandhya. I have not seen such three
pairs of dwara palakas earlier at any Vishnu temple I have visited. As we now cross
all the dwara palakas, we see the Lord himself in all His sparkling glory. He
is standing tall with Sudarshana chakra in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prayogam</i>
(in use) along with his consorts on both sides. The golden matsya kavacham
is a sight to behold and feast upon. Like I always tell, once you look at His eyes,
he pulls you so close to Himself that you totally lose yourself in His spell as
it were and forget what you are actually seeing. Having come out of the daze of
seeing Him in matysa avatara, I am still trying to recollect several aspects of
this nice temple. The idol of Sudharsana azhwar kept in the sanctum sanctorum
is very beautiful. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">utsava murthy</i>
is kept along with the azhwars. Here we were allowed to capture His beauty in our
cameras. The priest explained how the sun rays enter through the tiny vents in
the gopurams and sneak to the threshold to come and touch eventually. the Lord
Almighty. You can see for yourself from the main entrance the small openings in
the gopurams and the deity 600 feet away. Some of His inscrutable ways are
beyond the ken of us, I guess.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Having relished upon His beauty, grandeur and grace, we proceeded
to the thayaar sannidhi. Here we came across small shrines of Vishnu Durga, Brahma,
Vishwaksenar, Lakshmi Varaha Perumal, Venugopala swamy, Lakshminarayana
Perumal, Lakshmi Buvaraha Perumal, Veena Dakshina Murthy and Ganapati.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since the same priest attends both the santcums, we waited for a
while for him to come and open the door. Vedavalli thayar is in a sitting
posture here. As you go near and look at her, you cannot but feel the benign
presence of a mother waiting for you and assuring you that we need not worry
anymore and that we are under Her protective care. I spent a few minutes with
her alone chanting Sri Suktam. As the sun was setting fast, we set out quickly
to the temple at Suruttupalli to be in time to get the darshan of the lord Pallikondeswarar
and goddess</span>.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry6pQfgjBU_bxR2Op_mTIqBpUFY52MrFNsvhB87y6eC20-Z4tDDukXFpWoexwvZdJdOhoQ6DdWjlCUuPx6UrEgBGLSlapPUw69CobQUtv6MUPWtgN1W3crEZvazAlCRukgWDgukXKns8/s1600/IMG_6461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry6pQfgjBU_bxR2Op_mTIqBpUFY52MrFNsvhB87y6eC20-Z4tDDukXFpWoexwvZdJdOhoQ6DdWjlCUuPx6UrEgBGLSlapPUw69CobQUtv6MUPWtgN1W3crEZvazAlCRukgWDgukXKns8/s640/IMG_6461.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TEMPLE TIMINGS</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">7.00 A.M-12. P.M</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">4 P.M – 8 P.M</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">HOW TO REACH THE TEMPLE</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Nearest airport-Tirupati</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Nearest Railway station- Nagari</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">By road we can reach from Chennai in a private vehicle or bus. It
is well connected from all places in Andhra Pradesh</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-62322003792925827662016-10-28T23:08:00.000-07:002016-10-28T23:08:01.430-07:00Badrinath- God's abode in Devlok<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVK7MRdf-SpnfluQLMwp8Xepm_C37CyxH-6cSoq_Y1FSCgVdCXKv9Y7mZHdxYdBfTkhi4zVxHpKrlibA3o1OEf8jTFmciEzAcKLkQe49VYvBdK24tKTGk4n9L7dNdA2vTCSjXLseQDUo/s1600/IMG_9719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVK7MRdf-SpnfluQLMwp8Xepm_C37CyxH-6cSoq_Y1FSCgVdCXKv9Y7mZHdxYdBfTkhi4zVxHpKrlibA3o1OEf8jTFmciEzAcKLkQe49VYvBdK24tKTGk4n9L7dNdA2vTCSjXLseQDUo/s640/IMG_9719.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">I had visited Badrinath
temple this month and I wish to confine myself only about Badrinath temple in
this post leaving the travel details to my travel blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Badrinath, the abode of
Sri Badri Narayan is situated at a height of 3133 mts above sea level in the
state of Uttarakhand. This temple is nestled between the two mountains Nar and
Narayan of the Garhwal range and on the banks of river Alaknanda.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c8D3MWfDn4okjvQQe_QV7OSBS0P0ZSykndxHOhZuVu5hUpwHC0r8LQkj2QjczaOCjkon7JXfv0Vf56BLHzIh-C5U8tIXDzbjxyPLNt-fcvDyqj1KKIsWg2cbjvFu-hqKbYgYqNGGmpM/s1600/IMG_9717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c8D3MWfDn4okjvQQe_QV7OSBS0P0ZSykndxHOhZuVu5hUpwHC0r8LQkj2QjczaOCjkon7JXfv0Vf56BLHzIh-C5U8tIXDzbjxyPLNt-fcvDyqj1KKIsWg2cbjvFu-hqKbYgYqNGGmpM/s640/IMG_9717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is believed that Sri
Vishnu came down to this earth to meditate and His Consort Sri Lakshmi, took
the form of a Badri tree to give him shade and protection from sun and rain. As
a result, the lord came to be known as Badrinarayan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is held that the
Buddhists threw away the idol of Badri Narayan in the Narada kund on the banks
of Alaknanda and believed that a divine voice had instructed Adi Shankaracharya
to retrieve the idol of the deity and reinstall it in the temple. He carried
out the divine wish willingly thus giving the devotees a chance to have the
divine darshan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Here the guru sishya
parampara can be seen in a beautiful context. The lord took the forms of both
Narayanan –the preceptor and Nara – the perceiver, to propagate the powerful
asthakshara mantra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">One can see this
overpowering presence of Nar and Narayan as the two mountains on either side of
Alaknanda.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">This temple is open only
from April to November as the winter sets in thereafter with the place fully
covered in snow making it impossible for anyone to live here. The day of
opening and closing of the temple is decided by the trust. When they close the
temple for winter, the Namboodri, the chief priest, does the puja after
lighting a lamp with some ghee for it to burn and glow for a while. The uddhav
murti is taken down in procession to Joshimath and kept there for the next six
months. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">When the opening is
announced, the uddhav murti is first taken to the Mata mandir to pray to His
mother and from there the Namboodri and the whole entourage reach the
temple that is opened in public view. The most surprising event or a miracle
you can say is the phenomenon of the lamp lit six months before still glowing.
This defies a rational explanation as the temple was fully closed with no scope
of air entering the sanctum. Can anyone explain this marvel except by
attributing to the Divine presence? It is believed that sage Narada performs
puja for these six months when we cannot enter the terrain and the temple is
closed. Hence this is also called as Narada Kshetram<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">A trip to Badrinath has
always been on my mind ever since we embarked on a visit to 106 Divya Desams
and I thought what better way to celebrate KK’s 50th birthday than having the
darshan of Sri Badri Narayan on that special day and invoking His blessings.
Once this thought struck me, I started to plan for the holy trip and with His
blessings, things started falling in place. KK could avail the leave and we
found a good travel agent, who booked rooms according to my choice. We planned
the weeklong trip to ensure we were at Badrinath on KK’s birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The trip was very
enjoyable and exciting as we travelled from Dehradun to Badrinath by road
visiting many other places along the route. The constant company all the way
was the imposing Garhwal range of mountains and the beautiful rivers flowing
beneath. Some of the stretches of the roads are really risky but the adept
drivers of the vehicles that ply on these ghat sections are equal to the task
and of course you have HIS blessings. So our mantra was just to relax and live
in the moment, enjoying the scenic beauty and waiting for His darshan!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5W_hO-IzISQqw4aWw7hsKYKIBAGs8gLpek5DVjeqg2nZQayULlXR1xDJkuMjUvmQyRTjlQAjdvG1pmjVqDhl2hIPNgJU_8YnlbHV42S0ZxYF_9lQPV7JgQwU5VBfjTgJ_BrYCAGErH4/s1600/IMG_9737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5W_hO-IzISQqw4aWw7hsKYKIBAGs8gLpek5DVjeqg2nZQayULlXR1xDJkuMjUvmQyRTjlQAjdvG1pmjVqDhl2hIPNgJU_8YnlbHV42S0ZxYF_9lQPV7JgQwU5VBfjTgJ_BrYCAGErH4/s640/IMG_9737.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">We reached Badrinath by
12. noon and checked into Sarovar Portico (Sarovar group of hotels). One of the
best hotels here, and the service was good too. After lunch, we
proceeded to Mana village, which is the last village of Indian Territory,
details of which will be on my travel blog soon. We explored the village, saw
the pristine beauty of nature and came back to see the temple we were waiting
for all these days, the Badrinarayan temple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">You will need to walk
5-7 minutes from the parking lot to reach the temple premises. All along the
path, you will see shops selling trinkets, prasad and numerous pictures of the
temple and the deity. As we pass these shops, you will see Alaknanda flowing in
all her majesty, with its water greenish blue in colour and what a sight to
watch her. As you cross her over the bridge, you see on your right side towards
the end of the bridge smoke coming down from below, and then we realize that it
was coming from the hot Sulphur springs of Tapt kund. Devotees have a dip in
the hot spring, before heading for the darshan of Sri Badri Narayan. Then a
flight of steps, and you will reach the temple doorway. On the left you can
find the temple office kiosk, where you can buy the tickets for the sevas that
are offered on that day. It is advisable to be prepared with enough cash as
they do not accept credit/debit cards.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5_s6dd6dYbTRezH09PdfykTqjtX8y63seVfW3q70dPhvjx5H9_UZRwoy0pTV9fNPFsNL5pIhJmkkKstxWHTt2oo2VXSRFFGKX87UFifZn8Ww4LmAecVIqsDVvUwEBp8hkU4r9xcCsyg/s1600/2016-10-11-PHOTO-00005585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5_s6dd6dYbTRezH09PdfykTqjtX8y63seVfW3q70dPhvjx5H9_UZRwoy0pTV9fNPFsNL5pIhJmkkKstxWHTt2oo2VXSRFFGKX87UFifZn8Ww4LmAecVIqsDVvUwEBp8hkU4r9xcCsyg/s400/2016-10-11-PHOTO-00005585.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5rxOit_SWs4mZ6vvJg72d5DZUwLNbIapKHaNwyHVCjUETtZSG6LwkD_D5UxPDxcASvv-0x2KZDjGCOfKKGDwem7H3qrfZy388pKEBDrBblFxtQQwDC77CljbYWKV_Ts-CMJygmkoyvE/s1600/IMG_9742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5rxOit_SWs4mZ6vvJg72d5DZUwLNbIapKHaNwyHVCjUETtZSG6LwkD_D5UxPDxcASvv-0x2KZDjGCOfKKGDwem7H3qrfZy388pKEBDrBblFxtQQwDC77CljbYWKV_Ts-CMJygmkoyvE/s400/IMG_9742.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is the steam coming out of the hot springs</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8wFn6yRrcYCcwVWvBQfHYME4e5XasHls-n5G-OHbmwKPsTz930O5Qhxg8KTwG0iJ_yuqvWA6ussH0tvbrkVIqysvcYbvdtNjFiUWlbW-z360Zglo9rSoDirl7QWIeDcwRn1cyzGGmw/s1600/IMG_9714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8wFn6yRrcYCcwVWvBQfHYME4e5XasHls-n5G-OHbmwKPsTz930O5Qhxg8KTwG0iJ_yuqvWA6ussH0tvbrkVIqysvcYbvdtNjFiUWlbW-z360Zglo9rSoDirl7QWIeDcwRn1cyzGGmw/s400/IMG_9714.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The seva tickets range
from Rs 250/-to Rs 9000/-. For the evening we bought vishnusaharanamawali tickets. After procuring the tickets we went inside. <a href="http://divinedarshan.blogspot.in/p/badrinath-puja-details-and-rates.html">CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLETE SEVA TIMINGS AND RATE</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The temple is way
different from what you see in South India. The main entrance of the temple is
unique and very colourful and is known as SINGHDWAR. The temple is 50 feet tall
and has a cupola on top covered in a golden coloured roof. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-Waj-Y092-NZj4A-elNVXrKVba1xgrrvr85FX-TUZFPbOEc-Pi9JVPrmaAH9L0ip6IV60HX5APArJDwGyzc_HzoD5iQjakSX3hERceBtUst7u0Yo2UnrIXOjNf4c3ftTEJtT8jrXVHo/s1600/IMG_9734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-Waj-Y092-NZj4A-elNVXrKVba1xgrrvr85FX-TUZFPbOEc-Pi9JVPrmaAH9L0ip6IV60HX5APArJDwGyzc_HzoD5iQjakSX3hERceBtUst7u0Yo2UnrIXOjNf4c3ftTEJtT8jrXVHo/s400/IMG_9734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">We can see a sankhu (conch), chakram (wheel) and an Aum on the
façade of the temple. Tiruman (namam) is conspicuous by its absence. The panels
near the door are engraved with dasavatharam. It is said that everyone is
allowed in the temple. There is no bar on the basis of religion, caste and
creed, reiterating the fact that He is Universal, the supreme and is one for
all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkmG6qS-Qt_966yX84zYhwmPxhmmh42oaXOYjhQmWOpW1NSC6J1m2ZVaMquJmlCQHoM5AxYQJO_jAUT58XzcVfoUI0MbD1VaLqSVeS3VPf8zX5aOozrxSXu7eoh5TKWaeOD1LB9ldf0w/s1600/2016-10-11-PHOTO-00005582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkmG6qS-Qt_966yX84zYhwmPxhmmh42oaXOYjhQmWOpW1NSC6J1m2ZVaMquJmlCQHoM5AxYQJO_jAUT58XzcVfoUI0MbD1VaLqSVeS3VPf8zX5aOozrxSXu7eoh5TKWaeOD1LB9ldf0w/s320/2016-10-11-PHOTO-00005582.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we waited in the
queue, the day was receding and the chilly night was ready to freeze us. Armed
with enough winter clothing, we braved the cold weather and the only thing that
kept our spirit high was the anticipation of the much awaited darshan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">They let us inside the
hall in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Luckily we sat right in front of the
deity. I do not remember what happened in the next few minutes. I just kept
gazing at Him as if on a mental dialogue between him and me. Nothing else occurred
or mattered. I was oblivious of the surroundings till nudged by KK that the
puja had started. It was then I started observing everything inside the
sanctorum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">In the center is the
saligrama idol of the presiding deity decked up in all grandeur and finery. He
is seated in Padmasana posture with sankha and chakra in two hands. He is a
swayambhu and is dark in colour. On his right side we see a golden face of Sri
Kubera and a Garuda in silver praying with folded hands. On his left we see an
idol of Uddhav and a small idol of sage Narada. On his extreme left we can see
the idols of Nar and Narayan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The chanting of
sahasranamavali started and the priests seated outside started to chant
sahasranamam while the Namboodri performed the puja inside. Only the Namboodri,
who hails from the same clan as Sri Adi Shankaracharya, is allowed inside the
sanctorum. For those unable to see the puja properly inside, they have made
arrangements to telecast it live on a big television erected on the either side
of the entrance to the sanctum. While you watch the puja on the television
sets, your eyes cannot escape the beautiful dwara palakas seen on either side
of the entrance of the sanctorum and they look very much like the ones you see
in the South Indian temples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The walls of the sabha
mantap where the devotees assemble are covered with intricately carved designs
and is very beautiful<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">After the puja and the
arathi, we were given prasad as we came out of the side entrance to take the
darshan of Sri Lakshmi, Durga, Adi Sankara, Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">We left for our hotel to
have an early dinner and sound sleep to be ready for the Mahabhishekam next
morning at 4.30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">At the appointed hour we
were at the temple and were greeted by the melodious voice of M.S Subbalakshmi chanting
Vishnu Sahasranamam. It is a bliss to listen to her chant in her enchanting
voice at that hour and place. We then stood in the praharam braving the chill
weather till 5.30 am, when we were let inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Having found a place to
sit and watch the abhishekam, we waited for the sanctorum to open. Now with the
learned Brahmins chanting sahasranama, the namboodri also known as Rawal,
started to remove all the alankarams/ornaments of the lord. He then bathed him
and other idols in the pure water of Alaknanda, then was applied Ihhar or scent
followed by sandalwood paste. The priest applied the sandalwood paste to each
part of the idol, highlighting the arms, legs, and finally you can see the
whole form. Then The lord is decked with a beautiful silk dress and many
garlands. Thereafter He is decked up in finery and the mangala aarti takes
place and when you see him in full glory, you do not wish to take your eyes
away from him. All the devotees are given the scent that is applied to the lord
and the sandalwood paste. One can collect the bhog or Prasad later from the
temple. It is said that the p</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">rasad or bhog is prepared by Mahalakshmi herself
and is taken from Her sanctorum to the lord. It is a sight not to be missed.
Like I always say, He is so beautiful and I am blessed to have His darshan on
this special day with my husband. I hope you too are blessed to see
Him soon too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The <i>Mahabharata</i> revered
this holy place as the one that can give salvation to devotees by merely
arriving close to it, while in other holy places they must perform religious
ceremonies to obtain His grace.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Periyazhwar and
Tirumangai azhwar have sung in praise of Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">It will be
appropriate to read the poems of </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருமங்கை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆழ்வார்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> here before I end this post<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முதல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பத்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> - </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மூன்றாம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருமொழி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருவதரி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">)<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருமங்கை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆழ்வார்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அருளிச்செய்தது</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முற்ற</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மூத்துக்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கோல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">துணையா</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முன்னடி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">நோக்கி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வளைந்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இற்றகால்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">போல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தள்ளி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மெள்ள</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இருந்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அங்கு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இளையாமுன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பெற்ற</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தாய்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">போல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வந்த</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பேய்ச்சி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பெரு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முலை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஊடு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">உயிரை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வற்ற</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வாங்கி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">உண்ட</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வாயான்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வதரி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வணங்குதுமே</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> (968)<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முதுகு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பற்றிக்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கைத்தலத்தால்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஒரு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கோல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஊன்றி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">விதிர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">விதிர்த்துக்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கண்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">சுழன்று</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மேல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கிளைகொண்டு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இருமி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இது</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">என்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அப்பர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மூத்த</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆறு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">! </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">என்று</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இளையவர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஏசாமுன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மது</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">உண்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வண்டு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பண்கள்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பாடும்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வதரி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வணங்குதுமே</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">! (969)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முதல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பத்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> - </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">நாங்காம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருமொழி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">திருவதரியாச்சிரமம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">)<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஏனம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">முன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆகி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இரு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">நிலம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இடந்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அன்று</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இணை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> - </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அடி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">இமையவர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வணங்க</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தானவன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆகம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தரணியில்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">புரளத்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தடஞ்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">சிலை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">குனித்த</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">என்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தலைவன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தேன்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">அமர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">சோலைக்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கற்பகம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">பயந்த</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">தெய்வ</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">நல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">நறு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மலர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கொணர்ந்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வானவர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வணங்கும்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கங்கையின்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கரை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">மேல்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">வதரி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">ஆச்சிரமத்து</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">உள்ளானே</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> (978)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">TEMPLE TIMINGS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The temple is open from
4.30 AM with the Mahabhishekam starting at 5.30 AM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Afternoon 1.00PM- 4PM
the temple is closed for any darshan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">It opens again from
4.00PM-9.PM when shayana aarthi takes place after the Geet govind is recited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The official website of
BADRINATH is <a href="http://www.badarikedar.org/">www.badarikedar.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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TO REACH BADARINATH<br />
Nearest airport: Dehradun<br />
Nearest Railway station: Rishikesh<br />
On road: from Joshirmath<br />
<a href="http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/how-to-reach-badrinath.php">MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS CAN BE SEEN HERE</a></div>
</div>
temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-56234345060159854092016-08-24T12:47:00.000-07:002016-08-24T12:47:24.630-07:00Ambegaalu Krishna beckons you<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">I am blessed to write
about Lord Aprameya and Ambegaalu Krishna /Navaneetha Krishna on this auspicious
day of Gokulashtami / Srikrishna Jayanthi.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Dodda Mallur or Mallur is a village near </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Channapatna</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> in </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Karnataka It</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> is
situated on the banks of the river </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanva" title="Kanva"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">Kanva</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">.
The village is famous for its temples of </span><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">SRI</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Aprameya
Swamy</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> and Ambegalu </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna" title="Krishna"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">Krishna</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> (crawling
Krishna). It is approximately 60 km from Bengaluru and three km from
Channapatna.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> Aprameya temple houses the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Aprameya,
Goddess Aravindavalli Thayar and Navaneetha Krishna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjD2WsnfoWW-HLqmynwMVxsUeteNu2kdLXDCwjTStSzDpjj2kI1gph0i3B_byZ1VBsQJiofXofAw1H_sHMG21N1NRLMP6trOvQyGtTV1WAb8-3POH_9076UO8rPVhPSCN1IYC5bl2HL0/s1600/IMG_5521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjD2WsnfoWW-HLqmynwMVxsUeteNu2kdLXDCwjTStSzDpjj2kI1gph0i3B_byZ1VBsQJiofXofAw1H_sHMG21N1NRLMP6trOvQyGtTV1WAb8-3POH_9076UO8rPVhPSCN1IYC5bl2HL0/s640/IMG_5521.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> The word Aprameya finds a mention in Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam -the
thousand names of Lord Vishnu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Aprameyo hrushikeshah padmanabhomaraprabhuhu |</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">vishvakarmaa manusthvashtaa sthavishtah sthavirodhruvaha</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Aprameya means the one who is immeasurable, indescribable or who cannot
be understood fully. He is beyond the ken of human perception. It is said that
even Brahma who is seated on the lotus from His navel cannot describe him
fully. In the words of a siddha </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கண்டவர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">விண்டிலார்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">விண்டவர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">கண்டிலார்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">/ Those who have
seen cannot describe and those who describe have not seen Him. Such is the
indescribable beauty of God and the one named Aprameya here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The temple was built in 11<sup>th</sup> century by a Chola king and
has its annual Brahmotsavam in April/May. One unique feature in the
construction of the temple is that<span style="background: white;"> for this
part of the year the sunrays at sunrise fall directly on the sanctum sanctorum
of Sri Aprameya Swamy.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The utsavar is a replica of the moolavar Aprameya
and is accompanied by his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. They are taken out on
procession on important festival days.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Childless women come here and pray with much
devotion to Krishna to bless them with children. Numerous stories
abound of such miracles happening reinforcing such a faith.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> It is believed that Lord Sri Rama stayed here and worshipped Lord
Aprameya. Hence he is also called as Ramaprameya. He is seen in a standing
position with Sankhu and chakram in two hands, gadha in another and Abhaya
hastha blessing the devotees with the fourth hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">As you come out after having his darshan and go around clockwise you
come to the sanctum of goddess Aravindavalli Thayar. While She is seen sitting
majestically, what strikes you instantly is her powerful eyes that are at once
riveting. I have seen similar eyes in the idol of Sri Ramanuja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we proceed further we come across the sanctum of the famous Ambegaalu
Krishna. We have been wanting to see for a long time, whenever we listened
to Purandara dasa’s song <i>Jagadhodharana Adisila yashodha</i>, this
Ambegaalu Krishna otherwise called as <i>thavazhara </i>Krishna in
crawling position. This is the only temple where Krishna is seen in this
posture. It is said that Dasa was so mesmerised seeing Krishna in this form he
went into raptures and composed this song spontaneously then and there. If that
was the emotional experience of Sri Purandaradasa, you can well imagine our
ecstatic reaction on seeing this beautiful Krishna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfplH5EezVAts0dPOeS4Up_eqVD3fvGN-3UEnIHJTrvPMkcHoAr8LEFpyZVtSZfZ9r23T_vuAiUBMG6Pc7G6JS8KwN84tNoHqrdbz1Ok7zn3vd7u5tN0pGNv_uKT7KjaK98yRUQ7115pw/s1600/ambegaalu+krishna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfplH5EezVAts0dPOeS4Up_eqVD3fvGN-3UEnIHJTrvPMkcHoAr8LEFpyZVtSZfZ9r23T_vuAiUBMG6Pc7G6JS8KwN84tNoHqrdbz1Ok7zn3vd7u5tN0pGNv_uKT7KjaK98yRUQ7115pw/s640/ambegaalu+krishna.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">One look at this
Krishna and your eyes remain transfixed on his eyes and the only words that I
could think of to describe them is “COMPELLINGLY ATTRACTIVE AND CUTE”. Anyone
who sees him will have the motherly instincts kindled in them unknowingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Krishna here is seen
in a crawling position, as his name ambegaalu Krishna would signify, and with
butter on one hand raised above the ground, he is rightly called as Navaneetha
Krishna. He is carved out of black stone with all the jewels sculpted precisely
and beautifully. You cannot miss to see the beautiful carved anklets. Most of
the days he is covered fully with jasmine flowers. One particular ornament
which you must see is the tiger claw pendant dangling in a chain from his neck.
There is a belief that people who come to see him may cast an evil
eye(drishti). To keep him away from any harm this pendant is put around his
neck! This shows that everyone despite his divinity treats him like his/her own
son and not just an idol of god.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">We had some time to
explore the temple and see the different vahanas on which the deities are taken
on procession and as usual I was attracted towards Sri Garuda. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow2PuiIaJavk2hOE1XpE-x1hGOzmMgqzxlSlS5xy5n4YKw_DJK6JP7Na1AbGLGQ8jHTbciRSSNf3PqbfUji3-DWhtFyayKoO9pqPK2ECfr7q0LKsR7lxR-TpDzJcn4STpGC8ACNEfKB0/s1600/try+light-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow2PuiIaJavk2hOE1XpE-x1hGOzmMgqzxlSlS5xy5n4YKw_DJK6JP7Na1AbGLGQ8jHTbciRSSNf3PqbfUji3-DWhtFyayKoO9pqPK2ECfr7q0LKsR7lxR-TpDzJcn4STpGC8ACNEfKB0/s640/try+light-4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Then we saw the
mantapa called as Purandara mantapa from where he sang the famous
Jagadhodharana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfboIrjipq4HNISo06n_3QhOCltnYSObLesTYG7-UzER5PYjarRGXHnfWZBf8VjMtg9xIB40c8q4W_ojMPfk2JdvYpJIwCJ_XG0Ze4pjijZkNa8UdEbv0c0OvmoyZia8HkyJBxRjK2v3Y/s1600/IMG_5520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfboIrjipq4HNISo06n_3QhOCltnYSObLesTYG7-UzER5PYjarRGXHnfWZBf8VjMtg9xIB40c8q4W_ojMPfk2JdvYpJIwCJ_XG0Ze4pjijZkNa8UdEbv0c0OvmoyZia8HkyJBxRjK2v3Y/s320/IMG_5520.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Purandara Mantapa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">As you come out, you
can see small shops nearby selling Channapatna wooden dolls and artefacts.
Bargain well and you can get them dirt cheap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> I must tell
that the spiritual influence this darshan of Krishna here was something so
personal and intimate that I had not experienced for long time and his
captivating vision lingered in me long after I left the place. With bliss
written on our faces and a heart full of gratitude towards the almighty we
proceeded with our journey to Mysore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Rest in the next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Hope all my readers
would also have a chance to see this Krishna and have his blessings!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-84748870533090966392016-04-14T19:31:00.000-07:002016-04-14T19:31:49.711-07:00Vaduvur Sri Kodhandaramaswamy Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxkRKqyl5kWftijpqeDHPRuJligwcBCDK9WsK7CqT7whHmbxOqaruI14Wu60uREZqn_hLNI8K2oC7LQZD3HnP6FBOrERTuPDU9Ou9H73iNxk3BSj_qRC1r9bxDMeFfryOtlIbEdIA2g/s1600/IMG_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 19.2px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxkRKqyl5kWftijpqeDHPRuJligwcBCDK9WsK7CqT7whHmbxOqaruI14Wu60uREZqn_hLNI8K2oC7LQZD3HnP6FBOrERTuPDU9Ou9H73iNxk3BSj_qRC1r9bxDMeFfryOtlIbEdIA2g/s400/IMG_4536.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever since I heard about The Vaduvur Ramar temple and its presiding deity the bewitching Kodandaramar, I have been yearning for His darshan. It is said that “When you long passionately to visit a kshetram, it will pull you towards it soon” This is exactly what happened to me when during a planned trip to Kumbakonam, my long felt desire to have the darshan of Sri Rama at Vaduvur materialised without a hitch.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaduvur is the Abhimana sthalam of Sri Vishnu. This place is also known as Vagularanya Kshtetram and Bhaskara Kshetram. It is also known by the name of Dakshina Ayodhya.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaduvur is located at 24 Kms from Tanjavur and 14 kms from Mannargudi. We travelled by road to Mannargudi and Vaduvur and the roads were quite good. On reaching the renowned temple, we noticed that it was luckily not crowded giving us the assurance of an unhurried and good darshan with none to hustle us. I wanted to see the Kodandaramar peacefully, enjoy each aspect of the temple and I must say that I am blessed to have had such a divine darshan. Kodandaramar temple follows the principle of Vedanta Desika and is a vadagalai temple.The walls of the Praharam are adorned with paintings depicting Ramayana. The imposing Dwajastahmbam and the vimanam catch your undivided attention as you enter the temple</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadn54aS1NlhWCXcSiJz8DXyaHKL9Ku55sV7h_k9COz1CVJW1I3S8IIKNNe3Kh8knVcKmZPgw1Q-zYf8dgs2IEoCcc7u-AglO03S6LA4w8h8OS4OSAq9biJ-9hgXG2uV8-DYUoquOGKL8/s1600/Image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadn54aS1NlhWCXcSiJz8DXyaHKL9Ku55sV7h_k9COz1CVJW1I3S8IIKNNe3Kh8knVcKmZPgw1Q-zYf8dgs2IEoCcc7u-AglO03S6LA4w8h8OS4OSAq9biJ-9hgXG2uV8-DYUoquOGKL8/s400/Image-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we entered the temple, we saw the majestic moolavar of Sri Kodandaramar with his Consort Sita, along with Lakshmana and Anjaneyar. Rama is seen wearing a garland of saligramam with a Mahalakshmi Pendant. As my eye shifted to the ever praised Utsavar Sri Kodandaramar, I was struck by his unparalleled beauty and enigmatic charm. It seemed to me that whatever I had heard about his beauty and exquisite looks from many was a mere understatement. The actual experience far surpassed the human explanations. I could not lift my eyes that were transfixed on Him. One has to experience the joy and thrill of seeing His majesty and grandeur that is indescribable in mere words-Every part of his figure is beautiful that one can gaze endlessly in supreme satisfaction. See him for yourself and get mesmerised by his bewitching smile! When a devotee sees him ardently He invariably brings a smile on his face.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCPj_IDJBM_EB9K-EoRQ6TrD6_IZ0kaOaueccp5ynlkNdXDk5wDPlFajQ4dQ6KHDspLlDzcVfNQMebMQs5zDeop73Eed_Qu-EiWmh0e3_c5MsNL0btoALFOvsfveoG_MO806JHL2cTkY/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCPj_IDJBM_EB9K-EoRQ6TrD6_IZ0kaOaueccp5ynlkNdXDk5wDPlFajQ4dQ6KHDspLlDzcVfNQMebMQs5zDeop73Eed_Qu-EiWmh0e3_c5MsNL0btoALFOvsfveoG_MO806JHL2cTkY/s400/IMG_4518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kambar who wrote Kamba Ramayanam breaks into raptures explaining Rama’s beauty in these lines meaning that whatever part the devotees saw shoulders, feet, or hands they lost themselves in its beauty unable to wrench their eyes from it to savour the beauty of the other or the whole figure.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தோள்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தோளே</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தொடு</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கழல்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கமலம்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">அன்ன</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தாள்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தாளே</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">தடக்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கை</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டாரும்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">அஃதே</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">வாள்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கொண்ட</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்ணார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">யாரே</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">வடிவினை</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">முடியக்கண்டார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?-</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ஊழ்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கொண்ட</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">சமயத்து</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">அன்னான்</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">உருவு</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">கண்டாரை</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "nirmala ui"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ஒத்தார்</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I did not pray for anything in particular. It was a high moment I wanted to just live, seeing him, observing him, smiling at him .It was a moment of total bliss!! Well, I am at a loss for words to express adequately the divine feel and attraction of his magnificent personality. I was overwhelmed by his beauty, grace and benevolence. Let me allow you to enjoy the moment looking at him too when you get the occasion</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TEMPLE HISTORY:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Initially Sri Rajagopala swamy with Rukmini and Satyabama were the presiding deities of this temple.The story goes that</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, when Rama was returning to Ayodhya after 14 years after having defeated Ravana, he stayed at the Hermitage of some Rishis. They pleaded with him that Sri Rama should stay with them for ever. As Rama had promised Bharata that he would return, he asked Vishwakarma to make his enchanting form and left it just outside the Ashram. Next day when the Rishis, saw this beautiful idol, they were hypnotised by this beautiful divine form and allowed Rama to proceed on the condition that he would leave this statue behind..Rama smiled and left for Ayodhya leaving behind the idol.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As years rolled by, Rama appeared in the dream of King Saraboji II who ruled Tanjavur then. He asked the king to unearth the statues that were buried under the Bodhi sattva tree at Thalai Gnayiru. Next morning the king unearthed the idols and proceeded towards Tanjavur. He decided to break his journey for some rest at Vaduvur. The villagers on hearing about the idols requested the king to leave them behind at the temple. The king initially refused to do so, but relented when the villagers threatened to commit suicide by jumping from the gopuram. These are the divine idols that we are lucky to see them in this temple today.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sannidhis in the temple are:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kodhandaramar with sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hayagreevar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andal</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rajagopala with Bhama and Rukmini</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vedanta Desikar </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manavala Maamunigal</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sthalam Vruksham here is Vagula Maram</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pushkarni is known by the name of Rama Theertham</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vimana is called as Pushpaka Vimanam</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TEMPLE TIMINGS</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning 8.00 AM- 12.30 PM</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evening 4.30 PM- 8.30PM</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-right: 19.45pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To know more about the temple click the link given to go to the temple web page:<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/vaduvur/">VADUVUR SRI KOTHANDARAMASWAMY TEMPLE</a></span></div>
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you enjoyed reading about this temple and seeing the beautiful pictures and am sure you will visit the temple soon</span><br />
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Picture Courtsey:: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SRI-Parthan-Ponnadi-155924194741631/?fref=ts">SRI Parthan Ponnadi</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VaduvurRamarTemple/?fref=ts">Vaduvur Kothandaramaramaswamy Temple</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-14102190937033656712016-02-12T04:23:00.003-08:002016-02-12T04:23:55.506-08:00Vinatasuta-The Mighty Garuda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsZZewQzE6gEuRbt35TzgEl9pC1SC7FyoigEoi7_d33dWKU0DnlHjIrRjO-zbZzc0Ecoz8C2yLcMR7M2OZxtmYDgmU0YETHGwhoWG0dPCs04i5FL2xkAUn7lkQhh1V4RdonYyyKARaxA/s1600/garuda-vishnu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsZZewQzE6gEuRbt35TzgEl9pC1SC7FyoigEoi7_d33dWKU0DnlHjIrRjO-zbZzc0Ecoz8C2yLcMR7M2OZxtmYDgmU0YETHGwhoWG0dPCs04i5FL2xkAUn7lkQhh1V4RdonYyyKARaxA/s400/garuda-vishnu2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture Courtsey:<a href="http://www.harekrsna.de/garuda-e.htm">Harekrsna</a></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">When we hear the name Garuda, the first thing
that comes to our mind is the image of a huge eagle on the sky. But he is no
ordinary bird, but a divine one. Until I read about Garuda Vaibhavam
(greatness), I had not given much thought to Garuda whose idol is found in most
Vaishnavaite temples. After having acquainted myself more about the greatness
of Pakshiraja, my perspective of Him has vastly changed. This post is intended for
those who have not heard or known much about this celestial bird Garuda and His
greatness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let me begin with a sloka in Garuda dandakam<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Garudam
akhila- veda- neeDaadhirooDham (neeDa + adhirooDhanam),<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">dwiShat
peeDanOthkanTita (dwiShat + peeDana +uthkanTita)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">akunTa
VaikunTa - peeTee- krita - skandhameeDe,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">swaneeDa-agati
- preeta - rudraa - sukeerti - sthanaa- bhoga - gaDhOpagooDha<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">sPuratkantaka - vraata - vedha -vyathaa -
vepamaana - dwigihvaadhipa -</span></span></i><i style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">aakalpa-</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">viShpaaryamaaNa-sPataavaaTkaa-ratna-rOchiscHataa-raaji-neeraaajitam,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Kaanti-kallolinee-raajitam</span>.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
rough translation as gathered from the net would be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
praise Garuda, who is glowing with a flood of tejas, established in the Vedas,
loves to punish the wicked, invincible, the vehicle of Vishnu, illumined by the
aarati from a row of glowing gems from an array of shaking hoods of the
celebrated serpents, who are trembling with pain caused by the passionate outbursts,
when Rudra and Sukeerti (two wives of garuda) of sumptuous bosoms, intimately
embraced him (Garuda) when he returned (victorious) to their nest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Vinata suta, son of Vinata, the mighty Garuda is
the <i>vahana</i> (mount) of Sriman Narayana
and he is Veda himself. The reference to this can be seen in Gajendra moksham
and the Ramayana. Born under Swati nakshatra, He is a nitya suri, the one who
stays with Vishnu always. Garudaazhwar as he is popularly known is also known by several names like </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Garuthmaan,
SuparNan, Pannakaasanan, , Pakshiraajan, Daarkshyan, Pushpapriyar,
MangaLaalayar, KshEmakaaree, Periya TiruvaDi, JayagaruDan, ,SuvarNan, Suparnai.
etc. (Vide GaruDa PuraaNa)<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Garuda
is also called Periya Thiruvadi as he is the eternal vahanam for Perumal. We
all know that Hanuman acted as Sri Rama's vahanam on certain occasions and
known as Siria Thiruvadi.. But Garuda was Lord’s vahanam in all His
Manifestations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;"> Birth of Garuda:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Sage Kashyapa was married to two sisters, Kadru and
Vinata. Each of them was given the option of choosing the number of children
they wished to beget. While Kadru chose to have a thousand brave radiant sons,Vinata
sought two sons who would surpass the thousand sons of Kadru. Both were granted
their wishes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">After 500 years, the 1000 eggs of Kadru hatched and
tiny serpents emerged from them bringing Kadru unbounded happiness. When this
news reached Vinata, she became restless with impatience as her eggs had not
yet hatched .In her haste, she rashly broke one of the two eggs. To her initial
surprise came out a beautiful red hued bird that was well formed up to his hip
but found to her shock the bird was not fully developed below the hip. The
little bird on coming out became angry with his mother for her impetuosity in
not letting him grow to his complete form. He cursed her to slavery for 500
years and said that her redemption would come from her other son who will liberate
her from slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Since he was red hued he was called as Aruna. He
later became the charioteer of Surya, the Sun god It is said that the chariot
has only one wheel called the Kala Chakram, pulled by odd number of horses (seven)
by a charioteer who is deformed and despite these impediments the Sun fought
darkness to bring light all around. The few moments before the actual sunrise,
when the sky is red hued, is called as ARUNODAYA signifying the colour of Aruna
and later it becomes bright SURYODAYA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">After 500 years Garuda was born to Vinata with
beautiful and strong wings, sharp and curved nose and radiant like the Sun and Agni
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Meanwhile Kadru and Vinata had a bet that the tail
of Uchashravas was black. Vinata said it was a white horse with a white tail,
Kadru said it was a white horse with a black tail. They agreed that if the
horse had a black tail, then Vinata would be a slave for Kadru for her life.
Now Kadru hatched a plot to make the tail appear black. She asked her 1000 serpent
sons to go and wind themselves on the tail of the horse and make it look like a
black tail. The serpents did not wish to be a part of this devious plan and
refused to do so. Kadru was wild with rage that her own children were
disobeying her and cursed them “I curse you my children that you will die in
the sacrificial fire that Janamejaya would eventually perform”. Scared, the
serpents agreed to do what their mother bade them to do and in return asked her
to take back the curse. She replied that she could not take back the curse but
some of them would be saved by a Brahmin who would stop the sacrificial fire
midway. Hearing this all the serpents went and wound themselves on the tail of
Ucchaishravas and from a distance it seemed the tail was black. Hence Kadru won
the bet by deceit and Vinata became her slave for life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">As days passed by Garuda asked his aunt as to how
he could relieve his mother from the curse. She replied, possibly to ensure the
longevity of her children, that if he could bring the Amrit, the elixir of
immortality from Indraloka and give it to her, she would release his mother
from slavery. It was a tall order and the nectar was guarded heavily with many
daunting barriers like big encircling fire, a sharp impenetrable fence and two
venomous giant snakes to overcome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Undaunted Garuda immediately set out to get the nectar.
After a war with many warriors and successfully beating the hurdles he took the
pot of Amrit in his beak and set out towards his home. Now Indra threw his
weapon Vajra towards him. Though .It did
not hurt the mighty bird, Garuda shed one feather in deference to the great
sage Dadichi from whose backbome this weapon was made. Pleased with him, Indra
permitted Garuda to take the nectar with him but to ensure it is not to be distributed.
Garuda agreed to the condition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Garuda, after placing the pot of Amrit on a bed of
Darba grass, informed his aunt Kadru that his mission was accomplished and that
she should free his mother from slavery.Kadru did accordingly. Meanwhile the serpents
rushed in wanting to taste the nectar. Garuda requested them to finish their
ablutions like bath before touching the holy Amrit. When they were gone, Indra
took the pot of Amrit and disappeared. The grief stricken and disappointed snakes
then tried to lick the dry and sharp darba grass blades and cut their tongues
giving rise to snakes having forked tongues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">After freeing his mother from slavery Garuda was
soaring high majestically in the sky, when the Supreme Lord Sriman Narayanan Himself
appeared before him and asked him to seek a boon and Garuda in turn asked Lord Narayanan
Himself to seek a boon too. The Lord said happily, “Garuda-you should be below
me always “signifying that Garuda should become His mount (vahana).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">It was Garuda’s turn to ask”i should be above you
always” The Lord smiled and Garuda found a place on the flag of Sriman Narayana.The
reference to this is from Mahabharata-Adi Parva<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Garuda the saviour
in Ramayana</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPAyHMKG-an_fE3TZwq2Uu_JqMV-cr5Qz22pQOXp3FXSo0akl9hwz2_UYnjrRBrx9NaGMM0c3uL7bxOs8KQEvl0gh5w7u9ixUX6pqyYoeQg1rDB1rcsmYX0l3MmBSkH_3CEmv99r2S8o/s1600/nagaastra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPAyHMKG-an_fE3TZwq2Uu_JqMV-cr5Qz22pQOXp3FXSo0akl9hwz2_UYnjrRBrx9NaGMM0c3uL7bxOs8KQEvl0gh5w7u9ixUX6pqyYoeQg1rDB1rcsmYX0l3MmBSkH_3CEmv99r2S8o/s1600/nagaastra.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture Courtesy:<a href="http://www.knowqout.com/science-technology/deadly-weapons-from-hindu-mythology/">Knowqou</a>t<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">In the battle between Ravana and Rama, Ravana sent his
son Indrajit, who had derived his name by conquering Indra.He, had acquired the
power to become invisible and had also obtained from Brahma, the powerful Nagastra
that could send arrows with poisonous serpents to bite and bind the
opponents.Indrajit being invisible, Rama and Lakshmana could not identify and
eliminate him. In this unethical fight, Rama and Lakshmana were rendered immobile
being bound by venomous snakes and they became unconscious. When this news
reached devalok, Garuda flew down speedily to the battle field. At the mere sight
of Garuda, the snakes ran helter skelter for saving their lives from their
feared enemy. Even before he descended, the sound of Vedas of which he is a
swarupam and the strong and gusty wind from his wings removed the naga
bandhanam and freed Rama Lakshmana .The touch of his wings healed the wounds
restoring them to their might.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Gajendra moksham
and Garuda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqS97DpOVxxn3AgsZW-6MNP88-OQE4DeIbZR8OHREfY15ZmcBO4C5TRoxQRJ2QpT1OV_NkOeTp9iNge-lD6nBR3GPiGXhyPrTNEhwuoD8pX1Ocn0ChPih8H8i5TYPGRmN7Pnc_yPfHYg/s1600/Gajendra_Moksana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqS97DpOVxxn3AgsZW-6MNP88-OQE4DeIbZR8OHREfY15ZmcBO4C5TRoxQRJ2QpT1OV_NkOeTp9iNge-lD6nBR3GPiGXhyPrTNEhwuoD8pX1Ocn0ChPih8H8i5TYPGRmN7Pnc_yPfHYg/s400/Gajendra_Moksana.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture Courtsey: <a href="http://www.harekrsna.de/artikel/Gajendra/Gajendra_Moksana.jpg">Harekrsna</a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">King Indradyumnan who was a great devotee of Lord
Vishnu was cursed by Sage Agasthya as the king remained seated when Agasthya walked
in showing his ego and Ahankara. He was cursed to be born as an elephant who
would be absolved from the curse only when he surrendered to the almighty totally.
Thus was born Gajendra an elephant who lived in the forests near Mount Trikuta.
In the nearby lake lived a crocodile. This Crocodile was a gandharva in his
previous birth and he playfully pulled the legs of the sage Devala while he was
bathing. Since the gandharva had shown disrespect, he was cursed to be born as
a crocodile till his liberation from the curse by the lord himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">One day Gajendra, went to pluck lotus from the lake,
the crocodile caught the elephant’s leg by its powerful jaws causing much pain.
Despite his strength and stamina, the elephant could not free himself from the
crocodile. The latter was more powerful in water and dragged the elephant deep
into the water. This tussle continued for 500 years with the elephant relying
on his strength to free himself. When he realised at the end that he had no
more strength and by purva vasanas recognised that God alone can save him from his
plight, he surrendered totally to the Lord Vishnu and prayed for His help
crying “Adi moolam, Adimoolam.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">Hearing this Vishnu jumped on Garuda his vahana and
commanded him to go speedily to the lake where Gajendra was struggling. Garuda
flew with all his strength but he could not keep up to the speed thAT Vishnu
wanted. Then Vishnu said, he would instead carry garuda as He could not leave
Garuda being an integral part of Adi moolam.The authentication of Vedatma (the
lord) is given by Veda (garuda) and both are inseparable .Hence Vishnu appeared
with Garuda and killed the crocodile with the Sudarshana chakra. Both Indradyumna
and Gandharva were liberated. The story emphasizes the proximity of Garuda to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">The two incidents illustrate that Garuda vaibhavam
has reference in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;">In conclusion let us recite this slokam usually said
in obeisance at the sannidhi of Garuda in temples<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">GaruDaaya namas
tubhyam sarva sarpendra satravE<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Vaahanaaya
mahAAvishNO: Daarkshyaaya amita tEjasE</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-26345364001853232242016-01-29T20:14:00.000-08:002016-01-31T08:32:48.835-08:00Thiruneermalai-An Enchanting Temple <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OETo8SyquAXPWQdS-aI9vqCfWOBomr-Pid774xc-g9JZEWJIO-kYxtxQnlQiVZgnzQm0_hdM114gvlKzXCnfhkp587azPJ8mpIJgafFzkDN9ZerbtjF8FhcxXALdK0pT229X_HRKcTI/s1600/FullSizeRender_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OETo8SyquAXPWQdS-aI9vqCfWOBomr-Pid774xc-g9JZEWJIO-kYxtxQnlQiVZgnzQm0_hdM114gvlKzXCnfhkp587azPJ8mpIJgafFzkDN9ZerbtjF8FhcxXALdK0pT229X_HRKcTI/s400/FullSizeRender_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">In
continuation of our plan to visit all divya kshetrams, we undertook a trip last
week to Thiruneermalai. Though we are residing in Chennai for more than two
decades, strangely this Divya desam in Chennai itself had eluded us. I believe it
was only now that we became eligible for the divine call.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Thiruneermalai
is a Chennai Suburb around 5 kms from Pallavaram off Guindy- Tambaram road. You
can reach the temple either by car, taxi or take a bus from Pallavaram bus
depot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Thiruneermalai
Kshetram is also known as <b>Thoyagiri
kshetram or Thothadri</b>. (Thoya=water (neer): adhiri=hill (malai)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">As
the hill was once surrounded by water, this kshetram came to be known as
Thiruneermalai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><i><span style="color: red;">History:</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> The temple is
known to have been built in the 8<sup>th</sup> century by the Pallava kings and
was later said to have been renovated by the Chola kings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><i><span style="color: red;">Legend:</span></i> </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sage Valmiki
wished to have the darshan of Sri Rama as in his wedding form with Sita
{Kalyana thirukolam} and performed penance here for this purpose. Pleased with
his devotion, Lord Rama gave him the divine darshan in Kalyana Tirukolam along with
Sita, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna and at the request of the sage the Lord
stayed at Thiruneermalai to bless His devotees<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saint
Tirumangai Azhwar came here to have the darshan of the lord. Since the hill was
then surrounded by water, he could not reach the temple. Hence he stayed at the
opposite hill and prayed to the Lord till the water receded. Pleased with his
steadfast devotion, the lord granted the azhwar four forms of darshans as<i><span style="color: purple;">
Neervanna Perumal, Sri Ranganathar, Sri Narasimhar and Sri Ulagalanda Perumal<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tirumangai
Azhwar in 19 Paasurams and
Boodhathaazhwar in one Paasuram have sung the glory of the lord in the
Mangalasasanam hymns here<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">One
of the famous hymns of Tirumangai azhwar is here for you to read and enjoy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">அன்றாயர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">குலக்கொடி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">யோடணிமா</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">மலர்மங்கையோடன்பளவி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">அவுணர்க்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">கென்றானு</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">மிரக்க</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">மில்லாதவனுக்குக்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">குறையுமிடமாவது</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">இரும்பொழில்சூழ்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">நன்றாய</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">புனல்னறையூர்த்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">திருவாலி</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">குடந்தை</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">தடந்திகழ்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">கோவல்நகர்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">நின்றானிருந்தான்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">கிடந்தான்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">நடந்தாற்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">கிடம்</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">மாமலையாவது</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "latha" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">நீர்மலையே</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><i><b>In
this hymn paasuram Thirumangai azhwar describes the unique features of the Lord
at Thiruneermalai by referring to the lords in other divya desams at
Thirunaaraiyur (naacciyaarkovil), Thiruvaali (near Sirkazhi), Thirukkudandhai
(Kumbakonam), and Thirukkovilur (near Cuddalore). In these places the Lord
manifests in different postures- standing, seated, reclined, and walking postures,
respectively. But in Thiruneermalai alone He manifests himself in all the four
forms at one place. He dwells in Thiruneermalai with his consort Animaa malar
mangai.</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Sri Neervanna Perumal / Neermughilvanna
Perumal</span></span></b></h3>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5npJR_0lE0TFIUn2iztUMVglyVAmKMxfA-XfEyq1cmVK8v2PWXSA-JN2xxqjO872aXSbDHBAYTRMJLHxnnHTNAm3cTessM7di4PWXweFoHZXfoWrJxKW_25T4vkng1GwLjFiS7_pWmag/s1600/IMG_3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5npJR_0lE0TFIUn2iztUMVglyVAmKMxfA-XfEyq1cmVK8v2PWXSA-JN2xxqjO872aXSbDHBAYTRMJLHxnnHTNAm3cTessM7di4PWXweFoHZXfoWrJxKW_25T4vkng1GwLjFiS7_pWmag/s400/IMG_3088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Now,
let me share a little more of our experience here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Soon
after we boarded the taxi, Hema my cousin, started entertaining us with stories
from mythology making the short journey not only pleasant but made my yearning to learn more about our culture intense.
As we entered the temple, we could see a big Hanuman statue in the traditional
green colour opposite to the main Garbha Graha. After paying our obeisance to Him,
we entered the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple at the foothill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Here
the presiding deity is Sri Neervanna Perumal who is in the Nindra Kolam or
standing position. The lord is seen with Abhaya Hastham and holding Sankha and
Chakra. The lord is adorned with a long Saligrama maalai or garland.On his
right is the statue of Sage Valmiki in praying posture and is believed to be a
swayambu moorthi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Next
we had the darshan of the presiding goddess Animamalar Mangai Thayar who is so
beautiful that you cannot take your eyes off her. We saw that the utsava
moorthi of the goddess has gaja (elephant) on both sides just like Gajalakshmi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The other temples in the same precinct are that of Sri Andal and Sri Kodandaramar temple. After getting the
darshan of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, we proceeded towards the hill temple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The temple at the top of hill<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59CCg_t4H8b0HWX5fPoy0uLTB6rsb4ClMEieGIWuhZcwinjJFC7t2R7oDLsr6xIjDF3Cqt198Mhkt4Bvh5dgYaSFVnq47WYp2fBIOjz0PTuN2c_lDz1pj0ew49bTJ5G7PEEel_TLxt_0/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59CCg_t4H8b0HWX5fPoy0uLTB6rsb4ClMEieGIWuhZcwinjJFC7t2R7oDLsr6xIjDF3Cqt198Mhkt4Bvh5dgYaSFVnq47WYp2fBIOjz0PTuN2c_lDz1pj0ew49bTJ5G7PEEel_TLxt_0/s400/IMG_3089.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Sri Ranganatha perumal</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
initial reaction from KK on seeing the long steps winding up was one of dismay but
soon he started towards it with enthusiasm. Yes, we need to climb around 250
steps to reach the upper hill temple. A little strenuous though, it is not actually
difficult. As we reached the top, the view all around was breathtaking. I could
visualize how green and lush it would have been in the earlier days, devoid of
all the concrete structures but we can still find some calm beauty here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia62xEgwMSL0vAxEUOn_FZtAbf_MyDRRIaEfmc9L2iAR1VxYad5eQ0ay6NgmzohPWN8jU58BBMCEd8rWTowNCoVTts5-5Ar6q4Dy9j8G3sF3T9KGDyKKnsZr98BEHMHjSTpvr-5Ly3Xfo/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia62xEgwMSL0vAxEUOn_FZtAbf_MyDRRIaEfmc9L2iAR1VxYad5eQ0ay6NgmzohPWN8jU58BBMCEd8rWTowNCoVTts5-5Ar6q4Dy9j8G3sF3T9KGDyKKnsZr98BEHMHjSTpvr-5Ly3Xfo/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">As
you enter the temple, we can see the dwajasthambam and a few steps away we
enter the sanctum of Lord Ranganatha. It is a glorious sight to see the Lord reclining
there on Adishesha in all grandeur, with Bhoodevi and Sridevi sitting near his
feet, with Lord Brhama is seated on a lotus that sprouts from Lord’s navel. The
similarity of this godly sight with Srirangam is striking at once <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">It
is believed that when Sage Bhrigu and Markandeya were returning after having
the divine darshan of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, they yearned for His
darshan again at this place. Lord readily granted the darshan as Boga
Ranganathan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">It
is said that Tirumanjanam or abhishegam is not offered to moolavar but once a
year, in the month of kaarthigai, Thaila kaapu is applied to the moolavar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The utsava moorthies comprise of Ranganaayaki Thayaar, Lord Ranganathar
with Boodevi and Sridevi and Chakrathalwar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we come out we can see the sannidhi of Ranganaayaki Thayaar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddhOjffWVSTi1fJM4GOQHXs5QwgEp0gq2KhrTJppD8XjghUID_tKc0XLea-l5Tj-2Lxq2bUPzBEJyDzOu16W3wrZnguxsy_fCQzUhNm_gMP9CIRs8Tezva3iUTCfF85m_XJU3Dc4kODM/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddhOjffWVSTi1fJM4GOQHXs5QwgEp0gq2KhrTJppD8XjghUID_tKc0XLea-l5Tj-2Lxq2bUPzBEJyDzOu16W3wrZnguxsy_fCQzUhNm_gMP9CIRs8Tezva3iUTCfF85m_XJU3Dc4kODM/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwajasthambam at the temple on the hill top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: red;">Sri Ulagalandha
Perumal:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here we can have the darshan of Trivikraman or Ulagalandhan Perumal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moolavar Trivikraman is seen in Nadandhaan or walking posture facing
east with his left leg lifted up to his
shoulder at 90 degrees reminding us that he was asking Mahabali for the space
to keep his third foot step. Moolavar is seen adorned with saligramma maalai.Utsavar
is Perumal with Bhoodevi and Sridevi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRqtXdcGnV_8QRKvd1iZJd5v33GVKeHf6czH_AyWuq0fl56kC9xFDsLgBkm0DaR6-ru7wsviqJrT4T-kqqJenw_ghj3w0xErSBasXySXgoyBEBmaFSLJFjQj1hwATTxYXzL-EjcJcBWc/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRqtXdcGnV_8QRKvd1iZJd5v33GVKeHf6czH_AyWuq0fl56kC9xFDsLgBkm0DaR6-ru7wsviqJrT4T-kqqJenw_ghj3w0xErSBasXySXgoyBEBmaFSLJFjQj1hwATTxYXzL-EjcJcBWc/s400/IMG_3102.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the gopuram at the temple on the hill</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: red;">Sri Shantha
Narasimhar</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">In
most temples we see Lord Narasimha being depicted in ugra nature but here you
can see Him very calm and almost with a faint smile. It is believed that after
killing the demon king Hiranyakashipu to save Prahalada, the lord was still
furious and full of anger. Prahaladha was filled with fear seeing the lord’s
fury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Hence
to make his devotee happy, he shed his anger and became calm and smiled at Prahaladha.
Thus he came to be known as Bala Narasimha.Behind this Bala Narasimha, we can
see the Ugra Narasimha too. I could not take my eyes off the Bala Narasimha for
long, enchanted by His calm and the smiling feature …it is definitely
addictive. You even tend to smile back at him. Do visit once to experience this
divine experience. The feeling is too good to be adequately expressed in words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Once
you come out, do not forget to taste the delicious Puliyodarai that is sold
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Manikamika
Thatakam is believed to be a mixture of four theerthams namely, Soma Pushkarni,
Karunya Pushkarni, Ksheera Pushkarni and Siddha pushkarni <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
scenic beauty of the surroundings and the theertham is a lovely sight that
lingers long after you leave the temple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Having had this wonderful experience,
it was time to head back home with the calm Narasimhar still smiling at us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Temple
timings: morning 8.00 am to 12 noon. Evening 4.00 pm to 7.30 pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Thank
you Hema and Vijayaraghavan for the all the inputs for this
blogpost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Till
the next Divya darshan happy reading!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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temples of indiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641374108908922369noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242661074112093333.post-53125774577349404012016-01-09T22:31:00.000-08:002016-01-29T08:08:33.567-08:00Ahobilam-Nava Narasimha Kshetra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Namaskaram!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This blog is my sincere effort to document my travel
to the temples in India and document as much information as I can so that it is
helpful to others who would love to visit these sacred places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first post is about our travel to Ahobilam.
Ahobilam is located in Kurnool District of the eastern ghats. It is situated at
a distance of 66kms from Nandhyal, 137 Kms from Kurnool, 114Kms from cuddapah
and nearly 400kms from Chennai and 350 from Bangalore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ahobilam is the holy abode of Lord Narasimha, an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu who killed the Demon king Hiranyakasipu to save
Prahaladha.This is one among the 108 Divya Desam and is situated amidst the
dense Nallamala Forest. Tirumangal Alwar has composed 10 poems praising lord of
Ahobilam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">AHO
VEERYAM! AHO SHOURYAM!AHO BAAHU PARAKRAMAM!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NAARASIMHAM
PARAM DEIVAM AHO BHILAM ! AHO BALAM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">MEANING: Oh! What a great valour he
has!Oh his great Gallantry! Oh those powerful Shoulders of the greatest of the
gods Lord Narasimha and what a mighty cave it is!And what a mighty strength he
has!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">SRI NRISIMHA MAHAMANTRA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">UGRAM VEERAM MAHA </span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">–</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> VISHNUM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">JWALANTA SARVATO-MUKHAM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "samarkan" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">NRISIMHAM BHISHANAM BHADRAM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 22.5pt;">MRITYUR MRITYUR NAMAMY AHAM</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 22.5pt;">Ahobilam is also called as Nava Narasimha Kshetra as
Lord Narasimha is worshipped in 9 different forms and each Narasimha sannidhi
is associated with a navagraha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The nine shrines are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Sri Ahobila Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Sri Jwala Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Sri Kroda Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Sri Malola Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Sri Kaaranja Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Sri Bhargava Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Sri Chatravata Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8. Sri Yogananda Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9. Sri Paavana Narasimha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first six of the temples are situated in upper
ahobilam and the rest in the lower ahobilam and The Prahalada Varada Varadan
temple which is also at lower ahobilam .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MOOLAVAR: SRI LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THAAYAR: SRI AMRITHAVALLI THAYAAR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">VIMANAM: GUHAI(CAVE)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THEERTHAM: BHAAVANASINI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When there is a divine call. Everthing falls in
place and it just happens. That is exactly how we suddenly planned(did we????)
to visit Ahobilam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DAY 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We –a group of only 3 actually….My husband, his
uncle and myself left Chennai to Ahobilam in a taxi at around 6.30A.M. In 2
hours we reached Tiruttani, stopped at Tiruttani GRT HOTEL for some refreshments and proceeded
towards Ahobilam. The road in most places was very good and so driving was a
pleasant experience. After another 3 hours we stopped to have lunch, quickly
finished it and by 3PM we were at Ahobila Mutt, Ahobilam. The manager Mr. Badri
Narayanan immediately made arrangements and gave us the room keys. The hot coffee
that he offered was very inviting too. He quickly fixed us a guide and a jeep
to visit the three temples at lower Ahobilam.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MALOLA GUEST HOUSE AT LOWER AHOBILAM</td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI CHATRAVATA NARASIMHA</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chatra means umbrella and Vata means peepal tree.
Here the swamy is seated under a peepal tree. It is believed that two
gandharva’s HAAHA and HOHO sang here and Chatravata Narasimha being a music
lover thoroughly enjoyed the music. When you see the deity here, you can see
his palm depict Adi thalam. It is believed that Ketu-one of the nine planets,
prayed here to get rid of his curses. People with fine arts interest generally
visit this temple for his blessings. An archana for the lord can be performed
if are lucky enough to be at the temple when the archakas are present.Chatravata
Narasimha is the grahadhipathi of the planet Ketu</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<b><i><span style="color: #c00000;"> SRI YOGANANDA
NARASIMHA</span></i></b> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here the lord is seated in an yogic posture. It is
believed that after Hirankashpu samharam, Lord Narasimha taught many yogic
postures to Prahalada and hence the name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here Narasimha is believed to dominate on the planet
Saturn or Shani.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the same temple complex you can also see one more
temple, where in all the nine Narasimha idols depicting each planet are placed
and worshipped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You can donate to the annadhanam scheme here, as the
devotees are fed all through the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3. <b><i><span style="color: #c00000;">SRI BHARGAVA
NARASIMHA</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">This temple is nearly 2 Kms from Lower Ahobilam on a
small hillock. The deity here can be seen with 4 hands, one having the shankhu
or conch, the second having the chakram, the other two tearing the body of
Hiranyan or Hiranyan vadham. It is believed that Bharghava ramar or Parasuramam
did his penance here to get the blessing of Narasimhar in this form. Hence the
lord has the name Bhargava Narasimha.If you see the idol closely, you can see
the dasavatharam on the prabhai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The scared pond is called as Bhargava theertha or
akshaya theertha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The presiding deity rules planet surya/sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With this we wound up our trip for the day and
headed to Ahobila mutt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We then proceeded to Prahalada Varadhan Temple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI PRAHALADA VARADHAN:</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prahalada Varadhan which means The Lord whose
bestows his grace on Prahalada. The presiding deity is Lakshmi Narasimha with
Amrithavalli Thaayar.The other shrines in this temple complex are for Andal, Godhadevi, Sri Rama and Shri
Venkateswara where Lord Venkateswara
obtains the blessing of Lord Narasimha prior to his wedding with Padmavathi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can also see the utsava murthis of the Prahalada
Varadhan, Pavana Narasimha and Jwala
Narasimha and idols of the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt and Sri Adivan
Satakopan Swami.The Utsava Murthi of Jwala Narasimha has 10 arms with sree devi
and Bhoodevi <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The tall Dwajasthambam erected outside the temple is
magnificient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The pillars and , walls of the temple are intricately carved and carry rich sculputres.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having seen a maginficient temple and architecture, we were back to our rooms .We
took rest for a while and then went in search of some dinner as the dinner at
mutt would be served only around 8.30 , but we wanted to crash and rejuvenate
ourselves for the trek the next morning. Finally we found some road side hotels
and had dosa for dinner. It was good but I would have been happy if I had taken
some ready foods. If you are travelling with children or elders, please do plan
and take some eatables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DAY 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Day 2 started auspiciously listening to tiruppavai
from the Prahalada varahan temple.KK and uncle were up and ready by 5.30 and
rushed to see the Vishwaroopam at Prahalada varadhan temple and came back with
delicious Pongal and sukku vellam(Jaggery and dried ginger powder) as
prasadam.By 6.30AM, the guide arrived and we left to upper ahobilam packing
some idli for breakfast. On arriving at upper ahobilam the first temple we
visited was Ahobila Narasimhar. You need to climb some steep steps to reach
there. I would suggest you wear trekking shoes as it is comfortable to climb
the hill. But I did see people walking barefoot comfortably too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI AHOBILA NARASIMHA</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the main shrine and is the oldest of all the
nine temples here. Lord Shiva is said to have prayed to Lord Narasimha here. As
you enter the temple, we see a small sannidhi of Lord Narasimha and a Linga
facing each other. Passing this we enter the sanctum sanctorum, which is inside
a small cave, we see lord Narasimha in a fierce aspect otherwise known as Ugra
Narasimha and is seen tearing apart the chest of Hiranyakashipu . His consort
is goddess Lakshmi or Senjulakshmi and
is seen in padmasana posture .An idol of Prahalada is also seen in this sanctum
sanctorum . Ahobila Narasimha is Guru Grahadhipati.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are separate sannidhis for sudarshanam and
Goddess Senjulakshmi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With their blessings we start our trek to Sri Jwala
Narasimha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI JWALA NARASIMHA<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuL1Wfm1GgRczST7gtl4zGUzAiQcYiSdHN_DypZw68PRocTWLQOje7hfgFheKDNqztCz4VGOci6nBKDgWn0x0FbK4H_LiInHS5St19C1wfPo_VTcJvYN7y0WzdE8xKLu8XxESgjWwuhQ/s1600/IMG_2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuL1Wfm1GgRczST7gtl4zGUzAiQcYiSdHN_DypZw68PRocTWLQOje7hfgFheKDNqztCz4VGOci6nBKDgWn0x0FbK4H_LiInHS5St19C1wfPo_VTcJvYN7y0WzdE8xKLu8XxESgjWwuhQ/s640/IMG_2838.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow path which leads to the temple.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTRmXO30Y77riX52oW-slQ_Bi7iubbIxEsxPMyVFI22UDXZ_kiAp69NUDGGaqkr37EhQmbJtJv02XgHTk9z36xNN8pjmzcBrebifQwcxQR-8bf7uXWzZMzdHXs3G1S2KYlKtkx8frDME/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTRmXO30Y77riX52oW-slQ_Bi7iubbIxEsxPMyVFI22UDXZ_kiAp69NUDGGaqkr37EhQmbJtJv02XgHTk9z36xNN8pjmzcBrebifQwcxQR-8bf7uXWzZMzdHXs3G1S2KYlKtkx8frDME/s400/IMG_2839.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small waterfall which cascades down the hill in rainy season<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Dressed in a salwar kameez and good trekking shoes
(I BELIEVED MY SHOES WILL SAFELY TAKE ME THROUGH THE TREK), and a good sturdy
stick which every yaatri rents it from a shop near the temple, we set out on our trek with
our guide leading us. The trek was not very tedious but the path is rocky and
at some places it is tricky to cross too. But the belief that HE is with you
all through the trek , took us through. As you start the trek, we pass through
the ruins of the First Ahobila Mutt. It is said that the present Jeeyar, is
taking steps to reconstruct this and bring back its glory.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qPfrg_FckEakRCS10XQzbLMB_9SU7UTIMIOOvxPuSp0n-o-qtoK_nh2PQlT3r8FmyNYtTD8cz290Dvlo2qNs6h6pQKHQUsbkwFYWB3i61eAuedBgyTr44b309PY1t0HLpbnyrDhlU0o/s1600/IMG_2842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qPfrg_FckEakRCS10XQzbLMB_9SU7UTIMIOOvxPuSp0n-o-qtoK_nh2PQlT3r8FmyNYtTD8cz290Dvlo2qNs6h6pQKHQUsbkwFYWB3i61eAuedBgyTr44b309PY1t0HLpbnyrDhlU0o/s400/IMG_2842.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The view of the hill and jungle surrounding this place<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">After we crossed this mutt, we entered the dense
jungles where in there was just a stoic silence to accompany us. At one point,
I was careless and slipped, luckily I got hold of a boulder nearby and steadied
myself. Then Viji Mama switched on the
Vishnu Sahasranamam in his mobile, and surprisingly the trek became a little easier as we chanted.
As we crossed the half way, we could see The Ugra Sthambam, one look at the towering
rock above you send shivers down your spine. We continued and after a while we
saw at the edge of the hill, a temple and the path leading to it was very
narrow just around 2 feet in width. Slowly we started to move being careful of
our steps. As we neared the temple, we saw that we had to go through a very
tiny water fall which cascades down the hill forming a curtain and going
through this was a wonderful experience. Be careful of your mobile phones
though :).As you walk through, you will see a water hole with muddy reddish coloured
water and this is the Rakhta Kundam. It is believed that Narasimha washed his
hands here after killing Hirankashipu and hence the name.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid13M8gJd1miu3wVXF_fuAid1S_zbq0FsnBJ2oc0lkwRqymg6zAdWp_LhJnFa4eyITMFe4m9OGy8_uAqmuTk7PJLn9KBeWdRK4pGNZa1fpoK0M08MIcnvDG1A4VrmiHP1I0hvC4rYwnLw/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid13M8gJd1miu3wVXF_fuAid1S_zbq0FsnBJ2oc0lkwRqymg6zAdWp_LhJnFa4eyITMFe4m9OGy8_uAqmuTk7PJLn9KBeWdRK4pGNZa1fpoK0M08MIcnvDG1A4VrmiHP1I0hvC4rYwnLw/s400/IMG_2843.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rakhta Kunda<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Few steps from there and we are at Sri Jwala
Narasimha cave temple.It is believed that Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord
Narasimha here and hence we can see the UGRA NARASIMHA here. This place is called
as </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Achalachaya Meru</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"> .The Narasimha
idol is unique with 8 arms. Two arms hold the head and legs of Hirankashipu on
the lap, another two arms tearing open the demon, two arms taking out the
intestine of the demon and wearing it as a garland and the other two arms
holding the Sankhu and chakram.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The other idols which you can see in this temple is
where Narasimha is fighting with the demon king , and the idol where Lord
Narasimha is seen coming out of the pillar and Hirankashipu and Prahaladha
standing on either sides of the pillar and an idol of Maha Vishnu giving his
darshan. We can also see the also the idol of the Asura kula GuruSukracharya
seated on the left side of the main idol. Here this Narasimha is the
gruhadhipathi of Angaraka/Mars/Kuja<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We were lucky to be here at the right time when the
archaka was performing the morning puja. We could even offer the Panakam
prepared by us as an offering to the lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having seen the lord and heard the sthala purana
from the archaka we decided, to trek back to our next destination SRI MALOLA
NARASIMHA. We came out of the sanctum sanctorum and we saw a lady distributing
panagam here. If you are not carrying any water or any other fluid to drink,
please drink this as you might not get anything else till you reach the
foothills. I felt very good, happy and proud about myself at this juncture,
since I did not see myself as fit till date, to climb a hill. I guess the pride
had to take a beating. Just as I was putting on my branded new branded shoes
on, 90% of the sole of my right shoe came out without any reason. For a moment,
I was Panic stricken. But then calmed myself, prayed to HIM with all earnest
and just believed that he will help me through. And believe me, the belief
works. What would have been impossible otherwise, just seemed effortless. I
trekked back all the way without any problem. Definitely there was divine help
all the way through!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">UGRA STHAMBHA<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a huge rock jutting out of a rock cliff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The trek to this starts after the water falls near
Jwala Narasimha. It is exactly at this place that Lord Narasimha is believed to
come out of the pillar to save Prahalada. It is a steep 80 degree climb along a
dangerously treacherous path. Please do go with your guide and once on the top
, you will feel and understand how small you are. The feeling of we are nothing
in comparison with the universe is so over whelming. Trek down slowly and
carefully for another half hour and then start you trek to MALOLA NARASIMHA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI MALOLA NARASIMHA<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">The climb down from Sri Jwala Narsimha to Sri Malola
Narasimha was a little tricky. There are places where the steps are eroded. We
have to climb down carefully and we slowly started our decent. Half way through
the trek, our body was giving signs of fatigue. We had not eaten anything from
morning and ours legs were asking for some mercy. So we decided to sit down for
some time, ate some lion dates, which gave the necessary sugar that our body badly
needed and with some water to hydrate ourselves, we were ready to walk again.
As we reached the temple , we saw many devotees sitting out the temple under a
tree. This temple is bigger than the Jwala narasimha temple. Here the lord
appears in a soumya or graceful and shantam form. Malola means beloved of
Lakshmi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is believed that Mahalakshmi was doing her penance in these
forests and The lord came here looking for her. Hence you can see the idol
seated in a Santham posture . The archaka ecplains that that on the pedestal is
Garuda, on the garuda is Adi sesha, on him is his Paada Rakshai and then
Narasimha is seated with his consort Goddess Lakshmi seated on his left thigh,
blessing all the devotes who visit him. One can actually feel the calm serenity
here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The other story is that Mahalakshmi took birth in
the Senju tribe as Senjulakshmi, to calm down Lord Narasimha after the
Hiranyavadham. She married the lord and brought down his anger and hence he is
known as Malolan- a shanthaswaroopi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Sri Malola
Narasimha is the gruhadhipathi of the planet Venus / Sukra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The utsavar of this temple is always taken by the
present Jeer of the mutt to the places he visits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a separate shrine for Senjulakshmi one kilometre
from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI VARAHA NARASIMHA<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Trekking another 1 km downwards we come to This
Narasimha temple. Here the lord is seen with a face of the boar and hence the
name </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Sri Varaha Narasimha or Krodakara
Narasimha</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">. The lord is seen with his goddess Lakshmi. He is the
gruhadhipathi of the planet Rahu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Trekking back we reach the Ahobila Narasimha temple
. Ofcourse there is a sigh of relief. And only then did I realise that I have
trekked back all the way with an almost torn shoe without any problem. Ofcourse
HE was with all all the while!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After returning the stick which we had rented, we
started our journey to lower ahobilam in our taxi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The last of the narasimha temples in this route is
Karanja Narasimha and our next halt was at this temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SRI KARANJA NARASIMHA</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This temple is situated at around 1 km from upper Ahobilam.
Here the deity is placed under the <i>KARANJA
VRUSHKAM</i>. Hence this Narasimha derives his name. He is the gruhadhipathi of
the planet Chandra or Moon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><b><i>SRI PAVANA NARASIMHA</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having seen all the temples in this route, we
decided to go and freshen up at the Ahobila mutt again. Had a hot cup of coffee
and Mr Badri arranged for a jeep to take us to Pavana Narasimha along with two
other devotees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The jeep is something to be mentioned about. Do not
expect a nice plush looking jeep. What I saw was an old body of a jeep, seats
being held with a rope (literally), with the gear box, anf brakes. Our jeep did
not even have a starter. But having said this, I must appreciate the driver, a
young boy who did not speak even a word but drove with utmost care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The road (actually there is no road). You just have
a rugged path going through small and big boulders, into a forest, on the banks
of a lake, up the hill , down the hill, in the forest and believe me , if you
sitting in the front beside the driver, you need a brave heart. The jeep just
goes through everything with all the thorny trees coming in from all the sides
(no doors or windows), and after travelling for 1 ½ hours you reach the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMi7gUO2oqFFDrskCOeNRW-O1vPt85mKw11PSpbYejvvRqSu6U4QRoOqg0yMi5u3FhavcW3_pzLFn_35ETjyyG8eBdSwxvN40PKPcg9Jk70eCtnnb2FUjWImkDnqMj0P006WhQGOTIsI/s1600/IMG_2720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMi7gUO2oqFFDrskCOeNRW-O1vPt85mKw11PSpbYejvvRqSu6U4QRoOqg0yMi5u3FhavcW3_pzLFn_35ETjyyG8eBdSwxvN40PKPcg9Jk70eCtnnb2FUjWImkDnqMj0P006WhQGOTIsI/s400/IMG_2720.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The braveheart who drove us safely to Pavana Narasimha and back.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Here the temple is situated on the banks of river
Pavana and hence the name to this deity. Narasimha in this temple is seen with
goddess Lakshmi. We can see a dwajasthambam
in front of this temple. Archana can be perfomed here as the priest
resides beside the temple. Pavana Narasimha is the gruhadhipathi of the planet
Mercury / Budha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With HIS blessings we returned to the mutt, had a
sumptuous meal at the mutt and with his divine blessings left to Chennai.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THEY SAY BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE THE DARSHAN OF
THE NINE NARASIMHA’S AT AHOBILAM AND INDEED WE ARE BLESSED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MANAGER OF THE ABOBILA MUTT CAN BE CONTACTED AT: MR
BADRI NARAYANAN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> 08519-252045,
09490515284<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upper Ahobilam Temple Timings: 7.00A.M-1.00 P.M , <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
2.00 P.M -6.00 P.M<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lower Ahobilam Temple Timings:6.30 A.M-1.00P.M<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
3.00 P.M-8.00P.M<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They say that after 3.00 p.m, the forests
authorities do not allow the jeep/ vehicle to pass through the forests to reach
Pavana Narasimha. Hence plan your day accordingly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the devotees who are physically incapable of climbing, Doli facility is available at the entrance of Ahobila Narasimha Temple </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Picture courtesy: Mr Vijayaraghavan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mr. Narayanan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mr.Krishnakumar</span></div>
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