KBS LAKSHARCHANA AT MODEL ENGLISH SCHOOL,

KALYAN EAST ON 20.12.2014

Printed & Published by :

KALYAN BHAKTA SANGHAM

Under the auspices of Mohan Guruswamy
B-103, Bhavani Apartment, Hanuman Nagar, Kalyan East.
Tel: 0251 2361929

Website: kalyanbhaktasangham.com
Email : kalyanbhaktasangham@gmail.com
During Pilgrimage on emergency please contact :

Krishnadasan09422663434

Vijayakumar - 09323748443

Krishnadasan P

XX

r
yea
IV

Subrramanian K

y
IV
XX

Rajagopalan

ear

XX

ar
I ye
VII

A Mohanan Guruswamy

XX
XX

Manikantan

ar
I ye

KBS BHAJAN AT ANNUAL MANDALOLSAVAM AT MODEL ENGLISH SCHOOL

KBS SASTHA ALANKARAMS 2014-15

39

XII

yea

Iy

ear

Surendran Krishnan

XV

yea

XII

r
yea

yea

XIV

XV

ar

r
yea

XIV

yea

e
II y

XIX

XV

r
yea

r
yea

XV

Iy

ear

Iy

ear

XIV

r
yea

ar

Subramanian C K

r
yea

Iy

3.1.2015 : KETTUNIRA AT KALYAN AYYAPPA TEMPLE

4.1.2015 : BALAJI TEMPLE, TIRUMALA, TIRUPATI

5.1.2015 : PADMAVATI TEMPLE

5.1.2015: VELLUR MAHALAKSHMI (GOLDEN) TEMPLE

5.1.2015: MEL MARUVATHUR ADI PARASHAKTHI TEMPLE

6.1.2015: KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, MANGADU

6.1.2015: SREE AYYAPPAN TEMPLE, MAHALINGAPURAM

ear

XV

yea

Haridasan

I ye

ar

ear
II y
XV

Iy

ear

r
yea
III
XV

Natarajan S

Sabarinath K

III
XX

XV

Govind Koparde

Hariharan K

e
II y

XX

XV

XII

17.11.2014 : TITWALA GANPATI TEMPLEVRUDHARAMBHAM

Sethumadhavan K U

Bhaskaran

Sundaram P.M.

ar

XII

Ashokan K

Swaminathan

Chandrasekharan

Sundareswaran

XIX

XV

Subramanian E

Vijayakumar C B

e
II y

yea

PROGRAMME

Prasad C K

S K Menon

narendranath

Surendran R

XV

XII

Jayaprakash

Gopalakrishnan S

XII

Sreedharan V

Radhakrishnan P.

Mohan Menon

r
yea

III
XX

r
yea

6.1.2015: ANDAVAR TEMPLE, VADAPALANI

6.1.2015: ANJANEYA TEMPLE, NANGANALLUR

Vinay Pillai

Chandran Nair

ye
VII

ar

Ramdas C V

6.1.2015: PARTHASARATHI TEMPLE,THIRUVALLIKENI

ea r

Iy
VII

ea r

Iy

VII

ea r

Iy

Vivek

Ramachandran A S

ea r

Iy

VII

ea r

Iy

Mohana Krishnan

VII

ea r

Iy

Ramaswami

VII

ea r

Iy

y
IX

ea r

Radhakrishnan K U

Rathish Pillai

y
IX

ea r

Bharathan K K

6.1.2015: ADI KESAVA PERUMAL, TEMPLE

y
IX

ea r

ea r

ea r

Sreenivasan C K

Xy

Xy

ea r

ea r

ea r

Xy

Xy

ea r

ea r

Xy

Xy

Prasad Prabhu

R.M. Baid

Unnikumar

Xy

6.1.2015: SRI ANANDA VINAYAKAR,

VII

Krishnakumar

Raju C R

Mohandas V K

Kamlesh Vishwakarma

6.1.2015: KAPALEESWARAR TEMPLE, MYLAPORE

VII

6.1.2015: AYYAPPA TEMPLE, R.A. PURAM

Sreejith

XI

Sasi Nair

yea

XI

yea

6.1.2015: ASHTALAKSHMI TEMPLE

Iyer B V

Santhosh Nair

XI

yea

XI

yea

XI

37

Surendran K M

Prakash T.

Ramesh Kurup

yea

XII

yea

XII

yea

y
III

ear

Pimpalkar R D

ear

ear

y
IV

r
y ea

Shankara Narayanan

ear

Ganesh B Nikam

ye
VII

ear

ear

Xy

y
IV

ear

Dheeraj Nair

ea
Vy

Ravindran E

r
yea

r
yea
VII

VI

ear

y
IV

ear

ea
Vy

Unni S K

VI

ar

7.1.2015: SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE, ACHANKOVIL

7.1.2015: SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE, ARYANKAVU

7.1.2015: SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE, KULATHURPUZHA

7.1.2015: ERUMELI VAVAR

7.1.2015: ERUMELI SASTHA

7.1.2015: ERUMELI PETTA THULLAL

ear

y
IV

ear

ea
Vy

Prasad Krishnan

r
yea

Venugopal

ye
VII

7.1.2015: TENKASI PERIYA KOVIL

Vivekandan

Ravi Shetty

r
yea

y
IV

6.1.2015: ARULMIGU MARUNDEESWARAR TEMPLE

Leela P

Mayuranathan D

Deepak C. Nair

Sasi P Nair

Prashant T

Chouhan S R

ar

y
III

ea
Vy

VI

Unnikrishnan Nair

Kalyanikutty

Pradeep Pillai

Rajesh S. Nair

Vy

y
III

Ramesh Dinkar

y
IV

Velayudhan

Geeta Subramanian

Jayadevi Ramesh

VII

ye
VII

ar

Rameshan Pillai

r
yea

ye
VII

ar

7.1.2015: PAMPA RIVER

8.1.2015: PAMPA GANAPATI

Vigneshawara

Sanika Pimpalkar

I ye

ar
I ye

Wargade Dnyandeo

Prabhu Upendra

I ye

ar

Chandresh Yadav

ar
I ye

Ambika Venugopal

I ye

ar

Shailesh Sasi Nair

I ye

ar

Raghavendra K. Gopal

I ye

ar

Radha Unnikrishnan

8.1.2015: PONNU PATHINETTAAM PADI

I ye

ar

y
III

ear

Ravindra Patil

y
III

I ye

ar

y
III

ear

Praveen Parola

ear

e
II y

ar

Akshay Subramanian

Abhishek A

Pratyush Prasad

SABARIMALA
SANNIDHANAM

ar

8.1.2015: SABARI PEETAM

ar
I ye

8.1.2015: SARAMKUTHI

I ye

Chari Rajesh

Ashok D Pandey

Sunilkumar
8.1.2015: NEELIMALA

ar

Somnath Poojari

Yoginder Singh

Gukul Warrior

y
III

y
III

ear

Rajesh Dalvi

ear

y
III

35

e
II y

ar

Akhil A Nair

y
III

ar

Harikrishnan Iyer

ear

Padmanabha Kille

ear

e
II y

y
III

ear

y
III

ear

Vasu Shetty

y
III

ear

Donts
Do not use mobile phones at the temple premises.
Do not consume alcohol or drugs.
Do not jump the queue.
Do not rush while in the queue.
Do not carry weapons or other explosives substances.
Do not entertain unauthorized vendors.
Do not urinate outside toilets and clear bowels outside latrines.
Do not make extra payment for any service.
Do not hesitate to approach police for any help.
Do not throw waste anywhere other than the waste bins.
Do not break coconuts on the Pathinetampadi.
Do not break coconuts anywhere other than on designated places on both sides of Pathinettampadi.
Do not kneel at Pathinetampadi while climbing the holy steps.
Do not use any path other than Nadapanthal flyover for return journey.
Do not rest anywhere at Upper Thirumuttam or Thanthrinada.
Do not use pathways for viris at Nadapanthal and lower Thirumuttam.
DO NOT BRING PLASTIC CARRY BAGS BEYOND NILAKKAL
Fire do not cause forest fire do not throw burned wood/camphor/incandescent sticks etc. carelessly
Fire do not carry inflammable liquids, fire crackers.Cooking gas, stoves etc. are not be used in
Sannidhanam area
Fire electrical appliances are potential source of fire do not overload by putting multiple connections
Fire burnt matches do not throw carelessly
Fire do not cook food inside viri sheds
Fire do not light camphor in temporary sheds
Do not carry knives and other sharp weapons
Do not operate electrical equipments with wet hands
Trekking do not climb hurriedly
Do not smoke in Pampa, Sannidhanam and along the trekking routes
Makara Jyothi Darshan do not climb trees and on unsafe buildings
Begging prohibited do not encourage
Do not rest anywhere at Upper Thirumuttom.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dr. Govind Krishnath Koparde, Son of Late Mrs. Santhva and Late Shri Krishnath M Koparde
born on 17.3.1947 at Banhatti District, Bagalkot, Karnataka that is old Mumbai Province. He belongs a joint
family of six brother and 5 sisters. Dr. Suresh Koparde, Homeopathic and Dr. Dilip Koparde, MD (Ortho)
are his young brothers practicing in Dombivli who are also the members of KBS.

He was staying with parents and family at Bhandup till Feb. 1981. Shifted to Dombivli to his own Bunglow
Bhagirathi. He has passed SSLC in 1964 from SRA High School, Banhatti, BSc from Mumbai University
in 1969, MBBS from M R M Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka University in the year 1975. Joined
Public Health Department of MCGB in 1976 as Medical Officer and after having glorious services in various
branches, retired on 31.3.2005 as Deputy Executive Health Officder. Thereafter worked with World Health
Organisation for 4 years.
He married to Mrs. Shobha who has also visited Sabarimala 4 times. He is blessed with daughter Dr. Harma
who has got married to Dr. Virendra MS (Ortho) and one Son Shri Raghavendra, B.E. MMS working as
Software Consultant at USA.
He is associated with Bombay Municipal Doctors Association while in service. He is also associated with
Karnataka Sangha, Dombivli. Since 1993 as members of the managing committee and held various important responsibilities.
He first visited holy Sabarimala in the year 1996 with Shri Krishna Swamy of Thakurli & Shri Ramani Swamy of Dombivli. Thereafter he is visiting Holi Sabarimala under the auspices of Shri Mohan Guruswamy of
KBS. This is his 18th year of visit to Holi Sabarimala.

PREFACE
Kalyan Bhakta Sangham (more popularly and prominently known as KBS) formed by a
small group of ardent devotees of Lord Ayyappa on 13.5.2000. The primary objective of
this group was singing and conducting Bhajans in and around Kalyan during Mandala
season and on the occasion of other religious events under the auspices of Shri Mohan
Guruswamy (more affectionately and respectfully called by all in Kalyan as Guruswamy).
With the passage of time, more and more devotees joined the Sangham. With the increased strength, its name and popularity too spread equally to all other places.
Today, KBS is invited to conduct Ayyappa Poojas and Sastha Preethees not only in areas around Kalyan and Mumbai, but also to other distant suburbs including Pune.
Significantly, the members of KBS started undertaking pilgrimage to Balaji Temple at
Narayanpur, Shree Guruvayoor Temple at Nigidi and to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple,
ever since it came into existence. Today, with the blessing of Lord Ayyappa the number
of devotees undertaking pilgrimage to Sabarimala with KBS have increased manifold.
KBS has published its own publication in malayalam in the name and style of AYYAPPA POOJAMALAR on 1.1.2008. Second edition was published on 1.11.2008, 3rd
edition on 1.11.2010 and 4th edition on 1.12.2012 consisting of Pooja Vidhees and Bhajan Songs besides the Slokas and Archanas for Ayyappa Pooja. Due to the overwhelming
demand of the Ayyappa Devotees, KBS has now published the Ayyapa Pooja Malar in
Hindi on 1.12.2014. KBS also has commenced its own Mandala Pooja by its members
and well wishers from this year onwards. KBS also releases every year this publication
DARSHANAMRUTAM containing the information of the devotees with photographs
and places being visited during the year while visiting Lord Ayyappa
Blessings of Lord Ayyappa along with dedicated efforts by numerous individuals, without naming them, is the unity and strength of KBS.
KBS is also extending every possible assistance to all religious institutions on the occasion of important festivals. It is the endeavor of KBS to diversify its activities in other
areas as well in the near future.

ear

IY
VII

Kalyan

Kalyan Bhakta Sangham

3.1.2015
7

A GLANCE TO THE TEMPES

TITWALA GANAPATI TEMPLE
A pilgrim centre sacred twice over-for its Mahaganpati Temple and the
temple of Shri Vithoba.
By propitiating Ganesh Idol, consecrated by sage Kanva, Devi Shakuntala & king
Dushyant came together after a long period of disagreement. Shakuntala & king
Dushyant got married here. Idol from Mahabharat period vanished, while constructing
lake and Peshwa sardar Ramchandra Mehendale got the present idol. The Madhavrao
Peshwe consecrated this idol. If Mahaganapati is worshipped regularly marriages of
desired people can be fixed easily. If Mahaganpati is propitiated properly, conflicts between husband & wife will end. Those who desires to have son, will get son. In Mahaganpatis temple, there is sanctum of Lord Shivshankar towards right. In the right
hand corner of the sanctum, padukas of great Ganesh devotees late Shri Vengaonkar
Joshi are consecrated. Devotes should take darshan of these padukas. Since Mahaganapatis idol was worshipped by sages in ancient times, today also the idol looks alive.
There is a temple of Vithoba - Rukmini near Mahaganpatis temple. One iron tube is
protruding out of sanctum of this temple. It is said that sound of Bhajans (holy songs in
praise of God) going on in the temple of Pandharpur can be heard from this tube. You
can also visit nearby places like satis memorial, jaypal maharajs Samadhi, shiv temple
in vasundry village. Titwala is a third railway station from Kalyan on Mumbai-Nashik
railway line. Titwala, Asangaon, Kasara locals are available from Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus of Mumbai.
KALYAN AYYAPPA TEMPLE
Kalyan Bhajan Samaj was formed over three decades ago primarily
with an objective to conducting Bhajans,Keerthans,Divyanama Sankeerthanas etc. in and around Kalyan though out the year in general
and during important religious functions in particular.
In the formative years, there were only a handful of devoted, committed and dedicated
people to work and look after the activities and affairs of the Samaj, but after its registration as Charitable institution under the Bombay Public Trust Act in the year 1971, it
became more functional, efficient and organized. It was at this stage Samaj got motivated to celebrate Mandala Pooja every year which in turn admittedly started enticing a
very large number of devotees, particularly in Kalyan and neighbouring areas.
The Samaj as first step, bought a plot in Kalyan East some time in 1988. Initially
Poojas and celebrations were conducted on a make-shift temple and in April 1990, eminent Temple Architect Kanippayoor Shri Krishnan Namboothiripad designed the temple and vigrahas as per the Thachu Shastra and the Bhoomi Pooja was performed in
Sept. 1992.
All the four idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Guruvayurappa and Goddess
Devi were installed on 25th May,1994 according to the ancient Vedic rites . The Prana
Pratishtapan ceremonies were conducted by Brahmashri Padinjareddathu Vishnu
Bhattathiripad and Brahmashri Kannamangalam Brahmadathan Namboothiripad.

Sacred Irumudi: lrumudi is the only travelling kit which a pilgrim carries on his head during the
pilgrimage. Only those who observe fasting for 41 days are allowed to carry it. Without the Irumudi one is not allowed to step onto the holy 18 steps at the Sannidhanam.. This bag is in two
compartments - the Munmudi (the front part) and the Pinmudi (the back part) & the opening at
centre.. The front portion is reserved for keeping all the puja articles and offerings to the deity.
The rear part is meant to hold the pilgrims' personal requirements for the journey.
Front portion contains: Mudra bags, consisting of 2 - 3 in numbers - one for the GheeCoconut and
the other two for the remaining offerings(Vazhipadu) at the Sannidhanam are as under:
Coconut filled with ghee for Abhishekam (bathing the idol of the Lord)+
Coconut (vidalai thengai) 2 to 4 nos.
Beetel leaves, Beetel Nut, coins for offering
Jaggery(achuvellam), Cashew, Raisins, Dry ginger, Poha(thin & thick variety), Cardamoms,
Dates, Honey, Avil(beaten rice), Kadhi Chakkar
Dried turmeric tubers, Turmeric powder, Blouse piece, Kumkum, Vibhooti, Sandal paste,
Sambarani, Camphor, Agarbathi (Incense stick), Rosewater, Lemon, Rice and Dal for offering.
Back Portion contains : Items for use of the pilgrim from the day of commencement of the journey
after Kettunira till his return and is kept in the back compartment(Pin Mudi).
Some snacks which one may require now and then during the trip and other raw materials for food
items to be prepared during the journey. And pulses and rice needed for cooking can be included in
Pinmudi.
Travancore Devaswom Board Instruction to pilgrims
Dos
Take rest for 5 minutes after a walk of 10 minutes during the climb.Use the traditional path
Marakoottam, Saramkuthy, Nadapanthal to reach Sannidhanam.
Follow the queue system to reach Pathinettampadi.
Use the Nadapanthal fly over for return journey.
Ascertain the prevailing crowd situation and then only proceed to Sannidhanam from Pampa.
While using Dolly, make payment only at the Devaswom counter and keep the receipt.
Subject yourself for security check at security check points.
Approach police for any help.
Inform police about any suspicious characters.
Buy edible items from licensed outlets only.
Keep Pampa, Sannidhanam and the trekking paths clean.
Park vehicles only at the allotted parkig slots.
Deposit waste in the waste boxes only.
Avail the facilities of medical centers and oxygen parlours if needed.
In case of isolation from groups /friends devotees may report at police aid posts.
Cleanliness-Throw waste only in collection bins. Keep the temple premises & paths clean;
Fire Keep matchbox & other inflammable materials away from children.
Fire-if lighted should be put out immediately after use;
Remove plugs from sockets after use
Place viri only in the designated parking areas
Follow queue system- Do not jump queue segment- do not rush in queue\Approach police for help
Security check- cooperate with staff
Use only toilets for urination/bowel clearance
ID cards with name/address/telephone number to be hung on the necks of children/aged and
Malikappurams-report to police when lost in the crowd
Return journey-FROM MALLIKAPPURAM TEMPLE, USE SARANA SETHU,
THE NEW EXIT WAY LEADING TO CHANDRANANDAN ROAD

33

THE PILGRIMAGE REGULATIONS

Austerities and regulations to be undertaken by the Sabarimala pilgrims
The vritham can be undertaken only after getting permission from one's parents
and Guru. It should be undertaken in such a manner as to cause no inconvenience
to one's family.
he day before the vritham begins one has to offer prayers to ones' family deity and
present a yellow cloth with coins within to the family deity.
The devotee must shave, clip his nails, trim his hair and bathe before the vritham.
The holy garland should be cleaned and smeared with sandal paste and placed before the portrait of Lord Ayyappa.
The devotee should also buy a new pair of coloured dhoti and towel or shawl.
On the day of the vritham the devotee rises early, bathes, prays to the family deity
and performs a pooja to the holy mala. He will be accompanied to the temple by his
Guru and recieve his mala from him.
Wearing the mala denotes that the devotee becomes Lord Ayyappa and must thus
lead a pious life.
The devotee must keep away from all social activities and spend his time praying
and singing bhajans and in worthy causes like visiting temples, cleaning temples,
feeding the poor, helping the poor and sick and attending religious discourses.
He must eat only vegetarian food and abstain from meat, physical or verbal violence, alcohol and tobacco and intoxicants in any form.
The devotee must sleep on the floor, use a wooden block for a pillow and walk barefeet.
The devotee is obligated to treat all co-devotees as Lord Ayyappan and serve them in
every way.
He must be humble despite the respect and privileges accorded to him as a
Sabarimala pilgrim.
The devotee must treat all women like his mother and strictly follow celibacy.
He must not oil his body or his hair and must always carry a tulsi leaf with him to
keep away evil thoughts.
Guru : The guru has a significant role to play in the Ayyappa cult. The Guruswamy is
usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to Sabarimala not less than
seven consecutive years in the traditional long route and had darshan of Makara Jothi.
The devotees treat the Guruswamy as Ayyappan himself. It is important that pilgrims
gain knowledge from the Guru on all the aspects of the Pilgrimage. One should serve the
Guru physically, mentally and verbally.
The pilgrims should give the due respect and reverence that the Guru deserves. All instructions of the Guru should be carried out without fail. The Guru will enlighten the
Shisyas about the austerities to be followed. He will teach them the slokas and way to
perform pooja and bhajans. He shall prepare them for the pilgrimage mentally and
physically. He will lead the pilgrims safely and comfortably to Sabarimala

TIRUPATI BALAJI TEMPLE

Temple History: Lord Balaji is also famous as Govinda. Lord Balaji
is very kind and helps anyone who prays to Him for help. Lord Balaji
at Tirupati has performed numerable miracles. The surroundings of
Tirumala awaken waves of bhakti of Lord Balaji and the name Govinda appears on the
tongues of devotees. Millions of people visit Lord Balaji at Tirupati every year. The reason being that Lord Balaji is famous as the Lord helps during ones misfortune. The
same Lord Venkateshwara has descended in the city of Mumbai in kandivali charkop
area, and is attracting thousands of people to His temple which has completed the first
phase at sector 7, charkop, kandivali west through the efforts of His loving devotees and
patrons. In the following paragraphs we will see how the Lord so mercifully descended
in this world to live on the top of Seshachalam, the mountain that is located at Tirumala. Venkateshwara means the Lord, who frees us from all of our sins. Ven means sin,Kat
means one who delivers. We remain in this world, suffering, birth after birth, because
of our sinful reactions, now in this age of kali, it is an age of sin. It is an ocean of faults.
Tirupati Tirumala Balaji : The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on
the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata
Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore.
The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatmyam and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare
that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or
Sri Venkateswara. The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestowed of boons. There are several legends associated with the
manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.
Tirupati Balaji Story :There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity
of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern
peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the
Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century
AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the
temple with rich offerings and contributions.
It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple
increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the
portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of
Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.
Padi Kavali Maha Dwara: The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on
a quadrangular base. Its architecture is that of the later Chola period. The inscriptions
on the gopuram belong to 13th century. There are a number of stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the gopuram.
Sampangi Pradakshinam: The path for circumnavigating the temple is called a pradakshinam. The main temple has 3 prakarams. Between the outermost & middle
prakarams is the second pathway for circumambulation known as the Sampangi Pradakshinam.
9

Currently, this pathway is closed to pilgrims. The Sampangi Pradakshinam contains

several interesting mandapams like the Pratima Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam,
Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Saluva Narasimha Mandapam, Aina Mahal and Dhvajasthambha Mandapam.
Ranga Mandapam Sri Tirupati Balaji: Ranga Mandapam, also called the Ranganayakula Mandapam, is located in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam.
The shrine within it is believed to be the place where the utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha of Srirangam was kept during the 14th century, when Srirangam was occupied by
Muslim rulers. It is said to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by the
Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according to the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
Tirumala Raya Mandapam:Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side, and
facing the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known as the
Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam. It consists of two different levels, the front at a lower level and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of
this Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival
for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This structure was extended to its
present size by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja. It is in
this Mandapam, that the utsava murthi Malayappan, holds His annual darbar or
Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham to mark the
commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally, the prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal.
The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style, with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, some of which emit musical notes when struck
with a stone. The main pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them.
Some of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The
bronze statues of Todermallu, his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are
kept in a corner of the Mandapam.
The Aina Mahal: The Aina Mahal is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. It consists of two parts - an open mandapam in the front consisting of six rows
comprising six pillars each, and a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and
Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors which reflect images in an infinite series. There is an
unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated and festivals conducted.
The Daily Routines :The daily program starts with 'Suprabhatam' (awakening the
Lord) at three in the morning and end with the 'Ekanta Seva' (putting the Lord to
sleep) at one in the night. Daily, Weekly and Periodical 'Sevas' and 'Utsavams' are performed to the Lord. Interested pilgrims can choose from the list and pay to get the Sevas
or Utsavams done on their name. Devotees offer their gifts and donations in the
"Hundi", which is the main source of income. You can spend some time taking Tirupati
Balaji photos of the destinations highlighted in Tirupati Balaji map. Also enquire us
for Tirupati Balaji Darshan.
Festivals of Tirupati Mandir: Everyday is a day of festivity at Shri Tirupati Balaji. The
most famous is the annual festival called 'Brahmotsavam', which is celebrated on grand
scale for nine days in September, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the
country. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as
Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days.

The King was very sad about the plight of his Queen. It was at this time that Manikandan came forward and consoled his father. He asked the King not to worry while he was
there and promised to go and get the Tiger's milk needed to cure his ailing mother. The
King objected saying that Manikandan was too young for such a venture but Manikandan convinced his father that he had to go in order to save his mother's life and the
King finally accepted though half-heartedly.
Manikandan bravely set out into the forest, guarded by the five elements of nature that
Lord Shiva had commanded to go with him. Meanwhile, Mahishi, who was enraged by
the Devas deceiving the Asuras and claiming the Amrit, attacked the heavens and
wreaked havoc. Manikandan who saw this, immediately went to the Devas' rescue and
threw her down to the earth. She fell on the banks of the river where a severe battle ensued between them. Manikandan slayed Mahishi and completed the purpose of his incarnation. His divine duty fulfilled, he continued on his hunt for Tiger's milk.
The Devas who were grateful to Manikandan for saving them paid him their obeissance.
Lord Shiva appeared before Manikandan and greeted him on his brave feat. He further
said that Indra, the king of the Devas would take the form of a male tiger and the other
Devas of female tigers and would go with him to the palace. Manikandan perched gallantly on the male tiger rode back into the city like a hero. The people on seeing the
ferocious tigers ran helter skelter.
As soon as the King saw this amazing sight, he realised that Manikandan was no ordinary child. It also struck him that it was the day when Manikandan completed twelve
years of age and that the truth about his identity would be revealed to him that day. He
rushed out to submit in obeissance when Manikandan, on seeing his father respectfully
alighted from his perch and said that he had brought the tigers and that his father
quickly arrange to milk them and send them back.
The King bowed respectfully to Manikandan and fell at his feet in regret. He addressed
Manikandan as "Oh Lord" and begged his forgiveness for what had happened. He explained that only after Manikandan had gone into the forest did he come to know of the
wicked plot his Diwan had weaved, and requested the Lord to send the Tigers away.
Manikandan said that there was nothing to forgive and also said that everything had
gone according to his wish. He said that his duty on earth was over and that he had to
return to heaven. On this, the King said that he wished to build a temple for the Lord in
remembrance of his stay on earth and asked him to identify the spot where the temple
should be built. Manikandan shot an arrow from his bow and asked the King to build
the temple at the spot where the arrow landed. He also said that the temple should have
18 steps leading to the main shrine which would face the East, and there would be a
separate shrine for Maligaipurathu Amman, the Godess Shakthi. He then departed
from earth and went back to heaven.
Following the instructions of Manikandan and under the guidance of sage Agastya,
King Rajasekara built the temple under his own supervision spending sleepless hours.
That is the temple that today stands in Sabari Malai where millions of devotees, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, throng to seek the blessings of Lord Iyyappa. They
go through 41 days of severe austerities and tread the rugged path of the hills bearing
the sacred twin baggae (Irumudi Kattu) to reach this one destination: the lotus feet of
the Lord. And guided by a single force:
31

The Devas who had been subjected to Durvasa's curse had started ageing and were becoming weak. They learnt that they could regain their natural strength only by tasting
the Amrit (sacred nectar) found in the depths of the Ocean of Milk. When they indeed
succeeded in obtaining the nectar, the Asuras immediately took posession of the nectar.
The Devas prayed to Lord Vishnu who appeared in the form of Mohini, the enchantress
and retreived the nectar from the Asuras.
Meanwhile, Lord Shiva who had come there to see Vishnu in the form of Mohini was
enchanted by her appearance. He begot a son from Mohini and decided to give it to his
dear devotee, King Rajasekara, and thus fulfil the king's wish. But before he took the
child down to earth, he tied a golden bell around the child's neck.
One day, when King Rajasekara was out hunting with his retinue on the banks of the
river Pampa, he heard the cries of a child nearby. He ran in the direction of the cry and
quickly found the child. He was stunned at the child's beauty. Even as he sat there admiring it, he was not sure of what he should do with the child. At the same time, a sage
appeared on the scene and advised him not to be confused. He told him that this child
had been born to fulfil his wish for a child and asked him to take it with him. He also
asked him to name the child Manikandan (after the Bell on his neck), and said that the
truth about the child would be revealed when he would be twelve years old.
The king was thrilled to hear this. He happily took the child with him to his palace,
gave it to his queen and told her about the incident. The queen's happiness knew no
bounds and she eagerly took up the child in her arms. The people of Pandala who heard
that their king had been blessed with a heir were happy and there was rejoicing in the
kingdom. The only person in the entire kingdom who was unhappy was the Diwan who
secretly believed that he would one day be king because the king had no heir.
Manikandan grew up soon and was sent to Gurukula to get trained in the various arts
and sciences. Seeing his extraordinary talents, the Guru was quick to realise that he was
no ordinary child. When Manikandan completed his education and offered his
Gurudakshina (fees) to the Guru, he refused to accept it but asked Manikandan for a
favour. He requested him to cure his son who was both blind and dumb. All Manikandan had to do was to bless the child and he was cured of his ailments. They joined their
hands in gratefulness but Manikandan politely said that it was his Dakshina to his
Guru but requested him that this incident would remain a secret.
Meanwhile, Rajasekara's Queen was blessed with a baby boy. Though the King had a
child of his own, he decided to crown Manikandan as heir apparent. The Diwan who
was jealous of this tried to poison Manikandan to death but failed. He then came up
with a wily plot. He secretly spoke to the Queen and induced in her the wicked thought
that while her own son was there, Manikandan should not be crowned. The Queen fell
for this smooth talk and decided that she would do anything to see her own son crowned.
As instructed by the Diwan, she feigned a severe stomach-ache. The physician who attended on the queen had been bribed by the Diwan and he lied that this illness could be
cured only by drinking Tiger's milk. King Rajasekara was greatly worried by this. Realising that it would be no human task to obtain Tiger's milk, he promised to give half his
kingdom to any one who could get it. Many valiant men in the kingdom went into the
forest in search of Tiger's milk but all of them came back. All of them had only one
thing to say: " We saw a tiger but we couldn't get tiger's milk".

Hundi (donation pot): It is believed that Srinivasa had to make arrangements for his
wedding. Lord Kubera credited money to the god Venkateswara for his marriage with
Padmavati. Srinivasa sought a loan of one crore and 11.4 million (11,400,000) coins of
gold from Kubera and had Viswakarma, the divine architect, create heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills. Together, Srinivasa and Padmavathy lived for all eternity
while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live
in his heart forever. In remembrance of this, devotees go to Tirupati to donate money in
Venkateswara's hundi (donation pot) so that he can pay it back to Kubera. The hundi
collections go as high as 22.5 million INR a day. Devotees offer gold as a token of their
love for God. Temple sources said that in April 2010 the temple deposited 3,000 kg of
gold with SBI as gold offerings in the temple hundi by devotees, which had accumulated
for the last several years.
Thulabharam:One of the most important offering in this temple, is the 'thulabharam.'
In the Thulabaram ritual, a devotee sits on a pan of a weighing balance and the other
pan is filled with materials greater than the weight of the devotee. Devotees usually offer sugar, jaggery, tulsi leaves, banana, gold, coins. This is mostly performed with newborn babies or children.
Arjitha seva (paid services): Pilgrims can view and participate (in a limited fashion) in
the various sevas performed to Dhruva bera (main idol), Bhoga Srinivasa, Sri Malayappa swami and other idols in the temple.
SRI PADMAVATHI AMMAVARI TEMPLE, TIRUCHANOOR
Tiruchanoor, the abode of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi, is one of the
highly venerated places in the South, located five kms. from Tirupati,
the temple dedicated to Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara, attracts thousands of devout pilgrims every day. The Goddess, also known as Alamelu Manga, is the inexhaustible source of compassion and love.
According to tradition, the Mother Goddess manifested Herself in the holy Pushkarini
called Padmasarovaram in a golden lotus. The Venkatachala Mahatyam states that
Lord Suryanarayana was instrumental in blossoming of the lotus in full splendour. A
temple dedicated to Lord Suryanarayana is situated on the eastern side of the Pushkarini. The Padma Purana gives a vivid description of the advent of the Goddess and
subsequent wedding with Lord Srinivasa.The manifestation of Sri Padmavathi Devi
occurred in the month of Karthika on Sukla Paksha Panchami when the star Uttarashada in the ascendent. The Brahmotsavam of the Goddess is celebrated with all pomp
and glory to commemorate the auspicious occasion of Her avatara. This resplendent
festival celebrated for ten days attracts devout pilgrims from far and wide. The Panchami Tirtham marks the highlight of Tiruchanoor Brahmotsavam. Turmeric, Tulasi,
Silk Saree and other sacred presents are brought from Tirumala Temple in an impressive procession on this occasion and offered to the Goddess. In an exquisitely decorated
mandapam built on the banks of Padma Sarovaram, Sacred bath is offered to Goddess
Padmavathi Devi and Sri Sudarsana Chakra amidst vedic chants. The ten-day
Brahmotsavam at Tiruchanoor is a spectacular event witnessed by her myriads of devotees. It is also an occasion for all devotees to receive Her benign grace in abundance.
11

VELLUR MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE

Golden Temple - when uttered this word, immediately people thinks of
Amritsar and the Highest Body of the Sikh's pride Golden Temple.
But now it has got a good competition! Yes, an estimated over 600
Crores spent, to construct a true Golden Temple for Goddess Mahalakshmi, the presiding
deity, in this Temple at Sripuram, which is situated 6 km away from the Vellore District H.Q.
A Mahalakshmi temple called 'Sripuram' and made of more than a ton of pure gold will
glitter and gleam under the sun on August 24 when it is unveiled for consecration by the
Sri Narayani Peetam headed by a 31-year-old god man who calls himself Narayani Amma. Devotees hail the temple as 'one of the wonders of the world' and say that it is the
only temple covered fully with gold. More than 400 gold and coppersmiths from the
Tirupathi Thirumala Devasthanam are said to have worked for six years to craft the Rs.
600-crore golden temple located on 55,000 sq ft of land on a 100-acre salubrious stretch
in Malaikodi, about 6 km from Vellore in north Tamil Nadu. According to official
sources, the gold bars were purchased through RBI in "a transparent manner "
First the coppersmiths set to work creating a copper base on the temple structure with
engravings and etchings before the gold, beaten into nine layers of foils, was draped
around it. The sanctum sanctorum will hold the deity of Mahalakshmi made of stone
granite, but covered with gold protection layers. (Kavacham - adornments). " The Sripuram or Spiritual Park is Amma's dedication to the world and mankind," said P Murali,
a trustee of the Peetam, adding that the temple has more gold than the Golden Temple
of Amritsar.
Messages by 'Amma' have been laid out along the path to the temple with messages from
the Gita, Bible and Quran. "When one enters the Sripuram, their focus is just on the
magnificent temple. But when they leave, they cannot do so without taking some messages and gaining some wisdom," according to a booklet detailing the 'services' rendered
by the Peetam. "In this quagmire of materialism, Sripuram rises as an inspiration to
man to find the divinity within him," adds a Narayani Peedam brochure.
The arrangements were being made to hire personnel to throw a security cover around
the temple. "But the gold sheets have been laid out in such a manner that it would cost
more to rip it off than purchase the gold," said a top Vellore district official.
SRI ARDHAMERU SRI CHAKRA: When Goddess Left the place without extinguishing the fire the whole area suffered from the unbearable heat for a long time. Sri
AdiSankara of Kaladi came here and installed SRI ARDHAMERU CHAKRAM and
extinguished the fire. SRI CHAKRAM in Mangadu is very rare in India.
The Ardhameru Sri Chakram is the chief divinity in this temple. Kumkum Archana is
performed and no abhishekam for Sri Chakram, since it is made up of herbals. Sri Adhi
Kamakshiamman (in Panchalogam) has been installed in the sanctum by Sri Kanchi
Paramacharya Swamigal.
Maha Kumbabishegam: First Maha Kumbabhishegam was performed on 8th July of
1987 with a newly built seven storied Rajagopuram and again on 3rd June of 2001. Both
were performed in the presence of His Holiness Sri Jeyendra Saraswathi Swamigal and
Sri Vijayendra.

Lord Vishnu, here, is worshipped as Poornathrayeesa thra" means three; 'poorna'

means complete and 'isa' means Iswara which means the Lord of Knowledge, or the
Lord of the Three Vedas Rik, Yajus and Sama. It also means the Lord who manifests
himself as the essence of the Vedas, who can be attained through inner saadhana. Vishnu, here, is worshipped as 'Santanagopala Moorthy', or the protector of kids. The temple
is believed to have come into existence in 'Dwapara Yuga', about 5000 years ago.
Unlike other Vishnu temples, where the Lord is seen as reclining on Anantha, here, the
Lord is seen in a unique pose. He is sitting on Anantha, who spreads his majestic hood
over the Lord. It is said that, when krishna and Arjuna reached Vaikuntam, the Lord
got up from his serpent bed to receive them.
Legend has it that, the son of Bhavathratha, a famous scholar and an authority in all
the four Vedas, Puranas and Ithihasas was living in Dwarakapuri. Though learned, he
was arrogant. The Brahmin was overjoyed at his wife's pregnancy and believed himself
to be doubly blessed,which added to his arrogance. But his wife gave birth to a still infant though all the religious rituals were performed by him duly. The pious Bhavathratha was deeply saddened by this, but his son's grief manifested itself in anger which
made him abuse Lord Krishna in front of His palace.
After that incident, the Brahmin's wife gave birth to another 8 more infants and all of
them died soon after birth. The Brahmin brought every child in front of the palace and
abused Krishna for the death of his baby and took away the baby for the funeral. The
Lord did not come out, even once, to face the Brahmin and console him. Arjuna, who
was at Dwaraka at that time, could not remain patient on hearing the abuse of Brahmin
towards Sri Krishna. He went to the Brahmin and asked him to stop abusing Sri Krishna. The Brahmin then turned to Arjuna and asked him to protect his next child. Arjuna
then revealed his identity to the Brahmin and promised that he will protect the next
child.
Arjuna was so overconfident about his prowess that he promised the Brahmin that if he
could not protect the Brahmin's next born child, he will commit himself to pyre. During
the tenth labour though Arjuna stood on guard, even the mortal remains of the child
was not found, though all certified that the birth had taken place. The Brahmin started
abusing Arjuna also and asked him to keep his word.
LORD AYYAPPATHE STORY
King Rajasekara of the Pandya dynasty ruled the kingdom of Pandala, in
Kerala. A king well-versed in all facets, he was a just ruler, and peace and
prosperity prevailed in his kingdom. But though he had a loving wife, wellwishing subjects and scores of riches, his only travail was that he had no son
to be his heir. Being staunch devotees of Lord Shiva, he and his wife prayed
to the Lord that they be blessed with a child.
While all was well in the land, deep in the forest, Mahishi the sister of Mahishasura,
was in severe penance to seek the favour of Lord Brahma, to avenge the slaying of her
brother by Goddess Shakti. Brahma who was impressed by her penance, appeared before
her and asked her what boon she sought from him. Mahishi sought that she would not
be slain by any offspring of Shiva or Vishnu or anybody else in the world. Brahma
granted her this wish and vanished. Armed with this boon, Mahishi invaded the heavens and started tormenting the Devas.
29

Coconut Aazhi (Homa kundam): There is a Homakundam (coconut aazhi) close to the
main shrine in front of the pathinettampadi. A Homakundam is erected toward northeast of the holy 18 steps. After removing ghee for Neyyabhishakam the pilgrims throw
the remaining coconuts into this sacred fireplace.
Makarajyothi: The most glorious sight at Sabarimala is the 'Makarajyothi'. It is actually the shining of a star in the evening of the day on which the Sun passes from the
Equator to the South - the most auspicious moment in a year. On the Makaravilakku
day, the ''MAKARAJYOTHI'' is seen at Ponnambalameedu situated towards east from
Sabarimala. Thousands of devotees reach Sannidhanam to have the sacred darshan of
Makarajyothi.
CHOTTANIKKARA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE
Chottanikkara enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the
most popular deities in Kerala. The town of Chotanikkara is located near
the city of Ernakulam. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura.
The Deity: Rajarajeswari is the presiding deity here. The image of Bhagawati
(Rajarajeswari) is of laterite; untouched by the human sculptor, this image is of irregular shape. and is covered with a golden kavacam. The image has four arms. The upper
right holds the discus, the left a conch. This deity is worshipped in three different forms
- as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue.
Adjacent to this image in the sanctum is an image of Vishnu in granite. Vishnu and
Bhagawati together are referred to as Lakshminarayana. The prayers here address the
deity as Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana and Lakshmi Narayana. Interestingly, the
image here is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground.
There is also a shrine to Sastha depicting him with his consorts Purna and Pushkala.
In front of the shrine are the flagstaff and the bali pitham. To the south is a platform
known as Pavazhamallithara where the deity is believed to have appeared first. To the
south west is a shrine to Shiva. To the north east there is a flight of steps leading to the
Keezhkaavu, a shrine to Bhadrakali. In the keezhkaavu shrine is a paala tree with hundreds of nails driven into its trunk, as a mark of devotees having been exorcised here.
Worship here is believed to rid devotees of evil influences, psychological ailments, evil
spirits etc.
Legend has it that a ferocious dacoit by name Kannappan who dominated this area,
brought home a cow with the intent of slaughtering it. The cow escaped his butchering
knife, and set him running in hot pursuit. His chase in vain, Kannappan returned home
to find his beloved daughter playing with the very same cow. Complying with her request, he forsake the idea of killing the cow. His daughter passed away, and this greatly
grieved him. Goddess Bhagawati appeared in his dream, and revealed to him that it was
she who had come to him in the form of a cow. To his surprise, he saw two images in the
cowshed the following day; the images were those of Devi and Vishnu.
THRIPUNITHURA POORNATHRAYEESA TEMPLE
Situated in Tripunithura, a tranquil temple town, located about 6kms from
the city of Kochi, Poornathrayeesa temple is presided over by Lord Vishnu,
known as Poornathrayeesa. The Lord is the family deity of the erstwhile Kochi dynasty.

MELMARUVATHUR MANGADU TEMPLE

Arulmigu Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peetam is situated at Melmaruvathur,
92 km from Chennai (Formerly known as Madras) in the southern state of
Tamil Nadu, India. This is the place where 21 Siddhars (saints) men as
well as women from different religion, had their Jeeva-Samadhis
(meaning, where the Siddhars left their human forms behind, while they
are still alive as holy spirits). Here in Melmaruvathur Adiparashakti Siddhar Peetam,
the divine mother Adhi para sakthi transmigrates into Arulthiru Bangaru Adigalar
thereby promoting spirituality and devotion.
History : Where the current temple's sanctum sanctorum stands today, there was only a
neem tree in 1960's. Unlike every other neem tree, which bear bitter tasting fruit, this
tree secreted and dripped a sweet nectar. Residents of that village found that they had an
urge in their mind to taste this nectar whenever they passed by this tree. Since many
passers reported of curing their illness and diseases after tasting this nectar, the word
spread swiftly to entire village and its neighborhood. So it became a customary for these
villagers to take a drop of this nectar to ailing friends and relatives. They treated this as
a medicinal tree and protected it from grazing cattle and wood cutters. In 1966, a severe
storm uprooted this neem tree, which exposed the Swayambu underneath to the villagers
for the first time. Swayambu means A self emerging, naturally formed oval shaped object (carved of rock). People built a small hut on top of this Swayambu and conducted
poojas (prayer rituals) to it.
This place is known as Siddhar Peetam (Siddhar in Tamil language means enlightened
or evolved souls. Peetam means throne. Thus Siddhar Peetam means The Throne of
Evolved Souls or Great Spiritual Masters/Gurus) where 21 Siddhars are laid in Jeeva
Samaadhi. Swayambu alone was worshipped for many years. The idol of Mother Adhi
para sakthi was installed later in the sanctum sanctorum on November 25, 1977. The
idol of beautiful Mother is three feet tall, seated on thousand-petal lotus seat, with her
right leg folded and the left leg resting on the lotus petals. The thousand petal lotus has
significance in meditation. In this idol form, She holds the bud of a lotus in her right
hand, the mudhra (sign) of knowledge in her left hand and with her hair plait and
knotted upwards like a crown.
Principles of the Siddhar Peetam: The basic tenet of Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi
Siddhar Peetam is One Mother, One Humanity, means the whole human race is one and
all the human beings who inhibit this vast earth are children of Mother Goddess and
therefore there is no distinction amongst the human beings on any basis, be it religion,
race, creed, community, caste or even gender at any Siddhar peetam. Amma has revolutionized the concept of spirituality by letting everybody irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language, nationality, social status, gender, education, etc., to enter the sanctum
sanctorum and perform the daily rituals and prayers to the Mother AdhiParaSakthi.
Women can enter the temple even during their menstrual cycle (which is prohibited in
Hindu Temples) after taking bathe.
The main objective for which the Siddhar Peetam strives is the cult of Sakthi that is,
the whole humanity is born of one omnipotent Mother and hence the whole humanity is
one, should be upheld, and each an everyone's grievances should be removed. Here in
Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peetam, during the transmigration Adigalar
(AMMA) tells Arulvakku (oracle). Through the Arulvakku (oracle) Adhiparasakthi

13

herself speaks to her devotees, this is the unique specialty of this Siddhar Peetam. Hearing the Goddess Adhiparasakthi's oracle is a great spiritual experience, this miracle
takes place at Siddhar peetam.
Arul Thiru Bangaru Adigalar is called by his devotees as AMMA (means Mother), here
in Siddhar Peetam whatever "AMMA" says is the law and it is administered under the
guidance of 'AMMA' which is a divine administration. Only at Melmaruvathur, women
are permitted to perform poojas in the sanctum sanctorum.
KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, MANGADU
Kamakshi Amman Temple of Mangadu is a Hindu temple in Mangadu, a suburb of Chennai, India. The term Mangadu means "Mango
Forests or Mango Grooves" and as the term implies this must have been
a thickly wooded Mango groove in times of yore.
The Mythology: Mangadu is known for the temple of 'Tapas Kamakshi" or the Kamakshi( The Goddess) performing penance. This is the place where the goddess performed
her penance to marry and re-unite with Lord Shiva. All 32 types of Dharmic rituals
were performed here by the goddess.
The mythology is that when Lord Shiva and Parvati where in Mount Kailash the Goddess playfully closed the eyes of the Lord Shiva and as a result the whole universe fell
into eternal darkness. So the Lord ordained her to perform Tapasya.
The Goddess came down to this place and performed penance amidst "Panchagni" resting her left leg on the sacred fire and folding her right leg. She holds a "Japamala" or
rosary in her hand as she meditated on Lord Shiva who asked her to come to Kanchipuram for marriage.
After the goddess left the place, the heat of the fire that she had created caused great
discomfort and became unbearable for all living beings there. The Adi Shankaracharya
is believed to have visited Mangadu and installed a Sri Ardhameru Chakram at this
place. This was done to calm down the heat of the fire created by the Goddess and at the
same time make it into a place that is soothing for all living beings.
We can even today see the 'Chakra" in the sanctum sanctorium of the temple and poojas
are performed regularly to this Chakra. This Chakra is considered to be a Tantric form
of the Goddess herself and hence Mangadu also finds a unique place amongst worshippers of the Tantric sect as well.
The Temple: The temple sports the Chola style of Architecture and construction. The
Raja Gopuram was a recent addition to the Temple. The Raja Gopuram or the Main
entrance faces South and is 7 tiered with great sculptures on it, But the east entrance is
still used by many devotees as there is a market along the road leading to the east gate.
People buy the flowers, Lemons and other pooja items as they walk through the market
into the Temple. As we enter the Temple, we find the Ganapati Shrine to the left of the
main entrance. We pay our respects and as we walk further enter the Main Hall of the
Temple. We straight proceed to the Sanctum where we can see the " Ardha Meru Maha
Yantra " and an idol of Goddess Kamakshi in the Main Shrine. The Ardhameru Sri
Chakram is the chief divinity in this temple. Only Kumkuma archana is performed and
no abhishekam is done for Sri Chakram, as it is made up of herbs.

SABARIMALA SREE AYYAPPA TEMPLE

Sabarimala (0929 North 7706 East) is situated in the midst of 18 hills, in
a bowl of land blessed with a small rivulet named `Urakuzhi Theertham'.
The area is in the hilly regions east of Kerala bordering Tamilnadu. Elevation above mean sea level is approximately 1260 Metres/4135 Ft. Temples
existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional
(and intact temples) exist at many places in surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, Inchiparakotta and Karimala, remnants of old temples are visible in
the remaining hills.
As advised by the Lord, the Raja of Pandalam constructed the Ayyappa temple at
Sabarimala. It is also believed that there already existed the DharmaSastha temple at
Sabarimala, one of the 64 temples established by Parasurama, and Lord Ayyappa
merged into the deity there. The King (Raja) of Pandalam renovated/ reconstructed the
temple, supervising the work by staying at Perunadu. He constructed an Ayyappa temple
there also for performing his daily pooja of the Lord. Deities of Malikappurathamma,
Kadutha swami and Vaver swami were installed as also the pathinettampadi (holy 18
steps) and bhasmakulam.
Sannidhanam is the area where the Ayyappa temple is situated. At Sannidhanam, devotees climb up the holy 18 steps to reach the Sanctum sanctorum. Arrangements are made
for the devotees to crack coconuts on the right side of the steps. Now cracking of coconuts on the 18 steps is prohibited for safety reasons. The Malikappuram temple complex,
sub temple of Vavar, Neyyabhishekam counters, prasadam counters, information centres, telephone and post office facility etc. are visible in and around Sannidhanam.
Malikappurthamma: Malikappurathamma is also known as Manjamatha. In importance She is next to Ayyappaswamy. The Manjamatha kovil is situated on the northwestern side of the main Sree Kovil. It is connected to Sannidhanam by an attractive fly
over. The temple of Malikapuram faces east, while the Kochukadutha Swamy shrine
faces west. The Nagadevas are there in the premises of Malikappuram Temple, whereas
the abode of the Navagrahas on its north western side.
Bhasmakkulam (Place for sacred dip): One sacred place for bath at Sabarimala is
Bhasmakulam. This is on the western side of the Sannidhanam. Pilgrims get purified
by their dip in the holy water here. Legend says that Sabari entered the fire in the presence of Sri Rama and as a result her mortal remains were consumed. This pond has its
name derived from this legend. The water in the pond is ever kept fresh and clean in
spite of the constant use by pilgrims. Using oil and soap here are prohibited.
Neythoni: For those pilgrims who do not wish to take back the ghee they bring inside
the coconut, there is a container called Neythoni(Ghee Canoe) into which they can pour
out the ghee. It is placed near the Sreekovil. No payment is required for depositing the
ghee in the Neythoni.
Urakkuzhi Theertham: The next place consecrated for holy bath is Kumbalam Thodu
with Urakuzhi Theertham in it. This holy canal is about one km North of Malikapuram. This place is believed to be the most sacred place where Dharmasastha revealed
himself in his Viswaroopa. Here there is a waterfall and a small creek in to which the
water drains. This creek is named Urakuzhi. It seems to be a small hole. But when one
sits in its bosom, it appears to be spacious enough to give a cool dip. It is believed that a
bath in the Urakuzhi theertham washes off all the sins.
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There is also a medical center here especially for helping heart patients.Neelimala
comes after Pampa River, Pampa Ganapathi Kovil and Pandalam King Mandapam.Once a devotee completes the climb of Neelimala, he reaches Appachimedu.Neelimala is also considered the second toughest climb on the trek
to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.
SABARI PEETAM: Sabari Peetam = sabari on the altar with penance for
centuries waiting for the advent of Rama to salvage her from the curse
A memorable episode from the epic Ramayana, this story tells us how hospitality helps Sabari, daughter of Chitrakaranchan, salvage her identity.
Cursed by her husband, Sabari turned into a female hunter who started meditating in
the forest for salvation. Rama and Lakshmana happened to meet her in the wilderness
while searching for Sita. Impressed by her hospitality they blessed her and salvaged her
from the curse.
SHARAMKUTHI: Sharamkuthi is one of the holy spots on the way to theSabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Sharam means arrow. Legend has it that
Lord Ayyappa and his followers after defeating the Marvapada (an army of
thugs) discarded their weapons at Sharam Kutti. Today, first time visitors
to the Sabarimala Shrine leave Sharakol, or arrows, they carry at Sharamkuthi. First time Ayyappa devotees to the temple who follow and participate in the Petta Thulal from Erumeli to theSabarimala Ayyappa Temple also leave
their Sharakol at Sharamkuthi.The Thrivabharanam Procession carrying the ornaments to be worn on Lord Ayyappa is given ceremonial welcome at Sharamkuthi.
Holy 18 steps (Patinettampadi) to the sanctum sanctorium is divine in
all aspects. The first three steps depict "Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo & Akash",
6 to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya, 16th for mind
17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma Bhava. Those who cross all these
steps are believed to achieve "Punyadarshan".
The steep steps are so important and holy that no one can climb them without fasting
for 41 days and carrying the holy irrumudi on ones' head.There are many mythological
stories associated with the holy Patinettampadi. Some believe the eighteen steps denote
the 18 puranas. Some say that 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa destroyed the evil
denotes the 18 steps. Others are of the belief that the first five steps denotes the indriyas
(eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin). The next eight steps signifies the ragas (tatwa, kama,
krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara. The next three steps signifies
the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas). The seventeenth and the eighteenth denotes vidhya
and ignorance.
The Patinettampadi can be used only twice - once for ascending the temple and once for
descending below leaving the hill. Before ascending or descending the steps, pilgrims
break coconut as an offering to the steps. One needs to have the sacre Irumudi on head
while going up or down the 18 steps. While descending the steps the devotees climb down
backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.
One who climbs the Patinettampadi for 18 times shall plant a sapling of coconut in
Sabarimala. Built on a plateau about 40 feet high, the Ayyappan temple commands a
lofty view of the mountains and valleys all around. The ancient temple has been rebuilt
after a fire in 1950. Within the confines of the sanctum sanctorium with a copper-plated
roof and four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the belikalpura which houses
the altar, the flag-staff replacing the earlier stone image of the deity, sits a beautiful
idol of Ayyappa in panchaloha, an alloy of five metals, about one and a half feet tall.

After this we proceed to walk back, we came across the Shrine of 'Tapas Kamakshi" This was installed at the behest of Kanchi Paramacharya. We can also see the various
other deities like Lord Surya etc, in the outer courtyard. As we circumbulate the Temple, we can see Sapta Matrikas installed right behind in the Main outer courtyard and
walk through to the Dwajastambha installed in the Eastern side. This completes the
visit to the Temple. People come here to pray for Marriage, child birth etc.
After completion of the visit to the Kamakshi Temple, people proceed to the Vaikunta
Perumal Shrine or the Shrine of Lord Vishnu which is about 500 meters away. Here
Lord Vishnu can be seen in a seated posture along with his 2 consorts Sridevi and
Bhoodevi holding a ring in his palm that he has brought for the marriage of his sister
Kamakshi. This is a small temple with separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Andal and Lord Hanuman.
Maha Kumbabishegam: First Maha Kumbabhishegam was performed on 8th July of
1987 with a newly built seven storied Rajagopuram and again on 3rd June of 2001. Both
were performed in the presence of His Holiness Sri Jeyendra Saraswathi Swamigal and
Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
Abhishegam: Abhishegam will be performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
and Saturdays between 11 AM to 1 PM.
Navakalasa Homam and Pushpanjali: This Special Homam and Abhishegam will be
performed on all the Full moon day ( Powrnami).
Six Week Worship: Worshipper can choose any one day in a week for worship. They
have to repeat the worship on the same day next week for seven times (one Mandalam).
Every time two fresh lemon fruits are to be offered and they have to get back one lemon
and the same has to be kept in the pooja. When they come next week, they have to bring
the old, which was kept in pooja,with two other fresh lemons.
Annadhanam: Every Day Annadhanam is being provided to the worshippers at 12.15
noon. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays annadhanam provided for 150 worshippers and on
other days 100 worshippers.
Golden Chariot is drawn every day between 6.30 - 7.30 PM.
MAHALINGAPURAM SREE AYYAPPA TEMPLE
About four decades ago, there existed in the Chennai Metropolis no temple dedicated exclusively to Lord Ayyappa. In the absence of any institutionalized service, devotees proceeding to Sabarimala during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku seasons had to fend for themselves. Indeed, Ayyappan Vilakku used to be conducted in several areas of the city as an
annual feature, enlisting the support of local devotees. One such area was Nungambakkam.
Here the annual Ayyappan Vilakku used to be conducted in the premises of a temple on
Melpadi Muthu Naicken Street or in the precincts of Asalathamman Koil, later on
North Mada Street in Nungambakkam. During the celebrations in 1967 the organizers,
seized of the problems encountered by the devotees undertaking pilgrimage to the Holy
Hills, decided to launch an action plan to provide minimum facilities to them.
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The plan referred to above, took concrete shape with the registration of SREE AYYAPPA BHAKTHA SABHA, Nungambakkam on April 3, 1968. The declared objects of
the Sabha were: (a) to spred the cult of Ayyappa by doing selfless socio-religious services, (b) to endeavor to have a premises of its own to perform religious activities as programmed from time to time; (c) to render all possible help to pilgrims who take vow to
go to Sabarimala for Mandalam, Makaravilakku and for the Vishu Pooja; (d) to include
in its socio-religious services, items like (i) performing periodical Poojas, Bhajans,
Ayyappan Pattu and other religious and social programmes; (ii) organize and celebrate
with the cooperation of all Ayyappa Bhakthas, the annual Ayyappan Vilakku in
Nungambakkam; (iii) and conduct religious discourses with a view to help Bhakthas to
practice Bhakthi Yoga.
Inspired by the response to the discourses and to the weekly Bhajans organized by the
Sabha, the members felt that it was time that they looked for a place of their own to
conduct such programmes in more condusive environments. In order to raise funds for
this venture, a grand Ganamela was conducted in November 1969 at Rama Rao Kalamandapam, T.Nagar in which several luminaries of the musical world like Sarvasri
K.J.Yesudas, Jayachandran, C.O.Anto and Smt.P.Leela, S. Janaki and Latha took part.
Sri.V. Dhakshinamoorthy, the renowned music director, directed the programme and
Sri. Sekhar led the Orchestra.
A Panchaloha Vigraham of the Lord was made at Chengannur and brought to the site
in a procession led by Sri K.K.Nanu. Brahmasree Kantaru Sankararu Thantri who held
the great distinction of having performed the Punaprathishta at Holy Sabarimala temple, after the fire accident in the 1950s, conducted the Prathishta ceremony in our temple on March 25, 1974. Kumbhabhishekam was performed on March 29, 1974. With
Lord Ayyappan as the main deity, Lord Vinayakar and Lord Subramanian with His
consorts Valli and Devayani constituted the Parivarams.
Thus was born the first temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the city of Chennai (then
Madras). This long-cherished dream of the devotees was fructified through munificent
donations received from well wishers, door-to-door collections organized by volunteers,
revenue realized through publications of Souvenirs, etc.
GURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE: The plot adjacent to the temple premises measuring
about two and half grounds was purchased by the Sabha in 1986. Foundation for a temple for Lord Guruvayurappan was laid at the site on June 4, 1989. The unique idol of
Lord Guruvayurappan made in Krishna Sila, at Guruvayur was brought to site on May
24, 1990 in a grand motorcade with the Vigraham in a tastefully decorated float. Pratishta Karmam was performed on June 4, 1990. That marked the fulfillment of yet another great dream of the devotees. While Laksharchana was being performed every
year, the first Koti Archana Mahayagnam to Lord Ayyappa was performed from November 15, 1986 to December 14, 1986. Subsequent Koti Archanas were performed as
follows: 1992 to Lord Guruvayurappan; 1997 to Lord Ayyappan; 1998 to Lord
Guruvayurappan; 1999 to Lord Ayyappan and 2000 to Lord Guruvayurappan.
Idols of Nagaraja and Nagayekshi were installed in the temple premises on March 25,
1998. Yet another major dream of devotees came to fruition with the installation of
Swarna Kodimarams at the Sannidhis of Lord Ayyappan and Lord Guruvayurappan on
February 25, 2004. Simultaneous installation of gold-plated Dhwajasthambhams at two
Sannidhis in the same temple complex is a unique achievement, perhaps not accomplished elsewhere hitherto.

Every year, lakhs and lakhs of people throng to Sabarimala irrespective of caste or creed
and adorn themselves with garlands and Irumudis, chant slogans on Lord Ayyappa,
bath in holy river Pampa, climb up the holy Eighteen Stairs and get the grace of Lord
Ayyappa, the Dharmasastha. Devotees will start their yatra either from Erumeli to
Sabarimala (48 miles) by climbing hills (dense forest) on foot. Some Devotees start their
yatra from Pampa to Sabarimala (7 kms) .
The unique feature of the Temple is that it is open to people of all faiths and many
none hindus conduct pilgrimages to this temple. The secular aspect of the temple is best
exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar Nada" in honor of a Muslim saint in close
proximity to the main temple (Ayyappa Swami Temple) at Sabarimala by the side of
Holy Pathinettampady. The pilgrims worship in this place also. The pilgrims on their
sojourn to Sabarimala worship at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and conduct
"Petta Thullal". They also worship in the mosque at Erumeli as a part of their pilgrimage. Ayyappa Cult gives a lot of importance to secularism and communal harmony and
has set out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate, holding position
or not, master or servant are all equal before LORD AYYAPPA and all address each
other as AYYAPPA.
PETTA THULLAL : According to traditional belief, Petta Thullal is the re
-enactment of the annihilation of Mahishi by Lord Ayyappa. The Ambalappuzha group, as per the ritual, will first proceed to Erumeli Valiyambalam while
the Alangattu group will commence from the Mosque Junction. Thousands of pilgrims
will join the procession. They will paint their faces with colors and dance to the tune of
drumbeats chanting Swami thinthakathom...Ayyapppa thinthakathom'. After offering
prayers at Valiyambalam, both the groups will proceed to Sabarimala temple through
the traditional trekking paths.
PAMPA : Pampa is the most important and holy spot on the way to Sannidhanam. It is here Lord Ayyappa was found by King Rajasekara. The Pampa river is as holy as the Ganges. The Pampa water purifies one from curse &
evil. This was the place where an infant, who later turned out to be Ayyappa
was found abandoned by the riverside. The King of Pandalam picked him up and
brought him up. Ram And Lakshman are also stated to have visited Pampa and met the
sage Sabari. Many important landmarks in and around Pampa are mentioned in
`Ramayana'. It is said that the footprint of Rama can be seen imprinted on a rock at
`Rama Padam' located near the KSRTC bus stand at Pampa. In the old days, for the
pilgrims coming via Erumeli - Karimala route, Pampa was the last big stop. They built
`Viri' made of forest leaves, twigs and bamboo and spent a few days resting in religious
fervour . The trek from Pampa to Sabarimala was undertaken after Pampa Vilakku.
PAMPA GANAPATHI: Thriveni of Pampa is one of the holy places mentioned from Thredayugam Lord Sriram with his presence in this place
had blessed this area. Many places near Pampa thriveni has reference of Sri
Rama.Sabarimala pilgrims from different route meets at Pampa and then
proceed to Sannidhanam. During early days of the pilgrimage, pilgrims
faced many difficulties at Pampa. On performing Prasna chinda, the presence of Ganapathy was found and a temple was consecrated. Based on Jyothisha prediction, the
deity of old ganapathy was consecrated as Adi ganapathy as lord of Sidhi and Budhi.
NEELIMALA KAYATTAM: Nelimala is the first mountain (climb) on
the way fromPampa to Sannidanam (Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple). The
trek here is tough as the mountain is steep. There are two steep climbs.
There is thick forest cover on both the sides.The path here is concreted.
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The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonous snake bites. The left
hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Shastha Temple always holds
Chandan (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water). The Chandan and Thirtha are
considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites.The temple complex also
contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The festivals and rituals held
here have strong Tamil roots. During the Sabarimala pilgrimage, devotees also visit this
temple to offer their prayers. It is believed that the idol of this temple was consecrated
by Sage Parasurama. On both sides of the idol, Poorna and Pushkala, the consorts of
Lord Sastha are also installed.The most important festival here is celebrated from the
first to tenth day of Malayalam month Dhanu (December January).
ARYANKAVU SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE
Sree Darma Sastha Temple is one of the important pilgrim centers of the
district. The main attraction of Aryankavu is the Ayyappa Temple alias
Aryankavu Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Sastha, one among the five
ancient Ayyappa temples. The unique feature of the temple is that it is built
about 35 ft below the road level and has some fine structure and mural
paintings. The legend behind the the Ayyappa of Aryankavu is similar to
that of Sree Dharma Sastha of Sabarimala .The only difference between the
two are that Sastha was brought up by the Pandi Raja of Madhura and not the Raja of
Pandalam.The two main festivals of this temple, Mandala pooja and Thrikalyanam
festival, celebrated in December draws thousands of pilgrims. It is believed that Swami
Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu. The
marriage festival is held every year in Aryankavu and the marriage rituals are according to the Sourashtra community .Even now Sourashtrians reach here in groups during
the time of Mandalapooja. Situated about 73 km east of Kollam and 33 km from
Punalur and 21 km away from Thenkasi and 13 km away from shencottah .All trains
towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu. The Palaruvi waterfall is only 4kms
away from here.
KULATHUPUZHA SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE
Kulathupuzha Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram
Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha temple. The Vishu
Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent
buses from Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just
10 km from here. The Sastha Temple at Kulathupuzha is very ancient. The
idol at Kulathupuzha is called Manikandan. It is believed that the Temple
was constructed by the Raja of Pandalam. But the idol was discovered by a
Brahmin from Kottarakkara after several years and he started pooja there. The King of
Kottarakkara heard about this and constructed the present temple. Feeding to the fishes
in the nearby river is an important vazhipadu in the Temple.
ERUMELI SASTHAS AND VAVAR:
Situated about 60 kms. away from Kottayam town, it is
the biggest pilgrim centre in the district. There is an
ancient temple where 'Sridharma Sastha' is the presiding deity. There is also an ancient mosque dedicated to
Vavar who is considered as friend of Lord Ayyappa.

VADAPALANI ANDAVAR TEMPLE

Vadapalani Andavar Temple is located in Vadapalani, Chennai. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. The temple was renovated in 1920s
and a Rajakopuram was built during that time. The temple has grown in
popularity believed in part due to the patronage of cinema stars. Built
about 125 years back, this much-hallowed and regularly frequented Lord
Muruga sannidhi has emerged from a thatched shed, an unostentatious
one enshrining a Murugan picture only, and established for itself a name on par with
ancient places of worship. Around 7,000 couples are married here each year.
According to the sthalapurana, one Muruga devotee by name Annaswami Nayakar with
his limited means built a small thatched hut and kept a Murugan painting for his personal worship primarily. During his meditation and worship, he used to experience
some divine power entering his body and inspiring him to utter some mysterious
things.whatever he said in his trance was found true. His utterance went by the name of
'arulvakku' ('God blessed statements') and relieved people in several ways, like curing
diseases and getting jobs, solemnising marriages, etc.
There are very many sannidhis in the vast courtyards of the temple, like Varasiddhi
Vinayaka, Chokkanathar, Meenakshi Amman, Kali, Bhairava, Shanmuga with Valli
and Devasena.
The moolavar in standing posture resembles the Palani Muruga in every respect. In the
inner prakara, there are many niches housing Dakshina Murti, Chandikeswar, Mahalakshmi, et al. It has a spacious hall used for conducting marriages and religious discourses. It is one of the most-frequented Murugan shrines in the city of Chennai.
The entrance to this temple is crowned with a rajagopuram adorned with several stucco
images depicting legends from the Skanda puranam. In front of the temple is the temple
tank. The eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. The 108 bharata natyam dance
gestures can be seen on the eastern tower as well.
ANJANEYA TEMPLE, NANGANALLU
The Anjaneya Temple at Nanganallur, Chennai is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Hanuman. The principal idol of Hanuman is 32-feet tall
and sculpted from a single piece of granite. The idol was installed in 1989
and consecrated in 1995.
Sri Maruti Bhakta samajan trust, consisting of people with high spiritual beliefs,
wished for this temple. with the blessings of Sri Ragavendra swami and Sri Kanchi
Paramacharyar entrenched the 32 foot idol of Sri Anjaneyar in 1989 and consummated
the Kumbabishekam in 1995. The distinguished factor of the 32 feet idol is that it was
molded out of a single rock.
The main shrine houses Anjaneya inside a Temple Tower 90 feet tall. Anjaneya is facing West and the main entrance is on the West. There is an auxiliary entrance on the
southern side used during temple festivals. The main Temple building has path-ways all
around the sanctum sanctorum and also a large covered space (Mandapam) for devotees
to assemble in front of the Lord for offering worship. On the North-West corner, a fullfledged Sannidhi for Sri Rama has been built and here He has taken abode with Seetha
and Lakshmana with Anjaneya in attendance. The Gods are facing East. Rama's role as
17

the protector and ruler is signified here as Rama is seen carrying his bow, hence the
name "Kothanda Rama" for the Lord here. On the South-West, a Sannidhi for Lord
Krishna with Rukmani and Satya Bhama, all facing East has been built. Even though
a Sannidhi for Lord Rama is normally built in Anjaneya temple, rarely a Sannidhi for
Lord Krishna is built. Here in our Temple, Krishna Sannidhi is built to remind the
devotees that among the Gods it was only Anjaneya who was present in both the Indian
epics. In Ramayana, as a direct disciple of Rama and in Mahabaratha, in the flag of
Arjuna's Chariot as ordained by Lord Krishna to save it from destruction by the opponents. In the North-East part of the Temple, on a small platform, "Vinayaka" is housed
facing East and to his left on a yet another platform 'Naga' has been installed. Saint
Raghavendra has taken His abode facing Lord Krishna.The temple is now under the
custody of HR & CE.
THIRUVALLIKENI PARTHASARATHY TEMPLE
The Parthasarathy Swamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams,
is said to have been renovated by a King of Pallava dynasty.
"Brindaranya" is the traditional Puranic name of Thiru-Alli-Keni
now known as Thiruvallikeni or modern Triplicane. It is said that for at least five thousand years, it has been a resting place for pilgrims who had come down from Thirupathy
to have a bath in the sea on the days of Solar and Lunar Eclipses and on other auspicious days it being in a direct line to Thirupathy, Thiruthani and Trivellore and the
route being free from swamps.
According to Brahmanda Puranam, the five Deities in the temple are said to have been
worshipped by the Saptah Rishis viz. Bhrigu, Manchi, Atri, Markandeya, Sumathi,
Saptharoma and Jabali and also have been praised by two of the earliest Alwars viz.
Thirumazhisai Alwar, Peyalwar and later on by Thirumangai mannan or Kaliyan,
who who is considered to be the last of the Alwars chronologically and his year of birth
would appear to be 476 A.D. according to the era of Salivahana Saka.
The presiding Deity of this temple Sri Venkatakrishna Swami also known as
"GEETHACHARYA". According to Brahmanda purana, King Sumathy prayed Lord
Thiruvengada of the Seven Hills to give him darshan in the form of the Charioteer
(SARATHY) to PARTHA during the MAHABHARATHA WAR and rendering
GEETHA. Lord Thiruvengada appeared in his dream and bade him to go to
"BRINDARANYA" where he would give him Darshan in the form he wished. Meanwhile, Athreya Maharishi requested his Acharya Vedavyasa to mention to him the place
fit for doing Thapas and he was directed by his Acharya to go to Brindaranya on the
banks of the Kairavani Theertham overgrown with Thulasi plants and where king Sumathy was doing Thapas. Saying so, Vedavyasa gave Athreya a Divya-Mangala Vigraha
with a conch in his right hand and Gnana Mudra in the left hand pointing to HIS HOLY FEET signifying the famous Charama Sloka of the Bhagavat Geetha:"Sarva Dharman Parithyajya Mamekam Saranam Vraja Ahamthwa Sarwa Papebhyo
Mokshayishyami Ma Suchaha" (18-66). This quintessence of the Geetha is rendered into
English by Sir Edwin Amold thus:- "And let go those Rites and writ duties! Fly to Me
alone! Make Me thy single refuge! I will free Thy soul from all its sins! Be of good
cheer!"
Accordingly, Athreya Maharishi reached the Ashramam of Sumathy and narrated to
him in detail, the circumstances that led him to go there. Sumathy was pleased with the
Divya Mangala image of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy in accordance with the desire and

Lord Marundeeswarar is known so because he taught sage Agastya about some magical
medicine. Since then the Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of worship for people
with diseases and various problems with their health.It is said that even The Sage
Valmiki, who wrote The Ramayana, came here to The Marundeeswarar temple to worship The Lord.Sage Valmiki was said to be blessed here. After this incident, this place
was to be known as Thiruvalmikiyur, after a long period of time, the name gradually
changed to Thiruvanmiyur. There is a place present in Thiruvanmiyur called Valmiki
Nagar in his honour. There is also a te mple built for Sage Valmiki in the middle of the
East Coast Road, very close to the Marundeeswarar temple.
The lingam for which Lord Hanuman performed pooja, The lingam(meenakshi
sundareswarar) that cured the curse of Lord Indra, the Lingam for which Saint Bharadwaja performed pooja are present here. Markandeyar performed a penance and
prayed to lord Shiva here, Lord Brahma is believed to have conducted a festival here for
lord Shiva.There is a story that Vishnu worshipped Shiva with his family here to get a
son,but he forgot to worshipp parvati devi who cursed his son to die at once after
birth .Vishnu apologised and she took away the curse.
TENKASI PERIYA KOVIL
Tenkasi (South Kasi) is famous for its Ulagamman Temple and its Shiva
Temple. The Ulagamman temple was built by Parakrama Pandian, but
was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored with
much financial assistance of Sivanthi Adithan and others, and it was
given a fresh coat of paint again in 2006 by the same philanthropists. However, the first
few feet from the ground has not been painted as that part appears to have survived the
lightning. The gopuram or the entry gateway remains among the highest in southern
Tamil Nadu.And it is the second highest gopuram in Tamil nadu. The main deity here
is Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva). This temple has three Sannidhis [a unique aspect] - Sivan,
Amman and Murugan Sannidhis. This temple has beautiful sculptures and also has
musical stone pillars, that emit notes of different pitch when tapped with fingers.
The entrance is really grand, with heavy steps. One could view the majestic Temple Gopuram even while entering the town. The Gopuram of the temple welcomes pilgrims
with a pleasant cool breeze straight from the nearby Thirikooda Malai. Tenkasi has the
other magnificent Kulasekaranathar Temple, which has been in a closed state for ages.
There is also a temple pond in middle of the town, adjoining the Kannimaramman
Temple. There are a row of houses along the Kannimariamman Temple, famous among
them being the Justice and Advocate villas.
Anggalap Parameshwari Temple is in Malayan Street and it is famous for 10 days festival, with Sivarathiri and Alaghu. Esakki Amman Kovil is also located in Malayan
street, sri pagavathi amman kovil kalangatha kandi. It is a famous temple One more old
temple in tenkasi Chidambareswarar Temple.
ACHANKOVIL AYYAPPA TEMPLE
Achankovil Shastha Temple, or the Dharmasastha Temple, is one among
the five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. Lord Ayyappa leads the Grihastha Ashrama life here he is depicted as a family
man or leads married life here. He is depicted along with his two wives
Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the idol here was installed by Lord Parashurama.
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He takes the Darba garb, earlier placed at the Anandavinayaka idols feet and goes to
the shrine of Lord Vishnu. From there he takes the white rice offered to the Lord and
comes to the Siva shrine. There the rice transforms into the "Pindam". The rice
"Pindam" is taken from the Surya shrine and offered to the crows on a platform. All
people can avail this service.
ASHTALAKSHMI TEMPLE
The temple is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Besant Nagar
Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai, this is the only temple dedicated to Sri Mahalaksahmi, the Consort of Sriman Narayanan on the east coast in Tamil
Nadu.
The Vedas and Puranas say that Goddess Lakshmi has emerged out of the oceans when
the Devas and Asuras churned the Milky Ocean. Mahavishnu married Her and They
both fulfill the desires of the devotees. Goddess Lakshmi is the deity who grants the
Eightfold Achievements (Ashtama Siddhis) and Eightfold Wealth. As both Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi(with Her eight forms) reside in this temple it is known as the
Ashtalakshmi Temple. It is befitting to have a temple constructed and consecrated on
the shores facing the sea for Goddess Lakshmi whose birthplace is the sea.
ARULMIGU MARUNDEESWARAR TEMPLE
Marundeeswarar Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, located in Thiruvanmiyur, It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where
the three of the most reveredNayanars (Saivite Saints), Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their verses during the 7th-8th century. The temple has been widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has
two seven tiered gateway towers, a huge tank, with the overall temple area covering 1
acre. The Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of curative worship for people with
diseases. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of
the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Recognizing the penance of Sage Vasishta on Lord Shiva, Indira sent his Kamadenu the
divine cow with the sage. Once, the cow delayed to pour the milk for puja. The angry
sage cursed it to become an ordinary cow losing its divine status..
He also suggested the cow to go to this place and worship Lord Shiva under the Vanni
tree to recover its divinity. Kamadenu poured the milk on the Lord and got back its
original supremacy. Hence, the Lord has the name Paalvanna Nather. Paal in Tamil
means milk. When Sage Valmiki came there to worship Lord Shiva, Kamadhenu ran in
fear pressing its feet on the head of the Shivalinga, the scar of which is still visible on
the presiding deity.
The road starting from Marundeeswarar temple, now called ECR was an important
route during the Chola period and was known as Vadagaperuvazhi, connecting the kingdom to places in Thanjavur and Andhra Pradesh. Inscriptions can be found in the
shrine of Tripurasundari Amman dating back to the 11th century during the period of
Rajendra Chola.[3][5] The origins and antiquity of this temple is corroborated by the
inscriptions found in other temples in the city namely Kapaleeswarar Temple, Virupaksheeswarar Temple and Thiruvidandai which bear testimony to Tiruvanmiyur's existence. A new life has been put into this ancient worshipping place, first in the year 1903
and then in 1970's.

welcomed Athreya. He celebrated the Chaitrotsavam according to Vaikanasa Agama and

worshipped him. The central figure enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum is being
worsipped as "SRI VENKATAKRISHNA SWAMY". Sri Rukmani Thayar and Satyaki, his younger brother, are installed on his right and left side respectively. His elder
brother Balarama is seen on the right side of Rukmani Thayar facing north and his son
Prathyumnan and his grandson Anirudhan are seen on the northern side of the Garbagraha facing south. These five warriors (Pancha Veeral) are so placed in these positions as we now worship them to keep in conformity with some incidents that took place
in their life-time. Still more grandeur and inspiring is the bewitching and ever smiling
UTHSAVAR Deity Sri Parthasarathy Swami, with marks in the face caused by
Bheeshma's arrows during the Maha Bharatha War. The Thilagam set with diamonds
with a Safire in the centre resembles the full moon in the crystal clear blue sky.
MYLAPORE KAPASEESWARAR TEMPLE
The Stately Temple: One of the sacred shrines in Tamil Nadu is
Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, in Chennai.It is a
Siva Temple, and the name of the Lord is ARULMIGU KAPALEESWARAR. The name of the Goddess is ARULMIGU KARPAGAMBAL.
It is a loverly temple with a Stately Spire or Gopuram as it is called. There is a big tank
on its West. The temple and the tank are surrounded by Broad streets on the four sides.
The view of the temple and the tank is picturesque.
Mylapore is on the sea coast and the shore is away by half a mile of thickly populated
residential area The Legend Behind The Temple: The name Mylapore is derived from
the legend that the Goddess Uma worshipped Siva in the form of a peacock (or mayil in
Tamil). We can see a representation of this legend on stone in a small Shrine under a
Punnai tree (Sthala Vriksha) in the Courtyard of the temple.
Mylapore's Ancient Past: Ptolemy, the Creek Geographer (A.D. 90-168) has referred to
Mylapore in his books as Millarpha;,. It was apparently a weel-known sea port town
with a flourishing trade. It must have also been a place of culture, as Saint, Tiruvalluvar the celebrated author of Tirukkurl, the Wordl-famous ethical treatise, lived in
Mylapore nearly 2,000 years ago. The Saivite Saints of the 7th Century, Saint Sambandar and Saint Appar, have sung about the Shrine in their hymns.St. Thomas, one of
the aposties of Jesus, is reported to have visited Mylapore in the 2nd Century A.D. His
tomb is in the St. Thomas basilica, a beautiful Cathedral about half a mile from the
temple.Mylapore fell into the hands of the Portuguese in A.D.1566, when the temple
suffered demolition. The present temple was rebuilt 300 years ago. There are some fragmentary inscriptions from the old temple, still found in the present Shrine and in St.
Thomas Cathedral.
One enters the hall then, where Arulmigu Karpagambal is enshrined. In front of the
Goddess, outside, is a Stone sculpture of a Lion, the mount of the Goddess. (Just as Nandi or the Bull is for Lord).
Daily And Special Services: There are six daily Puja Services. Kala Santhi (morning)
Uchchikala (Mid-day) Sayamkala (Evening) and Ardhajama (late Night). The evening
Service will be picturesque as the Shodasa Upacharas (16 Propitiations) with waving of
lights. etc. are performed. Other special occasions are Pradhosa (13th day of new moonfull moon) Panchaparva. etc.
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R A PURAM AYYAPPA TEMPLE

Vada Sabari: The Rajah Annamalaipuram Iyyappa temple, also popularly known as Vada Sabari (Northern Sabari), is an exact replica
of the temple at Sabari Malai, the divine abode of Lord Iyyappa. In
contrast to the rocky mountains of Sabari in Kerala, Rajah AnnamalaiPuram temple is located close to the soothing seashore of Chennai. And for all those
millions of devotees who long to see the lord but are unable to travel all the way to Sabari Malai every year, it forms the ideal place to obtain His divine grace.
History: The Raja Annamalaipuram Iyyappa temple is the result of the noble vision of
Dr. M. A. M. Ramaswamy, the glorious son of Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar of Chettinad. It took birth in his mind, as early as 1973 , when he first visited Sabari Malai and
set his eyes on the Lord. What he saw was an enthralling sight and it bound him in a
trance. He heard a divine call urging him to share the bliss he had experienced, and he
decided to build a temple for Lord Iyyappa at Chennai, exactly like the one at Sabari
Malai.
Chennai also serves as one of the religious hubs of Tamil Nadu, with temples like
Thirukkyilai (Kabaleeswara), Thiruvanmiyur, Thiruvotriyur, Vadapalani, Kanda
Kottam, Mangadu and the like, forming the firm roots. And with an Iyyappa Temple to
augment this, the picture would only be complete. Dr. M. A. M. Ramaswamy, coming
from a race of kings known for their unbounded charitable service, it was only a question of time before this temple as a reality. temple was Constructed and congregated in
1982 on the land which was gifted to the temple by his father Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar. The Iyyappa idol, made of five precious metals (representing the five elements of
nature), was brought in procession through various centres of religious importance in
Tamil Nadu and was installed on January 25, 1982 and the first kumbabishekam performed on 29-1-1982 and the second kumbabishekam was performed on 27-3-1994.
Sabari Malai's worthy twin: Everything about this temple is very much like in Sabari
Malai. The temple being constructed in three-floors lends the feeling of being atop a hill
and the same 18-step formation leads into the main shrine. Devotees who maintain the
Viradham (austerities) and bear the Irumudi Kattu (the sacred twin baggage), come up
through these steps as traditionally followed in Sabari. Of course, apart from this passage there is also a normal passage through which other devotees can come in and seek
the blessings of the Lord. Separate shrines are present for the supporting deities like
Kannimoola Maha Ganapathi, Nagaraja and Maaligaipurathu Amman. As found in
most famous temples in India, the apex or the Kumbham adds to the elegance and sanctity of the temple. And all religious practices and methods followed here are the same as
those followed in Sabari, Though unlike the Sabari Malai Temple which is open for
only a very few days in a year, this temple is open for worship-ping throughout the year.
The huge prayer hall, with a capacity of 1500 people, is made of Jaipur tiles and is a
special element of the temple. Yet another special feature is the 40 feet tall, single piece
Dhvajasthamba (flag post), The temple has been constructed with wonderful facilities
and is maintained with strict cleanliness at all times. Even the passages surrounding the
temple are brightly lit with sodium vapour lamps and provide a safe and easy approach
way to the devotees.
His Grace is Omni-present:Not only is the temple shaped exactly in the lines of Sabari
Malai, but has also found high prowess. The Grace of the Lord is Omni-present and
scores of devotees have been blessed with their wishes. The Lord in his presence has also

performed some miracles to deepen their faith in him. To the urban but traditionally
conservative people of Chennai, it forms a very important part of their religious lives.
And not only from Chennai, but people from all over the country come here everyday to
obtain the Grace of Lord Iyyappa, who only provides it in abundance.
ADI KESAVA PERUMAL TEMPLE
Tamil Nadu state of South India is popular for its ancient and architecturally beautiful temples. Mylapore locality in Chennai, the
capital city of Tamil Nadu, has a lot of important temples such as
Kapaleeswarar temple. There is a little known temple named
Adikesava Perumal temple located near Vedanta Desikar temple in Mylapore.
Adikesava is another name for Lord Vishnu. Adikesava Perumal and Peyalvar are the
main deities of this temple. Please note that Mylapore is the birthplace of Peyalvar, one
of twelve Alwars, the great devotees of Lord Vishnu and great acharyas of Vaishnavism.
Although the temple of Adikesava Perumal is small, it has a rajagopuram (tower) facing the east direction. Like any other traditional South Indian temples, it also has the
bali peeth, flag staff and small Garud idol facing the main shrine. The temple also has a
beautiful tank. The main shrine has the idol of Adi Kesava Perumal with four arms in
the standing posture. There is a shrine facing the south direction dedicated to the large
idol of Peyalvar.
The goddess of the temple Mayuravalli is situated in a separate shrine in the prakara
The temple also has the shrines for Ramanujar, Chakrathalwar and Narasimha on
back, Andal, Tirumizhisai Alwar and Ram-Lakshman-Sita with Hanuman. The small
idols of Ganesha and Nagaraj are found. When you happen to pass by Myalapore ensure
that you pay homage to this small beautiful temple which is considered as one of the
oldest temples of Mylapore.
MADHYA KAILASH
Madhya Kailash, also known as Nadukkayilai in Tamil, is a Hindu temple
in South Chennai, located at the junction between Sardar Patel Road, Adyar
and Rajiv Gandhi Salai.
The "Moolavar" or main deity, Venkata Ananda Vinayakar, is surrounded by shrines to
Lord Siva, Surya, Devi and Vishnu. In response to the wishes of the people, there are
also "Sannidhis" to Anjaneya, Swarna Bhairavar and Onpankol, though these fall outside Ganapatyam practices. On Vinayaka Chaturthi day, the rays of the sun fall on the
presiding deity, striking an auspicious note. Since Vinayaka is the form of the first
sound "Om", eight bells have been installed. They represent the seven notes Sa, Ri, Ga,
Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, with the eighth bell signifying the Sa that follows. In the "Mandapam"
before the sanctum sanctorum is a shrine to Vinayakas brother Muruga.
The temple has become famous for its unique idol of "Adhyantha Prabhu", which is
part Ganapathy and part Anjaneya. The right side is Ganesh and the left Hanuman.
The idol was crafted after a vision of such a form was seen by one of the temple officials.
In Maharashtra style, one can light the camphor to this deity himself, giving a great
sense of satisfaction. Lord Vinayaka himself takes on the onus of propitiating the ancestors. Every afternoon, the priest has a bath and in his wet clothes begins the rites.
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