Sarangapani Temple Kumbakonam tamilnadu

This temple is about two thousand years old.
The Presiding deity is Sri Sarngapani Swami. Sarngam = bow pani=hand. The deity is having a bow in the hand.
Hemarishi in days of yore, had the unique privilege of Darsan of this Lord. In later days Tirumalaisai Piran and other eminent ecstatic Alwars also had the same privilege.
In the sanctum there is a beautifully carved out 12 pillared mandapa going by the Tirumamani mandapam reminiscent of the similar Mandapa at Sri Vaikuntha and hence it is axiomatic to call this kshetra a Bhuloka Vaikuntha like Sri Rangam. 

Situated in between the rivers,the Cauvery and the Arisolar, Kumbakonam. The sacred kshetra is famous from time immemorial. The temple is two kilometres from the Kumbakonam Railway Station and the Bus Stand.

Ofthe 108 Vishnavaite temples this is third in order, next only toTirupathi and Srirangam. 

Seven Alwars, besides Kambar have sung in praise of the Lord. The consort of the lord is Komalavalli Thayar.

NACCIYAR SRI KOMALAVALLITHAYAR

The repository of beauty and grace,with a smile exuding compassion with the face turned to the east abides to the right of the sanctumsanctorum of Sri Aravamudan is a seperate shrine. A darsan at this shrine is equally insatible indeed. It is customary to worship the Divine mother, Sri Komalavalli Thayar, before we have a darsan of Sri Aravamudan.

THE MODE OF WORKSHIP

PANCHARATRA AGAMA - VADAKALAI

Some other features of this shirine

The immensely lofty tower 150 feet in height and 90 feet and 51 feet in length and breath shall speak a lot about the grandeur of the gopugam and the splendour of Sri Sarangapani who abides therein. 

There is no Paramapadavasal to the temple. The Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are the two gateways of this temple.The one in the north will be open from 14th January to 15th July and the one in the south from 15th July to 14th January. So it is indeed meritorious to enter through either of these two gateways for worshipping the Lord.

There was a devotee by name Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swami. During his life time he was ever engaged in the Nityakanikarya of the temple.With the help got from kings and the wealthy,he was able to procure oranaments for the deities, landed properties to the temple. He also had the big tower, Raja Gopuram,a marvel of beauty,and other extensive mandapas,built for temple.When the devotee breathed his last on a deepavali day, the Lord himself ordered to perform the funeral rites of the deceased as he had no heirs. Even to this day on every Deepavali day shraddha is performed to Sri Lakshi Narayanaswami on behalf of the Lord. Sri Rama performed the funeral ceremonial rites once to Jatayu.

But Sri Amudan continues to perform the Shraddha ceremony every year. Will there yet be an individual who can sustain and experince such a meritorious situation executed with the grace and compassion of the Lord !

Arunachaleswarar Temple Tiruvannamalai tamilnadu

The temple at Tiruvannamalai is one of the biggest and grandest temples in South India.  With the hill as back ground it gives the appearance of a fort to those who see it from a distance. It is unique on account of its stately towers, high rampart walls, broad quadrangles, spacious gateways, large mantapams and fine tanks.  It has also much architectural importance and sculputural beauty.

Tiruvannamalai should have been under the sway of the Pallava Kings who ruled from Kancheepuram before the ninth century A.D. We do not find any inscription in the temple prior to A.D.850 and hence the present temple could not have existed then. Saint Sambandar in his Thevaram relating to this place mentions a temple. Saints Appar and Sambandar belonged to the Seventh Century, Sekkizhar, the renowned author of Periapuranam mentions that both the Saints Appar and Sambandar worshipped Arunchaleswarar in the hill Temple. The Chola Kings ruled over the country for more than four Centuries from 850 A.D. to 1280 A.D. Some earlier Kings of Vijayalaya dynasty must have begun to construct the inner shrine(Garbegraha). In the fourteenth Century the Hoysala Kings had their capital at Tiruvannamalai. Afterwards the Kings of Vijayanagar and Nayak Kings of Thanjavur ruled over this part of the Country. In the Seventeenth Century it came under the sway of the Nawabs of Carnatic. There was confusion and chaos after A.D. 1753. Muraru Raya, Krishna Raya, Mrithis Ali Khan, Burkat Ullakhan, French Soupries and Sambrinet, English Captain Stephen Smith besieged this place and had their successes and defeats. In A.D. 1790 it was captured by Tippu Sultan. During the first half of the nineteenth century it came under the British rule.

The Temple is situated east at the bottom of the hill half a mile west of the Railway Station. It faces East. It has got four stately towers on all the four sides and four high stone walls just like the rampart walls of a fort. The Eastern Tower called the Rajagopuram is the Highest. The Southern tower is called Thirumanjangopuram, that iin the west is called Peygopuram and that in the north is called Ammaniamma Gopuram. The temple occupies an extent of about 25 acres of land. The walls on the East and West measure 700 feet each. The South wall is 1479 feet long and North wall is 1590 feet. The Rajagopuram which adorns the East Gateway is 217 feet high with 11 storeys, its base measure 135 feet by 98 feet. This tower was built by King Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar and completed by Sevappa Nayaka of Thanjavur. Krishna Devaraya also constructed the Thousand Pillared Mantapam and dug the tank opposite to it . Ammani Ammal a Sanyasini built the North Gopuram which is called after her name.

The towers, the pillars in the Mantapams and Vimananms consist of figures of Sculptures Excellence.  In the side walls of the Entrance of East Gopuram there are dance poses and figures of Bewitching Beauty. Generally stone-Idols are fixed with what is called "Ashtabandana". But in this case it is "Swarnabandana" (Gold) which is of Special Importance. There are five inner rounds. Including what is called Madavilagam running just outside the temple walls and the four car streets and the path round the Giri the temple is said to have Seven Prakaras.

As enjoined, one should enter the temple by the Main Gate in front of the Sanctumsanctorum. Before entering the Eastern Gate we see the Sixteen-Pillared Mantapam and the Four-Pillared Mantapam. When we pass the Eastern Tower Gate we see the Gopura Ganapathi. This deity is held in high esteem and veneration by all devotees and the first worship to Him. We first come to the fifth prakaram and see before us the Kambathilayanar Sannidhi and Gnanappai Mantapam. Here it was that God Muruga appeared in a Pillar for the sake of the King Prabudadevaraya as prayed for by saint Arunagirinathar in response to his famouns song "Athalasadanarada". To the south there is the sacred tank called Sivaganga Theertham. It has stonesteps and Thirumalapathi Mantapam on all four sides.

In the South East corner of this fifth prakaram there is the Adiyar Viduthi (Devotees rest house), Siddhi Vinayagar shrine is found in the North-West side of the tank. To the West of the tank is the Theerthawarimantapam. There is Mangalavinayagar Sannidhi in the fifth South Prakaram and Thiruvarul Vilasa Mantapam just to the West of the South tower. There is the Kothala Vinayagar shrine in the Western Prakaram. There is nothing worth seeing in the Northern Prakaram except the big banyan tree which is considered sacred. Coming again to the Eastern Side of the fifth Prakaram we see the Mathapirappu Mantappam. A festival with Sri Chandrasekara Swami is celebrated here on the first day of the Tamil Month. Then we see the Thousand Pillared Mantapam and the underground temple of Sri Pathala Linga where at Ramana Maharishi's body was eaten by ants and months in his state of Supreme Awareness. In between Sivaganga Tank and Thousand Pillared Mantapam there are the Rudrakshamantapam and the Big Nandhi Mantapam.

From the fifth Prakaram we now go to the forth prakaram passing the tower gate of Vallala Maharaja Gopuram. Saint Arunagirinathar wanted to shuffle off his mortal coil by falling from this tower. Lord Murugan appeared before him and saved his life. Hence he came to be called Gopurathillaiyanar. Along with this deity we see the image of Saint Arunagirinathar also to the North of Vallalan Gopura Ganapathi, Kalyanasundaeswarar, Keswarar and Viranmindar one of the sixty three saivite saints. On crossing this towergate we enter the forth Prakaram. To the left there are the Kala Bairava Shrine and the temple tank called Barhma Theertham with the Teerthavari Mantapam. To the right we see Puravi Mantapam and the Sakthi Vilasam in which religious discourses are held. To the north of Brahma Teertham we see the shrines of Neleswarar, Vigneswarar, Vidyadhareswara and Brahmalinga.

Connecting the fifth and fourth Prakarams there are short tower-gates (Kattai Gopuram) on the Southern, Western and Northern sides. In the South-Western corner of the fourth Prakaram there are the Amavasya Mantapam, Vinayagar Shrine and what is called Sthula-Sukshma temple. To its north there is the Tirupatha Koil. In the North Western corner of the Thirupatha Koil there is the Karthigai Mantapam and Subramanya shrine. On the new moon day Shree Chandrasekara Swami is taken to the Amavasya Mantapam and Lord Subramanya to Krithigai Mantapam on the Krithigai day.

From the forth Prakaram we now go to the further inner circle, the third Prakaram. For this we have to cross what is called the Kili Gopuram(parrot-tower) gate in the East. Before entering this tower-gate we see on both sides the shrines of yanaithiraikonda Vinayagar, Subramaniar, Bairawar. Just in front of this entrance there is a Sixteen pillared Mandapam called the Katchi Mantapam. The five deities(Panchamurthis) are brought to this mantapam during the grand annual Karthigai Festival. Facing the hill they will give dharsan to the devotees simultaneously with the lighting of the hill top that evening. It is a sight to see and a teast to the devotees heart's desire. 

To the south of the Katchimantapam there are the store room, temple kitchen and pannirmantapam and in the north we see Vasanthamantapam (used as Devasthanam Office), Yagasala, and the shrines dedicated to Kalatheeswaras, Chidambraeswara, Ekambareswarar and Jumbukeswarar. Thus we have all the panchastalas in the Arunachalam temple. We have the temple of pidari also. In the third South Prakaram there are the Mahila tress sacred to this shrine, and the Tirukalyana Mantapam and Bhimeswarar and Vigneswarar Shrines. Just near the west gate connecting the third and forth Prakarams there is the shrine of Arunagiri Yogeeswarar. Lord Arunagiri Siddha's centre in the temple is here and it is a very good place for Meditation

The separate temple for Unnamalai Nayaki or Abidhakujambal is situated in the North Western portion of the third Prakaram. In the Mahamantapam in front of the Arthamantapam of this shrine we see the image of Kalanthagar, Veenadharar, Veerabadrar, Adilakshmi, Santhanalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Dhanyalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Ayswaryalakshmi, Veeralakshmi, Rudra Durga, Mahasakthi and Saraswathi. In the front mantapam there are also the shrines of Vijayaraghava Vinayagar, Navagrahams and Chitraputhrar. To the back of the sanetum-sanctorum we see the Parasakthiamman, Vigneswarar, Cholalingam and Cheralingam. Inside the Garbhagraha we see the charming and graceful Goddess Unnamulai Ambal, the inseperable partner of Sri Anurachaleswara. The Sanskrit name for the Goddess is Abidhakujambal.

After worshipping at Unnamulai Amman's shrine we come to the third Eastern Prakaram. Facing East at the extreme South and Extreme North there are the Shrines of Sambanda Vinayagar and Palaniandavar. On both sides of the entrance to the second Prakaram we see Ganpathi and Subramaniam and the Dwarapalakars (Gate keepers). Taking leave of Adhikara Nandikeswarar in the passage we enter into the second Prakaram. In the North we see Isanyalingam and all Utsavamurthis (festival idols) and in the South there is Indra Lingam. On all there sides of the second Prakaram there are number of deities. They are given below in detail.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Varadharaja Perumal Temple or Hastagiri or Attiyuran is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city ofKanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this one. One of the greatest Hindu scholars of Vaishnava VisishtAdvaita philosophy, Ramanuja is believed to have resided in this temple. The temple along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is called Mumurtivasam (abode of trio). While Srirangam is referred to as ‘ The Koil’ and Tirupathi as the ‘Malai’ among Divya Desams, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple is known as the ‘Perumal Koil’. This is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavites.

History:
There is a belief that the temple was first built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II.  Varadharaja Perumal Temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. In the 14th century another wall and a gopura was built by the later Chola kings. When a Mughul invasion was expected in 1688, the main image of the deity was sent to Udayarpalayam, now part of Tiruchirapalli District. It was brought back with greater difficulty after the involvement of local perceptor who enlisted the services of general Todarmal. Robert Clive, the British general during the colonial period visited the Garuda seva festival and presented a valuable necklace which is adorned during the special occasion every year. During the war between mughal king Malikapur and Cheran King 'Ravivarman Kulasekaran', The cheran won the battle against kusru khan who is the captain under mughal raj in Kanchepuram with the blessings of Varadharaja Perumal.

The Temple:
The Temple is a huge one on a 23-acre (93,000 sq mt) complex and shows the architectural skills of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis in temple architecture and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. The temple has 3 outer precincts (prakaram) namely Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram and Thiru Malai Prakaram. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams, 389 pillared halls and sacred sacred tanks some located outside the complex. The main sanctum faces west and can be entered through a 130 feet tall, 7-tiered rajagopuram. The eastern gopuram is taller than the western gopuram, which is contrasting to large temples where the rajagopuram is the tallest one. One of the most famous architectural pieces in the temple is the huge stone chain sculpted in a single stone.

There is a 100 pillared hall has sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabarathastands the masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture. The shrine of Varadarajaswamy is on a small hillock 10m tall and a fleet of 24 stps, termed "Hasthagiri" and has murals of the late Vijayanagara empire is found on the ceiling. Another significant thing about the temple are beautiful carved lizards and platted with gold, over the sanctum. The vimana over the sanctum of Vradaraja Swami is called Punyakoti Vimanam and the one over Perundevi Thayar shrine is called Kalyana Koti Vimanam. Apart from the main stone idol, the temple has the wooden image of Varadarajaswamy preserved within a silver box in water pumped out every 40 years. There is a shrine of Narasimha on the hillock. 

The origin of the mask of Narasimha is mysterious and believed to possess inexplicable powers. In the second precinct downstairs contains four shrines, the important one of which is of Malayala Nachiar (Kerala consort), presumably built during the Chera kings in the early 14th century. The third precinct has the shrine of Goddess Perundevi Thayar - it is customary for devotess to visit the shrine first before visiting the Perumal shrine. There are four small pillared halls identical in strcutre called Thulabara Mandapas built during the 1532 for a ceremony of Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire. As Lord Vishnu accepted requests of everyone and gave what they wanted, he came to be called ‘Varadar’(one who gives).

Legend:
Indra, the king of celestial deities, after getting released from the curse of Goddess Saraswathi, installed the silver and golden lizards who were the witness of the ordeal. Brahma performed a yagna here, which was washed away by the fast flowing river Vegavathi. The temple deity, Vishnu laid himself flat to stay the flow and the yagna was successfully performed. Vishnu emerged with brilliance of thousand Suns as Devarajaswamy and stayed here permananently. As is the case with the association of South Indian temples with a sacred tree, the name of the temple, Attigiri is derived from Atti tree, considered sacred to Vaishnavas.

Brihadeeswarar Temple tanjore

Thanjavur Big temple is one of India’s most prized architectural sites. Rajarajeswaram,at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the world’s first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in Tamilarchitecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron RajaRaja Chola I. It remains India’s largest temple and is one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Great Living Chola Temples”.

RajaRaja Chola I wanted to build a grand structure in his capital Thanjavur. Something that had never been built before and would symbolise his achievements and the greatness of the Cholas. He knew well that only a structure built with strong material such as granite would last long. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimana — or the temple tower — is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (or Kalash or Chikharam) (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is not carved out of a single stone as widely believed. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely available in Thanjavur area where the temple is. Built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, Brihadishwara Temple also popularly known as the ‘Big Temple’ turned 1000 years old in 2010.

It is believed the rock was brought to the building site by river boat. PS Sriraman, assistant superintendant archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India, says: “If you compare Big Temple with other temples of that time, it is at least 40 times bigger. The temple complex sits on the banks of a river that was channeled to make a moat around the complex’s outer walls, the walls being built like a fortress. The complex is made up of many structures that are aligned axially. The complex can be entered either on one axis through a five-story gopuram or with a second access directly to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller free-standing gopuram. The massive size of the main sikhara (although it is hollow on the inside and not meant to be occupied) is 63 meters high, with 16 severely articulated stories, and dominates the main quadrangle. Pilaster, piers, and attached columns are placed rhythmically covering every surface of the shikhara.

“This is a dramatic scaling up. It shows their confidence and imagination. It has a very unique design. It is the first Hindu temple to be built on such a grand scale.” Interestingly, the temple also has number of statues and stone carvings depicting the life of Buddha. The main temple is in the center of the spacious quadrangle composed of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall and an assembly hall (mandapas), and many sub-shrines. The most important part of the temple is the inner mandapa which is surrounded by massive walls that are divided into levels by sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses. Each side of the sanctuary has a bay emphasizing the principle cult icons. The karuvarai, a Tamil word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, is the inner most sanctum and focus of the temple where an image of the primary deity, Shiva, resides. Inside is a huge stonelinga. The word Karuvarai means “womb chamber” from Tamil word karu for foetus.

In the Dravida style, the Karuvarai takes the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha for circumambulation (pradakshina). The entrance is highly decorated. The inside chamber housing the image of the god is the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the universe. In the center is placed the image of the deity. The royal bathing-hall where Rajaraja the great gave gifts is to the east of the hall of Irumudi-Soran.

The circumambulation winds around the massive lingam in the garbhagriha and is repeated in an upper story, presenting the idea that Chola Empire freely offered access to the gods.

The inner mandapa leads out to a rectangular mandapa and then to a twenty-columned porch with three staircases leading down. Sharing the same stone plinth is a small open mandapa dedicated to Nandi, Shiva’s sacred bull mount.

The adjoining structure of the big temple is Surrounding the main temple are two walled enclosures. The outer wall is high, defining the temple complex area. Here is the massive gopuram or gateway mentioned above. Within this a portico, a barrel vaulted gorpuram with over 400pillars, is enclosed by a high wall interspersed with huge gopurams axially lined up to the main temple. The temple is made up of 130,000 tons of granite. The 60-metre tall vimana is the tallest in South India. A European-like figure which is carved on the vimana is believed to be an ancient warning of the arrival of the British. Later investigations by archaeologists proposed that this carving may be a hoax. It is widely believed that the shadow of the gopuram never falls on the ground. However, some scholars have dismissed this as a myth.

The tons of stone was taken, with the help of hundreds of elephants, from Thirukoilore (birth place of Raja raja’s mother) near Sri Virateshvara swamy temple. The kumbam, on top of the temple was believed to have taken to the top by creating a slope from the ground to the 66m gopuram made of soil. Then elephants would drag the stone to the top of gopuram.

Nellaiyappar Temple – Tirunelveli

About Temple:

Nellaiappar Temple (also spelled Nellaiyappar) is located in the heart of the city of Tirunelveli in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the famous Tamil Nadu temples, deep in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and brilliant sculptural splendours.

History:The temple dates back to 700 AD and in the temple are inscriptions going back to 950 A.D. It is believed there were two distinct temples. They were built for Shiva and for Parvati, the consort to Lord Shiva, by the Pandyan kings.It is the largest Shiva Temple in TamilNadu

The Sangili Mandapam, a big terraced hall linking these two, was built in the 17th century. The towers also date back to early 17th century. It is the largest Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu. The Aani Car festival is the most famous festival in this temple. The temple has five cars each for Vinayakar,

Murugan, Nellaiappar, Kanthimathi, Sandikeswarar.

Nellaiappar Car is the third largest car in Tamil Nadu and it is the first largest man-powered car. Nellaiappar Temple is one of the Panchasabha (with the Thaamira Sabha).
Lord Vishnu and sage Agastya are believed to have worshipped Shiva here.

Temple

The temple is a complex of two huge temples covering an area of 14 acres (57,000 m2) and linked by the Mandapam (pillared hall) which has pillars with beautiful life-sized sculptures carved into them, as do many of the Mandapams there. The thousand-pillared hall is of great beauty. The musical pillars in the Mani Mandapam produce sound in various pitches when struck and are from the 7th century AD.
This is a vast temple with many unique features such as the Manimandapam near the Nandi mandapam that has two huge pillars carved out of a single stone. Each giant pillar has 48 small pillars
which produce musical sounds when struck.

This temple houses a shrine to Shiva and to Parvati. There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kanthimathi. There are several other legends associated with this temple.

There is a legend that there is a tunnel behind the Ravana sculpture in the temple corridor that connects Thirunelveli and Madurai. This tunnel was supposed to have been used by the Pandya kings and their spies on secret missions.
There are many temples in Tirunelveli but the most famous one is the Nellaiappar temple, located 1 km from Tirunelveli junction. There are many buses plying from Tirunelveli junction to this temple. The name of the main deity here is Nellaiappar and the Ambal’s name is Gandhimathi.

According to historical facts, this town was known as Venuvanam. There was a Siva devotee named Vedapattar. Lord Siva wanted to test Vedapattar’s devotion. So he made Vedapattar lose his wealth and suffer. Still, he did not give up the habit of praying to God.

One day, Vedapattar left some paddy in the sanctum of Lord Siva and went to take bath in the river. Meanwhile, it started pouring. Seeing this, Vedappatar rushed to the sanctum to save the paddy. To his suprise, he saw that there was no rain around the paddy, and God had put a fence around it and saved it.

He ran to inform the king, Rama Pandian, about the miracle. From then on the city came to be known as Nel veli – paddy that was saved by a fence. The name Nelveli got changed to Tirunelveli in time.

Sage Agastya has worshipped Lord Siva in this temple. The Lord is also called as Venunathar, Veithanathar, Nelvelinathar and Salivanathar. The Ambal is also called Vadivudaiamman and Thirukamakottamudaiya Nachiar. Lord Vinayaga is also called Polla Pillaiyar and Lord Muruga, Arumuga Peruman.

Saiva saint Tirugnana Sambandar has also sung about this temple. The 2,000-year-old temple has 32 theerthams. The speciality of this temple is that there are a lot of stories about it. Nellaiappar temple is one of the five temples where Lord Siva has danced in the form of Nataraja.

According to Hindu belief, devotees who worship the Lord in this temple will get mental peace and live well. Those who worship Gandhimathiamman would prosper in life.

Devotees can donate curd, milk, oil and other items to the temple. Navaratri festival, Tirukkalyanam in the Tamil month of Aippasi and Arudra Darisanam are the main festivals celebrated here.

Temple: This sivasthalam is one of the Pancha Sabha Temples (Copper) of Lord Shiva. This is one of the big temples in Pandiya Naadu measuring 756 in length and 378 feet in breadth. There are 2 temples at Tirunelveli, one for Lord Shiva who is known as Nellaiappar and the other one for Kanthimathi Ammai. Both the temples are located side by side and a corridor joins both the temples. On the southern prakaram of the presiding male deity’s temple, the stone statues of Nayak Kings are found who have made immense contributions for the development of this temple. The beautiful statue of Lord Arumugam (Muruga) with His 2 consorts Valli and Deivaanai sitting on His mount Peacock can be seen in the west prakaram. This statue is beautifully carved from single block of big stone. From the eastern prakaram, one has to enter through a series of mandapams to reach the sanctum sanctorum of Nellaiappar.

The temple of female deity Kanthimathi Ammai can be reached from the south prakaram and passing through the connecting corridor. The 1000 pillar mandapam inside the female deity’s temple is very famous and it is here the celestial wedding of Kanthimathi Ammai with Nellaiappar takes place every year during the festival.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Tiruvallikeni chennai

The Parthasarathy Temple is an 8th century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located at Triplicane, Chennai. It is one among the 108 divyadesams or holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is worshipped in the name ‘Parthasarathy’ in this temple, which means in Sanskrit, ‘charioteer of Arjuna’.

It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century by king Narasimhavarman I. One of the distinguishing features of is that it has four of the incarnations or avatars of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, Varaha and Krishna.

There are shrines for Sri Vedhavalli Thayaar, Sri Ranganatha, Sri Rama, Sri Gajendra Varadharaja Swamy, Narasimha, Sri Andal, Sri Anjaneya, Alwars, Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal and Vedanthachariar. There are separate entrances for Lord Parthasarathy and Lord Narasimha.

Sthala Puranam

A king by name Sumathi, showered his love toward the Lord Balaji of Thirumala. But he wished to worship Lord Balaji as Lord Krishna. For the sake of him, Balaji Appeared in front of the king as Lord Krishna, at this place in the pose which he stood in the Mahabharatha war. Lord Krishna was the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata war when he gave the Hindu holy book of Bhagavad Gita. Hence, the God, Sri Parthasarathy’s face is full of scars created by the arrows of the Great Bhishma in the Kurukshetra war. Other interesting thing is that, God Krishna is seen with a moustache and without his weapon Chakra. The reason attributed is that he promised not to take weapons in the Mahabharatha war and hence he has only his conch. As He was the charioteer He sported the moustache keeping with the tradition. The Utsavar also has only a stick and not his mace as found with others. This is because the Lord was born in a cowherd clan.

The great seven Munis (Saptha Rishis) – Brighu, Atthiri, Mareeshi, Markandeyar, Sumathi, Jaabali and Saptharomar performed Tapas (thavam) here and as a result of this, the sthalam is also called as “Brindaranyasthalam”. This sthalam is also known as “Panja Veerathalam”.

Among the 12 alwars three of them namely Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar and Thirumangaialwar have sung on the different forms of God in this temple. The temple and the area Tiruallikkeni derives the name from the Holy tank. It is said Goddess Mahalakshmi herself was born here as Vedavalli to Sage Bhrigu. Lily flowers bloomed in this tank. This tank consistes of five sacred wells, and so it is said that its waters are holier than the Ganges.

Eastern side Rajagopuram and other structures are said to have built by Thondaman Chakravarthi, who ruled this parts from Kalahasthi. The Mahamandapam and the Mandapam in front of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy called Thiruvoimozhi Prabandha Mandapam, show pre Pallava architecture, indicating that the mandapams are later annextures to original shrine. Except Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Shrine, other shrines have been renovated in the beginning of the century and the shrine of Sri Vedavalli Thayar and the 36 pillared mandapam in front of the temple were build in the later part of the last Century.

A view of the gopurams of the Parthasarathy temple Thulabharam is provided in front of Ticket counter for worshipping public. Annadhanam Scheme is conducted daily for worshipping public.

The temple has grand brahmotsavams for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of chittirai(April-may),on the same month Udayavar uthsavam is also celebrated in special manner.In the month of vaigasi,Sri Varadarajar uthsavam, Sri Nammalwar uthsavam(vaigasi-visagam) and vasanthothsavam are celebrated. Sri Azhagiyasingar during the Tamil month of aani (June-July).There are also grand utsavams for Sri Ramanuja(April-may) and Sri Manavalamamunigal(oct-nov) besides utsavams for Alwar and acharyas. Vaikunta Ekadesi and during the Tamil month of Margazhi draws lot of pilgrims.

Seven Shrines in one Temple

1. Venkata Krishnan

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Venkata Krishnan. Along with Rukmani Piratiyar, he holds sword in one hand, Varadha Muthirai on the other hand and his brother Balaraman on his right, Sathaviki on his left, son Prathyumnan, Grand son Aniruthan are also found near the Moolavar. This is one of the Sthalam where the Perumal shows his seva along with his three generations. He is found in standing (Nindra thirukkolam) position and facing his Thirumugham towards East direction.

Moolavar : Venkatakrishnan with Rukmini Nindra Thirukolam – Facing east
Uthsavar : Parthasarathy

2. Lord Narasimha Swamy / Thellia Singhar

There is separate entrance and flag post ( Dwajasthambam) for Lord Narasimha Swamy. Moolavar is in Veetrirundha “Yoga” thirukola, Utsavar Thellia Singhar with Acwana hastham (Azhithu saranalikkum thirukkolam).

Moolavar : Yoga Narasimhar Vetrirundha Thirukolam – Facing west
Utsavar : Thellia singar

3. Sri Ranganathar

We can have Dharshan of Sri Ranganatha Swamy while we pass in the queue to get dharshan of Sri Venkata Krishnan. Not all but some who are basically from Thiruvalli keni would know that Sri varaha swamy and Narasimha swamy are seated and giving dharshan along with Sri Ranganatha Swamy Sannithi.

Moolavar : Ranganathan – Bhujanga sayanam – Facing east

4. Vedhavalli Thayar

We can have Dharshan of Sri Vedhavalli thayar in her separate Sannithi on the right, when you come out of Sri Venkata krishanan sannithi. Thayar ithalathilum thani utsavangalum nakshathirua purappadum kandu magizndhu nammai magizvikkindral. Every Friday evening Vedhavalli thayar will have separate purappadu inside temple along with Madal Goshti.

5. Kodhandaraman

While we pass the queue to have dharshan of Sri venkatakrishnan, on the right after crossing the Manikkadhavu we can have dharshan of Sri Kodhandaraman along with Sri Seetha Devi, Sri Lakshmanan & Hanumar (as well opposite to his Sannithi).

Moolavar : Kodhandaraman – Nindra Thirukolam – Facing south

6. Gajendra Varadahar

Once done with Dharshan of Sri Vedhavalli thayar while stepping down on the left of Sannithi we can have dharshan of Sri gajendra varadharaja Swami, Sitting on Garuda bahavan in a ready to fly position to help jeevathama.

Moolavar : Varadharajan – Garuda vahanan – Facing east
Varadharaja Perumal in Nithya Garuda sevai.

7. Sri Andal

On the right side to Sri Narasimha Swamy sannithy is sri Andal Sannithi, Sri Andal ithalathilum Thani utsavangal Kandu magizndhu nammai Magizvikkindral. Thennacharya Sri Vaishnava Azhwar Acharyargalum ithalathillum Thani Sannidhi galai kondu ezhundharuli irukindranar.

Theertham : Kairavini saras (Allikeni)
Vimanam : Anandha Vimanam, Pranava Vimanam, Pushpaga Vimanam, Sesha Vimanam & Daiviga Vimanam
Prathyaksham : Rukminiprati, Thondaiman, Sumathirajan, Arjunan, Bhrugumaharishi, Markandeyar, Madhuman Maharishi, Saptharoma, Athrimaharishi, Jajalimaharishi, Anirudhdhan, Pradhyumnan & Balaraman.
Mangalasasanam : Thirumangai Alwar, Peiyazhalwar & Thirumazhisai alwar (12 pasurams)

Location: The Temple is very near to the Marina Beach. The temple is situated about four kms form the Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore Railway Stations. The Temple can be reached by the Mass Rapid Transit System of Railways and the Tiruvallikeni MRTS Station is few metres away from the Temple. The temple is 25 km from the Meenambakkam Airport.

Contact Address:
The Deputy Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Arulmighu Parthasarathyswamy Temple,
Triplicane, Chennai – 600 005.
Phone: +91-44-28442449 / 28442462.
Fax: +91-44-28447042
Email: parthasarathyswamytemple@gmail.com
Website: www.sriparthasarathyswamytemple.org

Kapaleeshwarar Temple chennai

Kapaleeswarar Temple, located in Kutchery Road, Mylapore near Chennai is the temple of Lord Shiva. Sage Kasyapar worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. This temple is one of the 275 Thevara Padal Petra Sthalams, out of which, this is one of the 40 temples that have west facing Lord Shiva shrines. Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife is also worshipped here at this temple that is known as Karpagambal.

In 7th century Pallava Nayanmars built this temple in Dravidian style with unique architecture. According to the Puranas, Shakthi worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of Peacock, that’s why, the name Mylai was given to the place around the temple, as Mylai means Peacock in Tamil.

The important feature of the Kapaleeshwarar temple is the 37-meter tall Gopuram. The temple got its name from the words Kapalam (head) and Eeshwarar an alias of Lord Shiva. The temple has 2 entrances marked by the Gopuram on either side. The East Gopuram is about 40 m high, while the smaller western Gopuram faces the sacred tank.  Tirumayilai is the most centrally situated Shivasthalam of the three in (and around) Chennai- Tiruvanmyur, Tirumayilai and Tiruvotriyur. This is the 24th of the 32 Tevara Sthalams in the Tondai region of South India. The huge Temple tank is the site of the popular Teppam festival in the month of Thai (Capricorn). Vayilar Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was born here and a separate shrine exists for him in the Temple.

The Vahanas (vehicles) at the Temple, in the carving form include the bull, Adhikaranandi, elephant, bandicoot, peacock, goat and parrot, while a golden Chariot is a recent addition. The statues of the God and Goddess are seated on the Vahanas. On every Friday the statue of Goddess Karpagambal is decorated with a garland made out of gold coins (Kaasu Maalai). The famous Tamil hymns Karunai Deivame Karpagame and Karpagavalli Nin Porpadhangal Pidithen were written by poets in praise of the goddess Karpagambal. There is also a peacock and a peahen caged inside the temple, to symbolize the tradition that Karpagambal had come in the form of peahen to plead to Kapaleeshwarar.

Aruvathi Moovar, festival is celebrated during March and April in carnival time. The weeklong festival attracts devotees from far off places to have a rendezvous time with Gods who are taken out in a procession. Shivarathri is celebrated with no indulgence and special pooja’s are done throughout the night.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

The history of the holy place srirangam is thousands of years old. To explain it, One has to look backward the history of entire tamilnadu where an advancement in civilization was seen. The inscriptions of this place gives in formation about the life style of tribal who where living here quite long before, Aryans entered the Asian subcontinent-india. Initially chola’s domination was seen, when Trade relationship of tamilnadu was good with many south Asian countries especially with china. Chola’s were the barriers to mauryas to stop entering them. That period dates to 3 BC. Later, Guptas and chalukyas were dominant. out of chalukkyas pulikesi II was a diplomatic dictator.  Architectural beauties were a dream in those days.  But pallavas, By start of 4th century made it real. Their excellence could be seen in temples like Mahabalipuram in Chennai and Rockfort temple of Trichy .

Chola’s of Thanjavur again came in to the scene by 9th century and built many important temples. The Brahadishwara temple of Thanjavur built by RajaRaja chola and the Gangaikonda cholapuram temple Built by his son Rajendra chola are best examples. Chola dynasty end up in 14th century and then pandyas took charge. Pandyas even though were capable of with standing the encounters from mugal emperors; at last sinked. But mugal empire was not seen for more years, as Vijayanagar Empire started up. They started ruling their region individually from 1602 AD. After wards the Portuguese entered and were ruling fore some years. Even though Portuguese, French, Dutch and Britishers wanted to capture the region and also the whole country, it was English men who were ruling the country for more than three centuries till independence.

Srirangam Origin and Development

The vimana of srirangam temple originally came out of “parkadal” with the powers of brahma dava. The incarnation of lord Vishnu called Ramavathara has performed poojas to this vimana. But as a symbol of love he gifted this vimana to vibishana (brother of Ravana). With a condition, to not to keep that on earth. While he took this vimana and was traveling towards srilanka, lord vinayaka played a trick and made that to stick on the region now called srirangam, on the banks of river cauvery. Then chola kings namely dharmavarcholan and killivalavan developed the shrine into big temple seen now. They have laid the Basic foundations and primary Buildings.

Srirangam Temple is located at 10’52 Degrees North and 78’43 Degrees East in Between the Rivers cauvery and kolidam. There are seven wall streets around this temple called as the saptha prakarams. This is the only temple in world to have seven prakarams. The area of this temple is 156 sq km and Round about area is nearly 10710 sq feet.

Out of seven prakarams four are seen inside the temple and three are outside. They are namely Uthra Street, Chitra Street and Adayavalanjan Street. There is a large tower on the south side called Rajagopuram which is the highest temple tower of south asia. Including that there are totally 26 Gopurams (Towers) on the four sides of Temples. There are totally three entrances for this temple. South, North and East entrances are those. There is a full fledged Transportation arrangement to visit this place and so Buses are available 24 hours a day. Other important sannathis (Temples) in srirangm temples other than perumal (the principal deity) are namely.

(a) Thayar sannathi
(b) Chakkarathazwar sannathi
(c) Udayavar (Ramanujar sannathi)
(d) Garudalwar Sannathi
(e) Veliandal Sannathi
(f) Ul Andal Sannathi

But totally there are 53 additional small temples called upa-sannathis this in this large temple complex called srirangam.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

The History Behind

     Many decades later, the whole of Srirangam was merged in a violent stand-storm.  The Temple of Srirangam will all its suburbs were under the sand.  Once, when a Chola king went out for hunting, he took shelter under the shade of a tree.  The parrot which was perching on the tree began to chat, that the Sriranga Kshetra is buried under the sands.  Hearing this, the Chola king began to discover the submerged town of Srirangam and renewed all the parts and suburbs of the town.  The Chola king is called the Kilikanda Cholan (The king who was advised by the parrot).

Raja Rajendra Chola

     When this king began to rule the Choladesa, then also he underwent many difficulties in protecting the town of Srirangam from its ruins. So far as time permitted him the King undertook the repairs of the temple and it’s Gopurams on the East and on the South.

Nanda Chola

     After the death of Raja Rajendra Cholan, King Nanda Cholan of Dharma Varma Dynasty became very much devoted to Sri Ranganatha. He had no issues.  One day he found a child in the lotus-tank of his capital, which was very beautiful.  The king brought up the girl with all glory and happiness.  She was called “Kamala Valli”. The King had the greatest pleasure of bringing up the girl Kamala Valli.  Once Kamala went into the gardens with her mates to gather flowers.  Instantly she took sight of a handsome youth on a horseback.  He was the Lord of Srirangam “Sri Ranganatha” Himself. Kamala Valli was cast in a great spell of love with him.  Her mind was stolen away by the Lord and she began to perform a severe tapas. The truth of the incident was made known to king.  At once the king decided to give her in marriage to the princely youth and conducted the marriage.  It is heard that as soon as the young couple entered the temple premises they were immured into a lustrous glory of Lord Sri Ranganatha immediately.  The king built a mighty temple for them with all his wealth. This is the historical episode of Woraiyr. The king, Nanda Chola established a great Nanda Vana (garden for the Lord) and built of the Thirumamani Mantapam, the outer walls and the Gopuram.  After his death, the temple was protected by his successors.  As usual every year the Wedding Festival of Sri Kamala Valli was conducted. This festival takes place ;in the Panguni month every year when Lord Sri Ranganatha goes over to Woraiyur for the Thiru Kalyana Utsava of Kamalavalli Nachiyar at Woraiyur.

King Kulasekara

     He was one of the most famous South Indian Kings.  His daughter, Cherakula Valli was given in marriage to Lord Sri Ranganatha.  To commemorate this, many mantapams are built in the third Prakaram.  In this mantapam the Pavitra Utsavam of Lord Sri Ranganatha is conducted every year.  The third of the seven Prakaras is so named after King Kulasekara known as “Kulasekaran Tiruchuttru”.

Aryabatal Entrance

     Before 360 years a rich man form the land of Gods came here to worship Lord Sri Ranganatha with a great mass of wealth.  But he was not given dharsna by the Lord.  So, he stayed at the entrance itself with many watchmen to protect the temple of the Lord. Soon he was drawn to the favour of the Lord and was taken into the special devotion towards the Lord. Even now, this entrance is called the Arya Batal Entrance.

Parakalan (Thirumangai Alwar)

     Before 445 years ago, Saint Parakala built 4 mantapams in the prakara of Rajamahendra and famous Garuda Mantapam.  This Prakara is called the Ali Nandan Tiruchuttru (Thirumangai Alwar Prakara).

Vikarama Chola

    King Vikarama Chola known as Akalangan (Man devoid of vices) built the Fifth Prakaram, three Gopurams and the sacred abode of Sri Ranga Nachiar and many mantapams in the Prakalan Prakaram.  The abode of Lord Narasimha – Mettu Alagiasinga Perumal was built by this king.

Sri Sundara Pandian

    This king embodied the sacred Vigrahas of Cherakulavalli and the Garuda Alwar (Peria Thiruvadi Nayanar).  The king made the Ratna Angi Kavacha for the Utsava Moorthy, Sri Namperumal, and built the Golden Flag Staff of Dwaja Sthamba and made many gold and silver vessels for the use in temple.  He also made many Vahanas for the processions with the wealth of 18 lakhs of rupees.

Vikraman

     This king Vikrama built 4 Gopuram in the Parakalan Prakaram.  The prakaram built by king Vikrama is known as Thiru Vikrama thiruchuttru. This is called the Uttara Street now. Lot of ruins were made to the temple by the invasion of the mohammaden reign.  A musalman king took the Utsava Deity to his capital at Delhi.  Due to the unwearied enterprises of the Srivaishanava Acharya, the stolen Utsave Moorthy was restored. It is understood that the daughter of Musalman king was very much devoted to Sriranganatha and she got herself immuned in the glorious lusture of the Divinity of Lord Sri Ranganatha. Equally as to the Lord daily pujas are performed to the musalman queen in the temple.  Some of the Mohammaden principles are also being observed in the temple even now-a-days. Later on, the temple was brought upto a highest state by the kings of Vijayanagar.  They attended to many of the ruins in the temple and rebuilt the destroyed parts.  They made many valuable Abarnas to the God.  The king Vijayaranga Chokanada Nayak built many mantapams. Even now, some of the gold and Silver made by them are kept in use.

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Feastivals

Festivals are celebrated in this temple thoughout the year. Some of the most popular festivals of the temple are Chitra festival, Avanimoola festival, Masi Mandala festival, Float festival, and Navarathri cultural festival.

Month of Chitrai (April):

The Chitra festival is celebrated for 12 days during the Tamil month of Chitrai (April in the English calendar) and begins with the flag hoisting on the first day. On the 8th day the coronation of Meenakshi Amman takes place. On the 9th day the Goddess is taken out in procession. On the 10th day the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar is performed, followed by car festival the next day, Theertha festival is celebrated on the 12th day with the Lord and Goddess going round Masi streets.

Month of Vaikasi (May):

The spring festival is hosted for ten days during this month. On the 10th day milk mango offerings would be offered to the deities. The Lord and Goddess would proceed to the New Mandapam stay there and be taken out in process. On the day of Moola star, the procession of 63 Saints would be conducted in the morning and at night Thirugnanasambandar would be taken out in procession.

Month of Aani (June):

Oonjal festival would be conducted for ten days during this month. On the `10th day, the triple fruit pooja would be performed. Abhishekam would be performed for Sivakami Amman and Arulmighu Nadarajar on the day of Uthiram. The Panchasabha Nadaraja Moorthy would be taken out in procession along the fur Masi streets.

Month of Aadi (July):

The Aadi Mulaikottu festival is celebrated for 10 days during this month. The festival would be confined to only to the Amman, who will be taken out in procession along Aadi streets. Spcial recitals of Nadaswaram would be the highlight of this festival.

Month of Aavani (August):

The Aavani festival would be conducted for 18 days. Six days of the festival would be devoted to Arulmighu Chandrasekarar and the balance 12 days would be for the Panchamoorthies. On the 7th day of the festival, coronation would be performed for Sundareswarar and on the 8th day the horse reins would be exchanged. On the 9th day the episode of Lord Sivaperuman carrying soil for earning pittu would be enacted while the theertham on the occasion of the joining of Avittam and Pooranai would be celebrated. On the same night, Arulmighu Thirupparankundram Subramaniyar and Thiruvadhavur Arulmighu Manickavasaka Peruman would bid farewel. During the festival of Chandrasekarar, procession would be taken out along the second corridor of Swami shrine. The Panchamoorthies would be taken around in processiion along Aavani Moola streets. During these days the ten miracles performed by the Lord of Madurai would be enacted by the Sivachariars.

Month of Purattasi (September):

The Navarathri festival would be celebrated for Amman in a grand manner during this month. Amman would appear in a separate dress and look every day and bless the devotees at the `kolu mandapam' in Amman Sannidhi. Kalpa pooja and Lakshacharna would be performed everyday for the Amman at the sanctum. On the 10th day the washing of hair ceremoney would be performed. On that Panchamoorthies would be taken out in procession within the temple premises. On all ten days of the festival cultural festivals would be hosted in a grand manner. The entire temple complex would be bathed in colour lamps and the dolls would be arranged in a manner to find a niche in the hearts of the devotees.

Month of Aipasi (October):

Kolattam festival would be conducted for six days during this month. For five days Amman would be taken out in procession along the Aadi streets while on the sixth day both Amman and Swamy would be taken out in procession. Women would dance striking short sticks together. It is during this month, that Pavithrotsavam would take place. Chandrasekarar would be taken in procession along the second corridor of Swamy Sannidhi.

Kanda Sashti fesival would be celebrated for six days at the Koodal Kumarar Sannidhi. Soorasamharam is not performed here. On the seventh day when Arulmighu Muthukumarar goes out in procession, `Pavadai Dharshan' would be conducted.

On the day of Deepavali festival, a durbar would be held for the employees of the temple.

On the days of Pooram in this month, the ceremony of hoisting and swinging Meenakshi Amman would be performed.

Month of Karthigai (November):

Deepam (lights) festival would be conducted for ten days during this month. Swamy would be taken out in procession along the Aadi streets. On the day of Karthigai one lakh lamps would be lit in the temple. On that day a bonfire would be lit in East Masi street,

Month of Marhazhi (December):

Oil anointing ceremony would be conducted for nine days in this month at the New Mandapam. Arulmighu Meenakshi Amman would be taken out in procession along the Chitra streets. On the day of Thiruvadhirai, Arudhra Dharshan will take place. Pancha Sabha Nataraja Moorthigal would be taken in procession along the Masi streets.On the day of Ashtami the Lord and Goddess would ride the oxen vehicle and go round Kottai streets. Thiruvembavai festival would be conducted for ten days. Everyday, Arulmighu Manickavasagar would be taken out in procession along Aadi streets in the mornings. On the 10th rotating wheel and golden spring ceremonies would be conducted. In the mornings Thiruvembavai and Thirupalli Yezhutchi lyrics would be recited and there will be religious discourses by spiritual leaders. competitions would be conducted for school and college studens and prizes presented.

Month of Thai (January):

The float festival would be conducted for 12 days during the month. Swamy and Amman would be taken out in procession along the Chitra streets. On the 8th day the casting of net festival would be held while theertham festival and the pushing of the float would be held on the 10th day. On the 11th day harvesting of sheaves and on the 12th day the float festival would be conducted.

Month of Maasi (February):

The Maasi Mandala festival would be conducted for a mandalam (48 days). Six days of the festival is devoted to Arulmighu Vinayaka and six days for Arulmighu Kumar and three days for the triumvirate and six days for Chandrasekarar. The deities would be taken out in procession along the second corridor of Swamy Sannidhi. Panchamoorthy festival would be celebrated for ten days, when they will be taken out in procession along the Chitra streets. Theertham would be held on the day of Maham. Silent festival would be conducted for nine days of which three days would be for Chandrasekarar and an equal number of days for Swamy and Chandikeswarar. On the 10th day, the flag would be lowered and accounts read.

Month of Panguni (March):

The summer spring festival would be hosted for nine days at the Velliaymbala mandapam. Swamy and Amman would be taken in procession along Chitra streets. On the day of Panguni Uthiram, Swamy and Amman would proceed to Arulmighu Thiruvappudayar temple and bless those who excel in their religious belief by sprinkling `rasa vadham'.