3.Tiruvallikeni

Hi pals

Our next Divyadesam (DD) visit was happened during December 2008.

Tiruvallikeni or Tiru alli keni or Triplicane( Of course Chennai Senthamizh) is in heart of Chennai city very near Marina Beach.

Here perumal is giving dharshan as Parthasaarathy and the elephant of this temple has killed the Great Tamil Poet "Mahakavi Barathiar".

There are five sannathis in this temple. Moolavar Venkatakrishnan also populary called as Parthasarathy Perumal is giving dharshan along with Rukmani and Balaramar by facing East Direction. Perumaal is in Nindra Thirukkolam. He is also accompanied with Sathaki, Prathyumnan, Anirudhhan who are grand children of Perumal. Perumal in this temple is giving dharshan with his three generations.

Parthasarathy as promised to Kauravas that he will not take any arms against them in Kurukshetram, is not having Chakrayudam in his right hand in this temple. But he is having Conch Shell (Sangu) in his right hand.

Chariot Parthasarathy is having big mushtak and his face is filled with war marks, which is believed that these were happened during mahabarath war. It is believed that he has taken all the arrows and pains sent by Bhismar against Arjunan.

We can see Parthasarathy perumal without mushtak from 6th day till 10th day after followed by Vaikunda Ekadesi. (Pagal Patthu from 6th day to 10th day)

Perumal in this temple is having a big sword in his hip and having lash (Saatai) in his hand.

In the Second sannathi, Aranganathar is in Kidantha Thirukkolam facing east direction . Near to that is Thaayar Vedavalli's sannathi.

In Third Sannathi, Varadharaja perumal is giving dharshan facing east direction above Karudan.

In Fourth Sannathi, Narasimmaar is giving dharhsan facing west direction and next to that there is a separate sannadhi for Aandal. It is believed that if students pray this Narasimhar, he will give great knowledge to them and they will be successful in studies.

In Fifth Sannathi, Sriramar with Seetha, Lakshmanan, Barathan, Sathrugunan with Hanuman facing South direction.

Since moolavars of all five sannathis are performed mangalasaasanam, this temple is also called as Panchamoorthi Sthalam.

The pushkarani of this temple is called as Allikeni Pushkarani. ( Pond filled with Flower Alli) and hence the place was called as Tiru alli keni. ( Keni means Well or Pond)

Phone No. of Temple 91- 44 - 2844 2462 & 2844 2449.

Temple opening timings- 6am to 12 Noon. 4pm to 9pm.

2.Tirumala_Tirupati

Our next Divyadesam visit was happened during November 2008 to Tirupati for our son's Kavin Vijay's First Mottai. Tirupathi Venkatachalapathi is the Kuladeivam for our family and we all booked for Thirupathi on November 30th dharshan from T.Nagar branch of TTD.

There is an easy option of booking dharshan for Tirumala from T.Nagar or from any other TTD Branches. One can affix their thumb impression in any TTD branch offices and we can straight away join in SRIVARI queue in tirumala on the scheduled day and can see EMPERUMAAN SRINIVASAN'S dharshan in just an hour or two.
We have started on November 30th Early morning by auto and reached Chennai Central for Sapthagiri Express. Our Dharshan time was 3pm. We reached Tirupati and went to Tiruchanur by bus to have dharshan of Padmavathi Thaayar.( Alarmelmangai)
When we went, Brahmotsavam was going on and we had wonderpul dharshan of "Thaayar"
If one start describing about virtues of Tirupati Perumal, Our is life is too small to describe.

For more details about tirupati-tirumala please visit http://www.tirumala.org/

This Divyadesam is considered to be one of the most important divyadesam and said to be the most powerful sthalam. This Tirumala - Tirupathi sthalam is a cluster of three temples namely:

Keezh Tirupathi - found on the foot hill of Mountain.
Tirumala - found on the Mountain.
Tirucchanoor - Alarmelamangapuram - which is also found on the foot hill of Tirumala and it is near Keezh Tirupathi temple

Thiruchhaanur - Alarmel Mangaapuram
Thaayaar - Alarmelmangai (Padmaavathi) facing east.
Pushkarani- Padmasarovaram. It is said that at this theertham Mahalakshmi thaayar did tapas on sitting on a very big lotus flower.
Location: Tirucchanoor is 5 kms From Tirupati, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.
This sthalam is also called as "Alarmelmangapuram". This is the separate sthalam for Thaayar.
Here Devi Padmavathi in all her bridal glory is worshipped. It is customary to worship the Goddess here after darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.

But we had dharshan before seeing Perumal due to our dharshan timings.
Alarmelumangai is seated in "Padmasana position", holding a Lotus in both of her upper hands. Separate sannadhis for Lord Krishna, Balaramar, Sundararaja Swami, Surya Narayana Swami and Venkatachalapati are also found on the "Pragharams".

KEEZH TIRUPATI
The temple which is found on the foot hill (base of the Sapthagiri hills) of Tirumala is said to be the Keezh Tirupathi temple.
The Moolavar is Sri Govindaraja Perumal, who is found in Bujangha Sayana - in Kidantha thirukkolam is facing his thirumugham towards the Eastern direction.
He is considered to be Lord Venkateswara's brother.

Tirumala _Srinivasa Perumal@ Venkatachalapathy
The Moolavar of this divyadesam is said to be Swayambhu (originated on its own but not sculpted by humans). The Moolavar, Sri Venkatachalapathy is found in Nindra thirukkolam on the petals of the Lotus. One can see and admire the beauty the Diamond Kireetam on the head of the perumal. On seeing his face to a closer look, we can see the smiling face of the perumal. His chin is covered with the Pachchai Karpooram and for the perumal, 4 hands are found. The upper two arms holds the Sangu and the Chakkaram. The lower right hand is in Varadha hasta pose which is said to the pose where the perumal holds his hand with his palm facing the bhaktas and all of the fingers are pointed towards downwards (towards his divine feet). And his lower left hand is said to be in "Katya Valambitha"pose where the fingers of the hand rest on the left thing of the perumal.
Sri Lakshmi piratti is found on the right side of the Moolavar's chest in sitting position. And on his left chest is Padmavathi thaayar is found. The perumal is worn with lots of precious ornaments on his arms, he is worn with a kind of ornament which is like the Aadhiseshan on his both the hands. He is also worn the Garland of Salagramam and his divine thiruvadi (Feet) is found on the Lotus flower.

Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi
Next to Moolavar is Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi is found who is similar as the Moolavar but the difference is the Sangu and the Chakkaram cant be removed (its fixed) and gives his seva as "Sangu Chakkra thaari". It is said that he is the perumal who accepts all the dedications made by bhaktas and gives the varam.

Ugraha Srinivasar
In front of Moolavar is Ugraha Srinivasar is found who is also named as "Venkata Thuraivar" and the Vigraham represents that he is in the angry mood. Due to an fire accident, he is used only on 3 occasions (ie) during Uttanna Ekadesi, Mukkoti Dwadesi and Dwadasa Aradhana. It is said that the rays of the sun should not touch the idol as it might bring harm to the world. Because of this before the sun rises, he is brought back to the Garbagriham.
The Utsavar is called as "Malai Kuniya Nindran Perumal". He is also found in Nindra kolam and he is worn with lots of precious ornaments like diamonds and gold. Along his sides are Sridevi and Bhoodevi are found.
On special days and on Utsavams like Kalyana Utsavam, Brahmotsavam, Teppa Utsavam, the Utsavar is decorated with a diamond ornament named as "Vajrangi" and a pearl ornament known as "Muthangi" next to ugra Narasimhar is Kolur Srinivasar is found. He is also named as "Dharbar Srinivasar". He is brought up to the Thirumaamani mandapam and the perumal's Kaanikkai are spread infront of him and are counted and finally the collection amount is said infront of him.

Sri Navaneedha Krishnan
Next to him is Sri Navaneedha Krishnan is found. He is found in dancing position along with Rukmanidevi. The Dhanur month (Maargazhi) utsavam is done for this perumal.

Sri Ramar
Next is 4 idols of Sri Ramar, Seetha devi, lakshmana and sugreevan are found. Next to them is Chakarattalwar (Sudarsana chakkaram) is found who is taken out before the utsavar taken out for Veedhi Purappaadu (Perumal is taken out through the streets). On Ratha Saptami, Chakkrattalwar is taken to Swammi Pushkarani and spiritual bath is given to him.

After having dharshan one can get a small piece of laddu as free when coming outside.
Already me and Ravi went twice to Tirumala before marriage ( One time with Selvi family and one time with Ravi's whole family and Atlas girls) this trip became unforgottable because we went this time to visit our Kuladeivam with our Little KAVIN VIJAY. He also had mottai and it was a rainy day and Ravi and Kavin had bath in rain itself after mottai.

Mangalasasanam
Next to Sri Rangam divyadesam, only in this sthalam, Alwars have done more numbers of Mangalasasanam here.
Mangalasasanam by Periyazhwar, Andal, Kulasekarazhwar, Thiruppanazhwar, Thirumazhisaiazhwar, Poigaiazhwar, Bhoothathazhwar, Peyazhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar

Theertham (Pushkarani)
Aksha Ganga theertham: This is said to be one of the sacred pushkarani of this sthalam and is found two miles away from the temple and it is believed that devars regard this theertham as "Amirtham" (nectar).
Papavinasa Theertham:This theertham is found 3 miles away from the temple. As the name implies, if taken bath in this theertham, one can get rid from all of his sins.
Pandava theertham, Ramakrishna theertham, Jabali theertham, kapila theertham, Vaikunta theertham, Tumburu Punya theertham, Kumara dharma theertham (are some of the theerthams found in this sthalam).

Tirupati is well connected by Air, Rail and Road.
Rail:Tirupati is connected by rail with Chennai via Renigunta and CoimbatoreHyderabad, Vijayawada, via Gudur , Bangalore, Cochin via Arkonam, Tiruchi.
There are daily direct train services to Tirupati :From Chennai- Saptagiri Express, Tirupati Express, From Hyderabad - Rayalaseema Express, Venkatadri Express, Krishna Express, Narayanathri Express;;From Visakhapatnam - Tirumala Express.
Road:Tirupati is connected by road to all major towns and cities in South India. Direct buses to Tirupati are available from Chennai, Vellore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli and almost all major towns of Andhra Pradesh & also from Bangalore- It is 172 kms from Chennai by Road
TNSTC & APSRTC buses run from all the important places in the state and between Tirupati.
Air:Many private airlines and Indian airlines ply daily flights to tirupati.

List of 108 Divyadesams with Nearest Locations

Hi,
Here is the List and details of 108 Divyadesams with Nearest Locations.
Out of 108, the last two are termed as Vinnulaga Thirupathigal viz.Thirupaarkadal and Thiruparamapadam( Vaikundam) are not in this earth and one cannot view the same.

However it is believed that if one visits Srirangam and had dharshan of Sri Ranganathar on Vaikunda Ekadasi & Nava Narasimhar of Ahobilam on Swathi thirumanjanam, they have also gained the punniyam of visiting those two Vinnulaga thirupathigal.
(Photo courtesy- Priya G Nair)






Thirukkolam and Facing Directions

Emperumaan, Lord Sriman Narayanan is found in various Thirukkolam. The Thirukkolam (Appearance of His Idols) in 108 Divyakshetrams are listed below:

• Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Posture) - 27 Divyadesams
• Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position) - 21 Divyadesams
• Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position) - 60 Divyadesams

Out of these 108 Divyadesams, he is also facing his Thirumugham (Face) on various directions and giving his seva darshan, as below: The Lord appears

• facing towards East Direction - 79
• facing towards West direction - 19,
• facing towards North direction - 3 and
• facing towards South direction in 7 temples.

List of 108 Divyadesams
Temples near Chennai: (Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram area)
ThiruVallikeni
Thiruneermalai
ThiruvIdanthai
Thiru Kadalmalai
ThirukKadigai
Thiru Kacchi
Thiru Vekka
Ashtabuyagaram
Thiru Ooragam
Thiru Neeragam
Thiru Karagam
Thirukkaar Vaanam
Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram
Thiru Pavala Vannan
Thiru Paadagam
Nilathingal Thundam
ThirukKalvanoor
ThiruVelukkai
Thiruthanka
Thiruputkuzhi
Thiru Evvul
ThiruNindravur

Temples around river Cauvery: (Trichy, Kumbhakonam, Seergazhi area)
Thiruvarangam
Thirukkozhi
Thirukkarambanoor
Thiruvellarai
Thiru Anbil
Thirupper Nagar
Thirukkandiyur
Thiruvelliyankudi
Thiru Aadhanoor
Thirukkudanthai
Thiruppullam Boothankudi
Thirukkavitthalam
Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram
Thirukkoodaloor
ThiruVinnagar
ThiruNarayoor
Thiruccherai
Thirukkannamangai
Thiru Thanjaimaamani Koil
Thiruvazhunthoor
Thiru Sirupuliyur
Thalaicchanga Naanmathiyam
Thiru Indhaloor
Thirukkannapuram
Thirukkannankudi
Thiru Nagai
Thiru Chithra koodam
Thirukkazhiseerama Vinnagaram
Thiruvaali Thirunagari
Thiru Kavalampaadi
Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram
Thiru Vann Purushothamam
Thiru Semponsei Kovil
Thiru Manimaada Kovil
Thiru VaiKunda Vinnagaram
Thiru Devanaar Thogai
Thiru Thetri Aambalam
Thiru Manikkoodam
Thiru Vellakkulam
Thiru-Paarthanpalli
Thiruvaheendrapuram
Thirukkoviloor

Temples near Madurai:
Thiruthankaal
Thiruvilliputhoor
Thirukkoodal
Thirumaalirunsolai
ThiruMoghur
Thiruppullanni
Thirukkotiyoor
Thirumeyyam
Temples near Tirunalveli:
Thirukkurungudi
Thiruccherivaramangai
Thirukkurugoor
Thirukkoloor
Thirupperai
Thiruvaikundam
Thirukkulanthai
Thiruvaragunamangai
Thiruppulingudu
Thiruttholai Villimangalam
Thiruvanparisaram
Thiru Vattaaru
Divyadesams in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
Thirukkaatkarai
Thirumoozhikkalam
Thirupuliyoor
Thirucchenkundroor
Thiru Naavaay
Thiruvalvaazh
Thiruvanvandoor
Thiruvithuvakkodu
Thirukkadithaanam
Thiruvaaran Vilai

Divyadesams above Tirupathi
Tirumala
Thiru Singavel Kundram
Thiru Ayodhi
Thiru Naimisaranyam
Thiru Salagramam -Nepal
Thiruvadhari Ashramam
Thirukkandam
Thiruppirudhi
Thiru Vadamathura
Thiruvaaipadi
Thiru Dwaraka
Vinnulaga Tirupathigal
Thirupaarkadal & Thiruparamapadam

1.Alagar Koil_ Thirumaalirunsolai

Even though Ravi and I have visited few Divyadesams (DDs) before our marriage, we have planned to visit the 106 DDs after our marriage.

The first DD we visited is Thirumaalirunsolai also called as Alagar Koil. This Divyadesam is situated 21 kms towards Chennai from Madurai, the Athens of East.

Azhagar Koil Road

It is believed that Emperumaan Vishnu came to this place from his heavenly abode to give away Goddess Meenakshi in marriage to Lord Sundareswarer.

Here, Lord Vishnu resides as Azhgar, brother of Meenakshi. A huge crowd of devotees is seen here in the month of April/May when Chithirai Festival is celebrated. During the festival, wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarer takes place and Lord Azhagar travels to Madurai.

It is believed that Azhagar is having holy bath at VAIKAI river before he attends Meenakshi- Sundareswarar marriage and this is popularly celebrated in the month of Chithirai every year on a Full Moon day.

Kallazhagar Vaikhai Attril erangum posture --->

One can view a very big gate for Karuppanaswamy and his shrine with 18 steps while entering Azhagar koil. It is claimed that nobody dares to tell even a lie at this spot.
When we went, the temple was due for Kumbabishekam and the works were going on.

We went for Ravi's Friend Sankar's Marriage to Madurai during May 2007. It was 5 months after our marriage and doctor also confirmed my pregrancy and advised me not to travel, but I had a big fight with Ravi to travel with him to Madurai. Ravi's Friend Saravanan, Mahalingam, Ramki and both of us booked an ambassador cab and went there. It was a hectic journey as Madurai is 485 kms from Chennai. Ravi cancelled the bus ticket booked already as I was also joining them and we went in Ambassador.
But somewhow we managed and reached madurai and attended the reception and marriage.
After Marriage, we all went to Azhagar Koil and had darshan of Azhagar (Kallazhagar).

Utsava Moorthy
Uthsava moorthy is believed to be made of solid gold

Near Azhagar koil, there is a small peak called Azhagar malai, 5km in the Azhagar malai from the temple you can find the famous Murugan's Arupadai temple "PAZHAMUDIRSOLAI". We also visited NOOPURA GANGAI which is above Pazhamudirsolai. The place is also known for its holy springs called Silambaru and Noopura Gangai. According to local tradition, these springs originated from the anklets of Maha Vishnu during his incarnation as Trivikrama Avatharam.

This water is considered to be equivalent to Ganga. Thirumanjanam to Perumal is done only with this theertam. The hills surrounding the temple are called Vrishabadri as they look like Vrishaba, the cow. During Trivikrama avathara, part of the water that was used by Brahma to wash the feet of Lord passed through his Silambu (ornament worn by dancers on the legs - Gungroo) and ran here as a river. Hence the river is called Silambaru.

After visiting Azhagar koil, We also visited Thiruparankundram, another Arupadai veedu of Murugan, which is 5 kms from Madurai Bus terminus. In the evening we visited Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and started to Chennai by same car.

Moolavar

AZHAGAR KOIL
Perumal- Azhagar, Malalangarar, Maalirunsolai Nambi.
Thaayar-Sundaravalli
Pushkarani-Silambaaru(Noopura Gangai)
Perumal in this temple is in Nindra thirukkolam and facing East Direction
Mangalasasanam performed by Thirumangaiazhwar, Peyazhwar, Bhoothatazhwar, Periyazhwar, Andal, Nammazhwar

This DD is One among Paandiya Thirupathigal

Madurai can be reached by Air, Train or by A/c and Non A/c Buses operated by Govt and many private bus agencies. Nearby Airport is Madurai Airport and many trains starts from Egmore Junction and it is 8 hrs journey by train from Chennai to Madurai .
It is 485 kms from Chennai.
Other places to Visit in Madurai City are Meenakshi Amman Temple, Vandiyur Mariyammam Temple Theppakulam, Thiruparankundram, Pazhamudir Cholai,School where Mahakavi Bharathiyar worked, Thirumalai Naikar Palace etc.

Kodaikanal, Palani Murugan Temple, Suruli Falls are nearby popular place of interest around Madurai.

108 Divyadesams- Om Namo Narayana

Hi
We,Geetha, Ravi and Our Little Kavin Vijay started visiting 108 Divyadesams (DDs) of perumal. Planning to complete by December 2010 or before Kavin enters LKG.
Our friend Priya also joined with us and we have covered close to 10 DDs so far.
Will post photos and interesting facts on DDs.

Kavin Foundation Private Limited

Hey we have formed a company in the name of our son. Vera enna? Promoting land thaan. Our current project is running in Mayavaram. Interested??? Post your comment here. :)
Epdi en marketing :D

Why this blog?

Hi.....I am Geetha
Nothing much to tell about me. Born in 1980, September 22. I am married to Ramasubramaniam alias Ravi. Love marriage thaan. But romba tension oda nadantha marriage. Now it sounds funny. Foto la irukkarathu nan, en husband and enga son. Enga paiyan peru Kavin Vijay. Matravai viraivil.