Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Vazhakkarutteeswarar Temple
Chitraguptar Temple- Kanchipuram
Vellore Golden Temple
One should take the Bus route no 102 from CMBT to Vellore bus stand. From vellore bus stand you have to catch a bus to Thirumalai kodi . All buses which go to Odugathur have a stop there and there are direct local buses also from Vellore.
The Golden Temple is located at Thirumalaikodi, at a distance of about 7 kilometers from Vellore
What is the Temple timing?
The Temple is open up to 8.00 p.m in the evening from morning 6.00 am with a break in the afternoon from 12.00 to 3.00
Are there any good hotels nearby?
Several good hotels are available in Vellore for night halt.
About the temple:
One of the biggest Hindu shrines in southern India, the Sri Puram Golden Temple a grand golden temple built by a spiritual organization in Tamil Nadu at an approximate cost of Rs 600 crore, the consecration (kumbhabhishekam) was performed on August 24, 2007, presence of over 30,000 devotees.
The Mahalakshmi temple, located on a sprawling 100 acres of land at Sripuram, near Vellore, about 125 km from Chennai, has been constructed by Vellore-based Sri Narayani Peetam, headed by spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma."The Taj Mahal was built as an expression of love for a single person but the Sri Puram Golden Temple stands for unconditional love for the entire humanity," says Amma, 31, who also goes by the name of Shakti Siddha.
The steps that lead to the innermost section are laid with polished black and grey granite from the neighbouring South Arcot and Dharmapuri districts. So is the grey stone called "Paradiso" because of its wavy patterns of violet with the colour of iron. And this too has been used in large quantities.
"If we had built a hospital, factory, educational institution or a business, it would have ended up serving a small community. But now, Amma's temple will sow the seeds of goodness in the hearts of everyone who visits here," Amma, clad in ochre robes, says in Tamil.
The temple, covering 55,000 sq ft area, has intricate carvings and sculptures in gold. Except the walking path, the entire structure has been made of gold and copper. This would be more grandeur than the Golden Temple in Amritsar , mutt sources said.
About 400 goldsmiths and coppersmiths, including craftsmen from Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams, have completed the architectural marvel in gold in six years..
More than one and half tone of pure gold was glitter and gleam under the sun, Devotees hail the temple as 'one of the wonders of the world' and say that it is the only temple covered fully with gold.
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 kavacham (adornments).
"The Sripuram or Spiritual Park is Amma's dedication to the world and mankind," said P Murali, a trustee of the Peetam. The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the quotes from Gita, Bible and Quran displayed on either side.
Surrounded by mountains and lush and scenic beauty, the temple, entirely conceived and designed by 'Amma', would be open to people of all religions. "The temple is Amma's gift to mankind," the sources said.
"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 brochure
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Kanchi Flower Market
Location: Flower Market (Called Poo - kadai in Tamil)
Located at the end of the Senkaluneerodai Street (Raja Street)
5 min. walk from Bus - stand
Dont miss visiting KANCHI KUDIL
Kanchi Kudil was born of a desire to turn ancestral property into a place of tourist interest, that tourists may get a feel of the life as lived in a historic place as Kanchipuram. While temples and monuments index the cultural life of a city, the real soul of a place is to be found in its people and their homes.
Kanchi Kudil--The House
This is a 90-year-old house, authentic in old-style architecture and functionality. It affords a glimpse of the life of an agricultural family in a small town - the master's room, room for the women and children, room for the gods, open-to-sky courtyards, verandahs, the backyard with agricultural implements. Added features are descriptions on the history of Kanchipuram and its temples, traditional music as backdrop and a stock of exquisite handicrafts for the tourist to buy.
Attractions and Comforts
Craft exhibition and live demonstrations by craftsmen and artisans are arranged during peak tour seasons. One can also buy from the stock of handicrafts. The food court offers hygienically prepared South Indian dry snacks.
At the rear end of the house is located a modern block of toilets for men and women, maintained absolutely clean to five star standards, and enough to cater to coachloads of tourists at a time.
Location
53A, Sangeetha Vidwan Nainar Pillai Street(Old Putheri Street) Kanchipuram TamilnaduPhone: 044 27227680
(On the road from Kachabeswarar Temple to Kailasanathar Temple)
Brahmothsavam at Kamakshi Temple
Utsavams are festivals celebrated at the temples. Generally everyone enjoys festivals. But with temples there is also another reason to celebrate an utsavam. The three Murthies, Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma along with Their Devies are supposed to participate in the Brahmothsavam of Kamakshi Temple. During the procession in the Utsavam all the thirty three thousand Devatas starting with Indra and Dik Balagas are supposed to participate. Also Utsavams are celebrated mainly to ward off the various pollutions created at the temple atmosphere due to many reasons. Hence the devotees who attend the Kamakshi Temple Brahmothsavam will get their problems solved and their desires fulfilled by the presence of the Three Murthies and the Devadidevas.
The deities are taken in procession accompanied by Temple elephants, Nadaswaram, Bands, Bharatha Natyam Performances, Kolattam and other local entertainments like bommalattam, (using Alis, huge dolls made of paper mache), kudiraiattam etc creating a festive atmosphere. People from different parts visit their relatives during the festival. Roadside shops sprout selling numerous articles of interest to children and elders. An Utsavam is an exciting and exhilarating function where devotion, arts and business are blended together homogenously. Hence people are happy and enjoy the festivals. Normally people go to temples for praying to get the blessings. During festivals the Gods come out to meet people and give blessings to everybody including the old and indigent who are not able to visit the temple.
Brahmothsavam is a big festival, which is celebrated every year in temples. As per legend it is told that Lord Brahma started it and it is believed that during this festival he himself presides over the festival, hence the name “Brahmothsavam)â€. It must be celebrated because during this time Yagasala (Homa guntams), Initialising the God in the Kalasam (Pot), iJapa on both the times mornings & evenings, everyday iiAbhisheka for the iiiMoolavar with the Kalasa Jalam (water) etc. are performed which help to purify the atmosphere.
Kamakshi Temple Brahmothsavam
At Kamakshi temple the Brahmothsavam starts generally in Tamil month of Masi. This year, it is scheduled to start on Tuesday 12th February 2008 and lasts for 23 days. The important events of this Utsavam are given below.
Previous day of the start of Brahmothsavam - 11th February, 2008 Angurarpanam and Mrithsangrahanam
In the evening the Astra Devi (the deity representing the Angusam of Kamakshi) is taken in procession along with Lord Ganesha to the Mritheshwar Temple at North Raja Veedhi where after proper propitiation with appropriate puja Mrithsangrahanam (Removing mud) from under the Bilwa Tree of the temple is taken and brought Kamakshi Temple. This ritual shows how closely Hindu religion respects the ecology. Even removal of mud for the festival is done after paying proper respects to the gods concerned. This mud is used next day to grow Paligai (growing lentils for the Festival) at the foot of Dwijasthambam
First Day of the Brahmothsavam - 12th February 2008 - Dwijarohanam - Flag Hoisting
This is a very important day when a number of activities take place. The Sivachariars (priests) who are chosen ties the Rakshabandan on the hand at a religious function where he makes the sankalpam (oath) to adhere to the rules and regulations of the rituals for conducting the Utsavam. One of the conditions is that he should not leave the town till the completion of the Brahmothsavam. In fact this is generally observed by the public at large also in the olden days. After the start of the Brahmothsavam people of the city do not go out of it during the Utsavam.
Apart from this a number of Homam, Kalasa sthapanam etc are conducted within the Temple premises where reputed Vaidheekas (Veda Vidwans) participate in doing Japam, Homam etc for the general benefit of the mankind as a whole.
Dwijarohanam is done on this day when a flag carrying the picture of Sri Devi Kamakshi will be hoisted on the Dwajasthambam i.e., flag mast of the Temple. It announces to every body that the Brahmothsavam has started. During this time the Paligai is also planted in the mud taken from Mritheshwar Temple.
Second day to 12th Day
Every day of the festival Utsava Kamakshi Devi is taken in procession both in the morning and evening accompanied by other deities like Saraswathi and Lakshmi depending on the Vahana used. The day wise list of Vahana is given below. From 4th day i.e. from 14.2.08 to 18.2.08 Acharyal also taken out in the evening procession.
Every day Utsava Kamakshi is taken in procession in the morning and evening through all the four Rajaveedhies and Vanavedikkai (Firing of Crackers) is arranged near Kachabeswarar temple. But on the 5th day i.e. evening when Utsava Kamakshi is carried by Naga Vahanam (Snake) she is taken up to Gangabai Chatram beyond Sankara Matam.
On 6th Day (17.2.08) Sri Devi Kamakshi is taken in procession on the wooden chariot and Sri Devi stays in the Sankara Matam from morning to evening. During this time all respects are paid to Sri Devi and the temple staff.
On 9th day (21.2.08) In the morning Sri Devi is taken in procession on "Almelpallakku" which is a special palanquin sculpted with toy sevadar carrying the palanquin. In the evening Utsava Kamakshi is taken in procession on Silver Chariot donated by Sri Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. The Pallakkus (palanquins) are always carried by men force called Sreepathasevai which is a tradition going on for many years.
On 10th day (21.2.08). Evening carrier is Kalpagodhyanam, which is a tree similar to Kalpaka Vriksha. This day falls on Masi Magam and devotees take bath in the Temple Tank inside the temple and this is called Theerthavari. This day Dwija Avarohanam i.e. lowering of Flag is done. After this Sivachariar removes his Rakshabandan.
11th Day 22.2.08 - This night Utsava Kamakshi Devi is placed inside the Moolavar, the Sanctum & Sanctorum.
12th Day 23.2.08 - Viswaroopa Darsanam (5 AM to 7AM)
Detailed Programme
No Date Day Morning Vahanam Evening Vahanam
Pre 11.2.08 Mon Ganesha on Mushikam
1st 12.2.08 Tue Rishabham (Bull) Deer
2nd 13.2.08 Wed Maharam (Yali) Chandra Prabhai (Moon)
3rd 14.2.08 Thur Golden Simha (Lion) Yanai (Elephant)
4th 15.2.08 Fri Surya Prabhai (Sun) Hamsam (Swan)
5th 16.2.08 Sat Pallakku (Palanquin) Nagam (Snake)
6th 17.2.08 Sun Chapparam Kili (Parrot)
7th 18.2.08 Mon Ratham (Chariot)
8th 19.2.08 Tue Badhrapeetam Kudirai (Horse)
9th 20.2.08 Wed Almel pallakku Silver Chariot
10th 21.2.08 Thur Sarabam Kalpagodhyanam
11th 22.2.08 Fri Mahameru
12th 23.2.08 Sat Vishvaroopa darsanam
Vidaiyatri Urchavam
Vidaiyatri Urchavam starts from 12th day. Goddess Kamakshi will be giving Darshan in the temple premises in full attire with jewels sitting in the Unjal (swing) in the Sukhravara Mandapam in the temple. Sri Devi is supposed to be relaxing these days. This will go on for 7 days. During this time chanting of Veda and music programme using various kinds of musical instruments take place. On the 8th day of Vidaiyatri festival both Moola Kamakshi & Urchava Kamakshi have Chandana Kappu. 9th day of Vidaiyatri festival evening Utsava Kamakshi will go around inside the temple in Pushpa (flower) Pallaku.
Payathankanjhi Festival (Green dhal i.e. lentil soup festival)
For the last 3 days Payatankanjhi Festival is performed. It will be done in the Urchava Kamakshi’s place known as ‘Asthanam’. Goddess Kamakshi will be giving darshan in a very relaxed manner in loose clothes and simple jewels to remove the fatigue of the busy schedule She underwent for the past 18 days. During this time green dal kheer, soaked broken green dhal and powdered jaggery along with Vada is offered to the Goddess for ushna (heat) santhi.
Varadaraja Swami/ Devarajaswamy Temple
SITUATED AT the eastern end of Kancheepuram, about 76 km from Chennai, is the Arulmigu Devarajaswami Temple. According to legend, after He created the Universe Brahma wanted Lord Vishnu to come down to the Earth. He heard the Lord's voice and began to perform the Aswamedha Yagam. When the Yagam was drawing to a close, Lord Varadaraja and His Consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi appeared out of the flames of the Yagam. Brahma prayed to the Lord to stay on Earth and bless devotees. The Lord agreed and remained in Hasthagiri.
The temple, which has two gopurams, is more than 1,000 years old, and was built over centuries by various rulers — the Chola (1018 - 1278 A.D.), Chera (1312 - 1342) and Vijayanagara kings (1400 - 1600 A.D.) Five spacious corridors and two temple tanks — Ananda Saras and Golden Lotus tank — add to the beauty of the temple. The deity of Lord Atthi Varadar made of Atthi wood, is consecrated in the four-pillared mandapam inside the Ananda Saras. The idol is taken out of the water once in 40 years and placed for darshan for 48 days before it is again put into the water. The last time the Lord gave darshan was in 1979. It is believed that the ill effects of lizards can be cured by the Vaiyamaligai Lizard at the Devarajaswami Temple. The annual Brahmotsavam of the temple is conducted for 10 days in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June). Garuda Seva on the third day of the Brahmotsavam is an important part of the festival. The Car festival is celebrated on the seventh day.
The Float Festival is held three times every year, which includes a three-day celebration at the Ananda Saras. It is also conducted in the lake in the village of Thenneri, 25 km from Kanchipuram and at a village tank called Rajakulam. Besides these several other temple festivals are celebrated throughout the year.
