Tryst with temples - Part 1

Hi Readers,

 

Author: Sai Venkateshwaran S from Chennai

 

The main pre-requisite is either you need a bike or car to visit the temples because of poor public transport available to these temples, situated mostly in remote villages.

1.       Embar temple – Madhuramangalam – More than 1000 years old.

This temple is dedicated to Sri Embar, brother of Sri Ramanujar – a great Vaishnavite to have lived. It is believed that Lord Garuda himself took birth in this village as Embar to spread the good deeds of Lord Vishnu. It is highly believed that anybody with eye ailments will get cured after worshipping Sri Embar and Lord Balaji in this temple. The temple opens at 7:30 AM in the morning and I am not sure of the closing time. When I spoke to the Archakar over there, he told me that depending on the crowd he keeps the temple open. But sadly this temple is not known to most and hence is neglected. The Pushkarani in this temple is called Garuda Pushkarani.

 

2.       Lakshmi Narashimha Swamy Temple – Narasingapuram – More than 1000 years old.

The main deity here is Lord Narashimha with Goddess Lakshmi sitting is his lap. This temple is famous for “Alinga darshanam” where both the Lord and Lakshmi are embracing each other. Generally in Narashimha temples you can see Goddess Lakshmi facing the Lord, but here both the God and Goddess are facing us and showering their blessings. The Garudalwar here is famous with 16 serpents tied around him. It is believed that by worshipping the Garudalwar here one can get rid of his Kala Sarpa Dosham. This temple is open till 11 AM in the morning and is 8 Kms from Embar temple.

 

3.       Jalagandeeswarar temple – Thakkolam – More than 1200 years old – 10 kms from Narasingapuram.

The main deity here is Lord Shiva. The Lord here is also called “Theenda Thirumaeni” because nobody touches the Lord here. Even the Archakar over there uses a fork like equipment to place flowers to the Lord. The Sivalingam here changes its colour from white to red and then back to white every six months. When I visited this temple, the lingam was white and I could see traces of red here and there. This temple is also famous as a Guru Sthalam. People who cannot visit Alangudi in Tanjore district can go here and pray to Dakshinamoorthy. Lord Guru here has his head slightly tilted, legs crossed as if he is hearing all your requests. It is believed that Goddess Sati devi worshipped here before marrying Lord Shiva. The place also gets its name from Goddess Sati’s father – Dakshan.  “Thakkolam – Dhakshanin Olam”. Translated literally in english its meaning is “The Cry of Dakshan”. This place is also famous for a war that had happened hundreds of years before between Cholas and Pallavas. The temple is open till 11 AM in the morning.

 

4.       Thiruvalangadu – More than 1200 years old.

This temple is one of the five Sabhas of Lord Nataraja. There are just 5 Sabhas for Lord Nataraja in the world. They are Courtallam, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Chidambaram and Thiruvalangadu. Sabhas are places where it is believed Lord Nataraja performed dances at different periods of time.

Courtallam – Chithira Sabhai.

Tirunelveli – Thamira Sabhai (Sulphur)

Madurai – Velli Sabhai. (Silver)

Chidambaram – Por Sabhai (Gold)

Thiruvalangadu – Rathina Sabhai (Precious Stones)

 

It is believed that Lord Nataraja performed “Orrthuva Thandavam” here with Goddess Kali and won the dance. A rigorous dance where the Lord stands with just one leg alone and with all the eight hands and the right leg pointing the horizon is called Orrthuva Thandavam. This temple is open till 12 noon.

 

5.       Kooram – 12Kms from Kanchipuram on Vellore – Bangalore highway – more than 1000 years old.

Kooram is a place where Koorathalwar, one of the greatest Vaishnavite to serve God and humanity, was born. Born to a very rich family, it is said that he used to feed 1000 people daily in his house on golden plates. After an incident, he renounced his rich life, went to Kanchipuram and started serving the God. It is said that people with eye ailments, to secure good marks in exams and to lead a prosperous life should visit Kooram and pray to Koorathalwar.