Swamimalai Murugan Temple - Lord Murugan Taught Here To Lord Shiva About The Meaning Of Pranav Mantra OM

SWAMIMALAI MURUGAN TEMPLE

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THANJAVUR

Source:templedetails

The Swamimalai Murugan Temple, also known as Swaminathaswamy Temple is situated in Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan and also one of the ‘Arupadai Veedu Temples’. It is said that, Swamimalai Murugan Temple was in existence from 2nd century BC, built by the King Parantaka Chola I. The mythology says that when Lord Brahma, the Lord of all creations, at the time of visiting Mount Kailash He disrespected Lord Murugan. The ever playful child Lord Murugan in angry asked Lord Brahma for the meaning of Pranav Mantra “OM”.

Lord Brahma was unable to reply and admitted his ignorance towards Lord Murugan. And hence Lord Murugan knocked Lord Brahma on His forehead and imprisoned Him. All the creations came to a standstill, since Lord Brahma was imprisoned. And the Devas prayed Lord Shiva to get Lord Brahma released. When Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan to release Lord Brahma from imprisonment, Lord Murugan demanded that the punishment was for His ignorance and unawareness of knowing the meaning of the Pranav Mantra “OM”.

Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan whether He Himself aware of the meaning of Pranav Mantra. Lord Murugan replied He knew the meaning and it will be taught only when Lord Shiva accept Him as Guru (Teacher) and listen to Him as a disciple. Lord Shiva accepted the request of Lord Murugan and listened to the explanation of Pranav Mantra as a devoted disciple, hence the place came to be known as Swamimalai. The temple placed on the hill is reached by climbing 60 steps which represents the sixty months of the ancient Tamil calendar.

Lord Murugan is said to be the solver of all problems in human life like child boon, family prosperity, happy wedding life, longevity, wisdom and so on. Swamimalai Murugan Temple is treated as the most sacred place as where Lord Murugan preached the Pranav Mantra “OM” to His father Lord Shiva when He was a child. Swamimalai Murugan Temple is the fourth temple among the six sacred shrines of Lord Murugan, named as Arupadai Veedu Temples. 

The presiding deity of Swamimalai Murugan Temple is ‘Lord Swami Nathan’ (Lord Murugan), the teacher of Lord Shiva, located at the top of the hill. And the important sacred shrines of Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva), and Goddess Meenakshi (Goddess Shakthi) and Lord Ganesh are located at downhill. The boundaries of the temple contains the idols of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Chandikeswarar, Goddess Durga and Navagrahas.

In this temple Lord Murugan is seen with an Elephant as His Vahan (Vehicle) instead of Peacock in the sanctum. This elephant is named as ‘Airavadham’ presented to Lord Murugan by Lord Indra. The temple graces with a well called ‘Vajra Theertha’ represents the three divine powers Itcha Shakti, Gnana Shakti, and Kriya Shakti. Swamimalai Murugan Temple has three Gopurams (gateways) and three Praharams (precincts) and contains six daily rituals at various times.

Festivals

Monthly Kirutikai festival

Temple Car festival – April

Visakam festival – May

Navaratri festival – May

Skanda Shashti festival – October

Tiru Karthikai festival – November or December

Taippucam festival – January

Pankuni Uttiram festival – March

Pooja Timings

Viswaroopa darshan – 05.30 AM

Udhaya Maarthandam – 06.00 AM

Mudhal Kaala Sandhi, Siru Kaala Sandhi and Periya Kaala Sandhi – 08.00 AM

Kalasandhi – 9.00 A.M

Uchikala Poojas – 12.00 P.M

Sayaratchai – 05.30 P.M

Rendam Kalam – 08.00 P.M

Arthajama Pooja – 10.00 P.M

By Road

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has buses that connect Swamimalai to almost all the major cities of the state. One can avail of regular buses to Swamimalai from Kumbakonam, Trichy, Chidambaram and Chennai.

By Train

Swamimalai does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Kumbakonam, at a distance of 5 kilometers from Swamimalai.

By Air

The nearest airport to Swamimalai is in Trichy, and it is situated at a distance of ninety kilometers away.

Thanjavur Royal Palace - It Contains A Collection Of Chola, Bronzes and Stone Carvings

Thanjavur Royal Palace -  It Contains A Collection Of Chola, Bronzes and Stone Carvings

Thanjavur’s royal palace is a mixed bag of ruin and renovation, superb art and random royal paraphernalia. The maze-like complex was constructed partly by the Nayaks who took over Thanjavur in 1535, and partly by a local Maratha dynasty that ruled from 1676 to 1855. The two don't-miss sections are the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum and the Art Gallery.

Seven different sections of the palace can be visited. ‘Full’ tickets include the Art Gallery and Saraswati Mahal Library Museum, along with the Mahratta Dharbar Hall, bell tower and Saarjah Madi; other sections require extra tickets. The main entrance is from the north, off East Main St. On the way in you’ll come to the main ticket office, followed by the Maratha Palace complex.

Past the ticket office, a passage to the left leads to, first, the Royal Palace Museum, a small miscellany of sculptures, weaponry, elephant bells and rajas’ headgears; second, the Maharaja Serfoji Memorial Hall, commemorating the enlightened Maratha scholar-king Serfoji II (1798–1832), with a better collection overlooking a once-splendid, now crumbling courtyard; and third, the Mahratta Dharbar Hall, where Maratha rulers gave audience in a grand but faded pavilion adorned with colourful murals (including their own portraits behind the dais) and sturdy pillars topped by arches filled with gods.

Exiting the passage, the fabulous Sarawasti Mahal Library Museum is on your left, through a vibrant entranceway. Perhaps Serfoji II’s greatest contribution to posterity, this is testimony both to the 19th-century obsession with knowledge accumulation and to an eclectic mind that collected prints of Chinese torture methods, Audubon-style paintings of Indian flora and fauna, world atlases, dictionaries and rare medieval books. Serfoji amassed more than 65,000 books and 50,000 palm-leaf paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages, though most aren’t displayed. Hourly audiovisual displays (10.30am to 4.30pm) highlight Thanjavur’s sights, history and traditions in the attached cinema room.

Leaving the library, turn left for the Art Gallery, set around the Nayak Palace courtyard behind the bell tower. It contains a collection of superb, mainly Chola, bronzes and stone carvings; its main room, the 1600 Nayak Durbar Hall, has a statue of Serfoji II. From the courtyard, steps lead part of the way up a large gopuram-like tower to a whale skeleton that washed up in Tranquebar.

The renovated Saarjah Madi is best admired from East Main Rd for its ornate balconies.Travelling to Thanjavur by train is cheap, safe and enjoyable. Many trains ply to the Thanjavur Junction on a daily basis. Air-conditioned buses are also available for the commute. Thanjavur Royal Palace is located on the main road and can be easily reached by hiring a cab. The palace is located in proximity with the railway station and bus stand.

By Air

Nearest airport to Thanjavur is the Civil Airport, which is in Tiruchirappalli. The airport is at a distance of approximately 48 km from the city centre. Public transport is easily available for the commute. Also, Pondicherry Airport is at a distance of 138 km from this destination.

By Train

Travelling to Thanjavur by train is cheap, safe and enjoyable. Many trains ply to the Thanjavur Junction on a daily basis. Air-conditioned buses are also available for the commute. Thanjavur Royal Palace is located on the main road and can be easily reached by hiring a cab. The palace is located in proximity with the railway station and bus stand.

Every Twelve Year Kumbakonam Celebrates Mahamaham Festival

MAHAMAHAM FESTIVAL

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KUMBAKONAM

Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumbh Mela festival celebrated every 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day of Mahamaham as sacred. The last Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking the holy dip in the Mahamaham tank.

The Masimaham or Mahamaham is an annual event that occurs in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) in the star of Magam in Kumbakanom, which is an ancient, beautiful and holy place.

This once in a 12 year gala event held from February 13-22nd of 2016. Vast crowds of more than forty six lakh pilgrims gathered at Kumbakonam had a dip in the tank, along with saints and philosophers.

The festival is celebrated at an interval of around eleven to twelve years. The festival takes place at a particular time as determined by astrological position: during the full moon of the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March) when the conjunction of the moon with the lunar asterism (Magha Nakshatra) and when Jupiter is in the constellation of Leo.

This Festival occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius(Khumbha), Jupiter transits Leo(Simha) and the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation Maham. Generally all the these astronomical combination take place on a full moon day of the Tamil Month of Masi(Solar Kumbha Month) i.e. either in the latter half of February or in the first of March.

People are washing their sins on the holy rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River. These rivers wanted to get rid of their sins and approached Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma advised these rivers if you meet together and take bath in Mahamaham would wash off all the sins. Hence, during the time of Mahamaham festival, it is also believed that taking bath in the holy stream of water from the famous rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River, which are mixed together in Mahamaham tank, would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion.

By having a holy dip in Varanasi, one can be relieved of all sins committed in holy place sand whereas sins committed in Varanasi can be washed off by a holy dip in Mahamaham Tank. Sins committed in Kumbakonam can be washed off in Kumbakonam itself by a holy dip in Mahamaham Tank.

Tamil Nadu Government made elaborate arrangements for the successful conduct of the Mahamaham. Tourism Department had put up Tourist Information Centres at Railway Station and Bus Stand to assist the tourists. A special booklet on Kumbakonam was also published and distributed to the Tourists.

Navagraha Temples Are In And Around Kumbakonam And Thanjavur District Of Tamil Nadu

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES

Believers in astrology and the influence of planets over individual destiny will find Tamil Nadu as a Great Destination. Indian Astrology believes that the planetary positions of the nine planets in a geocentric orbit determine the strength and weaknesses of a life, and how it takes its course Nava means Nine and Graha means Planets. Navagraha temples devoted to the Nine Celestial bodies, with incarnation of God for each of those nine planets are found in and around Kumbakonam and Thanjavur District.

Planet	Temple
Surya (Sun)	Suryanar Koil
Chandra (Moon)	Tingaloor Koil
Chevaai (Mars)	Vaitheswaran Koil
Budhan (Mercury)	Tiruvenkadu
Guru (Jupiter)	Alangudi
Shukran (Venus)	Kanchanoor
Shani (Saturn)	Tirunallar
Rahu	Tirunageswaram
Ketu	Keezhperumpallam

  

1. Suriyanar Koil : This temple 21 Kms from Swami Malai and 58 Kms from Thanjavur, believed to have been built by Chola King Kulothunga I in 1100 AD, is dedicated to Lord Suriyan [Sun] . Suriyan is believed to bestow health, success and prosperity. The Pongal Festival is celebrated as Harvest Festival and Thanks giving to Lord Suiyan.

2. Thingalur : It is 18 Kms from Thanjavur on the Thiruvaiyar – Kumbakonam route. This temple is believed to be existing even before 7th Century and it is one of the Navagraha Temple dedicated to Lord Chandran [Moon] in the planetary formation. Chandran is said to be the reliever of Stress and Sorrow.

3. Vaitheswaran Koil : It is 90 Kms from Thanjavur on the way to Chdiambaram. This temple is dedicated to Navagraha Temple dedicated to Lord Sevvai / Angaragan [Mars] in the planetary formation. Lord Angaragan is believed to bestow Valour, Victory and Strength. The Devotees take dip in Sidhamirtham Tank as the water in tank is said to have the curative powers for various skin ailments and also believed that a visit here removes all the obstacles in the delay of marriages for both men and women.

4. Thiruvenkadu : It is near Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the Navagraha Temple dedicated to Lord Budhan[Mercury] in the planetary formation. This temple has reference in Valmiki Ramayanam too and believed to be over 3000 years old. Lord Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect.

 Suryanar Koil

5. Alangudi: This temple is 36 Kms from Thanjavur and dedicated to Lord Guru [Jupiter]. He is also called as Brihaspathi. He is worshiped by students for their excellence in education, fine arts and wisdom. This temple attracts a large number of devotees when Jubiter transits one Zodiac sign to another. It is believed that Goddess Parvati was reborn on the banks of Amrita Pushkarani, a divine tank within the temple precincts before being reunited with Shiva.

6. Thirunallar : It is 90 Kms from Thanjavur and 35 Kms from Mayiladuthurai and nearer to Karaikal.. This temple is dedicated to Lord Saneeswaran [Saturn]. He occupies the most important position in the planetary position. Anybody who worships him is believed to be relieved from curses, spells of ill luck and diseases. Legendry King Nala is said to have been relieved of all obstacles due to malefic influence of Saturn. Of the holy tanks around the temple , Nala Theertham is one of the important tanks where all the devotees take a holy dip to get relieved of all misfortunes and afflictions.

7. Kanchanur : It is located 57 Kms from Thanjavur on the way to Mayiladuthurai . This temple is dedicated to Lord Sukran [Venus] whose duty in the planetary position is to solve problems related to love, marriage, beauty and comforts. This temple is maintained by Madurai Adhinam located at Thiruvavaduthurai. It is also called Palaasavanam, Brahmapuri and Agnisthalam. Sukran is believed to be prayed by men folk for the well being of their wives.

8. Thirunageswaram : It is 6 kms from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District. This temple is dedicated to Lord Raghu. The legend says the Serpant Adi Sesha , Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Lord Siva here. This locality is identified with champakaranya. Devotes throng this temple to get relieved of Naga Dosham.

9. Keezhperumpalam : This is a Siva temple located close to Poompuhar and Lord Kethu is enshrined within this temple. The legend records that Kethu worshiped Lord Siva here. Rahu and kethu are believed to have associated with the legend of the serpent that helped Lord Shiva Churn the Milk Ocean(Paar Kadai).

Airavateswara Temple – It Was Constructed By Rajendra Chola More Than Thousand Years Ago

AIRAVATESHWARA TEMPLE

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KUMBAKONAM

The Temple which is located at around 6 km from the Town Centre of Kumbakonam of Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu State of India and it is an archaeological wonder. It is also a UN recognised Heritage Centre. The ASI ( Archealogical Survey of India) has completely renovated the temple literally Brick by Brick.

Palaiyarai is ancient temple city and the Capital of the Cholas.  King Raja Kambeera Mamannan, Raja Raja Chola II (1146 A.D. to 1172 A.D) changed his capital from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Palaiyarai and renamed it as Raja Raja Puram (at present it is Darasuram).  

There were 1000 Thaligal (temples) in palaiyarai .There were 4 padai veedus (Military Camps) on al the four directions of the Capital.  Thalicherippendirgal were appointed by the king to develop fine arts especially music and dance in the temple during festival occasions.  

King Raja Raja II constructed in his name a beautiful temple called Raja Rajechuram (at present Airavatheeswara)  in1160 A.D. to 1162 A.D.  This Raja Rajechuram (Raja Rajeschuram – Tharechuram – Darachuram -Darasurm) became Darasuram at present.  It is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO.

Airavatham is an elephant (white in colour) and is a vehicle of Indra.  It was cursed by sage Durvasa to lose its shining white.  Airavatha came to his temple and got its original colour  after worshipping the Lord.  Hence the deity came to known as Airavatheeswara (the protector or the elephant).

The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is a detached temple situated to the north of the Airavateshvarar temple. At present, it stands alone as a detached temple with the shrine of the Goddess standing in a single large court.

Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped by Airavata , the white elephant of the king of the gods,Indra.Airavata, while suffering from a change of colour curse from Sage Durvasa, had its colours restored by bathing in the sacred waters of this temple. The King of Death, Yama  worshipped Shiva .  

Yama, who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body, was cured by the presiding deity Airavatesvarar. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham. 

The renovation of the shrines by Kulottunga Chola III.The north wall of the verandah consists of 108 sections of inscriptions, each containing the name and description and image of the Saivacharya  listing the principal events in their life.

Another inscription close to the gopura,indicates that an image was brought from Kalyani, then known as Kalyanapura by emperor Rajadhiraja Chola I after his defeat of the Western Chalukya king Someshwara I, his sons Vikramaditya VI and Someshwara II his capture of the Chalukyan capital. 

Thanjavur Big Temple - UNESCO Declared World Heritage Sites In Tamil Nadu

UNESCO DECLARED WORLD HERITAGE SITES 

IN TAMIL NADU 

THANJAVUR - BIG TEMPLE

Sri Brahadeeswara Temple is also called as Big Temple or Thanjai “Periya Koil”. Raja Raja Cholan I [985-1012] and Big Temple cannot be separated from each other. Hence this was called as Rajarajeswaram too. This temple was built in 1010 A.D and celebrated its Millennium year of existence in 2010. It’s Unique Architectural Excellence prompted UNESCO to declare this temple as World Heritage Monument in 1987. It is located amidst fortified walls added during 16th century. The beautiful Chola Fresco Paintings on the inner walls are often matched with those of Ajanta Caves.

The 14 tiered Pyramid Shaped Tower above the sanctum Sanctorum, is 216 feet tall. This tower is one of the tallest of its kind. Kumbam orSikaram a bulbous structure above the tower cut out of one rock weighs 80 tons. This 80 ton Cupola or Sikaram, was rolled up to pinnacle with the help of Elephants, through an incline , beginning from the Village called Saara Pallam now called as Vayalur 6 Kms from the temple. This process is a testimony to the engineering excellence skill of the Chola Architects. The shadow of the Cupola does not fall on the ground.

The presiding Deity, Lingam is 13 ft. tall with a circumference of 54 ft, chiseled out of single rock. The Monolithic Nandi [sacred bull mount] is 12 ½ feet tall, 8 feet long, 5 ft wide and weighs 25 tons. This Nandi is installed outside, in front of the sanctum Sanctorum. Contact : 04362-274476 for further details.

                      

                                 

Brihadeshwar Temple -It Is The First Complete Granite Temple In The World

 BRIHADESHWAR TEMPLE

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THANJAVUR
 

The original name of the deity was Rajarajeshwar. It was the Marathas who gave it the name Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara. The main temple is entirely built of granite. More than 130,000 tons of granite is said to have been used to build it.

 A long associated myth with this temple temple is that the shadow of the main structure does not fall on the ground. However, this has been proven wrong by scientists. The statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple is carved out of a single stone.

 The main Vimanam, which is at about 200 feet is often called Dakshin Meru or Southern Meru. The inspiration to build the temple came to Raja Raja Cholan during his visit to Sri Lanka and is a result of a dream he had.

 The temple has a portrait of Raja Raja Cholan paying obeisance to Lord Natarajar. This is undoubtedly, the first ever instance of a royal portrait.
 Inscriptions in the temple point towards Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as the chief architect of the temple. His successors survive to this day and practice the art of Vastu or Vastu Shastra.

 Depictions of nartakis or dancers showing eighty one of hundred and eight karanas (synchronised movements of hands and feet) in Bharata Natyam are carved here. These karanas are a part of karanas mentioned in the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni or Sage Bharata. There is also evidence that the temple was a platform for talented dancers to showcase their talent. These depictions are first of their kind.

 The inscriptions also mention the different kinds of jewels used in the period. Each of these jewels are mentioned in detail. A total of twenty three different types of pearls, eleven varieties of diamonds and rubies are mentioned in these inscriptions.

Dravidian architecture was a style of architecture that came into view 1000 of years ago in South India that is usually made from stone. These temples consists mostly of pyramid shaped gopurams, which are large towers over the entrances; a vimana, which is the tower over the sanctum (the Deities); and large pillared halls and corridors.

Kumbam which is the topmost structure of the temple is also carved out of a single granite stone, weighing about 60 tons. This temple can be approached from the eastern side through two gateways which are termed as “Gopuras”. 

There are two guardian statues beside the gateways made by the Shaiva legends. Hundreds of sculptures decorate the exterior of the temple, whereas inside the temple there is a huge idol of Lord Shiva with three eyes.

 108 karmas have been sculpted on the inner walls performed by Lord Shiva. Once more extraordinary for this temple is shadow of the tower over the gateway of the temple never falls on the ground.

              

There is a Nandi (sacred bull) which is too big and at measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. It is carved out of a single rock also this is the second biggest Nandi in the world.

By Air

If you want to reach this city of Thanjavur through Airways, then it is possible as nearest airport from Thanjavur is located at Trichy, which is 65 kilometers away.

By Train

One of most convenient and affordable means to reach Thanjavur is through Railways. As this city has its own railway station, connected well with Chennai, Madurai and Trichy.

By Bus

City of Thanjavur connects through Roadways with all major cities and towns in state of Tamil Nadu along with Ernakulam, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram cities in state of Kerala and Bangalore city in Karnataka.

24th Rank For Best Tourist Place World Wide 2016-Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu

India

New gateways to India’s cultural core.

Every year New York times magazine publishes the best tourist destination in world wide. In that magazine tamilnadu has been in 24^th place for tourist spot among 52 places. Madurai meenakshi ammon temple and Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur are mentioned as the best tourist destination for its history and architecture.

North India, with its famous Moghul era palaces and forts, might be the country’s most popular tourist destination, but Tamil Nadu in the south has an equally rich and undiscovered history. The state is where India’s major temple cultural complexes are, and some are so large that they’re considered minicities. There’s Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, a sprawling complex dedicated to a powerful female deity, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by the ancient Cholas, one of India’s greatest dynasties, and several hundred other temples dotting the countryside and brimming with art carvings dating back as far as the 9th century. But temples aren’t the only cultural hit: the region of Chettinad has more than 50 villages filled with 18th century mansions of carved Burma teak. It also boasts cuisine that is among the spiciest and most aromatic in the country and often served on banana leaves. Limited infrastructure in Tamil Nadu made accessibility a challenge for travelers, but the recent burst of boutique hotels is changing that. Over a dozen properties recently opened or on their way to debuting includeChidambara Vilas and the Bangala in Chettinad, Heritage Madurai in Madurai and Ideal River View Resort in Thanjavur.