19.Malanattu Divya desam-Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple

19. Malanattu Divya desam-Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple
Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple has become very famous in recent times, because of the countless amount of treasures found in the temple. It is regarded as the largest treasure house in the world. In fact only 5 underground chambers have been opened and the 6th chamber has not been opened on Supreme court orders. No one knows how many more chambers are there beyond the 6th chamber.

19. Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple

According to historians, the total value of treasure is the largest in the world, which has much exceeded the treasures of King Tutankaman’s tomb in Egypt, which was untill recently regarded as the biggest treasure in the world.  Till now what ever has been excavated is valued roughly about Rs.90,000 crores.

19. Thiruvananthapuram

This Divya Kshethram is in Thiru Ananthapuram (Trivandrum) in Kerala.  The name of this city is taken from the presiding diety’s name ‘Anantha’ (one who is reclining on the serpent Anantha).  The name of the moolavar is ‘Anantha Padmanabhan’ in kidandha or sayana thirukkolam.  Thayar is Sri Hari Lakshmi.
According to legend Divakara Muni was worshipping a Saligramam.  One day a 2 year old boy swallowed this Saligrama and started running.  The Muni angrily chased the boy who ran behind a tree.  To his surprise Lord Vishnu emerged from behind the tree in Vishwaroopa.  At the request of the Muni the lord took this present form of Anantha sayana.  This statue is so huge that it has to be viewed from 3 dwaaraas of the garbhagriha, to get a full darshan of the lord Anantha Padmanabha swamy, which is 18 feet long.  This is the biggest statue of all Divya Desams.  The head can be seen through the first dhwaaraa, the bhujaas and the chest through the second dhwaaraa, and the thiruvadi (feet) through the third.   This statue is supposed to have been made from 12008 salagramams, which were brought from Gendaki nadhi in Nepal. 

19. Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple

This temple is a blend of Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.   The temple architecture stands out for its work in stone and bronze.  The interiors are adorned by beautiful paitings and murals.  The temple also has some interesting structural features in the form of Bali peeda Mandapa, Mukha mandapa and Navagraha mandapa.  These halls are decorated with beautiful sculptures of various dieties.  These halls are covered with wire mesh fencing, but can be seen from outside.  The dhwaja stamba is 80 feet high, covered with gold sheets.  There is another mandapa with 365 ¼ sculpted granite stone pillars.  There is a naataka shaala in the ground floor of the eastern entrance.  Kerala’s classical art forms like Kathakali are performed here during festivals.

The history of the temple dates back to 8th century.  In 1750, Marthanda varma dedicated the kingdom of Travancore to Lord Padmanabha.  King Marthanda varma did a major renovation to the temple and it resulted in the present day structure of the temple.  Marthanda varma vowed that the royal family will rule the empire on behalf of the lord and he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa or the slaves of Lord Padmanabha.  The donation of the kingdom of Tranvancore to Padmanabhaswamy was known as Thripadidaanam.  The present head of the Travancore Royal family is Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.  Currently the temple and the palace properties are run by a trust headed by the erstwhile Royal family of Travancore.  It was Marthanda varma who introduced the Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam festivals in the temple.  Murajapam means continuous chanting of prayers, conducted once in six years. 

19. Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple

The vimanam is Hemakooda vimanam.  Theertham is Matsya theertham.  Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.  There is a strict dress code to be followed, to enter the temple.  Gents should wear only Dhoti with bare body on top (no banian or shirt permitted).  Women should wear Sari, Mundum neriyathum, half saree, or skirt & blouse.  Dhotis are available for hire at the temple entrance.  This can be worn over pants or churidhar also. 

Temple dharshan timings-
Morning –
3.30am to 4.45am
6.30am to 7.00am
8.30am to 10.00am
10.30am to 11.00am
11.45am to 12.00am

Evening hours-
5.00pm to 6.15pm
6.45pm to 7.20pm
After Margazhi month darshan upto 8.30pm

20. Thiruchenkunroor

This Divya desam is in Chengannur in Alappuza District of Kerala. In English it is reffered to as Thrichittat. The moolavar is Imayavarappan in nindra thirukkolam. Thayar is Sengamalavalli.  As per the Legend, Yudhishtra was very worried after the Mahabharata war, that he had uttered a lie. 

Everyone knows that Yudhistra will not utter a lie and hence, they asked him to pronounce the death of a war elephant by name Aswathama.  He declared that Aswathama was dead. But before he could utter the word elephant, Lord Krishna blew his counch and drowned his voice.  Hence Dhrona thought that his son was dead and put down his arrow, and was subsequently killed by Arjuna.

Yudhistra to seek pardon for this act, built this temple and worshipped the lord here.  The vimanam is Jagathjyothi vimanam. 

20. Thiruchenkunroor -theertham

This is also known as Dharmaputhra prathishta temple.  The theertham is Chitraaru.

21. Thiruppuliyur

This divya kshetram is about 4 kms from chengannur.  This is also known as Bhima prathishtitha temple, and one of the 5 Pandva temple in this region. 

Thiruppuliyur

The moolavar is Mayapiran in nindra thirukkolam.  Thayar porkodi Nachiyar. The theertham is Pragna saras.  Vimanam is Purushothama vimanam.  Saptharishis have worshipped the lord here.

22. Thiruvaaranvilai (Aranmula)

This Divya kshetram is 12 kilometers from Chengannur in Kerala.  This temple is located on the banks of river Pampa. 
Lord Ayappan temple is closely related, ceremonially with this temple.  Three days before the Makara jyothi, Pon-angi (the golden dress of Lord Ayappan) is taken from here to Sabarimala in a procession every year. 

Thiruvaaranvilai (Aranmula)

Thiruvaaranvilai (Aranmula)

This temple is believed to have been built by Arjuna of Pancha Pandavas.  It is believed that the Shrusti rahasyam was propagated to Brahma by Lord Vishnu at this place.

 

Thiruvaaranvilai (Aranmula)

Thiruvaaranvilai (Aranmula)
The moolavar is Parthasarathy.  Thayar is Padmaasini. 
The Vimanam is Vaamana Vimanam.  Theertham is Pampa Nadhi.

23. Thiruvalla - Sree Vallabha temple

22. Thiruvalla - Sree Vallabha temple  
This Divya kshetram is about 6 kms from Chengannur on the way to Kottayam in Kerala.  The vimaanam is Vedhaalaya vimaanam.

Thiruvamundur

Thiruvamundur
Moolavar is Kamalanathan and Thaayar is Kamalavalli Nachiar.  The lord here is also known as Pampa nadhi appan, since river pampa is flowing nearby.  Sage Naradha worshipped the lord here and the Naradha purana was composed here.  Nakula of the Pancha Pandavas has constructed this temple.

24. Thirukkoditthaanam

24. Thirukkoditthaanam
This Divya kshetram is very near to Chengannacheri in Kerala.  The moolavar is Arputha Narayana. Thaayar is karpagavalli.  Right on the back side of the moolavar is the Sannidhi of Narasimha in ugra roopa.  The vimanam is Punyakodi vimanam. 

Thirukkoditthaanam

Thirukkoditthaanam
As per the sthala purana Sahadheva of the Pandavas has built this temple.  The king of Surya vamsa Rukmangatha gave all his punya phala to the Devas so that they can reach the Devendraloka.  It was at this temple he did Ekaadashi vratham to gift his punya phala.  The theertham seen here is Bhoomi theertham.

25. THANJAI MAAMANIKKOVIL -3

Thanjaiyalinagar is the third. 

Moolavar is Shri.Thajayali Narasimhar and thayar is Thanjai Nayaki. Thanjakan a raakshasa in the form of an elephant was terrorising people here. Lord in Narasimha avatara killed this raakshasa and people who were freed from his terror built this temple for Lord. The name of the place Thanjavore is only from this legend.  

Thirumangai Azhwar, Bhootataazhwar and Nammaazhwar have sung Mangalaasaasanams. 

A picture post card of Thanjai Maamanikkoovil 3 for you to share with your Vaishnava friends.

25. THANJAI MAAMANIKKOVIL -2

Shri.Manikkundra Perumal thirukkovil is the second one. Moolavar Manikkundra Perumal is in amarntha kolam (sitting posture) and thayar is Ambujavalli. This is Markandeya jabas sthalam. 

Gopuram is Manikkoota Vimanam and theertham is Sri Rama theertham.  

A picture post card of Thanjai maamani kovil -2  for you to share with your Vaishnava friends.

26. Thirunaagai

Nagapattinam is a coastal town in Tamilnadu, about 145 kms from Thiruchirapalli. Shri.Soundaryavalli thayar udanurai Shri.Soundaryaraja Perumal temple, considered as the 19^th Divya desam is situated in the town of Nagapattinam.

There are three shrines and the moolavars are Neelamegha Perumal in nindra thirukkolam, Govindaraja Perumal in amarndha kolam, Ranganathar in kidandha kolam. 

Thayar is Soundaryavalli. Vimanam is Soundarya vimanam and the theertham is Sarapushkarini.   

 According to the sthala purana, this is the place where Lord gave darshan to Dhruva.  

According Brahmaanda purana, a princess had a third breast due to a curse. Astrologers told here that she would be relieved of her curse once she see her would be groom.  On a fine day she saw Nagaraja offering prayers to Perumal at this place and got relieved of her curse.  Lord appeared before both of them and gave darshan in all three kolams.  

This temple was constructed by the Naaga kings, and later developed and renovated by the Marathas and the Nayakas.

This divya desam has a specific stala puranam related to each of the four yugams.

In Krita yugam, Lord was pleased with the severe penance of a Naaga, the Adisesha and agreed to accept Adisesha as his recliner. Since it happened here, this place came to be known as “Naagar pattinam”

And it was here that Bhoodevi in Thretha yugam and Markandeya in Dwapara yugam undertook penance.

In Kali yugam, naaga raja performed “Kannika dhanam” and presented his daughter in marriage to Sali Sugan Raja at this kshetram and Lord gave darshan to them in all 3 postures. 

Thirumangai Azhwar was so charmed by the beauty of the lord here and praised the lord in Nayaki bhavam, exclaiming in delight, “Achcho oruvar azhagiya vaa”

You can see a unique bronze statue of Ashtabhuja Narasimha, blessing Prahalada with one hand and destroying Hiranyakashipu with the other.

This temple is under renovation and will sport a new look soon.  

27. Thirukkannankudi

This divya desam is one of he five Krishna aranya Kshetrams. This is on the road from Tanjavore to Nagapattinam, just about 6 kilometers from Nagapattinam. From the higway at a place called Aazhiyur you have to take a turn and go for a few kilometers in village road to reach this temple.

The moolavar is Shyamalameni Perumal or Lokanathan in nindra kolam. Thayar is Aravindavalli. 

Brigu maharishi, Gowthama Rishi and Brahma worshipped the lord here. Vasishta maharishi is said to have made Lord Krishna image out of butter and worshipped it here and hence the name ‘Thirukkannankudi’.

Thirimangai Azhwar has done mangalasaasanam here.

The vimaanam is Utpala Vimanam and theertham is Sravana pushkarini. 

This kshetram is known as giving relief to people who are in debt and entangled in court casses. Special pooja can be performed for 11 weeks and on the final week go there to see darshan and perform pooja.  For pooja details contact: N.Prabhakaran Archakar, Thirukkannankudi post, Kivaloor taluk, Nagai District. 611140.  

25. THANJAI MAAMANIKKOVIL -1

So far I have visited 25 Divya Desams and have recorded all my visits in this blog along with photographs. Please click on the older posts below to see all the templs.  

Thanjai Maamanikkovil temple is about 3 kilometers away from the actual city of Thajavore.  You will get the right directions to this temple only from taxi or auto drivers, since most of the residents of Thanjavore do not know the location of this temple.  This one divya desam is a set of 3 temples on the same road just half a kilometer from each other.  

First of them is Shri.Senkamalavalli nayika sametha Shri.Neelamegha perumal thirukkovil.  The moolavar Neelamegha Perumal is in amarntha thirukkolam (sitting posture) along with Senkamalavalli thayar.  

The gopuram seen here is Soundarya vimanam and theertham is Kannikapushkarni.

There are separate sannidhis for Lakshmi Narasimhar and Lakshmi Hayagrivar here. 

A picture post card of Thanjai maamanikkovil -1 for you to share with your Vaishnava friends.

28. Thiru Chitira Kootam - Chidambaram

 This Divya Desam is inside the Chidambaram Nataraja temple and is just a Sannidhi opposite to the Nataraja sannidhi. 

Once Nataraja (Shiva) and Thillai Kaali (Paarvathi) decided to display their dancing expertise and to see who had better skills among the two. Shiva looked up to Brahmma for his judgment, who asked them to perform at Thiru Vaalan Kaadu. Unable to come to a decision, Brahmma directed them to Vishnu, who created a dance sabha in Chitrakoodam, for the two to display their prowess here.

Vishnu is believed to have come down here and witnessed the dance contest between Shiva and Parvathi. With Shiva’s earring falling down, the audience believed that Shiva had lost. But Shiva, continuing his dance, picked up the earring with his leg and put it back in the ear while continuing to dance - Oorthuva Thaandam. Parvathi couldn’t match this and Vishnu judged Shiva the winner.

Vishnu was greatly impressed with Shiva’s dancing capabilities and enjoyed Nataraja’s dance duel with Thillai Kaali. Hence, Govindarajan is seen in a sleeping posture with his face directed towards Nataraja in the Northern direction. All forms of dance can be seen in art form within this temple.

Govindharaja Peurmal

Chidarambaram Rahasyam
One can see the Chidambaram Rahasyam (the Lord in the ‘form of a Yantram’) inside the sanctum of Nataraja, to his right. The Chidambaram Rahasyam is covered with a screen and is shown to devotees at regular intervals.

The Golden roof of Nataraja temple sanctum

29. Thiru Vaheendra puram - DeyvaNayaka Perumal

 This Divyadesam is one of the main sthalam in Nadu Naattu Divyadesam. The temple is situated about 5 Kms away from Cuddalore in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. This temple is located at the foot of a small mountain (Malai Adivaram). 3 miles away from Tirupathirippuliyoor railway station which is in between Chennai - Trichy railway lane. Bus facility is also available.

Aadhisheshan worshipped Sriman Narayanan in this sthalam. Aadhiseshan brought both the Viraja Theertham (Garuda Nadhi) and Ganga Nadhi together and dedicated those two rivers towards the divine feet of Sriman Narayanan.

Near to the temple, Aushadhagiri, a medicinal mountain is seen. It is said that during Ramayana time, when Hanuman took Sanjeevi Malai, a small part of it was dropped on the land and that small part is said to be this Aushadhagiri mountain, which is said to be full of medicinal herbs are found.

Once Vedantha Desikar wanted to see Sriman Narayanan and started doing Tapas and the Perumal came in front of him. He did the Tapas in this Aushadhagiri Mountain only. Sriman Narayanan fully satisfied on his Tapas, showed his seva as "Lord Hayagreevar" along with Garudalwar. On the top of the mountain, a separate sannadhi for Sri Yoga Hayagreevar is found.

Generally, the milk for snakes will be poured into Putru (very small place made of mud where snakes are found), but instead here in this sthalam, the milk is poured into a well inside the Koil Pragharam. The well is called as "Sesha Theertham". With this Sesha Theertham, the neivedhyam (food) or Prasadham is done for the Perumal and with the Garuda Theertham, the Thirumanjanam (divine bath given to the Perumal) is done. In Thai and Aadi month, in this sthalam, the milk is not poured into putru (ant hill) instead it is poured into the Well (Sesha theertham), which is found inside the temple.

Deva Nayaga Perumal is giving his seva in this sthalam in Nindra thirukkolam and curing all sorts of uncurable diseases. Based on the Valarpirai and Theipirai (the moon's starting and diminishing periods), the time is calculated and according to that only, the medicines are given to cure the diseases. With the help of Garudan (Garuda Theertham) and Chandran (the moon), the diseases are cured, so Sriman Narayanan gave his Prathyaksham to Garudan and the Moon.

Lord Hayagreevar, who resides on top of the mountain is said to be very powerful God and is capable of reducing all of our problems.

Once upon the time, Sriman Narayanan teased up Sri Lakshmi on seeing her face. Getting anger on him, she gave him the curse that his face will be get cut during some time. As the same way, one arakkan (demon) named Hayagreevan made tapas on Parashakthi for almost 1000 years and asked for varam that if he needs to be killed, an equivalent person of his category and strength should kill him. As his wish, he got the varam and on getting it, he started to kill and destroying the happiness of Devas, the people and Rishis in the world.

His head was same as that of the horse. So, Lord Brahma took Sriman Narayanan's head and replaced it with the horse's head. Finally, Sriman Narayanan killed Hayagreeva demon and he along with Aadhi Lakshmi sat on top of this mountain and giving all the health and wealth to the people of this world.

There was a little bit of religious intolerance in the minds of the people during Chozha Emperor's time. Once, a Chozha King came to this sthalam and thought of demolishing this Hayagreeva temple. At that time, to eliminate the racism out from his heart, Sriman Narayanan changed himself to Lord Shiva with 3 eyes and Jada mudi (long hair in the head) and gave seva to Chozha Emperor and explained him all the Gods are same and there should not be any difference between the Gods.

The Perumal in this sthalam is Deva Nayaga Perumal with the Lotus in the inner palm of his right hand, and in the fore head, he has the Eye along with Jada mudi and Changu and Chakram on his hands. This is one of the seva which tells us all the Gods are the same because, Lotus which is found with Lord Brahma, and Nettrikkan (eye on the fore head) and Jada Mudi which is found with Lord Shiva and Sangu and Chakram which is found with Shri Vishnu. This shows there should be no fights between Vaishnavam and Saivam and both are similar one. To explain this, he gives sevas as like this in this sthalam.

30. Thirunangur -1- Thiru vellan kulam - Annan Kovil

 Thirunangur Divya Desam are a set of 11 temple out of 108 Divya Desam which are near Sikazhi on Poompuhar road. These 11 temples are deep into the villages and paddy fields and hence difficult to find the way. Hence the best option is to get yourself a guide. Guide will be provided by the Bhattacharya in this Annan kovil. 

Thirunangur Divya Desam - 1- 

Thiruvellan kulam - Annan kovil is located 8 kms off the Poompuhar to  Thirukkadayur road. 

Thirumangai Azhwar praises Lord here as annan and hence the name. The lord here is considered as elder brother to Srinivasa Perumal of Thirupathi and hence if it is not possible for one to go to Thirupathi one can pray here itself and fulfill their wishes. 

Moolavar is Annan Perumal - facing East in Ninra kolam.

Thayar is Alarmel Mangai - Utsavar is Srinivasa Perumal. 

Mangala saasanam - Thirumangai Azhwar - 10 Pasuams.

Thirumangai mannan wanted to marry Kumudha valli Nachiar who was actually an Apsaras stri. Thirumangai mannan fulfilled all her wishes and finally married her here. There is a separate sannidhi for Kumudhavalli Nachiar in this temple. 

Stala Puranam - 

Maharaja Dhandhu Maaran of Surya Dynasty, had a son by name Swethan who was destined to die at the age of 9 and hence he came here and did penance to increase his life. Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Lord Srinivasa and fulfilled his prayers..... Hence, any prayers here will prevent untimely deaths.