Spiritual Info in TDW

Schoolchildren to see ancient temples through artistic lens

Tiruchi, India: Schoolchildren in Tiruchi may have visited the temples here to experience the religious fervour and take in the architectural splendour. But this weekend, students will get a chance to look in Srirangam and Thiruvanaikovil temples through an artistic lens.

An initiative by the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation along with two organisations dedicated to art — Kalanjiyam Art Gallery, Thilllai Nagar, and Ainthinai, Tirunelveli, plans to motivate children to preserve ancient heritage structures by cultivating an appreciation for art and architecture.

Children would be taken around to observe sculptures and carvings in both temples to help them see them through an artistic perspective.

They would be trained to sketch on the spot under the guidance of Chennai-based artist Chanthuru.

Thennan Meimman from Thanjavur will enlighten students on various facets of temple architecture and Tiruchi-based photographer Thamizh Kuricil will demonstrate how to photograph temples.

The initiative will guide students in exploring the historical, cultural, and literary influences seen in the temple and learn the relevance of various art symbols, said Suresh, proprietor, Kalanjiyam. The best sketches will be displayed at an exhibition in the city.

Students will be trained by experts on July 27 at the Srirangam Divisional Office between  9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Children in corporation schools will be participating in the training. Other students and schools who wish to participate can register with Kalanjiyam at +91 431-4001790.There is no fees for participation and all sketching material will be provided by the organisers.  
The Hindu

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Spiritual Info in TDW

TTD’s mass temple festival from Aug. 21

TTD’s mass temple festival from Aug. 21: The mass temple festival concept, ‘Managudi’ conceived by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will be observed across 20,000 temples in Andhra Pradesh, India from August 21.

Addressing the third phase of review meeting of “Managudi” at Sri Venkateswara Employees Training Academy (SVETA) here on Tuesday, TTD Trust Board Chairman K Bapiraju said that the fete was being organised with the aim of promoting and propagating the values upheld by the ‘Hindu Sanatana Dharma’ for the future generations. He also said that over two crore kankanams (holy threads) will be distributed to the public on this occasion. The programme is conducted jointly by the TTD and the Endowments Department.

Executive Officer M.G. Gopal directed the Dharma Prachara Mandali members to identify and enlist the settlements without temples in Harijan, Girijan and Fishermen colonies. “We have to encourage them to take part in this mass temple festival with vigour,” he added.

Earlier, TTD Joint EO P Venkatrami Reddy enlisted the schedule of activities in connection with the fete. Before Managudi festival, programmes like Alaya Shobha (August 8), Dharmic discourses (August 11), Kumkuma Puja (August 12), Gopuja (August 14), Mass Varalakshmi Vratam (August 16) and Satyanarayana Vratam (August 17) will be conducted.

Principal Secretary (Endowments) Vinod K Agrawal, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer GVG Ashok Kumar, HDPP Special Officer B Raghunath and heads of other departments took part.

‘Managudi’ will be observed across 20,000 temples in Andhra Pradesh. The Hindu

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DK and Udupi temples steal the limelight

DK and Udupi temples, Karnataka, India steal the limelight:

Generally Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are referred to as districts of temples. But the statistics available on the website of Muzrai Department listing recognised temples show that the two do not figure in the top 10 districts. However, the fact remains that temples in the two districts are better known than those in other districts.

Temples such as Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple and Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Kshetra are very well known both within and without the district. The popularity of Mookambika Temple in Kollur, Udupi district, and the Udupi Krishna Math Temple transcends the State’s borders.

Chandrashekar Damle, a former Professor of Sociology at Nehru Memorial College, Sullia, said that temples in the district have been projected well and hence they take the limelight compared with those in other districts.

Mr. Damle said that many astrologers in Kannada television channels, which telecast religious programmes every morning, suggest devotees to visit either Kukke Subrahmanya and/or Dharmasthala Manjunatha temples to get rid of divine wrath. There is a queue of people who wish to perform “sarpa samskara” and “ashlesha bali” in Subrahmanya Temple. The Dharmasthala deity Lord Manjunatheswara is considered the God of Truth. In addition, Dharmasthala temple offers an out-of-the-court justice settlement system. The visit of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and many film stars to Kukke Subrahmanya and the media coverage on it has prompted many to throng to the temple. Some of those who come to these temples also go to other nearby temples like Kateel, Udupi Krisha Math and Kollur Mookambika Temple. The temple at Kollur also attracts large number of pilgrims, especially from Kerala. Carnatic vocalist K.J. Yesudas visits the temple regularly each year.


Mr. Damle said that temples had “rajashraya” during rulers. A Kannada book titled “Dakshina Kannada Jilleya Ithihasa Mattu Puratatava” published by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Mysore in 2007, quotes writer Keladi Venkatesh Jois in an article on Keladi rulers, who says that a Keladi dynasty ruler Venkatappa Nayaka “…extended Kollur Mookambika temple…” The same ruler built Jangama Maths in places like Karkala, Moodbidri, Gurupura, Bantwal, and Shankaranarayana. The Hindu

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Spiritual Info in TDW

Pilgrims throng temples for Nalambala Darsanam

Pilgrims throng temples for Nalambala Darsanam

Kerala, India: Despite intermittent rain, large crowds were seen on Sunday at the four temples involved in Nalambala Darsanam, an annual pilgrimage in the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam.

The pilgrimage involves offering prayers at the Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikya Temple and Payammal Shathrughna temple on a single day.

The temples are dedicated to Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shathrughna.

 Spiritual quest:A long line of devotees at the Koodalmanikya Temple in Irinjalakuda on Sunday. The Hindu 

During the season, tens of thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Kerala and neighbouring States visit the temples.

The Thriprayar shrine depicts Lord Rama as protector of the universe. The main offerings there include ‘Avil Naivedyam’. Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Pooram, an important festival of central Kerala.

The Irinjalakuda temple depicts Lord Bharata offering prayers to Lord Rama. Ceremonies such as ‘Usha Puja’ and ‘Pantheeradi Puja’ are not performed there.

The Moozhikkulam temple, one of the few shrines in the State dedicated to Lord Lakshmana, is located on the banks of the Chalakudy river. The main offerings there include ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Ottayappam and ‘Kadumpayasam’. The Payammal temple, 6 km from Vellangallur along the Irinjalakuda-Kodungallur route, is one of the few shrines in the State dedicated to Shathrughna.

According to legend, fishermen gifted idols of the valiant heroes of the Ramayana to Vakkayil Kaimal, a minister with the Ayirur Kovilakam. The figurines were later installed at Thriprayar, Moozhikkulam, Irinjalakuda and Payammal. The Hindu

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Temple Development Works - TDW

Towering addition to ancient temple

Renovation Work at Kathir Narasinga Perumal Temple, Devar Malai, Tamil nadu, India includes a seven- tier rajagopuram and a new chariot. 

Kathir Narasinga Perumal temple, the five-centuries-old shrine, in Devar Malai, whose legend goes back to Hiranya Samhara and whose construction in its present form dates back to the Nayak period, will soon sport a seven- tier rajagopuram at the eastern entrance atop the current Mottai Gopuram. Plans to renovate the old chariot are also on the anvil.

The 'mottai gopuram' at the eastern entrance, which will sport a new seven-tier rajagopuram 

The story goes that after Hiranya Samharam the ferocious Narasimha, came to the forest area of Devar Malai, where he was intercepted by the Devas who had congregated in large numbers. In an effort to calm Him down, the Devas brought sacred water and performed abishekam for Narasimha.

Pleased with the gesture, Lord Narasimha provided darshan in a majestic seated posture (veera asana pose) with his right feet placed on the ground and the left leg in a folded position. His left hand is positioned as if He is inviting the devotees while His right is in abhaya hastham posture blessing them. The Sacred water here is believed to liberate those with Pitru dosham.

Rich inscriptions

There are many inscriptions, dating back to centuries, at the entrance of the Thayar Sannidhi that tell the story of the temple.

Nayaks, belonging to the Kurivarkothram in Bellary, came here to Palayam, five km west of this temple. They were the earliest of the Nayaks to enter this region after capturing Puliyur through their killings of Vengals. Impressed with the Nayaks’ might, the Pandyas gifted them lands.

The story goes that Nayaks, who were adept at grazing cows, would bring the cows every day to the forest area of Devar Malai. On one such occasion, the cowherd saw a boy drinking the milk directly from one of the cows. Angered by this, the cowherd fought with the boy but to his surprise, the boy disappeared. Transfixed by this incident, the cowherd sat there near a tree while his cows returned to Palayam.

When Vathipala Muthappa Nayak came there, he tried to wake up the cowherd and instantly found a divine light. Digging that place, they found sacred water gushing out and realised that Lord Narasimha was present there and that it was the Lord who had come as a boy to enact the drama of drinking the milk from the cow.

The delighted Nayaks built a temple for Lord Narasimha at this place and the imposing granite structure that one sees today belongs to the Nayak period. While the temple itself is about 550 years old, the moolavar idol is said to date back to over 1,000 years.

The Nayaks, who then went on to rule large parts of Tamil Nadu, had many of those places named as palayam (Palayam Kottai, Raja Palayam) but the Palayam near Devar Malai is said to be the first of the ‘Palayams,’ marking their entry into this region.

The Swarna Bhairavar shrine on the northern side is similar to the idol seen at the Dhadi Kombu Sundararaja Perumal temple near Dindigul.

The temple, which for decades had been in ruins, was renovated a few years ago and wears a new look now. However, one is welcomed by a ‘Mottai Gopuram’ and one misses the presence of a temple tower.

There are plans to build a rajagopuram atop the mottai gopuram and renovate the temple chariot, which is in a state of neglect. Those interested to support the cause may contact Balaji Bhattar (Ph: +91 99436 10705).

How to reach: Devar Malai is 65 km west of Tiruchi on the Thogamalai-Palayam route and 35 km from Karur, off the Old Karur-Dindigul Highway and five km east of the Palayam Junction.

Buses are available every one hour from Tiruchi on the Devar Malai route with the first bus at 4 a.m. One should get down at Kuruni Kalathapatti and walk one km towards north to reach the temple.

From Karur, one can board Dindigul bound bus (old Dindigul road) and get down at Palayam. There are buses available every 15 minutes from Karur. Take a mini bus from Palayam to Devar Malai Junction.

Auto from Palayam bus stop to the temple is Rs. 100.

Special Features
Veerasana Kolam of Lord Narasimha.
The first of the ‘Palayams’ of the Nayaks.
Several ancient inscriptions are found at the entrance to the Thayar sannidhi.
Moolavar idol is believed to be over 1,000 years old.

Special events
10-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi.
Navarathri Kolu for Kamalavalli Thayar.
Chakkarai Pongal presented to Sri Lakshmi Narayana every Monday.
Special abishekam on ashtami.

Quick Facts
Moolavar: Kathir Narasinga Perumal East Facing Sitting Posture
Goddess: Kamalavalli Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)
Temple time: 7 a.m.-12 noon and 5-7 p.m.

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There are plans to build a rajagopuram atop the mottai gopuram and renovate the temple chariot, which is in a state of neglect. Those interested to support the cause may contact Balaji Bhattar (Ph: +91 99436 10705). The Hindu

TDW requests the readers to help for this temple development work.

Spiritual Importance of the day in TDW

Akshaya Tritiya: The Golden Day - May 13, 2013

Hindus believe in the theory of "mahurats" or auspicious timings in every step in life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful.

Once a Year

 Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.

Holy Day

 Akshaya Tritiya, also known as "Akha Teej", is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.

The Golden Link

 The word "Akshaya" means imperishable or eternal - that which never diminishes. Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewelry bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune. Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.

Myths Around Akshaya Tritiya

The day also marks the beginning of the "SatyaYug" or the Golden Age - the first of the four Yugas. In the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya, Veda Vyasa along with Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended on earth on this day. 

According to another legend, during the time of the Mahabhrata, when the Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an 'Akshaya Patra,' a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.

The Krishna-Sudama Legend

Perhaps, the most famous of the Akshaya Tritiya stories is the legend of Lord Krishna and Sudama, his poor Brahmin childhood friend. On this day, as the tale goes, Sudama came over to Krishna's palace to request him for some financial help. As a gift for his friend, Sudama had nothing more than a handful of beaten rice or 'poha'. So, he was utterly ashamed to give it to Krishna, but Krishna took the pouch of 'poha' from him and relished having it. Krishna followed the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' or 'the guest is like God' and treated Sudama like a king. His poor friend was so overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality shown by Krishna, that he could not ask for the financial favor and came home empty handed. Lo and behold! When he reached his place, Sudama's old hut was transformed into a palace! He found his family dressed in royal attire and everything around was new and expensive. Sudama knew that it was a boon from Krishna, who blessed him with more than the wealth he actually intended to ask for. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains and wealth acquisition.

Bright Births

 It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16. Akshaya Tritiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord Parashurama, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.

"Feeding a starved human being and helping the poor with much needed items is the key to receiving material and spiritual blessings". Any sort of Donation on Akshaya Tritiya day produces great returns. If you have been planning to donate, this is the best day.

Gold, especially in India, is much more than just a precious metal as it is part of the fabric of the culture and an inseparable part of belief system. It is the core from which the world was created. In Hindu mythology, the Creator deposited a seed in the waters of the dark and lifeless universe. The seed became a bright cosmic egg as radiant as the Sun and from this was born, the incarnation of the Creator Himself - Brahma. Thus He is referred to as Hiranyagarbha - the one born of gold.

Akshaya Tritiya is the 

•Most Special of all the 3rd Moon Days

•Most Suitable Day to Attract Wealth and Prosperity

•Best Day to Donate to Needy and Poor

•Most Auspicious Day for Starting New Ventures

 Kubera, the Banker in heaven, got his popular position on Akshaya Tritiya day, due to his past habits of giving on this day. 

May Lord Vishnu bless you with wealth and prosperity on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

May this Akshaya Tritiya, light up for you.

The hopes of Happy times, And dreams for a year full of smiles!

TDW Wishes you All a Very Happy Akshaya Tritiya!

Temple Development Works - TDW

900-year-old temple to get new lease of life

Kamakshi Samedha Ekambareswar Temple in the foothills

Chief Minister announces in the Assembly Rs. 1 crore for restoration of the temple situated atop hill near Tindivanam.

Neglected over the years, a 900-year-old temple in Villupuram district is set to get a new lease of life with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday announcing Rs. 1 crore for its restoration.

The derelict Mukyachaleeswarar temple is situated atop a hill at Perumukkal village near Tindivanam, while Kamatchi Samedha Ekambareswarar temple is in the foothills.

The temple atop the hill is under the control of the State Archaeology Department and the other one is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.

In a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the temple was originally built in brick and renovated as a granite structure during the reign of Vikrama Chola (1118-35 Christian era). The deity’s Tamil name is Thiruvanmigai Iswaramudayar or Perumukkal Udayar.

S. Vasanthi, Commissioner of the Archaeology Department, said the original brick structure bore testimony to the fact that the Mukyachaleeswarar Temple was existed from ancient times. But the lower temple belonged to a later period and was constructed by Vijayanagar kings around the 15th century. The restoration plan would cover both the temples.

Mukyachaleeswarar temple atop a hill at Perumukkal village near Tindivanam.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), on a request from the HR&CE Department, inspected the temples on May 6 and is preparing a detailed report on restoration and the cost.

“Though it is in extremely bad shape, you cannot call it a non-living temple as a priest regularly visits to perform pooja. The compound wall is 90 per cent destroyed,” said an ASI official, who was on the ASI team that visited the temple. A minute study of the structure had to be done before suggesting restoration.

“We have to take into consideration the original structure and interventions made by subsequent rulers. Different types of lime-mortar paste were used in the past. One type for plastering, one for concrete, one for pasting and one for the weather course,” said ASI officials.

The temple tower and vimana on the top of the sanctum sanctorum are made of brick. There are 60 inscriptions that talk about donations made by Chola, Pandya, Sambuvaraya and Vijayanagar kings.

Officials also felt that Rs. 1 crore was not adequate to carry out the restoration work as the entire temple complex was in a really pathetic condition.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said Tamil Nadu had the largest number of temples as well as epigraphs.

So far, 24,060 epigraphs had been copied. These epigraphs are in Tamil, Brahmi, Vattezhuthu (ancient rounded Tamil script), Grantha, Telugu, Kannada and Nagari scripts.

She said estampages made in 1967 by the Archaeology department were in tatters and on the verge of destruction. The government had decided to salvage them by digitisation. A total of Rs. 50 lakh would be spent on this work, which will take three years to complete.

TDW requests the readers to help for this temple development work in Tindivanam.