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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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.