Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Gunaseelam

Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple lies 16 Kms from Tiruchirappalli at Gunaseelam, on the northern banks of the river cauvery. During the uchi kala pooja ( 11:30 am to 12:30 hrs ) and Artha Jama Pooja ( 08: 30 ) the holy water is sprinked on the devottee which is said to be expaiting all kinds of evils effects and mind diseases. During the whole Dhanu month( Dec - Jan ) kootaravalli and Vaikununta Ekatasi festivals take place. Apart from that purattasi saturdays and float festival and Bramotstavam are also important festivals here . Annual festival is celebrated during the month of September-October with the famous car festival.The devotees from various parts of Tamilnadu are visiting this temple to pray the Lord Prasanna Vekatesa Peruamal to get rid of the mental depression.

Gunaseelam Vishnu temple is located in the banks of Cauvery in Trichy-Salem route around 15 km from Trichirappalli. Gunaseelam Vishnu Temple is one of the oldest and important vaishnav temples in south India. Gunaseelam is considered as south Tirupathi and people give their offering that they used to offer to Lord Balaji at Tirupathi. People consider Gunaseelam as a place with sanity and have the power to cure physical and mental illness. Due to this belief, mentally ill people are taken to Gunaseelam temple and kept there until they become normal. Gunaseelam is located in the midst of beautiful coconut groves and green paddy fields.

Sarangapani Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

The Sarangapani temple is the principal and largest of the Vishnu temples in Kumbakonam dating to the thirteenth-century. It is among the 108 Tirupatis and is given third place next to Srirangam and Tirupati. The shrine is in form of a chariot. A beautiful tank called Hema Pushkarni separates this shrine and the Adi Kumbeshwara temple.

Entry, into a hundred-pillar hallway from the seventeenth century (Nayak period), is through a twelve-storied pyramidal gopuram, more than 40m high which is considered one of the largest gopurams in South India.

Pass through a smaller gopuram that leads into a second courtyard that contains another columned mandapa and to the right, a shrine to Lakshmi. The central shrine dates from the late Chola period with many later alterations.
Its entrance, within the innermost court, is guarded by huge dvarpalas, identical to Vishnu whom they protect.
Between them are carved perforated stone screens in different designs, and in front of them stands the sacred, square fireplace (to do homam). During the day, pinpoints of light from ceiling windows penetrate the darkness around the sanctum, designed to resemble a chariot with reliefs of horses, elephants and wheels. A painted cupboard contains a mirror for Vishnu to see himself when he leaves the sanctum sanctorum.

There are 2 entrances to the sanctum. One is kept open throughout the Uttarayan period and the other during the Dakshinayan period.

By the side of the temple is the Golden Lotus tank also known as Lakshmi Theertham. Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here and Vishnu came down as Lord Aravamudhan and married Her. Sarangapani, Aravamudhan and Komalavalli are the presiding deities.

Sowriraja perumal Temple, Thirukannapuram

Thiru kannapuram is one of 108 Divya Desa temples. The temple is one of five Krishnaranya Kshetram. The place is about 8 kms east of Nanilam, located in-between River Thirumalaryan and Vettaru.
The main Raja Gopuram is seven storeys and pushkarani is seen in front of the temple. Steps are provided to all four sides of pushkarani for devotee’s convenience.



Main Deity is Thiru Neelamega perumal in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar to either Side. Urchavar is known as Sowriraja perumal.
Kannapura Nayaki thayar is seen in separate sanctum.



As we go around the main sanctum we see Azwar, Veebishanan, and Sri Raman sanctum. There is a separate sanctum for Udayavar to north side of Pushkarani.


Importance: This is one of five Krishnaranya Kshetram. The rest four are Thirukovaloore, Thiru kannankudi, Thiru kavithalam, and Thiru Kannamangi.

The place is also known as "Srimadha shadakshra maha mantra siddhi kshetram". This place is considered as one of Mukthy giving sthalam and known as Keezhai Vedu by Pandits of olden days. Thirumangai Azwar was blessed with Thiru Mantra Upadesam.




Purana says King Upasarivasu performed Aswameda yaga and was blessed with a female child, who was named as Padmini. As she grew, she turned out to be a beautiful girl. Padmini meditated in this place to seek the hands of Perumal as her life partner. Sowriraja Perumal was happy with her devoation and dedication. He fulfilled her wish.



There is story related to Perumal. One day Archakar of the temple, as a gesture handed over the garland which was on, Sowriraja Perumal, to the King who visited the temple. The King saw a lengthy hair string to the garland. He was surprised and questioned about this. Archakar said it was the hair of the perumal.



King did not believe it and asked his men to check and find the truth. Kings men tried to pluck the hair of Perumal in main sanctum. When they did so blood splashed, and King worried for his act. He prayed to perumal of this temple to forgive him. Perumal protected his devotee, the Archakar whose words came true. From then, perumal here is known as Sowriraja Perumal.




Sowriraja perumal is seen with prayoga chakkra in his hands. The place is considered as Bhoolokha vaikundam. There is no separate door/ entrance, in the temple as Swarga vassal and there is no vimana darshanam in the temple.

Sri parimala ranganathar temple, thiruindhaloor
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Thirukannapuram Divya Desam

Thiru Kannapuram- Lord’s Keezha Veedu(Eastern Gateway)
Lord Vishnu asked Vibheeshana to come here to have darshan of his ‘walking beauty’

Located 20kms North West of Nagapatinam (20kms East of Tiruvarur, 30kms South of Kumbakonam and Mayavaram), this is one of the 5 Krishnaranya Kshetrams. Lord Narayana himself re-incarnated as Sowri Rajan at Kannapuram.

Walking Beauty of the Lord
This is the temple where the Lord showed Vibheeshana, brother of Ravana, his walking beauty. After seeing the sleeping beauty of Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, Vibheeshna wanted to see the walking beauty of the Lord, upon which he was directed by the Lord to his “Keezh(akku) Veedu’ (Eastern Gateway of the Lord). It is believed that Lord Vishnu displayed his ‘walking beauty’ to Vibheeshana here on the new moon day. To mark this event, on every Amavasya day at 12noon, Lord SowriRajan is carried out of the Sanctum and walks to the Vibheeshna Sannidhi.

Sowri Rajan- An extra growth of hair on the Lord

Once a garland of flowers sent by a king to the Lord did not reach the temple and hence the priest could not get the Lord ready in time for the King’s visit. To save himself from the King’s wrath, the temple priest quickly organized a garland of flowers from his house and placed it around the Lord. The king found that there was a hair in the garland and questioned the priest, who told him that this was the Lord’s own.

The priest told the king that he would show it(the Lord's hair) to him the next morning. Lord here is said to have saved the priest by displaying his long plait to the King. Hence, the lord here is called Sowri Rajan.

Special Pongal every night

A devotee who used to have his daily food only after presenting to the Lord was late one evening and found the temple closed. Hence, he presented the food to the Lord from outside the temple. It is believed that when the temple doors opened the next morning, the entire temple smelt of Sweet Pongal.

To mark this, every night, Pongal is served to the Lord - another feature at this temple.

Lord Narayana in 3 forms

On the 7th day of Vaikaasi, Lord Narayana gives darshan in all his 3 forms
(TriMoorthy Swaroopam)- Maha Vishnu in the day, Brahmaa in the night at around 11pm and Lord Shiva early next morning

Procession to the Sea Shore

Once a year, on the occasion of Maasi Magam, the Lord is taken on a procession to the sea shore near Karaikal, about 20 kms from here.

Quick Facts

Deity : Neelamegha Perumal- Standing Posture facing East
Utsavar : Sowri Rajan
Goddess : Kannapura Naayaki

Mangalasaasanam : 5 Azhvaars - Thirumangai Azhvaar(100), Nammazhvaar(11), Kulasekaraazhvaar(10), Andaal(1) and Periyazhvaar(1)

Paasurams : 123

Temple timing : 7am –12noon and 5pm-830pm

Priest : S. Sowri Rajan Bhattar
Contact Address : North Mada Street, Kannapuram 609 704 Nagapattinam Dist
Tel No. : 04366 270718 or 95971 14670

Bus : Buses every 10 minutes Kumbakonam-Nagai route
Auto : Auto will charge anything Rs. 20/- for a one way drop from ThiruPugalur bus stop

Place to Stay : Best to stay in Kumbakonam

This is on the Kumbakonam-Nannilam-Nagapattinam route. One has to get down at ThiruPugalur and take an auto (Rs. 20/-) for a 2 km drive to the temple. This place can also be reached directly from Thiruvarur.

Sri parimala ranganathar temple, thiruindhaloor
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Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple,Thirukannapuram

Thirukannapuram, near Thirupugalur, which lies between Nagapatinam, Nannilam and Kumbakonam, is one of the 108 Vaishnava sthalas (Divya Kshetrams). The moolavar’s name is Neelamegam and the utsavar is Savuriraja Perumal.

The idol appears in an unusual posture here in this temple. Instead of blessing the devotees, he appears to be in a receiving posture, meaning that he is accepting the sorrows and difficulties of the devotees.

The utsavar is known as Savuriraja Perumal as he appears with ‘savuri’ (hair) on his head. There is a story related to the ‘savuri’. The temple priest presented a garland, as was the practice, that had adorned the deity, to the Chola king who visited the temple. But the priest had actually given the garland to a dancer attached to the temple, who had arrived before the king.

When the king arrived, the priest, who had no garland to give him, sent for the one he had given to the dancer. The king who received the garland noticed a strand of hair in the garland and became furious. To escape from his wrath, the priest told the king that the Lord had a tuft of hair and that strand of hair was from the tuft. To save the priest, the Lord too appeared with a black ‘savuri’ in front of the king. From that day on, He has been known as ‘Savuriraja Perumal’.

Apart from this, one can see a scar on the utsavar’s right brow. The scar is said to be the outcome of Thirukannapurathu Araiyar’s anguish when the temple walls were demolished by foreigners. In a fit of sorrow, he threw the plate and it struck the idol on his brow and fell. This left a scar on the deity, we are told.

As Tirupati is famous for its ‘laddu’ and Srirangam is famous for ‘payasam’, Thirukannapuram is famous for ‘muniyodharan pongal’. There is a story behind this too. Collecting the tributes and handing it over to the Chola king was the job of Muniyodharar. Once, instead of giving the money to the king, Muniyodharar spent it on some temple work.

This made the king angry and Muniyodharar was imprisoned. His wife was struck with grief and she approached the Lord and said if her husband was not get released within five days, she would jump into the fire and die. The Lord appeared in the king’s dream and ordered him to release Muniyodharar. The king did so. Later, Muniyodhara, when his wife served him ‘pongal’, offered it to God and then ate the delicacy.

The next day, the temple priests were surprised to see pongal rolling down with ghee on the body of the Lord. When they came to know about what had happened and why, they praised and thanked the Lord for his mercy and grace. From that day, it has become a tradition to offer ‘pongal’ to the lord at midnight in this temple.

There is no ‘Swarga Vasal’ for this temple as they say that one can reach ‘Vaikunta’ if they just step on this soil. It is believed that there is a ‘pulling power’ in the sanctum santorum of this temple and even to this day, one can feel and experience this effect.

The devotees offer savuri to the lord when their wishes are fulfilled and one who worships Lord Savuriraja Perumal is granted his/her wishes whether it be a job or promotion or progress in personal life.

Thaayaar - Kannapuranayagi (Sridevi, Boodevi, Aandaal, Padmini).

Theertham - Nithyapushkarini

Mangalasasanam:

Perialwar - 71
Andaal - 535
Kulasekaralwar - 719-729
Thirumangaialwar - 1648-1747, 2067, 2078, 2673, 2674
Nammalwar - 3656 - 3666

Total of 128 Paasurams.

Special Information

Dieties Sourirajan, Kannapura Nayagi
Theerthangal Nithya Pushkarini
Vimanam Udbalavarthaka Vimanam.
Pratyaksham Kanva Maharishi
Mangalasasanam Andal, Kulasekarazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar, Nammazhwar.
Direction and Posture Standing Posture and East-faced.
Travel Base Thiruvaarur
Access to the temple About one mile south of Thiruppugaloor, near Nannilam Railway Station(on the line of Mayavaram-Thiruvaroor).

Moolavar

The Moolavar of this kshetram is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in the standing posture facing east. Instead of Abhaya Hastham he has Varadha Hastham similar to Kanchi Varadharaja perumal. Also, he has the Prayoga Chakaram, similar to that of Ranganatha perumal of SriRangam. Prathyaksham for Kanva Maharishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudan.

How to Get There

This temple lies in the Tanjore district of TamilNadu. It is 4 kms from Nannilam Railway station. From Maayuram we have to go to Thirupugalore and from there by crossing a river Thirukannapuram is at 1 kms distance. Bus facility is provided. But staying facility is not privided well.

Sri parimala ranganathar temple, thiruindhaloor
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Sri Varadarajar Perumal, Chettippunyam

About the Temple

Chettippunyam village is located about 30 kms from Tambaram on west of GST Road, after Singaperumal Koil.

Though the main deity of this temple is Sri Varadharaja Perumal, many people throng here to worship Sri Yoga Hayagreevar. One can see that the temple is always filled with school and college students coming here to worship Sri Yoga Hayagreevar, as He is the believed as the God for education, knowledge and wisdom.

It is said that, originally this temple had Sri Varadharaja Perumal only. Later during 1848, the idols of Sri Devanaadha Perumal and Sri Yoga Hayagreevar have been brought here from Thiruvaheendrapuram (near Cuddalore) to safe guard them from invaders.

Speciality of this temple

Now, the main deity here is Sri Varadharaja Perumal and Goddess Sri Hemambuja Nayagi. The Urchavar of this temple is Sri Devanaadha Perumal. Sri Devanaadha Perumal is seen here with Prayoga Chakra on His right hand, which is a rare sight.

Usually Hayagreevar is seen along with Sri Lakshmi in many places. But here unusually, He is seen meditating in Yogic posture with his legs folded. Many students visit this temple praying for their good scores in examinations. One can see students coming here with their pens, pencils, hall tickets etc. keep them at the Lord’s feet before taking their exams.

Many of these students write their exam roll numbers and wishes to perform well all along the walls. Though the temple administration has announced on the walls, not to scribble on them, no one seems to respect that. Even such lines like “I want to get engineering seat” are seen in many places.

Dwajasthambha is made of stone here on which Sri Garuda is seen facing the Lord, towards the sanctum.

An Azhinjal tree is present at the northern side of the temple, where people tie a thread or a piece of cloth and pray the Lord for marriage, children and also to fare well in examinations.
A beautiful temple, especially granting wishes for students.

How to reach

The temple is about 50 kms from Chennai and around 5-6 kms from Singaperumal koil. Travelling on the GST from Chennai, take the right just opposite Mahindra City gate after Singaperumal koil. Cross the railway gate and continue straight on the road for about 3-4 kms. Once you reach the village you need the take a left and the temple is on a small lane in the right side. The nearest station is Singaperumal koil on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpet route.

Bus Routes

M500,500B,500 and get down at Mahindra City stop, from there many share autos are available to reach this temple.

Sri Varadaraja perumal temple/ Yoga Hayagreeva temple, Chettipunyam

About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Varadaraja perumal. However the temple is more popular as the temple for Sri Yoga Hayagreevar who blesses the devotees with education and knowledge. The moolavar is Sri Varadaraja perumal while the utsavar is known as Devanatha perumal. The thayar here is known as Hemabuja nayagi. There is a seperate shrine for Rama, Lakshmanan, Sita and Hanuman.

How to reach

The temple is about 50 kms from Chennai and around 5-6 kms from Singaperumal koil. Travelling on the GST road from Chennai, take right just opposite to Mahindra City gate after Singaperumal koil. Cross the railway gate and continue straight on the road for about 3-4 kms. Once you reach the village you need the take a left and the temple is on a small lane in the right side. The nearest station is Singaperumal koil on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpet route.

Bus Routes:

From T.Nagar- 500deluxe, 500AC Buses and get down at singaperumal koil or Mahindra City stop. From there, many share autos are available to reach this temple.

From Broadway- 500B deluxe and 500B AC Buses upto Mahindra City.

From Tambaram- M500

Sannadhis

Sri Varadaraja perumal
Hemabuja nayaki thayar
Andal
Yoga Hayagreevar
Alwars
Garudan
Rama, Lakshma, Seeta and Anjaneya

Specialty of the temple

Lord Hayagreevar's utsava moorthy is also seen in the main sannadhi in a yogic pose with folded legs and students pray here during examinations with pencils, hall tickets and books to get good results.

The idols of Devanadha perumal and Yoga Hayagreeva are believed to have been brought from Thiruvendhipuram divyadesam to protect them from invasions several years back.

The utsavar Devanadha perumal has a Prayoga chakra in his right hand.

Temple timings

The temple is open from 8 am to 12 noon in the mornings and from 4 pm to 7.30 pm in the evenings.

For Singaperumal temple details...
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