Thursday, June 25, 2009

Some sleeping posture of Lord Vishnu

Here are 8 sleeping postures of Lord Vishu.

1.In Kumbakkonam Sarngapani is in Udyogasayanam.

2.In Thiruneermalai He is in Maanikasayanam.
Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple,Thiruneermalai
3.In Tirukadalmallai (Maamallapuram) Thalasayanam means not laying on serpent (AAdiseheshan) only on floor is Thallasayanam.
4.In Thirupullani Ramar temple He is laying on Dharpa ( grass)is Dharpasayanam.
5.In Chidabaram govindarajaperumal is in "Bhookasayanam".


6.In Indaloor near MailladuthuraiHe is in Veerasayanam.
7.In Sreevilliputhur and srirangamvishnu is Vadapathrasayanam.
8.If Lord Vishnu is accompanied by Devi is Bhookasayanam. If he is laying alone Yogasayanam

Monday, June 22, 2009

Temples arrangement in Tamilnadu

There are many temples in Tamilnadu. Just image as Thiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingeswar temple as main sannathi of a siva temple the other temples around here are situated like this.Thiruvalnsuzi Swatha Vinayaka temple is situated as vinayagar sannathi,Swamimallai as murugan sannathi,Ammankudi as Amman sannathi,Tiruvarur Sri Thyagaraja temple Somaskanthar sannathi,Suryannar koil as Navagraha sannathi, Sirkazi as Bhairavar sannathi,Thruvaduthurai as Nandhi sannathi ,Thiruchiyallur as Chandikeswar sannathi,Thiruaalangudi as Dhakshinamoorthi sannathi and Patteswaram as Durga sannathi.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

some more Natarajar in south temples


In Thirukadamboor is one of the famous siva temple here built by KULOTHUNGAN I. in(1075-1120) This is the first temple built in the shape of Rath.With inspiration of this temple the King Ganga built the famous Sun temple in Konark in 13th century. Here a Lord Natarajan is dancing on Nandhi. This was given to Kulothunga by his Guru from Bengal.

In Utharkoosamangai Nataraja of made by Precious Maragatham (jade) stone.On Thiruvadrai you can see him at the Abishekam time (early morning).Other days it is covered by sandal wood paste.

In Konearirajapuram (Thirunallam) very beautiful and the biggest Natarajan nearly *feet height is here. The temple was built by Chenbiyanmaa devi in the memory of her husband King Kandaraadithyan who wrote "thiruvisaipaa".Later period Pandian king placed the natarajaa is Swayambu moorthy.

Konerirajapuram - Worlds Largest Bronze Nataraja (1)

<span class=Konerirajapuram - Worlds Largest Bronze Nataraja (1)




Picture of Konerirajapuram Nataraja Idol from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsam/3042704667/in/set-72157618361534059/.
(All rights to the original owner of this picture with my gratitude.)

Thirunsuziyal here Nataraja in the form herbals Like navabhashanam.
In Thirunelvelli Nellaiyappar temple Natarajar made in sandalwood this is Thamira ambalam.(copper).

In Madavarvallagam Siva temple built by Tirumalai nayakar has big( 6feet height) Nataraja made in single stone is famous.

Tiruvasal near Selam Siva temple built by pandiyas .Natarajar has Kereedam(crown)instate of "jadaamudi" and his feet on serpant instate of "Muyalagan."

Friday, June 19, 2009

Vedic Calculation of Time

The sun and moon are moving at scheduled times which have been meticulously calculated by our great sages long long past. (now scientists says in atom also electron and protons are moving around neutron in both living and non living things.) Until today we have not seen any difference in their calculation which is based on the soundest theory of "Ajapa Gayathri". It is based on the Mantra or Hymn called Hamsa, which is connected with inhalation and exhalation of human breath. The sound Ha represents inhaling and the sound 'sha' is caused while exhaling. Control over the breath is the basic principle of Pranayama. When breath is controlled mind is controlled too.The Fleeting nature of mind been controlled, it can be concentrated on divine thoughts. As a swan (hamsa) is to be kept under control for utilising its services,the mind is to be brought under swayby controlling the breath,the hymn of Hamsa or Ajapa Gayathri. According to medical investigation, the normal healthy man has 15 breaths per minute or 21,600 breaths per day.

In ancient India system to calculating time,
  • 60Nadis = 1 Vinadhi.
  • 60 Vinadhi or 3600 Nadis = 1 Nazhigai.
  • 60 Nazigai = 1 day.
  • 360 days = 1 year (Because of slowing down of earth, a year is now a little more than 365 days)
  • Kali Yuga = 4,32,000 years.
  • Dwapara Yuga = 8,64,000 years
  • Trata Yuga = 12,96,000 years
  • Krita Yuga = 17,28,000 years
  • Mahayuga or Chatur Yuga = Kali Yuga + Dwapara Yuga + Trata Yuga + Krita Yuga = 43,20,000 years
1 kalpa or a day of Brahma = 1000 Mahayuga
1Manvantraa = 71 Maha Yugas

One full day of Brahma or Kalpais = 14 x 71 (or 994) MahaYugaas + the morning and evening (santhis of 6 Maha yuga) = 1000 Mahayugas.

So, 1 day in Brhama's day = 1000 x 43,20,000 years.
One year for Brahma = 360 such days of Brahma.

A day of Brahma is stated to be a period when all planets return to the same point in the sun or the first point of Aries at Horizon of Lanka on the equator, whose longitude is 76 degrees east of Greenwich.

There is a mystic link between the Mantra-Hamsa or Ajapa Gayathri and the period of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. The number of breathing per day 21600 (200 x 108). The number 108 has very great mystic power. The Upanishads are 108, Vishnupeethas or Diviyadesam are 108.
Our Hindu calender was calculated from the time when all the planets started their journey and not on the day of great man's birth or great king's birth.

According the Hindu mythology, during the day time of Brahma; he creates the life and during the night it is destroyed by Lord Siva. After the life time of Brahma, new galaxy will be created by new Brahma.

Excepts taken from R.K. Das, "Temple of TamilNad", Bhavan's Book University, 2001.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Panchavarneswar temple

There are many old temples around Kumbakkonam. THIRUNALLUR is between Kumbakkonam and Paapanasam. From the main road you have to go 2km. Very less bus service. It is an old temple by Chenkun Chola. This a "Maada Kovil" i.e. you have climb a flight of stairs to enter the temple. Here the God Lingam named as Panchavarneswar, because he is changing his colour for every six "nazegai"(2hr 24min). In morning nazegai, he is in copper colour, then 6-12 sight reddish, 12 to 18 golden colour, 18-24 Emrald colour and 24-30 a mixturer of different colours.

Temple poojari compares Lingam as Kailasa Parvat. That is, the pallette of colours is the same as when you saw Kailas from Manasarovar during different times of the day. The Lingam at Panchavarneswar temple, also shines in these colours.

There are also big statues of Shiva and Parvathi is behind the Lingam; named KALYANASUNDARAR and PARVATHI. There is one more Lingam in the same Aavudai, which was worshiped by Agasthiyar. Another speciality of this temple is that there are two Lingams in one Aavudai.

A big devotee of Lord Shiva and one of the 63 Nayanmar, Shri Thirunavukarsar had Padadharshanam here. Another speciality of this temple is that the icon of Lord Natarajar is with a stick ("Thalaikooal " ) in his right hand.

Ashtha Bujanga Kali also famous here.

A short documentary about this temple was also broadcast recently (on 5th April 2009) on Sun Tv channel as a part of their Teiva Tarshanam programme. I am also embedding the program below.



All rights to Sun Tv. No copyright infringement intended.

Friday, June 12, 2009

UNIQUE ICON OF SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLE (OOTHUKADU)

Picture of Oothukadu Temple -Lord Shri Krishna Idol. Original article link is presented at the end of the this blog. All copyrights to owner.

When anybody says Oothukadu our memory goes to the famous song by Venkatakavi
"Alai paaude" and other songs. His songs are mostly about Lord Krishna with dancing "jathis". I wondered why dance songs? Last year I went to Kumbakonam. In the bus stand, I had seen a bus to Oothukadu. I was tempted to go there. There was Lord Vishnu temple Named VEDA NARAYANA. Oh.....!!!!!! Here a little icon of Kalinganarthana Krishna was there. So cute!! 2.5ft in height. His right hand holding tail of serpent with his left hand, showing "Apaya mudra" on right is indeed a feast to my eyes.

It is so intricately sculptured that one can insert a thin paper between Lords feet and head of serpent "Kalinga". Another leg of Krishna is slightly raised above has scars formed due to the violent beating from Kalinga's tail. Now I got the answer. Venkatakavi inspired with the enchanting image of Kalinga Narthana Krishna in Oothukadu, wrote many Krishna dancing songs. KAMADENU's daughters Patti and Nandhi also here with Lord Krishna enjoying his dance.

In that small temple there is a Sannathi for the great poet VENKATAKAVI. But it is in a bad condition. Every year during the music season (Dec), all the musicians sing and play his songs. Music lovers also enjoying very much. If somebody come forward to renovate his Sannathi, that will be the real tribute to the great Venkatakavi and celebrate his Jayanthi in his Sannathi like Thyagaraja Arathana at Tiruvaiyaru.

Other Interesting Article:

Here is an example of the Thillana composed by Oothukadu Venkata Subbier (Venkata Kavi)in praise of Lord Krishna. The song is sung by noted Carnatic singer Aruna Sairam Margazhi Mahautsavam 2008.

Monday, June 8, 2009

SHOPARA AN ANCIANT FAMOUS PORT

From BC 2nd century to ad15th century it was a important big port. Merchants from Karachi,Arabs, Greece,Egypt came here for trading.It was also known as SUBHARAKA,SUBARAKAPATTINAM. In Mahabharat and Harivamsam books named as SURPARAKA
In Mahabharat Arjun went to Dwaraka from this port.
It was mentioned as a holy place for Jain's In their famous book Sribalasaritham. Here the king Sribalan got married Thilakasundri Princess of Upamara. "It was one of the 84important Holyplace "by Jain GuruJeenaprabha in 14th century.
When Bhudha came here he converted many widow ladies as his followers.
In Ramayana this place is described as the place of SURPANAGA sister of Ravana the king of Lanka.It had Temples of SURYA, CHANDRA, SAAVITHRI,SARASWATHY,INDRAAND GUPERA.King Ravana came here to worship.
The demon Mareechan also lived here and came as a golden deer by the order of Ravana to adapt Sita.
In olden days many SAMAVEDIC Bramins lived in and around KOnkan and Gujarat.Ravana also a sama vedee.Even today many samaveda bramins are living in Gujarat.
In12th century a Konkan king named ABHARADITHYA sent a female poet to Kashmir to attend a conference of veda.
in 15th century when Mughal Concorde India the famous SHURABHA lost its glory and ruined.
This famous port was called as SOBARA by famous traveller ALBURARI of Gajini,SUBERA by Jordan merchants,SUBERA by famous Greek traveller. A stone carving in Nasik mentioned it as Shobharak.
From a tamil magazine Manjari

Monday, June 1, 2009

panchamukavadyam part2

Panchamukavadyam has five faces resembling Lords Shiva's five faces from"Satyojatham is Nagapantham," from" Vamadevam is Swasthikam," from Agoorm is thakgam" from thatpurshotham is Sudham,from Esanam smakali. each face Are tied with deer leather.

It must be play ed only by parasaiva who had siva deekshai. they are also poojari of "Pedariamman'. They are playing this with 7thalas and 35 type Jathis. they should dressed with red dress and red flower and Sandle paste(santhanam).

When LORD SIVA destroyed thireepuram of the three demons namedTharaghakshan, Vidyulmali,vanasuran prayed for his mercy and Siva appionted two of them as his gate keeper (Dwarapalaka) and Vanavan the third one as to play panchamukavadyam. It is described in Koormapuranam by Adiveerarama pandian. But in Tiruvarur temple It is painted as Lord Vishnu is playing it.In some temples it is described as Lord Nandhi or Adi sheashan or Boothaganams are playing.

In this temple it is placed on a wheeled platform so that it can be dragged to where ever Sri Thyagaraja goes.

Tiruthuraipoondi temple has Panchamugavadyam. But nobody to play .

Note: I collected this information from a book "Kudamuza' by Mr. Kudavasal Balasubramaniam.