Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Tiruvallur

About the temple

The temple is one among the 108 divya desams of vaishnavas and a part of tondai naadu divyadesams. Amavasya days are believed to be auspicious for visiting this temple.

The presiding deity Veera raghava perumal is in a reclining position in the temple. The lord’s right hand is positioned on Salihothra Munivar’s head while the left hand is in the Gyana Mudra position indicating the teaching of the four Vedas to the Lord Brahma.

How to reach

Tiruvallur is on the Chennai Tirupati highway. A diversion takes you to the temple.

Nearest Rail Head- Tiruvallur
Nearest Air Head- Chennai

Share autos are the common mode of transport to the temple, although Public transport buses are also there.

Offerings to the Lord

The Lord’s abhishekam is performed only with sandalwood oil.

Salt and pepper offered to the god is believed to cure diseases and restore good health to the devotee. Small metal form of parts of body and other symbols are available in the nearby shops and these are put in the hundial by devotees for curing particular disease. This sthala is also believed to bless people with putra Santana. The lord is popularly known as Vaidhya Veeraraghava Perumal.

Sannadhis

Veeraraghava Perumal
Kanakavalli thayar
Nammalwar
Vedanta Desikar
Andal
Ramanujacharyar
Lakshmi Narasimha
Chakrathazhwar

Hrith paapanasini-The temple’s Pond

A dip in this holy water is capable of purifying even sins committed by mind.

Tiruninravur Bhaktavatsalar temple

The main gopuram

Inside the first parikrama

About the temple

Bhaktavatsalar perumal is the presiding deity at Tiruninravur. The temple is one among the 108 divyadesam of Srivaishnavas and a part of tondai naadu divyadesams. The lord here is in standing position facing east. The story behind this temple goes to say that Samudraja, the father of goddess Mahalaxmi had prayed to Lord Vishnu here. Hence, the lord had come to this place and decided to stay here. Goddess laxmi also followed and hence the place is known as tiru ninra vur, the place where the lord stayed.

Another story associated with this temple is that one of the alwars, tirumangai alwar had visited this place, but left without singing a pasuram in praise of the lord. The lord apparently followed him and later he sang a pasuram praising the lord. Another pasuram was also sung for lord bhaktavastsalar by tirumangai alwar from a place called tirukkannamangai.

How to reach

Tiruninravur is 30 kms from Chennai. Suburban trains from Chennai central to Arakonam, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani and Kadambattur stop at Tiruninravur. After getting down, from one side you can reach the Chennai Tirupati highway while the other side goes to the temple and Poonamalle. Share autos, private autos and buses are available to go to the temple. Private autos charge Rs 20 one way while share autos charge Rs 5 one way. You could even walk down to the temple.

The temple is about 2 kms from the station. An alternate route is through poonamalle. Buses plying from poonamalle to tiruninravur station stop at the temple first before reaching the station.

You could also reach tiruninravur station from other places on the Chennai-Tirupati highway by bus, cross over the track and reach the temple.

Nearest railway station: Tiruninravur (suburban), Chennai Central (rail head)
Nearest airport: Chennai

Vimanam and Pushkarni

The pushkarni or temple pond is known as Varuna pushkarni while the vimanam is known as Srinivasa utpala vimanam.

Sannadhis

Bhaktavatsala perumal
Ennai petra taayar
Andal sannadhi
Sudarshanar
Adi sheshan
Acharyas
Vishwaksena

Other temples closeby

Yeri katha rama temple-

This temple is right behind the bhaktavatsalar temple. The temple is on the banks of a huge lake. Lord rama looks splendid with laxmanan, sita and hanuman.

Hanuman temple-

This temple is in front of the main entrance of bhaktavatsalar temple.

Hrudayaliswarar temple- A big Shiva temple is close to the bhaktavatsalar temple and the gopuram can be seen from Bhaktavatsalar temple. Follow this link to know more about the temple ..

Mukteswara Temple

Built in the year of AD 950, Mukteswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is carved with figures of ascetics in several poses of meditation. The highlight of the temple, is the magnificent torana - the decorative gateway, an arched masterpiece, reminiscent of Buddhist influence in Orissa. Mukteswara Temple

This temple is considered to be the gem of Orissan architecture. The sculptured gateway, the Jagamohana with diamond shaped latticed windows and decorated interiors and the plethora of sculptural work all deserve mention in this temple dedicated to Shiva Although it is only a small monument rising to a height of 35 feet. Literally every inch of its surface is carved. This temple has also been described as a dream realized in sandstone and it is a monument where it is said sculpture and architecture are in complete harmony with one another. This temple dates back to the 10th century.

Architectural Wonder
The sculptural decoration of the Mukteswara is exquisitely executed. The beautiful sculptures eloquently speak of the sense of proportion and perspective of the sculptor and their unique ability in the exact depiction of the minutest objects. The builders of Mukteswara Temple introduced new architectural designs, new art motifs and new conceptions about the icnography of the cult images. There are a number of depictions of skeletal ascetics among the sculptural images, most of them shown in teaching or meditation poses, which seems appropriate as the name Mukteswara means "Lord who gives freedom through Yoga".

Thousand Pillar Temple

About 150 kms. from Hyderabad lies the ancient city of Warangal. Noted today for its beautiful lakes, magnificent temples and wildlife, Warangal possess the marvelous thousand pillared temple, built by King Rudra Deva in the 12th century. The famous Thousand Pillar Temple, built in 1163 AD, by king Rudra Deva is an important monument situated near the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway. One thousand richly carved pillars and a magnificent black basalt Nandi bull are unique to this temple which is dedicated to Lords Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.

Detailed Sculpture
The temple is in shape of a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is built on a 1m high platform on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, and has a majestic monolithic Nandi. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish. There are many small lingam shrines surrounding the gardens. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture.

Shakti Peetha, Ma Kamakhya Devi temple, Assam

It might be a misconception that Tantrik cults are over and done with, for the essence of it still continues to prevail rather openly in West Bengal and Assam. While Kalighat and Tarapeeth might have been big centers for such practices the seat of ancient tantricism is at Kamakhya Devi temple, Kamarupa Assam. This is the most important of all the Shakti Peethas in India.

Kamakhya devi shrine hosts the yoni of Sati that fell here following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice. This Shakti Peetha symbolizes the union of Shiva with Shakti, as described in the Kali Purana. They are depicted in constant union where Kamakhya is the Goddess of desire, who grants salvation. She is the young bride of Lord Shiva and together they symbolize the sublime reality of the miracle of life, the everlasting bliss of male/female union. This temple is situated atop a hill that overlooks the Brahmaputra river. The inner sanctum is a deep dark underground rocky chamber into which one descends by a flight of steep steps. The "Matra Yoni" which is inscribed on a rock is covered with silk sarees and is constantly moist by underground spring water.Tantrik cult is a different kind of cult where the orthodoxy of normal rituals and male dominance over the female took a massive beating. In tantricism, it’s the opposite where the female is given a lot more importance and is associated with Shakti. This is reflected in all their strange ritual practices. There is a deep divide between conventional worship and tantrik worship. In conventional worship, a woman is considered as "impure" during her 3 day monthly cycle, further to which she is almost treated as an untouchable in ancient brahmin traditions still prevailing today.

In Tantrik worship, most of the rituals including initiation are centered on the 3 days, this period being the most important period where the woman is considered most pure and an incarnation of Shakti. This is clear from various references made in Tantric texts.Most of the tantrik texts have been found around the regions of Kamarupa, suggesting very strong prevalence of this cult around the Kamakhya Devi temple. The Yoni Tantra hails from Cooch Bihar but most of the Kaul Tantras originated from Kamarupa. The earliest comprehensive references made to the most important element of Tantrik ritual, called Yoni Tattva in the Kaula Tantra are given in the Kaula Jnana Nirnaya by Matsyendranath.A few references that really call for interest about this esoteric cult, and can be made mention of, are as follows.

1. The Shakti, represented here as Kamakhya Devi has close associations with the 64 Yoginis found elsewhere in Orissa. The yantra associated with Kamakhya devi empowers the 64 yoginis(Hirapur Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Khajuraho) as part of Shakti. The Tripura mantra "Aim Klim Sauh" represents the triple Kundalini. It is also believed that female sadhvikas who are well versed in Yoga dwell at Kamakhya peetha. If one joins them, they obtain yogini siddhi.

2. The Matrikas who dominated both Buddhist sculpture as well as Brahmanical, are the depiction of the importance of alphabet or sound in the worship of Shiva and Shakti. There are seven representations called the Sapta Matrikas, describing the importance of the alphabet in the Beeja mantra and associated hymns sung in the praise of Shiva and shakti.


3. This reference comes as an eye opener that Tantrik cults were not restricted to unknown tantriks who practiced in complete secrecy, but a few known faces also seem to be a part of this cult in thought.With reference to Yoni tattva, Kaula tantras deal with the subject of menstrual blood as given in the following translation.Matrikabheda Tantra (English translation Ideological Book House 1990) describes the different types:"Shri Shankara said:The first menses appearing in a woman who has lost her virginity is Svayambhu blood.In a maiden born of a married woman and begotten by another man, that which arises is Kunda menses, the substance causing the granting of any desire.Deveshi, a maiden begotten by a widow gives rise to Gola menses, which subdues gods.The menses arising in the first period after a virgin becomes a married woman is the all bewildering Svapushpa."Last but not the least is the dialog between the supreme creative power Brahma and Shakti. Brahma can create but only through the yoni which shall be the sole creative principle, and will bless the soul with life. After severe penance Brahma brought down a luminous body of light to earth and placed it within the yoni circle of Goddess Kamakhya at Kamarupa.

Trichambaram Krishna temple

Historically, literary sources state that this temple was in existence in the 11th century CE. It has been renovated several times. Like many other temples in the region it underwent destruction at the hands of invaders and was renovated in the late eighteenth century.

The Trichambaram Krishna temple is a small one, with a two storeyed sanctum with four projecting gables on a pyramidal roof. The sanctum has beautiful carvings and murals from the 15th and 16th centuries.

In the temple complex, is also a tank with a shrine to Durga in the center.

Legends: Like many other temples in Kerala, this temple is said to have been installed by Parasurama. This temple is said to enshrine Krishna, exhibiting jubilation upon destroying the demon Kamsan. Prior to this, Kamsan had bid his royal tusker Kuvalayapidam to attack Krishna and Krishna had killed the attacking elephant.

In keeping with this legend, elephants are a taboo at this temple, despite the fact that elephants form an integral part of the fanfare that accompanies festivities in all Keralite temples.

Festivals: The annual festival at this temple is celebrated in the malayalam month of Kumbham. On the first day of the festival, an image of Balarama is brought into the temple from the nearby Dharmakulangara temple. Images of Krishna and Balarama are carried by priests who dance to the accompaniment of drums. Festivities are held for ten nights in a row. On the final day of the festival, the scene of Balarama bidding farewell to his brother Krishna is enacted (in a manner similar to the Vaikom festival).

Bull Temple-Karnataka

The "Bull Temple" is found in Bangalore the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore is relatively a new city and it dates as recently as 1537 when the Vijaynagar Kingdom made a grant of land to an ally called Kempe Gowda. In the 18th century, Haidar Ali, Tipu Sultan and the Wodiyar dynasty of Mysore strengthened it. The British later enlarged it and shifted the main cantonement from Srirangapattanam to a much higher and healthier Bangalore. Today Bangalore is a fast growing city with business opportunity galore. Due to its fast growing computer industry it's been nicknamed "India's Silicon Valley". Bull Temple is one of the places to visit in Bangalore. Kempe Gowda made many temples i.e. dedicated to Anjaneya (God of Power), Vinayaka (God of good fortune), Nandi (Shiva's bull mount).

Place Chart

The Bull temple at Basavanagudi is in Bangalore at the top of a hill. One can take a taxi to the temple or brave a good work up the hill.

Climate: The climate of Bangalore is even and pleasant throughout the year. For the foreigners coming from cold climes the months of December and January are good, with a maximum temperature nearly 28 0 ^Centigrate.

Clothing : During the summer months (May, June). The maximum temperature is nearly 32 0 - 34 0 centigrade and cool cottons are recommended. During the winter months of December and January the maximum temperature is between 25 0 - 28 0 centigrade therefore light woolens for the night can be used.

Language: Kannada is the principal language spoken here. In addition people are well versed in English and a little bit of Hindi also. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city.

Main Features of the Temple : In the shrine atop the hill a massive garlanded black and shiny Nandi (Shiva's mount, the bull) is ensconsed, which dates back to 1786. It is 5mt in height and over 6 mt in length. The size of the Nandi is overwhelming. At the back is a small Lingam shrine. Its modern Gopuram rises, gracefully and majestically. The underground "Sri-Gavi Gandadhareshwara Temple" is equally fascinating, where on every January 14th (Makara Sankranti) they say, a ray of light passes between the horn of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol kept inside. Three levels of excavations have been carried out in the cave. One can see the black stone Hanuman, here. On the way to the Bull Temple one comes across a temple dedicated to the Elephant God Ganesha. The Bull temple is a buzz with great activity during the Shivratri festival.

Local festival Kadalekaye Parishe (Ground nut fair) at the Bull Temple includes a groundnut eating festival. The farmers offer their first harvest collection to Nandi (November-December).

Timings: Entry to the temple is free and the daily timings are from 6a.m. to 8 p.m.

Birla Mandir-New Delhi

Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir
Also Known As Birla Mandir

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi Lutyens designed. Famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.


The Most Important Temples of Hindus

Built in 1938, famous Birla Mandir in Delhi was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Indian Nation) on the express condition that people of all castes and especially untouchables would be allowed in. (Refer to section People). Consequently a plaque at the gate reiterates that people of all faiths and classes are welcome. Till date, it remains one of the most popular temples in Delhi.


The Architectural Brilliance of The Birla Mandir (Temple)

Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami (birth of the Hindu deity Krishna). The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.

The temple is designed in the Orissan style, with tall curved towers capped by large amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture. The interior court is overlooked by two-storey verandahs on three sides; there are gardens and fountains at the rear. The profusion of sculptures, idols, spires and jalis, the Birla Mandir in Delhi is also considered as splendor in terms of its architecture.