Lifetime dharshan of Aadi Athi Varadar - August 8-9, 2019.

 

Athi Varadar emerges out of water every 40 years for just 48 days and in 2019 he emerged out on July 1, 2019 and was going back to Amrutha Saras on Aug 17 2019. 

My brother I had an immense opportunity to witness this rare occasion and get His blessings. We booked the tickets for the same day without pre-planning and ended up going in the same flight. 

As soon as we reached Chennai, we took shower and freshened ourselves, had a cup of coffee and left for Kancheepuram at 330 AM. 

On Aug 8, 2019 we went for darma dharshan of 39th day of Athi Varadar and stood in line for 12:15 hours and got dharshan at 445 PM. What an experience to be with so many devotees We had no food and sipped water to be hydrated. Here are some of the pictures. 

On Aug 9, 2019 (40th day of Athi Varadar 2019), Kumar, Subha, Anand  and I went together. While Subha and Kumar got pass earlier, we both got VIP pass from Palani who arranged for us. Again we stood in line for 6.5 hours and got dharshan from side door little closer. 

Splendid Dharshan at Srirangam - Boologa Vaikundam

Had a wonderful Dharshan at Srirangam on Feb 23, 2018. My sister and I left from our village farm home at Thanneerpalli and reached Srirangam in less than 30 minutes. First had a great dharshan at Thaayar sannidhi and went to get dharshan of Sri Renganathar. Had a great dharshan. Srirangam had been a home for me for about an year during the time I studied at St. Joseph's.

Visited all the other Sannidhis.

Melkote Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple - Dec 8, 2017

Visited Cheuvaarayana Temple at Melkote on Dec 8, 2017. This temple has great history.

History of Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple

Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple is over 1000 years old. The engravings on the temple mention the historical evidence of the temple.  On one of the columns of navaranga is a bas relief, of Raja Wodeyar. This name is etched on the base. He was said to be a great devotee of the presiding deity and a constant visitor to the temple.

Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple is a lavishly empowered temple by the Wodeyar dynasty, the Royals of Mysore. The temple has the most valuable collection of jewels given to the lord by Mysore king Raja Wodeyar. Wodeyars gifted two gold crowns knows as Vairamudi or Vajramukuta and Krishnaraja-mudi to the lord. There is another crown, must older than these two crowns gifted to the lord by some unknown person. All the three crowns are currently in the custody of the Government and are brought to the temple on special occasions.

Vairamudi Festival is one such occasion when the crowns are taken out and adorned on the deities, post which the deities are taken out for a procession in the town. This festival is attended by kore than 4 lakh people every year. An interesting fact is that the main priest is blindfolded before the crowns are taken out, as it is believed that no one should see the crown until it is adorned by Tirunarayana, the main deity.

Tirunarayana

The presiding deity of this temple is of Lord Vishnu also known as Tirunarayana or Cheluvaraya. Utsavamurthy, the small metal idol, represents the main deity. Sri Chelunarayana Swamy was worshipped in Kritayuga by Lord Dattatreya and got the name of Vedadri. In Tretayga it was called as Narayanadri succeeded by Yasavadri as it was idolized by Balrama and Krishna. In Kalyuga it was idolized by Saint Ramanujacharya.

Ramapriya

As far as mythology is concerned it is believed that Lord Rama visited this temple. This fact has been mentioned in the ancient texts as well as can be found in the manuscripts kept in the temple. Lord Rama along with his two sons Lav and Kush visited this temple and offered a flower tribute to the temple deities. And hence Cheluvanarayana Swamy was originally called as Ramapriya.

The Devotion of a Muslim Princess – Deity Of Ramapriya&Bibi Nachiyar

Temples with a large stone deity on the altar generally have a smaller deity called the utsava-murti ("festival form"), who leaves the temple for processions and festivals. The utsava-murti in Melkote is called Tiru Cheluva Narayana (or CheluvaPillai), and the temple is also referred to as the Tiru Cheluva Narayana temple.

During Ramanuja's twelve years in Melukote, a tyrant named Kullotunga Chola ruled southern India. He could not tolerate any worship of Lord Visnu. Many Vaisnavas fled to Melukote, where they were given refuge by the local people. Moved by the benevolence of the people of Melukote, Ramanuja called them Tirukulattar, "the kind people."

While in Melukotte, Ramanujacarya in a dream was told by the Lord that the utsava-murti, which had been stolen by invading Moguls, was in Delhi. Ramanujacarya went there with his disciples, met the sultan who had plundered temples in South India, and requested him to return the deity. The sultan showed him several deities, but Ramanuja did not approve any of them. He said that his deity was in the harem of the princess. The sultan told Ramanuja that if he wanted his deity, he would have to ask the deity to come to him.

Ramanuja sang a sweet song and called out, "Please come, my dear child." ("Cheluva" means "dear child.") The deity came as a beautiful boy and sat on his lap. Ramanuja embraced the divine child with great affection, calling him Sampad-kumara ("Youthful Lord"), and brought Him to Melukote.

The princess, unable to bear separation from the deity, followed Ramanuja. The sultan then sent his army to accompany the princess, but when they couldn't enter a rival's kingdom, the princess continued on alone. When she came to Melukote, she was not allowed to enter the temple, being a Muslim, so she decided to spend her life in penance. Hearing that she was not allowed to see the deity, Ramanuja ordered his disciples to allow her to enter the temple. She walked in and merged with the Lord.

Ramanuja installed a deity of the princess, BibiNachiyar, at the feet of Tiru Cheluva Narayana. Since then every offering made in the temple is done through her.

Melkote Yoga Narasimhar Swamy Temple Visit on Dec 8, 2017

From Bangalore we took a Tavera and went for temple visit on the way to Mysore. Melkote is the first place we visited. Melkote has two major temples - Yoga Narasimhar in the up hill and Cheluva Narayanan temple which is Swamy Ramanuja's favorite temple where his own Atma is still there people say.

First we went to Yoga Narasimhar temple. It was amazing to see a group of 3rd grade students there guided by their teachers. When they climb up they were chanting Ranga Ranga Ranga Ranga to forget the strain of climbing. Scenery from top of the hill around was amazing. 

Yoga Narasimha Temple – Legends

The temple has numerous legends associated with it. One of the most famous beliefs about the temple is that the idol of the deity Narasimha was installed by Prahalada, son of Hiranyakashapu himself. It is also believed that the temple finds reference in the Vedic literature that dates back to thousands of years.

History

The history of the temple dates back to the ancient times. The temple was built during the Hoysala kingdom. The beauty and religious significance of the temple has always fascinated the common people and the royalty alike. The temple has a huge drum that was donated by Tipu Sultan. It has a beautiful bell that was donated by the Mysore Parakalamatha. During the rule of the erstwhile Wodeyar Kings of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III had donated a gold crown to the temple deity.

There are 300 steps to the Temple. 

Kalady - Birth place of Adi Shankara

On concluding day of the trip in Kerala, we drove from Guruvayur to Cochi Airport to take the flight back to Chennai. Kalady is very close to Cochi Airport and I was wanting to step in to the soil where Adi Shankara was born. Had the fortune to do that too.





In and around Kalady there is a huge Sanskrit University and Adi Shankara High School.





We left Kalady and reached Airport. Thanking our Driver Jijo with whose help we could see all temples we are leaving Kerala now with blessed feeling.

Mammyoor Siva Temple

Like in previous post, Lord Shiva gave his abode to consecrate Lord Krishna vigraha came from dwaraka brought by Brahaspathi (Guru) and Vayu and hence named Guruvayurappan.

It is said that Lord Krishna pleased by the act of Lord Shiva gave the boon that all devotees who come to see Him must also see Lord Shiva. Hence Mummyoor Shiva has a special place in Lord Krishna's mind.

Guruvayur Temple Visits - Thrice in two days....

Drive into Guruvayur from Cochi was 2.5 hr long and after visiting the Thriprayar Shri Rama Temple on the way. Feeling of entering Guruvayur was felt looking at the slush green surroundings



We got into a hotel near temple so that we can walk for the Nirmaalya Dharshan early in the morning without disturbing the driver who has been with us past 5 days showing around. Very young Chritian boy and very kind and nice person Jijo who took us everywhere safely.

Had the first dharshan in the evening since senior citizens are allowed specially parents could enjoy the dharshan in short span of time.Like in any temples strict scanning. No cellphones No cameras. Here is the picture of Entrance to the temple.



I decided to get up in the morning around 1230 to get ready to stand in line for 3 AM Nirmalya Dharshan. My father also got ready and came along with me. We stood (Sat) in the line at 1:30. Good thing they have done in Guruvayur is to put benches along the line where devotees can sit in line rather than stand in line. Little pushing is there once temple opens as here also Jarugandi is there. But then the Nirmaalya Dharshan is only for 30 min and hundreds of people have to be given dharshan. So they cannot help but to push people fast. You get about 10 seconds dharshan. Like Swami VeLukkudi says, Lord Krishna is little Krishna here and hence he will sleep often.So, unlike in Tirupathi, here dharshan time slots are short for Krishna to take rest to get ready for next dharshan.

Nirmaalya Dharshan was for less than 10 sec and we could get a glimpse of Krishna in Baniyan leaf.
Not satisfied with that short span, I went back to hotel and dropped my Dad so that he can take rest, came back again and stood in the long line. Just when our row was to get a chance they closed dharshan to allow Kutti Krishna to take rest for Abhishekam.

Beauty here is that morning and evening there is a procession with three elephants and Lord Krishna is taken around the temple (Ambaari). Had a chance to see Ambari twice in two days. One in the evening and one in the morning.

I am glad that my row was held back for 1.5 hours. Because when they let us in I saw little standing Krishna and got little extra time to see hi this time Wav.What a dharshan!!

Guruvayur has a great History. Lord Krishna worshipped Adi Kesava PerumaaL murthy which he inherited from his family starting from Kritha Yuga. When Krishna was leaving the earth, he called Brahaspathi (Guru) to safely land the PerumaaL since everything is sinking due to PraLayam at the end of the Dwapra Yuga. Brahaspathi set the vigraha on baniyan leaf in the ocean but it was not moving away from there. Brahaspathi sought of Vayu Bhagavan to take it away and safely land in shore. Vayu took it safely and the vigraha landed in the shore of Kerala. Krishna also has given instructions to install the deity at an appropriate place on earth. In that place Lord Shiva was doing penance for ages and he suggested that place to  consecrate the deity as the banks of Rudratheertha and gave his place for Lord and moved to Mummyoor.

Since Guru and Vayu brought PerumaaL it is called Guruvayur and little Deity was named Guruvayurappan.