Sunday, August 11, 2019

Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana

Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana
Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kurukshetra City in Haryana State, India. Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple is also commonly known as Brahma Sarovar Temple. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple.

Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
It is believed that 18 days Kurukshetra war between Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata fame happened in this place. Kurukshetra reached the zenith of its progress during the reign of King Harsha, during which Chinese scholar Xuanzang visited Thanesar. Mughal emperors ruined it during their supremacy and later, Hari Giri Gosai Jee renovated it in the 18th century.
The Temple
Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple is located within Brahma Sarovar accessible by a small concrete arch bridge. The Temple is constructed with sandstones along with marble in some parts. There are three entrance doors to the temple from the compound with carved floral designs at each door. There are shrines for Lord Hanuman and Lord Garuda in this temple. The temple is viewed best from Krishna Ghat during sunset. Setting sun's reddish golden colour reflects into the pond making the image of the temple in water look saintly. This temple is also the favourite photo shoot spot of visitors at Brahma Sarovar.

Brahma Sarovar:
Brahma Sarovar is an ancient water pool spread over 11 acres. According to stories of myths, Lord Brahma created the universe from the land of Kurukshetra after a huge yajna. The Brahma Sarovar here is believed to be the cradle of civilization. The Sarovar is also mentioned in the eleventh century AD memoirs of Al Beruni, called ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’. The Sarovar also has a mention in Mahabharata citing its use by Duryodhana to hide himself underwater on the concluding day of the war.
According to scriptures, bathing in this Sarovar increases the sanctity of performing the ‘Ashvamedha Yajna’. The pool offers a breath-taking sight during the Gita Jayanti celebrations held each year in the last week of November and early December when a ‘deep daan’ ceremony of floating lamps in water and Aarti occurs. This also happens to be the time when migratory birds from distant places arrive at the Sarovar.
The pools are especially crowded during solar eclipses because it is believed that bathing there during the solar eclipse is an ablution of sin. On 29 March 2006, a solar eclipse was visible in the region and it drew an estimated one million people to the site. Whenever an eclipse is visible from the Sarovar, hundreds of thousands gather in the pools.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 78th Patikam in 6th Song.

தளிசாலைகள் தவமாவது
தம்மைப்பெறி லன்றே
குளியீருளங் குருக்கேத்திரங்
கோதாவிரி குமரி
தெளியீருளஞ் சீபர்ப்பதந்
தெற்குவடக் காகக்
கிளிவாழையொண் கனிகீறியுண்
கேதாரமெ னீரே

Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Birla Mandir Bus Stop, 750 meters from Thanesar City Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Thanesar Old Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Kurukshetra Junction Railway Station, 5 Kms from Kurukshetra New Bus Stand, 57 Kms from Ambala, 100 Kms from Chandigarh, 177 Kms from New Delhi and 177 Kms from New Delhi Airport. Kurukshetra is situated on New Delhi – Ambala – Chandigarh Route. Kurukshetra is well connected to New Delhi and other parts of Haryana by Road & Railways.
Location

Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, Kurukshetra – Legends

Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, Kurukshetra – Legends
Kurukshetra:
It is written in Puranas that Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru of the Bharata Dynasty, ancestor of Pandavas and Kauravas. The Vamana Purana tells how King Kuru came to settle here. He chose this land at the banks of Sarasvati River (dried up before 1900 BCE) for embedding spirituality with eight virtues: austerity (Tapas (Sanskrit)), truth (Satya), forgiveness (Kshama), kindness (daya), purity (Shuddha), charity (Daana), Yajna and Brahmacharya.
Lord Vishnu was impressed with the act of King Kuru and blessed him. Vishnu gave him two boons: first that this land forever will be known as a Holy Land after his name as Kurukshetra (the land of Kuru); second that anyone dying on this land will go to heaven. The land of Kurukshetra was situated between two rivers — the Sarasvati and the Drishadvati.
This land has been known as Uttarvedi, Brahmavedi, Dharamkshetra and Kurukshetra at different periods. When King Kuru came on this land it was called Uttarvedi. According to the ancient Hindu text, the Battle of Mahabharata was fought on this land, during which Lord Krishna preached Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
Mahabharata & Manu Smriti was written here:
It is believed that sage Vyasa wrote Mahabharata and Manu Wrote Manu Smriti in this place.
Slaying of Vritasura:
Indra fashioned the Vajrayudha (Thunderbolt) from Dadhichi spine and this weapon was then used to kill the Vritasura, allowing Indra to reclaim his place as the king of Devaloka. Supposed battle is believed to be happened in this place.
Battle between Parasurama & Bhishma:
Battle between Parasurama and Bhishma is believed to be happened in this place.
Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Mythology says that Lord Brahma used to worship Lord Shiva in this temple.
Destruction & Reconstruction of this Temple:
During the battle of Mahabharata, temple used to get destroyed by war in the daytime and reconstructed during the night, every day.

Udayamangalam Mahadeva Temple, Kodungallur, Kerala

Udayamangalam Mahadeva Temple, Kodungallur, Kerala
Udayamangalam Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the outskirts of Kodungallur Town in Thrissur District of Kerala, India. The Temple is situated on western side of the Town. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The place was called as Gunavayil in ancient times. The place is believed to be Gunavayil Kottam of Silapathikaram fame.



The Temple
This Temple is situated outside the main wall of Thrikkulasekharapuram temple, at the north eastern corner. Lord Shiva is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.


Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar and Sambandar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 2nd Thirumurai in 39th Patikam in 7th Song by Sambandar and 6th Thirumurai in 71st Patikam in 7th Song.
2-39-7:
மாட்டூர்மட ப்பாச்சி லாச்சிராமம்
முண்டீச்சரம் வாதவூர் வாரணாசி
காட்டூர்கடம் பூர்படம் பக்கங் கொட்டுங்
கடலொற்றியூர்மற் றுறையூ ரவையும்
கோட்டூர் திருவாமாத் தூர்கோ ழம்பமுங்
கொடுங்கோவலூர் திருக்குண வாயில்
6-71-7:
கடுவாயர் தமைநீக்கி யென்னை யாட்கொள்
கண்ணுதலோன் நண்ணுமிடம் அண்ணல் வாயில்
நெடுவாயில் நிறைவயல்சூழ் நெய்தல் வாயில்
நிகழ்முல்லை வாயிலொடு ஞாழல் வாயில்
மடுவார்தென் மதுரைநகர் ஆல வாயில்
மறிகடல்சூழ் புனவாயில் மாடம் நீடு
குடவாயில் குணவாயி லான வெல்லாம்
புகுவாரைக் கொடுவினைகள் கூடா வன்றே
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 750 meters from Kottapuram Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Keetholi Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Kodungallur KSRTC Bus Station, 3 Kms from Kodungallur, 6 Kms from Kodungallur Private Bus Stand, 25 Kms from Irinjalakuda Railway Station, 25 Kms from Chalakudy Railway Station, 29 Kms from Cochin International Airport, 42 Kms from Cochin and 44 Kms from Thrissur. Kodungallur is connected with all major cities of India through road. The coastal highway NH17 connecting Ernakulam and Mumbai is passing through Kodungallur.
Location

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Pampapati Temple, Kampli, Bellary, Karnataka

Pampapati Temple, Kampli, Bellary, Karnataka
Pampapati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the outskirts of Kampli Town in Bellary District of Karnataka, India. Presiding Deity is called as Pampapati / Virupaksheeswarar and Mother is called as Kembambal. The Temple is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra River. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is also considered as Avathara and Mukthi Sthalam of Nesa Nayanar. Kampli is famous for Vijayanagar Era Temples.

Legends
Nesa Nayanar, also known as Sivanesa Nayanar, Nesanar, Nesar and Nesan, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-ninth in the list of 63 Nayanmars. Nesa Nayanar is described to be a weaver, who was always engrossed in remembering his patron god Shiva and gifting clothes he knit to devotees of the deity. The life of Nesa Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanmars. Sekkizhar devotes five stanzas describing the life of the Nayanar saint.
Nesa Nayanar was born in Kampili (Kambili). Kambili is now situated in Bellary district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Nesa Nayanar is said to have been born in Kampili, but shifted to Koorai Nadu in modern-day Mayiladuthurai, now situated in state of Tamil Nadu. Nesa Nayanar was a Saliyar, a member of the Saliya caste. His family as well as Nesa Nayanar practised the traditional occupation of weaving. He was a devout devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism. His mind is said to always be concentrated on Shiva.
Nesa Nayanar used to continuously chant the Panchakshara mantra in honour of Shiva. He wove clothes, cut-pieces as well as Kowpeenams (loin-cloth). Though he was not wealthy, Nesa Nayanar used to generously donate clothes to devotees of Shiva. His deeds resulted in the favour of Shiva. By his grace, Nesa Nayanar reached Kailash, the abode of the god after death.
One of the most prominent Nayanmars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Nesa Nayanar in the Thiruthondar Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints. Nesa Nayanar is worshipped specially in the Tamil month of Panguni, when the moon enters the Rohini nakshatra (lunar mansion). Weavers of Koorai Nadu in Mayiladuthurai especially worship him on this day. A temple in Koorai Nadu is said to have images of Shiva's sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, which were brought by Nesa Nayanar to the place.
In depictions as part as of the Nayanmars, Nesa Nayanar is depicted with folded hands. In individual depictions of his life, the Nayanar is depicted distributing garments to devotees of Shiva or as engrossed in weaving. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanmars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.
Festivals
Nesa Nayanar Guru Pooja is conducted on Rohini Nakshatra Day in Tamil Month of Panguni.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 70th Patikam in 2nd Song.
ஆரூர்மூ லத்தானம் ஆனைக் காவும்
ஆக்கூரில் தான்தோன்றி மாடம் ஆவூர்
பேரூர் பிரமபுரம் பேரா வூரும்
பெருந்துறை காம்பீலி பிடவூர் பேணுங்
கூரார் குறுக்கைவீ ரட்டா னமுங்
கோட்டூர் குடமூக்கு கோழம் பமுங்
காரார் கழுக்குன்றுங் கானப் பேருங்
கயிலாய நாதனையே காண லாமே
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Gangavathi, 26 Kms from Hampi, 31 Kms from Kurugodu, 33 Kms from Hosapete, 34 Kms from Hosapete Junction Railway Station, 49 Kms from Jindal Vijayanagar Airport, 50 Kms from Siruguppa, 54 Kms from Ballari, 178 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 363 Kms from Bengaluru. Kampli is well connected by road to Gangavati, Hosapete, Siruguppa, Kurugodu and Bellary. North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) runs a bus service to other cities and villages. There are also various private bus services.
Location

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam, Kerala

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam, Kerala
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ettumanoor near Kottayam in the state of KeralaIndia. The name of the place has its origin from the word 'manoor', which means the land of deer. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala counted along with the Shiva temples of Vaikom TempleChengannur Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva TempleErnakulam Shiva Temple, Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple and Vadakkunathan Temple.





Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The present temple building, with its gopuram and the fortress around it, was reconstructed in 717 ME (1542 AD). It is said that the statue of the temple was donated by a Travancore Maharaja. Inscriptions informs about renovations carried out in the 16th century CE here. It is believed that the great philosopher, Adi Sankaracharya wrote 'Soundarya Lahiri' while staying in the temple.





The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Timings
The Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple opens early in the morning with the first rays of the sun.
1. At 4.00 am Sree Kovil sanctum temple opens.
2. Within 4.00 to 4.30 am Nirmalya takes place.
3. From 4.30 am to 5.00 am Abhishekam takes place.
4. Madhavippalli Pooja, also you can call as Usha Pooja, is between 5.00 am to 6.00 am.
5. Ethruthu Pooja takes place within 6.00 am to 6.30 am.
6. Pantheeradi worship takes place between 8.00 am to 8.30 am.
7. At 10.00 to 10.30, Dhaara and Navakom rituals takes place.
8. Ucha Pooja takes place between 11.00 am and 11.30 am.
9. From 11.30 am to 12.00 pm Ucha Sree Bali worship takes place.
10. The temple closes during afternoon.
11. The temple again opens at 17.00 pm.
12. Deepa Aradhana is between 18.30 pm and 19.00 pm.
13. Athaazha Pooja takes place between 19.30 pm to 20.00 pm.
14. Athaazha Sree Bali worship is the last phase of ritual which takes place on a day. This is performed between 20.00 pm and 20.30 pm. The temple closes after this worship.
Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 31st Patikam in 9th Song.
பேறனூர் பிறைச்சென்
னியினான் பெருவேளூர்
தேறனூர் திருமா
மகள்கோன் றிருமாலோர்
கூறனூர் குரங்காடு
துறைதிருக் கோவல்
ஏறனூர் எய்தமான்
இடையா றிடைமருதே.
Prayers
Many devotees testify that any incurable disease will be cured, and any desire will be fulfilled by performing a pilgrimage to this temple. They take a vow to offer Thulabharam, the weight in rice or any other product to Agoramurthi Siva. They also eat a few red rice grains taken from the belly of the giant bronze bull that is believed to cure any stomach diseases. The soot that accumulates on the under surface of the shade over the Valiyavilakku is believed to cure many eye diseases. 
Contact
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple,
Ettumanoor, Kottayam District,
Kerala – 686 631
Phone: +91 481 271 9375
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Ettumanoor Temple Bus Stop, 300 meters from Ettumanoor Central Bus Stop, 400 meters from Peroor Junction Bus Stop, 1 Km from Ettumanoor KSRTC Bus Station, 2 Kms from Ettumanoor Railway Station, 11 Kms from Kottayam, 11 Kms from Kottayam Railway Station, 45 Kms from Alappuzha, 57 Kms from Kochi, 76 Kms from Kochi Airport and 157 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The Temple is well connected to Kottayam. Ettumanoor is well connected to Kerala by Buses and Trains.