Why visit Temples?

For the inquisitive minds, this note provides a little insight on Brahmam and the main purpose of worship and visiting temples.

 

Why do we visit temples?

 

We visit temples to worship God. Brahmam (Sriman Narayana) has five different forms.

 

While God is infinite and beyond the limits of space, time and form, he takes various forms for different purpose.

 

Let us understand the five different places and forms of God and the purpose of each of these forms.

 

1^st form - Para Roopa

The form HE takes at Sri Vaikunta, His Celestial Abode. 

 

Description 

In seated posture, to His right is Sri Mahalakshmi and to his left is Bhooma Devi and Neela devi. Along with Him are billions of Nitya aatmas and Mukta aatmas having great experience and spiritual bliss at Sri Vaikuntam.

 

Attribute

Exhibits Supremacy

 

2^nd Form - Vyuha Roopa

The form HE takes in the Milky Ocean (Ksheeraabdi)

 

Description - Here, HE is in the reclining posture. Whenever the Devas have a tough time with Asuras, they rush to Ksheeraabdi. God listens patiently to all their complaints and the lament of the Devas and only "if needed" HE incarnates from Ksheerabdi to help the Devas and protect his devotees. 

 

Attribute

Exhibits as the ultimate Saviour (Rakshakatvam)

 

3^rd Form - Vibhava Roopa

HIS various incarnations on Earth for us mortals. 

 

Description

His incarnations are countless which includes the Dasa Avataara. The purpose of HIS incarnations are; 1). To award and protect the ones who follow the rule book (Dharma Shastra), 2). To punish the ones who do not follow and 3). To establish Dharma. 

Paritraanaaya Saadhoonam, Vinaashayacha Dushkrutaam, Dharma Samstaapanaartaya, Sambhavaami yuge yuge

 

Attribute

Exhibits Dharma Samstaapanam

 

4^th Form - Antaryaami

Residing inside each of us (inside all Jeeva aatmas)

 

Description

HE dwells in our heart, which is in the form of inverted lotus. HE is quite close to us, watching us all the time, even when our mind is engaged in material matters. HE is steadfast, ever pardoning and waiting for the right moment to correct us.

 

Attribute

Exhibits magnanimity (Vaatsalyam) in this form

 

5^th Form - Archaa

The deity form which is the most important and useful form for us on Earth.

 

Description

God resides in deity form in standing, sitting or reclining postures. We, as human beings, do not know the route to Sri Vaikunta, nor do we live in the Krita, Treta or Dwapara yugas to see His incarnations. God resides in each of us, quite intimate and close, but we have not attained the state of Yogi to meditate and realise the One who dwells in us. So, unless HE is available and accessible for us, we can not meditate on HIM, worship and exhibit bhakti. So HE is available in deity form in temples all the time, close to our homes, accessible, for us to worship.

 

Attribute

Exhibits simplicity and accessibility (Soulabhya) in this form

 

 

The next question is why worship God?

 

God gives us anything we ask for when we completely surrender unto Him. While HE grants all the material pleasures we ask for, HE is the only one who can help us achieve the supreme goal which is to realise the ultimate purpose of life.

 

Let us ask ourselves some basic questions: 

Who am I?

I am a Jeevaatma (There is no difference between me, a sheep, a flower, Devas or any other Jeevaatmas).

 

What differentiates Jeevaatmas?

Intelligence (Gyana) which is accumulated based on our actions (Karma) over several births.

 

Who is God?

Paramaatma (the one who is eternal, infinite and supreme of all).

 

What is the ultimate purpose of my life?

To attain moksha and realise the Brahmam (experience eternal bliss and cut out from the cycle of birth and death)

 

While it is easy to put this in a para-form, it is not easy to experience and appreciate Brahmam without Surrender to Him and experience HIS various forms.

 

The simple beginning would be to visit the closest temple, mediate and worship on HIM. 

Uchhi Pillaiyar – Trichy

The Rockfort temple is located in the heart of Trichy, rather the city is spread around the rock fort. Trichy continues to be an important second tier city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu and is located about 330 kms south west of Chennai. 

The hillock upon which Lord Ganesha is seated is apparently 3 billion years old and is in fact older than the Himalayas or the rocks in Greenland.

Legend:

When King Vibhishana accompanied Lord Rama to Ayodhya after the war with Ravana who was defeated and killed, the former was upset that he had to leave Lord Rama behind. However, he was given an idol of Sriman Narayana in the celestial position of lying on Sesha Vahana (Celestial Snake) along with Goddess Mahalakshmi and Lord Brahma – the Creator sprouting off His stomach. However, there was one condition: Vibhishana must take the idol straight to his Kingdom and must not place it on the ground. 

While Vibhishana was on his way back, it was sunset time and he had to perform his evening rituals of Sandhyavandana and therefore was compelled to leave the idol with someone. He found a small boy playing around and gave the idol to him, advising him not to keep it on the ground. However, much to his dismay, the little boy had already kept the idol on the floor and ran away. Unfortunately, the idol was stuck to the ground and couldn’t be moved. In anger, Vibhishana went in search of the little boy who had by then climbed a hillock, at whom he threw a stone. The little boy was none other than Lord Ganesha, the hillock is the same one at Trichy and the scar of the hurt can still be seen on Lord Ganesha’s forehead. 

Vibhishana prayed to the Lord to allow him to carry the idol back but Sriman Narayana said that was not possible. Instead, the Lord assured He would be facing Lanka all the time and will bless Vibhishana and his kingdom. To this date, Sriman Narayana is seen lying on His Celestial Snake along with Goddess Mahalakshmi facing South – a rarity in any Vishnu Temple although the main entry to the temple is from the Northern side. 

The Rockfort Ganesha Temple has splendid views from atop the 272 feet where Lord Ganesha is seated. There are positions from the hill where the Raja Gopuram of Srirangam, one of the tallest and most majestic could be seen. 

Main Festivals;

Sankatahara Chathurthi (Monthly)

Masi Sankatahara Chathurthi (Tamil Masi Month, English Calendar Year  - March)

Pillaiyar Chathurthi (Tamil Avani Month, English Calendar Year – Aug/Sep)

Temple Timings: 6am to 8pm

Google Location

How to reach: 

Railhead: Tiruchirapalli Junction (5 kms)

Bus Stand: Trichy Central Bus Stand (5 kms)

Airport: Tiruchirapalli Airport (10 kms)