Pitru Kariyas by Lord Rama

Sriman Narayana has innumerable forms, names and incarnations. But the ones that are closest to the humankind in this Kali Yuga are only a handful. And among them, the most respected and revered is the form the Lord took in Treta Yuga as Sri Ramachandramurthy, S/o King Dasaratha.

Even as the Honourable Supreme Court of India is discussing the existence of Ram Lalla, a final debate is scheduled after the Court’s Dasera holidays after which a verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi is in the anvil (quite ironical since it was during Dasera that Lord Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya and His pattabhisheka or ascending the throne is celebrated as Deepavali by believers of Sanatha Dharma all over the world), we showcase two temples of utmost spiritual significance and associated with the Ramayana, revered as an important Purana. 

While Lord Rama walked all the way to the southern tip of India to go to Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita from the captivity of King Ravana, he faced a number of hurdles. Among others, he was asked to pray to the Nine Planets who govern the life of every individual. Even though the Creator created Lord Brahma to create mortals like us across the yugas and has absolute control of our lives, He was perhaps the most benevolent CEO cum Founder of His times to delegate work to the Team. So, the Navagrahas who monitor our past lives and accordingly teach us lessons so we don’t repeat the mistakes (although many of us don’t learn and keep repeating for the love of being reborn!) govern each and every step of our lives and must be appeased from time to time for our prosperity.

Lord Rama, reached the seashore, invoked the Navagrahas and installed nine structures using Navapashanam, a unique mix of nine medicinal minerals such as Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsing and Silasat. It is said that one would need at least 30 years in today’s time to learn the art of making Navapashanam from an Expert (who doesn’t exist by the way), which is said to have miraculous medical impact for people suffering from various ailments. The water soaked on the Navapashanam structures and consumed is said to relieve people of pain and diseases. The Navagraha structures at Devipatnam can be seen only in the early mornings and thereafter, they get immersed by the sea water! 

When Lord Rama was installing the Navagrahas, sea waves came up heavily. So, Rama prayed to Lord Sri Adhi Jagannatha at Thirupullani close by and therefore He came here and stopped the rising waves. He’s seen seated facing the Eastern direction with Abhaya Hastha and has the name “Kadal Adiatha Perumal” – one who stopped the sea.  This part of the Sea doesn’t have waves, therefore and one must see this to believe. 

Closeby is Sri Thilakeswarar Temple where Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva for the sake of His forefathers and performed puja with Thila, Til or Ellu to appease Lord Maheshwara, hence His name. The shrine is famous for pitru dosha nivarthi since Lord Rama is said to have performed a number of pujas associated with His Ikshvaku clan of the Surya Dynasty. This is the lord associated with Kumba Rashi as well as the Pradhan'a deity of Lord Shanaischara and all types of rituals to invoke the pitru-shapa & nivarthi are performed here.

Thila Homa is performed near both these temples by learned Priests as well as near Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram town which is about 50kms from Devipatnam.

Thousands throng to The Navagraha Shrine at Devipatnam everyday but only a few - very few souls who are blessed by the Lord get to enter the Vishnu & Shiva Shrines close by and seek their blessings. 

Sarathy, your friendly Travel Companion will be able to arrange trips to these Temples soon. Bookings open soon. Stay tuned. Share this Page and spread the word.

Namakkal Narasimha and Hanuman Temple

Lord Hanuman, as we all know plays a pivotal role in the epic Ramayana in which Sriman Narayana manifests in the human form of His various incarnations, among which the most popular are what we know as the Dasavatharas. It was a chance encounter that Hanuman sees Lord Sri Rama along with His brother Lakshmana as they are walking in the forests in search of Goddess Sita. It is mentioned in the Ramayana, that Hanuman had an instant connect with the Lord looking at his shoulders and that he was able to imagine this form of human with four hands who is none other than Lord Maha Vishnu in a different form. 

When Thretha Yuga during which the Ramayana occurred ends, everyone is ready to leave the Earth along with Sri Rama to Vaikunta, the celestial abode of Sriman Narayana. Lord Rama had assured that each and every living being would be taken back by Him at the time to His permanent place of residence. However, Lord Hanuman had a request to Sri Rama – since the Lord resides all the time in His heart along with Goddess Mahalakshmi, He requested the Lord to allow him to stay back on Earth so He can chant Sri Rama nama during all the Yugas. Accordingly, Lord Hanuman is seen in the flag of Arjuna’s chariot in the Mahabharatha during the Thretha Yuga.  

It is said that till date during the Kali Yuga, whenever a discourse of Sri Ramayana Charitha is held, a separate seat is made and offered to Lord Hanuman near the idol or the photo of Lord Sri Rama, since Lord Hanuman would be seated to listen to the epic Ramayana. Such is the divinity of Hanuman to His master, Sri Rama & Goddess Sita. 

Once when Hanuman was flying, He stopped by to perform his daily rituals. He was carrying a Saligrama which was indicative of Lord Sri Narasimha. He found a woman doing penance and told her to keep the Saligrama with her and not to keep it on the ground. The woman, who was none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi wanted to see the Lord in the form of Sri Ugra Narasimha, the form in which He incarnated in the Krita Yuga to destroy Hiranyakashipu, father of Prahlada. Since the Goddess didn’t accompany Him at the time of His avatara as Narasimha, she was keen to see the same roopa of the Lord. Thus, the Lord manifested through the Saligrama in the form of Ugra Narasimha and the entire mountain is said to be the Saligrama itself. 

The imagery of Lord Narasimha inside a cave is at the foothills of the mountain here with a red smear on his right hand indicative of the blood which oozed from Hiranya’s body which was pierced with the nails of a lion – Vajra Naka, as we know them. Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are seen inside the main shrine, that they visited the Lord to pray and seek His blessings. Sanakan and Sanathanan, the two sons of Lord Brahma are also seen here who are said to inform the day today happenings in the Earth to the Lord. Lord Surya & Lord Chandra are seen offering Chamara, the fan to the Lord. 

Goddess Mahalakshmi, known as Namagiri Lakshmi is seen facing the Lord in Her penance who is facing West which is not a normal occurrence since Her shrine is usually to the right side of the Lord in most other temples. The shrine is considered “Trimurthi Sthalam” where Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are seen together, one of its kind again.

Hanuman has a separate shrine a little away, facing Lord Narasimha axially and praying Him all the time with folded hands. The height of Lord Hanuman’s idol is 18 feet in standing position and doesn’t have a roof on the top, with his entire body exposed to sun and rain, which is said to have been made of single rock. Since Lord Hanuman is said to be the best friend of Lord Shaneeswara, it is said that those who pray Lord Hanuman automatically beget the blessings of Lord Shani. 

Namakkal is about 60 kms from Salem. There are very few stay options in the small town with limited public transportation. Both the temples are open from 6am – 12.30pm and from 4.30pm – 8.30pm. Special poojas are performed all through the year during various special events.

Sarathy, your friendly Travel Companion will be able to arrange trips to these Temples soon. Bookings open soon. Stay tuned. Share this Page and spread the word.

Sri Pallikondeeswarar Temple

Amrutha. Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Neelakhanta. Pradosham.

All of the above seem four different aspects of the Puranas. But there’s a temple which brings all of the above together. How interesting are the Lord’s acts. 

Sage Durvasa once gave a garland which he had received as prasada from Goddess Mahalakshmi, to Lord Indra, the King of Devas who in turn gave it to His vahana, the celestial Elephant known as Airavatha. The Elephant disliked the scent of the garland, threw it on the floor and trampled it by mistake which enraged the Sage who cursed the Devas led by Indra. Due to this episode, the Asuras led by King Mahabali took over the world. The Devas went to Lord Vishnu to rescue them, to which the Lord asked them to enter into a compromise with the asuras by way of sharing the divine nectar, Amrutha. Mount Manthana was used to churn the Ocean of Milk while the celestial serpent Vasuki was used as the rope, the tail with the Devas and the Head with the asuras. 

During the churn, the entire earth was about to be destroyed, which is when Lord Vishnu assumed the Kurma Avathara and held Mother Earth on His back. At the time, poison emanated from the churning and Lord Shiva agreed to consume it and save the world. When the poison reached his throat, Goddess Parvati stopped it by holding his neck and thus His name come to be known as Neelakantha. He felt dizzy at the time and lied down on the lap of Goddess Parvati to take some rest. The Devas were worried upon the Lord lying down and gathered around to see Him. When they came to see the Lord, The celestial Bull Nandi asked them to wait. The time the Lord emerged to give them Darshan is known as the Pradosha kala.

This is the Temple where the devotees can see the divine posture of Lord Shiva in a reclining form. Perhaps, the only such temple in the world. The temple also has a separate shrine for Sri.  Maragathambikai, a form of Parvati accompanied by Lord Valmikeswara, where the Sage Valmiki is said to have seen His divine form upon performing penance. Pradosha at this time is performed every month with great devotion and fervour. 

There’s another marvel in this Temple. 

Lord Dakshinamurthy who’s always seated on to the right side of the Lord Shiva Shrine is seen here with His consort, Sri. Taara on his lap. This is a marvellous posture of the Lord to see by His devotees since such a shrine doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. 

The temple shrine is located at Suruttupalli, 53kms off Chennai and 3 kms outside Uthukottai town. This is also an alternate route to reach Tirupati from Thiruvallur, through Puttur (without passing through Tiruttani). 

Sarathy, your friendly Travel Partner will be able to arrange trips for visiting this temple. Bookings open soon.