Golu dolls in the streets of Chennai

Andal Rangamannar Sayana utsavam and Vastu Griha Lakshmi

Sholingur Yoga Narasimhar, Amritavalli thayar and Yoga Anjaneyar set, Marriage set, Scene in village set

Vastu Griha lakshmi

Radha Krishna, Murugan, Dhana lakshmi, Meenakshi Sundareswarar marriage, Shiva Parvati, Swami Ramanujar, Astha Lakshmi set, Markandeya set

Thirukkuralappan temple, Aranmula

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Kerala based/Malai naatu/chera naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity here is Thirukkuralappan or Parthasarathy in standing posture and thayar is known as Padmasana valli thayar. The temple is among the most important Krishna temples of Kerala and part of the Anju ambalam near Chenganoor.

Anju ambalam means five temples where the Pandava brothers installed deities and worshipped Lord Vishnu in different forms. Yudhistara worshipped at Chengannur temple, Bheema worshipped at Thirupuliyur, Arjuna worshipped at Aranmula, Nakula at Thiruvamundur and Sahadeva at Thirukadithanam.

Aranmula is a big temple built like a fort with four towers on each side. On one side is the main entrance with 18 steps while on other there are steps to get down to the Pampa river that flows besides it.

Arjuna is said to have constructed this temple to be relieved from the sin of slaying an unarmed Karna in the battle. The deity is said to be brought by Arjuna from Nilackal near Sabarimalai in a raft that was built with six pieces of bamboo and so named Aranmula. Aranmula is popular as the place for snake boat race during Onam festival and Lord Ayyappan's jewels are taken from here to Sabarimala for the Makara jyothi festival.

How to reach

The temple is around 20 kms from Thiruvalla and 6 kms from Chenganoor. The nearest railway station is Chenganoor and nearest airports are Cochin and Trivandrum.

One can hire a vehicle for half a day trip and cover all the six divyadesams in this region.

Temple tank and pushkarni

The temple tank is Vedavyasa Saras   and the vimanam is called Vamana vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 5 am to 11 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8pm.

Temples in proximity

Thirukadithanam, Thirupuliyur, Thiruchittaru, Thiru vavandur, Thiru Vallabha kshetram

Additional information by Sri Sankaran Nampoothari

1. The presiding deity here is Parthasarathy perumal. (Triplicane in Chennai being the other Parthasarathy)

2.The difference between this and the 'Tiruvallikeni' Parthasarathy being the 'Bhava' of Lord Krishna- here he has his Chakra ready for use against Bheeshma- yes Bheeshma. Remember that scene when Bheeshma, like a samhara Rudra Himself, single handedly destroys the pandava army and the entire pandava Army looks on helplessly, with Arjuna in a state of stupor and absolute inaction? It was then that Krishna tells Arjuna that if he did not act now, Krishna would himself slay Bhishma... this is the scene here.

3. The name 'Aranmula' finds it origin from Six Bamboos (Six= Aru, bamboo= Mula), as you've pointed out,(I am just adding the actual meaning)

4. The famous Snake 'Boat race' of Kerala originates from here- this is little known elsewhere! The 'Boat race' we see nowadays are the Tourism Department show- the original was/ is an 'offering' to Lord, and is played among various neighboring villages.

5. The 'Vallasadya' (Boat Feast) is an integral part of this. It is said that every single boatman is treated to the feast- there are hundreds for EACH BOAT- remember!

6. And they have to be served ANY FOOD? DELICACY they ASK FOR during the feast! Therefore this valla sadya is the single feast in Kerala that serves almost EVERY IMAGINABLE DELICACY/ FOOD ITEM in Kerala!

7. ONE of these boats' Oarsmen is always believed to be Lord Sri Krishna Himself! HE would be there in one boat, among the several ordinary people! It is perhaps this belief that makes Vallasady such a grand event!

Visiting ALL the FIVE Temples in this circuit is considered a great blessing. With proper planning, this is eminently possible.

Sri Adi keseva perumal temple - Thiruvattaru

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Malai/Chera naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Adi Keseva perumal in reclining posture and thayar is Maragatavalli thayar. The temple has been built in pure Kerala style and is popular as Dakshina Vaikuntam.  Thiruvattar temple is older than Trivandrum Anantha padmanabha swamy temple and there are lot of similarities in the structure of the two temples.

The Lord is huge at 22 ft with more than 16000 saligramams and bigger than Anantha Padmanabha swamy. There are three doors on the single stone mandapam from where one can have darshan. The temple is huge and has been built like a fort. It is interesting to note the differences too - while Adi Keseva perumal's feet is on the left side and head on the right, its the reverse in Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple. There is a Shiva lingam right below Anantha Padmanabha swamy's hand on the left side and the same remains in the left side in Adi Keseva perumal temple besides the Lord's feet. Lord Brahma emerges from the navel in Thiruvananthapuram while he is not present in Tiruvattar. There is also a Krishnar sannadhi in the prakaram.

Thanks to Sri Sankaran Nampoorthiri for the additional information as below -

1. The two temples are located at where The Great sage Vilvamangala Swamiyar had seen the Lord Vishnu resting on Anantha, the first time. Anantha was HUGE then, with one end at where the Padmanabhaswamy temple is and the other end where Tiruvattar is located.

2. Vilvamangala Swamiyar requested Lord to reduce his size so that he could actually see Lord in a 'managable' size! He then gave darshanam in a smaller size, (still quite large compared to Anantha-sayanams elsewhere) at BOTH these locations.

3. At Tiruvattar, Lord is shown Padaadi Kesam (Feet first, left to right), while at Padmanabhaswamy Temple Lord rests in Kesaadi Paadam (Head first)

Lord is known as "Kesava' because of His saving the world from an Asura called 'Kesa', who somehow wrangled a boon of Immortality. The entire episode of Kesa and Kesi etc. (another story!) happened here. To cut a long story short, Kesa is still alive and placed forcibly under Lord, between Him and the Anantha!

Anyway, this being the place where Lord got his name FIRST, here He is known as 'Adi (First) Kesava.

‎'Yathokthakari temple' (SONNAVANNAM SEITHAN PERUMAL)at Kanchipuram has one similarity with Tiruvattar that maybe worth noting here- it is also in the 'Padadi Kesham posture'! Originally it was not so. but a series of events lead Lord to leave the temple, and the request of an Alwar' He returned.. but changed His position to let the World know that he had gone an returned- to ensure that the set of events are remembered!

How to reach

The temple is near Kanyakumari/Nagercoil/Trivandrum and the nearest railheads are Trivandrum and Nagercoil junctions. The nearest airport is at Trivandrum.

Pushkarni and vimanam

The temple tank is called Vattar theertham and vimanam is called Ashtanga vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 5 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thiruvanparisaram, Thiruvananthapuram Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple, Thirukurungudi Nambi temple, Vanamamalai divyadesam, Kanyakumari amman temple, Suchindram temple

Sri Kaatkarai appan perumal temple, Thirukatkarai

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Malai naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Kaatkarai appan in standing posture and gives darshan in the form of Vamana avatharam of Lord Vishnu with Shanku, chakram and Padma Hastam. Thayar is known as Perunchelva Nayaki. There is also a Shivan sannadhi besides the main sannadhi. The place is famous for Nenthram pazham -a variety of banana. When the trees planted by the king failed to grow big, the king offered a golden plantain tree to the Lord and the Lord was pleased by this. So, the Lord is said to have blessed the king with many such plantain trees in this place. 

How to reach

The temple is around 4 kms from Edapalli railway station and is easily accessible from Ernakulam. Ernakulam is well connected by road, rail and air with all major cities in India.

Temple pushkarni

The temple tank is called Kapila theertham.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 5 am to 11 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thiru Mozhikalam divyadesam

Sri Mozhikalathan perumal temple - Thiru Moozhikalam

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Malainaatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Mozhikalathan in a standing posture and thayar is called Mathuraveni thayar. In the temple, Lakshmanan is worshipped as the Moola moorthy as he is said to have visited his place to repent for misunderstanding Bharata when he came to meet Lord Rama. One can easily cover Mozhikalam and Thirukakarai divyadesams in a single session if travelling by a taxi.

How to reach

The temple is around 30 kms from Eranakulam station and around 25 kms from Alwaye. One can easily reach the temple in an hour's time from these places.

Temple pushkarni and vimanam

The temple tank is called Shankha theertham and vimanam is called Soundarya vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 5 am to 11 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thirukatkarai divyadesam

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple, Thiruvananthapuram

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under the Malai naatu divyadesams that are spread all over Kerala state. The temple is among the most famous temples of Kerala apart from Guruvayoor and Sabarimala. The presiding deity is Sri Anantha Padmanabha swamy in Yoga nidhra posture and reclining on Adiseshan with one hand over Shivalingam. Its a huge temple and the Lord's idol made of Saligramam is also gigantic. There are three doors in the Otha kaal mandapam (made of a single stone) and one can see the Lord only through these doors. The temple continues to maintain the Kerala culture of not using electricity inside the Garba griham and only oil lamps are lit inside. Hence it is advisible to visit the temple in day light to have a better darshan of the Lord. Through the three doors, one can see the Lord's face, nabhi or navel and lotus feet. Besides the Lord on the two sides are Sreedevi Bhoodevi thayar and two sages who penanced there to have darshan of the Lord . Also Lord Brahma is present in the garbagriham connecting from the Lord's navel and several other devas in the sannadhi.

After a major fire accident in the temple few centuries back, Raja Marthanda Varma restored the temple and as per the Lord's wishes that were conveyed through the King's dream, the moolavar statue was made of 12000 sacred saligramam that arrived from the Himalayas on elephant back.

The goddess in the temple is known as Hari Lakshmi thayar and there is no seperate sannadhi in the temple for thayar. To the right of the main shrine is a shrine for Lord Narasimhar and on the left side are shrines to Sri Parthasarathy perumal and Lord Ramar. It is interesting to note that there is a statue of hanuman inside the Narasimhar sannadhi as if reciting Ramayana to cool off the Lord's anger after killing Hiranyakashapu. Continuous Ramayana recital is also done in the Narsimhar sannadhi. In the Ramar sannadhi, the Lord gives darshan in two forms -one as a king and one like he was when banished for 14 yrs along with Sita, Lakshmanan and Hanuman.

How to reach

The temple is about a km from the railway station and is easily accessible through autos or walk. Trivandrum is well connected to other important cities of India through train, air and road. Trivandrum also has an international airport few kms from the city.

Temple Pushkarni and vimanam

The temple tank is called Padma theertham and the vimanam is known as Hemakoota vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 4 am to 12.30 pm and from 5 pm to 7.30 pm with breaks in between for daily rituals.

Temples in proximity

Varkala Janardhana perumal temple, Thiruvattaru Adi Keseva perumal temple, Thiruvanparisaram, Kanyakumari amman temple

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple Brahmotsavam 2012 - Chennai

 18th Year Brahmotsavam Celebration 

26th Feb 2012

Sayana Vinayagar Alangaram for Oonjal (Evening)

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Alangaram - Mooshika Vahanam (Evening)

27th Feb 2012

Sri Parthasarathy Alangaram (Morning)

Dhanvantri Alangaram for Oonjal (Evening)

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Alangaram - Simha Vahanam (Evening)

28th Feb 2012

Sri Sathyanarayana perumal alangaram -Surya Prabhai (Morning)
Sri Venkatachalapathi perumal - Chandra Prabhai (Evening)
Sri Bhoo Varaha perumal for Oonjal (Evening)



29th Feb 2012

Narayani alangaram (Morning)

Saraswati alangaram - Anna vahanam (Evening)

Lakshmi Hayagreevar alangaram (Unjal sevai)

1st March 2012

Sri Andal Rangamannar alangaram (Morning)

Sri Padmanabha swamy -sayana kolam : Sesha Vahanam (Evening)

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar alangaram - Unjal

2nd March 2012

Vishwaroopa alangaram - Garuda sevai (Morning)

Kothanda ramar alangaram - Hanumantha vahanam

Bhadrachala ramar (Unjal sevai)

3rd March 2012

Gopalan alangaram (Morning)

Badri Narayanan alangaram ( Gaja Vahanam- Evening)

4th March 2012

Padmanabha swamy special alangaram - Thiruther (Morning)

Sayana Narasimhar (Unjal)

Sri Radha Krishna alangaram (Punnai marai vahanam)

 5th March 2012

Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal alangaram (Morning)
Sri Govindaraja perumal (Oonjal) (Evening)
Raja Alangaram - Kudirai vahanam (Evening)

6th March 2012

Kalinga Narthanar alangaram (Morning)

Padmanabha swamy Kalyana thirukolam - Indra Vimanam (Evening)

7th March 2012

Vennai Thazhai Krishna - Pushpa Pallaku

Paramapadhanathan perumal temple, Iyyenpettai

About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Paramapadha nathan perumal exactly as in vaikuntam. There is a seperate temple for Kanakavalli thayar and Kothanda ramar with Lakshmanan and Sita. Lord Paramapadha nathan gives darshan in a sitting posture on Adiseshan with five heads of the serpent over the head. While two of the hands hold shanku and chakra, the third hand is placed over the right knee and fourth is on Adiseshan. The Lord's posture of one leg folded and one leg in the front as if he is just going to get up and move. Sridevi and Bhoodevi appears besides the Lord with one leg bent and another in the front as if they are also ready to get up and move with the Lord. It is also interesting to note that even Sridevi and Bhoodevi are also seated on Adiseshan here.

The specialty of Kanakavalli thayar here is that both the moolavar and utsavar have a hole in their nose for the nose ring and bullack (worn between two nostrils). The archakar very neatly removes and shows the pin in the nose ring as in the ones worn by ladies normally. It has not been stuck to the nose like in other temples.

Like in Kaveripakkam Sundara Varadar/ Azhagiya ramar temple, the posture of Garudan in this temple is also one leg bent backward and another on the ground in a ready to fly posture.

There is a big temple tank right outside the main temple besides the Anjaneyar sannadhi.

How to reach

The temple is around 4 kms from Kaveripakkam. Coming from Chennai side on the Bangalore highway, take a right towards Kaveripakkam to reach Iyempettai. The other name is Thiamukanjeri, though Iyempettai is more well known. The temple is exactly behind the school in Iyyempettai.

Sannadhis

Paramapadha nathan perumal

Kanakavalli Thayar

Kothanda ramar, Lakshmanan and Sita

Garudan

Temples in proximity

Kaveripakkam Sundara Varadar temple, Thiruparkadal twin temples

Sundara Varadar and Azhagiya Ramar temple, Kaveripakkam

About the temple

This is an ancient temple right in the center of Kaveripakkam just a few kms away from the Bangalore - Chennai highway. The presiding deity in the main sanctum is Sri Sundara Varada perumal in standing posture with shanku, chakra, gada and abhaya hastam.

There is a seperate sannadhi for Ramar, Sita, Lakshman and Anjaneyar where the moolavar Lord appears in Kalyana kolam with Sita on the right hand of Sri Ramar.

The temple tank Ksheera pushkarni is to the right of the temple from the entrance.

Garudan in the temple is seen here in a quite different form of having bent the right leg as if ready to fly. Garudan also has eight nagas around him - two as earrings, two around wrist, two on shoulders, one in waist and one as garland. There is special thirumanjanam to Garuda every Valarpirai Panchami.

The archakar mama is very friendly and devoted. He opens and explains the importance of each and every sannadhi to the devotees. The below image of a window in the wall of the main sanctum and is said to be carved of a single stone. It is interesting to note that the designs on the two sides are different which is very rare for a single stone window. Presently renovations are going on in the temple and the sannadhi for Chakratazhwar was constructed just a few years ago.

How to reach

Kaveripakkam on right on the Bangalore-Chennai highway and about 30 kms from Kanchipuram coming from Chennai side. Take the right into the Sholingur road of Kaveripakkam from Chennai side.

Sannadhis

Sundara Varadar perumal

Sundaravalli thayar

Chakratazhwar/ Narasimhar

Andal

Alwars and Acharyas

Azhagiya Ramar with Sita, Lakshmanan, Hanuman (two of them in the same sannadhi)

Garuda

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 10 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thiruparkadal twin temples, Iyampettai Paramapadhanathan and Kothanda ramar temple

Sri Ulagalandha perumal temple, Thirukoviloor

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under the Nadu naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Ulagalandha perumal in standing posture with right leg lifted and thayar is called Poonkoval nachiyar in a seperate sannadhi in the outer prakaram.

The temple is famous as the meeting place of the first of the alwars - Poigaialwar, Bhootatalwar and Peyalazhwar. It is the first temple to be praised by the azhwars. The azhwars sang pasurams in praise of the Lord and they later became naal ayiram divyaprabandam. The Lord has shangu in the right hand and chakra in the left hand which is the reverse as normally Lord has the chakra in right hand and shanku in left hand.

The temple is among the pancha krishnaraya kshetram, others being Thirukannangudi, Thirukannamangai, Thirukannapuram and Thirukapisthalam. Another interesting feature of the temple is the presence of Durgai sannadhi inside the complex.

How to reach

The temple is accessible from Cuddalore, Villupuram as well as Thiruvannamalai. It is about 40 kms from Villupuram and lots of buses are there from the main bus stand.

Sannadhis

Perumal
Thayar
Lakshmi narayana perumal
Anjaneyar
Lakshmi Varahar
Andal
Thirukacchi nambi, Wodeyar and Kooratazhwar
Senai Mudaliyar
Manavala Mamunigal
Pillai Lokacharyar
Chakratazhwar

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Krishna pushkarni and vimanam is known as Sreekara vimanam

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 6.30 am to 8 am and from 9 am to 12.30pm. In the evenings the temple is open from 4 pm to 5 pm and from 6 pm to 8.30 pm.
Temples in proximity

Thiruvahindrapuram.

Sri Devanatha perumal temple, Thiruvahindrapuram

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Nadu naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Devanathan perumal in standing posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Hemambujavalli thayar.

Vedanta Desikar is said to have scripted the Vadagalai Sampradayam here.

There is also a small hill called Aushadagiri besides the temple where Desikar is believed to have prayed to Garuda and Hayagreeva. There is a sannadhi to Lord Hayagreeva, the Lord of Learning in this hillock.

How to reach

The temple is accessible from Cuddalore, Pondichery and Villupuram. There are town buses and share autos from Thirupadiripuliyur bus stand which is about 5 kms from the temple.

Sannadhis

Perumal
Thayar
Anjaneyar
Desikar
Andal
Ramar
Alwars and Acharyas

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Sesha theertham and vimanam is known as Sudhdhasatva vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 6.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 9.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thirukoviloor, Poovarasankuppam Narasimhar temple