Starting my travelogue after a brief period, In this travel I was able to feel that every place in the district of Ramanthapuram in Tamilnadu has lineage to the Epic (HIS)story Ramayana. Each temple will echo some episodes from the epic and hence the title of this blog.
Similar to my previous travel on this occasion too, the places that got picked are those that crept during my reading about Mahaperiva and Ramanar. Additionally these places were flashed at me through some medium. For example when I decided Thiruchuzi to be part of the list, the next week cover story in Kumudham Jyothidam by AMR was about this temple. Similarly others in the list too has its own relevance to be part of the list.
Normally I decide
based on my inner voice and also sternly believe those are clear directions
from HIM. Always would love to travel alone that helps in planning and pacing
the schedule according to my need but this time the wish(direction) was to take
two of my cousins along with me and it was accepted by both on my first request. I have never been to this district and hence
the planning has to be near perfect to accomplish during a weekend, therfore the Itinerary was prepared 1 month in advance and shared with them.
The following list of temples ( in order of flash) and
finally Rameswaram was included in the list.
Devipattinam, Tiruchuli, Uthrakosamangai, Thirupullani, Uppur and
Rameswaram, but some adjustments were required considering the proximity of
one another and also the fact that there is no direct train from Bangalore to Ramaeswaram
thus changed to the following order.
Since Tiruchuli is 33 kms from Virdhunagar, got down in that railway station and refreshed in the retiring room. Able to get into a passenger train at 6.00 am and the second station was Tiruchuli.
You can view some of the pictures and Sthala Puranam in the album below.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
You can view some of the pictures and Sthala Puranam in the album below.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Tiruchuli
Presiding deity is Lord Thirumeni Nathar or Bhuminateshwara and the goddess is Thunai malai Nayagai or Sahayamba Devi. It is believed that Lord Shiva descended to this place as He considered this to be glorious than Mt. Kailas. Worshipping Lord Shiva in Thiruchuzhi with just one piece of Vilwa leaf is considered equal to worshipping Lord with 1000 vilwa leaves in all sacred places of the country. Lord will ensure that the thought and talk of Thiruchuzhi itself will provide the devotee total salvation.
This massive temple that is known to have existed in all yugas and prior to the origin of Vedas. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in this temple and mythology links it to the ‘deluge’. Lord Siva rescued the earth from the deluge by throwing his trishul or Trident on the earth here, whereby the waters whirled into the hole – giving the place its name ‘Tiruchuzhial’. By planting his trident into the earth, Shiva created a hole for the water to flow into. At the place where he planted his trident stands the large temple of Bhoominatheswara. Unique thing in the Ambal sannidhi is the Srichakra is on top normally it will in the ground in front of Her.
According to history, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of Sundarar with a golden bouquet and tuft in the head as a young lad with Goddess in His wedding posture, hence devotees conduct marriages in the temple.
This is the place where Sri Ramana Maharshi was born. Ashram of Ramana Mahararshi is opposite to the temple. The house where he was born has been constructed as ashram. On our request the caretaker explained the details and allowed us to do namaskaram to Ramanar's Padhuka. In total 3 rooms are there, one where he was born and other a pooja room and a big meditation hall.
Swamy Vivekananda stayed in this temple for three days. Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment, to attain salvation and removal of obstacles.
Though there are few direct bus services to Ramanathapuram, on the advise of locals we did an interchange at Parthibanur and reached R'puram.
Though one need to cross Devipattinam to reach here from Ramanathapuram, this was given preference since Devipattinam is an open temple whereas Uppur gets closed around noon. Uppur is 30 kms from Ramanathapuram and on the 15th Km we have Devipattinam.
Ancient name for this town was Suryapuri or Lavanapuram and the presiding deity is Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar.
There are many versions attributed to this temple.
Sun was one among the participants in the Yagna conducted by King Daksha and was punished by Lord Shiva. Sun came to earth to seek remedy for his folly. He came to this place and performed penance on Lord Vinayaka. Pleased with Sun’s penance, Lord Vinayaka graced him from the sins he accrued. Sun prayed to Lord Vinayaka to grant the same grace to all people. Lord Vinayaka also granted Sun the boon that his rays would fall on Him when he worships. As Lord Vinayaka accepted Sun’s rays on him (sun rays – veyil in Tamil) He is named Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka.
It's normal for anyone to start their work by worshipping Lord Ganesha. No wonder that Uppur Ganesha guided Lord Ram to emerge victorious over Ravan and get his Sita back to Ayodhya.
When Sri Rama came to know about the place of captivity of Sita through Anjaneya, He set out from Prachravana hills with His monkey army to Vanni forests through the eastern coast. He worshipped Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka in a serene environment and sought His blessings for victory in his efforts and proceeded towards Lanka.
Lord Rama also performed marriage to Ganesha with Sidhi and Budhi. In India only in this temple such a event can be witnessed, since we visited during the eve of Ganesh chaturthi the entire village was in festival mood. During the Ganesh chathurthi, a 9 day event will be celebrated and on 8th day the marriage will be performed.
The lord is so powerful here that our prayers will be answered and any obstacles in marriage, child boon, excellence in education will be answered.
I have the mobile number of Chief priest Sri. Ravi and can share on request.
According to the scriptures, pujas should be performed to Lord Vinayaka and the Navagrahas. Following this rule, Before undertaking the journey towards Lanka to free Sita from Ravana’s captivity Sri Rama performed the Vinayaka Puja in Uppur and the Navagraha puja in Devipattinam by installing each of the 9 with a handful of sand and calmed the high tides by raising his hand.
The idols may not be visible at all times depending on the water level in the sea.During low level of water the idols will be clearly visible. Some of them are very much above water level as the height of the stones are not identical. There is a bathing ghat close to the Thilakeswar Temple which is also known as Navagraha temple.This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva in the form of Thilakeswar with goddess Parvathy (known as Soundaryanayagi). There is also an idol of Goddess Durga with eight arms with weapons in each of the arms. The deity is worshipped with ellu - tila or gingelly seeds.
Swamy Vivekananda stayed in this temple for three days. Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment, to attain salvation and removal of obstacles.
Though there are few direct bus services to Ramanathapuram, on the advise of locals we did an interchange at Parthibanur and reached R'puram.
Uppur
Ancient name for this town was Suryapuri or Lavanapuram and the presiding deity is Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar.
There are many versions attributed to this temple.
Sun was one among the participants in the Yagna conducted by King Daksha and was punished by Lord Shiva. Sun came to earth to seek remedy for his folly. He came to this place and performed penance on Lord Vinayaka. Pleased with Sun’s penance, Lord Vinayaka graced him from the sins he accrued. Sun prayed to Lord Vinayaka to grant the same grace to all people. Lord Vinayaka also granted Sun the boon that his rays would fall on Him when he worships. As Lord Vinayaka accepted Sun’s rays on him (sun rays – veyil in Tamil) He is named Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka.
It's normal for anyone to start their work by worshipping Lord Ganesha. No wonder that Uppur Ganesha guided Lord Ram to emerge victorious over Ravan and get his Sita back to Ayodhya.
When Sri Rama came to know about the place of captivity of Sita through Anjaneya, He set out from Prachravana hills with His monkey army to Vanni forests through the eastern coast. He worshipped Veyil Ugantha Vinayaka in a serene environment and sought His blessings for victory in his efforts and proceeded towards Lanka.
Lord Rama also performed marriage to Ganesha with Sidhi and Budhi. In India only in this temple such a event can be witnessed, since we visited during the eve of Ganesh chaturthi the entire village was in festival mood. During the Ganesh chathurthi, a 9 day event will be celebrated and on 8th day the marriage will be performed.
Miracle which you can even witness today is that the rays of Sun fall on the southern side of Vinayaka during Dakshinayana period covering the six months July-August to December-January and on the northern side during the Utharayana period covering the six months from January-February- to June-July.
The lord is so powerful here that our prayers will be answered and any obstacles in marriage, child boon, excellence in education will be answered.
I have the mobile number of Chief priest Sri. Ravi and can share on request.
Devipattinam
The Navagrahas installed by Sri Rama himself are the Nava Bashanas (stones) gracing the devotees in Devipattinam. After installing the deities Sri Rama worshiped the Navagrahas installed by him along with Lord Siva for removal of the troubles from his life.He was blessed by Lord Shiva and Parvathi here who are known as Thilakeswarar and the Goddess Soundaryanayaki. This is also the place where Rama Himself was relieved of Saturn effects.
The idols may not be visible at all times depending on the water level in the sea.During low level of water the idols will be clearly visible. Some of them are very much above water level as the height of the stones are not identical. There is a bathing ghat close to the Thilakeswar Temple which is also known as Navagraha temple.This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva in the form of Thilakeswar with goddess Parvathy (known as Soundaryanayagi). There is also an idol of Goddess Durga with eight arms with weapons in each of the arms. The deity is worshipped with ellu - tila or gingelly seeds.
Any devotee touching this soil is blessed for life.The temple is said to relieve one of all the past and present lives sins. One more notable feature is that the devotees can perform puja on their own. A very visit to this holy soil would relieve the devotee from all his sins.
Devotees visit for relief from the sins accompanying from the past birth, to offer prayers for the salvation of the departed ancestors and perform Srardha for them.This is a very important center for performing Tarpan (offering of water with till seeds) to the ancestors. People also seek boons for children, marriage, education, longevity and prosperity.
We were able to cover the above in our forenoon on Day-1 and headed towards Rameshwaram after a lunch at Ramanathapuram. Will try to cover the rest in my next one.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Devotees visit for relief from the sins accompanying from the past birth, to offer prayers for the salvation of the departed ancestors and perform Srardha for them.This is a very important center for performing Tarpan (offering of water with till seeds) to the ancestors. People also seek boons for children, marriage, education, longevity and prosperity.
We were able to cover the above in our forenoon on Day-1 and headed towards Rameshwaram after a lunch at Ramanathapuram. Will try to cover the rest in my next one.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
