Temple Visit Visiting Travel Tour of Ashok Route Distance Go To Blog ( templeashok@yahoo.co.in)

Monday, May 7, 2007

Trip to Tirunageswaram Rahu temple, Aiyavadi prathyankara, Oppiliappan Uppiliappan

Trip to Tirunageswaram Thirunageswaram Rahu temple, Aiyavadi prathyankara, Oppiliappan Uppiliappan

how to go how to reach

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications / doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Thirunageswaram

On 23rd evening prahalad (son) and I reached this temple at 4 pm. This place is just 6 km from kumbakonam and regular mini busses can take you here if not auto charge is rs 60…..bus no 13,15,22,23,58,60 go here..This is the famous temple of rahu raghu…have been here earlier..we went to the temple tank inside the campus but very near the entrance to the temple and dipped our feet and did proshadam …ideally u need to have a bath in this tank..prayed to lord ganesh..and then prayed to lord shiva, ambal and then to navagrahas in front. Thereafter we lit 21 lamps…we paid rs 100 to get a milk abhishekam done to rahu..many people participate in this and milk is provided by the temple authorities..it is best to do it in rahu kalam (refer almanac for time for each week day)..and still more preferable to do it on one of the stars of rahu ie swathi, aridra or sadhyam sadabisha in rahu kalam…you can get a list of various schemes of temple to propitiate rahu year long…the milk turns blue when poured on rahu idol and then white again…they ask you to assemble after the ceremony in a corridor when they give Prasad in a bag along with a bottle of milk which was pored on rahu..please drink it immediately as it will not last longer than that and will curdle and become bad…

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s164.html

http://www.kumbakonam.info/kumbakonam/tinages/info/myth.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/lordrahu.asp

there is a temple guest house –phone-0435 std code phone no.2463354 where you can stay or there are many houses converted for staying and lodging near the entrance of the temple..there is a nice brahmin vegetarian mess hotel about 25 meters from the entrance where you can have food…forget the name ..wil write in later

I furnish below the phone number of chellappa gurukal who can organize for the pooja with sufficient notice ..he is one of the priests gurukkal at rahu raghu temple in tirunageswaram thirunageshwaram..mobile no 9443578604..you can refer my name and that I am from chennai..

Prathyankara Aiyavadi Ayyavadi Aivar Padi

You can take an auto to and fro for rs 40 ..i went to this temple and got myself dropped at oppiliappan temple after about half hour in this temple..it is situated amidst 8 grave yards..she is a very powerful godess…you can only offer kumkum and ghee..there is a shiva temple inside this .. I am told this is the same place where Indrajit woshiped her as Nikumbala and sought her blessings...I am also told that you can pay Rs 5000 on Amavasya day and join in homa done there to here at 9am to 2 pm.... temple ph no 0435 2463414 cell 9443124347 and 94424 22053

on the abov eno you may contact A N dhandapani or Mr Kartikeya or Mr.Shankar..please refer that Mr.Ashok from Chennai had given the ph nos...

Different spellings below
Prathiyangera prathyankara pratyankara prathyangira

http://www.pariharam.com/Temple_Aiyavadi.aspx?TempleID=TMPL010

Also read on Prathyankara Pondichery puduchery from the link below

http://www.pondyonline.com/User/Common/NikumbhalaShetram.aspx

There is one more prathyakara temple in Chennai in Sholinganallur on old mahabalipuram road...temple phone no is 044(std code) 24501404(phone)

Oppiliappan Koil Thiruvinnagar,Tiruvinnagar

This is one of 108 divya desam of Vishnu..details below..

temple phone-std code 0435 -phone2463385

Address:

Arulmigu Venkatachalapathi Swami Temple Oppiliappan Koil Tirunageswaram - 612 004 (Kumbakonam Taluk) Phone (0435) 246 33 85, 2463685, fax 0435-2463906
email: uppliappankoil@sancharnet.in or uppiliappankoil@sancharnet.in..mail both these ids with one in cc

Temple Official Web Site:http://oppiliappantemple.org

Other Websites on the temple:

http://www.divyadesamonline.com/tiruvinnagar.asp

http://www.chennaionline.com/hotelsandtours/Placesofworship/2007/05temple165.asp

from here you can go back to kumbakonam ..rahu temple is just walkable distance from here..we stayed overnight in the rahu temple guest house for rs 100…

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Trip to Sooriyanar Soorianar Suryanaar Sun Temple Kanjanur kanjanoor

Sooriyanar Koil

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications / doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

This temple has all the planets in separate small temples..the temples main deity is lord soorya who faces lord Jupiter in the temple…it is customery to buy a rs 150 ticket and 10 coconut basket , 11 lamps and a separate red and yellow cloth…first you do pooja to ganesh light a lamp then proceed to lord surya soorya and then jupiter,offer the cloth, light two lamps in place provided inside the sanctorum and then come out and do pooja to all the other planets and light lamps..
We have to do 11 rounds of the temple and then face noth in front of flag mast and prostrate and leave the temple which we did..there is a person named Kathirvel who is helpful..we need to tip him and the priest..

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/suryanaar.html
Temple ph no is 0435 2472349

Kanjanur kanjanoor (Temple for Lord Venus or navagrah navagraha Venus)

This temple is of navagraha planet lord venus sukra shukra..you can go from soorya temple to this place

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s060.html
http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/Lordsukran.asp

Trip to Mahalingeswarar, Tiruvidaimarudhur, , Tiruvidaimarudur Thiruvidaimarudur, Tiruvavaduthurai Tiruvavaduturai

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications / doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Mahalingeswarar, Tiruvidaimarudur Thiruvidaimarudur

You should ideally go to Sooriyanar koil temple pray to lord vinayak ganesh pilliyar there come to this temple pray to lord shiva and then go back and pray at sooriyanar temple..detail below..this is a very famous temple and there are 27 star lords to whom you can do pooja according to your star of birth..other details in link below..

temple phone 0435 -461946

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s034.html

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/thiruvidaimarudur.asp

Tiruvavaduthurai Tiruvavaduturai

This is a very famous temple ..details below

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s029.html

Trip to Tirunallar Thirunallar, Tirunallaru Sani Shani Saneeswarar Ambakarathur Ambakaratur Ambagarattur Kali

Click on the image above to read it better...USE FULL BRIGHT SCREEN MODE ON UR COMPUTER to see it in detail..afterthat click back button on the left hand top corner of your computer screen...
http://www.marskarthik.com/navagraha.html -read this link for navagraha route planning.
Trip to Tirunallar Tirunallaar Thirunallar, Tirunallaru Sani Shani Saneeswarar Ambakarathur Ambakaratur Ambagarattur Kali

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications / doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Thirunallar
For a guide and for any help please refer my name as ashok and call Mr.Gopi on 9842430157.

For budget stay on the door of temple u can call moorthy on 9788045769. If u are landing there on a saturday it will be very very crowded so you can call him by thursday and reserve ur rooms.

From Kumbakonam busses to karaikal will pass through thirunallar.
This place is the temple for Saturn shani Sani. You can travel from kumbakonam by bus to karaikal and reach here..its about 2.5 hrs ride..We reached here early morning from tirukadaiyur tirukadavur after an hrs drive to karaikal by bus and then a 10 minute drive from karaikal to this place. We had come here on a Monday as I had earlier come on a Saturday the most preferred day to come here as Saturday is his (Sani’s) day. The procedure is to go to nala theertham temple pond (view picture in the link - http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/Gallery/PhotoGallery/pages/Tirunallar.htm )after applying gingelly oil… have a dip in the temple pond
and then washing off with soapnut powder..dip again and throw a one rupee coin and black cloth after circling your head into the pond..you shld also leave all your old clothes that you are wearing there..u can ask for procedure to do it with any of the many vendors near the pond..aftr bath you come to a ganesh temple which is near the side of pond and break a coconut to smithereens and proceed to the temple..Saturday’s unless you go one day in advance(by friday afternoon 4 pm max but preferably by 11 am friday..) you will really have trouble getting rooms there..it is so crowded..similarly please be ready to be jostled by thousands of people coming there on Saturday..you will also find it difficult to board a bus back to any other place as they will be jam packed..as you enter take special dharshan tickets and archanai tickets…first woship lord shiva(6.30 am vey next to shiva on left hand side near tyagarajar they wld do a milk abhishegam to emarald linga..if u tell the attendent and tip you can have a prasad of the milk and plantain..) here and then ambal the godess and then lord Saturn after lightling 9 gingelly seed tied cloth wick in gingelly oil lamps sold near lord saturn..when you do archanai to lord Saturn you can offer black clothes, gingelly seed, a special blue flower sold in front of temple to lord Saturn..you can also do regular archanai's to lord in your name in absentia..the office functioning at the temple will do this for you at a nominal cost..list of what they can do for you is available at the office with the amounts in the photo above...

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s160.html

http://karaikal.nic.in/Administration/PlacesOfInterest/MNTOURISM.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/lordsani.asp

office phone no- 04368 -236530, telefax 236504 email sds@kki.pon.nic.in

Mr.Y Krishnaswamy Executive officer Thirunallar temple residence no 04368 236504

Ambakarathur Kali

There are busses from tirunallar Sani Saturn koil street to this place which is 25 minutes from there. The kali is powerful here..read link below pages 1,2,3. We did archanai here and offered arali flower ans 54 lemon mala…if you take an auto from tirunallar to and fro they ask Rs.200.

http://www.hindubooks.org/templesofindia/sarvam_sakti_mayam/tamilnadu/ambakarathur/page3.htm

This place is on the way to kumbakonam..so we took a bus from here to kumbakonam which took about 2 hrs to reach.

Trip to Devipatnam

Trip to Devipatnam on 25th April 2007You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshanI started at 4 am from Madurai Mattuthavani Bus stand to Ramanathapuram which takes about 3 hours. There are buses to Devipatnam which is about 14 km..I took an auto to and fro from Ramanathapuram for Rs 250. We can finish this visit in about 2 hours. The roads ae very bumpy as new road 4 lane highway is being laid..it is advisable to be there early in the morning between 5.45 and 9 am…for pooja to navagrahas they charge 301, pooja with nava danya 501 and specific remedies about a 1000 bucks..u can also jus go and see the navagrahas without paying anything..I did a pooja for 301 …took a wonderful bath in sea which is very shallow and calm for about 1 hr and then did my pooja and finally left a plantain for the crow to eat on a place meant for that..since I am an astrologer I know the mantras for navagrahas and all the various priest there seem to be telling the right mantras only and didnt see much cheating.. these navagrahas were installed by rama and I hear Agastiar had ordained all the navagraha gods to assemble here for rama..with this as an astrologer I have done poojas to navagrahas near kumbakonam, and at nava tirupati near tirunelveli, at ahobilam- nava narasimhars and at Devipatnam..so hopefully I have got their good blessings and in the process reduced many navagraha doshas..cheershttp://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/devipatnam.html http://www.chennaionline.com/columns/downmemorylane/diary167.aspu can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Trip to Tiruppovanam Thirupuvanam Tiruppuvanam and Madappuram Madapuram Kali

Trip to Tiruppovanam Thirupuvanam Tiruppuvanam and Madappuram Madapuram Kali

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

On 24th apr 2007afternoon we took a bus from kumbakonam at 1.30 pm and reached Madurai maatuthavani bus stand at 6.30 pm and then took a taxi for rs 400 round trip to go to these places and drop us back at Madurai..these places are 22 km away from madurai..you can also take a town bus..

Tiruppovanam

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s213.html

This is a famous 275 shiva temple ..we did an archanai here then went to kali temple about 2 km away

Madapuram Madappuram Kali

She is very famous here she stands with no roof and about 12 feet high..we sought her blessings..ammavasya days will be very crowded..we offered 54 lemon mala and archani and went back to madurai on the way we had jil jil jigarthanda jil jil jigardhanda at a shop called Famous in east marret street..dont miss this it is like falooda but lot more tasty and a speciality of madurai..proceeded to college house famous eating place in madurai where
We had our full meals dinner ..we rested for the night at a lodge called KPS very near college house ph no 0452 -2341541,2349945..room rent rs 150..we jus wanted to rest in a bed between 10 pm and 4 am..early in the morning we could manage decoction coffee at 4 00 am near our hotel opposite the theatre..you can also proceed to tiruparamkundram muruga temple, meenakshi temple, alaghar koil, palmudurchozhai muruga temple in madurai..

Trip to Tiruneelakudi Thiruneelakudi Tiruneelakkudi Thiruneelakkudi

Trip to Tiruneelakudi Thiruneelakudi Tiruneelakkudi Thiruneelakkudi

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications / doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Thiruneelakudi

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s172.html

On 24th Apr 2007 we proceeded from tirunageswaram guest house near rahu temple to this temple which is 7 km away..We did an abhishekam to the lord here to ward off all our karma vinai sins of past birth..I furnish below the phone number of chellappa gurukal who can organize for the pooja with sufficient notice ..he is also the gurukkal at rahu raghu temple in tirunageswaram thirunageshwaram..mobile no 9443578604..there are two shivas sivas here and two ambals..we came into the temple after going to markandeya kulam temple pond nearby..and then we came to the temple pond in front of the temple and then went in..it was also the star birthday of my guru Mr.Uma Chandar for who we did an archanai first..this lord absorbs as much gingely oil as your sins are…we ate pongal salt and sweet after that and proceeded to kumbakonam..rom there we took a bus to Madurai which is 6 hrs away to see madapuram kali…

Trip to Tirupambupuram, Thirupambupuram, Tirumeichur Thirumeichur, Koothanoor, Aadi aadhi Vinayagar Vinayakar temple.

Trip to Tirupambupuram, Thirupambupuram, Tirumeichur Thirumeichur, Koothanoor, Aadi aadhi Vinayagar Vinayakar temple.

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

On 22nd April 2007 afternoon we left at 3 pm from tirukadayur to thirupambupuram tirupambupuram koil..both rahu and ketu are together in this place and is a very good place to ward off your naga doshas..adhi seshan is said to have done tapa here..we took bath in the temple pond..did archanai to shiva and ambal and then took a ticket for rs 135 ..collected temple provided articles in a tambalam (decorative plate) also provided by them to clear ourselves of dosha..we sat at the rear of temple..some 50 other people were there..this is done during rahu kalam..any almanac will give you this..it varies by the day of week for us it was Sunday and so rahu kalam was between 4.30 to 6 pm we were instructed by the gurukal priest on how to do the pooja..each had to keep rs 11 in plate..rs 10 is taken by priest after that we had to assemble in front of rahu ketu to do the abhishekam to them and then again reassemble to get our plate back..we had to circle our head with a small naga (serpent) metal replica and put it in hundi and light two lamps and deposit black gramdal and kollu gram( the nava dhanyas you donate to get rid of rahu and ketu doshas) near the lamp and with that it got over..

Have given the temple ph no below Seshapureswarar koil -04352469555

Kumbakonam to karaikal bus ask for karkatthi bus stop if you are coming by bus and take an auto from here..by bus you can also reach from kolumangudi..we proceeded to thirumeichur

Thirumeichur-lalitambikai lalita sahasaranama

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s234.html

This is a famous shiva temple and the ambal godess here is lalitambika lalitambikai on who many chant lalita lalitha sahsaranama sahasaranamam everdya in their houses..she is really very beautiful..from here we proceeded to Koothanoor

Koothanoor saraswathi

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/10/25/stories/13250799.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/koothanur.asp

This is the only excusive sarsaswathi godess of learning temple ..we gave her a white sari..placed some pens for my son to write his exams with on her padam (feet) and did an archanai and proceeded to aadhi vinayagar koil some 2 km away..

Aadhi aadi vinayagar

Here the vinayagar ( lord ganesh temple)..this lord is the original lord ganesh befor he got the elephant head..there is a siva and ambal temple too…from here we returned to tirukadaiyur to stay there for the night…we were back by 9 pm…there is a very good hotel for having food tiffen breakfast lunch dinner..it is a mess a little inside just outside the temple sand entrance..

Trip to Chidambaram Natarajar, Nataraja Thillai Kali, Tirukadaiyur Thirukadaiyur Abhirami Abirami

Trip to Chidambaram Natarajar, Nataraja Thillai Kali, Tirukadaiyur Thirukadaiyur Abhirami Abirami

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Chidhambarm Natarajar

On 22-4 2006 Prahalad(son) and me left Kumbakonam at 4.30 am toreach Chidambaram at 6.30 am..though we had had our bath etc we looked for a clean toilet which is there in east car street..this is a pay and use bath & toilet (very neat) near the theru or temple cart..if u don’t plan to stay at Chidambaram u can have a bath, answer calls of nature..

Hotel: I have given two below

I stay in hotel Vandyar very near busstand and for Rs.250 you get very decent double bed room. AC room is Rs 500. Ph 04144 225374, 225375

Slightly more costly is Hotel Saradharam Non ac double is Rs.550 and Ac is 1000.

ph 04144 221336

both are very near bus stand

some more link to hotel:

http://www.hotelstamilnadu.com/chidambaramhotels.htm

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Chidambaram.htm

For travel by auto and for travelling around chidambaram, I would recommend Mr.Raja. Please refer ashok from chennai. Very nice person. Very reasonable with rates. Do agree on rates before hand. You can call from outstation on +91-9976866781 or dial 0 and then the number or if calling from chidambaram itself dial the number straight

Interesting and very exhaustive link:

http://www.hweb.nl/raja/temple/Introduction.html

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Chidambaram.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chidambaram

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s122.html

http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Chidambaram.aspx?catid=c1&subcat1id=c1s1&subcat2id=c1s1s4

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/chidambaram.html

As you enter the temple search for the big theppan water tank where you can also have a bath or dip you legs and do proshadam (dippng legs and sprinkling water 3 times on your head).. you can feed the fish here.. go to the big(he is really big) vinayagar temple then head for Natarajar shrine..please refer to the details on the temple in the links..near natarajar there is also a Vishnu shrine..then you can come out and see ambal called sivakami sivakhami, durga, muruga and muruga shrines and nine lingas.from near the nine lingas if you exit from the tower you can walk to thillai kali temple or take an auto for rs.20 which we did and reached the temple..

This temple's day to day functioning still rests with gurukals and their families tracing back in lineage to older times..government is not involved in the running..so if you want to use the services of a priest or gurukal you can approach them and they will be glad to show you around the temple..you can also give money for doing poojas on your behalf on any specific day etc..I am giving below the gurukal who I found to be very courteous..

G Parameshwara Dikshitar,53/85, South Car Street,Chidambaram - 608 001,Tamil NaduPhone (91)-(04144)-223393...his sons will show you around and do archanai etc for you..

One of the must watch is 11 am pooja at temple and night 10 pm pooja.

You should also visit Bhuvanagiri which is 12 km away from chidambaram in Tamilnadu and may cost Rs.150 by auto. There are also regular busses. This is the birth place/house of Raghavendra. The temple ph no is 04144-240500. They conduct regular pooja's andabhisekms there for which you can make your contributions.

Thillai Kali

She is present in two form one shantha (tranquil serene) form and one Ugra form..we did a normal archanai to the shantha kali and paid rs 135 to do a kum kuma arcahani(you may have to wait a little while for this) to ugra kali ..we also rendered a 54 lemon mala..the tickets for these are sold just outside the temple..

http://www.geocities.com/yagnavenkat/kali.html
http://www.esamskriti.com/html/chidambaram_nataraja_temple.htm
Copy of a portion of above link…. Thillai ( Chidambaram ) was under the custody of Kali and naturally a quarrel ensured when siva shiva came here to reside here between him and kali. It was agreed that the winner would get Thillai. The game commenced with the Thandava of Siva & Lasya of Kali. Siva resorted to a strategy. He lifted his one leg in the air, which Kali could not do because of modesty. Siva won & became the Lord of Thillai. The dance performed by Siva came to be known as Oorthuva Thandava.
We ate in Krishna vilas hotel ( a good one) near the theru (temple cart) on east car street and left for bus stand by auto for rs.20..bus to thirukadaiyur takes 2 hrs..we reached there by 11.30 am

Thirukadaiyur Thirukadavoor

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s063.html

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/tirukkadavur.asp

There are two sivas shivas here one is Amritaghateswarar(in linga form) and ambal is abirami abhirami amman the other shiva kalasamharamoorthy is with balambikai in form of idol..there is a sliding door to reveal shiva killing yama for the sake of markandeya..couples who are together perform 60th marriage anniversary sashtiapthapoorthy (completion of 60 years of the husbands age) and sadabishekam completion of 80 years of husband technically 81 as he shld have seen 1000 full moons (Sadabhishekam :- 1000 Full Moon Life Those Who Have Witnessed 1000 Full Moon Days Will Be Considered As Sadabhisheki. After Completing 80 Years And Starting 81 Will Be Treated Sadabhisheka Period. In Their 81 Years Life Time Full Moon ( Pournami) Day Will Be Visible For 1001 Times. Those Who Are Living For 1001 Pournami Days He Will Definitely Attain The Moksha By The Blessings Of Lord Chandra.)

..you will always find many couples getting married to each other again at 60 ,70, 80 years (husband’s age)..these ceremonies bestow longer life is the belief..

there is a very good hotel for having food tiffen breakfast lunch dinner..it is a mess a little inside just outside the temple sand entrance.. its called sri krishna canteen...for small level marriages they have a seperate hall where thy will serve tiffen of marriage and also lunch /dinner..they can also give you parcelled food packets...

for organising any marriage celebration 60th, 70th or 80 at the temple in thirukadaiyur or for doing special archanai at temple you may please call Mr.Nagaraj Gurukkal on 9443514564, his son Manikanda Gurukkal 9095366655.

04364 std code phone 287349 and take his help..(tell him ashok from chennai now in coimbatore referred) in fact since my parents are old and I wanted to celebrate 80th marriage anniversary for them I used his services for conducting the sadabishekam ceremony at chennai..he did it wonderfully well he can do it at the temple which is his place of residence or chennai too since he can organise thigns through his son in law at chennai..rough cost to the priests would be Rs.10000 and for the ceremony about Rs.20000 if done at chennai... for the same to be done at thirukadaiur by him the cost will be much less as tehy do it everyday and its so very easy for them to organise it in temple.

am giving one more gurukal(priest)'s no ph 04364 287784..his name is swaminath/ravichandran

We stayed at budget hotel rs 250 for single room also has other rooms and will recommend the hotel.. for a while in hotel bharath mahal near the temple phone 04364 (std code) 287880 287780,cell 9443678303....if ur needs are for staying with a group of 10 persons or 25 persons please contact pasumadam 04364287225..i think they charge 700 for a day and electricity charges...good rooms again...if you are looking to stay in much posher hotels you have hotel sadabhisekam,

hotel manivizha 04364287840,841,842 and hotel guru 04364287340,342, there is also devastan guest rooms04364 287595..we took aroom for rs 150 and it served our needs..there are costlier hotels right opposite...and then engaged a taxi for rs 800 as we had to go to some interior places in the afternoon..

i am giving here the ph no of a very young and good enterprising taxi driver who i used called Senthil 09443850597. he canbe reached for taxi needs and for organising just about anything at thirukadaiyur. Tell him ashok for chennai had referred.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Trip to Tiruvalanchuzhi Tiruvalanchuli Swamimalai Pateeswaram Aadhi Aadi Kumbeswarar

Trip to Tiruvalanchuzhi Tiruvalanchuli Swamimalai Pateeswaram Aadhi Aadi Kumbeswarar

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Trip toThiruvalanchuzhi Thiruvalanchuli Vellai Pillaiyar Nurai pillaiyaar Sweta Vinayakar Shweta Vinayakar Kali

My Son Prahalad and I took a bus from Trichy Central busstand to Kumbakonam at 1.30 reaching there by 4.30..

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Kumbakonam.htm

checked into MSM lodge room..they charge Rs.150 per day..this lodge is in bus stand itself and fairly convineient for the many short trips I make keeping kumbakonam as base..very many temples are spread around kumbakonam in the 3 hour by bus radius..after resting till 5pm and having a good bath, we took an auto for rs 150 to take us to Thiruvalenchuli, Pateeswaram durga and then dropping us at Aadhi kumbeswarar Siva Shiva temple. Generally the auto guys here give a package deal of 6 temples at rs 250 which can be covered in about 4-5 hrs. To every place thre are town busses plying but generally most of them are crowded as they link very many villages enroute and the roads are winding(so the journey is a tad slow)..there is lof of floating population from every town village near kumbakonam and back..very advisable to take autos for 25 km radius..u can also hire a car though it would be expensive..The tiruvalenchuli pilliyar is white..read details on temple below…very few archakas are there you need to wait a long time..or fetch the priest.. there is also a shrine for ashtambuja kali (8 hands) near the ambal temple...

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s244.html

Swamimalai

This is one of the 6 major houses arupadaiveedu of Muruga..details in link below..very near the vinayaka temple above..about 2 km..this is where Muruga taught Shiva the pranava mantam OM…

http://murugan.org/temples/swamimalai.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/swamimalai.asp

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/m004.html

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/lordmuruga.asp

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/m004.html

from this temple we left for pateeswaram durga temple which is inside a shiva temple..the nandi (bull in front of Shiva) is to the side..read story in link below..

http://www.patteeswaramdurga.org/

email address
pateeswaram_durga@sancharnet.in

temple phone 0435(std code)- 2416976

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s180.html

Aadhi aadi Kumbeswarar Khumbeswarar

We prayed here..details in links below..navagrahas are very powerful here and kumbakonam gets its name because of the deity..it is a big temple with lot of shops with different cooking vessels kitchen item shops lining the path leading to the temple..i could feel the ambal mangalambikai very powerfully here..

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s097.html

http://www.eprarthana.com/temples/thanjavur/tn1571aadi.asp?tid=1571

we finished our day with this..if u step out of the temple there is a good jigardanda shop(a madurai speciality something like falooda..much more tasty though..have ur heartful it is real good…

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Trip to Srirangam Ranganathar Aranganathar Tiruvarangam and Tiruvaanaikkaa Tiru aanaikkaa shiva temple and Vayalur Murugan near trichy Tiruchirappall

Trip to Srirangam Ranganathar Aranganathar Tiruvarangam Thiruvarangam and Tiruvaanaikkaa Tiru aanaikkaa shiva temple and Vayalur Murugan near trichy Tiruchirappalli
Sri Ranganathaswami

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

Srirangam

http://www.srirangam.org/

http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu/temples/trichy/srirangam-temple.asp

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/srirangam.asp

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df001.html

On 21-04-2007 Prahalad(son) and I got up at 4 am ..jus walked down and was pleasantly surprised by hot decoction coffee being served at that time in a nearby booth for rs 5…coffee was good ..had a bath..from central bus stand trichy where we were staying in a hotel guru there are busses available directly to Srirangam temple which leave you very near the entrance..was there by 6 am..bought tulasi mala ..rs.10 preferred by Vishnu and malligai jasmine flower mala for thayar (wife) rs.10 ..walked through nearly 7 entrances which will give you an idea on how big the temple is ..each entrance is an inner square praharam around the temple..on the way I cld seek blessings from temple horse, temple cow and temple elephant since these are present for door opening ceremony of the temple early in the morning..took a special entrance ticket ..rs20 and had an early morning dharshan..generally it is always crowded and you can have a glimpse before you are asked to leave..the garudalwar who you pray to first to seek his blessings before going to Vishnu is very tall here..after you pray you go to a separate building which houses the thayar ..on the way to this is a place where you can keep your 5 fingers and peep out to see if ranganathar is coming..this is what thayar does often from that place..and then visit chakrathalwar who is the chakra in the hands of Vishnu..there is a mandab where kambar first narrated the kamba ramayanam he composed.. there are very many shrines inside the temple as it is very big..you need half a day or 4 hrs do do a good slow dharshan of all of them.about 100 meters in front of chakrathalwar shrine are very good toilets..on the side..u can easily miss it..so ask the vendors nearby..came out and had a good breakfast in an old mess jus about 100mts from the entance which houses chakrathalwar..it was good..the mess shld be atleast 60 years old..authentic food..then we went to

Tiruvaanaikkaa Tiru aanaikkaa Jambukeswarar Jambukeshwarar Thiruvanaikkaval shiva temple

which is very near srirangam temple about 1.5 km away we took a cycle rickshaw as my son finds it very rare to see this type of transport..he loves this ride..this is a pancha bhootha stalam..water stahlam have discussed my visit to this temple elsewhere

http://www.thiruvanaikkavaltemple.org

http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s031.html

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/thiruvanaikkaval.asp

then took a bus to chatram chathiram bus stand

Vayalur Murugan

from chatram bus stand we took a bus to vayalur which is about 35 minutes drive..this is kripananda kribananda variar’s most loved muruga temple

http://vayalurmuruga.org/206_hymn.htm
http://www.murugan.org/temples/vayalur.htm

it takes about half hour..there is a shiva ambal temple after which you reach muruga temple..

by 12 am we returned to chatram bus stand from vayalur(there are busses from the entrance every half hr…and then we took another bus to central bus stand and then to nearby guru hotels to have our meals..tehn we rested for 1 hr…

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Trip to Tiruvakkarai Kali,Siruvachur Siruvachiur Madhura kali madura kali, Samyapuram Mariamman, Mahakalikudi ujjain ujjini kali, vekkaliamman Woriur

How to reach Kali temple Kali templesTrip to Tiruvakkarai Thiruvakkarai Kali, Siruvachur Siruvachiur Madhura kali madura kali, Samyapuram Mariamman, Mahakalikudi Maha kali kudi ujjain ujjini kali, Woriur ,Uraiyur Kali Vekkaliamman

Thillai Kali, Ambakaratur Kali, Kalikambal chennai, Kozha vili amman kali chennai, ayiram aayiram aiyram aaiyram kali, madapuram kali refer my other blogs on them

Note: In all temples always buy coconut et all and then archanai ticket before you go inside the temple..ask for the counter where they give this ticket as if you forget they will not do the pooja for you and will ask you to go all the way out to get the ticket..another tip is always get special entrance ticket which generally is 25 rupees max..its easier that way..

On 20th April 2007 Morning left by bus from koyembedu bus stand Chennai in Pondicherry bus via tindivanam..got down at kootu road just after panchavati anjaneyar please tell the bus conductor to help you get down there.. take a bus to perumbakkam which is about 20 minutes from there..from there take a share auto rs 10 per head and reach the temple..it is a shiva temple with kali also as main deity..worship shiva and ambal first..
See links below for details…then I did an archanai to kali(coconut et all) gave a red arali poo(flower liked by her) garland and 54 lemon mala

Official site: http://www.vakarakaliammantemple.com/specialityoftemple.htm

Trip to Mantralayam Guru Raghavendra

Trip to Mantralayam Guru Raghavendra

How to reach mantralayam mantralaya from chennai mumbai bangalore

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/visitragh.htm

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/

http://www.mantralayam.com/

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

6 th Sep 2006 Started rom Mumbai by Dadar express at 8.30 pm reaching Mantralayam by 9.30 am the next day ie 7th Sep. The station code of Mantralayam is MALM and ADONI the next station to mantralayam(about 25 min away) if u r going from Mumbai or one sation before if u r going from Chennai..

If you are taking the Chennai express from dadar or dadar express from Chennai 2163 or 2164 resp though it is notpossible to get a ticket to mantralayam MALM book your selfto Adoni if you are traveling from Mumbai or to Raichur if you are traveling from Chennai..the train definitely makes an unscheduled stop at Mantralayam and is by far a very comfortable train ..

from mumbai i have given a train list that pass through mantralayam below with start and time of arrival at mantralayam..have made this list till adoni so subtract half hr for arrival time at mantralayam.. from bangalore you can take 1013 0r 1014 kurla express that reaches mantralayam at 10.45 pm starting from bangalore at 2 pm..

S#
Select
Train No
Train Name
Departure
Arrival
Runs on
1
1013
COIMBATORE EXP
22:30
12:58
M T W TH F S SU

2
1081
KANYAKUMARI EXP
16:00
06:43
M T W TH F S SU

3
2163
CHENNAI EXPRESS
20:30
09:48
M T W TH F S SU

4
6009
CHENNAI MAIL
23:50
16:58
M T W TH F S SU

5
6011
CSTM CHENNAI EX
14:15
05:08
M T W TH F S SU

6
6339
NAGARCOIL EXP
12:20
02:23
- - W TH F - SU

7
6529
UDYAN EXPRESS
08:20
22:38
M T W TH F S SU

From station busses are normally available to mantralayam temple if not take a shared auto(half an hr travel) at rs 25 per head or hire one auto for rs80 exclusively..jeepscost rs150.. normally stay at a place called 100 rooms very near the temple..it is very neat and room rent for 1 day 24 hrs chk out is rs 100..both indian and western toilets are available..

100rooms-mantralaya
stdcode08512
279800,279429,279459

if not rs 150 200 rooms which are normal ones are available..one of which is 08512 279326,279586 called maruthi lodge..the other is 279568 which is a dharmasala with good rooms..

for people who want in Rs 500 range non ac and 850 range ac pavanama udupilodege is there phone is 08512 280062 and 09441181587
mantralaya room booking chennai office near triplicane parthasarathy temple
Std code 044
28440528

there is also the Andhra govt run punami guest house opposite with good rooms..apart from that there are very many small lodges…there is a good udupi hotel for eating…

So by 10 am I have booked my room and I am off to have my bath at tungabhadra river near by passing the entrance of the samadhi(brindavanam) of guru raghavendra..

Se below the exact photo
http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/raghavendra/Brndavan.htm

you can have a very relaxed bath and then come and pray first to Manchalamman very next door to guru raghavendra’s temple..do a aarathi for rs two..they let you do the aarathi (harathi)..then go into the brindavanam of Guru ragavendra..you can read the mantra of th guru straight ahead as you enter..men haveto take of their shirts..finish your dharshan..of anjaneya right opposite the guru and then you can sit in a meditating place before the Samadhi and then join the que for dharshan and exit..as you exit collect a food token(till 11.50 pm) and go to narayanamurthy hall a to have your lunch ..anytime between 9am and 12 they serve it..(if u jus missed 12 pm mark and you are told there is no token still head to the hall and they will serve you till about 12.15 or 12.30..take a chance..)..you will get really good rice and sambhar followed by sweet payasam kheer and then curd rice..you can before you leave the Samadhi also give money if you want for annadhanam..there is a counter for that inside itself..

Relax in your room and then by 2.15 take a shared auto from outside the place of stay to Panchamuki Panchamukhi where there is an anjaneya hanuman temple in a cave (guru raghavenda had meditated at this place for 12 years and got the boon from this anjaneya for remaing on earth in non body form (non physical body but still living) for 750 years in his Samadhi and bless people..350 years are over already..after another 350 years he will not reside at Samadhi to bless people but merge with god after that..after praying you can walk to another cave of lakhsmi right behind..watch out for monkeys..and then see the hanumans chappals that are changed every 5 years..it is believed that every amavasya day he uses these chappals to go around..this ammavasya day is very crowded..people sleep in the night at the temple itself..you cld also do it to get more blessings from hanuman anjaneya ..from here again you can go back to river have a nice bath,pray to manchalaman and then to guru raghavendra and leave mantralaya…the trip to station autos charge less..rs 40 you can get back to station ….

You should also visit Bhuvanagiri which is 12 km away from chidambaram in Tamilnadu and may cost Rs.150 by auto. There are also regular busses. This is the birth place/house of Raghavendra. The temple ph no is 04144-240500. They conduct regular pooja's andabhisekms there for which you can make your contributions.

Trip to Prashanthi nilayam sai baba saibaba dharshan

Trip to Prashanthi Niilayam Puttaparthi satya sathya sai baba saibaba dharshan

Links to know more..
http://www.sathyasai.org/ashrams/prashanthi.htm

http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/AshramInfo/Ashram.htm

for confirming whether Bhagawan is at Prasanthi Nilayam or whitefield call Public Relations Office: 0091 country code 08555(std code)-Phone No.287390

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

On 30-8- 2006 left Chennai by brindavan express at 7.15 am to Bangalore …reached there at 1.30 pm..lodge..normally I stay at Hotel ajanta – std code 080 phone 25584321or brindavan hotel std code 080 phone 25584000 at Bangalore the rooms are neat and cost about 600 for a double room..boarded 8pm udayan express(the most convenient would be prashanti express leaving at about 2 pm and reaching prasanthi nilayam station(station code SSPN) at about 6 pm..11.30 in the night sriprasanthinilayam station –no auto slept in station On 31st august 2006 bath at 4 pm- got auto at 4.30 am for rs.50 frm station to prasanthi nilayam..no room(didn’t need one so kept my luggage in cloak room nearby) though had faxed for it as per their office instructions 8 days back..5 hrs wait inside..sathya sai baba darshan frm car while coming in at 7.45 pm..then a central minister came took most of his 1 hr time and then a small darshan while he went back to car..felt bad..felt he shld have spared 1 min for all those who had assembled there..felt he shld have stood or brought his car till centre stage and blessed since so many were waiting and that Was their only motive in 5 hrs..was wondering why the central minister did not have the courtesy to sit probably with us probably in front as he was supposedly a vip and take his blessings instead of people like us cursing him for taking so much time of swami..felt swami shld also ask such people to join with others instead of a incamera audition for a long time..of course this is only my view..people like satya sai know better..they definitely have a huge intuitive ability given by lord…i shld also appreciate his coming there to the centre stage as he is very old and weak(each of you who read this can also first pray for his good health and energy)..the other important thing that was faulty on my side was I think the time i shld have allocated for the trip..perhaps I shld have planned a two day trip to the place so that out of four dharshans normaly two each day i cld have got satisfied with a better dharshan...after this since as i told you he has a huge mind reading capability he has sent me two very close devotees of his as an internet friend and as a person i met on train to give me avery close dharshan..i havnt acted on it though will definitely do so..i had also wanted to visit him at chennai when he came here..i got the sacred ash prasad from the rudra yagna he had conducted through someone though i cld not attend it..similarly i had got a dream where he was present and i had sought his permission in my dream to click a photograph..tried my best to click the photo in my dream..but after five minute of fumbling with my camera again in my dream i cldnt click a photo..he slowly melted away..and lo and behold i got a photo of his thro someone within a week with raised arms in blessing the very same way i waned to click..great are the ways of such high souls...

Most office bearers did not know whatever question I asked..everywhere there is no clarity..felt very low in finality..which shld never be the case in case of any such visit..most of my visits to temples or gurus have been very rejuvenating..which is what u expect when u visit such a holy person or place..

Very Important; except for your clothes don’t take anything inside as they check and put it all in one box for you to collect later..esp things like lighter pen,cell etc..when you sit for a long time you can also relieve yourself ..there are toilets nearby..ask someone to look after your place..

Took an auto to dharmavaram(major junction) for rs150(as I had booked a train from there to Mumbai)..bus and train todharmavaram were not convenient to even try figuring out the time..stayed in 100rs retiring room at dharmavaram station

Took my train at 7pm(1014 Lokmanya tilak express from dharmavaram to Mumbai

Monday, April 30, 2007

Trip to Shirdi Saibaba Sai Baba Temple

Trip to Shirdi Shree Saibaba Sai Baba Temple

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

3rd sep 2006 night left for shirdi
http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/index.asp

Prahalad my son and me took a electric train to dadar and somehow managed to get some veg biriyani and idli curd rice (from a special thatha(slightly old person) who I know fr a long time as selling these to people on dadar express from 7 pm)..boarded devagiri express at 9.30 pm from dadar..ate and slept..6pm we were in kopergaon (nearest rail head) about 15 km frm shirdi..took a share auto @ rs.20 per head to shirdi..stayed in lodge there..very many are there..3 dharshans of saibaba between 7.30 am and 8.30 am..shirdi prasadalya(opens at 10 am buy a meal ticket for rs.5) lunch..most outside hotel food they use mustard oil which gives a peculiar taste to an unused palate..though am a foodie didn’t quite get used to it to enjoy it..
At rs 5 for me and 2 for my son..they serve from 10 am to 10 pm and at a time some 1300 have food..so easily 25000 have good food per day..a very nice thing there was the people who serve stress the importance of food and non wastage..they are willing to serve but u shld not waste a morsal..

There are samadhi’s of various persons inside the compound, gurusthan under a neem tree where baba used to sit for long time,office for donation,place where u have to give coconut for cutting it after darshan, dwarakmayi masjid(jus outside) where he used to cook food for people..the fire lit by baba is on till now and the ashes are his Prasad, lendi gardens,did not visit kandoba temple..there is a punami restraint that serves Andhra meals which I again had at 3 pm..it was quite nice..

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Trip to Guruvayoor

CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TOMAGNIFY IT AND USE FULL BRIGHT SCREEN MODE FOR GOOD VIEWING

Trip to Guruvayoor

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

On 25th sep 2006 frm coimbatore took suppa travels(various private buses are available from near gandhipuram bus stand coimbatore —got down at manuthy –on trichur byepass road..haggled for rs 40 with auto guys to drop me at trichur bus stand from where I can get guruvayoor bus..they won ..had to pay rs.50..quite some distance though..

Reached Guruvayoor by 11.

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/guruvayur.asp

.long queue..nearly tght I will not make it as the temple closes by 1pm and will only then reopen by 5 pm..prayed to guruvayoorappan to somehow give be a dharshan b4 it closed for afternoon..probably only about 4 people came after me..it closed..had a good dharshan..then prayed to ganapathi, baghavathi and siva (Mamuuthy temple very near by) whose temple u r supposed to visit after this dharshan to get full benefit of the trip to guruvayoor..that also closes by 1..so there is a directional board provided within guruvayoor temple praharam(pathway)from where u can pray to siva from inside the temple itself which I did..then was off to my fav payasam bought 2 jars rs 5 each and 2 rs 10 payasams..excellent taste..one for subhamy cousin..had one..got the sandal and banana Prasad and theertham..got a leaflet(refer above for details of various offerings you can make to god as given in the leaflet given in my photo above) for sending rs 1000 each in my name and in the name of deepa to do archana to all gods for a day...there are silver and gold lockets of the lord available at 5000 and 10000 rs..if I get enough money may be I shld get deepa(my sister) one..

Collected the tariff card of the hotel whose link is given below..i felt it is a very spacious decent hotel very near temple with ample car parking space too(if u r coming by car)

http://eliteguruvayur.in/

for those who want a quick bath or want to use a toilet there is a good set of bathroom and toilet(neat) maintained fairly well slightly diagonally opposite elite hotel very near temple again with lot of car parking space..so if u don’t want to stay and still want to freshen up or use urinal or toilet you would find it neat…ramakrishna lunch home near temple looked as if it had been there for a long time and the food is definitely okay..its a vegetarian hotel..

some addresses:
Administrator,Guruvayoor Devaswom
Guruvayoor -680 101
For sending and drafts for pooja,

Ph of Dewaswom office:0487-2556346,47 and 256335
Temple ph no 0487-2556280

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Trip to Kancheepuram ( kanchipuram ), Nedungunam (Dirgajaleshwar) near Chetpet and Jalagandeshwar temple (vellore)

Trip to Kancheepuram ( kanchipuram ), Nedungunam Dirgajaleshwar temple near Chetpet and Jalagandeshwar temple vellore

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

On 22nd Sep 2006 ,started at 4.30 am..took 5 am bus to kanchipuram..was there at 6.30 ..auto 150..ultimately asked 220..was a good guy so gave..

Kancheepuram-see link below

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Kanchipuram.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/kancheepuram.asp

visited only the following..

Ekambareswar

Kailasanathar

see some photos of the above 2 temples link

http://aarbalaji.blogspot.com/search/label/Kanchipuram%20Temple

Kacchabeswar

Kamatchi

She is the most powerful godess and the nearest resemblence to Srichakra devi described by Aadi Sankara. here sancton sanctoram is triangular like the triangle in the middle of srichakra.

There are no temple for godess in so many siva temples in kanchipuram as she is the only sakthi. So you will only find lingam of siva in temples. THis temple has 24 pillars for 24 alphabets of gayatri mantra. The only other to my knowledge is sriramgam temple.

Sidheswarar siva temple - has a tall siva lingam..this temple is near murugan talkies

Mukthiswarar siva temple

Ulagalanda permual koil

Varadarajaperumal

My guru had asked me to visit dirgajaleswar temple in nedungunam very specifically an d offer prayers to shiva and abhisekam to valam puri vinayagar—gurukal organized all the required stuff including sundal.. had landed very late in the afternoon at 1.30 so had meals near a mess near hotal saravana that has been there for 30 years..fairly good meals..there is a lodge in chetpet from where one needs to take an auto to temple..auto fare 60 + 60 if waiting another 30 so 150..paid mine 200 since he really had to wait a long time..temple opened at 3pm but it was yamagandam and so had to wait till 4.30 to start..wonderful dharshan

There is a rama temple where rama is without villu(bow and arrow) as a shantha moorthy having his right palm facing his heart..very old temple and a good one..see link below..

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/04/02/stories/2004040201800400.htm

Jalagandeswar- landed at 7.50 took an auto Vijay 9994515068-very nice driver..told him will put his ph no and name on net..he told me he wld show me around vellore and wanted me to cme +vely nxt time..

Feared temple to close..luckily since it was mahalaya ammavasai temple was open..prayed,donated rs365 each for prahalad and me for 365 deepams to be lit in our name everyday..akilandeswari powerful good temple..at at riverview..

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Vellore.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/vellorefort.asp

temple phone no - std code 0416 phone 2223412 2234537...office 2232992

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Trip to Tiruppulani Tirupullani Thiruppullani and Nainar Koil

Trip to Tiruppulani Tirupullani and Nainar Koil

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

30th July 2006 From ramnad(u can also reach these places from madurai by coming to paramakudi and taking a different nus from there) took an auto(rs 350-both places and drop at nainar koil.town buses also ply) to tiruppulani(divya desam-one of the 108 most sacred Vishnu perumal temples

http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu/temples/ramanathapuram/pullani-temple.asp

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/thirupullani.asp

and nainar koil (very powerful and important snake god)..temple opened only by 4 pm there is a snake putthu for which you can offer eggs..there is normally an elderly gentlemen to guide you near the snake mound..if u ask him for mud from the mound he will give you..the mud is such a powerful remedy for any ill health ..you can apply to the forhead after praying ..5.15 took a bus to paramakudi and from there to Madurai..these two places are a must see and if u are going to madurai they are enroute though with a slight deviation..

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Trip to Rameswaram

Trip to Rameswaram

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

29th July 2006 10 am bus to rameswaram reaching there by 2 pm..maharaja hotel-04573(std code) 221271 -Phone..there is a good gujarati bojanalya run by a north India family..u get very homely north Indian food there right opposite the main temple entrance in the street that leads to the sea..rested myself..4 pm temple till 7..slept

30th July 2006 ..6 am bath at sea which is very shallow and calm..spatikalinga dharshan(please buy ur tickets for this at 5 am as u go to the sea) this spatika linga dharshan is for a short time and opens roughly at 6 am and closes by 7 am.. lit lamp for pillyar maha ganapathy and did archanai(pooja) and presented a dhothi to the lord..lit a lamp to seek blessings of nandi(bull ) after this took a special dharshan ticket to see the lord, did 21 rounds of praharam came out and lit lamp to navagrahas(nine planets)…ganesh mess(very good normal hotel for breakfast and lunch etc) meals(near maharajah hotel)..left by 12 pm to Ramnad (Ramanathapuram)

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Rameswaram.htm

http://www.ramnad.tn.nic.in/tourism1.htm

http://www.whereincity.com/india/tamilnadu/rameshwaram.php

http://withfriendship.com/user/fraud/rameswaram-photos.php

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Trip to Pilliarpatti Karpaga Vinaygar temple

Trip to Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinaygar temple

You can write to me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any clarifications /doubts..i shall try my best to be of use to u so that u have a good dharshan

I started vsiting temples from this day and the entire visits of my life time shld start with lord ganeshas blessing..who else is better than Karpaga Vinagar of Pillaiyar patti….

28 th July 2006 -afternoon left for tiruchi by vaigai train at 2pm from Chennai egmore and reached trichy station by 6 pm..went to trichy bus stand by auto for rs 20…took a bus to karaikudi immediately reaching karaikudi by 9.30 pm ..stayed at lodge right at the new bus stand
Karaikudi
04565 STD Code
227741 Phone
SMS Lodge (Rs 150 per day)

a slightly costlier(Rs 400 per day) boarding and lodging is hotel jagan right on new busstand next door to sms lodge- ramalingam-9443350044 or 0465 227273 or 973 or 225 446

u can also stay at temple cottages..for details please refer to temple site link given below.
If and when the rameswaram railway lines that are being repaired are set right you can reach karaikudi by train too…

29th July 2006 early morn took a bus… this bus top is about 20 minutes from karaikudi and you can request main line busses to stop here for you …please take the permission before entering the bus…6am dharshan for 2 hrs of pilliarpatti vinayagar..you can buy long flower malas / augam pul (grass) malai approx 150 and give it to the lord..
http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/karppill.html
http://www.pariharam.com/Temple_KarpagaVinayaga.aspx?TempleID=TMPL013
http://www.karaikudi.com/travelinformation.htm

temple site- http://www.pillaiyarpattitemple.com/index.htm

temple ph no - Phones: 04577-264240, 264241

email id of temple - pkntrust@yahoo.com

9 am return to lodge..

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Trip to Ahobilam

Trip Visit to Ahobilam Ahobila -17th 18th & 19th March 2007 -U may mail me on templeashok@yahoo.co.in for any queries /clarifications/doubts. I will be glad to help you from what I know...

Keywords: Ahobilam Mutt math

http://www.ahobilamutt.org/temples/ahobil/toahob.html

How to reach ahobilam from chennai bangalore mumbai..please alight at cuddapah the nearest railhead.

I proceeded from Dadar(Mumbai) to Cuddapah because I had to pick my son…Prahalad (whose story is what this shrine brings out).. I belong to Chennai and u can take a train from Chennai to cudappah too…I reached cuddapah by 3pm on 18th…took a bus from there(new bus stand) to Allegeda(frequent busses are available—it is two hrs frm cudappah) and from there took a bus to ahobilam(rs 10 per tkt) which runs roughly every 45 min…u can also take an auto (rough cost Rs.100)…there is a guest house called malola guest house where I stayed(single room was Rs.200 with fairly clean room attached bath) ..Manager is mr.Badri Narayanan who was very helpful..ph no of guest house..08519-252045 or 252089..address-Shri Ahobila Mutt Sri Malola Guest house Ahobilam 518545 Kurnool District Andhra Pradesh India…there is a very good canteen very nxt to the guest house where good food is available..Of interest here is 9(nava) Narasimhars each representing a planet, pillar from where Narasimha emerged (ugra stamba-u can clim this but it is for very high risk takers),Prahalad Padi(his school), Lower Ahobilam and upper ahobilam Narasimhar temple..I skipped the pillar which can be seen easily from near the Jwala Narasimhar shrine and the prahalad padi which is nothing great except for a step with om written..u get guides for 350 rs..it is best to hire them which I did from malaoa guest house..my guides name by chance happened to be mr.Narasimhan..The path u take is a climb up the mountain through river bed(bhavanashini river-remover of sins river) and the climb is real steep and rocky and the view something u jus cant miss..there are steps leading to Jwala and malola each about 300 and 400 which is slighty difficult for old people..i clim tirupati hills regularly which is 3700 steps so found it easy..all the others are descending steps and pathways only..so we coverd 5 narasimhars on the way up and down the mountain in 3 hrs…lower and upper ahobila temples can take ½ hr each..there are 3 narasimhars very near lower ahobilam of which one is bhargava which has 100 odd steps to climb..the most difficult is the only one left which is Pavana which u can access from upper ahobilam..it is a 1 km step climb and 7 km walk and 7km return..i did not walk this I took a jeep instead which cost me 1500 rs..the ride is real bumpy and anyone with spine trouble should never take it..we reached pavana from lower ahobilam by jeep in 1.15 hrs and then returned..on the way back are Yoganand and chatravata which we saw and paid rs 100 more to take us to bhargava..so in tot ors 1500 for the jeep..it is a fare for the jeep any no can go in it till about 8-10 persons..we were only two my son and me..but still took it since we wanted a dharshan of all 9 narasimhars the same day..we started at 8 am and could finish all by 4.pm…then retraced to allegeda and cuddapah to take the chnnai mail from Mumbai 6009 at 10 pm from cuddapah to reach Chennai at 4.30 am the next day..to summarise.. then go to upper ahobilam temple(1)--(order food in the Brahmin food chatram(only if u tell them to make will they prepare food..its free I think because though we ordered food I went there a little earlier at 11.30 and they said it can be served at 12 pm only..so we skipped it..) there which will be served after 12 pm.. pray to lord of upper ahobilam and finish jwala(2),malola(3),varaha(4)(Kroda) and have food and then visit karanja(5) on the way back from upper to lower ahobilam it is on the way on the roadside… visit lower ahobilam temple and then take a jeep to paavana(6) narasimhar..see yoganand(7) and Chatravata(8) on the way and then visit bhargava(9)….

u can reach me on sify for astro consultations using the link belowhttp://sify.com/lifestyle/astrology/v_ashok/