Majestic Temples of India

Mathru Panchakam by Adi Shankaracharya  Mathru Panchakam is most emotional verse written by Jagad Guru Sri Adi Sankaracharya. Shankaracharya describes importance of mother in his Mathru Panchakam of 5 verses. This was possibly the only one verse he wrote, which is not about Devi Devatas.  Shankara was near his mother at the time of her death as promised & also performed the funeral ceremonies. At that time he feels guilty of not able to perform the duty of a son. He recites these verses at that time paying respect to his mother.  आस्तं तावदियं प्रसूतिसमये दुर्वारशूलव्यथा नैरुच्यं तनुशोषणं मलमयी शय्या च संवत्सरी   एकस्यापि न गर्भभारभरणक्लेशस्य यस्याक्षमः दातुं निष्कृतिमुन्नतोऽपि तनयस्तस्यै जनन्यै नमः ।  Sankara holds her head & talks about all that she has gone through to bring him to the world.  गुरुकुलमुपसृत्य स्वप्नकाले तु दृष्ट्वा यतिसमुचितवेशं प्रारुदो मां त्वमुच्चैः गुरुकुलमथ सर्वं प्रारुदत्ते समक्षं सपदि चरणयोस्ते मातरस्तु प्रणामः  I...

Koodal Azhagar Perumal temple,  Madurai, Tamil Nadu Koodal Azhagar Perumal Kovil, situated at Madurai is one among 108 Divya Desham of Mahavishnu. Perumal is Azhagar here means one who is beautiful and Thayar Maduravalli. Perumal is worshipped in 3 postures, Nindra ( standing) as Surya Narayanayan, Amarndha(sitting) as Azhagar, Shayana ( reclining) as Ranganathar, all under the same Vimanam. Sthala Puranam is about Pandya king Vallabhadeva who wanted to know the Supreme Power who will lead to Parama Paadam. ( Heaven).  It is said that Azhagar suggested Periazhwar of Srivilliputhur, in the dreams of Selva Nambi, Priest of King. Periazhwar was brought to Madurai, who from many scriptures make King understand it will be Mahavishnu who can take one to Parama Paadam.  When Periazhwar worships Koodal Azhagar he sang the "Pallandu Pallaandu Pallayirathaandu, Palakodi Nooraayiram".  Thus Koodal Azhagar is credited with origination of Thiru Pallaandu. 

Undavalli Caves  Guntur, Andhra Pradesh Ganesha statue at the Undavalli cave. The Undavalli Caves, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, are located in Undavalli Village of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. These are very ancient cave temples, which are believed to be built between 4th and 5th centuries. Located on a hill overlooking the Krishna River, caves are  carved out of solid sandstone on a hillside. Huge statue of Mahavishnu of about 5 meter long in a reclining posture on Adi Sesha, is sculpted from a single block of granite is architectural wonder. The pillars into which scenes from the Ramayana are carved. 

Puruhutika Devi Temple East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh  Sri Puruhutika Devi temple is located in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Kshetra is one among 18 Shakthi Peetha where Sati Devi's left hand fell. Paramashiva is worshipped as Kukkuteswara Swamy. Paramashiva is in the form of Cock and it is a Swayam Bhuva Saiva Kshetram. Also called Tri Gaya Kshetra. The feet of asura, Gayasura lied in the pool in front of the Pithapuram Temple. Vigraham of Puruhuthika devi has four hands, containing bag of seeds (Beeja), axe (Parashu), lotus (Kamala) and a dish (Madhu patra). Also it's believed Indra Deva prayed to Devi here at Pithapuram, after being cursed by Rishi Gautama.  He prayed to Puruhitika Devi and was blessed with his original form. Sri Chakra Prathista is done under moorthy. Shiva Ratri and Navaratri are important here. Amme Sharanam

Nishkalank Mahadev Temple Bhavnagar, Gujarat Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is located near Bhavnagar. A kilometer walk into the sea, there are 5 distinct swayambhu lingams. Temple will be submerged during high tides & emerges on low tides. During high tide only flag & pillar will be visible. Story of the temple is related to Pandavas & Kurukshetra War. Pandavas felt guilty & to relieve themselves of all doshas, they asked Shri Krishna's advice. It is said that Krishna gave them a black flag & asked them to travel. The place where flag turns white, they all will be relieved from their doshas. Krishna also asked them to do Shiva Prathista. Pandavas traveled various places and finally they reached here when flag turned white. They prayed to Paramashiva, who showed up as 5 different Lingams. Thus Pandava brothers did Prathista to 5 Shivalingam here. Nishkalank Mahadev means being spotless, clean, and innocent. Those who worship Mahadev here is blessed and relieved from ...

Modhera Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat Situated on the bank of Pushpavati river, Sun Temple of Modhera, was built by Raja Bhimadev I of Solanki dynasty. It is believed that Shri Rama performed a yajna here & built Modherak which came to be known as Modhera. The temple is designed in such a way that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun will fall on a diamond placed on the head of Surya Deva. This would also light up the shrine with golden glow.The temple complex is divided into 3 parts, Gudha Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa & Kunda Mandapa. Modhera us mentioned in Skanda Purana & Brahma Purana. Beautiful architecture of the temple makes it unique. Surya Kund, Covering an area of 21,000 sq. ft. is a step well and has steps with square & rectangular dimensions. Temple is famous for its architecture.

Shri Ramanathaswamy Kovil Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu   Ramanathaswamy Kovil is located in Rameswaram District of Tamil Nadu. Temple is one among 12 Jyotirlingas. Place is called Rameswaram as Shri Rama worshipped Mahadev here. Prathista of Shivalingam was done by Shri Rama himself Sthala Puranam says that, Shri  Rama worshipped Paramashiva to relieve himself from Dosham because of Ravana Vadh. After returning from Lanka, Shri Rama asked Hanuman to bring a Shivalingam from Himalayas. Hanuman couldn't return with lingam on time & Ma Sita made a Shivalingam. The same lingam is worshipped inside Garba Griham. Hanuman returned with lingam but was sad seeing this & thus Rama did Prathista of that lingam too which is called Vishwalingam, which should be worshipped first before Ramanatha swamy. There are 22 Theertha tank inside temple and Agni Theertham is the sea located just outside temple. World’s Longest Corridor of 1000 pillars with marvellous roof design. Length of these cor...

Jogulamba Temple Gadwal, Telengana Alampur Jogulamba Temple is situated where rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna meet and also referred as Dakshina Kashi. Jogulamba Devi is considered as the 5th Shakti Peetha among 18 shakti peethams of Sati Devi. It is said that Sati Devi's upper teeth fell here.  Also called as Yogulamba, Devi is seen seated with scorpion, frog & lizard on the head & with her tongue stretched outside, a fierce expression that grants Siddhi. Yogula Amma in Telugu means Mother of Yogis.  The Shakti Peethas are places of worship dedicated to Devi Shakti, which are scattered throughout  many places. Adi Shankaracharya had mentioned important Ashtadasa (18) Shaktipeeth in a sloka.  Jai Maa Shakti  

Akasha Ganga, Tirupati Akasa Ganga is a sacred waterfall at the foothill of Tirumala. About 5km from Tirupati Temple, water from Akasha Ganga is taken for abhishekam for Venkateswara Swamy. It is said that Theertham originates from lotus feet of Venkateswara.  There is a beautiful story about the origin of Akasha Ganga. Srisaila Purna, the main priest of Tirupati Temple used to perform abhishekam with pure devotion. Water was taken from Papanasana Theertha located very far. One day when Srisaila Purna was returning with water, when  A hunter requested water. Srisaila Purna denied water which was meant for Abhishekam & walked away. Hunter followed him & made a hole with an arrow on the pot & drank whole water. Srisaila Purna scolded the hunter as time for abhishekam was nearing & too late to fetch water again Hunter told him about a place where he can get water & took Srisaila Purna there. But there was not a single drop of water there. Hunter made a small h...

Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangam, Tamil Nadu Ranganathaswamy Temple, located in Trichy is called Bhooloka Vaikuntam. This is largest functioning temple in the world, around 21 gopurams, spread over 156 acres. Perumal is Ranganathar & Thayar Ranganayaki. Ranganathaswamy Temple is considered as the 1st & important of 108 Divya Desham. Sthala Puranam is related to creation time when Mahavishnu took form of Ranganathar for Brahma to worship. Ranganathar informed Brahma about his presence in 8 Swayamvaktha Kshetra where Srirangam 1st  Brahma carried Ranga Vimana, did Prathista near river Viraja, asked Surya Deva to do pooja. Later Ikshvaku performed tapasya to allow Brahma for Vimana at Ayodhya. Thus Vigraham was worshipped by Shri Rama too. Later When Shri Rama returned from Lanka after war as a token of gift  Gave Vimana to Vibhishana. Vibhishana was proceeding to Lanka with Ranga Vimana, stopped for his daily rituals on banks of Cauvery. Later he was unable to move Viman...

Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple Hassan, Karnataka Malekal Thirupati Shri Venkateswara Swamy temple is located in Hassan District. Very famous and ancient temple of about 800 year old is of architectural marvel of Hoysala time. It is believed that Agasthya Muni worshipped Venkateshwara Swamy here.  Sthala Puranam says that, Vashishta Muni worshipped Venkateshwara Swamy and did tapasya here for about 800 years. On the day of Ashada Shuddha Dwadashi, Venkateshwara Swamy gave Darshanam to Vashishta Muni. Maha Rathothsava is held in the temple every year to celebrate this event.  The Vigraham was forgotten for many years, until one day, Thimmappa Nayaka, then ruler got a dream to worship Venkateshwara Swamy, the place where Vashishta Muni worshipped Venkateshwara. The place was once called Malekallu, but after the Prathista of Vigraham, the temple was called Malekallu Tirupati Temple. Venkateshwara Swamy is at top of hill and Govidanraja Swamy down the hill.  Om Namo Narayan...

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple  Madurai, Tamil Nadu Meenakshi Amman Kovil, also known as Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Kovil is situated at Madurai. Temple has great historic importance & is architectural Wonder. Paramashiva, came as Sundareswarar and married Parvati Devi ( Meenakshi) here.  Sthala Puranam says that Meenakshi emerged from a Yajna as a 3 year old girl. Yajnam was performed by Malayadwaja Pandya Raja. Meenakshi was born with three breasts and it was said to Raja that her third breast will disappear as soon as she meets the one who will marry her.  Meenakshi ruled Madurai and captured all neighboring kingdom. When she went to Kailasam and met Paramashiva her third breast disappeared & thus she knew that she had met her future husband. Their divine marriage took place here which was attended by all Devi Devatas.  As Parvati Devi herself assumed the form of Meenakshi, Mahavishnu, Parvati’s brother, came as Azhagar and handed her hand to Paramshiva...

Vaitheeshwaran Koil Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu Vaitheeshwaran Koil is located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Paramashiva is Vaidyanathar ( who heals diseases)here & Devi Thayyal Nayagi. Temple is one among the Navagraha Parihara Sthalam of Angaraka ( Mars)  Sthala Puranam is about Angaraka (Mars), who suffered from leprosy, Vaidyanatha Swamy cured Angaraka. Temple is famous to heal Skin related illness. Thayyalanayaki Ambal stands holding Sanjeevi thailam, which cures diseases. Subramanya is worshipped as Selva Muthukumaraswamy.  There is Sannidhi is for Dhanwanthara Murthy and Angaraka here. It is believed that a bath in Siddhamirtham tank will cure all diseases. It is said that Shri Rama & Lakshmana did final rituals for Jatayu here. There is a temple tank Jatayu Kundam. Naadi ( Palm leaf) astrology is very famous here which is believed that past, present and the future of everyone are written in palm leaves and can be found there.  Om Nama Shivaya

Shri Somanath Mandir Veraval, Gujarat  Located in Prabhas Patan in Veraval of Gujarat, Somnath is 1st among 12 Jyotirlingas. Temple has been looted, destroyed 17 times & reconstructed 18 times. Today Somnath temple stands in its full glory inspiring us showing the power of our culture Story of the temple is related to Chandra Deva who married 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapathi, but he took care of Rohini ( One among them) more. Daksha cursed Chandra to lose his brightness. Chandra came here & prayed to Paramashiva.  Mahadev relieves Chandra from his curse. Brahma asked Chandra to construct a temple for Paramashiva, and Chandra is said to have constructed the Somnath Temple. This is why, Paramashiva is worshipped as Somnath (Deva of Soma or Chandra).  Om Nama Shivaya