Majestic Temples of India

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple / Rangasthala Temple Chikkaballapur, Karnataka Rangasthala Temple is located in Chikkaballapur District of Karnataka. Prathista of Vigrahams of Rangasthala, Srirangam and Srirangapatna were done on the same day. Mahavishnu is Moksha Ranganathar here. Garbhagriham of the temple looks similar to the a Bamboo Basket.  Story of thus temple says that, after Rama Ravana war, Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya. Every one attended Pattabhishekam. Vibhishana also attended the function and when he was returning to Srilanka, Shri Rama gifted him Ranganathar in a bamboo basket. In remembrance of this, sapta rishis did Prathista of Ranganathar here. Ranganathar is made of saligrama. Ranganathar is also called Jaganmohana here. Ranganathar is in Yoga Nidra. Makara Sankranti is very famous here. On the day of Makara Sankaranti, sunrays falls directly at the feet of Ranganathar Om Namo Narayanaya  

Kumarakottam Temple Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Kumarakottam Temple is a famous Murugan temple located in Kanchipuram District, also called Subrahmanya Swamy Temple. It is believed that Murugar is worshipped here by Agasthiya Muni. Paramshiva is worshipped here as Arunachaleswarar with Devi Abitha Kuchalambal. Mahavishnu is worshipped as Urugum Ulla Perumal. Story says that  Brahma was imprisoned here by Muruga. Brahma Deva while passing through this place avoided this temple which made Muruga angry. Subrahmanya asked Brahma deva meaning of OM mantra as he is creator. Muruga imprisoned Bhrama Deva for his ignorance. Thus here Muruga is seen himself as a creator instead of Bhrama.  Later Paramashiva asked Muruga to release Brahma,  Muruga obeyed and prayed before Mahadeva. Muruga is worshipped here with a Kamandalu and a Rudraksha Mala. The Shivalingam worshipped by Muruga is in another Garba Griham. It is said that Muruga corrected Kachiappar’s Kandha Puranam by himself here....

Stories of Guruvayurappan  Shri Krishna Leela This is a beautiful story of Guruvayurappan. Once there lived in Guruvayur a poor family. Kitta along with his wife and kids were struggling for their daily needs. With only a coconut tree in the house, he earned a living by selling coconuts. Kitta was from a low caste family. He was a great devotee of Guruvayurappan. Everyday before going to work he always prayed infront of a picture of Guruvayurappan in his house. His only wish was to worship at Guruvayur and have annadanam in temple. But he was not allowed because of his caste.  It was Utsavam time in Guruvayur. From far behind kitta and family worshipped Guruvayurappan. Annadanam was given daily and no one was left empty stomach. Only Kitta didn't receive that. That night, it was only Kitta's family who was sleeping with empty stomach. After temple nada closed Shri Krishna, dressed himself as a Brahmin went to temple Kitchen. He packed food and went directly to kitta's house...

Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram/ Vaikunta Perumal Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams of Mahavishnu. Perumal is worshipped as Vaikuntanathar and Lakshmi Devi as Vaikundavalli.  Sthala Puranam says that, a child was born was to Bharadwaja Muni and a Gandharva. Mahavishnu and Paramashiva both brought up the child and named him Parameswara varman. Mahavishnu taught him all 18 art forms. In order to extend the boys life Mahavishnu reclined there to avoid arrival of Yama Deva. Yama Deva promised perumal long life to the boy and left without any choice. This child later became the King Parameshwara Pallavan. Vaikunta Perumal is worshipped in sitting posture in the ground level, in the Bhujanga Sayanam at the middle and in the Standing posture at the 3rd level.  Temple is very famous for its historical sculptures on the inner walls around the four sides. Vaikunta Ekadashi is very famous here and annual Utsavam takes place on Vai...

Thiru Metraleeswarar Kovil Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Metraleeswarar Temple is located in Pillaiyarpalayam of Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. Temple is one among Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. There are two separate murthy's here in separate sree kovil. Metraleeswarar and Odha Urugeeswarar and Parvathi Devi as Metrali Nayagi / Parasakthi here. Paramashiva is swayambhu here.  Story of Urugeeswarar says that once Mahavishnu had a desire to have the form of Shiva Lingam so he approached Paramshiva. Shiva told Mahavishnu to do Tapasya at this place till Sambandar visits the place and sings praise of him. Mahavishnu started tapasya here. Sambandar visited Metraliyur and saw Mahavishnu doing tapasya and began song praising Paramashiva thinking it is Shiva Bhagwan.  Mahavishnu started to melt hearing the song and attained Lingam form. Odha Urugeeswarar (Odha-singing, Urugu-melting, Easwarar-Shiva). Story of Metrali Nathar is that Paramashiva who was facing east in the temple, hearing Sa...

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Yadagirigutta, Telangana  Yadagirigutta Narasimha Temple or Pancha Narasimha Kshetram is located in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. Narasimha is worshipped here in 5 roopams, Yoganarasimha, Jwala Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha and Gandabheranda Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha.  Sthala Puranam says that, Yada Maharshi, son of Rishyasringa did Tapasya to Mahavishnu here. Narasimha Moorthy came here as 5 forms - Jwaalaa Narasimha, Gandabheranda Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha and blessed Yada Maharshi. Yada Maharshi asked Mahavishnu to stay there in the hills. The Vigrahams are made of Krishna Sila.  Another story tells that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada's Tapasya, sent Anjaneyar to help rishi to the spot, where the Narasimha appeared in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. This spot is marked at temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, which is located near from the present temple Narasimha Moort...

Ambal Brahmapureeswarar Temple Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu Ambal Brahmapureeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar Temple is one among Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Paramashiva is worshipped as Brahmapureeswarar and Parvathi Devi as Poonkuzhalammai. Mahadeva is swayambhu here. Sthala Puranam says that, once Brahma and Mahavishnu had a difference of opinion as to who is ultimate truth. Paramashiva stood as a pillar between them and said whoever can find  top to bottom of pillar will be declared as ultimate truth. Mahavishnu took the form of a Boar and went down and returned as he couldn't find end. While Brahma took the form of a Swan and went up and lied he saw top. Paramashiva cursed Bhrama to be swan. When Bhrama Deva accepted his mistake Mahadeva asked to do Tapasya at this temple. Brahma Deva prayed to Paramshiva here and is said to be relieved from his curse here.  It is believed that marriage obstacles will be relieved after praying here for 5 consecutive weeks.  Shivaratri is very fa...