Author: Kazhiyur Varadan

1. KANCHIPURAM, popularly known as “ Temple town” is situated 70 kms to the southwest of Chennai -30 kms from  Arakkonam and about 25 kms from Sriperumbudur-the birth place of Swamy Ramanujar.  It takes about 2 hours to reach this place from Guindy, Chennai (subject to traffic) and about 1 hour from Arakkonam .

Plenty of buses ply from Chennai at frequent intervals to this place. It takes about one and half hours by car from Chennai Airport.  Cab charges from Arakonam to Kanchi  is fixed as RS.1,200/-.

    As Brahma (KA) worshipped Vishnu in this place, it is known as KANCHI.

Kancheepuram  is the only kshetram located in South India out of  the seven mukthi kshetrams, the others being Ayodhya, Mathura , Maya, Kasi, Avanthi, Dwaraka which are located in the NOrthern India.

 Lord Varadaraja Perumal temple is  glorified  as the ‘Perumal Koil’ among Divya Desams. While Srirangam is referred to as ‘ The Koil’ and Tirupathi as the ‘Malai’ among Divya Desams,  Sathyavratha kshetram known as “Kanchi”, is a  divya desam  and  the “crown of Thondai Naatu divya desams. While Srirangam is referred as “Bhoga Mantapam”, Tirumala as “Pushpa mandapam”, Kanchi is glorified as “Thyaga mandapam” .

This temple  town is dotted with many temples of which there are 14 important shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and 13 temples for  Parama Shivan. The sthalapuranam for all the Vishnu temples is inter connected with Brahma’s penance.  Brahma who started Aswamedha yaga without his wife SAraswathi had to face many hurdles and everytime Lord Vishnu appeared in various forms to encounter SAraswati’s obstacles until Brahma successfully completed the yaga.

The temples are located in Little Kanchi and Big Kanchi.  Out of 22 divya desams in Thondai naadu, 14 are in Kanchipuram itself and another at Thiruputkuzhi, the details of which are briefly given:-

PERIA KANCHIPURAM:-

1. Sri Nilathingal thundathan Perumal, (in Ekambareswarar temple)
2.  Sri Ulagalandha Perumal , Ooragham
3. Sri Jagadeeswara Perumal, Neeragam in Ulagalandha Perumal temple prakaram
4. Sri Karunakara Perumal, Kaaragam in Ulagalandha Perumal temple prakaram
5. Sri Kaarvannan (Kalva) Perumal, Thirukaarvanam in Ulagalandha Perumal temple prakaram(all these temples are in Ulagalandha Perumal kovil itself)
6. Sri Aadivaraha Perumal, Thirukalvanur (in Kamakshi temple)
7. Sri Vaikuntanatha Perumal, Thiruparameswara vinnagaram
8. Sri Pandava dhootha Perumal, Thirupadagam
9. Sri Pavalavannan Perumal, Thirupavazhavannam(also,Perumal gives darshan as Pachaivarnan beside this temple)

 (CHINNA KANCHI)

1. Sri Varadaraja Swamy temple, Thirukachi
2. Sri Ashtabuja Perumal, Thiruattabuyakaram
3. Sri Deepaprakasa temple, Thiruthanka
4. Sri Azhagia Singar temple, ThiruVelukkai
5. Sri Yathothkari temple, Thiruvekha

With Kanchipuram as base town , devotees  can also  have darshan of  Thiruputkuzhi  Divya desam (1 hour drive from Kanchi). If you start early, you can finish visiting Kanchi temples by noon.  Thiruputkuzhi, Sriperumbudur, Kooram can be visited in the second half of the day.

Check out the divine pastime in the appended blog post.  Click the link

https://kazhiyurvaradanblog.in/2015/01/13/lord-varadaraja-arrives-with-an-umbrella-for-his-devotee/

Of these, Sri Varadarajar temple with its imposing towers , Sri Kamakshi temple, Sri Ekambareswar temples attract many pilgrims including foreign tourists daily.

The famous   Lord Varadarajar temple  wears festive look daily .

Around 280 Utsavams happen in this temple  all around the year

Like Puri Rathyatra performed 10 days prior to Aashada Ekadasi, the  Annual Garuda seva performed on the third day during Vaigasi Brahmotsavam (May-June) especially attracts huge crowds from near and far. The streets are very wide like in Puri.

Another similarity between Puri and Kanchi temples is the dieties are made of wood .  IN Puri Jaganath temple, once in 12 years, the moolavar dieties of  Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Baladeva are replaced whereas in Kanchi Varadar temple, Athivaradar-the Lord carved out from athi wood by Brahma is preserved inside the temple tank and is taken out for worship once in 40 years.

This town is sanctified  with many  Acharayas -Sri Thirukachinambigal, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Desikar, Sri Sankaracharyar to name a few.  Also , this is the headquarters for many religious peetams like Kanchi Kamakoti peetam, Sri Mudaliandan swamy Thirumaligai, Sri Appan Swamy Thirumaligai and other associate maaligas of Sri Ramanujar’s sishyas. One of the shatberams(6 utsava murthis) was given by the LOrd HIMSELF to our acharyar-Sri Mudaliandan Thirumaligai

VAradaraja Sthavam by Kooratazhwan, Varadaraja Panchasat by VEdanta Desikar, Devaraja Ashtakam by Thirukachi nambigal are few famous renderings on this Lord.

Our poorvacharyars attribute the word “amararukku athipathi ” of the first pasuram in Nammazhwar  Thiruvaimozhi to this Perumal.

        Few thousand years ago ,   Brahma  had a deep desire to have dharshanam  of Lord Sriman Narayana  in ‘Chathurbujam with the divine weapons adorned  .

Lord Narayana pleased  with  the devotion of  Brahma  appeared  in the form of  water at Pushkar near Ajmer in Rajasthan.

 Brahma was not satisfied.  He continued  his  penance further , Lord Narayana  once again appeared in the form of a ‘forest’, which  is worshipped as ‘Naimisharanya’ located near  Lucknow , Ayodhya .

Brahma was not  yet satisfied.

He was advised by a divine voice to perform hundred Ashwamedha Yaga to get the darshanam bhagyam of  Chathurbuja Seva of  Lord Sriman Narayana .

As Brahma felt that he didn’t have time to perform 100 aswamedha yaagas to please Lord Vishnu, he decided to perform one aswamedha yaagam at  Satyavratha Kshetram as scriptures mention that any one act done at this holy place gives 100 times benefit.

He made a  deity  of Lord Vishnu ,   (Athi varadhar)  around  nine-feet deity , made out of the divine fig tree which were abundantly grown in this divine place, brought it on Airavatam-the celestial elephant .    He undertook severe penance.

Hence, this place came to be known as “Kanchi” as “KA”(Brahma) worshipped Vishnu here.  He  prepared a  homa kund [where sacred fire is lit]  at Uttharavedi  by Viswakarma . He  begun  the yagna alone with the help of SAvitri and Gayatri (his consorts), without his main consort Sri Saraswati.(It may be recalled that in Pushkar also, Brahma did penance without Saraswati’s presence. this can be observed in the Brahma temple.  )

Angered by this negligence, Saraswati decided to stop the  ( A divine play by LORD)   . First, she put the entire world in darkness. The Lord  out of abundant compassion to Brahma appeared as Sri Deepaprakasa on Chitra Revati ( Now glorified as DeepaPraksha temple )   . Darkness was driven out. On the auspicious day in the month of  Chitra(Apr- May) on Revati star day which is considered as the appearance day of  Lord Deepaprakasar , Perumal along with Swami Vedanta Desikar visit Varadaraja temple .

Again when Brahma wanted to start the yagna, Saraswati sent a demon with bird and beast features to stop the yagna. Immediately, the Lord appeared with Eight arms –Sri Ashtabuja Perumal  This place  is in  another separate Kshetram within Kanchipuram. This happened in Chitra Rohini . The demon was driven away and lord Brahma restarted the yagna . Not to rely on others to stop the yagna, then Saraswati decided to stop the yagna herself and took the form of a rushing river – Vegavati .

The Lord now took the reclining pose and as a bridge stopped the flow of the river. This happened in Vekkha  and  thus the Lord is Sri Yatothkari . This wonderful incident  happened on Chitra Punarvasu  day . Thus the Lord appeared in Three forms in the month of Chitra in Revati, Rohini and Punarvasu as Sri Deepaprakasa, Sri Ashtabuja Perumal and Sri Yatoktakari. ( One must have darshan of the Lordships in these temples which is very near to Main temple )  When the Lord appeared from the homa kund, He came along with the Vimanam [canopy] and it is called Punyakoti vimanam on the northern banks of Vegavati river.  

Thus Lord Varadharajar emerged out of the scared fire  pleased with Brahma’s devotion,  in Punyakoti vimanam.

As Perumal  ( Utsava Moorthy ) appeared from fire, the marks  on  caused due to heat in the form of many small dots can be seen on utsavar’s Thirumugam  ( divine face ) .

Perumal gave darshan with chathurbhujam holding sankhu, chakram, gadam with HIS lower left hand and lower right hand in .abhaya hastam.   “Ka” – means Brahma and “Anjitham” – means who was worshipped.

As Perumal granted all the boons of Devas, He is known as “Varadar” meaning “giver of boons”.

As He is very compassionate, He is known as “Perarulalan.

As He is the master of Devas, He is Devadirajan,

as he resides at Attiyur, He is known as Attiyuran,

Hastagirinathan as He resides in Hastagiri.  Airavatam-the celestial elephant on which Brahma brought the diety  assumed the form of a hill to shelter the Lord.  Hence , the hillock is known as Hastagiri.

Lord  Devaraja has captivating beauty and it is said that Swami Ramanuja was totally attracted by His shoulders

Perundevi Thayar, the consort of Devadirajan does not come out of the garbagriham like SriRanganayaki.  Even the utsava murthi of the Thayar is not taken out for procession beyond the four walls of the temple. Whenever Perumal is taken out in procession inside the temple, HE is accompanied by Perundevi Thayar .

The Theppam (float festival) is celebrated in Anantasaras tank.  The temple pond known as Anantha Saras /Amrutha saras never dries up , the Vimanam is known as Punyakoti Vimanam.

Every Friday , Thayar  comes in a procession within the 4 walls of the temple. Almost  280 utsavams are performed to Lord whole year  . Brahma in Kreta Yuga, Gajendran, the elephant in Tretha yuga, Brihaspathi in Dwarpara yuga and Adiseshan in Kaliyuga offered their prayers to  Lord here .

The  wonderful temple is   located  on a 23-acre complex and  has 3 outer precincts (prakaram) namely Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram and Thiru Malai Prakaram. The main sanctum faces west and can be entered through a 130 feet tall, 7-tiered rajagopuram (main gateway tower).

The eastern gopuram is taller than the western gopuram, which is contrasting to large temples where the rajagopuram is the tallest one. There is a 100 pillared hall has sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabaratha  .The  main shrine of Varadarajaswamy is on a small hillock 10m tall and a fleet of 24 steps, termed “Hasthagiri..

The temple has 5 prakarams. The first prakara which is on the Hastagiri hill houses the garbagriha and the pradakshinam path. The garbagriham is known as “Vayya maligai” – earthly mansion of the Lord(Leela Vibhuti)  .

A flight of steps from the lower hill, known as  Varanagiri which houses Narasimhar,  leads us to the garbagriha where we can  have darshan  the Lord in  His pristine glory.

The second prakaram is known as Thirumalai pradakshinam as it runs round the hill.

The third prakara known as Madapalli prakaram/ Alavandar prakaram houses the temple kitchen, numerous shrines and mantapams for Garuda, Adisesha, Perundevi Thayar, the abhsiheka mantapam where the utsava murthis are given abhishekam, pavitrotsava mantapam where the Lord’s vaahanams are kept, the unjal mandapam etc.

The fourth prakaram known as Azhwar Thiruveedi houses the vigrahams of all Azhwars , Acharyars, Krishna, Varaha, Sri Ranganathar etc and the Anantasaras tank.

The fifth prakaram is known as “Mada veethi “ and it was here that Sri Alavandar first saw Sri Ramanujar and blessed him that he would be the foremost for propagating Vaishnavism by declaring “Aam invan mudhalvan” meaning yes, he is the foremost.

As mentioned earlier, the Garbagriham is located on top of Hastagiri hill with enclosures on all sides.  However on one particular day after 15 days from Chithira Pournami, the sunrays fall directly on Moolavar’s Thirumugam .  (Similarly in Vaikunta Perumal kovil(popularly known as Kallapiran)  in Pandya naadu, the sunrays fall on the moolavar’s thirumugam twice in a year)

Even the stones on the compound wall are 24. The pushkarini also has 24 steps. Gayatri mantra has 24 syllables. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Lord, Who has Gayatri as His body, has everything, around number 24. Apart from this, according to Visishtadvaita philosophy, achit entities are 24. That is inanimate entities are 24. When we cross the 24 steps we land on the top floor and that is the 25th entity, Jeevatman.  From this floor we have to climb some more steps to reach the garbha gruham of  Lord Devaraja Perumal. We come to the corridor on the floor and we go round that. One end of the corridor is famous for two things.

One of the ancestors of Lord Rama named Asmanjhan and his wife who were cursed to become lizards were redeemed from their curse at this place by the Lord.  Hence, it is believed that touching the golden and silver lizards would cure us of all ailments.  Crowds throng to touch these lizards for getting rid from material ailments forgetting that the Lord of the UNiverse standing as Varadarajan saves us from this “Samsaram” and gives “MOKSHAM”

Another  adjoining  mandapam, Kachhikku vaithan mandapam follows the corridor . Every evening the Lord would arrives at this mandapam, and Swami Thirukacchi Nambi would start his fanning  service Thirukachi nambigal, the great Vaishnavite saint had the bhaagyam of conversing with this Perumal while fanning the Lord(Alavatta kainkaryam). This is beside the “lizard mantapam”

 It is believed that  Brahma comes here once a year on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May) around mid night, for a darshan of  Lord Varadarajan.       On this day, it is the practice for the priests to place food inside the sanctum and to wait outside for 24 minutes. At the end of this, the food is said to smell sweeter.

As Lord Vishnu accepted requests of everyone and gave what they wanted, he came to be called ‘Varadar’(one who gives).

Athivaradar carved out and worshipped by Brahma was the presiding diety  whom Azhwars and Acharyars have glorified.  The  deity  of Lord Varadarajar  glorified  as Athiyuran  was the main deity in the Garbagraha of this temple until 17th Century.

During the Muslim invasion, in 1687 A.D.,the  main deity (Lord Varadarajan) is said to have been under threat by the invaders.  The mughals eyed on temples to plunder the abundant wealth kept in the temples .    In order to preserve the deity and to avoid fdesecration of the Lordships, the elders decided to place the MOolavar deity  secretly  in a  silver casket and immersed in the temple tank called Anantha Theertham . The utsava murthi of LOrd Varadarajan and Perundevi Thayar were shifted to Udayarpalayam. The temple was in a deserted condition for 22 years.  After peace was restored, an army commander named Thondamal(whose statue can be seen inside Tirumala temple) restored the utsava murthis in the year 1711.  AS they could not trace the whereabouts about Moolavar most of the elders had migrated from Kanchi or left the world, there was noone to reveal the whereabouts of the Moolavar.  It was decided to transport a shila from Pazhaya Seevaram(Narasimha Swamy temple) and a beautiful vigraham was carved out of it and the diety was consecrated as per vedic injunctions.  The main deity that we see worship  today at Kanchipuram arrived  from Pazhaya Seevaram a village  about 20kms from Kanchipuram.

In  sweet memory of this divine incident , the Utsavar  deity  of Lord Varadarajan is taken on a procession once a year, during the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) to Pazhaya Seevaram  .

The newly consecrated idol was being worshipped along with the utsava murthis.  After 40 years, due to divine will , when the temple tank Ananta saras got dried up , the Lord revealed HIMSELF inside a silver casket in a mandapam underneath the water.  The Lord was worshipped in a nearby mandapam.  Later, Lord appeared in a temple priest’s dream commanding him to put back the Lord in the cool waters of Ananta saras as HE was still experiencing the heat generated during Brahma’s yagam.  Lord conceded to the devotees’ request to give darshan once in 40 years for a period of 48 days. Thus the practice of taking out the Lord from Ananta saras once in 40 years for a period of 48 days begun.  Ananta saras is the most sacred temple tank in the whole world because of its association with the LOrd of Universe always. Sprinkling holy water from this pushkarini redeems us of all the innumerable accumulated sins .    In all other temples, either the utsava murthi of Perumal or ” sataari ” is dipped in the temple puskarini during culmination of brahmotsavam usually once in a year whereas in Ananta saras, the Lord dwells eternally.  Also, Swamy Ramanujan embraced Sanyasam as per the Lord;s instructions by having a holy dip in the Ananta saras and was given orange robes by the Lord HIMSELF.Swamy Ramanujar did theertha kainkaryam to the Lord until he was ordered to shift to Srirangam to fulfill  Thiruvaranga araiyar’s boon bestowed by Lord Varadar who was immensely pleased with Araiyar sevai performed by him.

It is believed  that during the year 1699, a major  calamity struck the area around Kanchipuram and the temple tank was drained of its water and that is when the Lord Athi Varadhar revealed Himself to the people after 40 years.

It was thus decided by Elders  that  LORD has to be taken out from the temple tank once in 40 years  and  various pooja  shall be performed for 48 days and then kept in the bed of the Pushkarini for the next 40 years.

The  96th Pasuram of Irandam thiruvanthathi glorifies LORD as 

aththiyUrAn puLLai UrvAn * aNimaNiyin
thuththi sEr * nAgaththin mEl thuyilvAn ** –

muththI maRaiyAvAn * mAkadal nanjchuNdAn thanakkum *
iRaiyAvAn engkaL pirAn

Bhoodathazhwar addresses the Lord as “athiyooran” who is fond of garuda seva(pullai oorvan -pul =bird

Thus  Lord  Athi Varadhar gives His darshan to the devotees only once in 40 years and that too for a period of 48 days.

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 The Rising of Athi Varadhar” happened in the years 1739, 1779, 1819, 1859, 1939, 1979 and  Now in the  year  2019 and fortunate are those who are having darshan .

Athi Varadar  thus   graces the devotees once in 40 years . Lord arrives from the Anantha saras and alights  outside for public worship for a period of 48 days. This event took place last in 1979 and  now in 2019  darshan has already commenced now  . Lord gives darshan in reclining posture during the first 24 days and later gives darshan in standing posture for the remaining 24 days.

Vendittrellaam tarum vallal Manivannan” is how  our  Nammazhwar describes the Lord. Whatever we ask, the Lord is ready to give us the same and much more, however exalted be the boon we seek.

Check out the url links below on abundant mercy of the Lord of the Lords ..

https://kazhiyurvaradanblog.in/2019/05/29/lord-moved-by-the-vatsalya-bhava-of-varadaguru-calls-him-amma-my-mother-the-divine-play-where-acharyar-varadaguru-is-rechristened-to-nadadhoor-ammal-2/

https://kazhiyurvaradanblog.in/2019/03/14/glory-of-the-great-acharyar-swami-thirukachchi-nambi-and-guide-to-swamy-ramanuja-who-conversed-with-supreme-lord-varadaraja-of-kancheepuram/

He endows us with whatever we need during our mundane sojourn and once we perform Prapatti,

He takes us to his own eternal abode, never to return to the quagmire of Samsara.

And this, only Emperuman can do, say the Shastras-

”Moksham icchet, Janaardanaat”.

srIranga mangaLa nidhim karuNA nivAsam* (Srirangam for South)

*srI vEnkatAdhri sikarAlaya kALa mEkam* (Tirupathi for North)

*srI hasthisaila sikarOjvala pArijAtham* (Varadharaja perumal temple for East)

*srIsam namAmi sirasA yadhusaila dhIpam* (Melkote temple for West)

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pictures/Videos Credits :

Thanks to Advanced devotees who have uploaded in social media

Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari

Pilgrimage to Pandharpur near   Sholapur in Maharashtra  and  having  darshan of Lord Vittal  is incomplete without mentioning  the great devotee Pundalikan. 

Pundalaikan who hailed from southern part of  India  undertook a pilgrimage to kasi along with his parents and family .  As his old  parents couldn’t withstand the long journey they camped  on the banks of Bhima river in the present Pandharpur.

   As there was no improvement in their fitness and due to their old  age , they decided to  stay there forever serving LORD and his devotees .

 Pundalikan  was  a caring and obedient son .

Always in the service of his parents chanting the holy name he continued to start a fresh life being at this new place. 

The Divine Name of ‘ Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari Jai Jai  Vasudeva Hari’  ever reverberating in this holy town made him swoon into transcendental bliss  .

Pundalikan was so concerned that he  changed the course of  the river so that it would pass by his hut to enable his parents for taking their daily bath .

Even today we can see the  shape of this river  looks like  a crescent  of moon  and hence the river came to be known as “Chandrabhaga” river.

All compassionate Lord Krishna  in Dwaraka,  wanted  the world to know about   this  great devotee  Pundalikan  who was serving his  parents with utmost sincerity .

  The   cheerful obedience mixed with devotion attracted  Lord  personally  to visit  his hut to bless him. It was a direct meeting of the great Lord  with his favorite  devotee .

Lord arrived  near his hut  silently  and was immersed in listening to his devotees Nama sankirtana. 

  Lord walked inside his hut  like a normal  man and  looking at his  devotee  called him. 

Pundalikan was  engrossed in the Holy name and  was serving his old parents by comforting their legs . 

The voice was melodious …… unheard ….  

My son !!

Lord once again called

Pundalikaa…..

Look  ..

Pundalik was in trance and that bliss he was already enjoying the holy name  in his transcendental mood  and hence he did not want to come out of that mood ..

and he  did not want to disturb his  old parents sleep as they too were engrossed in the Holy name  ..

He attempted to whisper slowly  his helplessness  ,that he couldn’t come and receive the honorable guest due to his position .

He requested  him to  please  wait  . 

He presumed that once his parents were fast asleep he could take leave from them and attend the respected guest .

He innocently  requested the revered guest to rest .

Lord replied , I find only bricks around . Any way  as desired by his devotee he just stood  on a small  brick which was lying nearby.

The demigod Indra to atone for his brahmahathi  dosham  immediately took the form of brick  awaiting Lord’s arrival so that the Lord would place HIS lotus  feet. The divine incident was happening at the great devotees hut.

Once he observed that his parents were fast asleep , he comforted them and looked around .

Pundalikan  had a glance of the wonderful  darshan .

Lord Krishna as Vitthala, standing on a brick, hands on hips, with a smile on his lips.

He scanned the lovely form further .  His eyes were starving for that darshan .Torrent of tears flowed ..Speechless .   His soul now rejoiced in pure love ..

His breath that was synchronized with the holy name could swim deep in that ocean of sheer bliss ..

.Panduranga …

My Lord !! Vittala…

Nothing more ..Let this remain with me .

..Oh ! Lord …

Ocean of Compassion … You came to see this worm …

And..

LORD !  Please forgive me for asking you to stand on the brick ..

Pundalikan was inconsolable ….

Lord Panduranga, Lord Vittala  the enchanter of the Universe, wearing  ‘Makara Kundala’ (fish shaped ear stud) in his ears, …….

Peethambara (clad in yellow silk), wearing exquisite  royal ornaments, a bewitching smile playing on His lips and having the insignia of Goddess Lakshmi on His chest,  two palms on His hips was looking at Pundalikan ..

Pundalik     was overwhelmed and touched .

He submitted to LORD for  HIM to stay there forever.

Lord with a enchanting smile replied ..

My dear son !

Now an forever will I remain on this brick standing to see all my children seeking me…

Rukmini ,SAtyabhama arrived later , assumed the same posture of Lord  and blessed Pundalikan.

AT the behest of Pundalikan, Lord resides here and gives darshan to millions of devotees . As Lord stands on Vittu(brick) , HE is  glorified as  as Vittalan.

The place where the Lord   stands is the present temple. 

The Saints like Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar to Tukaram wove their life around Vitthala and saw in Vitthala their brother, father, friend and a compassionate Lord who could bless them with ultimate salvation.

“Vittala ”  is  our Compassionate Lord who mingled with all the devotees by taking various roles like a cobbler, barber, servant, potter, gardener thus assisting his devotees in household chores and helping them in their own spiritual up liftment and seek salvation

Pundalikan and his parents attained Lord’s feet after the divine darshan .   The Pundalika Temple is about half a km from the Vitthal Temple.

This temple marks the spot where Pundalika, the Lord’s devotee, spent the last years of his life and also is the place of his Samadhi. It is on the riverbank of Chandrabhaga.

Great Bhagavathas have composed wonderful Naama sankirtana which swoon even a rock to breath the holy name and reach HIS holy abode ..One such kirtan is presented below sung by Sri Kadyanallur Rajagopal  feeds the soul with a grand feast of holy names  .The lyrics is shared below for the feel …

Shanka Chakra Dhara Vaijayanthi Dara  
Pithambaradara Govardhanodhara
Tulasimala Shobhita Gala               
Garuda Gamana Hari Pankaja Nabha
Vittala Yere       Pandhari Raya      
Mastaka Linga Swaroopa Linga     

Roopa Banga Sajjana Sangha  
Yadukula Thilaka        Manmatha Janaka 
 Pathitha Pavana       Dena Dayalo  
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya

Tribhuvana Roopa     ………..
 Vishwa Swaroopa     ……….
Bhava Bhaya Thapa   .
Harithi Papa   Rukmini Kantha  
  Roopa Anantha 
  Janani Janaka     Tuja Mavakalena
Vittala Yere     Pandhari Raya…………

Chandrabhageteeram Ubha Vitevari –
Kara Katavari Ranga Shilevari     
 Mahadwari Garuda Vahini 
Vinavinatha Janardhana Swamy
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya

Panduranga       Panduranga – Panduranga

Rukmini Kantha    
Roopa Anantha 
 Janani Janaka  …….   Tuja Mavakalena
Vittala Yere     Pandhari Raya
Chandrabhageteeram Ubha Vitevari –
Kara Katavari Ranga Shilevari       
   Mahadwari Garuda Vahini   
Vinavinatha Janardhana Swamy
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya
Panduranga       Panduranga – Panduranga

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics Credits : Google images uploaded by advanced devotees

Videos : Credits to all devotees who shared in social media

            Puri” means fullness. This holiest temple town is in the form of a conch. It is also known as  Jagannath dhaam-the abode of Jaganath, Purushotama   kshetra,   Nilachala  Nilagiri-     the blue mountain,   Sri kshetram-the abode of Sri(Lakshmi).

          The holy dham vibrates with Mahamantra and other  holy names of the Lord. It is also known as “Yamanika tirtha”-the place where Yama,the God of death cannot enter.

         The greatness about the holiest shrine Puri is mentioned by LORD

 HIMSELF in Narada Purana as:

“PRATIMAAM TATRA TAAM DRISTVAA SVAYAM DEVENA NIRMITAAM
ANAAYAASENA VAI YAANTI BHAVANAM ME TATO NARAAH

The Supreme LORD  reveals to  Mahalakshmi”

 Jagannath Puri is one of the four holy dhaams (Sacred places) located on the eastern part of India  near the shores of Bay of Bengal. The other three dhams are Badrinath located in the North, Rameswaram in the South, Dwaraka in the West. Sripad Sankaracharyar, Swamy Ramanujar, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are the prominent acharyars who have  visited this place.

                       The great saint Sankaracharya established a mutt at this place and composed the famous “JAGANATHASHTAKA” in which he prays  Lord to help him cross over the ocean of samsara.The temple is situated over Nilachala mountain. Out of the 4 entrances to the temple,  the eastern gate  is glorified as  the “Simha dwaaram”. At the entrance, we can find small replica of Lord Jaganatha and Sri Ganesha. deities .

Rath Yatra  is held in the month of Aashada,  when the Lord HIMSELF steps out of the temple to give darshan to all the lucky souls.  Usually we find Dwaja sthambham in front of all the Sri Vaishnava temples. But at Puri, we find Aruna sthambham. A huge stone pillar is erected on top of which is Aruna,the charioteer of Sun God with folded hands waits for Lord Jaganaths commands  . It symbolizes that those who worship the Lord will be enlightened . The figure of Aruna is kept in a height which equals the height of the Lord in the garbagriham.

We have to trek   22 steps to reach the garbagriham  which split into sets of 5  more steps. One has to climb 5 steps, walk few distance, again take another flight of 5 steps and so on.

These steps denote that one has to leave aside the 5 worldly fetters-lust, anger, greed, jealousy and pride.

The first five steps represent the five outer sense organs-eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. 

The next 5 steps represent the 5 pranas or life airs-prana, apaana, vyaana, udaana, samaana.

The next five steps represent the inner sense or tanmaatras-rupa(sight), rasa (taste), gandha (smell), sabda (sound),  sparsa (touch).

The next five steps are tha panch maha bhutas- earth, water, air, fire and ether.

The last two steps represent buddhi or intelligence and ahankara or false ego-the false conception of identifying the soul with the body.

One by one all the must be purified before passing into the Inner sanctum of the temple and having darshan of LORD Jaganath

Huge mud vessels containing offerings to lord that becomes maha prashad (every day 56 items of bhog (food offerings)  is offered  to the Lord eight times.

Elders point out that the Lord gets up at Tirumala , has lunch at Puri, and relaxes at Srirangam.

The moment one thinks of Puri, he is immediately reminded of the Mahaprashad.

As is customary in all the Sri Vaishnavite temples, we offered our obeisances to (Peria Thiruvadee)Garudazhwan before having darshan of the Lord. Here , Garuda is in the form of a wooden log. In the big hall in front of the garbagriham, there is a pillar which devotees circumbulate .

This is the place where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited this place to have darshan of the Lord, he fell into ecstasy looking at the mohana roopam of the Lord.

He was in a trance for many hours totally absorbed in the Lord. (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is an incarnation of Lord  Krishna and Radharani.

He appeared to promote prema bhakti as the easiest means of attaining the Lord in Kali Yugam. He taught that chanting the Lord’s names as in Mahamantra is the easiest way to reach the lotus feet of the Lord .

Most of the teachings of Mahaprabhu connects to the principles of Sri sampradaya followed  by JagathAcharyar  Swamy Ramanujacharyar’s )

In another instance, when an old lady was struggling to have darshan of the Lord, Mahaprabhu carried her on his shoulders so that she could have Lord’s darshan clearly. This incident in carved in the pillar .

Subhadra, Lord Krishna’s sister , painted in yellow marking auspiciousness is in the middle  On HER right is Baladeva in white and to HER left is Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe who is Neelavannan(darkish) in colour Lord  Baladeva and  Lord Jaganath are on the either sides of Subhadramaata.  Near Lord Jaganath’s  is Goddess Rukmini Devi’. Lord Jaganath is the tallest among  all – Sri Sudarshana chakram also graces the devotees .

The outstretched arms of the Lord were like inviting to embrace us.

The Lord’s eyes are wide open(without eye lids) so that HE can constantly pour HIS abundant grace on us.

A darshan of Lord Jaganath relieves one from the cycle of births and deaths.Holy bath is given only once in a year which is celebrated as Snana Yatra on Jeshta Pournami day before Rath Yathra.

On other days, a mirror is placed in front of the deities and the holy bath (abhishekam is performed to the Lords’ reflection .)

Kathopanishad says:-
Atmaanam rathinam viddhi shareeram rathamevatu
Buddhim tu saarathim viddhi manah pragrahameva cha

The body is the Chariot and the soul is the deity installed in the chariot. The wisdom acts as the charioteer to control the mind and thoughts. Rath Yatra is celebrated in Puri in the month of Aashadam(June-July) on the second day of the waxing moon (After Amavasya) in Sukla paksham with great pomp.

Lakhs of devotees assemble at Puri to participate in this and get a chance to pull the chariot unmindful of the stampedes.

A glimpse of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is considered to be very auspicious and saints, poets and scriptures have repeatedly glorified the sanctity of this special festival.

The sanctity of the festival is such that even a touch of the chariot or even the ropes with which these are pulled is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds or penance for ages.

THE MAKING OF THE HUGE CHARIOTS

The wooden logs cut from Phassi, Dhausa tree are initially set to float in Mahanadi river and are brought to Puri by road.

Every year new chariots are made for Rath Yatra using these logs of wood. The construction of the 3 chariots starts on the auspicious day of Akshaya Trithyai-(the 3rd day in the bright fornight)in the month of Visakha- about two and half months before the Rath Yatra.

Only the descendants of the original carpenter are privileged to construct the chariots . After performing yaga, the construction of the chariot commences amidst chanting of mantras. During this time,some important events like Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra and the Lord falling sick take place in the temple.

Lord Jaganath along with Subhadra and Baladeva leave the main temple and go to Gundicha temple which is about 2 kms north of the temple.

The Lordships leave in 3 separate chariots specially made for this purpose and give darshan to all the devotees including the persons who are not allowed inside the temple.

They stay at Gundicha temple for 9 days and return on the 10 th day.

Gundicha temple is also known as Janaka Puri , Yajnavedi(as this was the place where Brahma performed first fire sacrifice), Adapa Mandapam (mandapa where the deities are isolated).

The Lord moves about as per HIS free will  the travel time cannot be ascertained.

There were instances where the Ratham would not move for days .

As the three chariots move about simultaneously, the road through which the chariot passes is very wide and is known as Grand Road like in Kanchipuram.

       To enact that everyone is same in front of the eyes of the Lord, before the procession starts, in olden times, the king of the state used to clean the way using a golden broom.

(This practice was started by King Prataparudra who was a great follower of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

He expressed his humbleness by sweeping the road before the procession started, he used to press Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s legs to gain his audience.

A narration about Rath Yatra without mentioning Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s leela is incomplete.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu after embracing Sanyasrama spent most of his time at Puri in the Lord’s presence . he used to sing and dance in ecstasy for hours together in front ofLord Jagannathar.

Once during Rath Yatra, Mahaprabhu was leading His sankeertana. His disciples were in groups at different locations and chanting the Mahamantra. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in all the nine groups singing and dancing in ecstasy at the same time.

This was observed by His foremost devotees. He thus revealed that he was an incarnation of the Lord in Kali Yuga. Puri is still vibrant with Gaudiya Sampradayam established by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The procession winds slowly through the Grand street and reaches Gundicha temple. This is considered to be Lord’s aunt’s place. Some refer Gundicha as King Indradyumna’s wife.

In the Gundicha temple, the deities are placed in the respective altars and offered puja for 9 days. Devotees throng to this temple to have Lord’s darshan as it is considered to be beneficial for one’s upliftment. On the 10th day when the deities return to the main temple, they are adorned sith golden crowns,necklaces,belts, golden hands, feet and weapons. This is known as “Suna vesa”.

NEELACHALA NIVASAYA NITYAYA PARAMATMANE
SUBHADRA PRAANA NATHAYA JAGAN NATHAYA MANGALAM.
SRIYA KAANTHAYA KALYANA NIDHAYE NIDHAYETHINAM
SRI VENKATA NIVASAYA SRINIVASAYA MANGALAM

May all auspiciousness and unstinting bhakthi to LORD JAGGANTHA be with us
Please forgive this servant of yours for committing any offence by my inabilty to glorify LORD as no words are enough to speak about LORDS opulence.

Our  Sri Sri Gour Nitai  deities at Thiruvengadam ( Residence ) who had  arrived from Sri Jagganath Puri Dhaam ..

Lord Krishna  in Guruvayoor stands out and has enticed everyone the most.  The beautiful stature of Lord Guruvayoor attracts the devotees to come in large numbers  and imagine to  hug the Lord.

Guruvayoor is located in Trichur district in Southern India.

Sri Narayana Bhattatri composed the beautiful Narayaneeyam, containing thousand slokas which is sung in most of the houses in India .

Guru and Vayu  adorned  the  deity  of Lord  Krishna to Narayana Saras and  ParamaShivan  was residing in a temple. On seeing  Lord  Krishna, it is said that  Shiva moved out of the temple and shifted to a place called Mammiyoor.

So  ParamaShiva gave his own place to Lord Krishna and that is verily where Guru and Vayu consecrated Krishna. The little Krishna stands there as “Guruvayurappa” even today. ParamaShiva’s temple in Mammiyoor is about a kilometer away from the Guruvayur temple. It is believed that  Shiva looks at Lord Krishna and is doing penance in Mammiyoor.

Poonthanam was a great devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan . (Kerala ) . He was an ordinary and simple man . He was not familiar with Sanskrit . He used to sing praises of the Lord in Malayalam which was his mother tongue. 

Out of sheer love he wished to chant Sri Vishnusahsranamam  .

He  started  reciting Vishnu Shahasarnamam .

Among the 1000  holy names  at one particular place ,  instead of reciting the Holy name  as “Amara Prabhuhu” he recited it as “Mara Prabhuhu”.

Amara connotes Devas and Amara Prabhuhu means the ‘Lord of all Devas’.

Another great devotee of Lord Krishna ( Guruvayurappan ) Bhattathiri   a Sanskrit scholar the author of the epic Srimad Narayaneeyam , who was passing by  , heard Poonthanam reciting the nama as Mara Prabhuhu.

The next day, Poonthanam again recited the name as Mara Prabhuhu. Bhattathiri who was passing by  became  upset  hearing Poonthanam’s recital of Vishnu Shasarnamam He walked near to his place and roughed him not to  chant Vishnu Shasarnamam since he had not learnt it properly. Poonthanam was sad for the offence .He pleaded LORD to forgive for his poor knowledge in Sanskrit.

That very night, the all compassionate Lord  Krishna  arrived in Bhattathiri’s dream  and commanded  him that he was pleased with Poonthanam’s  devotion more than Bhattathiri’s scholarliness.

He also clarified that the holy name  he chanted was correct and  is indeed “Mara Prabhu” which connotes “Lord of all human beings, plants and animals”. 

Coming to terms ,  Bhattadri realises the offence he had committed .

The very next day, Bhattathiri  rushed to  his house and prostrated unto Poonthanam and that “Amara Prabhuhu” and “Mara Prabhuhu” are indeed correct and requested him to continue chanting the nama verse as “Mara Prabhuhu”.

It was indeed a divine play of the Lord to show that he was indeed “Mara Prabhuhu”.

There was a follower  of Poonthanam who would string garlands to  Lord Guruvayurappan. She would offer the garland to the Lord every evening.

One day she was running a little late as she had some chores to complete. By the time she reached the temple,  the Dolotsavam  was  over  and the temple was closed.

There was no one else in the temple and she saw Poonthanam, who was the last person to come out of the temple. She offered her obeisances  to Poonthanam and  expressed her  sadness  that she was not able to get the garland Lord  on time

Poonthanam took her near a tree before the temple  and asked to offer the same .This  tree called “Manjulal”  is housed outside Lord  Guruvayurappan temple.

One would first have the darshan of the  holy tree before entering the temple.

Since the Lord was “Mara Prabhuhu” who is the Lord of trees [Mara], Poonthanam requested the girl to offer the garland to this  tree. She implicitly obeyed Poonthanam and offered the garland to Manjulal.

 The next morning, when the priest  opened the temple to wake up the Lord, they saw the same garland around the Lord’s neck. Such was the Lord’s compassion on that little girl who verbatim obeyed  a devotees words.

Narayana Narayana Narayana Narayana  Narayana

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

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