Weekend Darshan - 6
This weekend the rain gods were kind enough and we cashed in on the opportunity to visit the Nadu Naatu Thirupathis, Thirukoviloor and Thiruvaheendrapuram.
Our first stop was at Thirukoviloor on Sunday morning. The UlagaLandha PerumaL temple here seems to have witnessed many centuries and the distinct differences found in the architecture of the temple suggest that this temple was built by different kings over a period of time.
Thirukoviloor Temple
This temple finds an important place in the map of Vaishnavism as the Naalayira Divya Prabandham was explained to the world from here. Thirukoviloor 35kms from both Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai. The best possible route at this point of time seems to be from Villupuram.
Our next destination being Thiruvaheendrapuram near Cuddalore, we headed towards Villupuram. Along the Villupuram - Panrutti - Cuddalore road, we came across a Narasimhar temple at a place called Poovarasankuppam.
It is a small village, which is 20 minutes drive off the main road. The Lakshmi Narasimhar temple here dates back to the 7th century. This temple has been receiving a lot of publicity in the recent times and it is evident from the crowds even at 12 noon. There's a note here that claims this temple to be one of the eight Narasimhar temples in South India. The other seven are located at Singirikudi, Andhili, Prikkal, Sholingar, Namakkal, Singaperumal Koil and Sinthalavaadi.
Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple
Thiruvaheendrapuram is off the Cuddalore-Panrutti highway. Like Tiruneermalai in Chennai, this divyadesam also includes two temples. Hayagreevar temple on top of a small hill and Devanatha PerumaL temple at its foot. With tamarind trees sprinkled here and there on the hill, a small stream flowing at the back of the temple and the evening sun gleaming on its waters it was a beautiful place for us to spend an hour while we waited for the temple to open.
Stream behind the temple
There are a lot of interesting stories associated with these two divyaesams. That there is a well built by Sri Vedanta Desikar at this place is one of the stories I heard from a native.
Yet another thing that I learnt from this trip was that there a lot of divyadesams in a negligent state. Some do not even have the Thirumangalyam for Thayaar and some do not have enough funds to light the deepam. I found this link when I googled in this regard. Please follow the link if you are willing to contribute to such temples.
I feel that these divyadesams are storehouses of history and spiritualism which we should preserve to posterity.
posted by b a l a j i at 7:50 AM
18 Comments:
Storehouse of possessions indeed.
ennapa bakthi muthutida....
Cheers!
:)
yes ramya. it is quite sad to know that many temples are in a very bad state
Vishnu,
neenga sabari malai pogalaam. aana naan koil-ku pona bakthi muthi pochu-nu kalaaikireenga. idhu nyayam illa.
I visited Thiruvaheendrapuram almost 3 to 4 years back. But the trip is still fresh in my memories. Have heard that the Hayagreevar there is really really powerful and that the place is famous for doing "Akshara abhyaasam" for kids.
Balaji,
It is really sad that these storehouses of architecture and historical importance does not get a fraction of the recognition of hyped-up tourist attractions! Take VGP Golden Beach for instance.. People seem to be visiting this place and enjoying the cement statues! yeah, though it is insane to compare an abode of God to a beach resort, I think, it all trickles down to marketing and packaging strategies.
yours truly,
very true. seems there are only 3 hayagreevar temples in tamil nadu. one is at thiruvaheendrapuram, the other two are at settipunyam near maraimalainagar and nanganallur
yadhvi,
it is very sad that people fall for marketing strategies in this also. if some xyz astrologer recommends a temple in some book, people start flocking to it and all of a sudden the temple becomes famous.
whereas these temples had been there for ages and nobody cares a damn abt them.
Balaji - Quick Questions...is this website authentic?? to donate money?? can you very please>
Thanks for the nice post!. I wanted to go to Thirukovilur..but never could.!! The stream behind the temple looks really clean.!
I have no idea abt the authenticity. Anyhow I am planning to call that guy and find out.
Balaji, nice blog and nice post..Incidentally Thiruvaheendrapuram happens to be my mom's native place and I have been there n number of times. Beautiful temple. I just hope it stays that way. I had been to another divya desam near Tiruchi. It was heart wrenching to note that there is no oil to even light the lamps there. I did my bit of donation but then there is a long way to go in getting it completely back to shape. As all of you have mentioned there are many temples in the same state..its just hope that all of them are taken care of soon..
Cheers
Naarayan
Hi balaji,
Can you please tell me where is this povarasankuppam lakshmi narasimar temple?
Thanks,
Eshwar
(thiruneeteswaran@gmail.com)
hi balaji ... It is a nice post on these temples. in all of the matters there is good and bad filter it off the bad(marketing) and take the extract as good(blesssings of these gods) ok... Eshwar . poovarasankuppam(lakshmi narasimha temple) is near valavanur which is on the way of villupuram to pondycherry highway.. it is my home town
cheers..
Prince
i am veery happay in this said pls immpurment tks**tks***M.VELU SAWMY
MANAMPOONDI&MUMBAI PANVEL *PIXELART*
Hi Balaji,
Very happy to read through your descriptions about Thirukoovilur and other places. Thanks for sharing such valuable informations. The link which you have given for renovation of some of the divya sthalams which are not in good condition is very helpful indeed!!.
Please keep this going.
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
TIRUPATI LORD BALAJI (PERUMAL QUICK / SEEGRA DARSHAN DETAILS / SEVA BOOKING / ACCOMODATION / INTERNET BOOKING PROCEDURE CONTACT tirupatibalaji.guide@gmail.com FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND LATEST UPDATES.
I, of course, a newcomer to this blog, but the author does not agree
Post a Comment
<< Home