Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Family Preceptor

KULA GURU
KANCHI MAHAPERIAVA
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is our Kula Guru.  The entire Universe knows very well of our Kula Guru.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara
Kaanchi Sankara Kaamakoti Sankara


MY GURUNATHAR 
SATHGURU GURU MANGLA GANDARVA SRI VENKATRAMA SIDEESA SWAMIGAL

The Sathguru, Guru Mangla Gandarva Sri-La-Sri Venkatarama Sideesa Swamigal, the 1001st Teacher of Maha Guru Sri Agasthya Maharishi's Spiritual Lineage of Siddha Sathgurus, is my respected Gurunathar.  What I am today is His blessings.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Family Deity

KULADEIVAM
SRI VALAMBIGA sameda SRI AMRAVANESWARAR
THIRUMANDURAI
 
MAIN ENTRANCE
The Arulmigu Amravaneswarar (Ambiravananathar) Temple at Thirumandurai is 58th in the series of 275 Thevara Sthalams in the Chola Kngdom, north of the river Cauveri.
Located on the Tiruchi-Lalgudi road, 13 miles northeast of the Tricuhi railway station.
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Ambiravananathar, also known as Amravaneswarar, or Maanturaiappar. Ambal (His consort) is Azhagammai (Azhagiyanayagii or Azhagal Vuyarnda Ammai) or Balambal (Balambigai).
The presence of Lord Brahma here is connected with the temple Theertham, which is called Gayatri Nadhi Theertham. This place is where Brahmadeva is said to have brought the Gayatri Nadhi, which manifested at the completion of his worship here. It is also the place where Brahma was purified in the pastime of having claimed to see the top of the column of fire in which Shiva had manifested Himself.
In long past, Vishnu, the Sun God Surya and Chandra worshiped at this Shivasthalam, as did the Maruts, Sambandar, Arunagirinathar and the Sage Kanvar.
Mrikandu Munivar (the father of Markandeya) and a deer worshiped Shiva here under a mango tree, and this pastime is illustrated in a stucco sculpture in the temple.
Indra also worshipped Shiva here, to absolve himself of the sin of having deceived Akalya, the wife of Gowtama Rishi.
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The main deity of the temple is an unusual Linga, being a vertical wedge-like cut into the stone. The top of the Linga is red in color. Vinayaka and Baladandayuthapani (Murugan) are found standing on either side of sanctum.
The 'moolavar'(presiding deity) is east facing, while Ambal faces the south.
Lord Brahma and Durga reside on the north koshtam (sanctum wall), while Vishnu resides on the west koshtam, with Dakshinamurthy on the south. It is quite unusual to find Brahma paired with Durga, rather than with his consort Saraswati.
There is separate shrine for Ambal (Valambiga). The Tamil letter that forms the "OM" is created when one circumambulates the temple in a particular order: first taking darshan of Vinayak, then the presiding Linga, then back out to Nandi, which forms the first half of the "OM", and proceeding to visit Ambal, which completes the full "OM" in Tamil script.
There are also separate shrines for Ganapathy, Subramanyar with Valli & Devyanai, Gajalakshmi, Sandikeswarar and the Navagrahas. 
The Thala Viruksham (temple tree) is the Mamaram.

KAAVAL DEIVAM (THE PROTECTOR)

KARUPPUANNA SWAMY. 
In the entire Universe, none can come across the "KARUPPUANNA SWAMY" in a Lord Shiva temple. This is the unique feature. It is an age-old story that the Lord Shiva has directed His Close-Aide SRI VEERABADRA SWAMY to stand outside this temple and protect all who throng this temple.
An iron spear (VEL), which is believed to got erected some thousand years back, under a banyan tree is the Protector and HE is called Karuppuanna Swamy.
The Kanchi MahaPeriava, who is none but the Incarnation of Lord Shiva Himself has worshiped the Vel and He directed the temple authorities not to do any renovation work because of such a sacred and powerful sand that holds the Vel.
Whoever, whether the devotees or the temple management, does the Abishekam or Puja for the Moolavar and Amabl has to complete the said ritual by performing the same Abishekam or Puja for this Spear. Then only the Prasads are distributed,
Even on Pradosham Day and Maha Shiv Ratri Day, the Abishekam & Puja are being performed for this VEL after completion at the main temple.

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Lord of All Beginnings

 MAHA GANAPATHI

"Wherever there is Ganesha, there is Success and Prosperity" 
"Wherever there is Success and Prosperity, there is Ganesha"

As the lord of beginnings and eliminator of obstacles, traditionally HE is honored with affection at the start of any ritual or ceremony.  Ganesha is the first icon placed into any new home or abode. By calling on HIM, people believe that HE will come to their aid and grant them success in their endeavors. HE is considered the God of intellect and wisdom. As the "Patron of Letters", HE is invoked at the beginning of any writing.
 
I prostrate myself and keep my head on the Lotus Feet of the Muzhu Mudar Kadavul SRI SIDDHI BUDDHI sameda SRI SIDDHI VINAYAGA SWANY and start writing my blog.
May HE guide me to write continuously with the flow of Ganges.