Monday, January 31, 2011

Arupadai veedu

Skanda - also known as Murugan, Kartikeya, Subramanya is one of the most revered deities in the southern state of Tamilnadu. All these temples are located in South India - in the state of Tamil Nadu. Though there are thousands of temples for the Hindu god Lord Muruga - around the globe, these six specific temples enjoy unparallel sanctity and popularity among the devotees of Muruga or Balasubramanya - and deserve a very special mention. These six temples that constitute the Arupadai veedu group of shrines are Thiruparamkunram Subramanya Swami Temple, Tiruchendur Subramaniaswamy Temple, Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple, Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple, Tiruthani Subramanya Swamy Temple and Palamudhircholai Subramanya Swamy Temple.

Arupadai Veedu Locations

Thiruparamkunram Subramanya Swami Temple – Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Tiruchendur Murugan temple – Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi

Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple – Swamimalai, Thanjavur

Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple – Palani, Dindigul

Tiruthani Subramanya Swamy Temple - Tiruthani, Tamil Nadu

Palamudhircholai Subramanya Swamy Temple - Palamudhircholai

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Kandakottam – Muthukumara Swamy Temple

The origin of this temple is quite fantastic, and it emerged by the divine will communicated to two merchants living in Madras. It begins with two great bhaktas named Kandappa Achari and Mari Chettiar, who lived some three hundred years before in Madras. They were intensely attached to the Kumaran of Tiruporur and were visiting every month regularly on the auspicious Krithika day, walking all the way nearly 60 km. And returning like wise. And they used to rest on the way under a neem tree. One day a snake came and slept near Marri Chetty, when he was in deep sleep. In his dream he was directed by a boy to take the idols hidden under ant-hill and install in a temple. On waking up he found to his shock the snake lying next to him, which disappeared at once.

He informed of this entire event to his friend. Being devout Bhaktas, they dug the ant-hill and found to their surprise beautiful images, of Muruga, Valli and Devasena. They took them home. Kandappa Achari installed them in a temple besides a small shrine built by him for Vinayaka some years before. Due to liberal grant of boons, the Muruga became very popular. This area being dominated by commercial people, they deemed it fit to build an exclusive. big temple for Kandan. So there came up into' existence this present temple. As this temple is situated in the flower garden, the deity is popularly called Poonganagar Murugan. This Lord gives darsan with Lord Siva on one side and Parvathi on the other. This popular Somaskandar darsan feasts the eyes and fulfills the desires easily. So it attained great fame. All the periodical festivals are celebrated with great pomp and splendour consuming some lakes of rupees. The temple's Vasantha mandap is used for conducting discourses and also special functions. The temple is largely and liberally endowed by rich merchants, and so owns many valuable jewels, vessels, vahanas etc. It is an much frequented temple in Madras.

This is one of the famous South India Temple. It lies in the Rasappa Chetty Street, one of the busiest parts of Madras, accessible from any point by city bus.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Panchangam and festival dates – January

Here is the festival and muhurtham dates that have bben followed in most of the Hindu Temples in India.


PANCHANGAM DATES - January. (Margazhi - Thai)

Mon

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun






1 - Pr.

2 - Si


3 – Am

5

6

7

8

9


10 – Sh

12

13

14

15 - Ka., Mp.

16 - Ek


17 – Pr

19 – Po

20

21

22 – Sc

23


24

26

27

28

29 – Ek

30


Am - Amavasya

Ka - Karthigai

Ek – Ekadashi

Sc-Sankatahara Chaduthi

Si - Sivarathiri

Pr. - Pradosham

Sh - Shasti

Po. - Pournami

Mp. - (Thai )Maasa Pirappu

Festival / Pandigai dates :

04.01.11 - Hanumath Jayanthi (celebrated in Kerela and Tamilnadu )

14.01.11 - Boghi pandigai

15.01.11 - Pongal pandigai

16.01.11 - Maatu pongal

20.01.11 - Thai Poosa