Nanjundeshwara Temple / Srikanteshwara Temple - Nanjangud

Nanjangud -close to Mysore - is famous for its Nanjundeshwara (Shiva) temple. A 1000+ year old temple from the days of Ganga's. And seems to have had major royal patronage all through. It reflects in the grandeur of the temple, exquisite sculpture, two big wooden chariots, and idols of numerous kings & queens.

This Nanjangud temple is dedicated to Nanjundeshwara or Srikanteshwara, who is Lord Shiva and He is called so as Lord Shiva swallowed the poison which originated while Great Churning of the Ocean. The temple had been under frequent expansion in phases and contributions from different rulers of the region for about 10 centuries by Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Krishnadevaraya, Dalavoys and Wodeyaras from 9th century to 19th century.  When Tippu Sultan's Royal elephant had lost its eyesight, he worshiped Lord Nanjundeshwara and had faith in Him. The eyesight of the elephant got recovered and Lord Nanjundeshwara was called as "Hakim Nanjundeshwara" by Tippu Sultan. Tippu Sultan then donated a Shiva Lingam made of jade (precious green stone) along with an emerald necklace to the temple. Hakim means doctor, Lord Nanjundeshwara is also called as "Vaidya Nanjundeshwara" and is even today said to be a healer for his devotees.

This temple is situated on right banks of Kapila (Kabini) River and is one of the oldest temples in India. The Shiva Linga in the temple is believed to be installed by the sage Gauthama who had stayed here for some time. This Shiva Linga was also worshiped by Parashurama when he had stayed for some time in this town on his journey to get cleansed from the sin of beheading his mother.

A major event in the pilgrim town is the Rathotsava or the Chariot festival of Nanjundeshwara held twice every year, locally known as Dodda Jathre and Chikka Jathre. Idols of Lord Nanjundeshwara, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subramanya and Lord Chandikeshwara are kept in five separate chariots and a traditional puja's are performed to the idols early in the morning on the day of Jathre. After the puja chariots are flagged off. Thousands of devotees pull the Chariots carved in the wood, through the streets of the old city.

Nanjangud Temple Timings:

Morning: 6am to 1pm
Evening: 4pm to 8pm.
Temple will be open from
Morning 6am to Evening 8pm
on Special Days and Mondays. 



Dakshina Pandaripuram, Govindapuram

With the divine benedictions of Sri Pandurangan and Sri Rukmini Devi, with the Guru Krupa of Dakshina Halasyam Sri Gnanananda Giri Peetadhipathi Sri Haridhos Giri Swamigal and with the blessings of Paranur Mahathma Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal, Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan (formerly known as Sri Panduranga Bhajanashram), Govindapuram has embarked upon the holy project of constructing a first ever Maharashtrian style temple in typical Hemandapanthi for Sri Rukmini sametha Sri Vittal at Govindapuram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Once completed, this upcoming Temple will be the Biggest & Tallest Temple for Lord Sri Vittal and Rukmini Devi in the entire World.

Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan is headed by Brahmashri Vittaldas Jayakrishna Deekshithar, the grand son of Sengalipuram Brahmashri Anantharama Deekshithar and Brahmashri Narayana Deekshithar. Sri Vittaldas is also the most blessed disciple of Dakshina Halasyam Gnananandagiri Peetadhipathi Sri Haridhos Giri Swamigal (Guruji) and Paranur Mahathma Bramhashri Krishna Premi Swamigal (Sri Sri Anna). Govindapuram is such a holy land where the great Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 59th Peetadhipathi of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is present. Sri Vittal Rukmini Mandir is being constructed in Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan’s premise which is about a kilometer away from Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodhendral’s Adhishtaanam at Govindapuram. You may please visit www.vittaldas.com for more information about Sri Vittaldas Maharaj, Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan and its activities.

More Info at :
http://www.thiruvidaimarudur.com/Pandaripuram_Govindapuram.php
http://www.vittaldas.com
http://www.templeinfo.info/2011/06/dakshina-pandaripuram-govindapuram/

Pandaripuram – Sri Pandarinathar and Sri Rukmini Devi

Pandaripuram Sri PandarinatharPandarpur or Pandaripuram is on the banks of the river Chandrabaga in Maharashtra and is at a distance of 75 km from
Pandaripuram Sri Pandarinathar

Sholapur. The heart of Pandarpur is this ancient temple which is visited by thousand of devotees every day. The queue for darshan starts right from the river bed which is about 500 meters away and passes thro’ a foot bridge and a multi-storied queue complex before it reaches the temple. There is also another entrance for this temple for ‘Mukha seva’ a fast one by which one can have a quick darshan of the Lord at a distance of some 20 feet. Closed circuit TVs are installed to capture the pujas offered to the deities.

Pandaripuram Pandurangan temple preaches the importance of parents, the foremost among the conducts to be adopted by each and every citizen of this land, namely patronizing one’s parents in their old age.
Thayar’s name is Rughumayee or Rukumanibhai. There are separate sanathis for the Lord and his consort and they are seen in standing position with hands on their hips, which posture is like, they are enjoying the bhajans of the devotees.

In previous times, this location (where now Pandaripuram is found) is known as “Thandiravanam”. There was a large forest area, close to this place is found and an aged couples named Muthabhai and Sanadevan led their life there. They had a beautiful child by named “Pundareegan” and he had a great love towards his parents. Since, Indiran killed an Asuran, Virutharasuran, he was given a sabham that he would become a brick / stone because of his sin and as a stone, he was thrown in front of the house of Pundaleegan. Sri Krishnar wanted to test the love and affection of Pundareegan.
Routes and Distance :
While traveling from Chennai, one has to travel from Chennai in Mumbai Express from a junction by named Kurdhuvadi, a narrow gauge train will lead us to Pandaripuram.
So, one has to get down in Kurdhuvadi and from there we can reach Pandaripuram. Even we can reach this sthalam from Mokkol railway station and from there, this sthalam is reachable at 40 Kms away.
Distances between Pandaripuram and various major cities / towns.
1. Nagpur to Pandaripuram – Around 768 Km.
2. Delhi to Pandaripuram – 1580 Km.
3. Bangalore to Pandaripuram – 750 Km
4. Kolapur to Pandaripuram – 75 Km
5. Coimbatore to Pandaripuram – 1110 Km. 

* 2 Kms away from Pandaripuram there is a place named “Gopalpur”, where a Vishnu Paadham (divine feet) of Sri Vishnu is found. 

* There is another great specialty in this sthalam and it is the way we worship the Perumal. They adapt as process called “Padha Sparisa Seva” and it is that we can place our fore head touching the divine feet of the Perumal in Garbagriham (Moolavar Sannadhi). And, it is considered as a special one if we do it on Wednesdays. 

Jai Jai Vittala, Panduranga Vittala

Sengalipuram - Sri Ranganathar Temple

Sengalipuram ("Shivakalipuram" as it is known in shastras) is a village where great saints like Sengalipuram Muthanna and Sri Anantharama Deekshithar were lived before. This is the one among in 18 Vathima villages. The Ranganathar Swamy resides in this village is very special by six fingers in his leg. Sengalipuram contains more historic and ancient evidence like its been described in great myths(puranam) like bavisyothra puranam, saamba puranam and brimanda puranam. In those myths, they called this place with different names like paadali vanam, punnaga vanam, shivakalipuram, etc.

The Ranganathar Swamy temple is surrounded by various holi ponds such as Goudhama Theertham in west, Shivaganga Theertham in east, pragaladha Theertham in south and sakra Theertham in North. Goddess Sridevi, Goddess Bhoomidevi, Lord Sri vaigundha nathar temples are situated in north east corner of sakra Theertham which was incarnated due to the effect of poojas made by kavalar munivar and parasarar munivar. Long decades ago, a king named Pirudhu was doing strong penance towards Renganathar. To praise his deep penance and solidarity renganathar blessed him by his presence. So, even now we can see the renganathar idol face is looking towards Pirudhu with snake "Aadhisesan" as his mattress. Goddess Sridevi idol is situated near to Lord Renganathar's head and Goddess Boomidevi is situated near to Lord Renganathar's leg.

In kridha Uga, there lived a king called Hiranya kasibu. Lord Vishnu took a avatar called "Narasimmam" and killed him. His son named pragaladhan was Lord Vishu devotee. After Lord Vishu killed his father, he captured by "Pithruhathi sin"(A sin named for killing the father). As per rishi's suggestion, pragaladhan came to sengalipuram temple and worshipped Lord Varadharaja perumal and parimala renganathar after take holy dip in sakra pond(located nearby this temple). After some years of worship, he completely out of pithruhathi sin.

In thridha uga, king dhasarathar doesn't blessed with a baby even after wedding three wives. So as directed by rishi's guru vasishtar, he went to thirucherai, thirukannapuram and he came to this renganathar temple situated 20kms away from west of bay of bengal. Even after praying for more than a year, his wish does not came true. Atlast, he had decided to go back to ayodhiya. when he was getting ready he suddenly saw goddess, were they are asking him to come closer. Then Lord Vishnu too praised him and suggested him perform "Asvamedha Yagam". Lord Vishu promised him that after compeleting the yagam, he himself will take birth on this earth as his son. (Later he is so called "Sri Rama").

In dhuvabara uga, there lived a person called janamejeyan. His father was died due to snake bite. so he got angry with snake and made snake yagam(sarba yagam) to kill all the snakes. Due to that yagam, he fell onto "Sarpa dosham". Because of dosham, his hands & legs were changed. Even that thosham affects his family & his generation. Great Rishis including Vyasar hinted janamejeyan to worship the lord in sengalipuram sri renganathar temple. As per rishi's direction, he along with his family came to this temple and worshipped Lord Varatharaja perumal and lord parimala renganathar. After his deep worship his dhosham was relieved. While seeing the above three incidents, we came to know that renganatha perumal keeps his people blessed for more than past three ugams(centuries) so far. At the end of dhuvabara uga this temple went inside on land due to destruction of world(pralayam).

After several decades, a mental person requested every body not to spit,urinate in the place where lord Renganathar temple was there before. On a particular day, vilage people went for harvesting. The mental person stopped all persons and prevented them to move forward. He asked to dig the land in the particular place where Lord Renganathar temple was there. Nobody shown interest to his wish and admonished him that they will lay down him on that hole. But after his repeated says, they started to dig the land and they found Adhikesaven snakes's head. Once they found the snake's head, then they decided to hand over dig work to brahmins. Later, Brahmins started dig the land and came up to snake's third round tier of its body. Since it became late night, every body went asleep. Same night on everybody's dream Lord Vishnu came and ordered them not to dig the land anymore. On the immediate dawn all of them decided to build temple on the same place. This incident was told 20 years before in person by Sri Swamynatha dikshadhar F/o Sri Anatharama dikshadar to Sri Balakrsishna battachariyar F/o Sri Kalyanarama battachariyar. He also explanied that the incident happened before 400 years. It was later inscribed too, by battachar.

In this temple, Lord Renganathar has six fingers on his one feet. So by worshipping this lord, "Pidhur saabam", "Sarpa dosham" will be solved and "Puttira baagiyam" (New child) be definitely blessed. Even now, people are fulfilled with their wishes by worshipping lord "Jaya kaariya sittikara anjeneyar". Sri Rukmani satyabhama sametha sri Rajagopala swamy is a very powerful god and he will fulfill the wishes raised by his true and faithful devotees.

With the great effort of Sri Ramamoorthy Iyer, Sri Kalyanarama battachariyar and Sri rajagopala battachariyar "Brahamotshavam" is being celebrated every year in the month of February.