-||Temples of South India ||-
Meenakshi Temple
It
is in the midst of the city. The entire city is planned keeping the temples
as its core like a lotus. The city is planned according to the silpa canons
and the other city that has the same basis is Kanchipuram famously known known
as Nagareshu Kanchi in Sanskrit. The temple is an important landmark and nucleus
of the life of the city. The temple has 11 gopurams and the tallest of them
is at the southern portal rising to a height of 200 ft. This portion is exclusively
dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi. The shrine is usually entered from Vittavasai
Street the entrance of hich is adorned by the Ashtalakshmi Mandapam. Scenes
of Kumara Sambhava and the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi sundareshwara are painted
on the celing. At the entrance are the statues of Subramanya and Vinayaka and
on the passage is the beautiful sculpture of Siva and Meenakshi as a huntress.
An exquisite brass-faced doorway gifted by the rulers of Shivaganga is the inlet
to the Pottramarai tank with arcades all around.
The corridors of the tank display poses of Bharatha Natyam. The temple having
been built in several epochs reveal dofferent styles of architecture. There
is a musical pillar near the norh tower corridor which emits the seven musical
notes when struck The thousand pillared mandapam is a veritable museum of Dravidian
art and museum odf Dravidian art and architecture. Goddess Saraswathi arrests
our attention in her demeanour folds of dress and the grace with which Her demendour.
Folds of dress and the instrument Veena. Thirumalai Nayak has carved the Aradhanari
idol that spellbinds the onlooker.In kambathadi Mandapam Agni Veerabadra and
Agora Veerabadra speak volumes of their valour and fiercesome look. The wedding
of Meenakshi with all the important participants in the marriage is a lively
sculpture each one expressing apt feeling in one’s face Siva with His
grace Malayatwaja Pandya with His joy Brahma with rapt attention in observaing
the rites and the others looking on without winking their eyes in gaiety. All
these make one feel that he/she is a participant in the event. Lord Nataraja
dances here in a different style instead of raising His left leg up, He plays
it vice versa. The dancing hall is called Velliambalam and the idol is plated
with silvar.
Madappuram Badrakali Amman Temple
This famous temple visited often by V.I.Ps cine stars and I.A.S
officers is at Madappuram about 20 kms from Madurai near Thiruppuvanam. It stands
on the northern side of Esanar Koil. It is amodst a cool coconut grove. The
idols that greet the visitor here are that of Lord Ayyanar and His horse. The
horse with its protruding teeth and building eyes and Lord Ayyanar with fierce
looks really make one tremble. The horse is of a height of 30 ft which wears
a garland of lemons. The devotees pray to the Goddess, the presiding deity of
this temple, for creative comforts, promotions in job and for the ruin of their
enemies. One curious practice in this temple is to cut a coin ans offer it to
the deity to get relief from being bullied by the mighty. A gunny bag full of
cut coins can be seen here. The presiding deity Badrakali Amman is armed to
the Badrakali Amman is armed to the teeth and seen standing at the brest of
a horse with fierce looks amidst a group of demous really awe inspiring.
Ramwshwaram Temple
This temple is the center of attraction and thousands of piligrims pour in daily.
It is a gem of Dravidian architecture. It is known worldwide for its magnificent
corridors running 4000 ft (1220 meters) in length and 30 in breadth lined by
massive sculptured pillars. Figures representing elephants lifting their trunks
caught between the paws and fangs of rampat lions.hunters and warriors riding
on horses or elephant are favourite themes. The temple built Sethupathis, the
rulers of Ramanathapuram district between 1414 A.D. and 1649 A.D and it has
grown in leaps and bounds to the present stage. The statues of Sethupathis line
the corridors at the eastern gate before the Nataraja shrine. Some are found
in the Kalyana Mandapam too. They are all lifelike in appearance. The gopuram
on the east facing the sea frot rises to a height of 126 ft. and is 100 metres
away from the sea. Devotees bathe in the sea water here which is considered
to be sacred pools or Theerthams like this are innumerable in Rameswaram and
the piligrims pungle into them with untiring zeal and devotion. The temple is
built at the spot where Rama worshipped Lord Siva. In order to worship Siva,
Hanuman could not return before the arrival of the auspicious hour; so Sita
Herself mouded a Lingam. It so happened that Hanuman could not return before
the arrival of the auspicious hour; so Sita Herself moudled a Lingam for Rama.
When Hanuman arrived later, He was consoled and the Lingam brought by Him was
given precedence over Ramanatha and made to worship of Ramanatha by the devotees.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple
This Vishnu shrine is located 18 kms away on the southern tip of the islandcalled
Dhanushkodhi. This temple is the only structure that survived the 1964 cyclone
which washed awaaay the rest of Dhanushkodi. It can be reached by road from
Rameshwaram and buses ply to this place. It was the place where Vibishana the
brother of Ravana is said to have surrendered to Rama. The temple has beautiful
idols of Rama Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vishnu, On the very tip of Dhanushkodi
is a sacres pool a lovely bathing ghat.
Alamelumangapuram Temple
This ancient temple is situated about 10 km from Thirupathi. The presiding deity
here, Goddess Alamelumanga is the consort of Lord Venkateswara. This temple
holds a grand architecture.
Govindaraja Perumal Temple
This temple dedicated to Lord Govindaraja who is a variation
of ‘Lord Vishnu’ is situated right in the heart of the city. This
huge temple is rich in ancient architecture.
Kalahasti Temple
Situated about 40 km from Thirupathi this ancient wonderful
temple is one of the five exclusive groups of temples known as ‘Panchaboothakshetra’
dedicated to lord Siva. ‘Panchabootha’ means ‘The Five Elements
of Nature’ and ‘Kshetra’ means ‘Place’ and hence
each of the five exclusive temples signify one of the ‘Five Elements of
Nature’ (Viz) Earth, Space, Wind, Fire and Water. As this temple is the
‘Vayukshetra’ the place of wind, Lord Siva manifests as the ‘God
of Wind’. It is believed the Siva Linga here was worshipped by a spider
by spinning a web over it a snake by placing upon the Lingam a gem as an offering
and an elephant by bathing the Lingam with water from its trunk. And worshipped
the Lord here relieves people of difficulties during the periods of the Zodiac
Aquarius and Pisces.
Ramagiri Temple
This beautiful place about 5 km from Nagalapuram and roughly the same distance
from Pichattoor has a long and interesting legend associated with it. Picturesque
mountains and sylvan scenery add beauty to the place while two ancient temples,
one at the foot and the other on the top of a scenic hillock and sanctity to
it. This sacred place is also known as ‘Bhairava’ as the presiding
deity of the hill-foot temple is ‘Lord Kalabhairava’ one of the
various forms of ‘Lord Siva’ in which the Lord assumes the role
of commander of the hill-top temple is dedicated to ‘Lord Muruga’,
the son of the divine coupe Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi and the brother of
‘Lord Ganesa’, the principal deity in the Elephant-head and Human-body
form. The legend has it that while Lord Anjaneya on an errand bid by Lord Rama
was making His way by air to Rameswaram with a Siva Linga taken from Kasi to
be installed there carefully place on His mighty shoulders. He was surprisingly
confronted by strange and dry weather with the Sun scorching like never before
and the wind blowing against and trying to emulate the air –borne Lord.
But this was after all premeditated and perfectly organized by Lord Kalabhairava,
the Lord of the land who wanted the Linga to be installed right here at His
place.
Unaware of this and driven by thirst Lord Anjaneya went on screening the whole
area for water until finally a beautiful calm cool pond caught His sight. As
the Linga was not to be placed anywhere before Rameswaram He looked for someone
to keep the Linga while He drank water. ‘Lord Kalabhairava’ in the
form of a small boy at the request of ‘Lord Anjaneya’ consented
to hold the Linga of time’ inconspicuously intended to be shorter than
the time in which Lord Anjaneya could get back. Not a wink later than the stipulated
time elapsed did the boy place the Linga down and was no show any longer. Anguished
at the boy’s carelessness, Lord Anjaneya rushed back and tried to lift
the Linga but in vain. After several futile attempts He coiled the Linga with
His mighty tail and pulled as hard as he could to which the Linga responded
with nothing more than a slight inclination. Then Lord Kalabhairava appeared
and expounded to Lord Anjaneya the realities behind the screen. The Linga here
can be seen slightly inclined with horizontal marks around left by the tail
of Lord Anjaneya. The temple tank here with curative powers is watered by a
perennial sweet water spring which has fount oblivious in the mountains above.
The waters flow into the sacred tank through the mouth of the Holy Bull-mount
of Lord Siva, ‘Nandi’ sculpted beautifully on the side wall of the
tank about a foot above the water level which is maintained a constant by the
continuous inflow and outflow of the spring waters which replenish the tank
with outbreak. The spring water is used for drinking and the water flowing out
of the tank is used for irrigation in and around the place. There are busses
to Ramgiri from Uthukottai and Pichattoor which are enroute to Thirupathi from
Chennai.
Sri Amareswara Swamy Temple
This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva stands on the extensive banks of
the enchanting river Krishna. Legend has it that the ‘Linga’ the
usual form of Lord Siva was installed by ‘Lord Devendra’ the head
of ‘Devas’, at the end of ‘Dwaparayugam’ one of the
four cyclic periods of time, in the order of millions of years.
Kanaka Durga Temple
This ancient temple in the beautiful city adds divine significance to the pircturesque
hill the ‘Indrakila’. Goddess ‘Kanaka Durga’, the presiding
deity here manifests in a four foot tall idol with eight mighty arms all holding
frightening weapons to destroy the evil. Mahishasura, the demon king can be
seen under the Holy feet of the Goddess with Her ‘Trident’ ripping
apart his heart. The Goddess who ravages the demon turns benign and benevolent
to the innumerable devotees who have reposed unshakable faith in her. Every
bit of the rich precious jewellery and the beautiful fragrant flowers and festoons
seems to emulate one another in adoring the all merciful Goddess. The temple
management has ear marked three points for devotees to have ‘Darshan’.
The first one is inside the Sanctum-Sanctorum in close quarters to the deity,
the second one just outside the Sanctum-Sanctorum and the third, a little further
away. ‘Lakshakumkum’ Archana a special ritual is part of every day
activities. The chanting of ‘Manthras’ the phrases praising the
Goddess and the divine music buoy up the devotees to the higher realms of spirituality.
Legend has it that it was on this Holy hill ‘Indrakila’ Arjuna,
the invincible archer of the great epic ‘The Mahabharatha’ performed
a severe penance and obtained the sacred ‘Pasupathasthra’ from Lord
Siva who appeared in the form of a hunter to test Arjuna’s bravery and
commitment to the cause and after He was pleased bestowed upon Arjuna the wish
he sought. Hence this still also has a temple in which Lord Siva manifests as
a hunter.
Thousand Pillar Temple
This ancient temple which stands in ruins now is a telling example of the grandeur
of the Kakatiya architecture of the Chalukya rulers. Built in 1163 by Rudra
Deva this star-shaped temple comprises 3 shrines, dedicated to Lord Siva, Lord
Vishnu and Lord Surya, the ‘Sun God’. The temple has a thousand
ornately carved pillars.Marvellous sculpture marks the temple all over. The
black basalt ‘Nandhi’ the Holy Bull-mount of Lord Siva is a monolith
with a glossy finish. It is a baffling thought that the whole structure with
every bit of it intact would look like when even the remnants are so astonishing.
Badhrakali Temple
Atop a scenic hill between Hanamkonda and the city of Warangal, this ancient
temple again an outcome of the splendid Chalukyan architecture,is dedicated
to Goddess ‘Badhrakali’ the Goddess of Bravery. Here the Goddess
manifests with eight mighty arms all holding threatening weapons to fight evil
and protect the noble.
Ramappa Temple
About 70 km from Warangal, this ancient temple known as Ramappa
temple or Ramalingeswara temple dates back to 1213 AD. The presiding deity of
this magnificent temple which proclaims the greatness and glory of the Kakatiya
architecture through every inch of its massive structure is Lord Siva. An inscription
in the temple holds that this Holy monument of architectural excellence was
built by Rudra Swami on behalf of the then ruler Kakati Ganapathy Deva under
whom he was the chief commander. It also conveys the region was called Ranakude
and there were temples of Kateswara, Kameswara and Rudreswara, all the three
dedicated to Lord Siva.
The pillars with ornamental workmanship and ornate ceilings display scenes from
the two great epics ‘The Ramayana’ and ‘The Mahabaratha’.
The icons of several forms of God and Goddess, figures of warriors, acrobats
and images of beautiful maiden in various dancing postures are the high light
of the sumptuous sculpture found here. The figures made of black basalt carved
to a glossy finish are captivating. Every single specimen of the myriad items
found here unravels the kind of connoisseur and patron of art of the ruler ‘Ganapathi
Deva’ was. The serene Ramappa Lake which offers pleasant excitement is
just one kilometre away.
Jain Temple
The Jain temple here in Kolanupaka contains beautiful images of Thirthankaras.
This ancient temple of Saint Mahaveera stands here for 2000 years now. The impressive
images of St. Mahaveera is carved entirely out of precious jade.
Sri Veeranarayana Temple
Chalukyan style is reflated on this wonderful temple built
around 1104 AD whose countenance allude that it was originally a Jain temple
and later converted to the present one dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is situated
in Kolanupaka.
Someswara Temple
This temple at Kolanupaka was constructed by the Kalyani Chalukya
emperor Someswara III. Typical Chalukya architecture decorate the structure
and the sculpture is a real splendour.
Bull Temple
This marvellous temple dedicated to ‘Lord Nandi’ the Holy Bull of
Lord Siva, built by Kempegowda is situated on the beautiful “Bugle Hill”
on the road which derives its name from this famous temple, ‘The Bull
Temple Road’. The gigantic statue of ‘Lord Nandi’ here is
an exquisite monolithic stone sculpture which measures to a height of 6.2 m.
It is believed that the statue keeps growing further and further. The temple
adjacent to this is that of ‘Lord Ganesa’ which has a unique feature.
The image of the deity hare is made once in 4 years out of 110 kg of ‘Butter’
and amazingly enough it never melts. At the end of the 4 years time, a ritual
is performed and the butter from the idol is distributed to the devotees. About
400 mts to the west are 4 watch towers also built by Kempegowda.
Gavipuram Cave Temple
This beautiful cave temple, filled with tranquility, dedicated to Lord Siva
has a unique feature in that, on the 14th day of January every year, a ray
of sunlight passes in between the horns of ‘Lord Nandi’, the sacred
bull mount of Lord Siva, and falls on the ‘Linga’ between 17:00
and 18:00 hrs. It goes to show what an excellent astronomical knowledge and
architectural skill the architects of the olden days possessed.
The temple was built by Kempegowda. The four marvellous monolithic pillars are
carved with Trishula, Damaru, Suryapanna and Chandrapana. The icon of ‘Agni
Deva’, the God of Fire, here is a rarity.
Hanuman temple
This exquisite temple dedicated to Lord Anjaneya is a relatively modern structure
with a touch of the olden form of grand sculpture and environs. Gigantic figures
of Lord Sri Rama hugging Lord Anjaneya can be seen on the temple roof. These
statues are about 31 feet tall. Shri K. Hanumanthaiya, who is known for the
excellence of the magnificent structure of ‘Vidhan Soudha’, was
the architect behind its wonderful monument too. The temple also offers a panoramic
view of Bangalore. Within the vicinity, there is another beautiful temple and
this is dedicated to Lord Siva who manifests in the form of Lord ‘Hariheswara’.
Hanuman Temple is situated near the Cave Temple.
Bhavani-Shankar temple
About a stone’s throw from Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy
Temple, this yet another wonderful temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. Goddess
Parvathi, the divine consort of the Lord manifests here as Goddess Bhavani and
Lord Siva as Lord Shankar and hence the name Bhavani-Shankar temple. An interesting
feature in this temple is that there are icons of Saint Purandaradasa, one of
the pioneers of ‘Sangeetha’ or classical music and Saint Thyagaraja,
one of the three Saints regarded as the prodigious trinity of Sangeetha, the
other two being Saint Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Saint Shyama Sastrigal. It is
said that ‘Chatraprthi Shivaji’ the ‘Lion of Maharashtra’
who had been a nightmare to Aurangzeb has performed worship at this temple during
his southern sojourn.
