KARTHIGAI DEEPAM: STORY BEHIND THE FESTIVAL

Karthigai Deepam is the festival of lights that is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhrapradesh, Karnataka and Kerela during the month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec).

Tiruvannamalai Mandir is known for Karthigai Deepam festival.

@LostTemple7

Legend says that once Sri Vishnu and Brahma had a fight to know who was the most powerful of the two.
Shiva appeared before them in the form of an enormous pillar of fire. The two decided to find the top and bottom of the pillar.
However, neither of them could find its end.

Shiva, then, appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) in Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The Shivalinga here is Agni linga.
It is believed that small lamps lit during Karthigai are miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year, thousands of people come to see the Karthigai Deepam.

Lamps called 'agal' are placed in front of Prabhu and in Kolams.

Different patterns of lamps are used - Lakshmi villaku shaped like a woman with folded hands, Kuthu villaku shaped like a five petal flower and the Gajalakshmi villaku—the elephant lamp.

SRI SIDDHI VINAYAK (VIGNESHWARA SWAMY), AINAVILLI (AP)

Ganapati is famous here for quickly granting wishes of Bhaktas.

Siddhi Vinayaka murti is placed in southwest corner and faces south.
It is believed that it brings wealth and prosperity if one installs Ganapati this way.

Kshetra Purana says that Daksha Prajapati performed puja of Vinayaka at this place before performing Daksha Yagna.

Another legend says that Vyasa Maharshi, during the beginning of his tour of South, had installed this Ganesha murti, reputed to fulfill the wishes of Bhaktas.

Main festivals celebrated here are Vinayaka Chaturthi, Kartika Masam and Prabha Festival.

The complex also has mandir for Kala Bhairava who is considered kshetrapalaka.

The mandir is famous for performing pooja for new automobile vehicles and students praying before exams.

YALAGUR HANUMAN KSHETRAM, YALAGUR (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Also called Speaking Hanuman.
Once, Hanuman was asked by Rama to establish himself in 7 different places. So, swayambhu (self-manifested) murtis of Hanuman emerged and Yalagur is said to be the head of all these 7 murtis.

It is said that a pujari had a dream to break open the stone he was performing puja on. When he did so, a murti emerged which was broken. Hanuman guided him to put the pieces together for 7 days in a place. The anxious pujari could not wait and opened the door on 7th day itself.

He found a hanuman murti complete on upper part but incomplete in lower part.
Later a shrine was built there and even today we can see the unjoined parts in Yalguresh murti.

There is a belief that Yalguresh can tell whether one will succeed in his task or not.
@GunduHuDuGa

The person is made to sit before the murti and speak out his wish. If the flower on the murti falls to his right, the person will succeed. If it falls on the left side, his task would fail.
This is why, Hanuman is called “Speaking Hanumantha” here.

PANCHMUKHI GANESH: SIGNIFICANCE

Panchamukhi or 5-faced Ganesha is a representation of all forces. He is also known as Heramba Ganpati, mostly in Nepal. It means protector of the weak.
The 5 heads signify 5 layers of Atman- the inner self.
@RudraVS @RatanSharda55 @onlyonenetra

In the system of yoga,
there are five koshas or sheaths that are barriers to accessing the true Self: the physical body, the energy body, the mental body, the wisdom body, and the bliss body.  
Each head of Ganpati represents one kosha.
@SriRamya21 @iamkamyabuch @DetheEsha

ANNAMAYA KOSHA- The first head of Ganpati.
This represents the physical/flesh body made of matter like skin, muscles,bones, etc.
@Dauhshanti

PRANAMAYA KOSHA-2nd head of Ganpati.
This is breath or energy body. It includes the movement of blood, lymph and breath through the body.
@JumbuTweeple

MANOMAYA KOSHA-3rd head of Ganpati.
This represents the mental body, central nervous system; where physical sensations turn to emotional sensations.

SRI GALI ANJANEYA SWAMY MANDIR, BENGALURU (KAR)

Gali means air and it is said that the murti of Anjaneya was open to air more than 800 years back at the sangam of river Vrishabhavathi and Paschmavahini.

On one of his visits, Sri Vyasaraya Tirtha did Punar pratishtha here.

Sri Anjaneya is shant swaroopi (Calm) here.

He is smeared with sindura. Left hand rests on hip while right hand is in abhya mudra offering nirbhayathvam to bhaktas.

A unique feature is that Anjaneya has moustache and is yathurmuki (facing bhaktas directly with both eyes).

The Rath utsav is held for the last hundred and twenty years.

People visit here to get the blessings of Gali Anjaneya and to get rid of troubles in their life.

They throng here with great faith to get 'Purna Kripa Drishti' from Sri Anjaneya.

SRI MAHABALESHWARA SWAMI, GOKARNA (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Dedicated to Shiva, as Mahabaleshwar.
This place is called Dakshin Kashi and considered as one of the seven Mukti Sthala (place of salvation) in Karnataka.
Devotees perform the last rites of their deceased relatives here.

Once, as a boon to Ravana for his penance, Shiva gave his Atmalinga to him. The only condition was that the atmalinga should not be kept anywhere on the way to Lanka.
On the way, Ravana stopped for sandhya pooja and for this, he needed to put the atmalinga down.
@GunduHuDuGa

Ganesha appeared disguised as a child before Ravana and offered help. When Ravana went away, Ganesha put the atmalinga down on the ground.
On coming back, Ravana tried to pull the lingam but failed. Due to pulling, it’s shape became like cow’s ear (hence called gokarna).

In anger, Ravana threw the case of linga which fell at Sajjeshwar, lid fell at Guneshwara, thread winding the linga fell at Dhareshwara and cloth fell at Murudeshwar.
As he addressed the lingam as ‘Mahabala’(the strongest), so Shiva came to be called Mahabaleshwar.

SHREE MUMBADEVI MANDIR, MUMBAI (MAHA)

Mumbadevi is the patron Devi of Mumbai city.
The word Mumba comes from Maha and Amba.
She is also the patron Devi of Agri (salt collectors) and Kolis (Fishermen).
The fishermen regard her as their protector and as Maha Shakti.
@LostTemple7

Legend says that Devi came to earth to end the demon Mumbarka.
After his defeat, Mumbarka begged Devi to take his name. Thus, Devi came to be called Mumba Devi.
The demon Mumbarka also build a mandir and dedicated it to Mumba Devi. The present mandir was reconstructed in 1737.

The murti of Mumba Devi symbolises Mother Earth.
Devi Annapurna on a peacock stands on her left.
Navratri witnesses a huge number of Bhaktas.
Devi blesses her worshippers with good health and prosperity and also known to bless childless couples.

SRI PADMAVATHI DEVI KSHETRAM, TIRUCHANOOR
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Also called Alamelu Mangapuram (alar is lotus and mel is top) as Sri Padmavati, consort of Sri Vankateshwara, descended on a golden lotus here.
It is believed that pilgrims must visit here before Tirumala.

Once, AkashaRaja, king of Thondamandalam, performed a yagna to beget a child. When the sacrificial ground was ploughed, a lovely girl in a 1000 petal lotus was found. A divine voice urged the king to bring up the child. She was named Padamavathi as she was found in a lotus(Padma)

When Padmavathi grew up, Sri Venkateshwara came in search of her and the celestial marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi took place.
The mandir was constructed in the time of Tondaman Chakravarthi, who happens to be the elder brother of Devi Padmavathi.
@GunduHuDuGa

It is also said that when Rishi Bhrigu hit Sri Vishnu on his chest, angry Devi Lakshmi immersed herself in penance for 12 years. In the 13th year she emerged as Sri Padmavati from a golden lotus from the centre of the Pushkarini on the banks of River Swarnamukhi.

WHY IS GREEN CAMPHOR APPLIED TO CHIN OF SRI VENKATESWARA: STORY

Although called Green Camphor, it is actually white (Pachcha Karpooram).
This is applied daily to Sri Venkateswara’s chin.

Sri Ramanujacharya once asked a Bhakta Ananthalwar to build a flower garden on Tirumala.

As this was a divine task assigned to him by Acharya,Anantalwar decided on not seeking the services of any outsider except his wife who was pregnant at that time.
His wife started carrying soil from one place to another everyday but used to get exhausted soon.

Sri Venkateswara took the form of a 12-year old boy and started assisting Ananthalwar’s wife.
One day, Ananthalwar saw the boy and could not control his anger. He threw his crowbar at the boy which hit him on the chin.
The boy disappeared and Ananthalwar realised his mistake.

He ran to the mandir and saw Sri Venkateswara with a bleeding chin.
Ananthalwar immediately applied green camphor to Sri Hari’s chin and begged to be forgiven.
The kind Prabhu forgave him and asked him to ensure that the cooling camphor was applied to his chin daily.

So the practice continues till today.
The flower garden built by Ananthalwar is on the right side of the Mandir.
The crowbar with which Ananthalwar had hit Sri Venkateswara’s chin hangs to the right side of the main entrance to the Garbha Griha of the Tirumala Mandir.

VAITHEESWARAN KOIL, NAGAPATTINAM (TN)
#bharatmandir

One of the 9 Navagraha kshetram in TamilNadu with Shiva as Divine Doctor. His consort Thayyalnayaki Ambal stands with medicinal oil to cure diseases of the devotees.

The Kshetram is associated with Angaraka/ Chevvai (Mars).

Once, Chevvai/ Angarakan was struck by leprosy. He was cured here by Sri Vaitheeswaran.

People come here to get relief from Chevvai dosham caused by unfavourable position of Mars.

Also here, Shiva cured the injured army of Sri Subramanya during his war with Soorpadaman.

Devotees take bath in the Siddhamruta Theertham Tank to cure them of their diseases, especially skin diseases. It is also called Goksheera (Go is cow n ksheera is milk)Theertham, as Kamadhenu’s milk flowed in this tank when she performed milk abhishekam to the deity here.

It is believed that Rama and Lakshmana cremated Jatayu here.

The Nethrapidi Sandhanam and Thiruchandu Urundai are two of the prasadams which are believed to cure all ailments.

This is the nerve centre for Naadi Josiyam, a popular form of astrology (predictions on palm leaves)

SRI MANGALADEVI KSHETRAM, MANGALORE (KAR)
#karnatakatemples

The presiding Devi of Mangalore, from whom the city has got its name.

In 10th C, when King Kundaverma of Alupa dynasty ruled over Tulanadu, two Rishis-Machhendranatha and Gorakanatha visited him.

They requested him to grant them land so that they could build their hermitage and make it a centre of their religious activities under his patronage.
They also told him about a place where Parashurama had prayed to Mangala Devi and built a shrine.

When the place was excavated under their guidance, the shrine of Mangaladevi was found. It was, then, re-established by Kundaverma.

It is said that unmarried women who worship Mangaladevi by observing Mangaladharavrata ( Swayamvara Parvathi) get a suitable match soon.

UGRA NARASIMHA SWAMY, MADDUR, MANDYA DIST. (Kar)

Here, Narasimha Swamy gives darshan with eight hands and three eyes, considered a rare sight.

With two hands he is tearing Hiranya Kashipu, lying in his lap.

Bhakta Prahalada is seen standing in Namaskaar mudra.
@LostTemple7

This place was known as Arjunapuri. Sthala Purana says that Pandava Arjun wished to see Narasimha roop of Sri Hari.

Since it was not possible, Brahma carved out Ugra Narasimha image, on Krishna’s request, to fulfil Arjuna’s wish.

This was, later, installed here at Maddur.

Kadamba Rishi used to worship Ugra Narasimha here and so the place was called Kadamba Punya Kshetra.

It is believed that if any childless couple performs Thirumanjanam followed by Manjal kaappu and take bath in water mixed with same prasad, they will be blessed with a child.

MOTI DOONGRI GANESHA, JAIPUR (Raj)

Moti Doongri has a striking resemblance to a pearl drop.
The Ganesh Mandir was built by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal in 18th c. It is one of the most significant mandirs in Jaipur.
Ganesha’s trunk faces left, considered very auspicious.
@LostTemple7

Legend is that in 17th century when the King of Mewar was returning home, he carried a Ganesha murti with him on a bullock cart. He declared that wherever the bullock cart first stopped, he would build a mandir for Ganesha.
The cart stopped at the foothill of Moti Doongri.

Thus, the mandir was built here. (Doongri means a small hill).

There are two ledges on both sides of the entrance to mandir.

People believe that Ganesha is pleased if Bhaktas sit here for a few minutes after offering their prayers and do not rush back home immediately.

NAGARAJA MANDIR, NAGERCOIL (TN)

Dedicated to Naag Devta Vasuki. The five-headed Naga Devta is visited by devotees, especially on Sundays when special Pooja is performed offering milk and turmeric to the deity.
Two nagas- Darnendran and Padmavati are dwarapalaks here.
@twttdc

Once a village girl was cutting grass in the area when she noticed blood oozing out of her axe after accidentally hitting a stone. It was the stone murti of Naga devta. A hut was built around it. Later Raja Marthanda Verma visited here when he was suffering from skin problems.

His disease was cured and he built a huge mandir here.
The main sanctum still has mud walls and thatched roof with the stone murti of Nagaraja placed on the soil. The soil underneath it always remains wet. It is believed that blood is still oozing out of the murti till date.

It is said that this soil holds special powers and can cure any skin ailments; the soil is also given as prasadam to the visitors of the mandir.
Amazingly, the soil is black in dakshinayana punyakala and turns white in uttarayana punyakala of Surya.

A tortoise occupies the place (instead of Garuda) on the flagpost. This maybe because Garuda and Naga are natural enemies. Also, Sri Vishnu took kurma avatar during samudra manthan. Image of tortoise maybe to show respect to kurma avatar.

Nagalinga flowers also bloom here.

MANAKUL VINAYAGAR, PUDUCHERRY

Earlier named Bhuvaneshwar Ganapati.
There was a pond (Kulam in Tamil) near the mandir that was full of sand (manal).
So people started calling Manal Kulathu Vinayagar (Ganpati near sand pond) that later became Manakula Vinayagar.

This Ganpati mandir is the only one across India which is covered fully with gold on its tower.

The murti of Vinayagar is also unique as he is seen standing on 3 legs.

Wedding festival of Riddhi and Siddhi with Vinayagar is unique since it is celebrated only in this mandir.

A legend says that the French tried to destroy the mandir and threw the murti in the sea but when they came back, they found the murti back in the mandir in same position.

There is a golden Ratha here. Around 7.5 kg gold was used in making it at a cost of around 35 lakhs.

KASHI VISHWANATH JYOTIRLINGA: VARANASI (UP)

Kashi is the Avimukta kshetra where the Avimukteshwar Linga is eternal. Even the most sinful person can attain Moksha in Kashi.

Kaal Bhairav is the Nagar Kotwal (guardian) of this eternal city of Vishwanath, on the banks of Ganga.

Shiva Mahapurana says that for purpose of creation, Shiva created a city called Panchakoshi.
Here, Sri Vishnu immersed himself in deep penance.
Many watersprings originated from his body. As he tilted his head, a gemstone fell from his ear giving this place the name Manikarnika.

The entire Panch Koshi area of Manikarnika was gathered into the Trident of Shiva.
Then from the navel of Vishnu emerged a lotus flower with Brahma in it and the process of creation was started with Brahma. Shiva kept Panchakoshi city away from the entire universe.

Shiva Himself established the Avimukta JyotirLinga in Kashi.
Then he removed Kashi from His Trident and set it in this mortal world.
The city remains as it is even at the time of pralaya.
During pralaya, Shiva keeps it back on his trident. This makes Kashi an eternal city.

The present mandir was built by Ahalya Devi Holkar in 1777 AD.
The Kaal Bhairav mandir was built by Srimant Baji Rao Peshwa in 1852 AD.
King Ranjit Singh had the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir towers covered in gold.
A huge bell was donated by the King of Nepal.

UTPANNA EKADASHI: KATHA

The fast kept on Utpanna Ekadashi equals to fasting for Tridev- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

This year, Utpanna Ekadashi is on 30th November.

This Ekadashi is also called Utpatti (उत्पत्ति) Ekadashi.
Devi Ekadashi originated on this day.
@LostTemple7

A demon Mura had become so powerful that the Devas had to seek Sri Hari’s help.

Sri Vishnu and Mura fought for about 10,000 years.
After that, Sri Vishnu went to Badrikashram to take rest at Hemvati Caves.

Demon Mura chased Sri Vishnu and tried to attack him while sleeping.

Then, Shakti adorned with all weapons emerged from Narayana’s body and killed Mura.

This Yogmaya was blessed by Sri Hari who gave her the name Ekadashi.

Ekadashi was given the boon that anyone fasting with devotion on this day would enjoy worldly pleasures and attain moksha.