Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple - Chennai

    The temple is constructed with Ashtanga Vimana in the tower in the Omkara design. The shadow of the tower does not fall on the ground. The design is similar to the Big Temple in Thanjavur.

Lord Mahavishnu with Mother Mahalaksmi is Moolavar of this Temple.

Ashta Lakshmi: 

• Adhi Lakshmi, 
• Dhanya Lakshmi, 
• Dhairya Lakshmi, 
• Gaja Lakshmi,
• Santhana Lakshmi, 
• Vijaya Lakshmi, 
• Vidya Lakshmi,
• Dhanalakshmi.

Greatness Of Temple:
 
All Ashta Lakshmis grace from separate shrines.  The temple is on the sea shore.  Perumal graces in a wedding form.  Mother Mahalaskhmi graces majestically dressed typically with a 9 yard sari in the Madisar style.
 
Temple History:
    
This is a temple built recently following the design of the Perumal Temple in Tirukoshtiyur in Sivaganga district in steps.  Due to the flow of not only devotees but tourists too, the temple has grown very famous on the Beasant Nagar beach built with marble stones.  Every sculpture tells stories of divine beauty.

 Festival:
 
 10 day Purattasi Navarathri festival is celebrated with 10 different Alankaras (dressings) to Lord and Mothr in a very grand style drawing huge crowd of devotees. Deepavali Lakshmi Puja, special pujas during Thai Fridays in January-February, Aadi Fridays in July-August are performed in the temple.
 
Temple's Specialty:
 
  The temple is constructed with Ashtanga Vimana in the tower in the Omkara design. The shadow of the tower does not fall on the ground. The design is similar to the Big Temple in Thanjavur.

General Information:  
 
It is noteworthy that the Aarukala Puja system (six pujas a day) is strictly followed in the temple as per Vedic rules.  Only ghee is used for lighting lamps.
 
Prayers:
  
Mother Mahalakshmi ensures a happy and prosperous life to Her devotees. Each Lakshmi has Her own special blessings.  Mother Athi Lakshmi grants health, Dhanya Lakshmi freedom from hunger, Dhairya Lakshmi courage and self-confidence, Gajalakshmi all prosperities, Santhana Lakshmi Child boon, Vijaya Lakshmi victory in all endeavors, Vidya Lakshmi knowledge and wisdom and DhanaLakshmi wealth.
   
Opening Time:
   
  The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Address: 
   
  Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple,
   Beasant Nagar,
   Chennai.     
  +91- 44-2446 6777, 2491 7777, 2491 1763

Sri Malaikottai Uchipillayar temple - Trichy

  When Lord Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya after rescuing Mother Sita from the captivity of Ravana, Sri Sugriva, Sri Hanuman and Sri Vibishana accompanied the Lord to participate in the coronation function of the Lord.  While returning back with the gift of Sri Ranganatha idol from Sri Rama, Vibishana came south.  Seeing the beauty of River Cauvery and the scenic environment, he wanted to relax for a while.  Lord Vinayaka was there in the guise of a little boy.  Vibishana asked the boy to take care of the gift idol of Lord Ranganatha.  After waiting for Vibishana, the boy placed the idol on the ground and hid Himself in the hill.

Vibhishana was shocked to see the boy missing.  He applied all his energy to move the idol but failed.  Thus Lord Ranganatha, bound to Sri Lanka, cut short His journey and chose Sri Rangam as His abode.  Seeing the boy at the top of hill, Vibishana hit Him on the head, the scar of which is still visible on the Vinayaka idol.  Thus, Lord Vinayaka along with Lord Ranganatha nearby is ruling us gracefully.

   Moolavar               : Uchipillayar
   Theertham              : Kavaery
  Agamam / Pooja     : Sivagama
  Old year                 : 1000-2000 years old
  Historical Name      : thiruchirapalli
  City                        : Trichy
  District                    : Tiruchchirappalli
  State                       : Tamil Nadu

Festival:

15 days Chithirai (April-May) car festival; 12 days Teppa Thiruvizha in Panguni (March-April); Summer festival on the hills during Vaikasi (May-June); Navarathri in Purattasi September-October); Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (October-November) 13 day Vinayaka Chaturthi festival and Adipooram 8 days festival in July August are the festivals very grandly celebrated in the temple. Also Tamil and English New Year days, Deepavali, Pongal days are devotionally observed with special Pujas.

Temple's Speciality:

This is hill-cave temple.

General Information:
   
  One can have a full pleasant view of the Tiruchi city from the 275 feet tall hill top.  There are 417 steps to reach the hill temple.  The 1000 pillared mandap in the temple is very beautiful where weddings are celebrated.   The hill fort was built during the rule of Mahendra Pallava-Gunaparan during the sixth century according to epigraphic evidences.  The Thayumanavar temple at the foot of the hill is one of the celebrated Shiva temples of the state praised in Thevaram hymns. 

Prayers  
   
  Any undertaking whether domestic, religious or professional, started after praying Lord Uchi Ganapathy is sure to go progressively, profitably and happily.   
 
Greatness Of Temple:
   
  The very thought of Tiruchi brings before our eyes, the Uchi Pillayar temple, River Cauvery, Sri Rangam and everything pleasing the soul.  All tourists including foreigners are enjoying this soulful pleasantness.  All Saivite saints, Gnanasambandar, Appar, Manickavasagar, Thayumana Swamigal had sung the glory of this sacred land.  The construction of the hill is a marvel of architecture. There are two carved caves on the hill, the upper one a treasure of epigraphic details, the lower with 104 divine verses in Andhadhi style.  Andhadhi poetry is one in which the succeeding verses begin with the last word of the previous poem.

Opening Time:
 
  The temple is opened from 6.00 a.m. to 08.00 P.m.
 
Address:
 
  Sri Uchipillayar Temple, Trichy - 620 001. 
+91-431- 270 4621, 270 0971, 271 0484.  

Sri Arunachaleswar temple - Thiruvannamalai

Temple's Specialty:
   
  The hill itself is Shiva Linga. This is a temple of great significance in South India. The very thought of this temple ensures total salvation to the soul. This is the place that would destroy the “I” arrogance.

        Mother Uma performed penance here going round the hill to claim the left part of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted His darshan to mother in the form of Light-Jyothi. This is the birth place of Saint Arunagiriar. Frustrated in life, when the Saint attempted to end himself, Lord Muruga protected him from death.

       Tiruvannamalai is the sacred place where Ligodhbava came into being first and followed in other Shiva Temples.

       Tiruvannamalai was home to number of Siddhas in the past whose lineage continues even today. Their Holinesses Sri Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and Visiri Samiyar attained salvation on this sacred soil. Girivalam: Lord Shiva gave His Half to Mother Parvathi on the Kruthika star day in the month of Karthikai-November-December. Therefore, Girivalam – going round the hill – is taken up by the devotees this day. It is said that great Rishis and enlightened souls were following this as a penance on Pradosha days and on the first day each Tamil month. This is followed by devotees now-a-days. It is said that Moon absorbs all energies from Sun on Poornima days and therefore, this day is considered important for Girivalam.

       Of the five Shaktis on which Earth stands – Space, Water, Air, Earth and Fire the Agni, Tiruvannamalai belongs to Agni. Tuesday is attributed to Agni. Girivalam is undertaken on this day. There will be special pujas in the temple.

         Worshipping the Lord on Sundays bring high positions to the devotee equal to a posting in his court, Mondays elevate the devotee to a position equal to Indira, Tuesdays ensure relief from debt burdens and poverty and continued prosperity in the births following, Wednesdays for academic excellence and final salvation, Thursdays wisdom equal to Maharshis, Fridays grace of Lord Vishnu and a place in his abode and Saturdays the benefit of worshipping all the 9 planets. Worshipping on New Moon day brings total mental peace. Observing a fasting for 48 days and performing the Girivalam blesses the couple with child boon.

Festival:
 
  10 day Karthikai Brahmmotsavam and Karthikai Deepam in November-December, Masi Maha Shivarathri in February-March, Thai Mattu Pongal, Tiruvudal and Oonjal utsav falling almost on January 15 and monthly Brahmmotsavam are devotionally celebrated in the temple. Fire walking is observed on Aadi Pooram day in July-August a ceremony not followed in any Shiva temple.

   
            Six time Puja (Aaru Kala Puja) is strictly followed in this temple as per Agama rules. On Masi Magam day in February-March, Lord Annamalaiar visits a place called Palli Pattu for Theerthavari, an event that represents Lord’s performing the last rites for Vallala Maharaja to whom he was born a son earlier. Lord visits the temples in the surroundings on the 5th day of Thai month covering January-February and grants darshan to devotees at Kalasapakkam on the Rathasapthami day. It is on this day the Car (rath) of Sun turns northward marking the beginning of Utharayana period covering six months from January-February to June-July.

          The 6 day wedding festival takes place on Panguni Uthiram in March-April. Almost every day in the month is a festival day in the temple. Pradosha – 13th day of new moon or full moon is devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are performed on Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days.

Moolavar                 : Arunachaleswar, Annamalaiar

Amman / Thayar : Abithagujambal, Unnamulayal

Thala Virutcham : Magizha tree

Theertham               : Shivaganga

Old year                 : 1000-2000 years old

Opening Time:
 
  The temple is opened from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
 
 Address:
 
  Sri Arunachaleswar Temple, Tiruvannamalai-606 601, Tiruvannamalai Dist.
        +91-4175 252 438.
 

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. (Meenakshi Amman Temple) - Madurai.

The name of mother goddess is Meenakshi Amman. The another well known tamil name is Angayarkanni which means she has fish shaped eyes. Meenakshi Amman protects her devotees like a fish.

The temple is globally famous.  Religious and political history of Tamilnadu begins from here.  Mother Meenakshi sets an example of fair administration.  Lord Shiva is all to all.  A temple worshipped by great saints.  This is the sacred land where Lord Shiva danced changing his legs.  Indira and Varuna worshipped here.

As this the first of the 64 Shakti Peetas in the country, all pujas are first dedicated to Mother Meenakshi and then to Lord Shiva.

Mother Meenakshi has many names as Pachai Devi, Maragathavalli, Thadathagai, Abishekavalli, Abhiramavalli, Kayarkan Kumari, Karpooravalli, Kumari Thurayal, Komagal, Sundaravalli, Pandipiratti, Madurapuri Thalaivi, Manickavalli, Mummulai Tiruvazhumagal.

This is a temple speaking volumes of the glory of Tamil culture and arts with live statues and idols, stones singing and great literatures produced by eminent scholar poets.  There are live paintings all over the temple depicting the Tiruvilayadals of the Lord.  Prose, poetry, plays all three forms of Tamil language – Iyal, Isai, Natakam reached the peak of glory.

It is here that Pottramarai Kulam – the tank with golden lotus came into being offering flowers to Indira for Shiva puja.  There are no fish or water creatures in the tank.

There are temples on four directions within the Madurai city known as Inner Aavaranas.

  Moolavar             :  Sundareswarar, Chokkanathar
  Amman / Thayar  :  Mennakshi, Angayarkanni
  Thala Virutcham   :  Kadamba tree
  Theertham            :  Pottramarai, Vaigai, Kruthamalai, Teppakulam, Purathotti
  Agamam / Pooja  :  Karana Agamam
  Old in year           :  2000-3000 years old
  Historical Name   :  Alavai, Kudal, Nanmadakudal, Kadambavanam
  City                     :  Madurai
  State                   :  Tamil Nadu.

Festival:

The famous Chithirai Tiruvizha in April-May has many programmes as Wedding of Mother Meenakshi with Lord Shiva, Her Coronation and car festivals. Navarathri in September-October, Aavani Moola festival in August-September, Thai float festival in January-February, Aadi Pooram in July-August, Pongal in January-February, Deepavali, Tamil and English New Year days, Vinayaka Chaturthi are other festivals. There are monthly special pujas also. Almost every day is a festival day in the temple.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Address:


Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai – 625 001.
+91- 452-234 9868, 234 4360