Sri Perathu Selvi Amman Temple - Tirunelveli.

     Many years ago, a poor devotee was worshipping Ambica as his Ishta Devatha.  Though he had a desire to build a temple for Ambica, he had no wherewithal to realize his wish.  He wanted to install at least an idol of the Mother for his worship.  Mother Ambica appeared in his dream and said that She is available for him at a  deep spot in the river amid three Athi trees.  Next morning, the devotee spread a web at the site and got the idol.  As Ambica came from a big river-Peraru- She is named Perattru Selvi.  The devotee installed Ambica in a small hut on the banks of the river.

     The shrines for Sudalaimadan and Petchi Amman are opposite the temple.  These deities, Sangili Bhodhathar and Nallamadan in the prakara are in the form of Peetas.  Deity Dalavai Pechi graces from a separate shrine.  Lord Lingeswara and Lord Chakkara Vinayaka are in the complex.

Prayer:
    Those facing concerns about welfare of children and in wedding proposals pray for relief with garlands of red flowers-Sevvarali malai- and light deeps made of a paste of rice flour and ghee.

Festival:
     Kodai Vizha on the third Tuesday of Chithirai in April-May, Mulai Pari Vizha on the second Tuesday of Aadi in July-August and Purattasi Pari Vettai in September-October are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Address:
     Sri Perathu Selvi Amman Temple,
     Vannarpettai ,
     Tirunelveli– 627 003.

Opening Time:
      The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.30. p.m. to 8.30 p.m. On Tuesdays, the temple is open throughout the day.

How to reach:
Town buses are available from Tirunelveli junction to Vannapet. The temple is near Vannapet bus stop.

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 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