My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Kammangudi Sri Maha Sastha Temple

Visit to Kammangudi Sri Poornamba - Pushkalamba samedha Sri Nalla Sevugar Dharma Sastha Temple

Kammangudi is a very small tiny village surrounded by vast paddy fields, situated near Nannilam (also taluk headquarters) in Tiruvarur District of Tamilnadu, around 35 Kms away from Kumbakonam.   One can get into Nannilam Bus Stand by means of a pulic transport either from Kumbakonam or Mayiladuthurai and from there auto rickshaws are available to fetch you to Kammangudi temple which is about 3 KMs.  The road leading to this village or leading to the town is not very good, has many potholes and there is no proper public transport facility available.  The village panchayat has a primary school and for higher studies the children have to pedal their way through bicycles/bikes to the nearby town.  But, one thing for sure, it is a divine place, far away from the madding crowd and the traffic snarl;  quite calm, surrounded by green fields lazed with cool breeze and the birds chirping sounds..    

Not many known temples are here in this Kammangudi village but a temple known to my in-law's family is there - their  குலதெய்வம் கோயில் (Family deity temple) for Sri Maha Sastha, also known as "Sri Nalla Sevugar Dharma Sastha with His consorts Sri Poornamba and Sri Pushkalamba and a 300 years old Sri Sivan temple which is now in a dilapidated condition."  

The main entrance to the temple is centered in the thorny bushes that are fencing it and one has to closely look out for the same. From there a carpeted stone path leads to the main temple gate.  The color painting done at the temple and its precincts are beautiful and very pleasant to the eyes.  The upkeep maintenance in this small temple is really a wonder.  Neither this temple is a pilgrim spot nor frequently visited by devotees but, its cleanliness and regularity in performing daily poojas by the gurukkal who lives nearby  clearly shows how the sevaks/archakas fully embed their lives with devotion and nithya-anushtana karmas.   When we visited the temple in the middle of August 2023, renovation work was going on.

Temple entrance

நுழை வாயில் உட்புறம் 

         

                                          

கோயிலருகிலொரு சிறிய  குட்டை 

கோயிலின் முகப்பு தோற்றம் 

கோயிலின் மற்றொரு தோற்றம் 

                                                     

Sri Poorna-Pushkalamba samedha Sri Nalla Sevugar Dharma Sastha sannidhi

கோயிலின் உள்ளே நல்ல வீரன், குதிரை வீரன், விநாயகர், நாகர்,  ஸ்ரீ மஹா சாஸ்த உடனுறை ஸ்ரீ பூர்ணம்பாள் -ஸ்ரீ புஷ்க்கலாம்பாள், பிடாரி அம்மன் ஆகியோருக்கு தனித் தனி சன்னதிகள் இருக்கின்றன.

குதிரை வீரன் சன்னதி

நல்ல வீரன் சன்னதி 

பிள்ளையார் சன்னதி 

நாகர் சன்னதி 

ஸ்ரீ பிடாரி  அம்மன் சன்னதி

கம்மங்குடி சிறப்பை விளக்கும்  சுலோகம் 

The above sloga was written by Sri Narayana Dhikshithar, brother of  Revered Sri Sengalipuram Ananatharama Dhikshithar,  seeking the benign blessings of Sri Maha Saastha for this village Kammangudi.        

இந்த ஸ்லோகத்தின் பொருள் : "பசு மடியிநிருந்து பால் கரக்கும் பொழுது எழும் தொனியும் பிறந்தவுடன் குழந்தை எழுப்பும் தொனியும் சதா சர்வ காலமும் நிறைந்த வண்ணமாக இந்த கம்மங்குடி கிராமம் திகழ சாஸ்த்தா  ரக்ஷிப்பாரக." 

We have made all prior arrangements with the gurukkal for the pooja to be performed. Gurukkal  started the initiation for the pooja on our arrival. Vedic hymns were chanted while performing abhishegam for the deity with all paraphernalia. Then the deity was fully adorned with flowers, vasthrams etc. Gurukkal then performed the Aarti.  It was a great feast to our eyes and we offered our prayers to God.   Then prasad was distributed to all present at the temple.

அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்ட ஸ்ரீ மஹா சாஸ்தா , ஸ்ரீ பூர்ணாம்பாள், ஸ்ரீ புஷ்கலாம்பாள் 

After the darshan here,  we proceeded to Kammangudi Sri Sivan Temple which is in a very short walk away distance.  

We had a very nice darshan here.  Though, this is a very small temple, the wall paintings around the sannadhi are very colorful and very attractive.  Here also renovation/repair work are undergoing.

The day was an yet another important and a special day in our life and we prayed to our Sri     Poornamba-Pushkalamba samedha Nalla Sevugar Dharma Sastha Ayyanar to bestow all those devotees come here with His Devine Blessings and Divya Darshan forever.    

With everyone's Kaingaryam, who visit Kammangudi and these temples, its nodoubt,  these temples can be changed into a very powerful one with more and more festival celebrations in a grand manner and attract even more devotees far and near.  Let us all pray Lords  Sri Ayyanar and Shiva shower their Blessings and grace on us and lead us in a good path.

வணக்கம் 

  

MY SPIRITUAL TRAVELOGUE - Visit to Sri Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal - Yadodhthagari Temple, Thiru Vehghka, Kanchipuram

Though we have visited many temples in Kanchipuram,  a temple where we have not stepped into so far, unheard or unknown, made us very surprised when we visited Sri Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal - Yadhodhgari temple, Thiruveghka.  This temple is neither far away from Kanchi town nor located in a tricky place very difficult to reach or something else.  It is very much located in the main heartland of small Kanchi Town, very nearer to Sri Varadharaja Perumal temple on the Chennai-Tambaram - Kanchipuram State main road, and one can easily see the main gopuram from the road.  A small side road of about 30 meters from main road leads to the entrance of the temple.

This is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Sri Maha Vishnu and is the 51st in the order and is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam of Tamil Alwar saints from the 6th - 9th centuries CE.  This temple is considered to be one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, other two being Sri Ulagalantha Perumal temple and Pandava Thoothar Perumal temple.  Sri Maha Vishnu is giving darshan in bhujanga sayana posture to His bakthas in this temple.  Believed to have been built by Pallavas of late 8th century with later contributions from medivial Cholas and Vijayanagara Samraj Kings.  

A three tiered Rajagopuam is at the entrance of the temple.  The roof of the sanctum is called Vedasara Vimana and it has five kalasams and stucco images of various legend.  The presiding deity Bhujanga Sayana Yadhoththagari Perumal is in recumbent on his right hand, a rare one, whereas Palligonda Perumal (sayana posture) deities are lying in left to right and His consort is Komalavalli Naachiyaar Thaayar.

Main Tower view from inside

Tower above the sanctum (Moolavar)

There is a mention about this temple in Perumpaanatrupadai written by Saint Patanjali, also mentioned in Silappathikaram and Tolkappiyam.  Poigai Alwar, Peyalwar, Thirumangai Alwar and Thirumalisai Alwar have sung in praise of Yadhothgari Perumal in different forms.

Temple Lotus tank where Poigai Alwar originated

Poigai Alwar, a poet saint and one of the first three Alwars was believed to have been born in this temple lotus tank.  Poigai Alwar birthday during the tamil month Aipassi Thiruvonam star is one of the major festivals celeberated in this temple.  The temple legendary tale narrates like this -

Once, Goddesses Saraswati and Lakshmi was in an argument on who was superior among themselves.  They approached Indra, the king of celestial deities and asked him who is superior.  Indira judged Lakshmi as superior.  Not satisfied with Indra's opinion Saraswati went to Brahmma who also chose Lakshmi, the supeiror.  Saraswati was very much upset,  unhappy with the two decisions and left Brahmma to stay away from him.   But, Brahmma was doing a severe penance praying to Vishnu fo  His darshan and performing an Ashvamedha Yaga.  On seeing this, Saraswati still got very angry and wanted to disrupt His penance and the yaga as Brahmma was performing the yaga not in her own place and so much so doing all these without his consort - Saraswati.  The Asuras were also not happy with this yaga as due respect was not given to them.  They went to Saraswati and requested her to stop the yaga.  Saraswati took the form of a river called Vegavathi, (later years the name became Vegavanai and then Vekkanai and finally called as  Vekghka & the place was called Thiruveghka) and  flew down through the place where yaga was going on.  Terrified at the flow of the river, those in the yagasala surrendered to Brahmma.  Having  come to know about this by virtue of his mind's eye, he medidated upon Vishnu.  Vishnu wanted to pacify Saraswati and blocked her way in the form a dam lying by himself with serpent Adhisesha as his bed in the reclined posture with His hand touching the land (Bhujanga Sayana) to stop the river flow.  Saraswati realised her mistake and turned her course of flow and mixed with sea. She became pacified and accepted her defeat.  She joined the yaga.  The dam formed by Lord Vishnu is called "Yadokthakari Perumal".    

Another related legendary tale is -

Sage Bhargava had a son through Kanakangi, a dancer in the Indralok.  The still born boy had some problem and not fully developed in his birth.  Kanakangi left her under developed born  son unattended.   It is believed that boy was a devine child and by the grace of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, he became alright.   A passer-by childless couple saw the baby and took him, named him as Sivavakkiyar and started rearing him.  The boy reached adulthood and became a staunch devotee of Vaishnavism and a Pey Alwar disciple.  Sivavakkiyar became as Thirumalisai Alwar later.  Thirumilasai Alwar had deciple by name Kanikkannan.  He had an old lady serving him.  Thirumalisai Alwar through his devine power and by the grace of bhujanga sayana perumal made the old lady to became a young beautiful lady.  The Pallaba king who was ruling the region got attracted by the beautiful lady and married her.  The king became old but the beautiful lady remained as young.  The king came to know the secret of the young lady to be as young as ever.   As he also wanted to be young, he called Kanikannan and requested him to bring Thirumilasai Alwar to the place and to sing in praise of him.  Kanikannan replied that Thirumilasai Alwar sings only in front of the Perumal and will not do so in front  of the king.  The King became very angry and ordered Kanikannan and Thirumilsai Alwar to leave the country at once.  Kanikannan explained everything to Thirumalisai Alwar and they readied themselves to leave Kanchipuram.  Thirumalisai Alwar prayed to Bhujanga Sayana Perumal and requested Him to leave the place as his disciples are leaving.  Lord also prepared to leave the place with his two devotees by folding his Adhisesha bed.    The King came to know of their leaving the region and realised his sin, approached them and begged them to return back to Kanchipuram.  The Lord and the two disciples returned back.    Since the Perumal obliged to his devotees wishes, He was called as "Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal".

Stala Purana in Tamil displayed inside the Temple

A beautiful verse in Tamil from Thirumalisai Alwar song before leaving the place, praying Vishnu also to leave Kanchi and come with them, as  below:

                                    கணிகண்ணன் போகின்றான் காமருபூங்கச்சி

                                    மணிவண்ணா நீ கிடக்கவேண்டா - துணிவுடைய

                                    செந்நாப்புலவனும் போகின்றேன் நீயுமுன்றன்

                                    பைந்நாகப்பாய்சுருட்டிக்கொள்.

Another  beautiful verse in Tamil from Kanikannan song before leaving the place, praying Vishnu also to come back with them to Kanchi  as  below:

                            கணிகண்ணன் போக்கொழிந்தான் காமருபூங்கச்சி

                            மணிவண்ணா நீ கிடக்கவேண்டும் - துணிவுடைய

                            செந்நாப்புலவனும் போக்கொழிந்தேன் நீயுமுன்றன்

                            பைந்நாகப் பாய்படுத்துக்கொள்.

As per their request Perumal also came back to Kanchi temple and thus He was called as Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal which means Perumal did what his devotees wanted.

It is  believed that the Bhujanga Sayana Perumal has changed his head to listen to the grievances of the devotees who come and prayed to Him.  Their prayers will be fulfilled if you worship this temple Perumal and Thaayar.

வணக்கம் 

MY SPIRITUAL TRAVELOGUE - A visit to Kaladi.

MY SPIRITUAL TRAVELOGUE - A visit to KALADI - The Birth Place of Shri Adi Shankaracharya.

After a gap of about more than two and a half years due to the corona (Covid 19) outbreak, I slowly restarted my spiritual journey, first  by visiting our family deity - Kuladeivam Sri Mahadevar temple in Ettumanoor (in Kottayam district, Kerala) to take His  Blessings.  Though we followed our planned schedule for this pilgrimage, one place which we did not think of in our schedule  suddenly flashed up in our mind, thanks to one of our relatives,  as a bubble when we were in Ettumanoor.  That was Kalady, the birth place of Sri Adi Sankaracharya.  With no time to spare, a suggestive program was chalked out with our driver sarathy for visiting Kalady.    In other words,  the destiny drew us like a river flow to Adi Shankaracharya birth place - the Kalady.  It was an experience beyond an imagination of an ordinary village side as we entered the devine place where thousands of years ago a baby's cry sphere headed the advent of a man who would show the world the path to liberation, a man would come to respect and admire as Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya.  

We started at 8.00 a.m. after finishing all our refreshments to cover up  a distance of about 75 Km - 2 hrs travel in a van.  With intermittent break-ups on the way, we reached Kalady past mid-day, by that time the temple was closed and we were waiting there for its reopen at 4.00 p.m.

Kaladi or Kalady is a tiny hamlet located near Aluva (22 KM) of Ernakulam district in Kerala, the nearest railway station being Angamali (8 KM) and the nearest airport being Kochi international airport (7 KM).  Kalady in Malayalam language means 'footprint' which was once called as 'Sasalam'.  Kalady was rediscovered and came into prominence late 19th century by the then Shankaracharya of Sringeri and subsequent consecration of a temple for Adi Shankaracharya in 1910.

Kalady is the Holy birth place of the great human alien and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. Though born in the southern extremity of India in Kerala, Adi Shankaracharya travelled the length and breadth of India, not once or twice but thrice.  What he achieved in his short life span of 32 years cannot be achieved in 32 lifetimes of any other gurumars.  The place is blessed with many important temples including shrines dedicated to Sri Shankara, Sharda Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramakrishna.  Festival celebrations here are solemn events that attract believer in large numbers.  Jagadguru of Adi Shankara Bhagavadpada, a pre-eminent center for inspiration on the banks of the Poorna river that purifies the mankind in thought, word and deed. 

Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Sringeri, Dwaraka. Badari and Puri jointly conveyed a message - "A visit to Kalady increases tranquility, self restraint and other eminent virtues of those engaged in the pursuit of knowledge.  

It is the duty of every common man to visit the Holy Kalady, the birth place of Adi Shankara and more so for any aspirant for liberation, the sanyasi and those who follow the Advaita school of thought."

Kalady, the birth place of Sri Adi Sankaracharya during the 8th century.  This place where Shankara was born and raised was unknown to us for several centuries.  A 100 years ago,  through the 33rd Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharadha Peetam the first and the foremost institution established by Shri Adi Shankaracharya to convey His teachings brought about the change.

Kalady is also known as Adi Shankara Janma Bhumi Kshetram, on the banks of the Holy river Poorna (Periyar).  He was a shining spiritual light, intellectual giant and a genius of linguistics, the level of wisdom and knowledge He showed at a very early age made him a shining light for humanity. He illuminated the land of Bharat with His teachings that are still as impactful as ever.  He was a prodigal child and an extraordinary scholar with almost super human capabilities.  

    At the age of 2 - he could fluently speak & write                  Sanskrit,

    at the age of 4 - could recite all the Vedas and 

   at the age of 12 - took sanyasa and left his home in             Kalady. 

He left his body at the age of 32.  Between the age of 12 and 32 he travelled widely throughout the country. 

As there was plenty of time for the  temple to reopen, we wandered the nearby places.  We came across Sri Krishna temple, also known as Thirukaladiappan Temple.  Shankara's mother used to walk a long distance every day to have her bath in the Periyaru (Poorana river) and worship Lord Krishna in the temple.  Her old age did not stop her from this habit.  Shankara felt sorry for her mother and prayed to Lord.  A voice from the space descended down told Shankara that the river would flow to his place where he placed his feet.  It was a miracle that the river began to flow at the spot near Shankara's house.  From that time onwards the village which was till then known as Sashalam came to be known as Kaladi.  In gratitude, Shankara built a temple for his family deity and installed Tirukaladiappan - Sri Krishna.  Shankara performed the first Aarattu Vizha for Kaladiappan and his mother was happy to continue her prayers without any difficulty.  The idol of Lord Krishna is 3.5 feet tall and made of Anjana stone that has high properties of iron and copper.  A powerful idol.  Only Guruvayur and Kaladi temples have this kind of idols.  At the right to Lord Kannan sannidhi, Sivan, Parvathy  and Ganapathy sannadhies are there.  Parasuramar, Ayyappan and Adhi Shankara sannadhi are also available  Akshaya Thrithiya is being celebrated in this temple with elaborate pooja and arrangements. Lot of crowd gather at this time.

Thirukaladiappan Temple

 

The historical legendary goes like this - Throughout the course of his early life, Shankara astounded many with his knowledge intelligence.  He started writing his own analysis of the Upanishads, BrahmaSutra and the Bhagavad Gita at a young age.  Right from his childhood, he was keen on becoming a monk or sanyasi.  Adi Shankara's mother Aryaamba did not agree with his desire to become a monk. Legend says that one day, Shankara was touched by a dog and, as per custom followed by the community Shankara had to take a bath.  Accompanied by mother, Shankara went to river Poorna to bathe.  While in the water, a crocodile got hold of his leg.  The drowning Shankara told his mother that the crocodile would leave him alone if she would allow him to take up sanyasa. Helpless mother Aryaamba agreed, and the crocodile freed Shankara.  This place is even today called as '"Muthala Kadavu" or "Crocodile Ghat" where Shankara's life turned to sanyasa/monk.

Holy Crocodile Ghat

After visiting the Crocodile Ghat, we entered inside the temple.  There are Sri Sakti Ganapati, Sri Sharadamba and Adi Shankara deities sannadhi are there.  Samadhi of Aryamba (Holy mother of Sri Shankara) is also there.  The temple draws large number of devotees and pilgrims especially during Sri Shankara Jayanthi and Sarada Sarannavarathri festivals.  Pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and abroad visit this temple for spiritual solace and peace of mind.  By the time we finished our darshan and prayers, a heavy downpour made us to wait inside the temple.  We had the opportunity of having a glance of  the  colourful art work of Shri Shankaracharya's life history painted beautifully on the walls,  which will never fade easily from our memories. 

As a legendary narrates - When Adi Shankara was a young boy, as a student of Gurukula, he visits houses and seek alms(biksha from gragastas) for food and share whatever they receive with fellow students and Acharya (tacher) which is customary in Hindu Gurukul system.  One day, when he visited a poor woman's house, she didn't have anything to offer and did not want the young boy to go without any offering from her side.  She searched everywhere inside her house and could not find anything but a little bit dried gooseberry.  She felt very sorry for such an offering to the boy and explained her inability to serve him with better one.  Adi Shankara realised the poor lady's bakthi and selfless attitude and felt pity for her.  He prayed to Goddess Mahalaxmi through his composition of Kanakadhara Sthothram, the first hymn which Adi Shankara composed.  In praise of their bakthi, Goddess Mahalaxmi poured gold gooseberries on the poor lady hut, showered Her blessings and alleviated her poverty.  Even today it is believed that poverty would be banished by singing this hymn.  The house (Swarna Mana or Punnorkode Mana,  situated 16 KM from Aluva and 23 KM from Kaladi) where this happened still exists in Kaladi.  There is a temple for Goddess Sri Kanakadhara Mahalaxmi

Under the guidance of his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada, he mastered almost all the ancient religious scripts in short time.  He travelled across India, propagating Advaita Vedanta.  His teachings were challenged by many philosophers and thinkers.  He was even involved in a number of debates pertaining to Hinduism and its beliefs, but Shankara managed to astound all his doubters with his intelligence and clarity.  He then went about propagating his ideas and was soon accepted as a Guru by many.  Shankara came to be known as Shankaracharya among his disciples.  He has choosen four of his deciples (ardent followers)  to head the four monasteries (mutts) founded by him.  They are - Padmapada for Govardhana Mutt which is a part of the famous Jagannath temple in eastern part of India,Jyotirmata Mutt for Totakacharya in the northern part of India,  Hasta Malaka for Dwaraka Mutt in the western part of India and Sureshvara for Sringeri Sharada Mutt in the southern part of India. The monasteries founded by him had a great influence in reforming Hinduism.

At the age of 32, Adi Shankaracharya retired to the Himalayas and is believed to have entered a cave near Kedarnath.  He was never seen again and the cave that he entered is considered as his final resting place.

His philosophical works include review of Brahma Sutra, commentaries on Bhagavad Gita, ten principal Upanishads, many stotras, poems praising gods & goddesses, and famous Upadesasahasri etc. An exhaustive list of all his works are given below, as seen in Vivekavani.

Even today,  many scholars wonder how Acharya wrote so  much in a very short lifespan of 32 years. Undoubtedly it shows that he was the greatest scholar and a man on a mission to teach & establish the philosophy of Advaita. Though the majority of his works concentrate on Advaita, he equally penned on bhakti since he believed that bhakti was a very essential step for Chiththa Shuddhi without which self-realisation was not possible. Hence he composed verses and hymns in praise of every lord, the majority of which were concentrated on Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakthi. He wanted the people to worship the lord in any form of their wish, the results of which must finally purify their mind and make it fit for self-realisation. From his life history, it is evident that he was blessed by Lord Narasimha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Vishvanatha. Hence one can find a true Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakthi in him. The most highlighting factor is the baashya for Hastamalakeeyam written by Shri Shankaracharya since rarely a Guru has written baashya for the work of his own disciple. Below is the list of works by Shri Adi Shankaracharya which are widely accepted to be his works.

BHASHYA GRANTHAS

1. Brahma Sutras
2. Isavasya Upanishad
3. Kena Upanishad
4. Katha Upanishad
5. Prasna Upanishad
6. Mundaka Upanishad
7. Mandukya Upanishad
8. Mandukya Karika
9. Aitareya Upanishad
10. Taittiriya Upanishad
11. Chandogya Upanishad
12. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
13. Sree Nrisimha Taapaneeya Upanishad
14. Bhagavad Gita
15. Vishnu Sahasranama of
16. Sanat Sujatheeyam
17. Lalita Trishati
18. Hastamalakeeyam

PRAKARANA GRANTHAS

19. Vivekachudamani
20. Aparokshanubhuti
21. Upadesasahasri
22. Vaakya Vritti
23. Swatma Nirupanam
24. Atma bodha
25. Sarva Vedanta Sara Samgraha
26. Prabodha Sudhakaram
27. Swaatma Prakasika
28. Advaita Anubhuti
29. Brahma anuchintanam
30. Prashnouttara Ratnamaalika
31. Sadachara anusandhanam
32. Yaga Taravali
33. Anatmasree Vigarhanam
34. Swaroopa anusandhanam
35. Pancheekaranam
36. Tattwa bodha
37. Prouda anubhooti
38. Brahma Jnanavali
39. Laghu Vakyavritti
40. Bhaja Govindam
41. Prapancha Saaram

HYMNS AND MEDITATION VERSES

42. Sri Ganesa Pancharatnam
43. Ganesa Bhujangam
44. Subrahmanya Bhujangam
45. Siva Bhujangam
46. Devi Bhujangam
47. Bhavani Bhujangam
48. Sree Rama Bhujangam
49. Vishnu Bhujangam
50. Sarada Bhujangam
51. Sivananda Lahari
52. Soundarya Lahari
53. Ananda Lahari
54. Sivapaadaadi kesaanta varnana
55. Siva kesaadi padaanta varnana
56. Sree Vishnu-paadaadi-kesanta
57. Uma maheswara Stotram
58. Tripurasundari Vedapada Stotram
59. Tripurasundari Manasapooja
60. Tripurasundari Ashtakam
61. Devi shashti upachara-pooja
62. Mantra matruka Pushpamaala
63. Kanakadhara Stotram
64. Annapoorna Stotram
65. Ardhanareshwara Stotram
66. Bhramanaamba Ashtakam
67. Meenakshi Stotram
68. Meenakshi Pancharatnam
69. Gouri Dasakam
70. Navaratna Malika
71. Kalyana Vrishtistavam
72. Lalitha Pancharatnam
73. Maaya Panchakam
74. Suvarna Mala Stuti
75. Dasa Sloki
76. Veda Sara Siva StotramHara
77. Siva Panchaakshara Stotram
78. Sivaaparadha Kshamapana
79. Dakshinamoorthy Ashtakam
80. Dakshinamoorthy Varnamala
81. Mrutyunjaya Manasa Pooja Stotram
82. Siva Namavali Ashtakam
83. Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam
84. Shatpadee Stotram
85. Siva Panchakshara Nakshatra Mala
86. Dwadasa Ling Stotram
87. Kasi Panchakam
88. Hanumat Pancharatnam
89. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Pancharatnam
90. Lakshmi-Nrisimha Karunarasa Stotram
91. Panduranga Ashtakam
92. Achyuta Ashtakam
93. Sree Krishna Ashtakam
94. Hari Stuti
95. Govinda Ashtakam
96. Bhagavat Manasa Pooja
97. Praata Smarana Stotram
98. Jagannatha Ashtakam
99. Guruvashtakam
100. Narmada Ashtakam
101. Yamuna Ashtakam
102. Ganga Ashtakam
103. Manikarnika Ashtakam
104. Nirguna Manasa Pooja
105. Eka Sloki
106. Yati Panchakam
107. Jeevan Mukta Ananda Lahari
108. Dhanya Ashtakam
109. Upadesa (Sadhna) Panchakam
110. Sata Sloki
111. Maneesha Panchakam
112. Advaita Pancharatnam
113. Nirvana Shatakam
114. Devyapara-dha kshamapa stotra

Courtesy: VivekaVani

Some of the other interesting and important places to visit in Kaladi are -

1.  Shringeri Mutt

2. Sri Krishna Temple

3. Holy Crocodile Ghat

4. Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram

This Ashram or Math in Kalady is a branch of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission (HQ) of the Belur Math, West Bengal.  Started in 1936 and made a branch centre of the Math in 1941.  This math established  Schools for Nursery, Junior Basic, Sanskrit Upper Primary,  Secondary and Higher Secondary.  

Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram, Kalady

5. Sri Adi Shankara Keerthi Sthambha Mandapam established by Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.  

This is an eight-story memorial built by Kanchi Kamakoti Math.  At the entrance, there are two elephant statues guarding the memorial. After entering you can see the Paduka Mandapam.  From there, one can climb to the eight story through well laid easily climbable circular steps.  While climbing up one can witness enjoy the paintings, beautiful goddess scilptures on the side walls as well as in the centre portion along with adi shankara life history - a very rare feast to the eyes.

After a devineful and blissful  darshan and  with hearty contentment , we headed to visit another important place in our schedule - i.e. Chotanikara Sri Bhagavwati Amman temple.

Jaya Jaya Shankara...Hara Hara Shankara

My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Arulmigu Sri Thrumalazhagi SamedhaSri Damodhara Swamy Temple, in Damal, Kancheepuram Dist., Tamilnadu.

DAMAL is a small village in Kancheepuram District, which is about 86 KM from Chennai, situated on the Chennai - Bangalore national highway (NH4) and from Kancheepuram, it is about 15 KM.  A beautiful village, surrounded by lush greenery vegetation, less populated, calm and quite village suburb, away from the densely populated metro.  There is no railway station near to Damal. Major railway station nearer to Damal is Katpadi Junction which is about 56 KM away and the Kancheepuram R.S. which is about 15 KM, located nearby.      

Thirupukuzhi (3 KM), Musaravakkam (4KM), Sirunaiperugal (4KM), Vishar (8 KM) are the nearby villages to Damal.  Damal is surrounded by Vembakkam Taluk towards South, Kanchipuram Taluk towards East, Kaveripakkam Taluk towards West, Arkonam Taluk towards north.  

Damal village is bordered by Kancheepuram District and Tiruvannamalai District and Vellore districts on three sides.

As per legendary tales it is said that this village was originally known as Dhana Mallapuram.  About three centuries ago, this village was given to Vaishnavite clan  as charity or "தானம் " by the Madhwa clan.  Over period of time, the name Dhana Mallapuram was shortened to be called as Damal.  

Few temples are situated in this village and to name them - they are Sri Drowpathi Amman Temple, Sri Manthaiveli Maari Amman Temple, Damal Sri Damodaraaya Perumal Temple (also known as Sri Thirumalazhagi Samedha Damodara Perumal temple, Varaheeswarar Temple and Ponniyamman Temple.  

Sri Thirumalazhagi Samedha Damodara Perumal temple is a small beautiful temple surrounded thickly inside by many kind of flowering plants which presents like a temple in the midst of a beautiful brindavan.

கோயிலின் நுழைவாயில் 

Sri Damodara Perumal and His concert is Sri Thirumalazhagi, a name given in Tamil language.  As per Indian Mythology, Lord Vishnu or Narayana had taken two full avathara - பூரண அவதாரங்கள்.  One avathara was as a stately prince - Lord Sri Rama and the other avathara was Lord Krishna to protect Dharma and to spread peace and love on earth.  

The name Krishna was given to him because of his skin color - in Sanskrit Krisna means the color of night which is dark.  Krishna is portrayed as an attractive young boy with bright eyes and divine glow on his dark or blue skin playing a flute.  He is a mischievous boy who had an infinite liking towards butter and curd.  He would steal them from the neighbour houses with his friends and consume them.  When neighbours complain about Krishna mischievousness to His mother Yasodha, she decided to punish Krishna for his wrong doings.  So she tied Krishna with a rope to a wooden mortar as punishment.  Krishna got himself marked by the rope as a sign of his getting bound by those who love him dearly.  Even today, one can see the tied rope markings on Krishna at the Moolavar sannadhi at this temple.  This is how Lord Krishna got his name Damodaran (Damu + Utharan which means Damu is rope and Utharan is one who got the markings of the tied rope in his belly.) and presents himself in standing posture for the devotees in Damal.  Lord Perumal gives darshan to His devotees as Damodaran only in this temple and nowhere He can be seen as Damodaran.  Some of the other details pertaining to the Sthala Puranam are given in the board as given below which can be seen inside the temple.

ஸ்தல புராணம் வரலாறு

உட்புற விமானத் தோற்றம் 

One can also see the horoscope of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman in a board kept inside the temple.

Temple view from the highway 

Thrughout the Tamil year Chithrai to Panguni, various festivities to the deities in the temple are being performed, attracting devotees in large numbers from nearby villages.

Inside the temple, a beautiful garden laid with thick flowering plants gives a gives a rich greenery surrounding to the eyes.  

Some of the garden pictures inside the temple :-

          

     

Bilva tree

There is a tree under which Lord Damodara swamy's lotus feet kept in a peetam.  A notice board on the tree displays that whoever wanting to have child can pray to Lord Damodara swamy for a child and tie a pair of anklet on this Lotus feet on a particular day - which happens to be a Rohini star day, with full devotion, they will be blessed with a child - a staunch belief  being observed by the devotees even today.

Sannadhi for Sri Anjaneya

A small rest house is there on the left side of the temple entrance where one can avail a short rest before or after visiting the temple.

Small rest house

The temple is open for darshan from 6.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. every day, with breaks for lunch time in between.  On special occasions,  request can be made to the conce

Sri Varageeswarar Temple:

Nearby, there is a temple for Lord Shiva,  called asSri Varageeswara Temple with a sannadhi for His concert for Sri  Gauri Ambal.    The temple architecture resembles to Chola, Pallava and Vijayanagara dynasty period.  As per puranic legend to this temple, Lord Vishnu after his varaha avathara did not return back to vaikundam.  Devas requested  Lord Shiva to make Lord Vishnu to come back to vaikuntam .  Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter and threw an arrow on Varaha and then Lord Vishnu realised  the reason why he took Varaha avatar. Hence, here Lord Shiva is valled  Sri Varageeswarar in this temple.  

This is a beautiful temple, large  spacious corridor around the mantap and the deities sannadhi.   

There is a 'Bilva' tree in the corridor which has got a significance of  having five leaves in a string, a rare one to see anywhere.  Bilva or Belpatra leaves are from Bel tree.  Bilva leaves is an important item while worshipping Lord Shiva.  This leaf is considered to be trifoliate which signifies the holy Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,, also signifies the three eyes of Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva is very fond of Bilva leaves.  It is said, doing puja to Shiv Linga with Bilva tree leaves the Lord blesses them with their desires.  According to Skanda Purana, the Bel tree grew from the sweat droplets of Goddess Parvati which fell on the Mandrachal mountain.  Hence, it is believed that the Goddess resides in this tree in all Her forms - be it root as Girija, trunk as Maheshwari, branches as Dakshayani, leaves as Parvati, fruit as Katyayani and flower as Gauri.  Goddess Lakshmi also resides in this sacred tree.  Hence, Lord Shiva is extremely fond of its leaves.  Apart from these legendary tales,  the leaves have got great medicinal  values as per Ayurveda scriptures.    The roots, skin, leaves, fruit etc. of this tree are used to cure various ailments.  

From the entrance, we can enter into the  main sannadhi situated for Lord Sri Varageeswarar in the form of Linga.  On top of the Linga there is a window opening through which sun rays are reflected on the Linga on a particular day in a year (every year) which is considered to be very auspicious.  

A separate sannadhi is there for His consort Sri Gauri Ambal.

A separate sannadhi is there for His consort Sri Gauri Ambal.

There are eight Lord Bairava sculptures (Sapta Bairavas) on the pillars around the temple  which is very rare to see anywhere.    Some of them are reproduced below:

                    

A separate sannadhi is there for Lord Subramanya along with His consort Valli. Opposite to this, sannadhi is there for Lord Vigneswara.

Sannadhi for Navagraha is also there.

Since the priest resides nearby, he can be contacted through his mobile phone number which is displayed on the wall, if the temple is closed.