Thiruthankaal

Name : Thiruthankaal - Sri Nindra Narayana Perumal Temple

Temple Location :Near Sivakasi Town, Virudhunagar District. The temple is on a small Kundru (not a big Hill)

Sthlapuranam : This sthala perumal, travels like a cool breeze into the hearts of his bhaktas and takes out their sorrow and there by making them happy. Since, the perumal has the character (Thanmai) of the cool breeze and air, this sthalam is called as "Thiruthankaal".

The Moolavar, Nindra Narayanan is found in Nindra Kolam and towards his right side, separate sannadhis for periya pirattiyaar who is called as "Anna Nayaki".

Neela devi also named as "Aanandha Nayaki" and towards the Moolavar's left side is Bhoomi Pirattiyaar, also named as "Amirutha Nayaki" and Jambhavathi are found and giving their dharshan to the bhaktas.

All the statues (Moolavar and Thaayar, except Sengamala thaayar) are painted and because of this, they are not done the thirumanjanam. Only, Sengamala thaayar is done with the Thirumanjanam only with the oil.

Manmadhan, who is the son of Thirumaal, Sri Vishnu, was made into ash by Lord Shiva and in Krishna Avathaar, he was born in the name of Prathyumnan, as the son of Sri Krishnar. His son is Anirudhan.

Ushai, who was the daughter of Baanasuran, loved the grandson of Sri Krishnar, Anirudhan. But, he has seen him only in her dream. So she ask her friend how to get him. Her friend, Chitralekha got some photos pained and one of the photos, Anirudhan was found and identified by Ushai. Chitralekha, who knows magic, took away Anirudhan, when he was sleeping in his cot. On knowing this, Anirudhan was jailed by Baanasuran. After hearing his Grandson was jailed, Sri Krishnar fought along with Baanasuran and made Anirudhan out of prison and was married to Ushai. This is one of the oldest story told about this sthalam.

Another story about this sthalam is also said and it is related to Lakshmanan, brother of Sri Ramar.

Chandrakethu, who was the son of Lakshmanan had the fasting on Ekadesi and he took his oil bath before the Dhuvadesi came. As a result of this, he became a puli (tiger) and when he came to this Lakshmanan worshipped this sthala perumal and finally got his mukthi.

Periya Pirattiyaar did a strong tapas against Sriman Narayanan. On becoming happy and fully satisfied on her tapas, Sriman Narayanan gave him the Varam that she will become the hamsam of Annapoorani by offering food and shelter to the people of this entire world and said she is the combined and total structure of all the other naayakis - Aanandha Nayaki, Sridevi, Neeladevi and Amirutha Nayaki. And as further to this, the sthalam will be named as "Sripuram" and these are the Varam (Which is given as the prize who satisfies the perumal) given for Sengamala Thaayar. Since, Thirumagal stayed in this sthalam and did the tapas, this sthalam is named as "Thiru thangal". (Thangal means the place of stay).

This sthala thaayar is also named as Jaambhavathi. She was the daughter of the Great Vishnu bhaktas, Jaambhavan who had a great love and bhakti towards Sriman Narayanan. Once in Ramayana time, he wanted to hug SriRamar but Sri Ramar didnt allow him to do so. But, he gave him a promise that in the Krishna Avathar, he can catch hold of him and will be given in Ramavathar, Jaambhavan in Krishnavathar, came towards Krishna to steal the Siyamanthaka mani, for which they bought for s8 days. In Vaamanavathar, he asked Sri Vishnu that he should be killed only by his weapon, Chakkaram. As a result of this, he was killed on the 28th day and at that time, Sri Krishnar made him to remember his past. Jaambhavan was so happy that he was killed by a great person, who takes care of the entire world and asked for a final help to Sri Emperumaan that he should marry her only daughter, Jaambhavathi. As his final wish, the perumal married, Jaambhavathi.

Specials:
The one more feature of this sthalam is the Garudan. Garudalwar is found along with the snake in his left hand and Amudha Kalasam in his hand and giving his seva and other two hands are folded and he found along with 4 hands.

Another speciality is the Thaayar is found in standing posture facing her thirumugam along East direction. In all the sthalams, the thaayar is found only in sitting position, but only in this sthalam, she is found in standing position, which is said to be one of the speicality of this temple.

Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolvar of this temple is Sri Nindra Narayanan. Also called as "Thiruthankaal appan". Moolavar in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumagan along the East direction. Prathyaksham for Salliya pandiyan, Puli, Sri Vallavan and Sridevi pirattiyaar.

Thaayar: The thaayar of this temple is Sri Sengamala thaayar. She has her own separate sannadhi. Also named as Annanayaki, Amiruthanayaki, Aanandhanayaki and Jambhavathi.

Utsavar: The Utsavar of this Divyadesam is Thiruthan Kaalappan is found in Nindra thirukkolam.

Mangalasasanam:
* Bhoodathalwar - 1 Paasuram
* Thirumangai Alwar - 4 Paasurams
Total - 5 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:Papha Vinaasa Theertham. It is said that people who take bath in this theertham can attain moksha after their death.

Vimanam: Devachandra Vimaanam.

Thiru Neermalai

Name : Thiru Neermalai - Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple

Temple Location : This Sthalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, Chengulpet District. We can reach the temple by travelling around 4 Kms from Pallavaram Railway Station, which is about 7 Kms from Chennai.

About the Temple : This Divyadesam is one among the sthalams found in Thondai Nadu.

In this Sthalam, the Perumal is found is various positions as Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan and Nadanthaan Thirukkolam.

This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" and also as "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as "Thiru Neermalai".

Specials:

* The Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (ie) - Nindra, Iruntha, Kidantha and Nadantha Thirukkolmas.

* It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as "Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram".

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Perumal gives his seva in four different positions.

* Neervannar - Nindra Thirukkolam.
* Lord Narasimhar - Irundha Thirukkolam.
* Lord Ranganathar - Kidantha Thirukkolam.
* Lord Thiruvikrama - Nadantha Thirukkolam.

The Neervannar is found in Nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing his Thirumugham towards East direction. He is also named as Neelamugil Vannan. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar.

Lord Ranganathar is found in Kidantha (lying) position facing his thirumugham towards South direction and the Sayana kolam is referred to as "Manicka Sayanam". He is lying on the Aadhiseshan under Ranga Vimaanam.

Thaayar : The Thayaar of this sthalam is Animaa Malar Mangai and has her own separate Sannadhi.

According to Thirumangai Alwar, Thiruneer Malai is referred to:
Thirunaraiyoor Nindra Thirukkolam
Thiruvaali Narasiman (Irundha Thirukkolam)
Thirukudanthai Aarai Amuthai (Kidantha Thirukkolam)
Thirukoviloor Ulagalanthaan (ThiruVikrama kolam)

Thus, in Thiruneermalai Divyadesam, we can see all the four forms of the Perumal together.

In this temple, Muni Valmiki worshipped Eari Kidantha (Aranganathan), Iruntha (Narasimar), Nadantha (Thiruvikraman) Kola seva of the Perumal. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshman and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman.

Mangalasasanam:

* Thirumangai Alwar - 19 Paasurams
* Bhudathalwar - 1 Paasuram
Total - 20

Pushkarani:

* Kshri includes Karunya, Sidha and Swarna Pushkarani.
* Kshri Pushkarani for Kidantha Perumal.
* Karunya Pushkarani for Nindra Perumal.
* Sittha Pushkarani for Ulagalantha Perumal.
* Swarna Pushkarani for Veetruntha Paramapatha Emperuman.

The Pushkarani is found along with the Neerazhi Mandapam.

In Kulakarai, Vasantha Mandapam is found.

Vimanam:

* Ranga Vimaanam - Sri Ranganathar.
* Santha Vimaanam - Lord Narasimhar.
* Thoyagiri Vimaanam - Ulagalantha Perumal.

Website : http://www.lordneervannar.com/

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple - Kaligiri hills

Name : Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple

Location : Kaligiri hills near Puthalapattu is at distance of about 5kms from district centre chitoor

History : This is claimed to be the original spot where Lord Venkateswara first stepped on earth, before proceeding to Tirumala.

Apart from here foot prints of Srivari Padaalu still exist on the top of Narayanagiri Hill - Tirumala Tirupathi.

THIRUMALA TIRUPATI

Name : Tirupathy Venkatachalapathy, Srinivasa, Balaji

Location : Tirupati is a town in the Chittoor district of the Southern portion of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located on the Seventh Peak of Venkata Hill in The Eastern Ghats.

Main Deity : The deity worshipped at Tirupati is Venkatachalapati. The image is that of a 10 ft high Sthanaka or standing figure of Vishnu on a lotus pedestal. The image is said to be a personification of perfection itself. Lakshmi forms an integral part of this image, which is decorated with flowers and ornamented with several precious jewels.

Included in the jewelry are a Lakshmi-garland, a necklace with 108 images of Lakshmi, a Salagrama garland, with salagrams encased in gold, an exquisitely carved Dasavatara belt around the waist, the Suryakatari, a golden sword that hangs from this belt, two gold sculptured plaques of Lakshmi and Padmavathi on the chest.

Venkatachalapati is the only moolavar in the sanctum and this is said to be the only Eka Murthy Temple for Vishnu in India. There are other processional deities in the temple. Bhoga Srinivasa, a silver replica of the mula vigraham is said to have been made and consecrated in the year 966 AD. The donor is said to have been a Pallava Queen and inscriptions related to this endowment are found in the temple.

Stala Purana :http://balaji.sudarshana.org/tirupati-history.htm

Legends : The Venkatam hill is said to be the sporting hill of Vishnu, brought to earth from Vaikuntam by Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, according to the Puranas. The Venkatam hills are also known as Seshachalam, a manifestation of Adi Sesha, the cosmic serpent. The seven hills of Tirupati are said to represent the seven hoods of Sesha.

The Varaha Purana mentions that Vishnu in the boar form and in the form of Srinivasa manifested himself on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirumalai. It is believed that the celestial entities such as Bhramma and others worship Venkatachalapati and to facilitate their worship, all articles of worship are left open in the sanctum at when the temple is closed at night.

Significance of the temple :
Said to be the Richest temple in India, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries. It attracts pilgrims from all over the country and it is not unusual for pilgrims to stand in line for hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds.

Stala Theertham : Pushkarini
Website : http://www.tirumala.org