Rameshwaram Theertha Yatra - part 1

18-9-2011: I have never visited Rameswaram and have pondering over this for several months now - but always postponed travel owing to lack of a convenient transport from Coimbatore to Rameswaram. My prayers were answered when the Railways suddenly introduced a direct overnight train on this route couple of months ago. So we hastily planned and booked our tickets and took the train leaving Cbe on 17th night. The train stopped briefly at Mandapam then crossed over the Pamban Bridge built over the Bay of Bengal. This is the 2nd longest sea bridge in India at a length of 2.3 Kms (after Bandra Worli sea link). We reached Rameswaram early on 18th around 7.00 am took a ricksaw and checked into a decent hotel room located near the temple.
The temple island of Rameswaram has acquired this name because Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here on return from Sri Lanka. According to legend, after killing Ravana, Rama returned with his consort Seetha to India first stepping on the shores of Rameswaram. To expiate the `Brahmahathi Dosha' of killing a brahmin Lord Rama wanted to offer worship to Lord Shiva. Since there was no shrine on the island he had dispatched Sri Hanuman to Benares to bring an image of Viswanathar. Anticipating delay in Hanuman's return Rama offered worship to a Shiva lingam fashioned out of sand by Sita. This lingam is called Ramalingam and thus the place got the name of Rameswaram. The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham shrines that has to be visited in one's lifetime and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holy abodes of Lord Shiva.
As per tradition we first went and had a dip in the ocean located on the East side of the temple. The water was cool and refreshing and the dip was energizing.
See above & below photos of Pamban Bridge & sea dip:
1:View of Bay of Bengal
2&3: Pamban Road Bridge as seen from the train
4-6:Devotees having dip in the Bay of Bengal at the special bathing ghat
7&8:View of East side Vimanam as you enter after dip in the sea ......................to be continued

Thirukoshtiyur Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple

4 September'2011: Thirukoshtiyur Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple is an ancient shrine located about 10 km from Thiruppathur in Sivagangai District TamilNadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu,revered by the Tamil hymns of Alwars. Since, all the Rishis and Devas along with Sriman Narayanan and Lord Brahma met at this place and discussed the killing of the demon Hirayanyan, this Place is called as "Goshtiyoor". The temple enshrines Sowmiya Narayana Perumal as the presiding deity along with his divine consort Thirumagal Nachiyar. The temple has a Santhana Krishnan idol in the main sanctum sanctorum. Thirukoshtiyur Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple is considered as the southern Badrinath. The Vimana in this temple is Ashtanga and it rises to a height of 96 ft. Most noteworthy feature of the shrine is that the deity can be found in all three postures -standing, sitting and sleeping. In Ground floor as Krishna in dancing posture – depicting Bhoolagam. Next level he is Sayana Thirukolam a posture resting on Adhisesha – depicting Devalogam. Directly above this the Lord is in Iruntha Kolam - depicting Indrakola. And top most level in standing posture as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal – depicting Vaikundam. There exist an important relationship between Sri Ramanuja and Thirukoshtiyur. Saint Ramanuja was advised by Thirukachi Nambigal to visit Thirukoshtiyur and learn the ' sacred 8 letter hymn ', Astachara manthra from Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal (i.e. thirukoshtiyur sage). Accordingly Ramanunja travelled 18 times all the way from Srirangam to Thirukoshtiyur. 17 times Ramanuja tried to meet the Nambigal refused to see him. 18th time when Ramanuja arived and knocked the doors of Nambigal ashram saying "Adiyen Sri Ramanujan vanthurukiran..!" ( which means "beloved student Sri Ramanuja here!!") on which he was allowed to enter. Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal blessed Ramanuja with the 'sacred 8 letter hymn' Astachara manthram ("Ohm Namo Narayanaya!!") and warned not to preach to anyone if so u will reside to hell!!. Ramanuja rushed to the top of temple, summoned the whole village and delivered the Ashtachara Manthram. This act angered nambigal and he questioned Ramanuja who replied - "Its my great fortune in showing the path and guiding people to heaven, I'm glad in going to hell for the act.." these words affected Nambigal to extent he just prostrated towards Ramanuja. It is said the event happened in front of Sri Lakshmi Narasimar Swami Sannathi, towards the Sowmya Narayana Perumal sannathi, third stage. We can climb through stairs of temple shrine and reach the top most layer from which Ramanuja preached the sacred words. We can have a full view of whole of Thirukoshtiyur. Ashtanga Vimanam:This kind of Vimanam is very rare - Ashta means Eight and 8 Vimanams are found on 4 sides (2 each) of the temple. For pics log onto: http://www.thirukoshtiyur.ramanujartemples.net/pg.htm

Pillayarpatti Vinayagar Temple

4 Sep'2011: Our next destination - Pillayarpatti is situated between Pudukkottai and Karaikudi.The rock cut Karpaka Vinayakar Shrine at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi at one of the oldest Cave Temples temples of Tamilnadu. The town of Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the tamil name for Ganesha, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva,Lingodbhavar and several other shrines.Karpaka Vinayakar is the presiding deity here, and he is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. Tiruveesar is a Shiva Lingam carved in a similar manner.The Pillayarpatti Nagarathar community which has been traditionally involved with the temple - patronizing the maintenance and the scrupulous conduct of worship services. There was huge security around the temple that day-we later came to know that Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram was due at Pillayarpatti to open a new IOB Branch there that day. Due to restrictions in photography I could only manage a few pics...

Kunrakudi Shanmughar Temple

4 Sep 2011: We left Devakottai around 8.00 am after typical breakfast of idli/vada/dosa & coffee crossed Karaikudi and reached Kunrakudi Murugan Temple around 9.00 am. The temple sanctum is atop a hill and we had to climb a long flight of steps to reach there. Pics of the visit are presented below:

Chettiar Bungalow at Athangudi

The Magic of Athangudi Tiles

3 Sep'2011:Athangudi is a small village in Sivaganga District with a big reputation. Athangudi tiles, named after the place of manufacture in Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, come in myriad colors and patterns and are made by a unique process using local soil. These tiles are a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the Chettiar community, who effectively adapted many influences to their own brand of local craftsmanship. The designs and colors used in Athangudi Tiles are still those of a bygone era. However, off late new designs and patters are being incorporated.The artisans say the charisma of these tiles is due to the sand, which is of just the right composition.
We visited one such manufacturer in Athangudi and witnessed the manufacture of these hand made tiles. The series of pictures presented below tell their own fascinating story:
1.Colors being applied on template design on mould
2.The design
3.Sand being applied
4.Cement being plastered on mould
5.Curing in a large water tank
6.Baking in the sunlight
7-9: Creation of Manual designs
10-12: Designs created manually
13-17: Designs created with template