Karur by Road

I went on a business trip to Karur by Road this past Thursday (11 Dec 08)- Karthikai Pournami (Full Moon day of the month of Karthikai). On the way we stopped by at Singaperumal Kovil to visit the Lord Narasimha Temple, legend goes the idol is swambu or rather it appeared (nobody has installed it). Lord Narasimha here is with his consort Ahobila Devi.

There on we drove to Dindivanam and stopped for a tyre change (yeah we have been driving with a faulty tyre). Then onward to Villupuram, Ulundurpettai, Perambalur and took a right off the GST road to Turaiyur, Musiri crossed the Cauvery and reached Kulitttalai and then onward to Karur. The drive took about 7 hours cosidering that the GST road is being paved and there are lot of detours with cobbled stones. Have some interesting snaps will post them soon.

Thirunallaru - Sthala Puranam

I picked up a few books, mainly Sthalapuranams, during my visits to Kumbakonam. Its only last week that I sifted and picked a few to read, I chose the ones that were in English and left the ones in Tamil for later reading since my proficiency in Tamil isn't as good, having picked the reading and writing skills during my summer vacations at Madras while in School. So let me start with the story of Thirunallaru.

Thirunallaru is known to people as the holy place of Sani Bhagwan (Saturn). However there are other deities who adorn the temple , and this is something very few of us are aware.

This is the only place where Lord Shiva is known as "Dharparanayeswarar" after Dharpa or Kusa Grass which is considered as the holy plant of the temple. See my earlier posts of the temple and the Dharpa Grass. Thirunallaru Temple is situated between the Arasalaru and Vanchai River. At the end of the east street of the temple Saint Thirugnansambandar's statute is housed in a separate Mandapam.

The temple has several Mandapams - Sopana Mandapam in the first corridor, Vidanga Thiagar Mandapam near the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ardha Mandapam, Sabha Mandapam, Pandigai Mandapam and Mukti Mandapam.

The glory of this temple and the most sought after deity is Sani Bhagwan. He is facing east unlike in most temples where he faces South. He is usually depicted with four hands however in Thirunallar he is depicted with just two. At the beginning of the southern corridor is the line up of the 63 Nayanmars and 4 saints. These four saints promoted Tamil literature. Adhi Vinaayaka is situated at the very end of the Southern corridor. On the western corridor you'd find Lord Muruga and Goddess Lakshmi in two forms "Sila" and "Sudha". On the western side is Lord Elangothpavar with Thirumal and Ayan. On the North is the Dharpai bushes and an idol of Pitchatanamurthy (partly seen in my photograph) and the Sannidhi of Goddess Durga. In the north east you'll find the Sannidhi of Lord Bairavar.

No Sabarimala Trip

Our Mahaguruswamy passed away recently. In this period of grief for the family and all Swamy's the Sabarimala trip was cancelled.