Venkateswara Temple - Krishna Nagar - Mantralayam

Sri Venkateshwara Temple - Krishna Nagar - Mantralayam

                                                      Sri Venkateshwara Swamy

                                              Rayaru Sculpting Lord Venkateshwara

It is nearly 380 years old Sculpted by his own Hands of sri Raghavendra Swamy Himself and installed it here. 

                                                        Way to Krishna Nagar

                                                            on the way to the Temple

                                                               Entrance to Temple


A Walkable distance of 1 km from Raghavendra swamy mutt Mantralayam, its on a small hillock by the side of Tungabhadra River it is called Krishna Nagar and it is just Opposite Road from Panchamukhi Darshan Guest House.

                                                                     Front View

                                                                Name Board

                                                                         Achar

Many people are not aware of this wonderful Venkateshwara temple Carved and installed by sri Rayaru himself and even today daily Poojas and all Festivals are carried out and Devotees get Blissful experience.

                                                                     Tulasi Vana

                                                           Sri Venkateshwara Swamy

                                                                 Nagara Kallu

                                                           Lord Anjaneya Swamy

There is a small Tulasi vana to cater to the temple needs and daily Hastodaka or Prasadam offered on prior informing to authorities.

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If one visits Mantralayam i feel they also need to find some spare time to visit this Sacred  sri Venkateshwara temple and get Blessings.


                                                      --------- Hari Om --------                                

Namakkal Narasimha Temple

Sri Namakkal Narasimha Temple

                                                           Namakkal Narasimha

Namakkal is  58kms from Erode Via Tiruchengodu and from Salem it is about 55 Kms via Rasipuram is the Famous Narasimha Rock Cave Temple at the Saligrama Cave Hill in Namakkal.It is surrounded by the Kollimallai Mountain Ranges and Just Opposite to the Narasimha temple is the Anjaneya temple where he is seen in a standing posture facing Lord Narasimha. Behind the Narasimha temple on the Eastern side is the Ranganatha temple, where the Lord is seen in a Karkodaya Sayana posture.

                                                                     Temple Hilllock



History dates in Krutha Yuga the two gate keepers of Sri Vaikunta on curse of Rishies were born as cruel Hiranya Brothers, Younger Hiranyaksha was killed by Mahavishnu in the Avathara of Varaha, for his harmful deeds.The elder Hiranyakasipu concentrated his mind and did serious Thapas for so many years. As a result of his Thapas, he got boons from Lord Brahma, that he will never meet the death by human beings, animals, earth and sky, by any instruments in and out of the houses etc.
Then Hiranyakasipu, on the Power of the boons, gave much troubles to Rishies and Devas and compelled them to pray them as "HIRANYAYA NAMA" only; and ordered that there is no other god to pray except him. As all were afraid of Hiranyakasipu, no Yagas and Deva Poojas were done. Then, worried Devas and Rishies with Brahma, prayed Lord Sri Narayana to get relief from HiranyaKasipu.

                                                   Narasimha Temple below the Hillock

 Therefore Sri Mahavishnu, determined to kill HiranyaKasipu and blessed them. Hiranya kasipu had a son named Prahaladha. He was naturally very pious to Lord Mahavishnu. So he refused to say "Hiranyaya Nama" but he only prayed "OM NAMO NARAYANA" Hiranya kasipu tried to change Prahaladha to pray his name insted of Lord Vishnu, in so many ways personally and through Gurus, but it proved in vain Prahaladha never said "Hiranyaya Nama" but he prayed bravely "OM NAMO NARAYANA" with the company of other boys.This created great anger to Hiranyakasipu on Prahaladha and determined to kill him. He ordered his soldiers to kill Prahaladha by elephants, cobra, and by giving poison, but all were waste. His Vishnu Bhakthi saved him from these dangers.Hiranya kasipu asked Prahaladha with great anger "Who is your God? Where is He and show Him?", On the belief of God, Prahaladha replied proudly and bravely "Father listen! MAHA VISHNU IS THE ONLY GOD and He is the Omnipresence and eternal - you can't destroy him" he is everywhere in you and me also.

                                                    Single Saligrama Stone the Hillock

 Hiranyakasipu with great anger showed a pillar and cried "Is your God in this pillar?" "CERTAINLY" here also replied Prahaladha with belief. As soon as Hiranya kasipu heard the words from Prahaladha he kicked the pillar with full of anger.Immediately he heard a great roar and the pillar was flapped into two halves. Lord Sri Narasimha came out from the pillar with roaring, Hiranyakasipu surprised on seeing LORD NARASIMHA and astonished himself as to what form of this creature, no Man, no Animal, with Lion head and with Human body with a cruel appearance.

                                                                   another View

                                                                       Fort View

Then the fight began between Hiranya kasipu and SRI NARASIMHA. At last Sri Narasimha dragged Hiranya kasipu towards the entrance of the palace and placed him on his thighs and torn Hiranya's chest by his nails at the time of sunset in this way Hiranya kasipu was killed by Sri Lord Narasimha.

                                                                  Main Entrance

                                                                  Sthala Vruksha

 All Devas were afraid to approach Sri Narasimha swamy, in that angry mood and so also Sri Mahalakshmi. Baktha Prahaladha prayed Sri Narasimha who blessed him with mercy and disappeared in the form of a Saligrama near Prahaladha's Kingdom ( Ruling Place ) Prahaladha worshipped the Saligrama ever and Sri Mahalakshmi's prayer made Sri NARASIMHA calm. Then he blessed Sri Mahalakshmi and gave her so many VARAS. From that time, the name to Mahalakshmi was spread as SRI NAMAGIRI LAKSHMI to God Sri LAKSHMI NARASIMHA. Sri Narasimhaswamy is in the cave temple with so many beautiful sculptures.

                                                              Left side Passage

                                                               Right side Passage

In Trethayuga during the period of Ramayana Sri Hanuman saved Sri Rama and others with Sanjeevi herbs which was brought from Himalayas by him. Then Hanuman replaced it in the Himalayas. On his return through the Sky Sri Hanuman brought the Saligrama in which Sri Narasimha swamy disappeared.In the meantime the Sun had, risen. Sri Hanuman got down to the earth to perform Sandyavandana because he was a great sage and bachelor. That is tha place of Sri Mahalakshmi's Tapovanam with a big holy tank named Kamalalayam where Sri Mahalakshmi was born Sri Hanuman determined to do his morning duties.Therefore he placed the Saligrama near the tank of Kamalalayam and performed SandyaVandana.

                                                               Temple Timings

After he had made his duties Hanuman tried to lift the Saligrama. But he could not move it easily which was brought by him. This confused Sri Hanuman and he worshipped the God. Then the Saligrama grew as a rock a voice rose Oh Hanuman I determined to stay here, I was brought by you. First you go to Lanka and save Sri Ramachandramurthi.If you want to worship me, you will come here after Ramavathara and pray ever in front of me in Kaliyuga. Thus Sri Hanuman is even now at Namakkal Sthala in the western side of the rock standing in the open air, worshipping in front of Sri Lord NARASIMHA SWAMY .

                                                            Namakkal Fort on Top


The SANCTUM SANCTORUM ( Garbhagriha )and Ardhamandapam are in the cave. Sri Narasimhaswamy is sitting in chief place with the sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Soorya, Chandra holding and Chamara and in the last Shiva and Brahma are praying.

                                                                   Dwajasthamba

                                                                  inner Entrance

So Namakkal is called as one of the Trimurthy Sthalas. We can see in Ardha mandapa walls, very beautiful sculptures of sri Mahavishnu's Avatharas! " Sri VAIKUNTA NARAYANA" with Sun, Moon, Siva Brahma, Markandeya and Boomadevi. Abhaya Narsimha is also here. In the next wall, we can see Sri Ugra Narasimha tearing the Hiranya's chest by nails. On the other side wall Sri Vaamana moorthy is getting Dana by Mahabalya Chakravarty. Sukrachari is punished by Garuda for disturbing the Dana. Jambavan is drumming in the sky.

                                                                 inside the Temple

In the same wall Sri Mahavishnu as Trivrikrama is measuring the earth and sky. In the next wall, Sri Varaha Moorthy is bearing the four VEDAS all power heads on the nose, and holding Sri Bhoomadevi by two hands. On the eastern side of the rock there is also a cave temple. Here also we can see Sri RANGANATHA lying on KARKOTAKA NAGA Sayana position who performed Thapas.In the same cave temple one can see SANKARA NARAYANA and on the other side Vamana Avathara as is in Sri Narasimha's temple. These are protected by the Archaeological Department as the monuments maintained by the H.R. & C.E. Dept of the State Government and Poojas are performed as per VAIKANASA AGAMA.

                                                                 Nagara kallu

                                                          Namagiri Amma Temple

The glories of Goddess Sri Namagiri Amma or Thayar is spread in all over India up to Himalayas. The devotees who visit Namakkal first they worship Namagiri Thayar,Devotees offer Kanikies, Sarees and Jewels etc. The Dasara festival is performed for ten days to SRI NAMAGIRI AMMAN with Great Pomp. The Car festival is celebrated for 15 days to Sri Narasimha, Sri Ranganatha, and Sri Hanuman in the star of Panguni Hastha in every year. The Hanumantha Jayanthi is celebrated by devotees of all over in a grand manner during the New Moon day of Margashisha month.

                                                              Lord Narasimha Picture


SRI NAMAGIRI AMMAN'S Lotus eyes are merciful. She is seeing by lotus eyes with mercy. She is sitting on the lotus Sri Namagiri Lakshmi's eyes are lotus, face is lotus mouth is lotus, hands are lotus, feet are lotus, seat is lotus and her birth place is lotus and her sight is merciful She is also holding the lotus.

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The myth says the ( Sculptures ) cave temples were constructed by Viswakarma ( Divine Mason ) but the Archaeological Department says that caves are constructed by Pallavas. There is no statue without canopy but the great Hanuman of Namakkal is as high as 18 feet but fully exposed.

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                                       Namagiri Amma,  Namakkal Narasimha & Anjaneya


Namakkal is a famous place because of Sri Namagiri Thayar's Merciness, the Greatness to Lakshmi Narasimha's cave temple and the Greatness of the Hanuman.
one must Visit this Ancient Historical Temple at least once in Life time.


                                               ---------- Hari Om ----------

 

Margabandeeswarar Temple - Virinchipuram near Vellore

Margabandeeswarar Temple - Virinchipuram near Vellore

                                                         Main Gopuram-110 feet 

                                                                   Gopuram

From Vellore it is 14 kms on Chennai - Bangalore Highway you will see a Service Road leading to Sethuvalai Junction take turn right this road leads to Virinchipuram in just 2 km and also one can see or View the Huge Majestic 110 feet tall Raja Gopuram from a far off Distance with 7 Stage East Facing where Main entrance is there.

                                                                 Main Entrance

                                                       Margabandeeswara santum

This beautiful temple is 1300 years old and is known for its impressive Rajagopurams and sculptures. The main shrine of the temple is said to have been built by Raja Raja Chola, Sambara Rayan, the viceroy of Kulothunga Chola. Nandhi Vikrama Pallava, Rajendra Chola, Paranthaha Chola, Kobarakesari Varman, Narayana Sambuvarayar and Vijayanagara kings - Krishna Devaraya & Achutharaya have all contributed significantly to this temple.

                                                                    inner Gopuram

                                                                  Nayanmars

Sri Maragabandeeshwara with consort Sri Maragadhavalli ambal are a Blissfull to see and the Serenity,Cleaniless is well maintained here.

                                                               inner Garbhagudi

                                                          Huge Temple side Compound

                                                               another Shrine

It is the Oldest and Biggest temple in Vellore district Sung by many Appayya Dikshithar, Thirumoolar, Pattinathar, Appar, Sambhandhar, Arunagiri nadhar and many others.Arunachala Puranam, Siva Rahasiyam, Kanchi puranam and many other Holy books have described this temple in their Puranas.

                                                             Sri Dakshinamurthy

                                                                     Sri Durga Devi

Aadhi Shankararacharya had done the Beejakshara Prathishtapana of the Simha theertham in the temple complex.

                                                               Sanctum Entrance

                                                               Sri Vinayaka

                                                               Ramalinga Swamigal


 Lord Brahma was born as Shivasarma here in a priest family. When Shivsarma’s father died at his early days, Shivsarma was to undertake the pooja responsibilities as a small boy. Shivasarma’s relatives had planned to take away the priest’s rights and land from them and so they warned that his rights and land will be taken away, if he does not perform the pooja when his turn comes up. Shivasarma’s mother prayed to Margabandeeswar and he appeared in her dream. It was the last Saturday night of the Karthigai month. The next morning, Shivasarma took bath in the Brahma theertham and Lord Shiva came as an elderly person and conducted the Upanayana Brahmopadhesa and Shiva Dikshai to Shivasharma and disappeared as Mahalinga in the temple tank bund.

The small boy was then paraded on an elephant with the holy water pot and the temple door opened automatically to everyone’s surprise. As if he was very experienced in the pooja procedures, he conducted the pooja activities to Swarna Ganapathy and while attempting to do the abhisheham for the Margabandheeswarar, as a small boy, he was unable to reach the head of the lingam. He then submitted his inability to Lord Shiva.Hence the Shiv Linga tilted slightly towards the boy and You can still find the Shiv Linga idol tilted.

                                                                 Name Board-1

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                                                               Stotra page-1

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 In another legend, once Brahma and Vishnu got into an ego battle and they set out to reach the head and foot of Lord Shiva but both failed. Brahma lied to Shiva that he had seen the head with Tazhampoo as a false witness but here Lord Brahma accepted his inability to reach the head of Lord Shiva and offered his failure to the Lord Himself. Lord Shiva, then bowed His head to accept the abhisheham and Brahma got his curse cleared off and attained salvation. So the Margabandheeswarar lingam can be seen in a slightly tilted position here. 

                                                                    Navagraha's

                                                                  Pooja Timing's

 Dhanabalan, a Kundala desa pepper merchant lost his loads to thieves. He prayed to Lord Shiva and He came as a soldier on a horse and not only retrieved the pepper loads but also accompanied Dhanabalan till Kanchipuram. Due to this He is called ‘Vazhi Thunai Nathar’ in Tamil and Margabandu in Sanskrit (Marga meaning way and Bandhu meaning company) 

                                                                     Shiva Shiva

                                                                  Sri Vasudeva

This temple is also known as -- Bhaskara Kshetra -- because the Sun God is said to worship the linga when its rays fall on it in the month of Panguni; The name of the place as Virinchipuram came from the legend that the temple was worshipped by Brahma, i.e., Virinchi; The theertham of this temple is said to be produced by Gowri devi and so, this place is also known as Gowripuram; Vishnupuram and Margabandheeswaram are also the other names of the place. 

                                                              Simha Tirtham

                                                                  Sthala Vruksha

 Taking a dip at the Simha theertham here will remove the evil effects of bad omens

                                                                       Top View

This is the birth place of Sri Appayya Dikshithar (1520-1593), the greatest interpreter of Advaitha Sidhantha after Adhi Sankara. His Margabandhu stotram on this Margabandheeswarar is for the protection of people while on journey. By reciting this one can have Lord Shiva with them as Marga-bandhu (protector during journey) along their journey. 

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 True Benefits one gets by Worshipping Sincerely to the Lord are:    

The childless couples take dip in all the three theerthams of the temple, stay overnight with the wet cloth to receive the Lord in their dream and get the boon of a child. Since Lord Shiva of this temple protected the pepper merchant Dhanabalan, the business people can have this Lord Shiva as the protector for their business. Since Lord Shiva had conducted the Upanayanam and Dikshai to Lord Brahma here, this is a holy place to have Upanayanams, to get Dikshai and to start education The last sunday of the Karthika masa or month is considered very auspicious since on that day, Lord Shiva appeared as an elderly person and conducted Upanayanam for Lord Brahma as Shivasarma.


By worshipping here for One Day people get their marriage obstacles removed and Achive Success in Happy Married Life . 



                              ---------- Hari Om ----------