wallpaper gallery: Vishnu Temples

Showing posts with label Vishnu Temples. Show all posts

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Appaattu Temple (lord Siva and Vishnu)

A temple very near to Ramamangalam temple.Close to the shore of ramamangalam river......
Lord Vishnu and Siva are the Devas.It was under the management of Kottaram Brahmin family.And now under a comittee by NSS Karayogam Ramamangalam.

Thiruppathisaram Mahavishnu Temple

Thiruppatisaram Mahavishnu Temple 5 kms northwest of Nagerkovil is centuries old. The birth place of saint Nammalwar and he praised the lord in his hymns in the ninth century. The idol of Mahavishnu in a sitting posture. other deities are Sree Rama, Sita and Lakshman. The large temple tank is known as Somatheertha has miraculus powers to cure diseases and pilgrims take bath in it.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Kottamkulangara Temple Alppuzha Kerala

The Mahavishnu temple, the oldest temple in Alappuzha is situated at the centre of a pond which has now been covered fully with sand. It is also the only major temple in Alappuzha, located in the same compound with two flag masts and having two festival seasons. The festival season of Mahavishnu temple is in January and that of the Devi temple in March.
KottamKulangara is a small place in the Alappuzha District of Kerala, India. This place got its name from a pond called kottamkulam. There is a temple complex in Kottamkulangara having two main dieties, namely Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Bhadrakali. This complex have some speciality like the two deities having separate flag masts, having two separate festive season, that too inside the same compound wall.
Sri. Maha Vishnu temple in KottamKulangara is one of the oldest temple in Alappuzha district(Or even in south Kerala). The deity was worshiped in Ancient times and was under the ruins. Later on 12th century Sri Vilwa Mangalam Swamiyar found the four handed Icon from the big Pond.
The Devi Temple (Bhadrakali) is relatively new here. The temple was built around 1799 AD, after the outbreak of a contagious decease. The icon was kept at Avaloor Madam and later brought to the current place on the left of Sri Maha Vishnu Temple.
Administration

Kottamkulangara temple is under the Tiruvithankoor Devaswam Board, supported by a local commitee, named as kshetropadeshaka samithi(Temple advisory board). The development activities inside the temple as well as the Ulsavam(festival) is conducted in the temple by the administration division, comprised of Sub Group officer(from TDB) and Kshetropadeshaka samithi.

Tantries:

1. Vishnu Temple: Brahmasri Kadiakkol Krishnan Nampoothiri

2. Devi temple: Brahmasri Kuryattu Purathu K E Naryanan Bhattathiri.

Preiests:

1. Vishnu: Brahma Sri. Vishnu Vamanan Nampoothiri V.

2. Devi: S Krishna Moorthy

Kottamkulangara temple authorities can be contacted in

The Secretary

Kshethropadeshaka Samithi

Kottamkulangara Kshethram

Kottamkulangara

Avalookunnu PO

Alappuzha 688006

or at

The Subgroup Officer

Kottamkulangara Kshethram

Kottamkulangara

Avalookunnu PO

Alappuzha 688006

the email for contact is secretary@kottamkulangara.com

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Navamukundan Vishnu Temple and Mamankam,Thirunavaya,Malappuram Kerala

Located at Thirunavaya. This 6000-year old temple is known as Kashi of the South. The deity of the temple, on the banks of Bharatapuzha, is Lord Vishnu. It is very famous and popular for the performance of last rites for the departed. The temple became ideal for the rites as Bharatapuzha flows over the temple steps, making it very convenient to flow the rites’ remains in the water. The exquisite sculptures carved around sanctum sanctorum are splendid. Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu are carved on the top row against the wall as below the slopped roof. Just below the row sculptures depicting Lord Shiva, in his kirata (tribal) avatar, blessing Arjuna with Pashupati Astra neatly placed.

There is a structure left side of the gate which was built for the Samuthiri (Zamorin) kings to watch the cultural mega event called Mamankam once in every 12-year on the sprawling banks of Bharatapuzha. The Mamankam was originally initiated at Ponnani port as a trade fair. The event used to witness by all the rulers under Samuthiri. The people of Malappuram insist that the Mamankam was originated by a Valluvanad king who ruled that region and the Samuthiri was in fact wresting the right to conduct it. The rivalry between the two was a historical fact. There is a stage called Nilapadu Thara where the Samuthiri used to sit. His soldiers used to position around him. Valluvanadu king on his part will send his soldiers to challenge Samuthiri. The fight always was a losing one to the king. To humiliate the king, bodies of the soldiers were dumped into a well nearby. When the well overfilled with corpses an elephant was ordered to foot them down. Today this notorious well is known as Mani Kinar (Kinar in Malayalam means Well). The remains of Nilapadu Thara is reduced to a slab of stone which too is not noticeable as the weeds rest on it.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Kurichithanam Mahavishnu Temple

Kurichithanam Mahavishnu Temple koothattukulam pala route. Pushpanjali pal payasam, Aravana, Udayasthamaya Pooja are the main offerings. Good camping site is provided with all facilities.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Vasudevapuram Sree Mahavishnu Temple South Aduvassery Kerala

The temple is located at South Aduvassery in Aluva, about 20-km from Ernakulam. The deity is Vishnu. Wherever Vishnu is there, Mahalaxmi is also there in idol-less form to serve him, devotees firmly believe. Here the presence of Mahalaxmi is more felt, the devotees testify. The consecration of the temple was done by Parasuraman, the legend creator of Kerala.There is a great legend. After consecration Parasuraman entrusted the temple responsibilities to the Brahmins of the area. The Brahmins suddenly rose to prosperity. Soon their interest in the temple diminished, causing interruptions in the day to day rituals. As a retaliation, a great punch to their wealth followed. Ignorance in the shrine activities caused fading of glory and fame of the temple.. During this time Vilwamangalam Swamikal, the great Vedic exponent, visited the temple when Mahalaxmi was in the service of Vishnu. As Vilwamangalam has the godly power to see and talk to the gods, goddesses and devils he brought to the attention of Mahalaxmi the poverty state of the people around and the loss of fame to the shrine. She said the temple administrators and the people in the region are not conducting proper rituals and hence she is busy serving the Lord and has no time to visit the people and look after their interest. Vilwamangalam replied that if people’s well-being is not guarded they will turn atheists and persuaded her to deliver prosperity to the people and guard their interests. She agreed and said that she will be in the shrine for 8 days in a year, starting from Akshaya Tridiya in the month of Vrischika. On these 8 days she is being worshipped in 8 forms - Veeralaxmi, Gajalaxmi, Santhanalaxmi, Vijayalaxmi, Dhanyalaxmi, Adilaxmi, Dhanalaxmi and Mahalaxmi.The ritual of Thambula Samarpanam came into being in the temple after the face to face talk by Vilwamangalam. Betel leaves, arecanut along with money (a token amount) is placed before the deity which is called Thambula (betelnut, arecanut and token money) Samarpanam (placing).Mahalaxmi is supposed to be the possessor of wealth. She is prayed mainly for prosperity.Yet another important offering is Rice and Turmeric Para (a full measure). Rice Para offered to Vishnu for gaining prosperity whereas Turmeric Para is offered to Mahalaxmi for long and happy married life.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Kerala

Aranmula is near Chengannur. The deity is Vishnu who is commonly known as Parthasarathy in this part of Kerala. It is from this temple the sacred jewels of Ayyappan are taken in procession during Dhanu (December/January) in pilgrimage season for him to wear on Makara Vilakku (the utmost important pilgrimage day in Sabarimala). Aranmula temple is about 1800 years old and is linked with Mahabharata and is famous for boat race.
The temple’s outer wall adorns four towers over its entrances. The eastern tower has 18 steps. 57 steps down from the northern tower lands one straight to Pampa river.The temple was built by Arjuna and the image for installation was brought in a raft made of six pieces of bamboo. The name of place Aranmula was derived from this bamboo raft (Are denotes to six and mula denotes to bamboo}.On 9th day of Kurukshetra battle Kauravas were having upperhand under the leadership of Bheema. Noticing this, Krishna persuaded Arjuna to annihilate the foe. Arjuna hesitated to do so. The raged Krishna jumped from the chariot with his discus. Sensing danger, Bheema surrendered when Arjuna pleaded with Krishna not to kill Bheema. Krishna’s action would have resulted against his vow not to take up arms in this battle. The image of Krishna in this temple resembles Vishnu in the form of Annadanaprabhu ( "One who gives food"), it is said that no pilgrim worshipping at the temple will go hungry. During Onam there is a boat race in Pampa river on the bank of which the temple stands. The boat race in which several snake boats participate is very famous and well attended. In the boat race 39 karas (villages) participate, each village having each snake boat. The snake boat is of over 100 ft length. Each will have a dozen motivators, over 100 rowers and over 20 singers. A sumptuous feast is arranged in the temple after the race.Yet another festival called Kandavanadahanam (burning of Kanda forest) is also celebrated in the month of Dhanu (December/January). This is done as symbolic to the Kandavana forest fire described in the Mahabharata. For this a replica of forest with dried plants, leaves, twigs etcd is created in front of the temple and ablazed.One more festival is celebrated in the month of Meenam (March/April). The image of deity mounted on a Garuda (eagle) is taken to the Pampa river bank in colourful procession for aarattu (divine dip). An image of the nearby Punnamthode temple’s deity, Bhagawathi is also brought to the bank of the river for this aarattu festival.

Mahavishnu Temple,Thrikkodithanam Kerala

Thirukkodithanam is near Changanasseri. The deity is Vishnu who is also known as Amrita Narayanan. This shrine is one of the five connected with Mahabharatam. The other four are Yuddhishtira of Chengannur, Bheema of Tiruppuliyur, Arjuna of Aranmula and Nagula of Tiruvamundur. This temple is believed to have been built by Sahadeva of the Pandavas. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum portray the images of various moods and acts of various gods. Narasimha and Dakshinamurthy have got the privilege of getting sub shrines.The wood carvings and murals are of centuries old and inscriptions from 10th century (Bhaskara Ravi Varman rein period) are noticed.
The surrounding wall of the temple is gigantic like a fort. The joints of the stone are so close to close, making it rather difficult to identify the joints. Such workmanship cannot be noticed anywhere else. There is an elephantine pond covering an area of more than 2 acres outside the temple. Such a big pond is extant only here. A pillar with a granite human figure hanging from the top is there on the bank of the pond as near to the temple gate. The hanging human figure wears a crown and sacred thread in addition to a conch in the hand.
A festival called Deepa Mahotsavam (festival of light) is celebrated in Vrischikam (November/December). For Deepa (light) a bonfire is created in a specific manner. Dried plantain leaves get piled like pyre to which lighted torches are tossed in. At this time musics from percussion instruments flow. It is said the Deepa Mahotsavam is held to commemorate the self-immolation of Madri, the mother of Sahadeva. The festival is attended by large number of people.

Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple Wayanad Kerala

The temple is also known as the Sahyamala Kshetram. It is believed to be more than 3000 years old. Legend has it that this temple dedicated to lord Vishnu was built by lord Brahma (The Creator) himself - an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.

Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve the soul of all its sins, flows nearby. Also in the vicinity is a sacred rock where ritual offerings (known as bali) are made for the ancestors on the New Moon days of the Malayalam months Karkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham. Besides the rituals during the two-day festival, art forms like Kathakali and Ottanthullal are performed.