Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Surya @ Cauvery delta


An inscription in the temple states, it was built in the reign of Kulottunga Chozha Deva, between 1060 & 1118 CE

Inscription mentions the temple as, Kulottunga Martanda Alaya.

Muthuswami Dikshatar mentions the temple, in his composition 'Surya murtey'tuned in Saurashtram ragam.

- Wikipedia 

Saturn @ the darbha marsh

Null-aru -  midst-river streams.

Sited in the marshland of darbha reeds, between the streams of  Vanchi-aru in the north and Arasil-aru in the south, is the shrine of Shiva, as Lord of the Darbha marsh.

Sambandar's verse, on the Lord enshrined @ this marshland, was scripted on a palm leaf. It remained green, untouched by flames.

Flames consumed palm leaf verses, penned by a group of jains, who had challenged Sambanda.

- Wikipedia 

Earth shrine @ Aar-ur


Shiva as Nata-raja, is persona for Space.

Shiva as Thyaga-raja, is persona for Earth.

Thyagaraja at Aar-ur is also called Putridam-kondar - one who resides at a termite mound.

- as held in tradition

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Mars @ Shrine of the healer


Subrahmanya overcame demon Soorapadman, in battle. And Devasena, his divine army sustained severe injuries. 

Shiva manifested as a Waidya, and addressed the situation. Shiva's consort here, is Taiyal Nayaki - dispenser of medicinal oils. 

Pull - Irukku - Vel - Ur is associated with a bird, Rg. veda, and the spear of energy that Subrahmanya received from Dewi.  

This Ur is also famous for palm leaf astrology, or Naadi Jyotish. 

- Wikipedia 

Kshetra for Venus - Sri Rangam

Shukra, son of Bhrgu divided himself into two.

One part became a fount of knowledge for gods; other became a knowledge source for demons. 

Blessed with Mrta Sanjivni Vidya, he restored to life, many demons who died in battle. 

Gods wanted this knowledge.

And gained it, in due course of time.

- Wikipedia 

Jupiter @ Chendur

Naradadhi Devayogi Brunda hrud niketanam 

Barhivaryavaham Indu Shekareshta Nandanam


Bhaktaloka roga dukha papa sangha banjanam 

Bhavayami Sindhu theera vasinam Shadananam 

- Adi Sancara 


Mercury @ Madurai

Shiva as Soma-Sundara, personifies planet Mercury, in Meenakshi's Madurai.

- as held in tradition

Saturday, July 13, 2024

nodes of the moon - Sri Caala Hasti

Rahu, or north node, is part of the slatted metal frame that fronts the deity, at the Shiva Shrine.

Dewi as Gnana Prasoonamba wears Ketu - the south node - as an ornament, in her Uddiyana, or waist girdle. 

as held in tradition

a temple for the moon - Tirupati

The villagers and tribals wanted to continue their traditional worship of Dewi. 

And Ramanuja was keen to convert - he had the local king's support.  

'We need not quarrel. Let the deity decide for itself,' he wagered.

Swords, shields, spears, tridents, noose, goad, conch, discuss and more were arrayed in the sanctum. 

Doors were closed and sealed at nightfall. Villagers and others stood vigil.

And Ramanuja prevailed upon a serpent, slithered unseen through a floor drain, into the shrine.

He did what little had to be done; Slithered out, morphed into his human form, and joined the vigil. 

Doors were opened at dawn. And the 'deity had chosen' a conch and discuss.

"It is Wishnu, it is Wishnu," exclaimed Ramanuja. And villagers withdrew.

A Dhana-akarshana yantra was embedded in her shrine.

In time, her breasts were chafed, and named Bhudewi, Sridewi. 

Her forehead was smeared, to mask her third eye. 

And Dewi morphed into Wishnu.

Yet her lions still stand guard, atop her vimana

Grandfather's narrative at the temple court of Tirupati