Madhurai Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple

 Hare Krishna

Madhurai Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple is a historic temple located near the bank of river Vaigai in Madhurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The deity worshiped here is Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareswara (Shiva). The name Meenakshi means Fish Eyed Goddess. The temple is 1400 years old

 The Story begins with the Pandyan King Malayadhwaja and Queen Kanchanmala, they wanted a Son. So they performed a Yagna but instead a girl appeared from Yagna fire. The princess was considered the incarnation of Goddess Parvati but was born with Three Breasts. With the advise of gods the royal couple accepted the girl as their daughter and brought her up as heir of the throne. As per the prediction of astrologers, the third breast would disappear when she meets her husband.

After the death of the King Malayadhwaja, young Meenakshi became the Queen. Leading her army and conquering many kingdom, she moved to Swarga in Himalayas and came in conflicts with the gods. The gods went to Shiva and requested him to save them. When Lord Shiva appeared on the battlefield Meenakshi's third breast vanished, as she realised this she asked Shiva to marry her.

As Shiva accepted her proposal, he asked her to return to Madurai and wait for him. He visited her after 8 days in the form of Sundareswara and married her in a magnificent ceremony called Thirukalyanam. Lord Vishnu came on a Golden horse and gave away his sister Devi Meenakshi to marry Lord Sundareswara. Later they has 2 Sons Subramanya (Kartikeya) and Ganesha. It is said that Subramanya also celebrated his marriage in Madurai

The Icon of Meenakshi shows her holding parrot, symbol of Kama, god of love. On the temple of the wall is the image of her marriage. According to myth, Goddess Meenakshi had a dusky complexion as her Dravadian origin. And when a dusky woman applies turmeric on her face, they get a greenish tint and thus Meenakshi Amman is depicted green in color. 

Another striking point of Meenakshi Temple is the engraving. These engraving can be seen on the walls to the sancturies of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amma shrine. Every part of the temple is an illustration of mesmerizing artificer. The majestic structure of this temple along with compelling sculptures, drawings, paintings and serenity of religious piousness mesmerizes every visitor.

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Kollur Mookambika Temple

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Kollur Mookambika Temple is located near the holy river Sauparnika in Kollur Region of Karnataka, India. The temple is said to be 1200 times old, and was installed by Adi Shankaracharya. The deity who is revered deified is Goddess Mookambika.

According to legends, there was a demon name Khamasura, he had a boon that he will only be killed by a woman. He wanted more and when he was in deep penance seeking blessing from Lord Shiva, the Lord appeared in from of him, but when Khamasura was about was about to ask for a boon, Goddess Saraswati baffled his speech, causing him of incapable of asking the boon. From then Khamasura was named as "Mookasura"(Mooka means dumb). In wrathfulness and rage he defeated Indra and took his Kingdom and caused chaos in three world. In order to restore cosmic balance Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu combined their powers with Saraswati, Parvati and Lakshmi. Their combined power crowned into Goddess, who defeated Mookasura thus acquiring the name "Mookambika".

Installation of the Temple...

Adi Shakaracharya wanted to install a temple of Devi Mookambika in Kerala. On the top of Kodajadri hill is "Shakara Peetham". Shankaracharya did penance at the same place in order to get blessings from the Devi. Goddess Mookambika appeared in front of him and agreed his want but kept a condition that he should keep walking without distrusting or turning back if he turns back he has to install the temple there itself. Shankaracharya agreed and started walking down Kodajadri hills, when they reached Kollur the sound of Devi's anklet stopped and just to check if Devi is still behind him he turned back. Goddess Mookamika ordered him to install the temple in Kollur.

Shankaracharya cried and prayed to forgive him as he wanted to install temple in Kerala, but Devi dissented and ask him to install her temple and to calm him Devi said that she will live in Kollur in the form of Goddess Mookambika and as Goddess Chottanikkara in Kerala. It is said that, From early hours of morning, goddess would come and appear before the devotees at the Chottanikkara temple. Then in the afternoon, she would return to the Mookambika temple. And she also promised him that if ladies from Kerala stopped visiting Kollur, she will come to Kerala in her Mookambika form. Adi Shankaracharya agreed and installed a temple there. 

In front of the Idol of Mookambika Devi you can find a Linga, which is worshiped as Moola Devi. It is said that to bless Maharishi Kola, Lord Shiva appeared before the rishi. Maharishi Kola asked that the Lord with His Consort should remain then ever. To grant his want, a Jyotirlinga appeared, with a Swarnarekha (golden line) in the middle. Therefore, one half of this Linga stands for the conscious principle as embodied by Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, while the other stood for the Creative Principle in the form of Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. 

This Temple is said to be among seven pilgrimage site created by Lord Parshuram in Karnataka. Kollur is famous not only for the sanctum of Devi Mookambika but also its scenic geography, defined by verdant hills and rivers. People flock to it not only to worship the Goddess but also to experience and enjoy its natural sensations and ancient heritage. 

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Hanuman and Suvarchala

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 Lord Hanuman, who is known as Bala Brahmachari. He opted to remain celibate throughout his life. He also has a Son name Makardhwaj who was born out of his sweat and it happened during the time of Ramayana. Goddess Sita has given boon to Hanuman that he will get learn and seek knowledge of Ashta Siddhis and Nav Niddhis, That's Why Hanuman Chalisa has this verse 

Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi ke Data |

Asa bar dinha Janaki Mata ||

But do you know Lord Hanuman is married???

Yes that's true....

According to a book Parasara Samhita written by Sage Parasara,

Survachala was the daughter of Sun God (Surya Dev) and was born from his Luminescence (Varchas) and the world was enable to bear the luminescence. 

Surya Dev was the guru of Hanuman. He wanted to teach Hanuman Ashta Siddhis (8 Powers) and Nav Nidhis (9 Treasures). Hanuman learned half Siddhis. Surya Dev told him to learn others one should be married. As Hanuman was eager to learn, Surya Dev suggested him to marry his daughter Suvarchala (who was also a celibate) and offer him Guru Dakshina as only Hanuman can bear the Varchas of Sun. Surya Dev also gave a boon to Hanuman that he will remain Brahmachari even after the marriage.

Hanuman agreed and as Guru Dakshina married Suvarchala on Jyestha Sukhla Dashmi (10th day in Jyestha month) ritualistically by Surya Dev, and hence he learned rest siddhis. and Suvarchala went in deep penance.

There is a temple name Suvarchala Temple in Kammam region of Andhra Pradesh. People visit that temple in order to seek blessing from Lord Hanuman and Goddess Suvarchala.

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Tirupati Balaji

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Tirupati Balaji Temple is in the town of Venkatgiri on Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, India. The revered God here is Lord Vishnu as Tirupati Balaji also known as Venkateshwara, Sreenivasa and Govinda.

The Story Starts as.....

Once there was a Sage named Bhrigu, known for his wisdom and devotion. He wanted to test the three primary deities of the Hindu pantheon – Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver), and Lord Shiva (the destroyer) – to determine who was the most supreme. 

He went to Lord Brahma first, Lord Brahma immersed in music of Veena of Goddess Saraswati, he felt neglected and cursed him that he will not be worshiped. Second he visited Lord Shiva, who was performing Tandava with his consort Goddess Parvati in Kailash , he got angry for being neglected and curses him, that only Shiva in Linga form will be worshiped. Then he visited Lord Vishnu in Vaikunth but finding Vishnu sleeping with Goddess Lakshmi besides him pressing his feet, he feels neglected again, the enraged Bhrigu kicks on the chest of God Vishnu.

God Vishnu asks for forgiveness from Bhrigu and requests a chance to do hospitality. Then pressing his feets and eventually pressing an eye under his feet (eye in the feet represents the ego, anger and ignorance) and destroys it and Sage Brigu realises his mistake. Goddess Lakshmi feels dishonored and tells that now she cannot stay in the place where Bhrigu’s foot has touched (ie, in God Vishnu’s heart) and then leaves Vaikunth angrily and settles near River Godavari (Present day, we worship her as Kolhapur Mahalakshmi). In the state of longing for Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu left Vaikunth and reaches Earth.

Lord Vishnu starts performing penance under an Ant Hill, he keeps calling for Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Shiva and Brahma takes the form of a cow and calf, and starts showering the milk in the ant hill for the Vishnu to calm his hunger. Seeing this, the angry cowherd throws the axe at the cow, which hits Vishnu’s forehead in trying to protect the cow and losses his memory. It is said that in Tirumala, Vakula (who is also claimed to be incarnation of Yahoda) was waiting for Krishna as her child. Vishnu who is wandering in the forest visits Vakula, seeing Sreenivasa she realises he is none other than her Krishna. He starts staying at her place and treats her as his mother.

On the other hand, Lakshmi incarnated herself as Padmavati who was the daughter of King Akasha Raja. One day she was playing with her friends, and an wild elephant starts chasing them, and she runs and falls in the embrace of Sreenivas who has come there for a hunt. 

They both gets a glimpse of past memories and later plans to get married. As for marriage Lord Vishnu needed money, so taking loan from Kubera promising him to pay in interest, he became a groom and married Padmvati grandly in the presence of all the Gods and Demigods. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is Still Paying the Loan. Goddess Lakshmi from then started knowing as Sreedevi and Padmavathi is known as Bhudevi.

Later a temple was made and People Visits this temple and seeks blessing from Venkateshwara by donating their hair. The main Prasad here is Laddu. It is said that after visiting Tirupati balaji one should visit Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple to seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.

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The Curse of Gandhari

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Gandhari was the queen of King Dhritarashtra, who was blind, and she also voluntarily blindfolded herself for life as a sign of empathy for her husband. Gandhari is often depicted as a symbol of virtue, devotion, and sacrifice. 

The curse of Gandhari is associated with the tragic events of the Kurukshetra War, a great war that took place between the Kauravas (the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas (cousins of the Kauravas). The war was a result of the longstanding rivalry and conflict between the two factions. Gandhari had a hundred sons, the Kauravas, who were on the opposing side of the war against the Pandavas. Despite her love for her sons, she was aware of their wrongful actions and the injustices they had committed. She was disappointed with her husband Dhritarashtra for not reigning in their behavior and for supporting their unjust actions.

As the Kurukshetra War reached its climax, Gandhari approached Lord Krishna, who was a key advisor to the Pandavas, seeking his intervention to prevent further bloodshed. She cursed Krishna, blaming him for not using his divine power to prevent the war and the resulting destruction. Her curse to Krishna was "May you, Krishna, the cause of this war, witness the annihilation of your own dynasty, and may you die alone and in despair, just as I will die grieving for my own lost sons."

This curse is believed to have been one of the contributing factors to the eventual demise of the Yadava dynasty, to which Krishna belonged. The Yadava dynasty faced infighting and self-destruction, leading to the fulfillment of Gandhari's curse.

The curse of Gandhari is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of war, human conflict, and the complexities of morality in the context of ancient Indian mythology and literature.

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The Vow of Bhishma Pitamah

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Bhishma Pitamah, also known as Bhishma, is a central character in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was a prominent warrior and a key figure in the Kuru dynasty. Bhishma is known for his unwavering dedication to principles and his pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the Kurukshetra War.

One of the most notable aspects of Bhishma's character is his vow of lifelong celibacy, known as "Bhishma Pratigya" or "Bhishma Vow." This vow was a result of a complex set of circumstances and personal choices. Bhishma was born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and the river Goddess Ganga. He earned the name "Bhishma" (meaning "terrible" or "fearsome") due to his extraordinary prowess in battle. Bhishma's vow of celibacy was made to ensure the happiness of his father and to avoid any potential succession disputes in the kingdom.

The story starts with the King....

King Shantanu fell in love with a beautiful woman named Satyavati, who lived by the river. Satyavati's father had a condition that only her children could inherit the throne. However, Shantanu's eldest son, Bhishma (then Devavrata), could not ascend the throne if he were to marry and have children. Seeing his father's love and desire for Satyavati, Devavrata made a vow of celibacy to ensure his father's happiness.

Devavrata took a solemn vow that he would remain celibate for life, renouncing his right to the throne and any potential progeny. This act was intended to ensure that any descendants of Satyavati would be eligible to inherit the throne without any competition from Devavrata's lineage. In recognition of his selfless sacrifice and the magnitude of his vow, Devavrata was given the name "Bhishma" by his father, signifying his fearsome resolve and dedication to his promise. Shantanu gave boon to Bhishma of "Ichha Mrityu" (Euthanasia) which simply meant he can control his death. 

Bhishma's vow of celibacy had far-reaching consequences. While it preserved his father's happiness and helped prevent potential conflicts over the throne, it also resulted in Bhishma's prolonged life due to his inability to die at will. This immortality in battle played a significant role in the events of the Mahabharata, as Bhishma fought valiantly on the side of the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra War.

Bhishma's character is often admired for his unwavering commitment to his principles, even in the face of personal sacrifice and challenging circumstances.

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Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple

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The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Mahalaxmi, who is revered as the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. The temple is located in the city of Kolhapur in the state of Maharashtra, India. The temple holds immense religious and cultural significance and is a popular pilgrimage site.

The story of the Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple is steeped in mythology and legends. One of the most well-known legends associated with the temple revolves around the deity's origins and how the temple came into existence.

Legend of the Origin of the Mahalaxmi Idol:

According to a popular legend, there was a demon named Kolhasura who had acquired immense power through penance and was causing havoc in the region. To counter his tyranny, the gods sought the help of Lord Vishnu, and together they waged a fierce battle against Kolhasura. Ultimately, the demon was defeated and killed, but he begged for a boon that his name would be immortalized in the region.

As a result, the region came to be known as Kolhapur (Kolha's Pur, meaning "City of Kolha"). To honor this request, a temple was constructed, and the Goddess Mahalaxmi was enshrined there as the presiding deity. It is believed that the idol of Mahalaxmi was sculpted by the divine architect, Lord Vishwakarma, and it is an important form of the goddess in the region.

Other Stories and Significance:

The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is also associated with various other legends and historical accounts. It is said to have been visited by several saints and philosophers, adding to its spiritual aura.

The temple complex itself is a beautiful architectural marvel, reflecting the characteristic style of Western Indian temple architecture. The main sanctum houses the idol of Mahalaxmi, which is adorned with rich jewelry and garments. The temple also features intricately carved pillars, sculptures, and a unique Shikhara (tower) that stands out as an architectural wonder. You can witness before sunset, the sun rays bow at the feet of Goddess Mahalaxmi through a window, for a while before vanishing.

It is said that on specific days of year the sun rays directly fall on the Murti. The sun rays falls on 31st January, 1nd February and 2nd February and again it falls on the Murti on 9th November, 10th November and 11th November. When this happens Kirnotsav is observed in the Temple.

Devotees from all over India visit the Mahalaxmi Temple to seek the blessings of the goddess and offer prayers for prosperity and well-being. The temple is particularly famous for its Navaratri celebrations, during which grand festivities are held in honor of the goddess.

The Mahalaxmi Temple holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra and continues to be a center of devotion, spirituality, and cultural heritage.

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Kedareshwar Cave Temple

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The Kedareshwar Cave Temple is a significant and ancient rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the Ellora Caves complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in the state of Maharashtra, India. The Ellora Caves are renowned for their stunning rock-cut architecture, which includes temples, monasteries, and other structures carved into the Charanandri Hills.

The Kedareshwar Cave Temple, numbered as Cave 34 in the Ellora Caves sequence, is particularly noteworthy for its unique design and the intricate sculptures that adorn its interiors. The Kedareshwar Cave Temple is carved out of a single rock, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship. The temple's layout consists of a central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, along with various sculptures and carvings that depict scenes from Hindu mythology and legends. The sanctum houses a Shiva Linga (an iconic representation of Lord Shiva) that serves as the primary deity.

The Shiva Linga of this temple is located below the mountain and only one single pillar is holding the whole mountain, as the other three pillars are broken. It is said that each pillar belongs to each Yuga. The Pillars breaks as each Yuga ends and at the end of Kaliyug the last pillar will also break. It is said that the water surrounded around Shiva Linga is hot during winter and cool during summer and during monsoon when water around the Linga gets filled up, the Shiva Linga automatically rises above.

The temple's walls are adorned with intricate sculptures, including depictions of deities, celestial beings, and various mythological narratives. These carvings reflect the artistic prowess of the craftsmen who worked on the temple. Some of the sculptures illustrate episodes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.One of the distinctive features of the Kedareshwar Cave Temple is the presence of a massive sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull that serves as Lord Shiva's mount, in front of the sanctum. This sculpture is intricately carved and adds to the temple's artistic grandeur.

Visiting the Kedareshwar Cave Temple and the Ellora Caves complex provides a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient India and offers a spiritual and aesthetic experience for those who appreciate art and history.

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