Amazing Temples
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Temples across India....their Stories, their Speciality.....their Uniqueness....and More
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Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
*Suprabhatam*

*Ezhai Pillaiyar(Ganapati) Temple-Trichy*

Ezhai Pillaiyar Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in Vadakku Andar Street in Trichy City of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ezhai Pillaiyar and the Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.

*The Temple*

On the Girivalam path, after worshipping Lord Uchi Pillaiyar, devotees come across 12 Vinayakas (Pillaiyars), including Uchi Pillaiyar. The 7th Vinayaka in this line is called Ezhai Pillaiyar. He is worshipped in the Saptha Pureeswarar Temple.

This temple is unique because it does not have other deities like Shiva, Ambika, or sub-deities. Only Naga (serpent) idols are placed outside the temple. Ezhai Pillaiyar is the main deity here. He faces south, towards his parents at the Tiruchirappalli Rockfort Temple (Thayumanavar Temple).

*Puranic Significance*

According to Indian philosophy, all sounds, including the Vedas and scriptures, come from the Udukkai drum (a small, two-headed drum) held by Lord Shiva. The Saptha Swaras (seven musical notes) also originate from this divine instrument. Music has the power to attract everyone, including the Gods.

The Saptha Swara deities, proud of their importance in the world of sound, began to think they were greater than everyone, including Lord Shiva, who had once been enchanted by Ravana's Sama Gana singing. Seeing their growing arrogance, Goddess Kalaivani (Saraswati), the goddess of wisdom and arts, cursed them to lose their voices and become mute.

The deities realized their mistake and silently surrendered at Lord Shiva’s feet, seeking forgiveness. Out of compassion, Lord Shiva told them to go to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), a place as sacred as Mount Kailash, and worship Uchi Pillaiyar at the hilltop. He also instructed them to install another Pillaiyar on the Girivalam path and worship him before praying to Uchi Pillaiyar again. By doing this penance, they would regain their lost powers.

The deities followed Lord Shiva’s instructions and regained the power of the Saptha Swaras. The Pillaiyar they worshipped became known as Ezhavathu Pillaiyar (the seventh Pillaiyar), later pronounced as Ezhai Pillaiyar.

*Belief*

Musicians pray to Lord Vinayaka in this temple to improve their voice, gain prosperity, and ensure the health of their children. Lord Vinayaka grants wisdom and artistic skills to his devotees. Children with learning difficulties or developmental delays are brought to the Saptha Pureeswarar temple and given the Abisheka Theertha (holy water) for healing. Gradually, they overcome their challenges and become brighter. Students also pray here to achieve higher marks and ranks. Many families have shared their experiences of these blessings.

As this Vinayaka faces south, elders worship him to receive blessings for longevity and a life free of fear. Additionally, since he faces his parents at the Tiruchirappalli Mount (Thayumanavar Temple), worshipping him fosters unity and harmony within the family. Devotees also benefit spiritually by indirectly worshipping the principal deity, Lord Uchi Pillaiyar.

As part of their offerings, devotees break coconuts and present grass garlands to the Lord in this shrine.

*Festivals*

Besides Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September, the temple celebrates Sankatahara Chaturthi each month.

*22.01.2025*

*Compiled by Manoj Inamdar*
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
*Suprabhatam*

*Tulja Bhavani Temple - Jabalpur*

The Tulja Bhavani Temple in Jabalpur is dedicated to Goddess Tulja Bhavani, a fierce and powerful form of Durga, also regarded as the goddess of strength, victory, and protection. The temple's mythological roots are anchored in the belief that Goddess Bhavani, also known as Tulja Bhavani, played a significant role in protecting and empowering the Pandavas during their time of exile, which ties it to the great epic of the Mahabharata.

The temple’s location, in the scenic hills near the Narmada River, is considered sacred and is thought to have been a place where the goddess appeared to bless the Pandavas.

The temple holds special significance because it is believed to have been established during the Kalchuri dynasty's reign. The dynasty, which ruled the region around the 10th century, played a significant role in promoting the worship of Goddess Bhavani, especially in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Another legend states that the Tulja Bhavani Temple at Jabalpur was built by a queen of the Kalchuri dynasty who had a deep devotion to the goddess. She is believed to have installed the idol of Tulja Bhavani at the temple, after receiving a divine vision of the goddess instructing her to build the shrine.

*Legend*

According to local legends and spiritual narratives, the Pandavas, during their 12 years of exile in the forest, visited the Tulja Bhavani Temple to seek the blessings of the goddess for their success and safe return. The temple is believed to have been established much before the time of the Mahabharata, and it is said that the Pandavas, who were deeply devoted to Goddess Durga, came to Jabalpur specifically to invoke Tulja Bhavani's blessings.

The most prominent part of the legend is that the Pandavas, particularly Arjuna, were facing numerous challenges and adversities during their exile. They came to the Tulja Bhavani Temple seeking divine guidance and protection to overcome the difficulties of their exile and to help them prepare for their eventual battle against the Kauravas (the Kurukshetra War). Legend has it that after praying and offering rituals, the goddess granted them victory and protection.

The belief is that Goddess Tulja Bhavani granted the Pandavas not only physical strength but also spiritual empowerment, ensuring their safe return to power after the exile. The goddess, as a form of Durga, is believed to have bestowed upon them victory in the war and protection from enemies.

It is also said that after receiving the goddess's blessings, the Pandavas were able to gather powerful allies, including Lord Krishna, and eventually achieve their triumph in the Mahabharata war. The goddess's blessings were crucial in the Pandavas’ quest to reclaim their lost kingdom, and it is believed that they attributed much of their success to her divine grace.

Navratri is a major festival celebrated with great zeal and devotion. During this time, the temple attracts thousands of devotees who come to seek the blessings of Tulja Bhavani for strength, victory, and protection. The temple becomes a hub of religious activity, with prayers, rituals, and cultural events.Locals believe that the goddess’s blessings ensure not only spiritual benefits but also material prosperity and success in life.

*24.01.2025*

*Compiled by Manoj Inamdar*
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
*Suprabhatam*

*Sri Raghuttama Tirtha Moola Brindavana- Tirukoilur*

Sri Raghuttama Tirtha's Brindavana is located in Manampoondi, a village near Tirukoilur in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. Situated on the banks of the South Pennar River (also known as Pinakini).Raghuttama Tirtha (c.1548 – c.1596) was an Indian philosopher, scholar, theologian, and saint. He was also known by the honorific Bhavabodhacharya.His works include commentaries on the writings of Madhvacharya and Jayatirtha.

Raghuttama Tirtha served as the fourteenth pontiff of the Madhvacharya Peetha - Uttaradi Math from 1557 to 1595, holding the position for thirty-nine years. He is regarded as one of the significant seers in the history of the Dvaita school of thought.

During this time, Shri Raghunatha Teertha of the Uttaradi Math had passed away, and his successor, Shri Raghuvarya Teertha, faced the challenge of reviving the troubled Madhva community. Concerned about the state of Madhvacharya’s teachings and literature, he sought refuge in prayers to Shri Madhvacharya.

In response, Shri Madhvacharya appeared in his dream and instructed him to visit Svarnavata, where his sister Ganga Bai and her husband Subba Bhatta lived. The couple was childless, and Shri Madhvacharya asked Shri Raghuvarya Teertha to bless them with a child. He assured him that this child would grow up to spread the teachings of Madhva philosophy. Deeply moved by the vision, Shri Raghuvarya Teertha woke up filled with gratitude.

Following further guidance from his dreams, Shri Raghuttama Teertha was inspired to strengthen the Math by adopting a more grand lifestyle, including servants, elephants, and other symbols of status. He began delivering impressive lectures on *Nyaya Sudha* in a voice said to be sweeter than honey, captivating his audience with his profound explanations.

Once, while teaching a challenging section of *Nyaya Sudha*, he resolved the doubts of Varadacharya, who had been secretly listening. Varadacharya, humbled by Shri Raghuttama Teertha’s knowledge, sought his blessings. The saint graciously decreed that the Adya family members would always receive the first *teertham* at Uttaradi Math, a tradition still followed.

Shri Raghuttama Teertha, known for his wisdom and miraculous deeds, once saved his disciples from robbers in a forest by meditating and invoking divine intervention. The robbers surrendered, and the saint forgave them, showcasing his noble nature.

Towards the end of his life, he chose to enter *Brindavana* (final resting place) at Manampundi on the banks of the South Pinakini River in Tamil Nadu, a sacred site known as "Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetra." As per his instructions, a Zamindar of Tiruvanamalai constructed his Brindavana. Shri Raghuttama Teertha entered *Brindavana* on Vaikunta Ekadashi in 1595 AD, leaving a legacy of devotion and scholarship.



*Compiled by Manoj Inamdar*
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
Photo from Srikanth Matrubai
*Suprabhatam*

*Ekashila Dwimukhi Chamundeshwari Temple- Jog Falls*

The Jog Falls Chamundeshwari Temple, located near the majestic Jog Falls in Karnataka, is a serene and sacred site with rich historical and cultural significance. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, represented as a rare two-faced idol (*Eka Shila Dwimukhi*), carved from a single stone by the renowned sculptor Siddalinga Swamiji.

This idol of Chamundeshwari Devi symbolizes the three divine aspects: Goddess Durga (protection), Goddess Saraswati (knowledge), and Goddess Lakshmi (wealth). The temple’s architecture is simple yet elegant, harmonizing with the natural surroundings of dense forests and the cascading falls. The intricate craftsmanship of the idol and the sanctum reflects traditional South Indian artistry, making it a unique and revered spiritual site.

*History*

The history of the temple is deeply intertwined with the Jog Hydroelectric Project, envisioned by Diwan Sir M. Vishweshvaraya during the reign of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar of Mysore. As the project faced numerous challenges due to the rugged terrain and dense forests, the Maharaja prayed to Goddess Chamundeshwari for guidance. According to legend, the goddess appeared in his dream, granting her blessings and instructing him to install her idol near the project site for divine protection. Following her divine vision, the temple was constructed, and the project was successfully completed, symbolizing the harmony between faith and human ingenuity.

*Sthalapurana*

The temple’s *sthalapurana* (legend) also connects it to the origin of the Sharavathi River. It is believed that during the *Treta Yuga*, Lord Rama visited the region during his exile. To quench Sita’s thirst, he struck the ground with an arrow, bringing forth water that became the Sharavathi River. The river flows through valleys and hills, finally plunging into the 960-foot Jog Falls in four streams, named Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket. The temple’s location near the falls enhances its spiritual and natural allure, making it a site of pilgrimage and tourism.

The temple celebrates several festivals with grandeur, attracting devotees from across the region. Navaratri is the most prominent, with nine days of special rituals and cultural events culminating in Vijayadashami. The annual Chamundeshwari Jatre is another significant celebration, featuring vibrant fairs and traditional performances. Deepavali sees the temple illuminated with lamps, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, while Varamahalakshmi Vrata is dedicated to worshiping Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Every Friday is considered auspicious, with devotees performing special *pujas* and offering flowers and coconuts to the goddess.



*Compiled by Manoj Inamdar*
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