Ayyappa Swamy Temple, near Ganesh Nagar Andhra Pradesh

Ayyappa Swamy Temple, near Ganesh Nagar Andhra Pradesh

Ashtalakshmi Temple, Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh

Ashta Lakshmi Temple is a popular pilgrim destination located on the suburbs of Hyderabad, at a distance of 12 km from Nampally. Ashta Lakshmi Temple of Hyderabad is one of the two Ashta Lakshmi temples in India, the other one being in Chennai.

Ashta Lakshmi Temple is dedicated to eight forms of Sri Lakshmi who are the symbols of power, wealth and health. Ashta Lakshmi Temple of Hyderabad is significant for its unique idols of Goddess Lakshmi, which are made of sand and cement. The idols were consecrated by Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, in the year 1996.

The idols of Lakshmi in 8 different postures are installed in the chief gopuram of the temple. Santaana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Adi Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi are the eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi.

There are minor shrines dedicated to Lord Narayana, Lord Ganapathi and Lord Garuda inside the chief gopuram.  All the idols inside the chief gopuram are decorated with jewels made of gold and pearl.  The idols of minor deities are installed in the outer Mahagopuram of the temple.

Ardhagiri veeranjaneya Swamy - Aragonda - Chittoor - Andhra Pradesh

This temple is located in Thavanampalli (M) Chittoor Dt. distance 22 Km.from Kanipakam. Number of Private Vehicles are available from Kanipakam Devasthanam to Aardagiri.  For the present the APSRTC is operating 2 services daily from Chittoor to Ardhagiri via Kanipakam.  

That, Faith can move the mountains, is proved at this temple. 15 kms away from Kanipakkam is Sri Veeranjaneya swamy temple of Ardhagiri. This famous temple that attracts devotees from far and wide has a legend. It seems in Tretayuga during a battle Lakshmana went unconscious. In order to save his life Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevani Parvatha. During the journey a piece of Sanjeevani Parvatha fell here. Later that place was called Aragonda. It is a belief that, the Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini (Tank) water here never gets dried up. Devotees carry water from this pond for intake as it is said to cure all diseases and it stays fresh for a longer period. Consuming the holy water has cured more than 1860 diseases. It is the belief that cures acute cases. This has been proved in the cases of Psoriasis, initial stages of TB, asthma, cancer & joint pains. The experiences of the patients who were cured have been recorded and they stand as testimony to it. 

The striking feature of the moolavigraha (Main deity) is that it faces towards north, which is a rarity. The first says of the sun, fall on the feet of the Lord. Gradually the sunrays disappear after reaching the head of the lord. It is also believed that the ardent devotees and staunch believers can even hear the 'Omkara Nada' (Chanting of Om) at midnight amidst silence. It is deemed that Lord Anjaneya stays to safeguard Lord Lakshmi Narayana as he dwells there. 

Srikurmam Srikakulam, Sri kurmavatara Andhra Pradesh

Srikurmanatha temple is one of the ancient temples devoted to Lord Vishnu in the Srikurmam village. Lord Kurmam is considered as one of the forms of Lord Vishnu and is also called as Lord Kurmanath. It is believed to be the only temple devoted to Lord Vishnu in the form of Kurmavatara, the tortoise incarnation, in the country.

The temple pillars are adorned with carvings and inscriptions dating from the 11th century to the 19th century, in Devanagari script. Various paintings and a five-storeyed gopuram are some of the attractions of the temple.

The sanctum is lighted with lamps and can be reached through a narrow passage. A long platform of stone, along with a small platform, resembles the one in the temple of Panakala Narasimha Swamy at Mangalagiri.

Arasavalli srikakulam,suryanarayana swamy temple Andhra Pradesh

Archeological specialists say that the stone inscriptions available in the Suryanarayana Swamy Temple Arasavalli , Arasavalli Sun Temple  during some lightweight to the result that Devendra Varma, the Ruler of the Kalinga Kingdom, should have build this temple and put in the image of the Sun God in it within the later 1/2 the 7th Century . The interpretation of the stone inscriptions reveals the donation of some lands created to the Sun God for perceptual lamps to be put in in the Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple ( Sun God ) , Arasavalli Temple to run a school or a Hostel for the pupils learning Sastras and vedas.

These donations area unit explicit to possess been created by the successors of the Calinga King Devendra Varma before 11th Century A.D. The Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple is built in such the way on create the Sun Rays specialize in the feet of the God double in the year of March, September in the early hours of the day. The rays thus focused on the feet of the Idol through the 5 entrance gates of the Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, stay for some minutes.

Annavaram the holy village of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh

Annavaram is a village situated on the banks of river Pampa in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. At a distance of 72 kms from Rajahmundry, 124 Kms from Visakhapatnam and 498 kms from Hyderabad, Annavaram is famous for Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple. It is believed that all the wishes of devotees will be fulfilled when Satyanarayana Vrata is performed here.

The most distinctive feature of Annavaram is the shrine to Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy settled on Ratnagiri hill top. The name of the Goddess is Ananta Lakshmi Satyavathi Ammavaru. Meruvu the Lord of the hills and his consort Menaka did great penance and got two sons by the grace of Lord Vishnu. One was Bhadra and the other Ratnakara. Bhadra pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and penance, became Bhadrachalam on which Lord Sri Rama had permanently settled. Ratnakara desired to emulate his brother and succeeded in pleasing Lord Vishnu by his penance to settle on him as Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy, Ratnakara remaining as Ratnagiri hill.

Annavaram is considered very holy & popular and next only to Tirupati in AP state. Most of the people in Andhra Pradesh perform Satyanarayana Vrata during housewarming ceremony and during marriages. The festivals celebrated are the Kalyanam festival, Devi Navaratri festival, the Swayamvara Vardhanti of Sraavana Suddha Ekadashi Day, Srirama Kalyana, Kanakadurga Yatra, Prabha Utsavam, Teppa Utsavam and Jalatoranam.

- See more at: http://indiankshetras.com/Lord-Veera-Venkata-Satyanarayana-Swamy-Annavaram-holy-village-East-Godavari-temple-andrapradesh-india#sthash.7IhfFsNz.dpuf

Anjaneya Temple Vempalli Gandi Cuddapah District Andhra Pradesh

A 50 feet panchamukha anajaneya swamy statue is also there. AP tourism has constructed a hotel for tourists who can stay here on paid basis. The Gandi temple is presently exactly at the hill base, the view of mountains will let you take a couple of shots with your camera. Apart from the Anjaneya swamy temple there are couple of temples and a small tribute river is also flowing at this place. 

During the rainy season plenty of water will be available at the river, you have to cross the river to see other small temple on the other side of the main temple. RGKUT (IIIT)  Idupulapaya is also near to temple, one of the institute for giving better opportunities to rural students.

How to go:

From Kadapa - Vempalli - Gandi, the distance is approximately 53 kilometers.

From Pulivendula - Vempalli - Gandi, the distance is approximately 37 kilometers.

From Rayachoti - Lakkireddipalli - Gandi, the distance is approximately 50 kilometers.

APSRTC buses are there from Kadapa to Pulivendula via Vempalli, get down at vempalli and catch another another bus to Gandi or can hire an auto from vempalli to gandi and distance is around 7 kilometers. Even from Rayachoti to Pulivendula and viceversa buses are there via Gandi, so that you can exactly get down near the temple if you travel from Rayachoti or Pulivendula.

The nearest major railway station is Cuddapah (Kadapa) which is approximately 55 kilometers and minor railway stations are Yerraguntla railway station which is approximately 43 kilometers The nearest airport is Renigunta airport which is 190 kilometers approximately. 

Amareswara Swamy temple Amaravathi Andhra Pradesh

This Amaravati temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and homes a 15feet high white marble Shiva symbol. On the four sides of the Amaravati temple are large gopurams in a usually Dravidian  architectural style. As per the Hindu mythology, Amareswara, Amaravati Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, the 'Destroyer of the Universe'. The Amareswara Swamy temple is found on little hammock named as Krouncha Shaila in Amaravati, concerning fifteen miles faraway from Guntur nearest to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. This Amaravati temple constitutes one of the 5 Pancharama temples of Andhra Pradesh dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other four of Pancharama temples are Kumararama, Ksheerarama and Bheemarama and Draksharama. - See more at: http://templeindia.info/amaravati-temple/#sthash.F7W4Z8GF.dpuf

Amararama Temple Andhra Pradesh

Amararama is one of the Pancharama Kshetras which is located at Amaravati town near Guntur City in Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Lord Shiva is known as Amareswara Swamy or Amaralingeswara Swamy here. The temple is situated on the southern bank of Krishna River. The consort of Lord Amareswara Swamy is Bala Chamundika. The Sivalinga at this place is installed and established by Lord Indra.

Ahobilam Temple Andhra Pradesh

Ahobilam Temple in Karnool district of andhra pradesh inside the hills of the Eastern Ghats, relating to 400 kilometre northwest of Madras.

The Ahobilam temple consists of 9 shrines to Lord Nrisimha placed around a 5 kilometre circle. in addition to the 9 shrines, there is a temple for Prahaladavarada Varadhan inside the foothills of the mountain. as a results of security reasons and so the issue in liberal arts daily worship, many of the utsava vigrahas of the 9 shrines unit of measurement kept during this Ahobilam temple.

Garuda needed for a vision of Lord Nrisimha inside the sort of the Avathara. To fulfill his need, the Lord settled inside the hills around Ahobilam inside the within of dense forests in 9 fully completely different forms. For this reason this hill came to be spoken as Garudadri, Garudachalam, and Garudasailam.

Ahobilam is that the place where the Lord killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahalada. Mahalakshmi took avathar as Senchulakshmi among the Senchu, group hunters of the hills, and married the Lord Narasimha swamy.

Sri Ahobila Muth ( Hindu Temple ) one altogether the foremost necessary Sri Vaishnava spiritual establishments in India, was established by Sri Athivan Satakopan at the directions of Lord Lakshmi Nrisimha of Ahobilam Temple. In fact, the utsava moorthy of the Malola Nrisimha temple, one altogether the nine shrines of Ahobilam, is that the presiding god of Sri Ahobila Muth. Sri Malolan accompanies Srimad Azhagiya Singar, the religious and titular head of Sri Ahobila Mutham, on his travels.

Srivanchiyam – Vanchinathaswamy Temple Tamil Nadu

Srivanchiyam is the last temple we visited on 1st January 2010.  Srivanchiyam, is a small Village in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, between Mudikondan and Puttar rivers.  The presiding deity here is Vanchinathan and His consort is Mangalambika. The Shivalingam is a Swayambhu (self manifested) and faces both West and East; hence puja is performed here in both the directions. There are two Nandhis in this temple, one on the East and one on the West. This lingam is supposed to have existed even before the pralaya (the Great Deluge) and was facing west when Suryan worshiped him. The Shivalingam here is considered to be the oldest among all the swayambhu lingams in the world.  Sandalwood is the sthala vriksham here and sandal leaves are used to perform the puja to the Lord. Usually vilva leaves are used in puja for Shiva.  Brahmandam, Skandam, Samboban and Agneya Puranas talk about this sacred place.

There is a separate shrine here for Yama Dharmaraja. He is given preference in daily worship. Legend has it that, Yama Dharmaraja was very worried and felt overwhelmed with all the sins accumulated in the course of performing his duty. He wanted a solution for this.  As per the advice of Brahma, Yama went to a place by the banks of the Cauvery, where he could find Gandharanyam (Sandal Forest), and propiate to Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion and instucted Yama to have a temple built Him at here.  He also wanted Yam to be His vehicle. Accordingly, Yama stayed at this temple which he built at SriVanchiyam. The Lord also granted Yama’s wish for a shrine for himself at SriVanchiyam. Usually, Vinayakar is the first deity to be worshiped in all Shiva temples, but here at Srivanchiyam, Yama is worshiped even before prayers are offered to Vinayakar.  The Sannidhi to Lord Yama is in the first Praharam (circumambulatory path). On entering the temple, the temple tank called the Gupta Ganga Temple Tank is situated on the right hand side. Yama’s Shrine can be found on your left hand side. This small shrine faces south.  Kubera can be seen standing next to Yama at this shrine. Those who pray here are considered to be free from the sufferings preceding their death.

Lalithambigai temple at Thirumeyachur Tamil Nadu

As per legend, Arunan the charioteer of Surya Bhagavan wanted to go to Kailasam to worship Lord Shiva. Surya Bhagavan did not allow him to go. Hence Arunan took the form of a girl and was on his way to Kailasam. On the way Surya saw this girl and outraged her modesty. Lord Shiva was very angry with Surya Bhagavan for such misbehaviour and cursed him to get darkened. The whole world plunged into darkness. A repentant Surya Bhagavan pleaded for mercy and as per His advice came to Thirumeiyachur and worshiped the Lord here. Surayan is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva seated on an Elephant. To signify this you can see a Vimana (gajaprishta vimanam) in the temple resembling the back of an elephant. Even after severe penance, the Lord did not show mercy and Surya Bhagavan shouted in anguish. The Goddess was angered by this and almost cursed Surya Bhagavan, before being pacified by Lord Shiva. He said that the World was already plunged in darkness because Surya was dark and that he was only looking for relief. By His grace Surya Bhagavan attained papa vimochanam (absolution of sin).

He blessed her to be Shanta nayagi. In the outer praharam (circumambulatory path) of Shiva’s shrine there is a sculpture of kshetrapuraneswarar depicting this. Lord Shiva is seen holding the cheeks of his consort and pacifying Her. As you face this beautiful sculpture, and if you observe closely, you can see that from your left hand side there will be a smile on Her face and if you see from your right hand side you can see anger in Her face.

This sculpture may also signify that in a marital relationship, when the wife loses her temper the husband should stay calm and alert or vice versa. In a Hindu marriage, the mantra “Samaya Varte Savadhan“, is repeated by the groom after the priest. The meaning of this mantra is – Be cautious and act as per the situation. Only the groom is asked to chant this mantra because women, by nature, are generally calm and are expected to be so. Husband and wife should be the calming influence on each other for enjoying a harmonious marital life.

The angels called vasini emerged from Lalithambigai’s mouth and sung the Lalitha Sahasranamam (1000 names) in praise of the Goddess. This stotra is found in the Brahmanda puranam. Hayagriva taught Agastya – his disciple – this stotra. Agastya then came here and sang the popular sloka Maatha jaya Om Lalithambigaye.

On the northern side of the praharam, you have the shrine of Sakala Bhuvaneswarar and His consort is Minnumegalaial. This is supposed to be an Ilam Kovil (temple within temple). Since there are two temples side by side, a unique feature of this temple is that you can see Shiva (present as Lingothbhavar) Vishnu and Brahma simultaneously from the North West corner of the outer prahara (Circumambulatory path).

On the Northern side of the outer Prahara near the Sakala Bhuvaneswarar shrine is the Asthabhujanga Durga. In the right hand of Durga is a parrot. Devotees, who want their prayers to come true, convey the same to Lalithambigai through this Durga. The parrot is supposed to be taking the message to Lalithambigai. Some lucky devotees can see that spectacle of a Parrot flying from above Durga’s shrine to the dhwajasthambam opposite Lalithambigai’s shrine!!!

There is something interesting that happened as recently as 1999. A devout woman from Bangalore had recurring dreams of Ambal asking her for gold anklet (Golusu). This woman went in search of the Goddess and visited various temples. She chanced upon the issue of Alayam magazine in which Lalithambiga Temple appeared as the cover story and immediately recognised the Ambal as the one from her dreams. She had the anklet made and visited the temple. She told the priest of her dreams and wanted the Goddess to be adorned with the Golusu. The priest said that since there is no way for the Golusu to go around Her feet it would not be possible. On her insistence, the priest decided to give it a try and to his astonishment could find a soft spot in the idol’s ankle and he could actually pass the Golusu through it!!! Later, it is said that they could find holes in Her nose which is now adorned with mookuthi (nose pin), oddiyanam(roughly translated as waist belt) around Her Waist.

Thittai Guru Sthalam Temple Tamil Nadu

Thittai, in Tamil means a Mound. It here during the Great Deluge (Pralayam) that Brahma & Vishnu worshiped Lord Shiva for protection. This was the only place which had not submerged in the deluge. They worshiped the Lingam that they found here. Pleased with their Devotion, Lord Shiva delegated the duties of Creation & Protection to Brahma & Vishnu respectively.

The Lingam here is Swayambhu (Swayam – self & bhu – to be; Swayambhu means self manifest). Sage Vasishta is believed to have worshiped the Lord here and hence the name Vasishteswarar. He is also called Theerurnathar, Pasupathynathar, Radhapureeswarar or Dheenupureeswarar. Yama got rid of curse after worshiping this deity. The divine consort of Vasishteswarar is Ulaganayaki, Sugantha Kunthaleswari and Mangaleswari. The Goddess Ulaganayaki is known as Sugantha Kunthalambigai since a Vaisya girl by name Sugantha Kunthala got her deceased husband back to life after worshiping Ulaganayaki here. Therefore, Ulaganayaki is worshiped by the married women for the long life of their husband.

There are four Lingas in the four corners and the fifth linga is the main deity, hence this is a pancha linga kshetram. This is also called the Pancha Bhootha Kshetra. The temple tank here is Chakra Theertham, believed to have been created by Lord Vishnu’s chakra.

This is a Parihara sthalam for Guru. Lord Guru is seen in a separate shrine between swami and ambal. Guru here is Raja Guru and is in standing posture, with 4 hands holding his weapons and a book. (In Alangudi, the main Guru Parihara sthalam, Lord Dakshinamurthy is worshipped as Guru.) He is believed to have given upadesam to Vasishta muni. Worshiping the Guru here and subsequently worshiping Chandran at Thingalur, on the same day, is supposed to bring the Guru Chandra Yogam in ones horoscope. This is supposed to be very good for the inmate of the horoscope.

Karumbayiram Pillaiyar and Bhavath Vinayagar Kumbakonam Temple Tamil Nadu

As the story goes, the Vinayaka – Lord’s abidance here is founded on a challenge  thrown to the Lord in a little Brahmin-guy’s guise, by a trader in sugarcanes who brought thousands in a cart load for sale. The little boy asked for one. Denied, he vanished in to the sacred site and the sap of the canes went dry. Realising his mistake, repenting, contrife of heart, the trader tprayed the Lord and Sri Vinayaka “refilled” his thousand’s of sugar canes with the sweet-sap that turned them proper.He built a temple of yore and workshiped the Lord of Lords – Vinayaka here. Hence the name Karumbairam Konda Vinayakar (literally Vinayaka who consumed a thousand sugarcanes).

Ucchi Pillayar koil Temple Tamil Nadu

The Ucchi Pillayar koil  temple is situated at the top of the rock.  It is a 7th century Temple and related to the Epic Ramayana.  Ravanas Brother Vibhishana on the way to his kingdom, tries to find someone to hold the deity Renganathar while he was taking bath. He finds one small boy (vinayaga).  Vinayaka takes the deity and keeps it in the bank of Cauvery.  After bathing  the vibhishana got angry and chases the boy. He was running and climbs over the rock. This is the Ucchi Pillayar Koil .  So, this is the very old temple.  The site seeing from this temple is very beautiful.  We get a beautiful view of srirengapuram Gopuram from this hill. This temple is near by the Cauvery river. Temple is located at main guard gate Trichy.  Another Ucchi Pillayar Temple is in Kumbakonam near Sarangapani Temple. Biggest Kozhukatai Pooja is offered on the Vinayaga chadurthi day.

Adhi vinayagar Temple, Nara Mukha Pillaiyar Tamil Nadu

Adhi Vinayagar Temple is in Muktheeswarar temple at Thilatharpanapuri which is near by Koothanoor in the Mayavaram Tiruvarur road. It is also known as Sethalapathy. The Vinayagar with human face is known as Adhi Vinayagar.  Adi Vinayagar  is also called Nara Mukha Vinayakar. This is the unique temple with the God Ganesh with out elephant head. This is the ancient form of  Vinayagar. In this temple devotees are doing Thila Tharpana ritual which is the Hindu ritual of Pithur Karmas.  

Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Pillayarpatti Tamil Nadu

Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar koil is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu and situated at Pillayarpatti, which is between Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. The Vinayagar sannidhi (Sanctom Sanctorum) is a cave where the 6 feet of Karpaga Vinayagar has been carved inside. Vinayagar Chathurthi is the very important festival in this temple  "VINAYAGAR CHATURTHI" celebrated every year on Aavani is the important festival of this village. This festival is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner. Pillayarpatti is situated at a distance of 71Kms from Madurai and 12Kms from Karaikudi Temple Timing From 06.00 A.M - 1.00 P.M  From 04.00 P.M - 8.30 P.M.

Ganapathi Agraharam Temple Kumbakonam Tamil Nadu

Ganapathi agraharam is a village in the bus route Thiruvaiyaru - Kumbakonam. This is near by Swamimali. Vinayagasathurthi Festival is famous in this temple. On that day the Lord Ganapathy goes to the River Cauvery and give a "Theertham" in the bank of river Cauvery. In that same day the naivethiyam ie "Kozhukattai" (raice with sweet purnam) is prepared in their houses by the devotees and distributed to them in the temple itself.

Thirupurambiam Vinayagar Temple kumbakonam Tamil Nadu

Thirupurambiam Vinayagar temple is to the north-west of kumbakonam and is reached through pulianeheri a village on the way to swamimalai. The first praharam has niches for devatas and is called thirumaligai thiruvayal.  It has a beautiful small gopura at the entrance.  The second outer praharamt called thiruthorana vayal has a five tiered gopura rising 81ft tall.The goddess is karumbadu solli.  She also bears the name kuravila azhagi .  To the south-east is pralayam katha pilliar Koil.  The legends declare that he saved this place from deluge and hence got this name.Punnai is the holy tree of this temple.  It is in the north-west of the first praharam.

Thiruvalanchuzhi Sri Swetha Vinayakar Temple Kumbakonam Tamil Nadu

Thiruvalanchuzhi Sri Swetha Vinayakar is near Swamimalai and Kumbakonam. The Lord of this village is karpathesar Goddess of the Lord is Periyanayaki in olden age long ago Cauveri divided deep went into depth viz pathalam and no where seen with in the surface. This was seen by Eranda sage and shocked upon the naturai phonons he decided to bring back the sacred caurvery to surface even by giving. his life and as conceived he has given this life for this purpose. Cauveri river all in a suddedn came out to surface and has its run towards right side with freshness Because of this naturai disaster and the historical even of Branda Sage. The village named as Valansuzhi. The Lord vinayakar is in white colour and in tiny roobam is for Dharshan. The Lord white Vinayakar is in the Sea foam form There is no performance of Abishegam for this Lord. Only green champhor is applied to this deity Vinayagar.