Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over as Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata, which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts lakhs of devotees every year. In fact, the number of Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine annually now exceeds 5 million. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.

The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave. Darshans are open round the clock throughout the year.

Since the year 1986, when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (commonly called Shrine Board) was formed (under “The Jammu & Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986’), the management of the Shrine and regulation of the Yatra has been vested in the Board. The Board has undertaken a number of developmental activities aimed at making the Yatra a comfortable and satisfying experience for the Yatris. So far, over 125 crores of rupees have been invested by the Board for providing various infrastructural and other facilities. The Board continues to reinvest the offerings and donations received in carying out improvements in various kinds of Yatri facilities.

Source: http://www.maavaishnodevi.org/introduction1.asp

Sarangapani Temple Periya (Chithirai Ther)Ther Festival

Avoor Pasupatheeswarar Koil Tamilnadu

God	-	Pasupatheeswarar
Goddess	-	Mangalaambikai
Holy Water	-	Brama Theertham, Kamadhenu Theertham
Holy Tree	-	Arasa Maram (Peepul Tree)

This sivasthalam temple is located 8 Kms to the south-west of Patteeswaram. Avoor is considered to be 21st in the series of Thevara Sthalams in the Chola kingdom located South of the river Kaveri.

The temple has five majestic gopurams. This temple is a Maadakkovil built at an elevation by Ko Chenkann Cholan. Kodi maram has a sculpture like a cow dropping milk on Sivalinga and worshipping.

The hymns of Thirugnana Sambandhar addressed to Pasupatheeswarar in awe.

Brahma, Devas, Saptha Rishis, Indhran, Sun, Vashistar and NavaGraha are said to have worshipped here and got grace of Siva.

In 2nd Centuary it was the fort of Chola Kingdom.

Avoor presented the great Sanga Pulavargal (Ancient Vocalist) Avoor Kizhar and Avoor Moolangizhar to the world.

Sri Shanmugananda Ashram - Kottaiyur Swamimalai Near - Kumbakonam

Contact Person	-	Sri N. Ramadoss Anna
Address	-	Sri Kodeeswarar South, East Kottaiyur
Place	-	Kumbakonam - 612 002.
Phone	-	+91 435 - 2422655

All acts of kindness are wonderful. We feel good when we give something to others and help and help them reach their full potential in life. Our rewards are the warm feelings that touch our heart. The Ashram was established in 1936. They are running the following institutions:

History: In 1936, Thavathiru Ramadass Anna and Thiru M S Pichaimuthu established Sri Shanmugananda Ashram on the banks of Cauvery River. These golden hearted devotees of Vallalar provided food, a place to stay and quality education to orphan boys in the area so as to bring them up as valuable citizens.

Vallalar Maanavar Illam (Orphanage) Vallalar Baalar School (Kindergarten) Vallalar Primary School Vallalar Higher Secondary School (High & Junior College) Vallalar Computer Centre Vallalar School for the Integrated Education of the Blind Jain Hospital

In 1954 Thirumuruga Kripananda Variar formally opened the orphanage. When they were short of place, Thiru Kodumudi Sengoda Gounder bought and donated the present place in East Kottaiyur on the banks of the Cauvery River. In addition he contributed valuable time and effort as the president of the Ashram.

In 1963, a Primary School was opened to provide basic education to the orphan boys and the neighbourhood poor children. It slowly grew into a Middle School. In 1981, with the blessings of Thavathiru Motaji and generous support of his devotee Thiru Hasmukhlal Gopaldas Mehta the High School was added. In 1980, a Kindergarten school was opened to teach English and Hindi to the neighbourhood children.

In 1993- 94 a School for Blind Children was opened to teach them technical skills and music. In 1994, Thiru L Mangilal Jain bought and donated adjoining land to move the Primary School to a larger place.

Children: Today there are about 100 orphan boys in the Illam. They provide them food, dress, shelter, education, books etc and bring them up as model citizens. There are about 3300 pupils studying in the educational institutions and they are mainly from villages. There are about 35 blind boys. As the school is located in a poor neighbourhood, our services benefit the socially weaker section of the society and act as a catalyst in their development.

Vallalar: "Arutperumjothi! Arutperumjothi!! Thanipperumkarunai! Arutperumjothi!! Yella Uyirkulam Inbutru Vazhga!"

Saint Ramalinga Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalar, popularly known as Vallalar (meaning Philanthropist) preached kindness towards all living things, especially animals. ‘Let all live in happiness’ was his creed.

Though not related to us, there are a number of organisations devoted to Vallalar and his cause, helping humanity wherever they are located. The site www.vallalar.org provides more information about Vallalar.

Dr. M.G. Ramachandran in Kumbakonam

Marudur Gopala Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, Ponmana Chemmal and Puratchi Thalaivar (Revolutionary Leader), was a long time Tamil film actor and Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death. He was born at Nawalapitiya near Kandy, Sri Lanka, to Maradhur Gopalamenon and Satyabhama. After his father's death, MGR settled with his family at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

M. S. Subbulakshmi in Kumbakonam

In March 1933, Kumbakonam was preparing for the mahamaham. Director K.Subrahmanyam was in charge of organizing a music and dance exposition for the festival. Actress S. D. Subbulakshmi, a friend of Shanmukhavadivu persuaded Subrahmanyam to give Madurai Shankukavadivu Subbulakshmi, a chance on the concert stage at the exhibition he was organising during the Mahamaham Festival . K.Subrahmanyam arranged for a concert of Subbulakshmi. M.S. was known in Kumbakonam as an up-coming artist. The concert was a huge success and the organizers had to arrange for another concert by her. Thanjavur rasikas not only approved but also praised the young Subbulakshmi. This was a big step for M.S.The following year in 1934, she was invited to sing in Music Academy, Madras.

Mahamaham - South Indian Kumbamela

Mahamaham is a South Indian Kumbamela festival celebrated every 12 years in a small temple-town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day of Mahamaham as sacred. The festival is celebrated at an interval of around eleven to twelve years. The festival takes place at a particular time as determined by astrological position: during the full moon of the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March) when the conjunction of the moon with the lunar asterism (Magha Nakshatra) and when Jupiter is in the constellation of Leo. The festival lasts for nine days. During this festival, lakhs of Hindu devotees come to Kumbakonam, and take bath in a tank named Mahamaham tank. Some of them instead of taking bath in the tank, sprinkle water from the tank on their bodies.

It is believed that taking bath or sprinkling water of the tank on the bodies cleanses all the sins. Mahamaham has so far been celebrated five times since Independence.

• 1956 K. Kamaraj headed the government
• 1968 C.N. Annadurai headed the government
• 1980 the State was under President's rule
• 1992 J. Jayalalitha headed the government
• 2004 J. Jayalalitha headed the government

Instances of celebration of Mahamaham are found in records down the centuries, right from the Chola period to the British rule, under which substantial funds were sanctioned for the festival.

20 Theertham with in the Mahamaham Tank are:

1. Vayu Theertham
2. Ganga Theertham
3. Bramma Theertham
4. Yamuna Theertham
5. Kubera Theertham
6. Godavari Theertham
7. Eshana Theertham
8. Narmada Theertham
9. Saraswathi Theertham
10. Indira Theertham
11. Agni Theertham
12. Cauvery Theertham
13. Yama Theertham
14. Kumari Theertham
15. Niruthi Theertham
16. Bayoshni Theertham
17. Deva Theertham
18. Varunai Theertham
19. Sarayu Theertham
20. Kanya Theertham

On the occasion of the festival, a metal image of the deities of the main temples of Kumbakonam is carried on palanquins or chariots and taken around the different streets of the town.

The Mahamaham Festival occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius (Khumbha), Jupiter transists Leo (Simha) and the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation Maham. The festival comes off once in 12 years.

Siva Linga around the Mahamaham Tank are:

1. Brammatheertheshwarar
2. Mukundeshwarar
3. Dhaneshwarar
4. Virushabeshwarar
5. Baaneshwarar
6. Koneshwarar
7. Bhakthikeshwarar
8. Bhairaveshwarar
9. Agasthyeshwarar
10. Vyaneshwarar
11. Umaibakeshwarar
12. Nairutheeshwarar
13. Brammeshwarar
14. Gangatheshwarar
15. Mukthatheertheshwarar
16. Shethrabaleshwarar

The festival was celeberated on February 2, 1968, March 1, 1980, February 22,1992. The last Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking the holy dip in the Mahamaham tank. The next Mahamaham will be celebrated in the year 2016.

Nageswarar Temple

God - Nageswarar
Goddess - Periya Nayagi
Holy Water - Surya Pushkarani
Holy Tree - Vilvam
Festivals - Panguni Uthiram

This Shivastalam is a grand temple in the temple town of Kumbhakonam and is known for its grand shrine to Nataraja - Aadalvallaar and for its beautiful sculptural work, vimanams and mandapams. Kudandai Keezhkottam is considered to be the 27th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.

Offering worship at Kudandai Keezhkottam in the morning, at Tirunageswaram at noon and at Tiruppampuram in the evening on a given day is considered to be of special significance.

Legends: Surya is said to have worshipped here to regain his lost splendour. The temple tank is also known as Surya Theertham. . Also known as Vilvavanam, it is believed that a vilva leaf from the pot carrying the celestial nectar had drifted away and landed here. Aadi Seshan is said to have worshipped here and Shiva is said to have blessed him with the might to bear the weight of the earth, here.

Visit www.kudamookku.com for more info