Dakshinamoorthy Kshetram,Sukapuram
#Malappuram
#Keralatemples 🚩

Dakshina Moorthy Kshetram is located in Edappal. Paramashiva is worshipped as Dakhinamurthy here. Kshetram is very unique because, no festival is celebrated here as it might disturb the Tapasya of Paramashiva.

Sthala Puranam says that, the Prathista of the Vigraham was done by Suka Maharshi, thus the name Sukapuram. Suka Maharshi informed an auspicious time for the Prathista of vigraham in the temple. He said that a peacock would appear at the right time.  Everybody waited for time,👇

when a man came with peelikavadi ( kavadi with peacock feather), people felt that this is the right time and requested Suka Maharshi to do Prathista.
But this was before the auspicious time. At the time informed by the Maharshi, a peacock came to the temple and sat in balikallu

Maharshi immediately did Prathishta of another vigraham facing south as Dakshinamoorthy. It is said that there are 4 sankalpas of Bhagwan in this temple, Vyakhyana Dakshinamoorthy, Yoga Dakshinamoorthy,Veenadhara Dakshinamoorthy,Jnana Dakshinamoorthy.

Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

Jagannath ji and Dasia Bauri
A famous story of Bhagwan Jagannath ji 🚩
#story

Jagannath ji always hears people who call him of love, affection, and devotion. This is a well known story of Dasiya Bauri an ardent devotee of Jagannath Ji. Dasia was born in a low caste family

He believed that it was his sin of the previous birth, he is born in a low caste, and only by praying to Jagannath will save him from cycle of birth and death.
Once people from his village was going to Jagannath Mandir. Poor Dasiya had nothing to offer other than Coconut.

Village's laughed at this but accepted it. Next morning they were surprised to find shell of coconut where they left the offering. From next year he used to send Mangoes which was accepted by Jagannath Ji. When Dasiya had nothing left with him to feed his family,

Jagannath ji came to dream of King and asked to feed Dasiya.
Bhagwan always hears to his true devotees. In front of him all are equal.
Jai Jagannath 🙏🕉🙏
Credit: From the book I am reading, Tales of Jagannath.

Chelamattom Sri Krishna Kshetram
#Ernakulam, #Kerala
#KeralaTemples🚩

Chelamattom Sri Krishna Kshetram is situated near Kalady. Temple is also called Dakshina Kashi. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya worshipped Sri Krishna and Narasimhamurthy here.

Mahavishnu is worshipped in 3 forms, Narasimhamoorthy, Shri Krishna and Vamana here.
Temple is situated on the banks of Periyar river and is very famous for Pitrtarpanam as it is believed that offering bali here will attain Moksham to departed souls.
Story says that,

In this place place only Narasimha Vigraham was Prathishta. Once, a box came floating across the river and people found Shri Krishna Vigraham inside. Thus Vigraham was taken to the Narasimha Kshetram and Prathista of Shri Krishna was done. Vamana Vigraham was found by

Thottamattom Namboodiri and he too took Vigraham to this temple for Prathista.
Thus three forms of Of Mahavishnu is worshipped here which is very rare.

Om Namo Narayanaya
🙏🕉🙏

Thottuva Dhanwanthari Kshetram
#KeralaTemples 🚩

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वंतरये
अमृतकलश हस्ताय सर्वामयविनाशनाय
त्रिलोक्यनाथाय श्री  महाविष्णवे   नमः  

Thottuva Dhanwanthari Temple is located in Perumbavoor, of Ernakulam District.
Dhanwanthari Murthy here is six feet tall, 👇

facing east.

Story says that Parasurama did Prathishta here of Dhanwanthari Murthy. A brahmin family of Korambur Mana was in charge of the temple earlier. Devotees perform ‘Bhajanam,’ (stay at the temple)
here for 41 days.
It is said that, many years ago a man

had leprosy, and he came and stayed at the temple for 41 days. After his daily bath at the nearby Thottuva Thodu, he used to worship the Dhanwanthari murthy and he got completely cured at the end of his 41-day prarthana.

Om Dhanwanthariye Namaha
🙏🕉🙏

Kalkulam Neelakandeswarar Kshetram
#Kanyakumari
#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Neelakandeswarar Temple is located near Padmanabhapuram in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Temple is one among Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Mahadeva is Neelakandeswarar here and Mata Ananthavalli.

Shiva Lingam is Swayambhu here. Oil abhishekam is very famous and all the oil poured is absorbed inside Shivalingam without leaving any traces of abhishekam done.

Vyakarapadha muni visited this place and worshipped Paramashiva.
Kshetram is a part of the famous Shivalaya Ottam👇

conducted during Shivaratri.
Devotees finish darshan of 12 shiva temples in Kanyakumari within a day and night, called Shivalaya Ottam. These 12 temples are,
Munychirai /Thirumalai, Thikkurichchi
Thirparappu,Thirunandhikkarai, Ponmanai
Pannippagam, Kalkulam,

Melankodu,
Thiruvidaikkodu, Thiruvidhankodu,
Thiruppanrikkodu, Thirunattalam.

Shambo Mahadeva
Om Namah Sivaye
🙏🕉🙏

Velloorkunnam Mahadeva Kshetram
#Ernakulam, #Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Velloorkunnam Mahdeva Kshetram is located in Muvattupuzha. Paramashiva is Kirathamoorthy here. This is a rare temple because temple is situated near 3 rivers which merge to form a single river.

Mahadeva, who is eliminated of all worries is Kshipra Prasadi ( easily pleased) here.
Velloorkunnu means 'the hill of light'. It is said that during the invasion of Tippu and his attack on temple, at any time the Kodimaram of this temple was removed and was kept in the river

nearby. Even today, the remains of old Kodimaram is seen in the Kshetra Kulam.

Pradosha pooja is very famous here.

Shambo Mahadeva
Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

Thiruneermalai Temple,
Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu
#tamilnadutemples

Thiruneermalai Temple is one among 108 Divya Desams of Mahavishnu. Located on the hill, there are two temples here, Sri Ranganathar Perumal Temple on a hill top and Sri Neervanna Perumal on the foothill.

Sthala puranam says that Valmiki Muni, after composing Ramayana, worshipped Ranganathar at the hill. When he came down, maharshi prayed to Shri Rama at foot hills and started doing tapasya. Thus Ranganathar appeared as Shri Rama, Lakshmi Devi as Mata Sita, Adi sesha as Lakshmana

MahaVishnu’s shankha as Bharatha, Sudarshana as Shatrugna.
This is considered to be oldest among Divya Desams. Temple is considered as Mukthi Sthala. It is believed Narasimha swamy gave darshan to Arjuna after he performed the Ashwamedha Yaagam here.

Om Namo Narayanaya
🙏🕉🙏

Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam, Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple is a famous temple where Shiva is worshipped in Vigraha Roopam.
Sthala Puranam says that, once there lived a sage named Gauna Maharshi.He had a Kamandalu which was filled with👇

Water from the Saptha Nadhis.
He was waiting there to worship Sree Rama who was coming that way on his way to Ayodhya. But Gauna couldn't worship Sree Rama as he was surrounded by Vanaras. In anger, he threw away his Kamandalu, and the water which flowed down formed 👇

The present Gauna Nadi. Later, Shri Rama and Mata Sita gave their Darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama suggested that, Gauna Maharshi should continue his Tapasya and gave him a Shiva Vigraham. 👇

Gauna Muni started Tapasya and did Prathishta of Vigraham. Maharshi named the place as Kadapetta Ooru which now changed as Kadapattoor.
Shambo Mahadeva
Om Namah Sivaye
🙏🕉🙏

Guruvayurappan and Manjulalthara
#Krishnaleela 🚩
#Bhakthi 🚩

A beautiful story of Guruvayurappan 👇
In Guruvayur, there lived a girl named Manjula. She was a great bhaktha of Guruvayurappan. She used to make a flower Garland daily for Guruvayurappan temple.

One day, when she made Garland, it was so late that temple Nada was closed. The poojari refused to accept her Garland as temple is closed. Manjula felt guilty and she started to cry.
Poonthanam Namboodiri, a devotee of Guruvayurappan was on his way back from the temple.

He saw Manjula crying under the banyan tree. He comforted her and said she can place the garland on the stone at the foot of the banyan tree, since the Bhagwan is everywhere. 

Convinced at this, Manjula kept the garland there and went home feeling relieved.

@SriramKannan77

Aluva Shiva Temple
Ernakulam, Kerala 🚩
#keralatemples

Aluva Shiva Kshetram or Aluva Manappuram temple, situated on the banks of river Periyar is one of the famous Shiva temples in Kerala. Important festival is Sivarathri, celebrated at the temple in Aluva Manappuram.

Bhagwan Shri Ram performed last rites to Jatayu here. While Shri Rama was performing the final rites, Mahadeva appeared and said that his presence will always be here and those for whom last rites is performed here will attain Moksham. Parashurama did Prathishta here.

Vilwamngalam Swamiyar visited this place and realised the presence of Mahadeva. But there were no vessels to offer Nivedyam. Vilwamangalam used a Kavungu leaf to offer Nivedyam. Even today the nivedyam is offered in Kavungu leaf called Palanivedyam.

The Shiva Lingam will get submerged in water during monsoon and at that time Aaraatu is performed.
Om Namah Sivaye
Shambo Mahadeva
🙏🕉🙏

Vriddhagiriswarar Temple
#Vriddhachalam
#TamilNaduTemples 🚩

Vriddhagiriswarar Temple, located in Cudalore district is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
Mahadeva is swayambhu here as Virudhagireeshwarar and Parvathi Devi as Periya Nayagi.
Sthala Puranam says that

Brahma Deva instead of creating land created water. Mahavishnu defeated Madhukaidavas and thier bodies floated on the water as there was no land. Brahma Deva  prayed to Paramshiva to create earth from the water and from Madhukaidavas bodies. Thus Paramashiva created a

big mountain from their body. Brahma Deva, was feeling sad in his creation, didn't knew about the mountains created by Mahadeva. At that time Muruga appeared and told that mountains are created and Paramshiva is the form of mountain.

It is believed that during Maha Pralayam

Virudhachalam stood unaffected. It is believed that whoever worship Mahadeva here will get relieved from all sins.

Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

Thrissilery Siva Kshetram
#Wayanad
#Keralatemples 🚩

Thrissilery Shiva Kshetram, located in Wayanad district is one among 108 Shiva temples of Kerala. Situated near Thirunelli Mahavishnu Kshetram, it is believed that the Tarpanam offered at Thirunelli will not be fulfilled

unless worshipped here.

It is believed that Bhagwan's Shirassu(head )is at Thrissilery and Kaalpadam( leg)is at Thirunelli Kshetram. Only after offering Neivilakku one should proceed to Thirunelli Kshetram.
There is a sannidhi for Jala Durga inside the temple which is one among

108 durgalayas. It is believed that the water around Jaladurga is connected to the Papanashini river at Thirunelli Kshetram. Kshetram Kulam is Rudrateertham and Ganesha is seen guarding here as it is believed that treasures are  hidden inside the well.

Om Namah Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏

Navapashanam Temple
#Devipattinam, #TamilNadu
#TamilnaduTemples 🚩

Navapashanam Navagraha Kovil is located near Rameswaram Temple. Situated in Bay of Bengal, temple is also a Parihara Sthalam. It is believed that Shri Rama did Navagraha Prathishta here to please
Navagraha before

Leaving to Lanka.
Navagraha is made of Nava Paashanam, which have medicinal properties and can cure any diseases. A dip in sea water here is said to relieve from all Navagraha dosha.

Here Navagraha is in located inside the sea. One should walk in sea to reach near the Vigraham

which is partially immersed in sea.

Tarpanam is performed here and also praying to Thilakeshwar Temple near where Paramashiva is worshipped as Thilakeshwar and Parvati Devi as Soundaryanayaki

नमह सुर्याय सोमाय मंगलाय बुधायच ।
गुरु शुक्र शनिभ्यस्च राहवे केतवे नमह ।।

🙏🕉🙏

Ashokasundari, The Daughter of Mahadeva.🚩
#stories
#thread

Padma Purana describes the birth of Ashokasundari. Asoka means no sorrow and sundari means Beautiful.

Once Parvati Devi requested Shiva to take her to the most beautiful garden in the world. Mahadeva took her to Nandanvana, where Devi saw a tree, Kalpavriksha which could fulfill any wish. Parvathi Devi was feeling alone as Muruga and Ganesha were grown up.

To get rid of loneliness, Devi asked for a daughter as a wish to Kalpavriksha. Fulfilling Devi's wish Ashokasundari was born.
A demon Hunda wanted to marry Ashokasundari, but Devi informed him that she would marry Nahusha of Lunar Dynasty. Hunda once tricks and takes

Ashokasundari to his place. But when she came to know she was tricked, Ashokasundari cursed Hunda that he will be killed by Nahusha. Thus Nahusha defeated the demon and married Ashokasundari. In south Ashokasundari is called Bala Tripura Sundari.
🙏🕉🙏

Mahaganapathy Temple
Edappally, Ernakulam, Kerala 🚩

#keralatemples

ऊँ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि
तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्।

Edappally Mahaganapathy Temple is the family Kshetram of Edappally Kovilakam or Edappally Swaroopam.

Ganesha, the remover of all difficulties is facing east in the Garbhagriham.

Sthalapuranam says that the Vigneshwara himself appeared before the Edappally Kottaram while performing the Ganapathy Homam and accepted the offerings. Ganapathy Homam is done here daily.

Udayanapuram Subrahmanya Kshetram
#Kottayam, #Kerala
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Udayanapuram Subrahmanya Kshetram is located near Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.
It is believed that a visit to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is incomplete without visiting Udayanapuram Kshetram which is considered 👇

equal to Palani Murugan Temple.

Sthala Puranam says that, this Temple was originally built for Kumaranalloor Devi, and Kumaranalloor temple was built for Murugan Prathishta.
It is said that Devi's chaintanyam went to the Kumaranalloor temple, saying these words :- 👇

Kumaranu - alla - ooru meaning place not for Kumara( muruga). Thus Prathishta of Muruga was done here in Udayanapuram Temple. Thrikarthika is very famous here.

Hara Haro Hara
Om Muruga
🙏🕉🙏

Marundeeswarar Mahadeva Kshetram
#Chennai, #TamilNadu
#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Kovil is one among Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. Mahadeva is Marundeeswarar and Parvati Devi Tripurasundari.
Sthala Puranam says that, Valmiki maharishi worshipped Paramshiva here.

Thus, this area was called Thiruvalmikiyur
Once Vasishta Maharshi was doing Shiva pooja and Indra sent Kamadenu (divine cow) for abhishekam for Paramashiva. Kamadenu delayed to pour milk for pooja and Vasishta mini cursed Kamadenu to become an ordinary cow loosing all its powers.

As a relief from curse Maharshi suggested the cow to go to this place and pray Paramashiva under the Vanni tree to recover its divinity. Kamadenu came here poured the milk and prayed to Mahadeva and thus got its divinity back.
Agastya Muni is believed have received

medicinal values about various herbs here from Mahadeva. Thus, the Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of worship for people with various diseases, who gets cured.

Shambho Mahadeva
Om Nama Shivaya
🙏🕉🙏

#Thiruvathira
Ardra Darsanam/ Thiruvadira vratham
🚩
Thiruvadira is celebrated in a full moon day of Dhanu / Marghazhi month in Kerala and Tamilnadu. Thiruvadira is the nakshatra of Mahadeva. It is auspicious to worship Siva and go to the temple before sunrise for darshan.

Thiruvathira in Kerala is important for women. Thiruvathira Vratham is taken by all ladies. Unmarried for a good married life and married ladies for long life of husband.
Thiruvathirakali a dance form is performed.There is a custom called Pathirappochoodal 👇

Means adorn the hair with flowers at midnight.

In Tamilnadu, Ardradarshanam celebrated in all Shiva temples. Worshiping the Dance form of Mahadeva, Nataraja is auspicious. Chidambaram temple celebrate Ardra Darshanam in a grant manner. People observe fast on this day

Sage Vyagrapada, and Adishesha observed the fast and were given darshan of Cosmic dance by Nataraja on this day.
On this day a special sweet called as ‘Thiruvadirakali is made and offered to Shiva.
Om Namah Sivaye
Shambo Mahadeva
🕉🙏🕉

Vatapi, Ilvala and Agastya Muni
#story 📚
In the South of Vindhyas there lived two Rakshasa brothers named Vatapi and Ilvala.They ate all travellers who pass their cottage using their powers. Ilvala would receive the traveller to rest in his cottage and have food.Vatapi would👇

change the form of a goat. Ilvala will kill the goat and serve as food to the guest. After guest complete food, Ilvala will shout, “Vatapi, come out.” Immediately Vatapi will open the stomach of the guest and come out Then the brothers will divide between them whatever belongings

their victim was carrying.
One day Agastya Muni, who was traveling to Vindhyas came that way. Ilvala was happy to see him. He invited Maharshi to rest in his cottage and have food, Agasthya readily agreed. Vatapi took form of a goat. Ilvala killed the goat, and served to Agastya

Agastya Muni who knew all their plans ate the food and gently touching his stomach told "Vatapi- jeernapi" ( Vatapi digest ). Ilvala as usual shouted Vatapi come out, but nothing happened. Agastya told, Vatapi will not come as he is digested.

Ilvala was became angry and rushed to attack Agastya. But Agastya opened his eyes wide and the next moment, Ilvala was reduced to ashes.
🙏🕉🙏
Courtesy: Book I am reading

Chamundeshwari Temple
#Mysuru
#Karnatakatemples 🚩

Chamundeshwari Temple is located on the Chamundi Hills. Devi is Chamundeshwari here and considered as one among the 18 Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha peedha, as city was called Krouncha Puri earlier. It is said that 👇

hair of Sati Devi fell here.

Story says that Mahishasura had been granted a wish by Brahma deva that he could not be killed by a man or an animal and he began to disturb everyone.
Parvati Devi fought with Mahishasura taking the form of Chamundeshwari.

The battle between Chamundeshwari and Mahishasura lasted ten days and Mahishasura was defeated. This victory of good over evil is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra.

Gigantic Nandi of about over 15 feet height is main attraction here. Mahishasura statue, holding a snake and a sword is seen in the temple.

Sri Chamundeshwari Devyai Namah
Om Shree Mahadevyai Namah
🙏🕉🙏