SRI SHANKARNARAYANA KSHETRAM, UDUPI DIST. (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Shankaranarayana is considered one of the seven Parashurama Kshetram created by Maharshi Parashurama. This is one of the rare temples where we can see the confluence of Shiva and Sri Vishnu.

It is also known as Kroda after Kroda Maharshi.
Once, two demons Kharasura and Rattasura were harassing people. Maharishi meditated upon Shiva and Sri Vishnu together. Pleased with his meditation, the two came here as Shankaranarayana and killed the demons.
@GunduHuDuGa

Here, the main deity is in the form of Udbhava Linga. The swayambhu lingam of Shiva and Narayana is one feet below the ground, inside the Garbhagudi. It is not possible to see the lingam. The Shankara Lingam is on the right and Narayana Lingam on the left.

While Shankara Lingam is round, Narayana Lingam is flat with foot prints of cow on it. These are believed to be that of Kamadhenu who dripped milk on the Lingam. There is water around Udbhava Linga at any time of the year. This holy water is called Suddhamrita Theertha.

TIRUNALLAR SANISWARAN KSHTRAM, KARAIKAL (TN)

Also called Dharbaranyeswarar. It is one of the navagraha kshtram with Shani (Saturn) as sthal deity.
The presiding deity is Shiva as Dharbaranyeswar. The place Thirunallar was historically called Dharbaranyam.

Originally the place was a forest with Dharba or Kusa grass. The Lingam here was originally made of Darba grass. It appeared when the native Mudaliars ploughed the land.

This is the only place where Shani lost all his powers to Shiva (Dharbaranyeshwarar).

It is said that Raja Nala was troubled by Shani. He lost his kingdom, his wife and lived in extreme poverty. Finally, his misfortunes ended when he took bath here in a pond which is called Nala Teertham.
The murti of Nala is installed here along with the sixty-three Nayanars.

Here, Saneeswaran has only two hands and the right-hand holds the Abhaya Mudra. It means fearlessness indicating that Saneeswaran protects all devotees who offer puja here. Devotees light lamps with sesame in this kshetram.

YALAGURESHVARA MANDIR, VIJAYAPUR(KAR)

Also called ‘Speaking Hanumantha’.

The Mandir belongs to the Madhwas (a sect of Brahmins-followers of Madhwacharya).

Only holy water from Krishna river is used to perform Abhisheka to Yalaguresh.
@onlyonenetra

There is a wonderful tradition carried out at the Mandir even to this day. When you want to know if your desired endeavors are going to be fulfilled or not, you are asked to sit in front of Prabhu and say your endeavor to Hanuman Ji in your mind.
@iamkamyabuch @DetheEsha

If your endeavour is going to be fulfilled, then a flower on the sacred Murti falls to his right. And if your endeavour is not going to be fulfilled, then a flower on the sacred Murti falls to his left.
@desi_thug1 @unever_followme @harshasherni

If the flower falls quickly to his right that means your endeavour would be fulfilled very quickly. Or falls to his right after a long time, it says your endeavour would be fulfilled but slowly. Hence known as ‘Speaking Hanumantha’.

Kartika Utsava/Yalagur Jatra is the biggest event here. It falls on 1st Saturday after Poornima in February every year.
The devotees perform Pallakki Seva early in the morning.
Bhimshen Joshi Ji’s reputed disciple Shri Paadigaar comes on this day every year to perform Bhajans.

ATTUKAL PONGAL: TODAY

Attukal Pongal is celebrated in Attukal Bhagavathy Amman Mandir (Ker)
It is a sweet offering of Rice, Jaggery, Coconut n water in earthen pots and prepared in fireplace made with bricks. These 5 elements show relationship of Human life with Panch Bhutas

Women from different parts of Kerela take part in this festival and take vratha for 9 days. On the first day, thottam pattu takes place. This is like a song which tells the whole story of kannaki. The right to sing Thottam pattu goes to a particular family.
@Piyu_Nair @RajeAiyer

This is sung in a green shed made with coconut leaves in front of the Mandir. This ritual lasts till the 10th day of festival.
Villakku kettu is an offering which is done during the 10 days of festival. It is a huge lamp decorated with flowers, glitter paper, cloth etc.

They are taken to the mandir and finally it is burnt in the mandir.

Thaloppoli is another ritual done by girls under 10 years of age on the day of pongala. It is performed for health, wealth and prosperity of the family. The girls are beautifully decorated with little crowns.

Kuthiottam is a ritual performed by boys below 12 years of age. It is believed that these boys are injured soldiers of Mahishasura mardhini. They have to stay in the mandir for 7 days.
Pongala concludes with Guruthi pooja which is a special ritual performed by the main pujari.

AMALAKI EKADASHI: TODAY

Ekadashi is the day when devotees observe vrata to please Sri Vishnu. On Amalaki Ekadashi, the Amla tree (gooseberry) is worshipped along with Sri Vishnu as amla is his favourite.
The origin of amla is said to have been from Brahma’s tears.

After emerging from Sri Vishnu's navel, Brahma wondered who created him and wanted to know the purpose of his birth. He performed intense penance to know the answer. When Sri Vishnu appeared before him after a long time, Brahma had tears of joy in his eyes
@JumbuTweeple @keveeyes

Vishnu said that the tears would transform into Amla trees and the Amla fruits would be dear to him. He also said that those who worship the Amla tree on the Phalguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Tithi would get blessed by him.

Then onwards, people worship Amla along with Sri Vishnu.

It is said that Ma Lakshmi resides in Amla tree. Sri Krishna and Radha Rani are said to reside near the tree.
Besides, Amla is known for its medicinal qualities. It is the store house of Vitamin C. Amla has excellent immunity boosting and antioxidant properties.

VAMANA MOORTHY MANDIR, THRIKKAKARA (Ker)

Thrikkakkara means the place where Prabhu placed His foot. Thiru-kal-kari later became Thrikkakara. The Mandir is dedicated to Vamana.
During Onam, Mahabali is said to visit his land. Onam celebrations begin at the Thrikkakara Mandir.

It is said that once a farmer prayed to Thirkkakkarayappa that he would present him with a bunch of golden bananas if his plantation yielded fruits. When there was a heavy yield of Kadalipazham, the farmer got golden bananas made and left the bunch outside the Sreekovil.

When the pujari came, he saw the bananas missing. Only a yogi was seated near the Mandir. So the pujari complained against him to King.
Next day, while doing abhishekam, the pujari saw that water was not getting drained. He found the bunch of golden bananas blocking the drain.

The pujari and the King realised their mistake but the humiliated yogi committed suicide. Before dying, he cursed that they would lose their wealth and that his curse would end only after the town lost all its wealth.

The yogi became a brahma rakshasa due to untimely death. A small mandir was built and prayers were offered to him. Even today, after nivedyam is offered to Thirkkakkarayappa the same is offered to the brahma Rakshasa too.
(Images: representational)

SRI RAMESHWARA MANDIR, THIRTHAHALLI (KAR)

The Shiv Lingam here is said to have been installed by Parashurama himself. Hence, the Mandir is considered Parashurama Tirtha. The shivlinga in the mandir is known as "Mood Linga".

Parashurama beheaded Renuka’s head with an axe on the orders of his father, the great Rishi Jamadagni.
He, then, tried to wash the blood stains off the axe by dipping it in various rivers
A sesame-sized stain remained, until he dipped his axe in the Tunga River near Thirthahalli

The day Parashurama cleaned his axe to remove the sesame-sized (Ellu in Kannada) blood stain; was Amavasya of Margshirsh month.
That particular day is termed as Ellu-Amavasya day. Every year on this day a fair termed Ellu Amavasya Jatre is celebrated.
@SriRamya21 @JumbuTweeple

The Ellu Amavasya Jatre lasts for more than 5 days but 3 days are very important.
On the day of Ellamavasye, the Utsava Moorthi of Sri Rameshwara is taken to the river and holy Abhishekam is carried out on the murti in the Parashurama Thirtha.

On 2nd day, the Mandir chariot is decorated with flowers and pulled along the main street of Thirthahalli.

On 3rd day, the Utsava Moorthi is taken on a Teppa (raft) on river Tunga towards the river bank at Kuruvalli and brought back.

This is called Teppotsava (raft-festival).

SRI ANANTESHWARA, UDUPI (KAR)
#bharatmandir

The biggest and one of the oldest shrines of Udupi. The deity is Vishnu enshrined in a Shivalingam.
As per legend, King Ramabhoja worshipped Parashurama on a silver pedestal here and Parashurama manifested himself as Ananteshwara.

It is said that Shiva taught Parashurama in various arts of fighting. As dakshina, Shiva asked Parashurama to reside here in the form of a shivlingam. Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu, agreed and so Vishnu is worshipped in shivlingam and said to be in the heart of Shiva.

Parents of Sri Madhvacharya had worshipped here continuously for 12 years to beget a child. The great Acharya was born in fulfillment of their penance. It was this place where Shri Madhavacharya obtained lessons from his Guru Shri Achyuthaprekshacharya.
@GunduHuDuGa

Sri Madhavacharya is reported to have disappeared from human sight in his 79th year while holding a discourse on Upanishads at a particular spot in this shrine. Since then, this spot has been adored as a sacred spot, containing the invisible presence of the Acharya.

TALIPARAMBA SRI RAJRAJESHWARA SHIV MANDIR, KANNUR (KER)

Mandir where women are allowed to enter only at night.
One amongst the 108 Shiva Kshethrams to be built by Parashurama and is considered a Shaktipeetham.
@SriRamya21 @onlyonenetra @DetheEsha @vedvyazz

It is said that once Rishi Sanaka churned a disk of Sun to lessen its heat. The dust from Sun was mixed with Amrutha and divided in 3 parts. Parvathi handed over the lingams to 3 kings: One given to Maandhatha in Treta Yuga and other 2 to Muchkunda n Shathasoman in Dwapara Yuga.

Each of them was advised to install the lingam in a place where no death of any creature had taken place naturally or any dead body cremated. After long search, Mandhata found this place at Taliparamba n installed the Lingam here. The Lingam went in Earth at the end of Treta Yug.

Later, Muchkunda also installed the lingam given to him here. When Shathasoman tried to install lingam here, it started going in Earth.
Seeing this, Maharshi Agastya appeared, lit a ghee lamp and prostrated before the lingam 12 times.
@artist_rama @MalolaNarasimha @venkat18007

When he began his 13th namaskaram, the lingam got fixed firmly and therefore, the number of prostrations came to be known as 12 and a half. With the installation of the 3rd lingam, the place holds 3 times the power of visiting a Mandir. The ghee lamp still burns here.

YANTRODHARAK HANUMANTHA, HAMPI (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Here, on a hill near Tungabhadra River, the image of Sri Hanuman is enclosed in a hexagonal amulet in prayer mudra.
It is said that the shrine is built where Hanuman met Sri Ram for the 1st time.

@LostTemple7

Other belief is that Sri Vyasaraja used to pray to Hanuman in this place by drawing his image on the rocks. By the time he finished his prayers, the picture used to disappear. When this happened for 12 days in a row, he pleaded with Sri Hanuman to appear before him.

Hanuman appeared and asked Sri Vyasaraja to constrain him in a six-sided amulet and build a shrine.
12 monkeys are carved around this amulet. They represent the 12 days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Hanuman. Each monkey holds the tail of the monkey in front of him but faces backward.

Nearby, there is a shrine dedicated to Sri Ram. There is a fig tree also. At its foot, there are snake-stones showing snake worship.
Yantrodharak Hanuman Stotram is believed to have been written here. Chanting it thrice a day for 6 months fulfils one’s wish.

MAHASHIVRATRI: TODAY
KATHA FROM SHIV MAHAPURANA

In the Kotirudra Samhita of Shiv MahaPurana, there is a story of a hunter, Gurudruh (गुरुद्रुह). The hunter was a cruel man who knew no mercy.
One day, he kept roaming in the forest but could not kill any animal.
@RatanSharda55

It so happened that it was Shivratri that day.
At night, he took some water with him and climbed a bilva tree near a pond hoping to find an animal. Soon, he saw a roe (female deer).
As he was going to kill her, some water and bilva leaves fell on a Shivlinga below the tree.

The roe begged for mercy and asked him to let her go and meet her kids one final time. The hunter agreed.
After sometime, another roe came. Again, some water and bilva leaves fell on the shivlinga as Gurudruh tried to kill her.
She too asked him to give her sometime.

This happened again n again. At all times, he let the deer go. Each time, he unknowingly did shivlinga abhisheka
After sometime, all the deer came back with kids as their kids were not leaving them
Gurudruh was overcome with compassion. At that moment, Mahadev appeared before him

With Shiva’s blessings, Gurudruh took birth as Nishad Raj Guha in Treta Yug and attained moksha by his pure dedication to Sri Ram.

Such is the power of Mahashivaratri Vrat that a cruel hunter like Gurudruh could obtain Shiva’s blessings by unknowingly offering him water n bilva.

SRI SIGANDHUR CHOWDESHWARI KSHETRAM, SIGANDUR (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Here, Devi is also called Sigandureshwari because of the name of the place Sigandur.
The murti of Devi was found 300 years ago on the banks of the holy Sharavathi River.
@GunduHuDuGa

It is said that once a person called Sheshappa went for hunting near Sigandur and got lost inside the jungles. When he was resting below a tree, Devi came in his dream and asked him to build a shrine here. He told his experience to a Brahmin Duggajja and the two built a shrine.

People with land dispute and people who lose their valuables reach Sigandur for solution. It is said that more than 20,000 such cases have been solved here.  People who want to safeguard their land from the thieves get a board from the shrine.

The board says “Shri deviya rakshane ide (meaning the land is safeguarded by the mother) and keep this board near the land.

There is also a Bhoota Sthana here.
It is said that Sri Veerabhadra in this Bhootada katte is taking care of security of Sigandhur.

ARULMIGU KANDA SWAMI KOVIL, TIRUPPORUR (TN)

Mandir dating back to Pallava period. Dedicated to Murugan. After vanquishing Soorapadman at Tiruchendur, Skanda destroyed the rest of the Rakshasas here at Tirupporur ('place of the sacred war').
@twttdc

Sthalapurana says that here, Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devayanai granted protection to devas and expounded the meaning of Pranava to Agastya Muni.

Skanda worshipped Shiva as Vanmeekeswarar to rid himself of the sin of having killed Soorapadman.

The founding guru of Thiruporur was Srimad Chidambaraswamy who was an ardent worshipper of "Madurai Meenakshi Amman". In a vision, Devi bade him to build a mandir for Sri Muruga at Thiruporur. He unearthed the Swayambu murtis of Muruga with his consorts and established the Mandir

The swayambhu murti of Muruga is in the form of a palmyra tree. Beneath it is the murti of Muruga in Brahmasasta form with his consorts on both sides. It is said that the small murtis were made by Chidambaram Swamigal for performing abhisheka and aradhana.

BHRIGU’s CURSE ON VISHNU AND SHUKRACHARYA’s TAPASYA

Devas and Danavas were always at war with each other
So, Shukracharya (Danava Guru) decided to learn Sanjivani mantra from Mahadev to protect the Danavas.
He asked the Danavas to take shelter in his father, Bhrigu’s ashrama.

At that time, Bhrigu was not in the Ashram. So his wife Khyati protected Danavas. With her mantras, she made Indra and the Devas immobile. Vishnu, then, absorbed the Devas into his physique. When Mata Khyati retaliated, Vishnu used Sudarshan chakra to cut-off her head.

When Bhrigu returned, he was angered by this adharma and cursed Vishnu that he would have to be born 10 times from a female body. He later revived Khyati through his shakti.
Meanwhile, Shukracharya was doing extreme tapasya to please Mahadev.
@vedvyazz @DubeyYash1911

He hung upside down from a tree and survived only by inhaling the smoke coming from burnt leaves. Indra sent his daughter Jayanti to disrupt him. She added chillies to the burnt leaves but Shukracharya continued his tapasya. Shiva then appeared and gave him Sanjeevani mantra.

Ashamed Jayanti begged for forgiveness and desired to serve Shukracharya. He then agreed to marry her.
In this way, the daughter of Indra-the greatest enemy of Asuras became their Guru Mata.
@SriRamya21 @iamkamyabuch

DEVI NIMISHAMBA, SRIRANGAPATNA, MYSURU (KAR)
#bharatmandir

The shrine of Devi stands on the banks of River Cauvery.
Ma Nimishamba is an avatar/incarnation of Devi Parvati and it is believed that she removes obstacles in a minute (Nimisha means minute in Kannada).

Once, King Sumanakha decided to perform a yagna for the well-being of all.
Rishi Mukhta started performing the yagna but was disturbed by the demons Janumandal and Suman dala. Devi Parvati, then, appeared before him and killed the demons. Rishi, then, hailed Devi as Nimishamba.

The shrine has Devi murti along with Srichakra carved on a black stone.
One unique feature here is the bali peetha. A big brass bell hangs from the ceiling of the shrine. After placing bali bhojanam on bali peetha, the archaka rings the bell. Crows appear to eat bali bhojanam.

Bhaktas offer lemon/ lemon garlands here. They are placed on Sri Chakra and at Devi’s feet
The lemons are later kept in one’s prayer room for few days and then dropped in fresh flowing water, wells or one can consume the lemon juice which is said to bring prosperity to a person.

ARUDRA DARSHAN: TODAY

This day falls on the full moon night when the Tiruvadirai (Arudra) star rules over. This is also the longest night of the year.
Arudra is the star that symbolizes golden red flame, which is none else than Shiva at his cosmic dance (Nataraj).
@vedvyazz

Natraj stands in dancing posture with one leg lifted n other seated on the demon signifying ignorance. He indicates mastery on ego, desires n evil and holds all 5 elements in him through Damaru (ether), flowing hair (air), Flame in hand (fire), Ganga(water) n rested foot (earth)

On the day of Arudra Darshan, people receive a special kind of dish as prasad namely Kali (in Tamil), which is a sweet dish indicating bliss. It is said eating this shall remove all the afflictions of people and make them blissful.
@desi_thug1

SRI GURUVAYOORAPPAN: KATHA

The Guruvayur Mandir, Thrissur (Ker) is a famous Sri Krishna Mandir and often referred to as "Bhooloka Vaikuntam"- the abode of Vishnu on Earth.
It is said that Sri Vishnu himself created this murti and presented it to Brahma.
@Ashwinsampathk

Once, King Sutapa and his wife Prishni prayed to Sri Vishnu and asked him to bless them with a son like him. Vishnu told them that he himself would take birth in their family.
Later, in different ages, Sri Vishnu was born to them as Prasnigarbha, Vamana, Rama and Krishna.

In all these births, the couple worshipped this murti which Brahma gave to them. Krishna inherited the murti from them and worshipped it in Dwarka. When Krishna was leaving for Vaikuntha, he gave the murti to Uddhav to take it to a safer place.
@Maha_periyava_ @GampaSD

Uddhav carried the murti with the help of Guru (Brihaspati) n Vayu dev. They installed the murti at this place, thereby giving the name Guruvayoor.

The image of Guruvayoorappan has four hands carrying Shankha (conch), chakra (discus), Gada (mace) and Padma (lotus).
@SriRamya21

The murti is said to be made of a highly powerful stone called Patala Anjanama that has several healing and miraculous properties.
It can be seen from the entrance gate. On the day of Keralite New Year Vishu, the sun’s rays caress the feet of Guruvayoorappan.

Narayan Hari🙏🏻

ADI SHANKARACHARYA AND PADMAPADA/SANANDANA

Once while Adi Shankara was in Kasi he saw Sanandana (one of his prime disciples) standing on the other bank of the Ganga. Sanandana was drying Acharya's clothes. Adi Shankara decided to reveal Sanandana's Guru Bhakti to the world.

He asked Sanandana who was on the other bank to bring the dry clothes to him. Sanandana wanted to fulfill his Guru's wish immediately. He could not wait to find a boat to cross the Ganga. So he started walking over the flowing river just as he would walk over plain dry land.

As Sanandana walked over the Ganga, big lotuses sprung up supporting his every step. Keeping his feet on these lotuses, Sanandana walked over the river and reached his Guru. Then Shankara asked Sanandana, "How did you cross the Ganga?”
@SriRamya21 @VaishnavKrish14

He said, "The very thought of you reduces the deep ocean of samsara to shallow knee-deep waters.” Adi Shankara showed him the lotuses and named him Padmapada. He, later, became Acharya of Dwarka Math.

MORAL: If we have full faith in our Prabhu, He takes care of all our needs.

SRI KOTHANDARAMAR KSHETRAM, VADUVUR (TN)
#bharatmandir

This is one of the Abhimana Kshetram of Sri Vishnu and is also known as Vakulaaranya Kshetram. Here Sri Kodhandaramar along with Sri Seetha, Lakshmana and Hanuman appear in Thirukalyana kolam.
@GunduHuDuGa

When Rama completed Vanvaas and was preparing to return to Ayodhya, the Rishis prayed to him to stay with them. Torn between duty to return to his kingdom and love towards the Rishis, Rama created His own enchanting divine form as a murti, left it with them and went to Ayodhya.

Centuries later when king Sarabhoji ruled Thanjavur, he had a dream. In the dream, Rama asked him to unearth the vigraha from Thalai Gnayiru (near Thiruthuraipoondi). The King unearthed the murtis and on his way back, he rested at Vaduvur.

The people of Vaduvur pleaded with the king to establish the deities in their Rukmani-Sathyabhama Gopalan Mandir. The King agreed and since then Rama has been the main deity in the Gopalan Kshetram.

HANUMAN JAYANTI: TODAY
KATHA
#bharatmandir

Hanuman Jayanti falls on the Shukla Purnima of Chaitra month. Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva and the greatest bhakt of Sri Ram.
On this day, Sri Hanuman was born to Kesari and Anjana.

Once, Maharshi Vishwamitra visited Indra’s court. At that time, apsara Punjiksthala was performing a dance. Maharshi did not pay any attention to her. When Punjiksthala tried to disturb him, he cursed her to be born on earth as a female monkey.
@GunduHuDuGa

When she asked for forgiveness, he told her that she will become the mother of the greatest bhakt of Prabhu on Earth. Later, she was born as the daughter of Kunjar (king of the monkeys) and got married to Kapiraj Kesari. Her name was Anjana and she gave birth to Hanuman.

Once, Ma Sita told him that she was applying sindoor on her forehead for Prabhu’s long life. Hanuman, then smeared his entire body with Sindoor to ensure Ram's immortality.
On this day, people also apply sindoor on their foreheads from Hanuman’s body as it is deemed auspicious.