Archive for the 'South India Temples' Category
Chottanikkara Temple is a popular temple of Kerala. The temple is located near the city of Ernakulam in the state. Goddess Rajarajeswari is the presiding deity of the shrine who is worshiped in the temple in three forms- Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi in the afternoon and Durga in the evening. Lord Mahavishnu is also worshiped in the shrine and his idol is located next to the idol of the goddess. So the goddess is also known as Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana also. Other heavenly deities worshiped in the temple are Lord Brahma, Shiva, Ganesha, Subramanya an.... Read more...
July 05 2010 | South India Temples | 1 Comment »
In Chennai, Mylapore, the Kapaleeswarar Temple is extremely ancient temple and is one of the visited temples. The original temple was underwater beneath the sea and the present temple construction was an afterward construction.
The Amman is karpagambal and Moolavar is kapaleeswarar. There are split sannadhis for many deities such as Murugar, Vinayagar, Saneeswara, Annamalaiyar. There are many other deities such as Chandikeswarar, Durgai, Dakshinamurthy located within the major Sannadhis of Kapaleeswarar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (Paravati).
Kapaleeswarar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (Paravati) temple.... Read more...
July 05 2010 | South India Temples | No Comments »
The Vijayanagar Empire caused a number of monuments to be built and patronized in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The ornate Lepakshi temples being one of the popular temples of that era. Lepakshi is a small village, which lies nine miles east of Hindupur in Anantapur District of Andhra and is famous for its temple of Veerabhadra, and is also a renowned place where the best specimens of the mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings are available.
The flat stuccoed granite ceilings of the Vijayanagar Empire provided a suitable background for frescoes as seen at Lepakshi. This temple is a notable ex.... Read more...
June 10 2010 | South India Temples | No Comments »
Situated on the banks of the Narmada, Omkareshwar is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is located at a distance of about 12 miles from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. The river Narmada spits into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The shape of the island resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar and one to Amareshwar. Legend has it that the Vindhya mountain prayed to Shiva – Omkareshwara and was blessed here. Legend also has it that upon the request of the Devas, the Shiva.... Read more...
June 10 2010 | South India Temples | No Comments »
Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala, Sabarimala is situated high up in the Sahyadri Mountains. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that “Parasurama Maharshi” who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.
Various legends explain the birth of Ayyappa, among them that he was born to battle .... Read more...
June 10 2010 | South India Temples | No Comments »
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Ve.... Read more...
June 10 2010 | South India Temples | No Comments »