Monday, March 28, 2016

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Theerthams Inside Temple

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Theerthams Inside Temple
According to the words of scriptures there are totally 64 theerthas (sacred water bodies) in and around Rameswaram. Out of them twenty two theerthas situated inside the Ramanathaswamy Temple premises.
Rameswaram has 22 Theerthams in the form of wells and small water bodies in various parts of the temple. Taking bath in all these Theerthams purify the body as well as the mind. 
It is believed that this water is holy and also having medicinal qualities. At Kodi Theertham pilgrims take their bath lastly and end their pilgrimage of Rameswaram.
The Theerthams of the Temple inside the Corridor and their significance, 
Mahalakshmi Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Savithri Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Gayathri Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Saraswathi Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sethu Madhava Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Nala Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Neela Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Gavaya Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Kavatsha Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Gandamadana Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Brahmahatthi Vimochana Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sooriya Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Chandra Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sathyamirtha Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Shiva Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sarva Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sangu Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Gaya Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Ganga Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Yamuna Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Kodi Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Tips:
Bath at 22 Theerthams (holy tanks) is an intrinsic part of visit to Rameswaram Pilgrimage.
1.    Ensure that you keep all electronic items etc. at your room. There are no good lockers at the temple premise.
2.    It is a tradition for grahastas not to wear orange colored clothing during the baths. Also wear only traditional dress for the bath.
3.    Official charge payable to the temple is only Rs. 25/-. However, you need to hire a guide to take you thru the tanks in right order. Charges for the same are Rs. 100 - Rs. 200 per person. There are many guides at the temple, some will promise "quick service" and ask for a premium. Don’t entertain such peoples.
4.    No water should be allowed to go into the Theerthams (wells) after bath.
5.    It takes around an hour to complete taking baths at all 22 wells.
6.    You can change to dry clothes after completing 22 snanas (bath). It is a custom to donate these wet clothes to poor and needy after the baths.
7.    All the 22 wells are freshwater wells. The miracle is that each of them taste differently, have little salinity though very close to the sea.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Kodi Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Kodi Theertham
Kodi Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Kodi Theertham is situated in the first corridor of the Temple.  Sri Krishna got rid of his sin of killing his uncle kamsan.



Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Yamuna Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Yamuna Theertham
Yamuna Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Yamuna Theertham is situated in the inner corridor of the Temple. Gnanasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Ganga Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Ganga Theertham
Ganga Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Ganga Theertham is situated in the inner corridor of the Temple. Gnanasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gaya Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gaya Theertham
Gaya Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Gaya Theertham is situated in the in the inner corridor of the Temple. Gnanasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sangu Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sangu Theertham
Sangu Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Sangu Theertham is situated in the inner corridor of the Temple.  Vatsanaba, the Sage, got rid of his sin of ingratitude.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sarva Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sarva Theertham
Sarva Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Sarva Theertham is situated in the front of Lord Ramanatha’s Sannathi.  Sutharishna got rid of his blindness (from birth), illness, and old age and then he prospered. 


Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Shiva Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Shiva Theertham
Shiva Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Siva Theertham is situated in the South of Nandhi Deva in the Temple. Taking bath in this theertham will absolve Brahmahatthi sins.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sathyamirtha Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sathyamirtha Theertham
Sathyamirtha Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Sathyamirtha Theertham is situated in the Amman Sannathi. Emperor Bururoonu got rid of his curse.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Chandra Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Chandra Theertham
Chandra Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Chandra Theertham is situated in the inner corridor of the Temple. One will get the knowledge of the past present and the future and reach the worlds they want if they take bath in this Theertham.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sooriya Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Sooriya Theertham
Sooriya Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Sooriya Theertham is situated in the inner corridor of the temple.  One will get the knowledge of the past, present and the future and reach the worlds they want if they take bath in this Theertham.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Bramahati Vimochana Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Bramahati Vimochana Theertham
Bramahati Vimochana Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. It is situated in the inner corridor of the Temple. Brahmmahathi was absolved of his sins.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gandamadana Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gandamadana Theertham
Gandamadana Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Gandamadana Theertham is in the area of Sethu Madhava Temple.  One will get riches and their sins will be absolved after getting rid of their penury.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Kavatsha Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Kavatsha Theertham
Kavatsha Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Kavatsha Theertham is situated in the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.  One will not go to hell if he takes bath in this Theertham.


Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gavaya Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gavaya Theertham
Gavaya Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Gavaya Theertham is situated in the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.  This Theertham is sheltered under Karpaga Viruchaga tree.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Neela Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Neela Theertham
Neela Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Neela Theertham is situated in the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.  One will get the benefit of Samastha (entire) yaga and receive Agni yoga if he takes bath in this Theertham.


Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Nala Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Nala Theertham
Nala Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Nala Theertham is situated in the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.  One will get Soorya Thejas and reach heaven if he baths in this Theertham.



Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Sethu Madhava Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Sethu Madhava Theertham
Sethu Madhava Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Sethu Madhava Theertham is the tank at the third corridor. One will get Lakshmi’s blessings and purification of heart if he takes bath in this Theertham.








Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Saraswathi Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Saraswathi Theertham
Saraswathi Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Saraswathi Theertham is situated in the West of the Hanuman Temple.  King Kasibar got rid of his curse.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gayathri Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Gayathri Theertham
Gayathri Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Gayathri Theertham is situated in the West of the hanuman Temple. King Kasibar got rid of his curse.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Savithri Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Savithri Theertham
Savithri Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Savithri Theertham is situated in the West of the Hanuman Temple. King Kasibar got rid of his curse.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Mahalakshmi Theertham

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - Mahalakshmi Theertham
Mahalakshmi Theertham is one of the sacred Theerthams located inside the Temple. Mahalakshmi Theertham is situated in the South of the Hanuman Temple.  Dharmarajan bathed here and got riches.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Sri Mahaveerar Jain Temple, Kattumalaiyanur, Thiruvannamalai

Sri Mahaveerar Jain Temple, Kattumalaiyanur, Thiruvannamalai
Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk of Thiruvannamalai District was believed to be constructed before 200 years ago. This temple is located near Kattumalaiyanur Village of Thiruvannamalai Taluk Town. Here one can see the Idol of Mahaveer, the 24th and the Last Thirthankars of Jainism in India carved on a Marble Stone belong to 15th Century AD. Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple located in Thiruvannamalai Taluk Town is surrounded by excellent greenery and peaceful environment.




The Temple
Kattumalaiyanur is a hamlet at a distance of 17 kms from Thiruvannamalai in the Vettavalam road. Despite the Jains are in single digit number, they have constructed a beautiful Jinalaya in the last century and dedicated to Shri Mahaveer Jinar. But they are worshipping a five hundred years old Jinar statue in the Jinalaya. The mutilated no-lanchan Thirthankar sculpture was brought from the nearby river bed.






The Jinalaya has an opening on east side and surrounded by compound wall. A small Kudakarai with iron grill gate and an altar in the open corridor were visible while entering the temple. The top of the main block has Shri Parshwanathar idol in a gallery and two lion specimens at the corner. 



The rectangular vedi-block was bifurcated by sanctum and a pavilion. Inside the sanctum sanctorum Shri Mahaveerar stone plate, latest carvings, was installed on plinth. It has tri-umbrella canopy, Yazhi with circular ornamental top edge carvings and two whisk maids on either side of the deity. A lion with thick mane is etched as lanchan at the bottom.



A simple Vimanam has Shikhara, padmam and Kalasha is crowned on the top. Four Jinar mortar images in sitting posture are decorated along the griva section. A paved open corridor is surrounds the temple.
However very few Jains are living; the poojas, rituals and festivals are conducted regularly. 
Poojas & Festivals
The following festivals and special poojas are conducted in Jain Temples;
·  Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, and partaking food after many long years of penance
·        Jinaratri commemorates Rishabha’s moksha
·        Mahavir Jayanti celebrates Tirthankara Mahavira’s birth
·        Diwali commemorates Mahavira’s moksha
·        Vasanta Panchami honors the Jain Agamas
·   Upaakarma commemorates the Chakravartin Bharata, son of Rishabha, acknowledge the true scholars by awarding them the Upanayanam
·        Karthikai Deepam at the onset of the month of Karthikai
Fastings
Fastings and other religious practices are also undertaken at this Jain Math like Full moon days Chaturdashi (14th day of the fortnight), Ashtami (8th day of the fortnight) are days chosen for fasting and religious observations. Women take food only after reciting the name of a Tirthankara five times. People undertake such practices as a vow for certain period of time – sometimes even for years.
On completion, Udhyapana festivals (special prayer services) are performed religious books and memorabilia are distributed. People who take certain vows eat only after sunrise and before sunset.
Contact
Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple,
Thiruvannamalai Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District,
Tamil Nadu 606755
Route
Tindivanam→ Gingee → Pennathur → Karungalikuppam → Kattumalaiyanur = 65 kms.
Kanchipuram → Vandavasi → Chetpet → Pennathur → Karungalikuppam → Kattumalaiyanur = 112 kms.
Villupuram→ Vettavalam road (before) Konalur right turn→ Kattumalaiyanur   = 53 kms.
Thiruvannamalai→ Villupuram road → Konalur (after) left turn → Kattumalaiyanur   = 19 kms.
Gingee → Pennathur → Karungalikuppam → Kattumalaiyanur = 34 kms.
Connectivity
By Bus:
Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk is well connected by road from all places in Tamil Nadu. This Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk is 20 km away from Thiruvannamalai Town. One can reach Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk by private taxis or buses from Thiruvannamalai Town.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Station is Thiruvannamalai Railway Station, which is 20 km away from Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk. One can reach the Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk by Private taxis or buses from Tindivanam Railway Station.
By Air:
Nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, which is 164 km away from Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk. One can reach Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple in Thiruvannamalai Taluk by private taxis or buses from Airport.

References