Azhwars : Kulasekara Azhwar

 Kulasekara Azhwar (குலசேகர ஆழ்வார்)

Dhidavirathan who was a descendant of Chera Kings was ruling Kolli mountain area during the 8th century. He was well known for his bravery. Kulasekara Azhwar was born to Dhidavirathan on a Friday of Masi month valarapirai, dwadasi thithi under the star Punarpoosam. He is the Kausthuba amsam of the Lord . Kulasekara Azhwar was well versed in both Sanskrit and Tamizh and learnt all the martial arts necessary for a prince.

After his father, Kulasekara Azhwar became the king and ruled the kingdom well. He defeated both the Chozhas and the Pandyas who had battled with him. Impressed by Kulasekara Azhwar, the Pandya king gave his daughter in marriage to him. Days rolled and Mahavishnu decided it was time to make Kulasekara Azhwar realize God.

Kulasekara Azhwar listened to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna’s stories regularly. When he heard how hearing Soorpanaka’s complaint Karan brought many soldiers and Rama fought against him alone, he got so involved that he asked his soldiers to get ready to help Rama and he also got ready for a battle. Only when the minister explained to Kulasekara Azhwar that Rama killed Karan and his soldiers and was happy with Sita and Lakshmanan, he understood and asked his soldiers to go back. Seeing his bhakti for Rama, he came to be called as Kulasekara Perumal and the hymns sung by him are called Perumal Thirumozhi

As Kulasekara Azhwar got more and more closer with Vaishnava Bhaktas, his ministers wanted to separate them and hid the Navamani maalai which adorned the Mahavishnu’s idol. When the king enquired, the ministers said only the Vaishnava Bhaktas must have stolen it. Disagreeing with this, Kulasekara Azhwar instructed that a pot (குடம்) be brought with a snake in it. When it was brought, he announced “ If the Vaishnavas had taken the Navamani maalai, let the snake bite me” and put his hand inside. Nothing happened and after he took his hand out, the snake came out and fell at his feet. Kulasekara Azhwar instructed that the snake be taken back to a safe place. The ministers apologized to the king. Kulasekara Azhwar made his son the king and joined the Vaishnava Bhaktas to sing in praise of the Lord.

A sample of Perumal Thirumozhi below:

ஆனாத செல்வத் தரம்பையர்கள் தற்சூழ
வானாளும் செல்வமும் மண்ணரசும் யான்வேண்டேன்  
தேனார்பூஞ் சோலைத் திருவேங்கட சுனையில்
மீனாய்ப் பிறக்கும் விதியுடையே னாவேனே

Even if i  am given  the  kingdom with great treasures and beautiful maidens I prefer to be born as a  fish  in the  pond of Tirupathi !
He  goes on like this with wishes to be born  as a Shanbaka tree, a bush, a part of the Hill,  the water that falls from the hill the path on the hills and even the steps leading to temple which will allow him to have the Lord 's darshan always .
  Kulasekara Azhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

 Srirangam

 Thirukannapuram

 Thiruchitrakoodam

 Thiruvitrukkodu

 Tirupathi

 Ayodya

 Thirpparkadal

Azhwars : Madurakaviyaar

Madurakaviyaar  (மதுரகவியார்)

Madurakaviyaar meeting Nammazhwar in yogam in the tamarind tree which is actually Adiseshan

Madurakaviyaar was born on a Friday under the star Chithirai in the month of Chithirai valarpirai chaturdasi thithi in the 9th century. He is the nithya soori amsam of Mahavishnu

He was well versed in Tamizh and Sanskrit and had great Bhakti for Mahavishnu. He went on a pilgrimage to the many important places in the North – Ayodya, Mathura, Gaya, Kasi, Avanthi and Dwaraka and came back to stay in Ayodya. As mentioned in the earlier blog on Nammazhwar, he saw a light from South and followed the light to reach Nammazhwar in Thirukurugoor. He stayed with Nammazhwar as his disciple. His love and respect for Nammazhwar was such that he sang not in praise of the Lord, but in praise of Nammazhwar.

After Nammazhwar reached the Lord’s feet, Madurakaviyaar had an idol of Nammazhwar made and continued prayers to him. Poets of the Madurai sangam objected to this, stating that Nammazhwar was only a Bhakta and not God, he did not belong to the sangam and the hymns sung by him will not be accepted by them. Upset by this, Madurakaviyaar prayed to the Lord to teach them a lesson. Perumal came in human form and advised Madurakaviyaar to keep a particular paasuram of Nammazhwar in the sanga palagai which will teach the poets a lesson. Madurakaviyaar did this and the sanga palagai drowned the poets and only the paasuram stayed on the palagai. The poets then realized their mistake and sang a poem each on Nammazhwar’s greatness.

Madurakaviyaar continued his pujas to his Guru Nammazhwar and made the world realize Nammazhwar’s greatness before reaching the Lord’s feet.

The first song sung by Madurakaviyaar on Nammazhwar as below :

கண்ணி நுண்சிறுத்    தாம்பினால் கட்டுண்ணப்
பண்ணி யபெரு மாயன் என் னப்பனில்
நண்ணித் தென்குரு கூர்நம்பி யென்றக்கால்
அண்ணிக் கும்அமு தூறுமென் நாவுக்கே

The  sweetness  of  Nammazhwar 's name tastes like nectar  in my tongue and is even better than that of the Lord who  allowed himself to be tied with a knotted  rope by Yashoda.

Azhwars : Nammazhwar

Nammazhwar (நம்மாழ்வார்)

Before the birth of Nammazhwar, as per instructions from Mahavishnu, Adhiseshan took the form of a tamarind tree in the temple of Thirukurugoor.

A couple in Thirukurugoor, Porkaariyar and Udaya nangai prayed to the Perumal in Thirukurungudi and were blessed with a son – Nammazhwar.

Nammazhwar was born on Visakam star, Friday, pournami thithi, twelfth day of Vaikasi. He is Senai Muthalyar amsam of Mahavishnu.

As a baby, Nammazhwar did not show any activity - no appetite, no cries and even his eyes were closed, but he was growing normally day by day. As soon as he was born, Perumal had fed him with Gnanam and this is why, the baby was not interested in food. Not aware of this, the couple were worried about the baby and took him to the temple and put the baby in front of the Lord in Thirukurugoor, named him Maaran and prayed for his welfare.

Adhiseshan had taken the form of tamarind tree only to give upadesam to Nammazhwar and once Nammazhwar reached the temple, he settled there in yogam for 16 years.

At that time, Madurakaviyaar, another azhwar was on pilgrimage to Mathura, Dwaraka, Kasi and Ayodya. When he was in Ayodya, he could see a bright light from south and was curious about it. This light was visible only in the night and disappeared in day time. Madurakaviyaar travelled towards south in search of the light’s source and reached Thirukurugoor. Once he entered the temple there, the light disappeared totally. He enquired in the town if there is anything special there and came to know about Nammazhwar. Madurakaviyaar stood in front of Nammazhwar and clapped his hands to wake him from his yogam and asked him “ செத்ததின் வயிற்றில் சிறியது பிறந்தால் எத்தை தின்று எங்கே கிடக்கும்?” meaning “When the soul enters a body (which is lifeless without a soul), what will it experience as happiness?” Nammazhwar promptly replied     “அத்தை தின்று அங்கே கிடக்கும்” meaning, “Due to the connection with the body which has all the five elements - sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch, the soul will experience all the joys and sorrows and be there”

Hearing this, Madurakaviyaar felt at the feet of Nammazhwar and requested him to accept him as disciple. Madurakaviyaar stayed with Nammazhwar as his disciple and his paasurams are not on the Lord, but on Nammazhwar.

Nammazhwar continued his yogam underneath the tamarind tree for 31 years. Though he was named Maaran initially, he had many names, but he was called Nammazhwar as everybody considered him as his own and called him Nammazhwar with love.

His slokam which I have studied in school is :

உயர்வற உயர்நல முடையவன் யவனவன்

மயர்வற மதிநலம் அருளினான் யவனவன்

அயர்வறும் அமரர்கள் அதிபதி யவனவன்

துயரறு சுடரடி தொழுதெழன் மனமே  

“My mind, fall at the feet of the Lord, the Supreme, one who gives you intelligence, Lord for the Devas and this will solve all your sorrows”

Nammazhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

*Srirangam * Thirupernagar * Kumbakonam * Thiruvinnagar *Thirukkannapuram

*Thirumaliruncholai *Thirumogur *Thirukurugoor * Azhwar thirunagari

* Srivaramangai * Thirupulingudi *Thirupperai *Srivaikundam * Varagunamangai

* Perunkulam * Thirukurungudi * Thirukoviloor * Thiruvananthapuram

* Thiruvanparisaaram * Thirukaatkarai * Thirumoozhikalam * Thirupuliyur

* Thirusengundroor * Thirunaavai * Thiruvallavaazh * Thiruvanvandoor

*Thiruvaataaru * Thirukadithaanam * Thiruvaaranvilai * Tirupathi

* Ayodya * Dwaraka * Mathura * Thiruppaarkadal * Paramapadham

Azhwars : Thirumazhisai Azhwar

Thirumazhisai Azhwar    (திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார்)

During the 7th century, in the Tamil month of Thai, on a Valarpirai Sunday, Pradhamai Thithi and Magam star, a baby was born to Bhargava Maharishi and Kanagangi. He was deformed with no limbs. Very upset over the birth of such a deformed child, the couple left the baby near a bamboo bush. Mahavishnu along with Mahalakshmi blessed the deformed baby and his limbs grew to become a beautiful child. Once the baby became normal, he cried out of hunger and Mahavishnu fed and blessed the baby. Once Mahavishnu left, the baby cried again missing him. A man, Thiruvalan, who had come to cut bamboo, heard the cries and was very happy to take the baby as he was childless. His wife, Pangayachelvi was so ecstatic seeing the baby that she was ready to nurse him but the baby did not drink her milk. The baby was still with no appetite or any other activity. This is the birth of Thirumazhisai Azhwar.

An elderly man in the town of Thirumazhisai who was a Bhakta of Mahavishnu, heard about the baby and brought milk for him. The baby had only this milk and it became an everyday practice. One day the child did not drink the milk fully and left some balance. The old man and his wife drank the balance milk and they attained youth instantly. The lady conceived and delivered a baby boy. The couple named the child Kanikannan.

Thus Thirumazhisai Azhwar was born to Bhargava Maharishi and Kanagangi and brought up by Thiruvalan and Pangayachelvi. At a very young age, he was in search of God and tried Jainism and Saivam to find Him. For a few years he was a follower of Saivam with the name Sivavaakiyar. After visiting many Sivan temples, he reached Mylapore where he met Peyaazhwar. Peyaazhwar understood who Thirumazhisai Azhwar was, taught him the Narayana Mantra and Thirumazhisai Azhwar became a Vaishnavaite.

For many years, Thirumazhisai Azhwar did penance in the temple of Thirumazhisai. When he was in Yogam in a cave, the first three Azhwars viz, Poigai azhwar, Boothathazhwar and Peyaazhwar were on pilgrimage together and they could see a light from the cave and found Thirumazhisai Azhwar inside. They were very happy to meet each other.

After some time, Thirumazhisai Azhwar went to Thiruvekka Perumal temple in Kanchipuram and did dhyanam on the banks of the pond where Poigai Azhwar was born. Kanikannan who was born by the blessing of Thirumazhisai Azhwar was serving the azhwar here. An old lady used to clean and decorate this place with kolams and flowers.

Azhwar was pleased with the lady’s services and granted her a boon. She wished for youth and turned into a beautiful young woman. The Pallava king fell in love with her and made her his queen. As the king grew old, he learnt his queen’s secret of attaining youth and wished for it. The queen advised that he can get the Azhwar’s blessings through his disciple Kanikannan. On request, Kanikannan came to the King’s court, but said that Azhwar will not visit the king. The king requested Kanikannan to sing his praise and he refused saying that he will sing only the Lord’s praise. The king ordered him to leave the town of Kanchipuram. Promptly Kanikannan reported this to Thirumazhisai Azhwar and told him that he has to leave the town as per king’s orders. Azhwar replied that he will leave the town along with Kanikannan and asked the Perumal also to leave with them. He sang to Perumal as follows:

கணிகண்ணன் போகின்றான் காமுறுபூங் கச்சி
மணிவண்ணா நீகிடக்க வேண்டா - துணிவுடைய
செந்நாப் புலவனும் போகின்றேன் நீயுமுன்றன்
பைந்நாகப் பாய்சுருட்டிக் கொள்

“Lord, Kanikannan is leaving, Lord of Kanchi, you need not lie down here, I am also going, you roll your serpent bed and leave!”

Hearing this, Perumal packed up and left along with the Azhwar. Imagine the devotion Azhwar had for Perumal for the Lord to leave with him. The relationship Azhwar had with the Lord is incredible!

The whole town was lifeless once Perumal left. The king realised his mistake, fell at Kanikannan’s feet and requested him to return. Kanikannan in turn requested Azhwar to return who in turn requested Perumal:

கணிகண்ணன்  போகொழிந்தான் காமுருபூங் கச்சி
மணிவண்ணா நீகிடக்க வேண்டும்- துணிவுடைய
செந்நாப் புலவனும் போக்கொழிந்தேன் நீயுமுன்றன்
பைந்நாகப் பாய்படுத்துக்    கொள்

“Kanikannan is back, Lord of Kanchi, please stay here, I am also back, please recline on your serpent bed!”

I heard this story from my mother when I was very young and was thrilled imagining Mahavishnu rolling his serpent bed. I was only aware of the name Kanikannan and now very happy to understand the full story and share it here.

Thirumazhisai Azhwar further travelled to many other places and sang in praise of the Lord. He has sung hymns on the following temples

  
» Srirangam
» Anbil
» Thirupernagar
» Kumbakonam
» Kabistalam
» Thirukotiyur
» Thirukkoodal
» Thirukurungudi
» Thiruppadagam
» Thiruvooragam
» Thiruvekka
» Thiruvallur
» Tirupathi
» Thirupparkadal
» Dwaraka
» Paramapadam

Meeting of the first three Azhwars

Meeting of the first three Azhwars

The first three azhwars viz., Poigai Azhwar, Boothathazhwar and Peyaazhwar belonged to the same period. All of them were visiting different temples singing the praise of the Lord. The Lord decided that they meet each other. The three of them were in Thirukovilur and had visited the temple during the day. Dusk fell and it was raining heavily. Poigai Ahzwar reached a house nearby and requested for shelter. He was offered a room to rest. Next Boothathazhwar came to the same house and asked for shelter. He was informed that there was space for one person to lie down and two persons to sit and was asked to stay in the same room as Poigai Azhwar. It was so dark that the Azhwars could not see each other. A little later, Peyaazhwar came in and the house owner said the three people will have space to stand and allowed him inside. As the three of them were standing together and discussing about the darshan of Trivikraman they had had earlier, they could feel a fourth person between them.

With their wisdom, the Azhwars realised that it was the Lord who had come to stand between them and sang his praise.

Poigai Azhwar sang thus:

வையம் தகளியா வார்கடலே நெய்யாக
வெய்ய  கதிரோன்  விளக்காக   செய்ய 
சுடராழி  யானடிக்கே  சூட்டினேன்  சொன்மாலை
இடராழி  நீக்குகவே   என்று

“With this world as lamp, the ocean as ghee, the sun as fire, I light this lamp and  sing this garland of verses in HIS praise.”

Boothathazhwar

அன்பே தகளியா ஆர்வமே நெய்யாக
இன்புருகு   சிந்தை இடுதிரியா நன்புருகி  
ஞான சுடர்விளக்கு ஏற்றினேன் நாரணற்கு
ஞான தமிழ்புரிந்த நான்     

“With love as lamp, passion as ghee, my intelligence as wick, I light this gnana lamp (lamp of wisdom) for Narayanan and dedicate myself to the service of the Lord by singing HIS praise.”

Peyaazhwar

திருக்கண்டேன் பொன்மேனி கண்டேன் திகழும்
அருக்கன் அணிநிறமும் கண்டேன் செருக்கிளரும்
பொன்னாழி கண்டேன் புரிசங்கம் கைக்கண்டேன்
என்னாழி வண்ணன்பால் இன்று

Peyaazhwar describes the Lord as he sees him in the light of the lamps lit by Poigai Azhwar and Boothathazhwar.

“I see the golden form of the Lord  along  with  Mahalakshmi , the magnificent Lord is here in the colour of the blue sea, with the sangu (conch) in one hand and chakra (discus) in the other."

Thus the Lord made the three azhwars meet , gave darshan to them and made them sing    the first three thiruvandhadhis.

Azhwars : Peyaazhwar

Peyaazhwar (பேயாழ்வார்)

Peyaazhwar was born in red lily flower in the well of Adikesava Perumal temple in Triplicane, Chennai in 7th century.

Star: Sathayam
Day: Thursday
Thithi: Dasami
Month: Ipasi valarpirai
Amsam: Sword

Peyaazhwar was educated in childhood and his heart was attracted towards the lotus feet of the Lord like a needle to a magnet. He so blissfully sang the praise of the Lord that people said that Peyaazhwar was such a Gnani (wise one) at birth.

Peyaazhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

•  Srirangam
•  Kumbakonam
• Thiruvinnagar
• Thirumaliruncholai
• Thirukotiyur
• Ashtabuyagaram
• Thiruvelukkai
• Thirupaadakam
• Thiruvekka
• Triplicane
• Thirukadigai
• Tirupathi
• Thirupparkadal
• Paramapadam

Azhwars : Boothathazhwar

Boothathazhwar (பூதத்தாழ்வார்)

Boothathazhwar was born in Neelothbala flower in a Jasmine shrub in Mahabalipuram in the 7th century.

Star: Avittam
Day: Wednesday
Thithi: Navami
Month: Ipasi valarpirai
Amsam: Gadhayudham

Boothathazhwar’s mind was always on Mahavishnu’s feet. He was never interested in the worldly things and was always doing puja to Mahavishnu in his heart. In his hymns on the Lord he says that “even if I am offered the chance to rule the world, I will decline it and just wish to do prayers to my Lord every day!” Such was his Bhakti.

Boothathazhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

→ Srirangam
→Thanjavur
→Kumbakonam
→Thirumaliruncholai
→Thirukotiyur
→Thiruthangal
→Thirukovilur
→Mahabalipuram
→Tirupathi
→Thirupparkadal

Azhwars : Poigai Azhwar

Azhwars


The month of Purattasi reminded me so much of Azhwars that I want to write a series on the 12 Azhwars. The word Azhwar literally means the one who delves deep and in this case it is the one who delves deep into Vishnu Bhakti.

All the 12 Azhwars are said to be parts (amsam அம்சம்) of Mahavishnu. I begin with the first one.

Poigai Azhwar   (பொய்கை ஆழ்வார்)

Poigai azhwar is said to have been born in a lotus in a pond (பொய்கை) in Thiruvekka, Kanchipuram in the 7th century

Star: Thirvonam
Day: Tuesday
Thithi: Ashtami
Month: Ipasi valarpirai
Amsam: Panchajanyam (conch)

Poigai Azhwar had so much of love for Mahavishnu that he used to say that “My love for Him says, go to Him; my tongue says, sing his praise; my ears say hear his greatness; my eyes say, look only at Him who does not have any birth or death.”

Poigai Azhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:


►Srirangam

►Thiruvinnagaram (Oppliappan Koil)

►Thirukovilur

►Thiruvekka

►Tirupathi

►Thirupparkadal

►Paramapadham

Purattasi (புரட்டாசி)

Purattasi (புரட்டாசி)

Purattasi is an important Tamil month usually from September 16 – October 15. This again is a month devoted to worship like Aadi, this time the prime deity being Perumal.

The usual Tamil saying is that “aadi va vangum, thai po pongum” meaning the festival time starts with Aadi and ends with Pongal in the month of Thai.

As per the saying, all the festivals start with Aadi and continue to Krishna Jayanthi and Pillayar Chaturthi in Aavani and move on to Navarathri in Purattasi and Diwali in Ipasi.

The most important festivals in Purattasi are:

1. Saturdays of Purattasi – Like Aadi Fridays are important days for praying to Goddess, Purattasi Saturdays are very important and special prayers are done for Venkatachalapathy with people following many Vrathams and pujas with various offerings like chakara pongal etc.

2. Mahalaya Amavasya – The 15 days preceding the New moon day of Purattasi is considered as Mahalaya Paksham (full moon to new moon) period. During this time, our forefathers are supposed to come close to us on this earth and people generally offer special prayers to them with tharpanam, mahalaya srartham  etc. This is followed not only for one’s forefathers but for all the departed kith and kin.

3. Navrathri - Once the rituals for the forefathers are completed, the time for celebration begins with Navrathri (nine nights, literally). The first day of Navrathri is the day after the Mahalaya Amavasya completes and continues for ten days. The first three days pujas are for Goddess Parvathi, the next three days for Goddess Lakshmi and the last three days for Goddess Saraswathi - the third day of puja to Goddess Saraswathi (the ninth of the celebrations) being celebrated as Saraswathi Puja in households and Ayudha Puja in workplace. The tenth day is Vijaya Dasami – meaning the victorious tenth day when the Goddess slew Mahishasuran.

Navrathri is a beautiful opportunity for socialising. In South India Navrathri is celebrated with the traditional Kolu.

On the Mahalaya Amavasya day, dolls are taken out and arranged in odd numbered steps and decorated. The tradition that is usually followed is that the first few steps will have the dolls of Gods and Goddesses, the next few will have Sadhus, national leaders, other human beings, etc and the last few will have toys including dolls of animals. Every day, sundal and a sweet are offered as prasadam to the Goddess. Ladies and children are invited to one’s home for thamboolam. The invited ladies and kids are also asked to sing songs, usually in praise of the Goddess.

On the Saraswathi Puja day educational books and all household tools are kept in puja with prayer for a good and safe use of these in the coming years.

Ayudha Puja is celebrated in all work places whether it is a small mechanic shop or a big factory irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Here again all the work tools are cleaned and decorated and prayed to.

On Vijaya dasami day children are made to read the books kept in puja. Many schools admit new children in classes and many institutions commence new courses as being a victorious day, it is considered as a very auspicious day to start any venture.

4. Tirupathi Brahmotsavam: Tirupathi Brahmostavam is an integral part of Purattasi, happening in Tirupathi temple. Nowadays it is very easy to see the Brahmotsavam sitting at home as it is always telecast by different TV channels at different times on all days of the festival.

The art of making Murukku

The art of making Murukku

Seer murukku is an important item in Tamil weddings. During the wedding many sweets and savoury items are given by the bride’s family to the groom’s and murukku with five or seven rounds (concentric circles) have a prime place.  At the Rameswaram wedding, after Nischayadartham, along with all the seer, murukku made in different patterns were displayed. I was so impressed by the display that I did a mini interview with the lady who had made them. This lady, Mrs K J Amirthavalli, is from Madurai and says that she has been doing seer bakshanam for marriages on a contract for a long time.

 

She had made these beautifully shaped murukkus for this wedding with so much interest more because both the bride and groom’s family were personally known to her.

There were murukkus made in the shape of sari, veshti (dhoti), bag, an animal, baskets, cup, betel leaves, banana, flowers, kolams, lamp and what not. There were also the regular round shaped ones with the name of the bride and groom written in English and Tamil.  She so innocently asked me if she had spelt the names right! Though she does not do all the seer sweets and savouries for weddings any more, I am sure she will do this kind of murukku for weddings on order.

 

1. Sari & Dhoti                               

2. Basket

3. Flower

4. Cup

5. Kolam

6.Lamp

7. One more basket

 8. One more Kolam

9. Another flower

10. Leaf

 11. Betel leaves, betel nut and banana
For betel nut she has used coffee powder made into a paste!

12. Bridegroom's name

13. Bride's Name

14. Mirror

 15.Hand fan

 16. Bride's name in Tamil

17. Bridegroom's name in Tamil

18. Floral pattern

 19. Animal

Temple Trails Tamil Nadu : Rameswaram Temple

Rameswaram Temple

This was one of my briefest visits to the Rameswaram Temple and I consoled myself that I had been here on my earlier trips and had good darshan many times. We could find time to visit the temple only the day before the wedding for which we had been to Rameswaram. Hence this is more of a picture blog of the photos I was allowed to take in the temple more than actual description.

The size of the South Indian temples never fails to zap me and Rameswaram tops the list! We walked on the ever wet floor due to people having bath in the various theerthams at the temple and reached the Ganapathi sannidhi. It was very crowded as it was Vinayaga Chaturthi day. We then went inside and I was staring at the pillars and the huge nandhi like a village  bumpkin. 

 

 The main sannidhi was so crowded that we could just glimpse the Siva Lingam. – Ramanatha Swamy and Ambal Parvathavardhini sannidhi was very calm and less crowded and we could have a leisurely darshan there. We also prayed at the Kalyana Sundareswarar  sannidhi and came out to see the Anjaneyar. This Anjaneyar always fascinates me by the fact that the lower half of his body is always immersed in sea and only the upper half is visible for our darshan. This completed my shortest trip to this BIG temple. 

Evening though the wedding jaanavasam took place right here, there was no time to visit the sannidhis but only to click a few snaps!