Thirtha Yathra 2 !!

      Radhekrishna! We will continue from the last post. We reached Thiruvannamalai our destination by around 11 pm. As we had booked our accommodation earlier we could settle ourselves within a short time with the decision to get ready by 6-30. Morning by 6-30 we all got ready and came out of our lodge. The view was astounding. In front of us was sprawled, the mighty Thiruvannamalai, the mountain form of Lord Arunachaleswara. The place was charged with divinity. We stood staring at the mountain for sometime took some snaps and entered Ramanashramam. Ramana - the great soul was above the 4 ashrams of Brahmacharyam,  Sanyasa, etc. We circumbulated the samadhi and mid way we had the pleasant surprise of seeing the mahathma Swamy Shanthananthapuri the great disciple of Swamy Purushothamananthapuri of Vasishta Guha, Rishikesh.
         We prostrated at his feet and moved. We met an acquaintance from our home town there unexpectedly. He invited us for a sapthaham which was being conducted in Thiruvannamalai to be started from that day. So after arathi at the samadhi we went to the sapthaham venue. Guruji gave a discourse on Naraharisonar quoting how Lord Vittala attracted Naraharisonar who was a great devotee of Lord Siva and said likewise Lord Arunachaleswara had pulled Guruji a staunch Krishna devotee towards Him. We then went to Ramanashram to meet the mahathma Swamy Shanthananthapuri maharaj.   
         When we entered his room the Swamiji pushed a chair towards Guruji and requested him to be seated on that.But Guruji politely declined the offer and said he preferred sitting down before mahathmas. Then the Swamiji started saying there is no difference between down or up. Then he quoted a story from Ribhu Gita how the sadguru makes his disciple understand the real truth. His words were like sweet nectar and all of us listened enchanted. Then Swamiji asked Guruji to speak. Guruji then talked on Vittala since it was Ashada Sukla Ekadasi day and concluded saying when we happen to meet great bhakthas, or mahathmas it would naturally lead us to the Lord.
      We could see that guruji was immersed in Ananda. He reclined on to the Swamiji's lap and enjoyed his divinity. Meanwhile Swamiji was talking to us on various form of bhakthi and grace of the Lord. He also quoted two or three anecdotes on Ramana maharshi. Then he told us about his sadguru Swamy Purushothamananthapuri maharaj of Vasishta Guha. Time was flowing smoothly and we never realised. It was time for swamiji to go out to attend a special puja organised by the ashram on that day. So we took leave from the Swamiji reluctantly with a promise to meet him again in Chennai when he said he would be coming there after a week.
         We decided to skip the puja functions since we had to see around the place. We started climbing the mountain. It was not hot and humid but only pleasant with mild breeze. We could see Guruji was slowly loosing himself in the atmosphere. He became silent and was enjoying in himself. Since we had limited time we had to cut short our climb midway and return. Guruji was forced to leave the place. 
      We then proceeded to see Lord Arunachaleswara since Guruji wanted to see the Lord who pulled the great mahathma Ramana maharshi towards Him. The temple complex is huge. We kept walking towards the sanctum. As we were nearing the gateway meant for queue a bhattar whom we don't know came to Guruji and said 'vaango' as if he was expecting us. Without much words he led our group away from normal route towards the sannidhanam. Inside the sanctum we were seated so near the deity as if we were sitting by the Lord's feet. We hadn't taken any offerings with us for the Lord. The bhattar did archana arathi etc. while we had a very very luxurious darsan of the Lord. He then took us to the divine mother's sannidhi too where the rituals were repeated. Then he gave prasadams to us and garlanded guruji and the 4 men. Everything was happening as if in a dream. With the blessings of Lord Arunachaleswara and Unnamulai thayaar we started back.
       We did a hurried giri pradakshinam on car itself before lunch. Evening we started towards Thirukovalur where the first three azhvars met 'yadruchayaa' on a rainy night. 'Poykaiyazhvar, Bhoothathazhvar and Peyazhvar decided to visit Thirukovalur divyadesam on the same day itself. Poykaiyazhvar who reached first found the temple doors had closed decided to stay back and enjoy the darsan the next day. He approached a Rishi who was staying nearby for accommodation for a night's stay. The Rishi showed him a small verandah enough for a single person to lie down. As he was lying down the two other azhvars too reached there one by one and together they managed to stand on the small verandah and spend the night in divine sathsangam. They were introducing themselves and talking about the Lord when they found a fourth person had squeezed inside without their permission. Since it was very dark they couldn't see who that person was. So Poykaiazhvar lit a lamp of earth with the sea of oil etc. followed by Bhoothathazhvar who lit the lamp with love. eagerness etc. while the third one saw the Lord along with the divine mother in that light. Ultimately the divyaprabandham originated at that small verandah.
        On the way to Thirukovalur guruji noted Gnyanananda Thapovanam on our right and so our car stopped there for the holy darsan. We saw Thapovan also which was not in our original agenda and then proceeded towards Thirukovalur.  We were thrilled as we entered the temple premises. The curtain was drawn so we stood waiting there in the queue. Then another group of about three or four walked in. An old lady from among them squeezed in among us which looked very much awkward. Then she moved behind us. Slowly the queue was becoming longer. Suddenly somebody from the back shouted 'hey why are u squeezing and crowding like this?'. We were startled to hear those words and immediately burst into laughter. The Lord had proved His presence for us there. Didn't He squeeze in to the three azhvars who were standing on the Rishi's verandah?!! 
        The curtain was removed and we were allowed inside. Lord Thrivikrama was standing huge with the right  foot raised upwards towards the sky measuring the whole universe. We could see the divine mother also on His chest. Mahabali, Namuchi, Mrikantu maharshi, the three azhvars are all present inside the sanctum.  Guruji explained us in detail while the bhattar showed everything to us. We received thirtham prasadam etc. and came out. As we had decided to visit Madhuranthakam before it closes we started without any delay. After about an hour we suddenly noticed a small board indicating 'Paranur' was just 3 km. away. Seeing that Guruji immediately asked the driver to turn the car and go to Paranur where the mahathma Sri Krishna Premi had consecrated a temple for 'Bhaktha Kolahalan'! As it was Ashata Sukla Ekadasi we could very well expect Sri Anna to be there. The car proceeded through a forsaken route and reached Paranur a very inconspicuous village.
       We could hear Anna's voice even as we got out of the car. We eagerly rushed towards the temple where hundreds had gathered to see and hear Sri Anna. Each of us managed to get space for standing somewhere and we stood hearing the 'amrita vachans' of the sadguru.  Sri Anna finished his talks and moved away. We went to see Kolahalan who was so excited seeing so many bhakthas thronging there. Afterwards we moved to where Sri Anna was standing and giving darsan. The crowd was thronging to meet Anna. He was responding to every devotee. At last our Guruji had his opportunity and garland Sri Anna and prostrate before him. Sri Anna blessed us with a quick look at us and a flashy smile.
        Fully contented we decided to move. Guruji said as it was so late we had no chance of getting into Madhuranthakam in time. So Guruji advised us to postpone Madhuranthakam visit and so we proceeded homewards.  Guruji was reminiscing the whole trip making us realize the power of mahathmas. The whole trip has become an unforgettable experience for all of us. Everybody could feel that only Bhagavan was leading us throughout. We can only prostrate at our guru's holy feet again and again and express our gratitude for him. We can only conclude with these words - 'anirvachaneeyam premaswaroopam'! Radhekrishna! radhekrishna!

Thirtha Yathra !!

     Radhekrishna! When the Lord is described the saying goes as "Anirvachaneeyam....." meaning words cannot explain. Words fail to present the thirtha yathra we enjoyed recently with our Guru. But still the heart wants to share the experience with everyone. It all started with a marriage to be conducted in Thiruvidayenthai divyadesam. When we got the 'invitation' from the Varahamoorthy perumal we were indeed blessed. So ultimately the Lord took 6 of us along with our beloved Guruji for a very special thirtha yathra.
       We started at 5 am. from our place towards our Guruji's place. From there we reached Thiruvidayenthai divyadesam by 6-45. The marriage party had already reached and the rituals were going on. We first entered the temple to have the darsan of the divine Nithyakalyana Perumal - meaning the ever new groom! Yes! Lord Varahamoorthy in that divyadesam is a new groom everyday!     
         Kalava Rishi had 360 daughters to be married off. He was an ardent bhaktha. Bhagavan pleased with his devotion came as an old man in search of a suitable wife. The Rishi told the old man that whoever from among his 360 daughters was ready to accept the old man, would be given in marriage to Him. But by divine will all the girls wanted to marry the old man who looked nava yauvana purusha to them. So the Lord said to have married the girls one by one everyday. To this day the Lord is adorned in a new groom's attire daily. 
        The main deity of the temple is Lord Varahamoorthy lovingly hugging Bhoomi devi the mother Earth seated on His left lap. The Lord is giving upadesa to the divine mother. It is said that the Lord took the Varaha avathara to save Bhoomi devi from the demon Hiranyaksha.  He rescued the earth from where she was kept hidden. The mother was thankful that the Lord saved her, His wife and also His disciple. She pleads to the Lord that she was worried about the fate of her children who are on earth. At that time the Lord   promises her "whoever in the prime of health and youth, when the mind and body are vigilant, remembers and worships me always will be remembered by me at the fag end of his life when he becomes immobile and bedridden, incapable of even thinking of Me. I will then take him to my ultimate abode."
         We enjoyed the lustrous form of the Lord from close quarters. Then we did the circumbulation of the sanctum and then attended the marriage ceremonies. The newly weds were very fortunate to have our Guruji witness the rituals. Guruji started chanting and we all followed. The couple were blessed by Guruji before leaving. We finished our breakfast there and started for our next destiny - Sthalasayana Perumal temple of Mahabalipuram.
      We reached the temple by 40 mts. We went inside and had good darsan of the Perumal. There is a story of Pundalika maharishi here too who got a thousand petalled beautiful lotus from a pond. He wanted to offer it to the Lord. But on his way to meet the Lord he confronted the sea. In his intense desire to reach the Lord he began to drain the sea with both his hands. He never thought it was impossible for him. Seeing his devotion the Lord's heart melted. The karunya swarupa appeared before him as an old man again and said He was very hungry. He asked the Rishi to get some food for him while he continued draining the sea. The Rishi felt pity for the old man and went out to collect food for him. 
      When the Rishi came back he was astound to see the Lord reclining on the earth itself with the lotus on His feet. The Rishi understood that the old man was none other than the Lord and was very happy. He requested the Lord to remain there as such for the sake of devotees. The Lord agreed and remained there as such. The original temple is near the sea and is very much frequented by sea water gushing in. But now under the archaeological department. A King on a later period built a new temple much away  from the sea and consecrated another deity which resembles the original one. Now Pujas and worships are done in this temple only. We visited the old temple also where we could actually touch and enjoy the deity there. 
         We accompanied Guruji to another not so popular temple of Thiruvidayenthai Varahamoorthy there. A King who was an ardent devotee of Thiruvidayenthai Lord could not visit the temple one day for some reason. When he felt sorry the Lord Himself appeared there for the bhaktha's sake. Here the Lord poses with Goddess Lakshmi on his right lap. This temple is not frequented by many said the pujari. It was guru kripa that we had the fortune of having darsan of that Lord. 
          From Mahabalipuram we moved on  towards Kanchipuram the city of temples. First the car was taken to salai kinaru - the well from which Swami Ramanuja carried water for goddess Perunthevi thaayaar. The story runs like this. Once Swamy Ramanuja lost his way roaming around the Vindhya forests trying to escape an attempt of murder by some jealous people. In despair he called out to Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram. The Lord along with His consort Perunthevi appeared before Ramanuja as a hunter and His wife. Swamy Ramanuja was immensely delighted to see them who could converse in his mother tongue Tamil in the midst of the deep forest. The couple treated Ramanuja as their own son and Ramanuja also considered them as his parents. 
         To the pass the time the couple requested Ramanuja to tell them the story of Rama. Swamy Ramanuja happily narrated Ramayana to them. After a long time they took rest under a tree. Then the hunter's wife said she was feeling terribly thirsty. As it was nearing dawn Swamy Ramanuja went in search of water and found a well from which some ladies were drawing water. He collected some water on a lotus leaf and carried it to the hunter's wife who happily drank it and asked for more. So Ramanuja went back a second time and brought water for her. But to his dismay the couple were seen nowhere. 
         Disappointed that he could not fulfill the lady's desire for water he came back and enquired with the ladies about that place. They showed him the punyakoti vimanam of Varadaraja temple and said it was Kanchipuram. Swamy Ramanuja was totally taken aback by this reply. He couldn't believe he has crossed so many miles in a single night and reached safely. After revealing everything to his mother he contacted Thirukachi nampikal a great devotee of Lord Varadaraja who was doing the service of fanning the Lord, to ask the Lord as to what he should do now. The Lord used to converse with Thirukachi nampikal freely. He instructed Ramanuja to do thirtha kainkaryam for Perunthevi thaayaar from salai kinaru. We stood  before the same well from which Swamy Ramanuja used to carry water to Perunthevi thaayaar ! There is a sannidhi for Swamy Ramanuja nearby. We sat there for a while when Guruji explained the story to us. 
    We proceeded towards Kanchipuram town and reached near Ulakalantha Perumal temple. Guruji decided to see the temple first and so we entered the temple. Lord Thrivikrama is the main deity of the temple. The deity is of huge size. We had a wonderful darsan of the Lord there as there was not much crowd around. In front of the sanctum on the leftern side is Lord Ooragathan in the form of many hooded snake. Around the temple ground we can see three more divyadesams - Neeragathan, (where there will be water oozing all the time) Karagathan, and Karvarnnan.
         From there we reached the temple of Lord Varadaraja. We stood in queue and went inside. The temple is situated on a  raised mount. The place is also known as Hasthigiri in sanskrit and Athigiri in Tamil. We climbed the steps to reach the sanctum. The Lord stands with a beautiful welcoming smile which is very unique. We stood entranced before that towering form. In His right hand it is written as "Maa shucha:" meaning don't worry. The archaka patiently showed us the deity explaining in detail. We filled our heart with the divine darsan. We moved on towards the divine mother's sannidhi. She was all smiles full of grace. After offering our respects to Her we moved out. 
      An archaka who knew Guruji met us and offered prasadam to us. We had the sweet payasa prasadam and started to go. Just then the archaka said that in a few minutes there would be Garuda Seva of Swamy Varadaraja outside the sanctum. He said it was the Lord's divine will that we stay back and view that. We couldn't ignore the 
loving order of the Lord. So we stayed back to watch the wonderful Garuda Seva !!! After about 30 minutes the heavy Garuda vahana came out carried by priests. The Lord sitting on Garuda was a real sight to see. The Lord moves out of the temple on important days to give darsan for those who are unable to come to the temple to see Him. As the procession started we also started out.
         Our next destination was Orikkai a village near Kanchipuram. A mani mandapam has been raised in honour of Kanchi mahaperiyava poojya Sree Sree Chandrasekharendra Saraswathy swamy. There is another story behind the place called Orikkai. It is actually oriravu irukkai, meaning one night's stay. Thirumazhisai Alwar was in Kanchipuram doing penance. His disciple Kanikannan was serving him. An old lady used to kainkaryam for them daily by cleaning the place, plucking flowers etc. Her sraddha or sincerity in her kainkaryam inspite of her difficulties of old age impressed Kanikannan. He blessed her with undiminished youth. 
        The lady happily continued with her services One day the king happened to see the young woman accidentally and wanted to marry her, The woman did not reveal her identity and agreed to marry the king, They lived happily for years. The king started aging slowly. But he wondered how his wife was looking the same. On repeated enquiry the woman had to tell him about the boon she got from Kanikannan.
           The king sent his minister to Kanikannan seeking the same boon for himself. Kanikannan who was a good disciple and a perfect devotee refused to oblige the king for the sake of money. Angered the king ordered Kanikannan to get out of his country. So Kanikannan went to his master to get permission to go. Thirumazhisai alwar decided to follow his sishya Kanikannan. He approached the Lord Yathokthakari and asked Him to wind up His
Adisesha bed and accompany the alwar. Bhagavan immediately obliged winding up His snakebed and keeping it under His arms started behind the alwary.
       Seeing this goddess Lakshmi devi and other deities too followed suit. In a short while the whole city wore a deserted look. The clever minister understood this and warned the king of the happenings. The king realised his mistake and followed the entourage. The group reached a village and stayed there for a night, That place is called Orikkai meaning oriravu irukkai. The king begged Goddess Lakshmi to come back to his kingdom.She pointed her hand towards the Lord. The king pleaded with the Lord to come back. The Lord said He was requested by the alwar to accompany him. So the king approached the alwar with folded hands and invited him to come back to his country. The alwar said he had come with his sishya there and so the king must first ask the sishya's permission to go back.Thoroughly defeated king apologised with Kanikannan and requested him to come back along with all. Kanikannan agreed and with his guru's permission left back for the country. Thiumazhisai alwar walked behind followed by the Lord, Goddess and other deities. 
          Once when mahaperiyava Sri Chandra Sekharendra Saraswathy swamy stayed in this place during chathurmasya vratham. He found the place full of divinity with the presence of great souls. A mani mandapam has been constructed in memory of the sage in the place.  From Orikkai we proceeded towards Thiruvannamalai where we planned to spend our night, Radhekrishna ! To be continued..