Airavatheeswara Temple in Tamilnadu

The Airavatheeswara Temple in Tamilnadu is famous Sculptural Master Piece of Chola Empire built by Raja Raja CholaII dated between 1160-62AD. This Airavatheeswara Temple is such living monument located at Dharasuram in Tamilnadu which has got recognition as a world heritage monument by the UNESCO.The temple is an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type temple.

In this Airavatheeswara temple Lord Shiva is enshrined as Airavateshvara, since he was worshipped by Airavata a white elephant of the king of the gods, Indra.

This Airavatheeswara Temple is a four-tiered temple that has a sanctum and three halls with fine stone chariot known as Rajagambira Mandapa drawn by caparisoned horses, with Brahma as its driver. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is Nirandhra i.e. without the circumambulatory passage. The Airavatheeswara Temple constitutes an ardha Mandapam and a 100-pillared Maha Mandapam in the temple. With the finely carved sculptures on the outer walls of the Maha Mandapam and the garba griha.

There is a wonderful sculptural idol that depicts Annapoorani with a beaming smile, holding a brass vessel with her left hand and a lotus on her right hand. The most attracting about this Airavatheeswara Temple among all things is the tread stones housed within the Nandi enclosure. The Airavatheeswara Temple walls are carved with beautiful dancing poses of Bharatanatyam.

Near the entrance to the Airavatheeswara Temple two Dwarapalakas, Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi, are imposing figures, giving vivid anatomical expressions of the liveliness of youth. The steps in the Airavatheeswara Temple are made of stones that gives different musical sounds when tapped with all the seven swaras are heard at different points.

History of Airavatheeswara temple:

As this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva named as Airavatheeshwara, an elephant legend known as Airavata is associated with this temple.  When elephant was suffering from a change of colour due to the curse from Sage Durvasa, it had restored its colour by bathing in the sacred waters of this Airavatheeswara Temple.

Thus the temple and the presiding deity derive its name from this incident and is commemorated by an image of Airavata with Indra seated in an inner shrine.

This place is also believed that Yama, the King of Death also worshipped Lord Shiva when he was cursed by Rishi and suffered from  a burning sensation all over the body then later he was cured by the when he took bath in the sacred in this temple pond. Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham.

Chayavaneswara Temple in Tamilnadu

The Chayavaneswara temple in Tamilnadu enshrines Lord Chayavaneswara (Lord Siva) located at Chayavanam about a mile away from Kaveripatnam where river Cauvery meets the sea. The Chayavaneswara temple is a famous pilgrimage centre in Tamilnadu. This Chayavaneswara temple is very ancient temple in Tamilnadu state.

It is believed that having a holy dip at the meeting of a river with the sea gets rid off all sins and makes on pure through heart and meet the Supreme Lord Shiva.

History of Chayavaneswara Temple:

There is an interesting legend attached with this Chayavaneswara temple who is known as Iyarpagai Nayanar, one of the sixty-three Nayanmars or Saivite saints of the South. Iyarpagai Nayanar used to spend his wealth lavishly for construction of temples feeding sadhus, and was known for his charitable nature towards sadhus and earned a repute of feeding them well and satisfying all their desires. And once in that process an old man approached Nayanar and requested him to send his wife with him as a gift, without any hesitation Iyarpagai Nayanar gratified old man’s desire by insisting his wife to follow sadhu. This created much turmoil among his relatives.

Then the old man immediately changed into Lord Shiva and praised Iyarpagai Nayanar for his generous devotion towards Saivite saints and blessed him with liberation. This reveals that Lord Shiva tests the depth of devotion of his devotees and rewards them when they stand the test.

Narada Temple in Karnataka

The Karnataka state of India has temple that enshrines to the Divine Sage Narada in Narada Temple located at Naradagadde which is about 48 kms from Raichur. The Narada Temple most scenic islands on the Krishna River with its beautiful location that attracts devotees and tourists. The Narada Temple was built with a belief that Sage Narada performed penance near this place.

History of Sage Narada:

The celestial sage of Hindu mythology, Narada is said to have sprung from the forehead of Lord Brahma, the Creator. Sage Narada chants the name of ‘Narayana’, constantly, name for Lord Vishnu. Sage Narada is depicted as a celestial musician of the musical instrument, veena and he constantly roams around the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and Hell. According ton the Hindu Mythology, sage Narada is depicted as sharp, very intellectual and is a playfulness character who would be the cause of quarrels among gods.

In India there are two temples dedicated to Sage Narada, one is in Karnataka at Naradagadde and the other in Madhya Pradesh as Naraddev Temple.

Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple in Karnataka

In the state of Karnataka, the place Kateel is considered as holy pilgrimage for the Hindus where Goddess Durga Parameshwari is enshrined as main deity in this temple. The Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple in Karnataka is located about 30km from the city of Mangalore where the temple is situated in the middle (katee) of the sacred river, Nandini so, the place is called Kateel. The river originates at a spot about 8 miles away, splits into two parts near the temple and rejoins on the other side of the temple.

In this Sri Durga Parameshwari temple there is a big rock in between the main entrance and before entering the temple the big symbolic rock situated to the left side is known as Goddess Rakteshwari. And people perform pooja to this goddess on every Sankramana devotees offer coconut sevas to this Goddess Rakteshwari.

The sanctum of Sri Durga Parameshwari idol is beyond the Dwajasthambha mandapam in a seated posture with four arms. The flag staff is covered with silver plating. Sine the deity destroyed the asura Arunaasuran, so she is called as Arunaasuramardini and as she appeared in the form of a bee (bramaram) and killed the demon so she has named as Bramaraambigai.

The temple of Sri Durga Parameshwari also enshrines other deities such as, on to the southern side of the main sanctum the idol of Mahaganapathi enshrines where priests perform Ganahoma and Pancha Kajjaya sevas. There is another god Shasthara enshrines in this temple as Lord Ayyappan on to the right side of Mahaganapathi. And other gods enshrined in this temple are Kshetrapala on the southwestern side, abode of Naga Devata and in the outside premises of the temple on the right Lord Brahma is enshrined.

As the Goddess Durga Parameshwari is very much passionate about dance and music, inside the temple there is a Yakshagana troupe who perform cultural activity depicting the miraculous power and grace of Goddess. And the devotees are offered with free meals everyday.

Hoysaleswara Temple in Karnataka

Hoysaleswara Temple in Karnataka located at Halebid near Belur enshrines Lord Shiva as main deity, is one of the largest temples in South India. The Hoysaleswara Temple belongs to 12th century that was built during Hoysala Empire by the king Vishnuvardhana and so the temple named as Hoysaleswara which is derived from king Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara. The temple architecture is an outstanding epitome of Hindu architecture.

The Hoysaleswara Temple enshrines two main temples that enshrines lord Hoysaleswara and another Shantaleswara that are named after Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana located next to each other, facing the east direction. The temple is based on Soapstone. Lord Surya, the sun god of 7 ft tall image also enshrines in this temple. There are huge images of Nandi in the temple hall.

The temple of Hoysaleswara has four porches for its entrance. Among them one entrance at north is used by visitors as main entry. The south side entrance and other two east side face two large detached open pavilions whose ceiling is supported by lathe turned pillars.

There is Hoysaleswara Temple has pillar named Garuda Stambha is the center attraction of this temple. The southern side entrance pillar demonstrates heroes flanking knives and cutting their own heads as Garudas are the selected bodyguards of the kings and queens who are lived with the royalty to defend. And after the death of their master, the garudas committed suicide and so they are portrayed on the pillar. The Hoysaleswara temple has a large tank that receives water through channels from an ancient dam built over the river Yagachi.

History of the Hoysaleswara Temple:

It is believed that the temple was laid stone by the affluent Shaiva citizens of Halebid and was constructed by king Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala Empire. During the construction of the temple there held a tough competition between Hoysaleswara Temple and Chennakesava Temple at Belur. During the 14th century the Hoysaleswara Temple witnessed ransack of loot and raid by the Muslim invaders. Thereafter temple under went horrifying incidents of ruins and thus got neglected.