Saturday 31 December 2016

DESTINATION INDIA DAY 2

Destination India Day 2

7. Arulmigu Swetha Vinayagar Temple, Thiruvalanchuzhi

We got up early and left for Swamimalai that we missed seeing last night as our very first day in India was packed to the brim. As we came alongside a temple by the roadside on the way to Swamimalai, Shankar asked if we wanted to drop in and worship at the temple. It was the Sweta Vellai Vinayagar Temple. Immediately I recalled having been there earlier and that the speciality in this Vinayagar Murthy was that he was said to be made of sea froth or foam.

We alighted from the Tempo and bought bunches of Arugampul to place at Lord Vinayagar’s feet. We walked across the large courtyard towards the temple. All along the path there was numerous coconut trees laid out beautifully giving us a sense of walking on the beach. Along the way the temple priest joined us and I picked up a conversation with him. He gets about to open the temple for the day and we became the very first to receive Lord Vinayagar’s darshan that day. The priest obliged us by narrating the history of the temple when I asked him for details on the temple. When I asked him to repeat what he had just told us for the camera he very humbly turned us down saying that ‘Anna’ or elder brother has the authority to speak on the temple, in public. 





As we arrived at Swamimalai, our destination, we came across the temple chariot, a wooden one, that was placed at the crossroads and was being decorated to bring the Lord around (at 10am as we soon found out). Walking towards the temple, we could not but notice numerous unfortunate people begging on the streets leading to the temple, many women carrying children in their arms. As we began to contributed to some, word spread that we were giving out money, and more came asking. Somehow we seemed to manage them. We spotted a building dedicated to carry out Ramalinga Adigal’s mission for feeding the poor and unfortunate, the Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga Sangam. An elderly man clad in a clean vesti and a white shirt arose from his chair at the entrance and led us to the sanctum where there were paintings of Adigal and the founder of that mission. He lit the arati and we began to sing the Arutperunjhoti Maha Mantra with his permission. When asked about his mission he told us that they feed around 500 people each day. We passed him a small donation in cash for their kind effort towards humanity and moved on to the temple.

After paying for the special passes we stood in line to climb the steps of Swamimalai. The line slowly progressed in a zigzag manner till we stepped into the presence of Lord Swaminatha. Coming around the sannadhi we realized that both Agathiyar and Lobhama installed outside the inner sanctum, on Lord Swaminatha’s left. We stopped to light up lamps and sing songs of praise at Agathiyar’s sannadhi after the police personnel on duty gave us some leeway to do so.





As we alighted from the Tempo the girls purchased items for performing puja. Shanga and I picked up a basket each and headed for the Sri Mullaivananathar sannadhi.  Sri Mullaivananathar is said to be made up of hardened mud and there is no libation or Abhishegam carried out for him. We adjoined to Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman sannadhi where an elaborate abhisegam, alangaram and puja was going on. After satisfying the numerous wishes of the devotees already gathered at the packed sannadhi and sending them off, the priests came and received our puja items and performed a similar puja. He handed back the basket of prasad to us and asked us to deliver the garland to Sri Mullaivananathar. We headed back to the Lord's sannadhi. 

As for the girls they were made to draw a kolam or pattern in ghee at the doorstep to the sannadhi and worship the Goddess, a ritual unique to this temple. We understood from the booklet on Stala Puranam for this temple that here lies samadhi’s of two Siddhas, Gowthama and Gargeya. Read their story at http://garbaratchambigaitemple.org/history/

10. Arulmigu Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

As we started this pilgrimage Bala Chandran told me he would like to bring the boys and girls to the Adhi Kumbeswarar Temple, to have the darshan of Agathiyar if time permits. And so we stopped over at the temple as we re-entered Kumbakonam after visiting Swamimalai. After paying homage to Adhi Kumbeswarar Bala hastened along the outer corridors looking for Agathiyar’s sannadhi. But there was none to be seen. Then we went around another corridor. Neither was Agathiyar there. Now disillusioned Bala seeked information on Agathiyar’s sannadhi from the temple priest as we stayed some distance away, observing. After a long briefing by the priest, Bala came to us and led us out of the temple walls and took us to the streets again and there he was at the back of the temple compound in his own premises. We walked into his sannadhi. The grilled door was locked. We took our places and began to chant the Siddhar Potri. 

A lady leaves a bottle of sandalwood water in our midst and steps aside to listen to us chant! 

A man arrives to open the grilled door! He enters the sannadhi and lights up the lamps and leaves with the lady. 

Another lady clad in rainbow saree covering her head completely, stoops low and enters the sannadhi, lights up a lamp, shows the arati before exiting the sannadhi in reverse. She too leaves, not showing her face to any of us. 

As we end singing the Potri, the man hastens to Agathiyar’s sannadhi from the temple grounds. He informs us that he was going about his chores when Agathiyar instructed him over to his sannadhi and have the doors open. He introduces himself as Shankar, a Siddha medicine practitioner. He and his wife took upon themselves to take care of three Deity sannadhis: that of Agathiyar, Murugan and Ambal, all laid in a line in the outer premises of Adhi Kumbeshwarar temple. He spoke long and obliged us by speaking about the temple in front of the camera. He led us to the other sannadhis under his care and introduced us to his wife. Before we bid farewell to him, we asked that he bless all of us which he did after some persuasion. 







11. Arulmigu Suriyanar Temple, Kumbakonam

As we alighted at the entrance to the temple, a young man approached us and told us that he was willing to take us around and help guide us to conduct the Navagraha puja for a small fee. We engaged him. As promised he took us around and showed us what to do at each sannadhi. The girls lighted the ghee lamps at each sannadhi of the planets before gathering and waiting at the Kol Theertha Vinayakar for the temple priest to come along and start the puja. Soon the temple priests began to arrive to open up the temple for the afternoon and conduct prayers. Completing the puja at Kol Theertha Vinayakar sannadhi, we are then led into Suryanar’s temple. Planet Guru will go unnoticed till we are told as he is placed inside the sanctum and opposite and facing Lord Suryanar here. A priest then led us to each individual sannadhi of the nine planets again and performed puja. 

12. Arulmigu Sri Kalyanasundareswarar Swamy Temple, Thirumanancheri

Kalyana Sundareswarar and Kokilaambaal grace this temple. Here the girls were asked to sit in an adjacent courtyard where the priest explains the rituals to be conducted and its benefits. We understood that as the actual courtyard for this ritual was being tiled, the temple authorities had a makeshift temporary shrine to continue conducting this ceremony without hindrance.


13. Arulmigu Sri Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai (Mayavaram)

As we drove into Mayiladuthurai, Sankar told us that there was a big temple of Lord Vishnu at the end of the road where we stopped for dinner. Over dinner, Bala remembered that there was a Jeeva Samadhi at a temple in this town but could not recall the name of the Siddha. Enquiring from the restaurant staff, we were informed that Kuthambai Siddhar had his Jeeva samadhi at the Sri Mayuranathar temple closeby. After paying homage to Mayuranathaswami and Abhayambikai who grace this temple, we began to look for the two samadhis. We located Thakshanamurthy’s sannadhi and discovered Kuthambai Siddhar’s samadhi next to his. We began lighting the lamps and reciting the Siddhar Potri. This was one spot so energized that we, ordinary folks too, could feel the Siddhas presence. We just could not move away from this spot and continued sitting in “their” presence for a very long time, imbibing the energy radiated. Finally we decided to move on and who do we see as we turn the corner – Sattainathar sitted majestically some two storey above us! Man, how did they place him there? We look to see if there was stairs leading to his sannadhi but there was none. It still remains a wonder to us. We worshiped him from where we stood and moved on.


14. Arulmigu Koraka Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Peedham, Vadakku Poigai Nalloor 

Now moving on to our last destination for the day, as Dyalan was asked to spend a night at the Koraka Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Peedham, the boys decided to accompany him while the girls were driven to a hotel at Velangkani some 7 kms away. But Bala chose to stay with the girls for company while at the hotel. Along the way we happened to come across a lodge and enquired if we boys could take a bath. The motherly caretaker showed us another option. Rather than book a room and pay the price of the room, just to have a bath, she offered to fill up water in pails in the hotel courtyard of this tiny village. We paid a small token and were given the privilege to bath in the open while the rests waited. During this time I joined the rests after my bath, to witness how Thirukarthigai Deepam was celebrated in the Indian villages. The homes were lighted up with oil lamps and kuttu vilakku. It was a beautiful sight. The kids blasted the crackers and fireworks. There was a small Ambal temple next to the lodge and the homes where prayers began. Sankar and I attended while waiting for Shanga, Dyalan and Sugu to have their baths. Now refreshed after the bath, we continued to Korakar's Jeeva Samadhi Peedham. It was indeed a sight to see the homes lined up with oil lamps all along the way.

As Sankar and the rests left Shanga, Dyalen, Sugu and me at Korakar’s Jeeva Samadhi Peedham, Shanga was taken aback to realize that we had to sleep it out on the road shoulders as many others did. It was already way late at night and the gates to the Peedham were shut. Shanga decided to give a try and open the gate. As he pushed, the gate gave way and we were inside the Peedham complex. Many were already asleep in this portion of the Peedham too. We noticed a raised platform or tinnai just right for all four of us: Shanga, Dyalan, Sugu and me to lay out for the night. We have come prepared with a blanket and vesti. As we laid the vesti out to sleep, we heard a voice ask, “Where are you from?”(Yengiranthu Varinga?) Peeping through the darkness we could not spot who was asking. We kept quiet. Again the voice asked, “Yengiranthu Varinga Aiya?” This time Shanga replied that we were from Malaysia. Immediately the voice ask if we would like to enter? (Ulle Varingala?) Almost immediately a figure arises from his sleeping position on the raised platform next to the door to the inner Peedham and unlocks the doors for us. We find that there were many sleeping in this space too and that they were locked in! We chose a spot to sleep near Korakar's Jeeva Samadhi. Sugu was still awake as I dozed off to sleep.

Friday 30 December 2016

DESTINATION INDIA DAY 1 PART 3

Destination 3 - Arulmigu Thayumana Swamy Temple, Trichy

As we headed for Utchpillaiyar and Thayumana Swamy temple, Sankar left us at a distance and we continued on foot. Both Saha and Malar reached out to the public for Madi Pitchai and after depositing the money in the temple undiyal or donation box at the Manika Vinayagar temple at the base of Rock Fort, we began climbing the flight of steps. Bala brought us to Sri Agathiyar and Lobhama who were residing adjacent to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi's Sannadhi. Bala had accidently came upon their sannadhi in his last visit. 

On the way up the flight of stairs I chanced to meet the “Mouna Siddhar” who came to our aid when we were lost, going round in circles, coming to the same spot at Thayumana Swamy temple. He showed my family and I the proper way to circumambulate and pray at the various sannadhi. He recognized me too, after three years! and we held each other in our arms, both of us equally overjoyed on seeing each other. I introduced him to the children. He did not speak then; neither did he speak now. It was all done and understood with face and hand gestures. We followed the ritual as he had taught me earlier and headed up another flight of steps to pay our respects to Lord Vinayagar. 

Destination 4 - Arulmigu Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Thirupattoor

There was a temple procession going on as we entered Kasi Vishwanathar Temple. We joined in the procession. It was a small temple but crowded. Soon we settled to begin chanting the Siddhar Potri in the presence of Vyakrapadhar Brindavanam. One of the temple priest open the glass chamber to the Brindavanam and placed a garland on Vyakrapadhar's samadhi as we chanted. We lighted ghee lamps on the advice of the lady attending the sole shop outside the temple carrying temple items. She asked us to bring the water from the adjacent pond and sprinkle it in our homes for good ambience and vibration. Dyalen and Sugu fetched the water in the dark. As we bought some biscuits and fed the dogs around the temple, the eatery owner introduced himself telling us that he too had served in Malaysia. He told us many stories regarding the temple. We bid farewell to him and on his advice, rushed to the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple apparently closeby. 

Photo Courtesy of http://www.marvelmurugan.com/2016/03/thirupattoor.html
Photo Courtesy of http://www.marvelmurugan.com/2016/03/thirupattoor.html
Vyakrapadhar Brindavanam. Photo Courtesy of http://www.marvelmurugan.com/2016/03/thirupattoor.html
Destination 5 - Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Thirupattoor

A large granite murthy of Lord Vishnu was place outdoors under the open sky without any enclosure and roofing. After the darshan of Lord Varadaraja Perumal we were greeted by a couple from the temple who told us that they too had been to Malaysia recently. We fed the numerous "Bhairavar" at the temple grounds before leaving.

Destination 6 - Arulmigu Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirupattoor

We rushed to the next temple, Brahmapureeswarar Temple all within safe distance, praying that we could make it on time. It is said that Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva as Brahmapureeswarar here. We had an enchanting darshan of Lord Brahma clad in yellow turmeric. As Sage Patanjali is worshipped here too, we began singing the Siddhar Potri when a priest hurried us asking us to come over to Goddess sannadhi and get her darshan before closure time. Here we recognized the temple priest having seen him in numerous interviews uploaded on YouTube. After mentioning that we had seen him on YouTube, he excitedly spoke to us sharing with us a unique meditation technique on a prayer. I could feel the palm of both my hands energized immediately repeating his prayer. We thanked him and bid farewell to him leaving for Kumbakonam as night fell over Thirupattoor.

DESTINATION INDIA DAY 1 PART 2


As we arrived at the Sri Jambukeshwarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, I was too excited to enter the temple premises so I did not wait for the others. The reason: I had to see Sri Thakshanamurthy at this temple. He had shown me miracles twice earlier. This was my third visit and I was wondering what he was going to show us this time around since I was with these wonderful children now. To my surprise as I hastened into the temple approaching Sri Akhilandeswari’s sanctum or mulasthanam, a “lady” who walked by, stopped and handed me, placing in my hands a lime, lotus and prasad. Without saying a word, she just walked away with a smile. I was mesmerized, bliss flowing through me. I came back to the entrance koburam and took a seat, waiting for the children to enter. When they saw that I was holding something, clutching it close to my heart, they asked about it and I told them Mother Goddess Sri Akhilandeswari had given me prasad and asked them to collect theirs.

Now making our way to Lord Jambukeswarar’s Sannadhi, I was surprised that there was no crowd and neither was there a queue nor the need to buy a ticket. Eventually we stood close to Lord Jambukeswarar as the priests showed the arathi. I asked him to shift the water at the base of the linga here so that those who were first timers could hear the sound of water in the dark inner sanctum. This temple is one of the 5 natural elements or Panchabhoota Sthalams and signifies the water element.

Leaving Lord Jambukeswarar’s sannadhi we came around to Lord Murugan's sannadhi and the 63 Nayanmars. Agathiyar and Lobhama were seated amongst them. I hastened to Lord Thakshanamurthy’s sannadhi. We all took a seat and Bala began to lead us with the Siddhar Potri or chanting of the names of the Siddhas. A few minutes into chanting their names, there comes along an elderly priests from the left, looking small and fragile with the arati tatthu. He opens up the latch to the grilled sannadhi and lights the arathi and shows it. I signal to Bala trying to tell him that it was happening again. Seeing me signal Bala stopped chanting momentarily until the priest asked him to continue again. The priest stands aside and listens on intently to our chant. Seeming to know that the potri was coming to an end he shows the arathi again. He blesses us before leaving. I was mesmerized and in a state of bliss at seeing this miracle happen again. So were the children. The priest had no reason to be there but he turned up!


Mystical India Part 2 - A Satsang

DESTINATION INDIA DAY 1 PART 1

Destination India

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal during his visit to Malaysia beginning 15 June 2016, had indicated to us that his Kallar Ashram was nearing completion and that he would most probably hold the inauguration or kudamuzhakku (kumbhabhisegam) vizha in September the same year. Towards his departure to India, he decided otherwise to hold the opening ceremony of his Ashram to coincide with the annual Guru Puja towards the end of the year. Eventually he informed us that the celebrations will be held over four days beginning 15 December 2016 till 18 December 2016. Taking into consideration the costs involved in travelling twice to India (September and then again in December), he merged both the celebrations over a four day event to enable us to attend and participate.

Bala Chandran Gunasekaran was the very first person to book his flight ticket and informed us. I too booked my ticket online the following day. Initially I had thought about bringing my family of five along, but as it was peak season and holiday season, the tickets were rather costly. I decided to follow the boys at AVM. We were leaving on 11 December 2016 and returning on 19 December 2016. Initially Bala, Dyalan, Sugu, Shanga and I were to go together. The girls had planned something with Malarvathy’s family. Bala and I started to plan our trip which included several Siddha samadhis and temples. Along the way the girls opted to join us as Malar’s family had postponed their plan to visit India till later. We then had to reschedule our plans to accommodate visits to numerous temples by some of the girls to perform their atonements or parikaram. Our itinerary was now fully packed and we began to wonder if we could go to all those places as planned. But we decided that the priority would be the places where the girls had to carry out their parikaram. In event we had time and the other temples were on the way or within the vicinity, only then shall we stop over.

It was during this period of time that we were faced with four critical issues: the sudden demonetization of the Indian rupee note in denominations of  Rs500 and Rs1000; the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu's sudden demise; the sudden fatal cyclone Vardah that was to hit the shores of Tamilnadu; and a sudden sabotage of the Guru Puja celebrations at Kallar Ashram by certain quarters. 

Prior to leaving for India, these children began to drop in at AVM to pray to AVM Agathiyar for a safe journey and receive his blessings. They also asked for blessings from "Ayya" who came through a trance through one of Bala’s relatives at his (relative's) home. Ayya had detailed out what to expect on the pilgrimage and blessed all. Agathiyar in a surprise move, granted us a Nadi reading on 27 November 2016, just days before our departure and assured us that all shall be fine.



On 11 December 2016 all nine of us (Bala, Dyalen, Sugu, Shanga, Tamil, Saha, Malar, Uva and me) met at KLIA 2 to board the Airasia flight for Trichy. Surendaran Selvaratnam, Sri Balachander Aiya, Srimathy Vinthamaray and her family would join us at Kallar Ashram later. 

On touching down at Trichy, Shanga’s business partner’s were on hand to receive us. Shanga had engaged Sanker of Sankar Travels, based in Trichy to drive us around during the nine day duration of our visit in India. 

Bala and I had laid out in detail the itinerary but understood pretty well that, that was only our plan and that Agathiyar had had his own plan for us. We were ready to accommodate and accept any changes in the schedule that Agathiyar deemed fit.

Destination 1 – Sri Rangam



True to this we began our tour by visiting Sri Rangam instead of Utchipillaiyar. Sankar suggested that we visit Utchipillaiyar later in the evening when the sun had gone down. We listened to him and opted to visit Sri Rangam instead. Inside the temple complex we found ourselves queuing up for the special ticket to have the Darshan of the Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy. It was a long queue and it was not moving. What seemed worst was that there was no one attending to the sales of ticket at the counter where we stood waiting in line. A temple priests explained to us that they were allowing and alternating a certain number of devotees beginning with those that pay Rs250, followed by those who paid Rs50, and finally allowing those who stood waiting in line for free darshan. We were waiting in the Rs250 line. It was almost 12.30pm and the time of closure of the temple was nearing. We began to consider if we should skip darshan of the Lord here. 

Bala and I left the queue to enquire about the location of Sri Ramanujar’s samadhi (Udayavar - Ramanujar Sannathi) thinking that we could visit him meantime. We happened to stumble upon an elderly gentleman sitting near the entrance to the temple. He directed us to the samadhi and advised us to have the darshan of Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy first, reminding us that the temple will be closed in a few moments and what would remain of the crowd would be the devotees already lined up and queuing. The queue would progress fast he assured us. He was also waiting to do so too, he told us. We realized then that as Sri Ramanujar's samadhi was outside the temple walls, we would be refused entry to re enter the temple once its doors were closed for the afternoon. The chat with the gentleman turned to small talk and we discovered that he too had returned recently from Malaysia after visiting his son who was working there. True to his words, soon no fresh devotees were seen queuing up within the temple complex. The line in which we stood began to move at a fast pace now and we finally found ourselves right in front of the Lord. It was a wonderful darshan.

Asking our way around and after stopping at several sannadhis, looking to see if it was that of Sri Ramanujar's, we finally found our way to Sri Ramanujar’s samadhi temple. Unfortunately the temples doors we closed as we arrived there. Almost immediately to our surprise the doors opened on its own! There stood a couple of priests who made their way out of the sanctum, closing the door behind them, giving us sufficient time to peek into the Sannadhi. That was enough we thought and moved on.

As Ayya had requested that we feed "Bhairavar" at the first stop (temple) we did the same and continued this throughout our journey. Both Saha and Malar were advised too to 'beg" (madi pitchai) at all the temples, they fulfilled this too, placing the collections in the Undil or donation box of the respective temples.




Tuesday 27 December 2016

Agathiyar @ Adhi Kumbeswarar Temple

Lalitha Navarathna Malai




READING THE NADI

After a wonderful time in Kallar and India, we left India with a heavy heart after having spent nine days and nights in the arms of Bharatha Matha who took real good care of us, bringing together her wonderful children from all corners of India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa, all merging at Kallar Ashram to celebrate Agathiyar's 14th year Jayanthi.

During this pilgrimage of 25 temples, Siddha caves, Samadhis, and Ashrams, we chanted the names of the Siddhas at every Sannadhi just as Tavayogi had trained us. Soon we realized there was a certain strange pattern evolving in all the temples that we visited. As we chanted the Siddhar Potri, the Siddhas either opened closed doors to these places of worship or waited for us to arrive, listened to us chant the Siddhar Potri before closing the doors. 

Sanga Manikam did manage to ask Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal if he could make an exception and read the Jeeva Nadi for us before we left India. We wanted to know what the most compassionate father had to say about the fests and our visit. But Tavayogi told us reading of the Nadi would only commence after January 2017. While we understood and respected that Tavayogi had to adhere to certain directives not to read the Nadi as yet, the Siddhas opened another avenue for us to bless us with a wonderful Nadi reading.

When we left India for Malaysia on 19 December 2016, Surendaran Selvaratnam stayed back to go to Ongara Kudil in Turaiyur, another Ashram of Agathiyar. After paying his respects to Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar, Suren who was originally to depart from Trichy to Malaysia, opted to travel all the way to Chennai instead. In Chennai he took his chance to drop in on a Nadi Nool Aasan whom we all knew. To his surprise the Aasan was back in Chennai too and had a reading for all of us.

In the reading Agathiyar commends his devotees in Malaysia. He spoke about the significance of the Murugan Temple at Batu Caves in Malaysia. He reminds us that the Siddhas are in all of the abodes of Lord Murugan. We are told that the Siddhas conduct puja for Lord Shiva at Batu Caves. Agathiyar commands his devotees to light up lamps and worship at Batu Caves. According to Agathiyar those who are unable to go over to Palani in India, may worship Lord Murugan at Batu Caves. Agathiyar says that the Siddha Marga will spread throughout the world through several of his devotees.

Agathiyar goes on to explain about the Jeeva Samadhi. There are two. One where the physical body is left behind and it becomes a place of worship; another is where their mind (Siddhas) lingers, that place too would become a place of worship. Hence there could be numerous samadhis for any single Siddha. Agathiyar says that the Siddhas reside in all five Shiva stalam and all six Murugan stalam. He encourages us to visit these places and chant the names of the Siddhas.

Agathiyar says continuous act of doing charity shall bring forth monetary gains and success. Helping the unfortunate is equally important just as engaging in prayers. This act will reduce one's karma and the karma brought forth through his ancestry.  

Agathiyar mentions that by participating in the Agathiyar Vizha at Kallar Ashram, tons of joy and blessings have been showered upon us. He acknowledges that we had kept our promise to see through the Vizha as directed in the last Nadi reading. He blesses us.

Agathiyar is overjoyed that his devotees have held on to him and are spreading his words and is forever watching over us. 

மலாயா தேசத்தில் கருத்தான முறையில் சித்தர்களைப் போற்றி வணங்க கூடிய மக்கள் பரிபூரணமாக இருக்கிறார்கள். முருகன் இருக்கும் இடம் எல்லாம் சித்தர்கள் பார்வை இருக்குதென்று பொருள். அதுபோல பத்துமலையும் சித்தர்கள் வாசம் செய்த ஸ்தலமாகும். சித்தர்கள் முருகனுக்குச்  சிவ பூஜை செய்த ஒரு ஸ்தலம். அடியவர்கள் அத்தலத்தில் தீபம் ஏற்றி வழிபட உத்தரவு அளித்துள்ளோம். பழனி மலைக்கு வர முடியாதவர்கள் பத்துமலை முருகனை வழிபடலாம். சித்தர்கள் வழிபாடு எல்லாம் தேசங்களுக்கும் ஒரு சில மைந்தர்கள் மூலம் பரவும். 

ஜீவ ஸ்தலங்கள் இரண்டு வகைப்படும். உடல் ஓர் இடத்தில் அடங்கி அதன் மூலமாக வரக்கூடிய ஸ்தலம் ஒன்று, மற்றொன்று மனம் லயம் செய்த ஸ்தலமும் ஜீவ சமாதி ஆகும். அதனால் ஒருவருக்குப் பல இடத்தில் ஜீவ சமாதி இருக்கும்.

பஞ்சபூத ஸ்தலங்களிலும் ஆறுபடை ஸ்தலங்களிலும் எங்களுடைய ஜீவம் கண்டிப்பாக இருக்கு. அதனால்  அந்த ஸ்தலங்களில் சென்று சித்தர்களின் நாமம் உச்சரித்தால்  அவர்களுடைய ஆற்றலும் ஆசியும் வந்து சேரும்.

தொடர்ந்து தொண்டுகள் செய்து வர தனத்தையும் வெற்றியையும் கொண்டு வரும். இறை வழிபாடு எப்படி முக்கியமோ அதுபோல இயலாதவர்களுக்கு உதவுவது மிக முக்கியம். இது தன் கர்மாவையும் குல வழி வந்த கர்மாவையும் நீக்கும்.

ஜோதி (ஜெயந்தி) தினத்தன்று தவக்கோலம் கொண்ட முருகனின் இடத்தில் (கல்லார் அகத்தியர் ஞானப் பீடம்) நடைப்பெற்ற விழாவில் கலந்து கொண்டதால் ஒரு மன மகிழ்ச்சி அதோடு ஆசிகள் நிரம்ப பெற்றீர்கள். இது ஏற்கனவே நாங்கள் (சித்தர்கள்) நிச்சயித்த பிரகாரம் நிறைவெற்றி உள்ளீர். அதற்கான ஆசி உண்டு. 

ஆண் பெண் பேதம் இல்லாமல் அகத்தியனின் நாமத்தை நிலைப்படுத்தி அண்டமெல்லாம் பரவ செய்யும் நிலையாய் இருக்க அகம் குளிர்ந்து நயனம் விரித்து (கண் விழித்து)  உங்கள் சேவையை நாங்களும் கண்ணுற்று இருக்கிறோம் ஆசிகள் பல முற்றே.

PILGRIMAGE PART 3

At Pinaakeesar's cave at Chennimalai
Route to Nattadreswarar Temple

Way to Nattadreswarar

Way to river bank where we board a coracle to cross the river Cauvery 

The coracle waiting to take us across



The trees and plants relevant to the respective planets, stars, & birth sign. Chandhiran (Purasu)

Tanasu (Arasu)

Mesham (Senchanthanam)
 
Parani (Nelli)

Aswini (Yetti)
 
Kritigai (Atti)

Rohini (Naaval)

Mirugaseerisham (Karungkaali)

Thiruvaathirai (Semmaram)

Punarpoosam (Moongkil)

Pusam (Arasu)

Ahilyam (Punnai)

Magam (Aal)

Puram (Palaasu)

Uttiram (Alari)

Suvaathi (Marutham)

Visakam (Vilaa)

Anusham (Magilam)

Ketdai (Piraai)

Uttiraadam (Palaa)

Thiruvonam (Yerukku)

Avittam (Vanni)

Satayam (Kadampu)

Purattaathi (Karumaruthu)

Utthiratthathi (Vembu)

Revathi (Eluppai)

Mesham (Sench Sandanam)

Rishibam (Yehlilaipaalai)

Mithunam (Palaa)

Kadakam (Purasu)

Simmam (Paathiri)

Kanni (Ma)

Thulaam (Magilam)

Viruchikam (Karungkaali)

Tanasu (Arasu)

Magaram (Etti)

Kumbam (Vanni)

Meenam (Aal)

Suriyan (Yerukku)

Chandiran (Purasu)

Sevvai (Arasu)

Ragu (Arugampul)

Sani (Vanni)

Kethu (Tharpaipul)

Viyaalan (Karungkaali)

Puthan (Naayuruvi)

Sukiran (Atti)
At the foot of Othimalai
A view of Othimalai in the background

A view of the neighboring villages from the steps of Othimalai

On the steps leading to Othimalai
 

Bala Chandran Gunasekaran helping the young lad climb the steps

Giving the young lad a helping hand

Sri Othimalai Aandavar Temple
 
A well in the temple grounds

Taking a break after the long climb up the hill

Othimalai at sunset