Indian Columbus

Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma and disciple of Sage Agastya, carried out a sacred task upon his Guru's guidance. He placed nine flowers into the Tamraparni River, installing Shiva Lingas at the spots where the flowers landed. These nine temples, collectively known as Nava Kailasham, hold a significant place in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur zones. This article focuses on Kodaganallur, the third Nava Kailasham temple, associated with the planet Chevvai (Angaraka/Mangal/Mars). Named Karkotaga Nallur initially, the site gained its current name, Kodaganallur, as the serpent Karkotaga attained redemption by worshipping Lord Vishnu here. This modest temple, believed to date back to the later Pandya era with 12th-century origins, underwent renovations by subsequent kings. The east-facing sanctum houses the Shiva Linga named Kailasanathar, guarded by Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena on either side of the entrance. A separate south-facing shrine enshrines the graceful image...

Pozhichalur, a lesser-known locality near Chennai city, lies approximately 5 kilometers away from Pallavaram railway station. Nestled within this village is the ancient Agasteeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this article, we will delve into the details of this revered temple. Highlights: God  -  Agasteeswarar Goddess  - Anandavalli Teerth (Holy Water) - Shani Teerth Sthala Vruksha (Holy Tree) - Mango It is a Shani sthalam and one of Navagraha sthalams of Chennai This temple is also called as 'Vada Tirunallaru' It is a Parihara sthalam for Rahu and Ketu Legend: According to legend, during the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati in the Himalayas, all celestial beings flocked to witness the grand event. However, this caused an imbalance on Earth. To restore equilibrium, Lord Shiva instructed the sage Agastya to travel southward. Due to the sage's immense spiritual stature, his mere presence in the southern direction was equival...

Gerugampakkam, a relatively obscure locality in close proximity to Chennai city, is situated near the well-known area of Porur. Within this locale stands an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the Neelakantheswarar Temple. In this article, we shall delve into the details of this sacred site. The Neelakantheswarar Temple is among the Navagraha Sthalams in Chennai and holds a special status as a Ketu Sthalam. While historical records suggest its origins in the Chola period, the present-day structure of the temple is considerably modest and lacks prominent architectural features associated with that era. Within the temple, the sanctum faces eastward and houses the venerated Shiv Linga, revered as Neelakantheswarar. Additionally, a separate south-facing shrine is dedicated to an imposing image of Adi Kamakshi, renowned for her captivating beauty. It is believed that she represents the eldest among the five different forms of Kamakshi. The temple also features a distinct ...

Kovur, a tranquil haven near Chennai city, holds a rich historical secret. Nestled between the well-known areas of Porur and Kundrathur, this village is home to the magnificent Sundareswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the wonders of this sacred site. Highlights: God  -  Sundareswarar or Tirumeneeswarar Goddess  -  Soundarambikai or Tiruvudai Nayaki Teerth (Holy Water) - Shiva Ganga Teerth Sthala Vruksha (Holy Tree) - Bilva It is a Budha sthalam and one of Navagraha sthalams of Chennai Sri Tyagaiyar had sung hymns on the presiding deity of this temple, which is very rare as he had sung mainly about Lord Ram Legend: Legend has it that Goddess Kamakshi embarked on a rigorous penance, standing amidst the Panchagni's scorching flames. The intense heat tormented the surrounding areas, causing immense suffering to the people. In response to the pleas of the Devas, who sought relief from th...

Thirunallar, also pronounced as Tirunallaru, is a locality situated near Karaikal town in the Puducherry Union Territory of India. This place is home to a prominent temple known as the Dharbaranyeswarar Temple. It holds the distinction of being the 52nd among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are a collection of 276 highly significant Lord Shiva temples located south of the Cauvery River in the Chola region. In this article, we will delve into the details of this temple. The primary deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, although it is popularly known as the Shaneeswaran Temple. Shani (Saturn), one of the nine planets (Navagrahas), holds special significance in this temple. Astrology plays a pivotal role in the lives of many, with the movement of the nine planets believed to influence one's destiny. Among these planets, Shani is considered to have a particularly profound impact. As a result, countless devotees visit this temple to worship and appease Shaneeswara, making it ...