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Thirunelli Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad Valley brings out prayers from the deep core of the hearts. The temple is encircled with Udayagiri, Brahmagiri, Karimala and Narinirangimala range in Kerala while the Papanasini mountain spring flows by it. The temple is at an altitude of 900 meters, facing east. Therefore, the first rays of the sun fall on the temple, creating a celestial atmosphere. The Thirunelli Temple worships Lord Vishnu.

thirunelli-temple

History and Legend of Thirunelli Temple

The Thirunelli Temple opens up another golden page of South Indian religious life and beliefs.

  • It is one of the oldest temples of Kerala. As per folklore, Lord Brahma built the temple. The temple also has other names, like, Sahyamala Kshetram and Kashi of the South.
  • There is an old artificial water channel that brings water to the temple. It helps people to understand the age of the temple. The wife of Chirackal Raja once visited the temple. When she asked for some water to dissolve the sandal, the priest was not able to provide water. The lady understood the scarcity of water at the temple and ordered her attendants to discover a water source. They found a water source, varaham, within the forest. Water was brought from the place using bamboo halves. She built the stone water channel to ensure uninterrupted water service to the shrine. This water channel has mural decoration and comes with pillars.
  • Thirunelli comes from the Malayalam/ Tamil word, nelli. It means gooseberry in English and amla in Hindi. As per myth, Lord Brahma was moving around the world one day. He saw an idol of Lord Vishnu resting on an amla tree. The tree was at the Wayanad Valley. Lord Brahma installed this deity. The place was Vishnuloka, the heaven of peace. Therefore, the Thirunelli Temple was built. For this reason, people also know the temple as Amalaka Temple and Sidha Temple.
  • It is also a belief that the Lord Vishnu blessed the place with sacred waters which can wash away the sins both of mortal life and life after death.
  • As per myth, Lord Brahma visits the place every day. The temple performs five worships in a day. But they arrange items for sixth worship before leaving the temple at night. Every morning it is found that the puja items have been used at night. People believe that Lord Brahma has used the items for worshipping Lord Vishnu. The priests swear thrice before entering the shrine in the morning that they will not disclose what they saw inside.
  • Veda Vyasa has also mentioned the temple in his book, Padma Purana.
  • Another myth states that Chera king Kulasekharan made the temple. The king was in power from 767 AD to 834 AD. Then he became a saint and practised Vaishnava order. He is also the writer of Mukundamaala. The book is written in Sanskrit.
  • The temple has an incomplete walkway. It is said that the Coorg king once started the renovation work at the temple. The Vellattiri king owned the temple at that time. He objected to the work and hence the walkway is incomplete.
  • Locals also believe that Lord Shiva lives at the temple premises. He started his journey to Kottiyur from here to kill Dhakshan. Dhakshan was the father of Devi Sati. She was the wife of Lord Shiva.
  • There is a holy rock at the temple where devotees perform the funeral rites of their ancestors. People believe the rock is actually the bone of a demon. His name was Pazhana-bhedi and he was killed by Lord Vishnu. He prayed during his death to Lord Vishnu to divide his body into three parts so that devotees could use it for offerings to the departed souls. The head is at Gaya, middle part at Godavari and feet at Thirunelli. Lord Rama and his brother Laxmana performed funeral rites of their father, King Dasaratha at this rock.

Significance of the Thirunelli Temple

The Thirunelli Temple is unique with its different rituals and as a treasure of historic relics.

  • Only at this temple, a devotee can perform rituals from life to death and for life after death.
  • The temple has three deities, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. People call them trinity. There is a separate cave temple at the western side of the main temple. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here. This is Gunnika temple. It represents Kongu-Chera style of handiworks.
  • The temple showcases Kerala architectural style. The inner sanctum has a tilted roof and an open courtyard. Another feature of the temple is the granite lamp post. You can also see the hole of a flag post but the flag post is missing.
  • The outer wall also has granite pillars. The pillars are cubical in shape. This part is different from the standard Kerala architecture.
  • As per recent excavations, Thirunelli was an important business hub. The copper plates describe the history of the Thirunelli temple. From land allotment for the temple to details of expenses, everything is there in these plates.
  • As per the inscriptions, the Kunhikutta Varman VeeraKurumpurai was the first donor for the temple construction, while the Sankaran Godavarman is the second donor.
  • An elaborate description of the Thirunelli temple is also mentioned in the Unniyachi Charitham. This is a popular poetical work. The writer is Thevan Chirikumaran.
  • The lord Vishnu is Chaturbhuja at the Thirunelli Temple. The Panchatheertham water tank has the marks of Lord Vishnu feet. This is known as Vishnupad.

Thirunelli Temple Timings

Pilgrims can visit the temple both in morning and evening.

  • It is open from 5.30 am to 12.00 pm in the morning.
  • The aarti is magical. It takes places at 11.30 am.
  • At evening the temple is open from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm.

Thirunelli Temple Food Timings

Prasadam is served after the evening prayers. You can also have meals at the temple. Visitors can also have free coffee and upma, both in morning and evening.

Dress Code at Thirunelli Temple

Devotees generally come in traditional wear. Men need to enter the temple without shirts. Leather apparels and items cannot be brought into the temple complex. Worshippers need to wear dhoti which is available at the priest office.

Festivals celebrated at Thirunelli Temple

Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Navarathri, Shivarathri and Sreekrishnajayanthi are the major festivals of the temple.

Poojas and Rituals at Thirunelli Temple

  • Ritual at the Papanasini River: Pilgrims from all over the world gather at the Thirunelli Temple to perform the ancestral rites. The rituals rake place at the banks of the river. Locals believe that the holy waters can wash away all the sins of the mortals.
  • Pithrukarma: Also, there is a holy rock at the temple complex where worshippers pray for their forefathers.
  • The temple also practices various customs related to the complete life cycle. Bali Tharpana, Oraalpindam are the other funeral rites that people do here.
  • Another unique custom of the Thirunelli Temple is Brahmanas play musical instruments during food offerings to Lord Vishnu.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

A trip to Thirunelli Temple is just not a pilgrimage but an immemorial journey through the Wayanad Valley. The place is easily accessible as it is a tourist hotspot. If you are coming from outside Wayanad, you can come from Calicut. The route from Calicut passes three cities, which are, Thamarasserry, Kalpetta and Mananthavady.

By Air: The Calicut International Airport is the nearest airport to the Thirunelli Temple. Another name for the airport is Karipur airport. This airport is at 161 kms from the Thirunelli Temple. Tourists can book cars directly to the temple. You can also use the Bangalore route to reach Thirunelli Temple. After reaching the Bangalore International Airport, tourists need to come to Mysore. From here proceed to Thirunelli via Hunsur and Nagarhole. The temple lies at 280 kms from Bangalore airport and 121 kms from Mysore.

By Rail: The nearest railhead to the temple is also at Calicut. From the railway station, tourists first need to reach Mananthavady and then to Thirunelli. There are many taxi and bus available from the station. The distance from Calicut to Mananthavady is 137 km if you are coming through the Koyileri – Mananthavady road. You can also take the 4th mile – Mananthavady road to reach the temple, but the distance is more; 141 kms.
The next nearest railway station to the temple is Mysore railway station. This is at 121 kms from the shrine.

By Road: You can enjoy the most if you are travelling to Thirunelli Temple via road. There are various ways in which you can reach the Thirunelli Temple via roadways.
From Calicut: After an hour journey from Calicut through the National Highway 212, you start climbing the hairpin slopes. There are 9 hairpin bends and the last bend gives a breathtaking view of all the Calicut valleys. You pass through the Vythiri and Chundale towns and then comes Kalpetta. This is the headquarters of the Wayanad district. From here you turn 2 kms left to the Mananthavady town.
From Kannur: The temple is 121 kms from Kannur. You can get a glimpse of the simple lifestyle of the locals as you pass the small towns of Koothuparamba, Nedumpoyil, Periya, Thalappuzha and Mananthavady to reach the temple. Moreover, there is a shorter through from Kannur. This route takes you through Kelakam, Kottiyur, Boy’s Town and Manathavady.
From Mananthavady: From this medium town, tourists head towards the Mysore Road, which is just at 10 kms. Then from Kattikulam tourists ride through a dense forest area till Thettu Road junction. This is an 8 kms ride to the junction and again a 13 kms ride to the temple. This path is idle for wildlife lovers, as bison, jumbo monkeys, peacocks and dear more around freely in the jungle.
From Kerala- Karnataka Border: From this place you need to ride till the Mananthavady road. After driving for almost 7.4 kms you will reach the Thetturoad Junction. Take a U-turn to reach the temple, which is 13 kms from the junction.

Hotels in Wayanad Valley: Where to stay

The temple has its own tourist accommodation. Panchatheertham Vishrama Mandiram is the name of the accommodation. Besides this, pilgrims can also stay at Himagiri Homes and Agraharam Resorts.

Where to eat

Besides having a meal, you can try out the food at Century Restaurant. The eat out is at 13.9 kms from the temple.

Nearby Temples

The Thirunelli Temple is closely related to the other nearby temples.

  • Trisillery temple: As per mythology, Pinnappara continues from Thirunelli to Trisillery. Hence devotees who perform ancestral rites at Thirunelli first visit Thrissilery. They also make a Vilakkumaala offering at Thrissilery.
  • Kottiyur Temple: This temple is at the dense forests of the Brahmagiri Valley. Earlier rice was brought from Thirunelli Temple to the Kottiyur Temple to meet the puja expenses. After the festival rice was returned to the Thirunelli Temple.
  • Kalpetta: This region in Wayanad is a Jain pilgrimage. The place has various Jain temples and institutes.

Thirunelli Temple is also renowned for its Ayurveda treatments. You can also get organic honey and bamboo toys here. There is a shop just adjacent to the temple which sells these stuff. Besides visiting the Thirunelli Temple, tourists can also go for trekking at the Pakshipathalam. This trekking site is just 10 kms from the shrine.

Malayalappuzha Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is located at Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Malayalappuzha Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The temple is famous for its beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings and is situated atop a hill. The idol of the main deity of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly known as Malayalapuzha Amma. It is about 5.5 feet tall and is made of a mixture of molasses, clay and herbs.  

The goddess is worshipped for protecting the devotee from enemies, obtaining a job for the unemployed and helping the business to flourish. There is a small idol of Veerabhadra just before the entrance of the sanctum. Another striking idol that can be seen in this temple is that of Goddess Parvathi, with baby Ganapathi sitting on her lap.

The Naga Raja is consecrated just outside the temple, close to which is a Konna tree has grown, which flowers daily all along the year. A Shiva linga that is present below this tree is believed to keep on growing by the people of this region. They also believe that in order to receive immediate rain, the linga should be bathed with tender coconut water. There is a much smaller temple-like structure for the grandfather who actually brought Bhagavathy here and it is called Sri Kandeswari Moorthi Kaavu.

History and Legend of Malayalappuzha Temple

  • Malayalappuzha Temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta, in Pathanamthitta Dist. This was a full-fledged village, ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran. He was the only Sanskrit south Indian writer. One day a Tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place, as he heard a lot about this temple. Malayalpuzha was in drought for many years. So the Tantrik with his power migrated the shakti’s of the Devi to Malayalapuzha. And the place progressed like anything. As the shakti’s were taken away from edathitta, the place faced many destructions.
  • And gradually there were no signs of  Malayalappuzha Temple. Then according to the prashnakundali people found out that when it was migrated and when will it come back, as the power cannot be transferred completely. It mentioned that it will take 3000 years for this shakti to come back. And in 1992, somebody from that village saw a dream that the vigraham and the pooja utensils were beneath the ground. People started digging that place, where they found everything mentioned by the person. And the villagers then contributed towards the temple. And it is very famous now.
  • According to one more legend, an old Namboodiri who came back after worshipping Kollur Mookambika had this vision that the Goddess agreed to come with him. When they reached a particular spot, she refused to move any further. The temple was constructed as per the wish of the Goddess and the earlier temple was about 5 kilometres from the location of the current temple. The Edappally Raja then moved the temple to the current location of Malayalappuzha.
  • In earlier days the idol is supposed to have been changed every twelve years. But at a particular point in time, Bhagavathy had supposedly ordered not to change the idol in a dream and they have not changed it ever since.

Significance of Malayalappuzha Temple

  • The people come here from far and near with prayers for girls to get married to good husbands soon. This is the main prayer for the pilgrims who come here.  Also, the prasad that is offered here is utmost delicious and devotees offer that in thanks for fulfilling their wishes.
  • It is also believed among the devotees visiting this temple that if they worship the Brahma Rakshas, located on the eastern part of the temple. They will get rid of black magic, ghosts and other evils affecting them.  
  • In this temple Golden Showering tree which provides shade to ‘Shiv Linga’ idol flowers every day year-round. If unction of several tender coconuts is done on that idol it will rain in any hot summer is a  belief. Cobra snakes are seen lying around that ‘Siva Linga’ idol mostly.
  • Malayalapuzha Rajan got Gajaraja Pattom which is the auspicious elephant of Kerala.  He is very calm and has a height of 9.5 feet.  His wider eyes and triangle-shaped ears are capturing sights for the elephant crazy Kerala. He has the record of taking the idol of ‘Sri Dharmashastha’  for the last 20 years.
  • The deity in Malayalappuzha Temple is an idol which is having a height of five and a half feet. It is composed of so many materials and the method by which it is made up is known as ‘Kadu Sarkara Yogam’.
  • Several types of wood pieces several  Ayurvedic herbs, Milk, Ghee, Jaggery, Turmeric, Sandalwood, Camphor, Gold, Silver, Sand, Natural glue etc. are only some of the ingredients used to make it. All the parts like in the human body are included in it. At the time of consecration, the priests give it the power of energy by Tantric methods.

Malayalappuzha Temple Temple Timings

Malayalappuzha Temple is open for darshan from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and in the evening 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Deeparadhana is conducted between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM

Festivals celebrated at Malayalappuzha Temple

Malayalapuzha Temple Utsavam: The annual festival or utsavam is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Kerala. The annual festival of the temple commences from the Thiruvathira of Kumbhom and its last for 11 days. Though it is a Hindu temple, Christians and Muslims visit here to seek the blessings of the Devi. Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the period. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are part of the festival. The festival ends with Arattu. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day.

Vinayaka Chathurthi: Lord Ganesha is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. Lord Ganesha is considered as the prime god to worship before starting any new venture or task, as per the Hindu customs. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi, and is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. Since then, an association between Ganesh and Chaturthi has been established. During the festival days, the Lord is worshipped with great devotion and prayer services are performed daily. There are many devotees who visit the temple and offer their prayers.

Navaratri: This festival is observed twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. These nine days are marked by the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Shakti / Devi. In Kerala, the Vijayadashami day is also considered auspicious for initiating children into the world of letters, which is called Vidyarambham. In the ceremony, words symbolizing the name of God are written on the tongue of the child with a golden ring. The child is also made to write letters in a plate of rice with the help of elders.

Sivarathri: Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, falls on the Krishna Chathurdasi day, on the 14th night of the new moon. In the month of Megha or sometimes in Phalguna also. Shiva is the Supreme Consciousness that illuminates the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Offering the threefold bilva leaves to the Shivalinga heralds the return to a level of consciousness beyond the three states, which is the fourth state, turiya. The name Shiva does not appear in the Vedas. However, he is identified with the Vedic god Rudra, lord of songs, sacrifices, nourishment, the healer of diseases and provider of property.

Poojas and Rituals at Malayalappuzha Temple

  • Tuesday and Friday are considered as the most auspicious days for the darshan of the Goddess. Special pujas are held here for driving away evil spirits and for this purpose only red flowers known as raktha pushpanjali is used.
  • To relieve the problems caused by enemies by black magic or by any other evil methods, ‘Raktha Pushpanjali’ is performed. The sweetened rice is known as ‘Chathussatham’ is done by the devotees for getting prosperity. For prophylactic purposes and for physical well being fowl bird is brought and set free in the temple compound is a ritual followed here.
  • There is another ritual known as ‘Malayalapuzha Thoopu’ which is performed mostly by farmers. They will display an item which is supplied from the temple on their farm by which nobody will dare to steal anything from that farm.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Road: Pathanamthitta is well connected to all major cities in Kerala and it is called the spiritual hub as most of the Sabarimala pilgrims also reach here and take a different route. Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates here. So, there are a lot of taxis that ply in this region and there are good numbers of KSRTC buses as well.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to this temple is Chengannur, located at a distance of about 33 km.

By Air: The nearest airport to this temple is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located at a distance of about 107 km.

Where to stay

There are decent hotels that operate in the area and pilgrims should be able to find accommodation there. There are no facilities to stay in the temple.

  • Kizhakkedathu Tourist Home Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
  • Hotel Mannil Regency Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
  • Hotel Wyte Portico Contact: High School Jn, Karuvatta, Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Kerala 691523
  • Hotel Midhuna International Contact: Enathu, Kottarakara – Adoor Road, Pathanamthitta
  • Park Residency Hotel and Bar Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Highway, Kozhenchery, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689641
  • Hotel Hey-Day Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Valanchuzhy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Where to eat

The cuisine of Kerala is characterized by the use of coconut. One can’t imagine Kerala food without chillies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafetida. The Dal curry made of small gram and ghee. Sambar, the famous south Indian vegetable stew in which any available combination of vegetables is boiled in a gravy. There are various restaurants nearby that offer such delicious food.

  • Aananda Bavan Vegetarian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
  • Hotel Evergreen Continental Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
  • Parayil Restaurant Contact: Door No: 788, Near R.T Office, College Road, Azhoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
  • Khyber Pass Bake & Grill Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Nearby Temples:

Kodumthara Subramaniyam Temple: The holy shrine is  dedicated to God Subramanya who is the son of Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of Achankovil River.  His other name is Murugan, commonly used in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and Karthikaya in the northern states. He is also known by the name of Velayudha Swamy because his war weapon is Vel. Carrying Kavadi is the main ritual on the day. People carry various types of Kavadi to the temple in a procession.

Thazhoor Bhagavathi Temple: Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram is a 300-year-old Hindu temple on the banks of the Achankovil river. The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the “Kettukaazhcha” procession with Kaala. The Padayani held in the month of Kumbham is very famous. Padayani performances are held at the temple annually. The Goddess (Amma) accepts the offerings from thousands of devotees. It is believed that viewing Amma in all her glory at this time will free one from all sins and evils.

Chakkulathukavu Temple: The temple has a history of over 3,000 years and is open to people of all faiths. The famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on either side of the temple. This Bhagavathy temple is famous for its Pongala Mahotsav. Pongala is a devout offering made of pudding by devotees as a reverent exposure of their awesome offering of love and respect. The ‘pongala nivedyam’ is prepared in earthen pots.  It is believed to be a favourite of the goddess. Only women are allowed to participate in this ritual.

Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

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Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag
Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag
Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the PrayagDistance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag263 km
Nandaprayag193 km
Karnyaprayag 173 km
Rudraprayag141 km
Devprayag74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

  • Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
  • Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
  • Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
  • Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
  • Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva Tirumala

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Here is everything you want to know about Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala Tirupati.

What is Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva is conducted after the second bell in Tirumala Temple. This ritual was initially introduced in Srivari Temple in 1984 when a Muslim devotee presented Lord Srinivasa with 108 gold lotuses. The Archana begins by offering dhupa to the key deity followed by reciting Devadasa (108) names of the Lord.

Each chant is followed by one golden lotus offered at the holy feet of the lord Srinivasa.

Ashtadala Seva
Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana

Who should perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s who should do the Seva:

  • A single person or a couple can perform this pooja for their successful life.

What are the benefits of performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here are the benefits of the Seva:

  • The Devotee can financial stability and get the divine blessings of the Lord.
  • People also believe that by doing this pooja they can get good health, harmony success, and fulfillment of desires.

What are the best days to do Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The best days to perform the seva are:

  • This pooja is performed on every Tuesday in the Tirumala temple.
  • One should make prior bookings to get the dates to perform this pooja.
  • It should be performed early in the morning, the best time to do this pooja is 5.30 a.m.

What is the procedure for performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s how to do the Seva:

  1. The Archana begins with the puja by offering dhupa and diva to the key deity.
  2. Then the pujaris enumerate the Devadasa names of the Lord.
  3. While reciting each name of the Lord, one golden lotus is offered at the feet of Lord Srinivasa.
  4. On completion of the Archana for the main deity Archana is then offered for Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavati.
  5. After that Ratha aarti is offered first, followed by usual aarti.
  6. During this special puja, the arjitha ticket holders are seated in the Antalya corridor that is located between the Kulasekhara padi and Bangaru Vakili.

What are the materials required for Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The basic materials required for Ashtadala Seva are turmeric powder, sandalwood powder, Kumkum, betel leaves, supari, rice, camphor, mango leaves, and the most important golden lotus. Apart from these if any other materials are required, they are provided after booking the ticket for this pooja.

Where to perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

A devotee can perform this pooja in the Tirumala temple premises. It is performed only on Tuesday. Devotees can take a seat inside Garbha Griha, once they are seated in the garbha griha the curtains will be closed at the Jaya Vijaya statues which is the last door.

What is the cost of Ashtadala Seva?

The cost of performing this pooja is Rs.1,250 per person. They can get the tickets from the Tirumala temple website.

Alangudi

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The ancient temple of Dakshinamurthy temple is present in a tiny village of Alangudi in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. It is also popular as the Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar temple. Here Lord Shiva is the main deity.  There is a separate sanctum for the special deity Sri Dakshinamurthi.

Lord Guru or Lord Dakshinamurthy is one of the “Navagrahas” and refers to the planet Jupiter. The Balipeeta for Nandi has a covering of copper plates. Also, devotees believe that ‘Amudogar’, devotee of Lord Shiva, constructed this temple. He was also the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. Further, in the inner corridor of the temple the shrines of Lord Ganesh, Murugan, Lakshmi, Sapthalingas, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Sage Agasthya are present.

What is the history of Alangudi?

As per history of Alangudi, Devas and Asuras tried to churn the Cosmic Ocean to obtain Amrita. It was the nectar of immortal life. By the suggestion of Vishnu, the gods (devas) and demons (Asuras) churn the primeval ocean in order to obtain Amrita which will guarantee them immortality.

To churn the ocean they used the Serpent King, Vasuki, for their churning-string. For a churning pole they use Mount Mandara placed on the back of a Great Tortoise. It was the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu. As the gods and demons churned the sea, a terrible poison issued out of the sea which enveloped the universe.

The devas and asuras approach Shiva who took the poison into his throat and swallowed it. As Lord Shiva saved the world from the poison the Lord here is popular as ‘Abath Sagayeswarar’. This place also famous as Alangudi ( poison means Alam in tamil).

When the devas were churning the paarkadal for nectar, poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki disturbed them and hence, they prayed to Lord Siva for deliverance. Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to the name Alangudi

Devotees visit here to worship the planet Guru (Jupiter). Every year during the planet Jupiter’s movement from one house to another house is very auspicious and lakhs of devotees arrive to worship the Guru Bhagavan.

What is the significance of the Alangudi Temple?

Here’s the significance of Alangudi Temple:

  • Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Jupiter in this temple will cure the Guru dosha. Also, all the skin diseases will cure after taking a bath in the holy tank of this temple. Here, Lord Ganesha even removes the devotee’s mental worries.
  • Further, Guru gives luck,richness,health in one’s life. But if it is in a wrong position means they will get heart problems,education problems etc. To overcome these problems devotees going to Alangudi and do things to satisfy Lord Guru.

What are the timings of Alangudi Temple Temple?

Here are the timings of Alangudi Temple:

Timings From To
Morning Darshan 6:00 AM 1:00 PM
Evening Darshan 5:00 PM 9:00 PM
Kaala Santhi Pooja 08.00 AM 08.30 AM
Uchikala Pooja 12.30 PM 01.00 PM
Saayaratchi Pooja 05.00 PM 06.00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at the Alangudi Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at the Alangudi Temple are:

  • Skanda Sashti: Skanda Sashti festival is dedicated to Hindu God Muruga (Karikeya or Subrahmanya). Kanda Sashti occurs in the Tamil Month Aippasi. Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the divine incarnation of Skanda was to primarily annihilate the demons that had created anarchy on earth and restore Dharma. He was also the commander of the army of the Devas. Also, the fasting of Skanda Shasti begins on the Pradma Thithi after Deepavali in Tamil Nadu. 
  • Aadi Puram: The story of Goddess Andal is famous throughout Tamil Nadu. She is also famous for her steadfast devotion for Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu).There is a popular belief that Goddess Andal is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Puram is of great significance in Lord Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu. Equally important is the day in Shakti Temples.
  • Arudra Darisanam: Arudra Darshan is a Tamil festival and this day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Arudra Nakshatram, which is also famous as Thiruvaathirai Nakshatram, during Maargazhi Masam is considered highly auspicious. Most of the temples around the world with Lord Nataraja and Shiva as deity perform the Arudhra Darshan.
  • Kartikai Deepam: Karthigai Deepam comes on the tamil month Karthigai on Pournami day(Full moon day). Throughout the month, devotees light lamps in the front of the house in the evening. Special rituals also take place for Lord Muruga on this day.
  • Thai Poosam: Thaipusam is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartikeya. Many devotees  also bear milk, water, fruits and floral tributes on pails hung from a yoke and carry them on their shoulders to various Murugan temples, far and near. Moreover, a wooden or bamboo structure- ‘Kavadi’ has a covering of cloth and decoration of feathers of peacock -vehicle of Lord Murugan.

What are the Poojas and Rituals of Alangudi?

The poojas and rituals of Alangudi are:

  • The worshipper lights 24 lamps with ghee and circumambulates the Guru Bhagavan temple 24 times.
  • Also, Kaala santhi takes place within 240 minutes or 4 hours of sunrise.
  • Saayaratchai pooja starts  3/3-4 Nazhigai  90 minutes before sunset and end at sunset time of that day.
  • Then, Arththa Yaama pooja takes place d after the Irandaam kaala pooja but 3/3-4 90 minutes before the closing of the temple. Finally, this pooja will come to an end with the closure of the temple for that day.

How to reach Alangudi?

Here’s how to reach Alangudi:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Thanjavur, 28 Km from the temple.
  • Train: Needamangalam Railway Station, on the Thanjavur – Thiruvarur rail route, is the nearest railhead. It is 7 km from Alangudi. 
  • Bus: Alangudi is 40 km from Tiruvarur on the Mannarkudi route and it can be reached from Kumbakonam.

What are some places to stay in  Alangudi?

Some of the places where one can stay in Alangudi are:

  • Sivamurugan Hotels Contact: 60 Feet Main Road, | Near New Bus Stand, Kumbakonam 612 001, India
  • Sara Regency  Contact: 45/1 Chennai Road, Kumbakonam 612002, India
  • Quality Inn VIHA  Contact: New Railway Road, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
  • Hotel Green Park Contact: No. 10, Lakshmi Vilas Street, Kumbakonam, South India – 612001
  • Hotel Vinayaga  Contact: 132C, Kamaraj Road, Kumbakonam- 612 001, Tamilnadu, India</li>

Where to eat in Alangudi?

Some places where one can eat in Alangudi are:

  • Venkatramanaa Hotel Contact: No 40, TSR Big Street, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001, Near Gandhi Park
  • Sri Balaji Bhavan Contact: Sasthra College Road, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
  • Hotel Shanmuga Bhavan Contact: 16, Kumbeswarar South Street, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
  • Gowri Shankar Hotel Contact: No 47, John Selvaraj Nagar, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
  • Rayas Garden Restaurant Contact: No 18 Rayas Hotel, Head Post Office Road, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001

What are some temples near the Alangudi temple?

Some of the temples near Alangudi Temple are:

Sri Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar: Sri Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar Temple is one of the famous temples in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu. Moreover, the temple’s history dates back to 18th century. The temple is in the bank of Villuni River. As per the researchers, there used to be a big Elephant idol facing opposite to the Horse idol in this Temple

Vasisteshwaran Temple: The temple dates from the 12th century AD and was built by the Cholas. Also, Maharshi Vasishta worshipped Jupiter as Raja Guru in this temple; hence the place has Guru importance. The Goddess here is also popular as Sugantha Kunthalambigai as a girl by name Sugantha Kunthala brought husband back to life after worshipping Ulaganayaki. 

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