After spending 27 spiritually-filled
days in Thiruvannamalai, we left for Thirukkovaloor on Jan
31,2018 to meet Swami Nithyanandagiri who heads the Gnanananda Niketan situated
opposite the Gnanananda Thapovanam and the Temple. This ashram was
founded in 1986 with Param Pujya Swami Vidyananda Giri, the senior most
disciple of Sadguru Gnanananda Giri. The aim of this Niketan is to
preserve the monostic (sanyasin) tradition. Please see Pilgrimage 2016
for more details of this holy asramam. Below is a rare picture of Sadguru Gnanananda Giri
with Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar of
Thiruvannamalai.
As in 2017, we
stayed at this ashram for 3 days and spent a peaceful, meditative time there
with other visitors from Germany and France several of whom we had met in our earlier visits (see pictures below and Pilgrimage-2017.)
Swami Nithyanandagiri has not been keeping well for the past couple of years and is being looked after by a young sanyasi and is assisted in giving Vedantic lectures by a swamini. As in the previous years, we visited the famous Keezai Veerattanesvarar (கீழை வீரட்டானேச்வரர்) temple in Thirukkoviloor, a very ancient (~2000 year-old) temple for Lord Siva in the form of destroyer of the demon Andhakasura (See Pilgrimage-2017 for pictures of rare idols in this temple.)
We also had dharsan of Sri Athulyanathsvarar in the nearby ArakaNta nalloor (அரகண்டநல்லூர், also known as ArayaNinalloor, அரையணி நல்லூர்). Below are pictures of the Thevaram hymns on this sthalam and also a rare, life-like idol of Sri Ramana Maharshi inside the prakaram.
Swami Nithyanandagiri has not been keeping well for the past couple of years and is being looked after by a young sanyasi and is assisted in giving Vedantic lectures by a swamini. As in the previous years, we visited the famous Keezai Veerattanesvarar (கீழை வீரட்டானேச்வரர்) temple in Thirukkoviloor, a very ancient (~2000 year-old) temple for Lord Siva in the form of destroyer of the demon Andhakasura (See Pilgrimage-2017 for pictures of rare idols in this temple.)
We also had dharsan of Sri Athulyanathsvarar in the nearby ArakaNta nalloor (அரகண்டநல்லூர், also known as ArayaNinalloor, அரையணி நல்லூர்). Below are pictures of the Thevaram hymns on this sthalam and also a rare, life-like idol of Sri Ramana Maharshi inside the prakaram.
Unlike in earlier years, this time, we could not visit the famous Ulagalantha Perumal (Trivikrama) in Thirukkovaloor.
As has been our routine in the past travels, our next trip was to Chidhambaram, the holy abode of the Cosmic Dancer, Sri. Nataraja. Chidhambaram is also unique in having the shrines, in close proximity, of both Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. It has thus been praised by the holy hymns of both the Nayanmars and Azvars.
As has been our routine in the past travels, our next trip was to Chidhambaram, the holy abode of the Cosmic Dancer, Sri. Nataraja. Chidhambaram is also unique in having the shrines, in close proximity, of both Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. It has thus been praised by the holy hymns of both the Nayanmars and Azvars.
During our 2-day stay at Chidhambaram, we had dharsan of Lord Nataraja in the mornings, including the 10 p.m ardhajama puja and the waking-up ceremony at 5 am the next day. We also visited Brahma Sri. Parameswara Dhikshithar and his family at his home. Please see Pilgrimage-2016 and 2017 for more information on the Dhikshithar. He was not feeling well due to asthma problem. His sons arranged for our dharsana and poojai at the Temple. We made use of our stay in Chidhambaram to visit some of the many nearby Siva temples. Hiring a car, we first went to Achaalpuram ( நல்லூர்ப் பெருமணம் or ஆச்சாள்புரம்; https://www.dharisanam.com/temples/sri-shivalokath-thyagaraja-swamy-temple-at-nallur-perumanam-achalpuram) where Saint Thirugnanasambhandhar was married and where he, along with his wife and the visitors merged with Lord Sivalokanathar. This is the only kshethram where one can see the statue of Sambandhar with his wife.
Our next stop
was Thirukkolakka (திருக்கோலக்கா) where Thirugnana Sambandhar was gifted with golden cymbals by Goddess
Parvathi (Osai koduthanayaki, ஓசைகொடுத்த நாயகி.)
We next drove to Cheerkaazhi (சீர்காழி) where Sambandhar, as a 3-year-old child had his first dharsan of Lord Brahmapureesvarar and Goddess Periyanayaki mounted on Roshba and was suckled by the Goddess when he cried for milk. The hymns that poured forth from the child’s mouth formed the starting verses of the holy Thevaram hymns.
Our next stop
was Thiruppunkoor (திருப்புன்கூர்) where the great Siva bhaktha Nandhanar had his
dharsan of Lord Sivalokanathar. On his request, the stone statue of Nandhi
which was hiding his view of the Lord moved aside and let him have the holy
sight.
We next drove to VaitheesvarankOvil (வைத்தீஸ்வரன்கோவில்), Pullirukkuvelur (புள்ளிருக்குவேளூர் ) being its Thamzh name. Devotees come here to get cured of all types of diseases.
We next visited the nearby Thirukkadavoor (திருக்கடவூர் or திருக்கடையூர்) where Lord Siva as Amruthagateswarar, along with Goddess Abhirami, punished Yama who tried to take the life of Markandeya, the ardent young Siva bhaktha. Details of this temple including the beautiful and rare bronze statues have been given in Pilgrimage-2016.
We wanted to see next Lord Muruga’s temple in Thiruvidaikkazhi (திருவிடைக்கழி) but we could not since the temple was closed for the morning that day due to a death in the local village.
By the time we finished our tour of the above-mentioned temples, it was past noon when all temples start closing their doors after the morning session. We made use of this break (12 noon- 4 pm) to visit the coastal city of Tharangampadi, the first Danish trading post in India established in 1620. The Danish Fort facing the Indian Ocean has a collection of the historic documents of Danish and English colonies about 200 years ago. Around 4 pm, we drove down to ThirunaLLaaRu (திருநள்ளாறு) and had a wonderful dharsan of Dharbaranyeswarar (தர்ப்பாரண்யேசுவரர்) and Saneeswarar (சனீஸ்வரர்).
On our return, we stopped by the Rajagopalaswami temple in Ananthamangalam (அனந்தமங்கலம்). In addition to the main deity, we also were blessed to see the idol of the famous Dasabhuja thrinethra (10-handed and three-eyed) Hanuman. It is a rare vigraham unique to this temple.
Ending our day trip to the above holy sthalams, we returned to Chidhambaram in the night with our hearts filled with gratitude for the Divine Grace that enabled us make this section of our pilgrimage. It may be noted that all the holy places visited during this trip have been extolled by the 'Thevaram Moovar' (Sambandhar, Appar and Sundharamoorthi Nayanaar) and other saints.
