Temple Rounds in TamilNadu

The neatly and cleanly dressed with a shining bindi on the brow and generously dangling Jasmin flowers on the half moist cascade of jet black hair of the ladies folks, the pristine pure sandal wooden perfume blended with the flowers of a number of sorts, the shiny turmeric smeared over the face, chanting of their favorite shlokas, with a typical unusually giant wanting nostril studs, targeted as they have been, earlier than the deity with folded arms and tears of pleasure welling up from the eyes -these and plenty of extra are the optimistic vibes, and customary sights that transfix me with devotion and produce smile of efficacy to my face, after I ponder over visiting TamilNadu.

Day 1 : Bangalore – Madurai

It was simply across the starting of covid time in India, earlier than it turned a pandemic, we determined to have a fast temple tour of Tamil Nadu. Early March 2020, kurta, shirts, mundus , sarees and jhumkas packed, all set for the non secular journey for the subsequent few days. My husband and I left from our house at Bangalore at 5.40 am in our Toyota Etios Liva (petrol) automotive. Earlier than you permit, ensure you have loaded the fastag pockets and saved the offline maps for all of the areas you’re planning to journey. The climate was good, it had rained yesterday .Bangalore climate they are saying, is unpredictable. I pulled over my jacket and my beanie as I leaned backwards on the passenger seat and eyed my watch which confirmed 6.45am now. We had simply crossed A2B restaurant. We dint cease and continued until 7.50am and stopped at Sai Sangeeth restaurant which regarded fairly fancy. We needed to take a U flip as this restaurant fell on the opposite aspect of the highway. I had a plate of Idli sambhar and masala dosa .I’m often a tad bit too hungry throughout journeys. We left from the lodge at 8.20am. Sri Amruta Bhavan restaurant is just a few meters away from Sai Sangeet , in case you do not need to cross to the opposite aspect of the highway.

Straight good roads with an impressive line of mountains for a view was price a shot on my telephone. It was sunny and site visitors was little heavy until we reached Salem at round 10.30. AM. We reached our house for the day , Lodge Plaza at 12.45pm. Google maps confirmed the Lodge on a parallel highway which matches to the backend of the lodge, with no parking and too many bikes on the highway. We needed to take U flip to return again to the right highway with umpteen parking area allotted only for these staying at Lodge Plaza. The rooms listed here are fairly comfy and clear and most essential issue was that Madurai Meenakshi Temple is at a strolling distance. We had lunch on the restaurant which was on the floor flooring of the Lodge. They’ve fairly quite a lot of choices, North Indian, South Indian and Chinese language , and in addition accessible in each Ala Carte and Buffet. We checked in and rested.

At sharp 4, we left on foot to the temple in the direction of the West Tower, one of many 14 towers or gopurams of the temple. The presiding deity of this magnificent Temple is Goddess Parvati, known as as Meenakshi and the Lord Shiva, known as as Sundareshwara ,thus famously generally known as Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple.

Temple Timings:

All days of the week

5 am – 12:30 pm
4 pm – 10 pm

Costume code:

There isn’t any Costume Code, ideally formal or conventional put on.
Please examine the most recent rule for costume code

Parking:

There are parking tons at two spots on the other sides of North Avani Moola Avenue.

Only a glimpse in to the historical past of the temple, if would care to know. This temple was constructed by King Kulasekara Pandya. The temple advanced homes 14 gopurams that are elaborately sculptured and superbly painted.

The Gopurams embrace 2 golden towers for the principle deities. The tower peak ranges from 40-51m , the tallest of which is the Southern tower. The temple is the standing testimony for the magnificent and excellent structure.

The Meenakshi temple has majestic stonewalls and towers rising out of the swarming streets of the town heart. The coiled corridors and bigger than life sculptures are certainly a sight to behold. In line with the legend of this temple, the wedding of the goddess Meenakshi to Shiva really passed off in Madurai and remains to be celebrated each summer time with nice enthusiasm, fanfare and gaiety. The idol of Goddess Meenakshi is claimed to be carved out of a single emerald. The temple additionally contains different deities like Lakshmi, flute taking part in Krishna, Rukmini, Brahma, Saraswati, Nataraja, Surya and different Vedic and Puranic deities, do not miss to witness the paintings exhibiting narratives from main Hindu texts. There’s a spot on the skin of the principle shrine the place you’ll be able to see the tip of the principle Golden gopuram. You’ll discover small wood cradles tied on the hanging creepers of the tree behind the Ganapati mandapam on the skin of the principle hall. These are prayer choices from devotees looking for the grace of Devi to bless them with a toddler. Few ft away from the temple is the 1000 pillars which can be a museum.

It proudly hosts the distinctive work, uncommon assortment of images, vintage panchaloha idols, carvings in tusks, historical arts of structure, sculpture, portray, music, dance and different types of aesthetic significance, which might make the go to memorable. It was 6.30 PM now and we headed again to lodge. On the way in which again, you’d discover a number of small retailers and avenue distributors and we wished to attempt the well-known Jigarthandi. It’s a cool drink made with milk almonds and sugar. I used to be informed the drink jigarthandi and Madurai porota is a should attempt if you go to the town. We got here again to the lodge, had dinner in the identical restaurant and winded up the journey for the day.

Day 2 Madurai-Rameshwaram- Danushkodi

Subsequent day ,after a superb tub and donning recent pressed cloths, we checked out of the lodge at 6.30 am and left in the direction of Rameshwaram. Simply inside 5km , we have been compelled to get out of the automotive to an astonishing view of an exquisite lake temple, the Vandiyur Mariamma Tepakkulam.
We prayed from the skin the compound wall for a secure journey forward and moved on. The time was good to witness the shining golden dawn on the way in which which was made higher with the right roads and alluring surroundings. We had breakfast by 8.20am at a roadside lodge. We hoped, as we neared Rameshwaram, to see the prepare on the world well-known Pamban railway bridge and, surprisingly our want got here true.

The Pamban Bridge Rameswaram is likely one of the oldest and well-known Bridges in India. It’s typically referred as The queen of Indian bridges, that is the marvelously engineered first sea bridge of India. The bridge is 2065 m lengthy. The primary land of Indian peninsula is related with Rameswaram Island by way of a Street and a Railway bridge. These two bridges generally referred as Pamban Bridge. This bridge is an engineering marvel due to the carry spans fitted within the bridge. These carry spans can increase the bridge and let ships cross.

The carry spans are actually closed for operations. The bridge stands proudly on the Indian ocean. The common velocity of the prepare is lowered whereas crossing the Pamban Bridge. It takes roughly 10-15 min to cross the bridge. Passengers can get as soon as in a lifetime expertise whereas crossing the serene blue water of the mighty Indian Ocean.

Reluctantly, as a result of journey schedule that we deliberate, we needed to go away from the bridge and transfer forward. By 10 am we arrived on the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial and spent a while reminiscing the recollections, works and awards of this eminent chief and ex-president of India.

At a distance of 4km from the memorial web site was the parking zone(expenses 20 rupees) of Rameshwaram temple which is sort of inside and we needed to stroll in the direction of the temple by way of the ocean aspect the place a number of devotees dipped within the sea for the holy Samudra snana. As we neared the temple, the gopuram stood as tall with ” Shiva Shiva” written on the board.

The sound of the chanting grew culminating within the rhythmic roar of the ocean. we moved nearer to the doorway. We needed to step again from the queue to retailer our belongings exterior in a locker. There are a number of locker rooms and altering rooms accessible across the temple premises ,they cost round 100 rupees per locker.

Temple timings:

Morning 5 AM to 1 PM
night 3 Pm to 9 PM on all days of the week

Costume code:

There isn’t any particular Costume Code for Rameshwaram Temple. There’s a restriction on carrying Denims and T-Shirts within the Temple, particularly for males. You possibly can put on a vest and Shirt or can put on Formals like Shirt and Pant. However it’s advisable to not put on the vest whereas going contained in the temple however you’ll be able to carry them in hand for later use.

Parking:

There’s a devoted parking area for temple devotees
Cost : 20 rupees for 4 wheeler

Rameshwaram temple is likely one of the most well-known and oldest temples in India. Lord Shiva is the first deity right here. The colossal picture of Nandi captures the eye, attributable to its sheer measurement. It measures 12 ft in its size and 9 ft in its peak. The temple is related to the historical past of Ramayana interval. It was at right here that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on their means again to Ayodhya after efficiently rescuing Sita from the demon King Ravana. Legend says that Rama had requested Hanuman to get Shivalinga from the Himalayas ,however hanuman got here little late ,so Sita created a Shivalinga herself. Lord Rama worshipped this Shivalinga. Happy with the devoted devotion, Shiva manifested himself within the linga which is now current on this Sanctum sanctorum. Hanuman later returned with a Shivalinga which was additionally saved in the identical temple and known as it the Hanumalingam or Vishwalingam. As per Rama’s directions, Hanumalinga is obtainable prayers earlier than the Ramanathaswamy. It’s believed that the holiest Kashi yatra for Hindus is full solely after visiting Rameshwaram. It is likely one of the Char Dhams, the remaining are Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath. Rameshwaram Sri Ramanathaswamy temple can be the one jyotirlinga positioned in South India out of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This temple has 22 teertams, bathing wherein is believed to atone sins of devotees. All of those wells have water of various style, temperature, salinity and have healing properties as effectively. It’s mentioned that these wells have been created by Lord Rama himself, by his arrows in to the sand. With the intricate carvings on the pillars, majestic towers and the longest hall on this planet, the temple is actually an architectural marvel and a deal with to the eyes.

This pillared hall extends to 4000 ft in size, embracing greater than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are immaculately carved with lovely pictures. Analysis reveals that the rocks of this hall does not belong to the island and it was imported from someplace throughout the ocean.

It was 1pm once we completed the Darshan and we selected a flawed time to go to our subsequent location, Danushkodi.It was too Sunny and scorching.We drove in the direction of Danushkodi, the southern most tip of the Indian peninsula or the final land of India and reached at 1.45 pm.

We have been pleasantly stunned when our telephones related to the Srilankan cellular community.

This Ghost City was as soon as a beaming commerce hub. This city was badly hit by a ferocious cyclone that worn out your entire city and killed round 2000 individuals making this place unfit for habitation. One of the best-preserved ones of what’s left are the stays of church, submit workplace, and railway station.

Railway tracks are additionally buried below the sand. The one inhabitants are native fisherfolk. They lead depressing lives in makeshift thatched huts with no electrical energy or working water. Be sure you have sufficient ingesting water and snacks as you’d discover solely small fruit distributors right here.
After exploring Dhanushkodi, we continued all the way in which alongside the highway to Arichal Munai (Erosion Level). It is a magical scene, with the straight strip of tarmac enclosed by the ocean on either side. A solitary pillar of Ashoka, the nationwide emblem of India, stands at endpoint the place you’ll be able to look out throughout the infinite blue ocean.

There are just a few distributors promoting fruits, sea meals and merchandise comprised of shells. It is actually price getting up early to beat the crowds and catch the bewitching dawn enmeshed with the wealthy pink crimson rays and spend a while right here. It’s a fashionable perception that the Rama sethu is seen from this level and Lord Rama had marked the spot the place the bridge was to be constructed with an finish of his bow. This gave rise to the city’s identify, Dhanushkodi (which means bow’s finish).

Situated off the freeway about 10 minutes earlier than Dhanushkodi, Kothandaramaswamy temple, is of curiosity too.

It is devoted to Lord Ram, and notably is the one constructing within the space to have survived the cyclone that destroyed the city. There’s additionally a floating stone that’s exhibited right here. We left from Kothandaramaswamy temple at 2.50 pm in the direction of our lodge at Tanjavur. On our means out of Rameshwaram, we have been charged 100 rupees in the direction of municipality charges. Roadside distributors have been promoting palm jaggery close to the Pamban bridge. The roads in the direction of Tanjavur have been good and few have been below development, so we needed to take diversions. We didn’t cease for lunch as we crammed ourselves up with fruits. We reached spent our peaceable night time, at Lodge Ram Aariyas at round 7pm.

Day 3- Tanjavur-Sri Rangam-Bangalore

After a superb night time’s sleep, we have been equipped for one more day of temple go to. This time it was the Brihadeeshwara Temple at Tanjavur. We left from lodge at 7 am and reached the temple in 10 minutes. We went in instantly for Darshan. It was crowded because it was a Monday morning, an auspicious day for Lord Shiva who’s the principle deity right here.

Temple timings:

All days of the week
6 am – 9 pm

Costume code:

No costume code

Parking:

There’s large parking area simply reverse the temple. Prices 20 rupees for 4 wheeler

Tanjavur Brihadeeshwara temple because the identify suggests, Brihad which means Huge, Eshwara which means Shiva is a big Shiva temple. This temple, constructed by the mighty ruler, Rajaraja I of the Chola Empire, is thought for its grandeur and distinctive architectural options and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Website generally known as the “Nice Dwelling Chola Temples” together with Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavateshwara temple. It’s interesting instance of Dravidian fashion of structure.

The inscriptions on the temple partitions document the rise and fall of the town’s fortune and historical past. This is likely one of the largest temples in India and .proudly presents the temple tower, known as the Vimanam which is a whopping 216 ft. (66 m) tall and the tallest on this planet.

The apex construction on the highest of this tower is carved out of single rock and weighs round 80 tons. It’s nonetheless a thriller on how the builders received the rock on high of the tower.


The data present that this temple is thought for its further unusual development centuries in the past when trendy development applied sciences will not be accessible. It’s mentioned the heaviest kalasha or pinnacle needed to be positioned on high of the temple utilizing very lengthy inclined aircraft constructed on earth utilizing laborious soil, and large stone clad elephants reached the highest spot. It’s a magical expertise to look at the deity throughout puja.The complete construction is constructed with stones notched and bonded with none mortar. The primary deity is a huge granite lingam which sits beneath the hole area between the apex stone and the ground of the temple.
There’s a massive statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock measuring about 16 ft. (4.9 m) lengthy and 13 ft. (4.0 m) excessive on the entrance.

There are a number of different mandapams alongside the principle gopuram or tower devoted to Ganesha, Varahi, Chandikesha, Amma, Nataraja, Subramanya and a number of other different deities. The complete temple construction is made out of eye catching lovely granite.
These mere phrases can not outline the aesthetic magnificence and the architectural excellence of the sculptors.

The temple is surrounded by hall on all 4 sides with a number of Shivalinga.

I’d undoubtedly recommend to rent a Information to know the structure and historical past of this wonderful temple.
After such a peaceable satisfying Darshan of Lord Shiva, we got here again to our Lodge, had breakfast and checked out at 10 am and left to Trichy(Tiruchirappalli). We reached the Sri Rangam temple at 10.50 am. We have been welcomed by a line of sky excessive gopurams and slim roads between them.

Temple timings:

On a regular basis 3am-10pm

Costume code:

The Sri Rangam temple has strict costume pointers. Devotees will not be permitted to enter the temple carrying provocative or revealing clothes in any means. Tank tops, sleeveless attire, shorts, and skirts are among the many apparel forbidden at this temple.

Parking:

There are 4 wheeler parking spots on the West and East Uthra streets at Srirangam temple

Sri Rangam is the foremost of the 8 self manifested shrines of Lod Vishnu. It’s also the primary of the 108 Vishnu temples. The temple homes the Supreme God Maha Vishnu in Ananta Shayana, in the mendacity place. The Lord rests on the coils of the nice 5 headed serpent Adi Shesha. Legend says that the Ranga Vimana, a chariot of Lord Vishnu which was handed on from Vibhishan to the Chola king nonetheless exists someplace deep down this temple. The temple is roofed by 7 enclosures shaped by thick and big rampart partitions which run around the sanctum.

There are 21 magnificent towers or gopurams in all enclosures offering a singular sight to the onlookers. The 236 ft excessive, 13 storeyed Rajagopuram is the most important gopuram in Asia.

The gopurams of the temple are constructed and renovated by a number of kings all through the centuries. The sculptures on the gopurams are actually enchanting to look at.

There are a number of different mantapas within the temple advanced for worship of a number of different deities. The architectural marvel of those mandapas are exhibited on the partitions with alluring work and huge sculptures.

A pushkarani, the holy pool within the temple premises can be a spot to supply your prayers and to achieve moksha for the sins of mankind. The temple is itself monumental in measurement. The temple advanced is 156 acres in extent. Sri Rangam temple is commonly listed as one of many largest functioning Hindu temple on this planet. Time and a pair of eyes are meager to witness the glory of the south Indian Temple structure and historical past. We wished we had on a regular basis on this planet to expertise the sensation of being current at these non secular locations. Because the saying goes, all is effectively that ends effectively. We winded up our temple tour at this temple with coronary heart stuffed with content material and satisfaction and a blissful and peaceable thoughts.
It was 12.40pm once we left the temple and roamed the slim streets of Sri Rangam and headed in the direction of Bangalore. We stopped at Salem Ramalingam Lodge for lunch at 2.50pm.After a luxurious meal, we stopped once more for a cup of filter espresso in brass glass at TamilNadu border. Reached again house to Bangalore at 6pm.

Issues to Be aware:

-Please examine the up to date temple timings and entry charges
-Cameras will not be allowed in few temples
-Conventional put on could also be required in few temples
-Make certain to remain hydrated and Tamil Nadu is often very humid and scorching
-Recharge your fastag pockets
-Carry your 4 wheeler insurance coverage, emission check card and drivers license
-Carry sufficient money as you might not discover too many retailers with QR scan codes
-Plan your journey as per your comfort. The plan I shared right here could also be a bit hectic for brand spanking new vacationers.
-Carry water bottles and snacks or fruits.