Guest Post by Padma Ravishankar
Tamil Nadu is famous for ancient temples with huge imposing gopurams (entrance tower gates). The more one explores these temples, the more there will be to explore. In the beginning of this year (2019), we went on a memorable family trip to Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumar, Maduari and Rameswaram. And at the end of the year we went on exploring few more interesting ancient Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartikam.
Our journey started from Vijayawada and we reached Tiruchirapalli (aka Trichy) on November 21st at around 12 noon. We took a cab and reached the hotel where we had a pre-booked accommodation. After refreshing ourselves, we had our lunch and then had an afternoon / after-lunch nap.
It was a wonderful experience having a holy dip / bath in River Kaveri in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartikam. After getting ourselves purified in Kaveri waters, we proceeded to Adi Kumbeshwara Swamy temple.
This was my most memorable trip to the temple towns in Tamil Nadu. The Dravidian style temples with exquisite architecture reflect the great culture.
Tamil Nadu is famous for ancient temples with huge imposing gopurams (entrance tower gates). The more one explores these temples, the more there will be to explore. In the beginning of this year (2019), we went on a memorable family trip to Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumar, Maduari and Rameswaram. And at the end of the year we went on exploring few more interesting ancient Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartikam.
Our journey started from Vijayawada and we reached Tiruchirapalli (aka Trichy) on November 21st at around 12 noon. We took a cab and reached the hotel where we had a pre-booked accommodation. After refreshing ourselves, we had our lunch and then had an afternoon / after-lunch nap.
Day 1 (November 21, 2019): Visit to temples in Tiruchirapalli
My husband's friend arranged an Innova with a friendly driver named Sivakumar for our local visits. We started from the hotel at around 3 p.m and visited 3 temples.Samayapuram Mariamman temple
This is one of the famous temples in Tiruchirapalli. The main deity here is Goddess Maha Kali (Adi Shakti) who is known by the name Samayapurathai or Mariamman. The uniqueness of the temple is that the main deity is made of sand / clay and hence no 'abhishekams' (holy pouring) are performed here to the main deity. Goddess Mariamman is the local goddess (i.e. Grama Devata) and hence is believed to have immense powers. We had the darshan of the goddess and proceeded to Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple.Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam
After a 20-minute drive from Tiruchirapalli we reached Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple.
Read about Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam Jambukeswara temple, Jambukeswaram
Our next visit was to Jambukeshwara temple, Jambukeswaram in Tiruchirapalli district. This temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sivalinga temples in South India. Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Jala Lingam in this temple which remains immersed in a pool of water. Goddess Parvati Devi, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, is worshiped as Akhilandeswari. The temple was built around 1800 years back by one of the early Chola kings.
Day 2 (November 22, 2019): Visiting temples in Thanjavur and Chidambaram
The next day we had an early morning breakfast, checked out of the hotel and proceeded to Thanjavur (aka Tanjore). On the way we stopped for a while at Rockfort temple.Rockfort Temple
The temple, also called Uchchi Pillaiyar Kovil, is located in Tiruchirapalli. The temple complex is a 83 m high rock structure with a flight of 437 steps. It is said to be one of the oldest rock formations in the world. There are 3 temples in the complex - Vinayaka (Ganesha) temple at the foot of the hill, Uchchi Pillayar (Ganesha) at the topmost hill and Thayumanavar Koil in the mid-way, a temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is of historical importance and attracts good number of tourists who can have a beautiful view of the town and other landmarks from atop.
We couldn't make it to the top of the fort but just visited the temple at the foothill and proceeded to Thanjavur. On reaching Thanjavur, we headed towards The Big Temple (aka Brihadeeswara temple).
Read about Brihadeeswara temple, Thanjavur.Brihadeeswara temple, Thanjavur
Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur
After spending some in the divine ambiance, we headed towards Bangaru Kamakshi Amman temple in Thanjavur.Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple, Thanjavur
Bangaru Kamakshi Amman is the presiding deity of the temple. It was built in 18th century CE (Current Era) during the rule of Maratha King Pratap Singh Bhonsle of Thanjavur. We performed kumkumarchana (worshiping the goddess with vermilion) to Kamakshi Amman in the temple. For a break from temple visits, We then went to Saraswati Mahal Library in Thajavur.Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur
This is one of the oldest libraries in Asia which has a rare collection of palm-leaf manuscripts written in Tamil and Sanskrit.
After moving around for a while we had lunch in a nearby hotel and then drove to Chidambaram which is at a distance of nearly 3 hours from Thanjavur. On the way we visited Mahalingeswarar temple at Thiruvidaimarudur.Mahalingeswarar temple, Thiruvidaimarudur
The temple is located in Tiruvidaimaruthur, a village in Thanjavur district. It is a 9th century CE temple that was built during the reign of Chola dynasty. Lord Shiva is worshiped in the Lingam form (a Jyotimayalingam. ) and is known as Mahalingeswara Swamy. His divine consort Parvati Devi is worshiped here in the name of Pirguchuntarakujambigai. After having the divine darshan, we continued our drive and reached Chidambaram.Nataraj temple, Chidambaram
By the time we reached the temple, evening aarti was going on.
Natraj Temple, Chidambaram
We took abhishekam (holy pouring) tickets from the counter and felt blessed to see the abhishekam being performed to Sphatika (crystal gemstone) Lingam. Inside the temple premises there is also a small shrine of Lord Vishnu in reclining posture which reflects the then harmony of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
Day 3 (23rd November, 2019): Temple visits in Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is a temple town in Thanjavur district and is located at a distance of 40 Km from Thanjavur. As it was auspicious Ekadasi day, we got up early in the morning and went to Bhagavatha Padithurai bathing ghat on the bank of River Kaveri, situated in the heart of the town.![]() |
Bhagavatha Padithurai Bathing Ghat, River Kaveri |
Adi Kumbeswara temple, Kumbakonam
Airavateswara temple in Darasuram
That 's me Padma (in blue sari), my husband Ravishankar, my co-sister-in-law (Lakshmi) to my left and
my mother in green sari, at Iravateswara temple
This ancient temple is a storehouse of great stone carvings. Tourists who visit the temple and want to know the intricate details need to engage a guide.Nageswara Swamy temple, Kumbakonam
In our chain visits to temples, we next went to Nageswaraswamy temple located in the centre of Kumbakonam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshiped in the name of Nageswara / Nagaraja (the Lord of Serpents). This is one of the prominent Shiva temples in Kumbokonam that reflects the early Chola art of the 9th century CE.Uppiliappan temple, Kumbakonam
Our next visit was to Uppiliappan temple located near Thirunageswaram which is a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshiped as Uppiliappan and His divine consort Lakshmi Devi is worshiped as Bhoomadevi / Bhoodevi (Mother Earth). This temple is one of the Divya Desams (108 Vishnu temples as mentioned in the works of Alwars).
There is also a shrine of Markandeya in the temple premises. It is believed that Uppiliappan appeared before Markandeya at this place. After spending some time in the divine ambiance we proceeded to the Sarangapani temple next templeSarangapani temple, Kumbakonam
Sarangapani temple at Kumbakonam Thyagaraja temple, Thiruvarur
After few temple visits in Kumbakonam, we had lunch and we then went to Thiruvarur - birth place of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Deekshitar and Shyama Sastry (the Trinity of Carnatic music) and visited Thyagaraja temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form Marakatha (gemstone emerald) Lingam worshiped as Vanmiganathar. Thiyagaraja is the main deity and Parvati Devi is worshiped as Kondi. This is a 9th century CE temple of the Chola period. We were very much moved and tears rolled down our eyes on seeing the temple priest doing alankaram (decorating) and performing puja with dedication oblivious of the surroundings.
This was my most memorable trip to the temple towns in Tamil Nadu. The Dravidian style temples with exquisite architecture reflect the great culture.
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