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South Indian Pilgrimage Destinations




Bhubaneswar

Location :      Orissa
Significance :     Capital of Orissa
Main Attractions :     Lingaraja Temple, Muktesvara Temple

The ancient capital of the Kalinga empire, and now the capital of Orissa, Bhubaneswar's history goes back over 2000 years. "Bhubaneshwar" means the "abode of God" or "master of the universe" and it was also, once known as the 'Cathedral of the East', on account of the large number of shrines. At one time, the Bindu Sagar tank was bordered by over 7000 temples. Of these, 500 still survive, all built in the extravagant Oriya style. It is of these temples, that the great poet, Rabindranath Tagore had once said - 'At all places where the eye rests, and also at places where the eye does not rest, the busy chisel of the artist has worked incessantly. The abode of god has been enveloped by a variety of figures depicting the good and the evil, the great as well as the insignificant, the daily occurrences of human life....'

Chidambaram


 

Area :      5 sq km
Population :     58,740 (1991)
Languages :     Tamil and Hindi
Best time to visit :     Throughout the year
Altitude :     5.97 m

The island of Rameswaram on the Gulf of Mannar is one of the main fishing villages in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, it is a major pilgrimage centre for pious Hindus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu known respectively as Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

Navaligam Temple, ChidambaramMost visitors come to see the impressive Rameswaram Temple, famous the world over for its lengthy and ornate corridors, representing fine architectural masterpieces. Rameswaram also boasts of fabulous beaches edging its coral reef waters abundant with exotic marine life, making it a haven for adventure seekers.

The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry greets the visitors, with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Chidambaram is also called Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. A unique feature of Chidambaram is that a person of any race or religion can visit the shrine and pray.

Kanchipuram  


 

Location :      75-Km From Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Called:     Religious Capital Of South India
Famous Temples In Kanchipuram :     Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailashanathar Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Kumara Kottam, Ulahalanda Perumal Temple

Kanchipuram is known as one of India's Seven Sacred cities. Kanchipuram was, one of India's seven sacred cities. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D and later became the citadel of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries.
Kailashanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kanchipuram is the birth place of C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna" by the people of Tamil Nadu.

Kanchipuram, the Golden City of a thousand temples, is the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. During the 6th and 7th centuries, some of the best temples in the city were built by the Pallavas. The city was also a great seat of learning. Sri Sankaracharya, Appar, Siruthonder and the great Budddhist Bhikku lived, and worked here. Today, it is known not only for its temples, but also for its handwoven silk fabrics.

Kanyakumari


Location            :      IIn Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu
Also Known As :     Kuttalur
Main Attractions :     Swami Vivekanand Rock Memorial, Kumari Amman Temple

Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) district is bounded by Tirunelveli district in the north and northeast, by Kerala state in the northwest and confluence of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west and south. The coastline is almost regular except for some points of land projecting into the sea at Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is the district headquarters of the district of the same name.
Vivekanand Smarak at Kanyakumari
At the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kannyakumari, an important pilgrim centre. Kannyakumari is famous for its beach and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. Kanyakumari is also famous for its vast green stretches of paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and mineral sands.

Madurai


 

Location               :      Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Deity Worshipped :     Lord Somasundara (Lord Shiva) And Goddess Meenakshi
Built By                :     The Pandyan King, Kulasekhara
Important Festivals Celebrated:     Meenakshi Kalyanam in  April-May And The Teppam Festival
Main Attraction:     Meenakshi Temple

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of southern India. It has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks, gave the city its name - Madhurapuri, now known as Madurai.

Guruvayoor Temple



The fourth biggest temple in India in terms of the number of devotees per day, Guruvayoor Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Though the devotees worship him as Lord Krishna, the deity is that of a complete man incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu with four arms. This shrine is popularly known as the Dwaraka of south and is in the form of a rectangle. There are a lot of mural paintings around the Shrine. Being one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala, it is probably the only temple in the state that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice feeding ceremony, the ritual first meal for infants.

History
The Guru along with his disciple Vayudeva (god of air), found a place which was recommended by Lord Paramashiva. Thus the Guru and Vayu installed this deity and Paramashiva named the place as Guruvayoor. The idol is carved out a stone called 'Pathala Anjana Sila' and is utmost sacred. The place selected for the installation was suitably sacred by the presence of Lord Shiva.

Design & Construction
The outer enclosure has a 33.5-m tall gold-plated flag post and there is also a 7 m high pillar of lamps, whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brilliant spectacle, when lit. The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Rameshwaram


 

Location       :      Island Of Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Deity Worshipped  :     Linga Of Sri Ranganatha
Famous Tradition  :     A Pilgrimage To Kashi Is Not Considered Complete Without A Pilgrimage To Rameshwaram
Significance   :     One Of The 12 Jyotirlingas Of India

Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.
Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred to as the 'Benaras of the south'. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory.

Sravanabelagola


Sravanabelagola, a great centre for Jain culture is situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Mysore and is famous for its colossal statue of Gomateshwara who is also referred to as Lord Bahubali. Carved out of monolithic stone, the imposing 17 metre high statue of Gomata towers stands in majestic splendour and is visible even from a distance of 20 kms. Starkly simple, the beautifully chiselled features of the statue embody serenity. His perfect lips are turned out at the corners with a hint of a smile, viewing the world with detachment.
The Holy Feet of the Sri Gomatheswar statue, Sravanabelagola
Sravanabelagola means 'the monk on the top of the hill' and hermits, mystics and ascetics have journeyed and lived there since at least the third century BC. In those early times the hill was thickly wooded and hermits could feed themselves from the forest. In the mid-tenth century AD temples began to be built and the site grew to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Jain religion.

The hill of Sravanabelagola, (also called Vindhyagiri or Per-kalbappu), looms majestically at 3347 feet above sea level. From the base a flight of 614 steps, finely carved from the granite of the mountain, leads to the summit, where a great statue of Sri Gomatheswar stands. At 58 feet 8 inches high, it is the tallest free-standing statue in the world. You must climb barefoot, which poses a problem when the granite heats up, so get there early.

 

Sabarimala Temple


 

Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala, Sabarimala is situated high up in the Sahyadri Mountains. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.

Birth Of Ayyappa
Various legends explain the birth of Ayyappa, among them that he was born to battle the demons of Kerala's hill tribes. Brought up by a childless tribal king, Ayyappa performs many miracles. After fulfilling the purpose of his incarnation, Ayyappa entered the inner sanctum of the ancient temple upon sacred Mt Sabari and disappeared. During his life, Ayyappa reportedly kept the company of tigers and leopards.

Pilgrimage To Sabarimala
The Sabarimala temple attracts the maximum pilgrims on the first day of the 'Makharam' month on January 17, when a celestial light appears on top of a nearby hill. Thousands arrive just to see the light, which is considered sacred. All the devotees, after taking a holy dip in the river, trek to the hilltop temple. Before beginning the pilgrimage to Sabarimala, pilgrims prepare themselves with 41 days of rigorous fasting, celibacy, meditation and prayer. The standard items that are carried to the temple include a coconut filled with ghee and two other coconuts that are broken in front of the temple.

Thanjavur


Area      29.24 sq. kms.
Population     2,00,216 ( 1991 census )
Season     Throughout the year
Languages spoken     Tamil, English and Marathi

Thanjavur was the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas. Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan-an asura (giant), who according to local legend devastated the neighbourhood and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu, Sri Neelamegapperumal. Tanjan's last request that the city might be named after him was granted.

Thanjavur TempleThanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola reign between the 10th and the 14th Centuries and became a centre of learning and culture. It is the headquarters of the disrict of the same name. Thanjavur district, the ' Rice Bowl ' of Tamil Nadu, is also known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments.

Tirupati


 

Location:      67-km From Chittoor, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh
Famous For Having:     World's Richest Temple
Famous As:     A Pilgrimage Centre
Nearby Attractions:     Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Venugopalaswami Temple, Srikalahasti.
Related Links:     Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple

Tirupati, one of the richest temples in the country, is the most venerated Vaishnavite shrine of Lord Venkateswara. It was patronised by the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar kings. 130 kms from the city of Madras (Chennai), this temple is located in the southern Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Tiru' in Tamil means `Sri'. Hence Tirupati translates to Sripati or Sri Maha Vishnu.
Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple
According to the Puranas, the range of Tirumala hills represent the body of the serpent Adisesha, on which Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, rests. The seven hills represent the seven heads of the serpent.







Location: Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
 


 Santhigiri Ashram is the training center for anyone to come in, understand and assimilate the gist of the teachings of Nava Jyothi Sri Karunakara Guru, through a path oriented in action, in other words by doing karma -correct mode of action. The age old concept was that the deliverance -mukti-, beholds only the ascetics, such as yogis, rishis -sages-, avadoothas, etc., engaged in specialized spiritual practices, performances, asceticism, etc. A cohesive pattern engulfing every activity known to man, elevation from one activity to another, fully after accomplishing the previous ones, with the rights and wrongs of them, constituted by the vasana -subconscious inclinations and habit patterns created through experience- of the individual; the embossing of all these in the soul, is only essential in this period, but was never known to man. No karma or activity can be said to have been fairly and squarely accomplished in totality, unless that has been dedicated to the Almighty God. There are activities undertaken to fulfill the needs of the family, near and dear, their well-being, etc. Secondly, we come across people who are engaged in their chosen sphere of action, for a cause with total disregard for the safety, security and well-being of their family, friends, relatives and their own self. This may be a permanent frame of mind as in the case of some fanatics, those pursuing a political or other philosophy, patriotism, etc. It may also be a spur of the moment thing, as always seen in the wars as supreme sacrifice, etc. Such men though not many are yet available, but the third part consists of an activity for the Will of God, to prevail in and pervade the World as a whole.

    The self or other men made philosophies, men’s desperate clinging to the material things or the men themselves do not matter. But the intention to redeem their souls and to present them as the foot soldiers who are not trained to slay the fellow men, but are engaged in the unenviable task of cleansing the souls of their fellow men, if not at least ending up as an instrument in that process, is the cause to establish the Santhigiri Ashram.

    Nava Jyothi Sri Karunakara Guru as always made a humble beginning with a small thatch roofed hut barely of twenty square feet. Now it has more than 1500 inmates from all walks of life, bulk of them are volunteers, who get their barest necessities, only in exchange for most grueling tasks for most of the day. The self imposed discipline to accomplish the existing work is a phenomena worth seeing to be believed. This is necessary not just to eke out a living, or to establish an order, held dear to one in the world, but a humble surrender, a selfless sacrifice on the altar of the Will of the Supreme -"for thine to be done as per thy wishes."

    Free food and accommodation are provided to all people who visit the Ashram. The Ashram is registered under charity organizations by the government of India.

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