Uthukadu Ellamman Temple visit

Soul mates

Rajagopuram being constructed

My granddad's favourite Deity

The Goddess herself Ellamman of Uthukadu

I frequent this temple very often with my mom and dad.This temple is situated in Uthukadu Chennai.The main Deity here is Ellamman.I really enjoyed my temple visit as always.This temple was established in the year 1608.There is a story associated with this place.It seems Krishnadevaraya and his team came hunting here with his dog.In those days this place was called Utrukadu.The king became tired and went looking for water.He took rest under the canopy of a tree.His pet dog bairavar decided to go looking for water.He chanced upon a spring of fresh water and bathed in it.He decided to wake the king up and let him know of his discovery.The king on waking up followed his friend to the spring and quenched his thirst.While doing so he found a lemon floating toward him and after a while he found an amman icon which was two and half feet tall .Nagal Naidu who was the head of his army established this temple.The best part of this temple is the garbhagriham.The main Deity was moved to the right hand side because of her "ugram" nature. I'm sure She is the epitome of kindness.In Chitra Maasam ,brahmotsavam is conducted for ten days and is celebrated with pomp and splendour.The route we took was Tambaram-Mudichur-Padappai-Oragadam Junction-enroute to Wallajabad-Uthukadu.The sthala Vriksham is Vanni maram.Many people from Saurashtra also worship this deity as their Kula Deivam.Check out some of the pics.

Snapshot outside the Sanctum

Love these triangular slots on the walls

Inside the temple courtyard

My dad's favourite Deity

The welcome arches indicating the temple's presence

My favourite Kala Bairavar

The vimanam on top of the sanctum

The kodimaram

Lord Hanuman

An antique chest

Neem Leaf thoran

The Temple Door

Temple instrument

shadow play

Musical Instrument at the temple

Simply love this village home.Its so charming.Look at the sit out.The lady of the house invited me over to take a look inside.

People in the village

The temple tank

Landmark:Near Nissan Renault and Komatsu which is in  Oragadam SIPCOT Industrial park                                                   

The magical Staff which stands by itself

While meandering in the pradakshina pathway,I stumbled up on a Rishaba Dandam a staff at the Marundeeshwarar Temple.This is no ordinary staff, but a magical one at that! The priest at the temple told me that during Pradosham this staff stands by itself without any support. In fact,I even purchased a video of it.Take a look at this Harry Potterish magical Staff.

Panachi amman Temple visit

Nanganallur has such an old world charm to it.The streets are full of vendors selling everything from terracotta lamps to fresh greens.And at every nook there is a temple waiting to be discovered.I love this place more because Pazhavanthangal used to be my summer home when I was a kid.I do not have vivid memories about temples back then.So,I visited another temple in Nanganallur close to the Ardhanareeshwarar temple called Panachi amman Kovil.She was found in a forest full of palm trees,hence the name.She is also a grama devathai,a protector of the village.Her icon here is facing the Northern direction.As you enter the temple,there are icons depicting Naga(serpent) deities.All temples have a space dedicated to the Nagas.I wonder what they represent,is it the Kundalini energy lying coiled up at the base of the spine.Is it nature conservation?.What ever it is,I simply love the visual appeal a temple holds for me.And I wish for a greater understanding of such subtleties and abstract concepts.Happy New Year to all my blog readers .

Vembuli Amman temple and the Seven Virgin Mothers

Yesterday was Valar Pirai(growing moon) Ekadesi,so mom wanted to light up lamps at the Saptha Kannimars(seven virgin mothers) Sannidhanam.Hence,we visited Vembuli Amman Temple for this purpose.This is a three hundred year old temple located at Pazhavanthangal near the subway.This goddess was found in a field while ploughing.She is a village deity.There are seven such grama devathais in and around the area.Sample some of the pictures from the Temple.The seven virgin mothers in the temple are Brahmini,Maheshwari,Kaumari,Vaishnavi,Vaaraahi,Indraani and Chamundi.They represent the seven chakras in the human body.The sthala vriksham is a neem tree.
What secrets do you hold seven virgin mothers.Kindly enlighten my intellect.