Namasivaya vaazhga, Nadan thal vazzhga ,
Imai podum yennenjil neengaadhan thal vazhga.
Kokazhi aanda guru mani than thaal vaazhga,
Agamam aagi nindru annippan vaazhga,
Yekan anegan iraivan adi Vaazhga
We decided to utilise the Independence day holiday (caught up with PM's I-day speech by end of day; received his wishes through sms) to worship Arunachaleswarar at Thiruvannamalai. Took NH 45, NH 66 and the bumpy SH9 to reach Thiruvannamalai in 4 hours, its the Chengalpat-Tindivanam route.
Due to the holiday the temple was open the whole day, lucky us. We went straight to Sevva madam (referred by a friend) in sannadhi street just near the temple's east gopuram. Got ourselves refreshed before we headed for Sivaperuman's darshan. Just the over look of the temple from the entrance was mesmerising.
When we entered the first pragaram, we encountered Murgan sannathi. Its the place where lord Muruga gave his glorious darshan to Arunagirinathar. The way to next pragaram a bit difficult to go through due to the scorching heat and the path was laden with olden days black stone. Two more pragarama's we got into the final leg. Thanks to the national holiday, the Rs. 20 queue was way too long. The other special entrance was Rs. 250 per head which would take you near the Swami but is available only during abhishegams.
Lord Arunachaleswarar blessed us with his renowned darshan. The entire atmosphere was divine. It was such a proud moment to witness the craftsmanship of our ancestors at the main pragaram. Stone carved chain in the ceilings were a beauty to admire. Next was the motherly blessing from Unnamulai Amman provided in magnificent 'thanga kappu'.
Once we came out of the praharam were the main deities were, pradasam stall welcomed us. For Rs.10 each sweet pongal, tamaraind rice and other neivedia prasadams were distributed. Not ones interested in buying prasadams, we were actually driven to the prasadam counter by the mere flavor of the jaggery oozing out of the sweet pongal We had a heavenly helping of sweet pongal and tamarind rice, both the tastes still lingering in the mouth.
The devotees are celebrating the 60th annual Arunagirinathar festival so various concerts were being held. During our visit we became audience to a nadhasvaram concert followed by a sorpozhivu, both had a full house. Again the way back to the exit made our feet boil. Once out side we had food in the near by restaurant. Unlike Chennai the waiters served unlimited meals in unbelievable quantity and homely service.
Went back to the sevva madam and immediately we fell asleep in a small room with just 2 mats, 2 pillows and an old fan. Something hard to postulate given our record time to fall sleep in an air-conditioned room on a hot summer afternoon. This humble madam's room gave us a cool atmosphere and lulled us to sleep in no time. That's the marvel of age old madams in Tamilnadu. Madams or Chathrams as we call them are rest houses build in the early days when people used to travel long distance for pilgrimage. These madams may be community specific but offer accommodation to people who don't belong to community too.
The sevva madam where we took a break was a mansion with a huge vaasal surrounded by rooms in the wide courtyard. A small temple of Pillaiyar was housed inside. As you go inside you cannot help wondering at the olden day architecture. The next 'kattu' is a small area to do cooking following the third 'kattu' with a huge dining hall to satisfy hungry diners and them comes the final one where the diners would clean hands and beside that is the wash area.
We were spell bound at this well built mansion and never wanted to bid good bye. Before leaving Thiruvannamalai we drove through the kirivalam path and captivated by the various small temples and ashrams surrounded by the saintly aura. The platforms of the kirivalam path was occupied by siddhargal in their saffron attire. This is such a place of pilgrimage that it leaves you with nothing else but divinity alone filling your heart and soul.
On our return journey we took the Arani, Polur route and reached Chennai vis Poonamalee. Though a longer route the roads were good and the slight drizzle enhanced the pleasant evening journey back home.
Om namasivaya!
Imai podum yennenjil neengaadhan thal vazhga.
Kokazhi aanda guru mani than thaal vaazhga,
Agamam aagi nindru annippan vaazhga,
Yekan anegan iraivan adi Vaazhga
We decided to utilise the Independence day holiday (caught up with PM's I-day speech by end of day; received his wishes through sms) to worship Arunachaleswarar at Thiruvannamalai. Took NH 45, NH 66 and the bumpy SH9 to reach Thiruvannamalai in 4 hours, its the Chengalpat-Tindivanam route.
Due to the holiday the temple was open the whole day, lucky us. We went straight to Sevva madam (referred by a friend) in sannadhi street just near the temple's east gopuram. Got ourselves refreshed before we headed for Sivaperuman's darshan. Just the over look of the temple from the entrance was mesmerising.
When we entered the first pragaram, we encountered Murgan sannathi. Its the place where lord Muruga gave his glorious darshan to Arunagirinathar. The way to next pragaram a bit difficult to go through due to the scorching heat and the path was laden with olden days black stone. Two more pragarama's we got into the final leg. Thanks to the national holiday, the Rs. 20 queue was way too long. The other special entrance was Rs. 250 per head which would take you near the Swami but is available only during abhishegams.
Lord Arunachaleswarar blessed us with his renowned darshan. The entire atmosphere was divine. It was such a proud moment to witness the craftsmanship of our ancestors at the main pragaram. Stone carved chain in the ceilings were a beauty to admire. Next was the motherly blessing from Unnamulai Amman provided in magnificent 'thanga kappu'.
Once we came out of the praharam were the main deities were, pradasam stall welcomed us. For Rs.10 each sweet pongal, tamaraind rice and other neivedia prasadams were distributed. Not ones interested in buying prasadams, we were actually driven to the prasadam counter by the mere flavor of the jaggery oozing out of the sweet pongal We had a heavenly helping of sweet pongal and tamarind rice, both the tastes still lingering in the mouth.
The devotees are celebrating the 60th annual Arunagirinathar festival so various concerts were being held. During our visit we became audience to a nadhasvaram concert followed by a sorpozhivu, both had a full house. Again the way back to the exit made our feet boil. Once out side we had food in the near by restaurant. Unlike Chennai the waiters served unlimited meals in unbelievable quantity and homely service.
Went back to the sevva madam and immediately we fell asleep in a small room with just 2 mats, 2 pillows and an old fan. Something hard to postulate given our record time to fall sleep in an air-conditioned room on a hot summer afternoon. This humble madam's room gave us a cool atmosphere and lulled us to sleep in no time. That's the marvel of age old madams in Tamilnadu. Madams or Chathrams as we call them are rest houses build in the early days when people used to travel long distance for pilgrimage. These madams may be community specific but offer accommodation to people who don't belong to community too.
The sevva madam where we took a break was a mansion with a huge vaasal surrounded by rooms in the wide courtyard. A small temple of Pillaiyar was housed inside. As you go inside you cannot help wondering at the olden day architecture. The next 'kattu' is a small area to do cooking following the third 'kattu' with a huge dining hall to satisfy hungry diners and them comes the final one where the diners would clean hands and beside that is the wash area.
We were spell bound at this well built mansion and never wanted to bid good bye. Before leaving Thiruvannamalai we drove through the kirivalam path and captivated by the various small temples and ashrams surrounded by the saintly aura. The platforms of the kirivalam path was occupied by siddhargal in their saffron attire. This is such a place of pilgrimage that it leaves you with nothing else but divinity alone filling your heart and soul.
On our return journey we took the Arani, Polur route and reached Chennai vis Poonamalee. Though a longer route the roads were good and the slight drizzle enhanced the pleasant evening journey back home.
Om namasivaya!
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