Tamil Nadu is a land of temples.There are more than 30,000 temples in Tamil Nadu.The temples were built by various dynasties.Tamil Nadu is the home of early Dravidian art and culture, characterised best by amazingly ornate temples with their soaring towers known as gopurams.These temples bear a superficial resemblance to each other in that they share the same physical features - the gopuram or the imposing tower over the entrance, from all four directions the vimanam which is the tower over the sanctum and the spacious halls and corridors. The temples were also much more than a place of worship. It was a place for social gathering, for education, for celebration. It was also used as a store house of sorts for emergencies and, many a temple also maintained hospitals. The temple was a place where art was flourished and encouraged.Art here was in all its forms i.e. music, dance, drama and handicrafts. Every temple has beautiful sculptures and architectural beauty of its own, peculiar to the presiding deity
People in Tamil Nadu are god-fearing people. They are ardent worshippers of Siva, Vishnu, their consorts Parvati and Lakshmi, Vinayaka, Subramanya (Muruga). All these gods take on different names at different temples depending on the legend of the temple. At Rameswaram, Ramanathaswamy, which means 'He who was worshipped by Rama' and at Chidambaram He is called Nataraja or the 'Cosmic Dancer'.If 'Eswaran' is the suffix in the name of the presiding deity,then the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. The South has very few temples where Siva is depicted as anything other than a lingam. A few notable exceptions are the temple of the Cosmic Dancer at Chidambaram and the Ardhanareeswarar temple at Tiruchengodu. Siva is also worshipped as the five elements i.e. as Sky or Space in Chidambaram, Water in Tiruvanaikkaval, Fire in Tiruvannamalai, Earth in Kanchipuram and Air in Sri Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh).
In Tamil Nadu, Vishnu is worshipped as Vishnu himself rather than as one of his incarnations, though there are some temples dedicated to Rama and Krishna both of whom are incarnations of the Lord. He is known by various names such as Varadaraja Perumal in Kanchi, Kallalagar in Madurai and Ranganathaswamy at Srirangam. Of the consorts, there are several temples dedicated to Parvati where there are also shrines to Lord Siva. The most prominent of these of course is the twin temple dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswarar at Madurai, and the Kamakshi temple at Kanchi. Apart from this, the goddess is also worshipped as Kali Amman or Durga. Vinayaka or Pillayar is perhaps the most worshipped of the gods and is also called Vigneswara or Ganapati or Ganesa. He is the elephant-headed elder son of Siva and Parvati and is extremely benign in appearance.
During any festival or celebration, worship of this God is given precedence over others. The largest Pillayar temple is at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi. Vinayaka's younger brother Subramanya is the Lord of the mountains and his six abodes of Aarupadaiveedu - Tiruttani, Swamimalai, Palani, Thiruparankunram, Pazhamudircholai and Tiruchchendur. Two terms that one often comes across in reference to the temples in Tamil Nadu are Saivism and Vaishnavism. As the words imply, Saivites are followers of Lord Siva while Vaishnavites are followers of Lord Vishnu. Not all that long ago, the men of the two sects could be identified by the distinct religious marks on their forehead. The Saivites wore three horizontal strokes of the vibhoothi or sacred ash while their Vaishnavite counterparts wore a long 'U' shaped decoration in white with a vertical stroke of vermillion stretching between the eye brows. These marks are no longer in use as catholicity, now marks the Hindu faith.
Sri Parthsarathy Temple (Chennai)
This Vaishnavite temple in Triplcane (near the Marina Beach) is dedicated to Lord Krishna who was a charioteer to Arjuna during the kurukshetra war. It is a splendid creation of the Pallavas of the 8th century . The usual chakra associated with Mahavishnu is conspicious by it's absence. Sridevi and Bhoodevi-the consorts of Lord Vishnu are seen at either side of the Utsavamurthy (mobile deity).
Tanjore (Madurai)
The beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India.
Shree Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)
This temple is dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Every day, the Meenakshi Temple attracts pilgrims in thousands, from all over India. The temple is named after the daughter of a Pandyan king who, according to legend, was born with three breasts. At the time of the birth, the king was told that the extra breast would disappear, when she met the man she was supposed to marry, and this happened when she met Lord Shiva on Mount Kailas. Shiva arrived in Madurai, later, in the form of Lord Sundereshwara, and married her. The Meenakshi temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with gopurams or multi pillared halls, covered from top to bottom, in a profusion of multicoloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple occupies an area of around six hectares, and has four entrances to it.
Nataraja Temple (Chidambaram)
Chidambaram was a Chola capital from 907 to 1310 and the Nataraja Temple was erected during the reign of Vira Chola Raja (927-997). The complex is said to be the oldest in southern India. It covers 13 hectares and has four gopurams, the north and south ones towering at 49m high.
Two of the gopurams are carved with the 108 classical postures of Nataraja, Siva in his role as the cosmic dancer.Other notable features of the temple are the 1000-pillared hall, the Nritta Sabha court carved out like a gigantic chariot, and the image of Nataraja himself in the inner sanctum.
There are other temples in the complex, including those dedicated to Parvati, Subrahmanya and Ganesh, and a newer Vishnu temple.
The Nataraja Temple courtyard with its many shrines is open from 4 am to noon and 4.30 to 9 pm. The special puja ceremony, held at 5 pm every Friday evening, is certainly spectacular with fire rituals and the clashing of bells and drums. Every other night, at the same time, regular puja ceremonies are conducted. Although non-Hindus are not allowed right into the inner sanctum, priests around will take you in – for some fee
Bhavani (Coimbatore)
The Sangameshwarar temple at Bhavani is situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and the Cauvery. This place is called as "Tiruveni of South India". It is an important pilgrim centre. Lord Sangameshwarer with His consort Vedanayaki is the presiding deity. It is said that during the East India Company regime the then Collector of Coimbatore and Salem Districts, William Garrow, who had his headquarters at Bhavani, worshipped the Goddess Vedanayaki. One night the Goddess directed him in his dream to vacate his bungalow immediately. The moment he vacated, the entire bungalow collapsed. In reverence of this miracle, he presented to the temple an ivory cradle which is still in the temple with his signature.
Meenakshi Amman/Sunderashwer Temple (Madurai)
An excellent example of Dravidian Architecture, The Meenakshi Temple attracts devotees from all over India and tourists from all over the world. The numerous shrines of the temple are bustling with activities from Dawn to Dusk. The Gopurams of the Meenakshi temple are covered with profusion of multi coloured images of Gods, Goddess, animals and many mythological characters.
Vaikuntha Perumal Temple(Kanchipuram)
An important Vishnu temple built by the Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla, in the 7th century AD. Numerous inscriptions are found in the temple, relating to the wars between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.
Kailasanatha Temple (Kanchipuram)
Built by Rajasimha and his son Mahendra the 3rd, in the 8th centuryAD.
Devarajaswamy Temple(Kanchipuram)
Also known as Varadarajar temple, it is a massive and impressive edifice. The shrine of Devarajaswamy is located on an elephant-shaped rock called Hastagiri.
Kamakshi Amman Temple (Kanchipuram)
This is one of the three holy places of Shakti worship in India. The other two are in Madurai and Varanasi. The temple in its present form was built by the Cholas, during the 14th century AD.
Suchindram (Kanyakumari)
The Thanumalayan temple, here, is a repository of art treasures, belonging to many kingdoms. The presiding deity in the form of a Linga, denotes Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Inscriptions, said to be of the 9th century AD, can be found in this temple.
Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple)
This temple, 6 kms north of the city, is among the most revered shrines to Lord Vishnu in South India, and probably, the largest temple complex in India. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this 13th century temple has 21 gopurams. The town, and the temple, are set on a 250-hectare island in the Cauvery, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple is very well preserved, with excellent carvings, and numerous shrines to various gods, though the main temple is dedicated to Vishnu.
Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameshwaram)
Close to the sea, on the eastern side of the island, is this 17th century temple, renowned for its magnificent pillar corridor, running to a length of 1200 metres, and flanked by ornate pillars. This is the longest corridor in India. Construction of the temple began, in the 12th century AD, and additions were made to the building, over the succeeding centuries by various rulers, and, today, its gopuram is 53.6 metres high. There are 22 sacred wells in the temple, the water of each tasting different from the others.
Agnitheertham (Rameshwaram)
100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana.
Gandamadana Parvatham (Rameshwaram)
Situated on the highest point in the island, 2 km north of Rameswaram town centre, is the venerable shrine, housing the imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a chakra.
Dhanushkodi (Rameshwaram)
Dhanushkodi, at the eastern end of the island, is located 8 kms away from Rameswaram. This is the place where Rama is said to have bathed, and the boulders that pepper the sea between here and Srilanka, known as Adam's bridge, were the stepping stones used by Hanuman to find Rama's wife Sita, after she was abducted by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the sea, in the 1964 cyclone. The only surviving relic of the past is the Kothandaramaswamy temple, which still contains the icons of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana. Legend states that Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered to Rama at this spot.
Tirupullani
Also known as Dharbasayanam, the Vishnu temple at Tirupullani, is dedicated to Lord Adi Jagannatha Perumal.
Uthirakosamangai
The site is famous for the Shiva temple, the deity of which is carved in emerald. The annual 'Arudhra' festival in December, attracts a large number of tourists.
Erwadi
An important site for Muslim pilgrims, Erwadi houses the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia. The annual festival in honour of this saint, takes place in December.
Arjuna's Penance (Mamallapuram)
Carved in relief on the face of a huge rock, Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the river Ganges, issuing from its source, high in the Himalayas. The surface of the rock has detailed carvings showing the most endearing and natural renditions of animals. It also shows deities, and other semi-divine creatures and fables from the Panchtantra. Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers and a consummate archer, is shown standing on one leg, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva. It is said that Arjuna had made a journey to a bank on the river Ganges to do penance, in the hope that Shiva would part with his favourite weapon, the pashupatashastra, a magic staff or arrow
. Shore Temples (Mamallapuram) |
The shore temples were built in the 7th century, during the reign of Rajasimha, and depict the final phase of Pallava art. These beautiful temples, ravaged by wind and sea, were given the World Heritage listing, a few years ago. The two spires of the temples, contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu and for Lord Shiva. The Mahabalipuram dance festival is held every year from January 15 to February 15. During this period, dances from all over the country are staged here, including Kathakali from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh as well as tribal dances, puppet shows and classical and traditional music concerts.
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