CHIDAMBARAM

Chidambaram is one of the foremost Saivite shrines. The very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Nataraja and is enshrined in the Chit Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the five places of Panchabhoota signifying the 5 elements-wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). Several literary works praise the glory of Chidambaram. Chidambaram is one of the 5 dance Halls of Shiva. The other four dance halls are Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam.

Chidambara Rahasya: This temple is known for a Rahasya or secret (Chidambara Rahasya). Lord Siva makes his presence here in the form of space or nothingness (aroopam). Worshipping Lord Siva here appears to be more of imaginative since one can never see an idol being worshipped. Still, it is not imaginative since Lord Siva in the form of Space is worshipped here. This itself is the Rahasya.

Lord Siva is said to have revealed a vision of his cosmic dance to Patanjali, Vyagrapadar and to all Devas here. Chidambaram is one of the major cultural and traditional centres in terms of its antiquity, richness in terms of worship & festival traditions, in architectural & sculptural splendour, in its association with music & dance.

The Tevaram hymns were rediscovered here after a long gap, under the initiative of the king Raja Raja Chola. The Chidambaram temple predates the Tevaram hymns. The Imperial Cholas considered Nataraja to be their tutelary deitiy and heaped patronage on this temple, and the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar Kings continued their tradition.

Towering gopurams with thousands of figurines, mandapams with sculptured pillars, lend special interest to this vast temple complex. Govindaraja Temple is present within this complex. There are several other features of interest in Chidambaram.

A whole range of worship services are offered to Nataraja and to Tirumoolattaanar here on a daily basis. Margazhi Tiruvadirai and Ani Tirumanjanam provide a climactic finish to the 2 annual festivals celebrated with grandeur here.

How to reach: One can reach the place from Chennai directly. Any mode of road transport including a bus or a four-wheeler can be preferred to reach the place. There is no problem with the frequency of buses.

SOMNATH

Somnath is one of the 12 Siva jyotirlingaas. The temple is on the shore of the Arabian Sea, six km of Veraval in Gujarat. It is said that the temple has been here since ancient times and this is one of the temples raided and destroyed by muslims many times and Mohammad Ghazni was the first to start this.

The legend has it that the temple was built by Soma, the moon god. Soma went ahead to build this temple to atone for the curse Daksha put on him.

Soma was cursed by Daksha since he showed partiality to Rohini over his other wives, who were also daughters of Daksha.

he curse of Daksha caused the wane in moon. However, later Daksha advised Soma to go to Prabhasa to get rid of the curse. It is said that the moon comes here to bath on every amaavaasya or the new moon day. Only after taking his bath here, he regains here light.

However, since moon regains his light here this place is called as Prabhaasa. Literally, Somnath means lord of moon.

River Saraswathi flows in this place and the temple is said to have been built out of gold. Ravana, the lord of Lanka is said to have built this temple out of Silver subsequently. Later Lord Krishna built this temple out of wood and Bheema used stone to build this temple.

The legend also says that about 2000 brahmanaas used to serve in this temple. There were about 500 dancing girls and 300 musicians in this temple.

After the muslims raided and destroyed this temple the solid silver gate was removed and shifted to their homeland.

The present temple was rebuilt in 1950. However, it lost its artistic look. It has a tower over 165 ft over the main sanctum. It was constructed on the exact spot where the origianl temple was situated. Visitors can also see remains of an ancient temple right next to the present temple.

How to reach?

One can reach the temple from Veraval. There is an airport in Keshod, 47 km away. There are daily flights to Bombay. Those traveling by train can board the Girnar Express and the Somnath Mail to go to Ahmedabad. Buses depart from Veraval and Ahmedabad to the temple.

Srisailam

Srisailam is one of the ancient pilgrim centres in the country located in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. Shiva and Parvathi are main deities in this temple and are known as Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba Devi. Pilgrims come from all over the country to worship Lord Shiva here. The temple is situated in the Nallamala forest range at 1500 feet above sea level and is known for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
Srisailam is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country and is the only jyotirlinga in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The presence of Bhramaramba Devi makes Srisailam one of the 18 shakti peethaas in the country. The running streams of river Krishnaveni give a grandeur look to the place and nourish the greenery in the Nallamala range.

The temple has great historical importance in addition to the spiritual. The great sage Vyasa, who wrote Maha Bharata, classified the Veda into four, compiled 18 puranas. Skandhapurana is one of these puranas. In Srisailakhanda of Sanatkumara Samhita of Skandhapurana, Vyasa described about the greatness of this holy temple. It is mentioned in Skandhapurana that lord Shiva narrated the greatness of Srisailam in detail to goddess Parvati.
Lord Rama, after killing Ravana, circumbulated (made Pradakshina) Srisailam to get liberated from the Brahmahatya dosha, attributed to him owing to the killing of Ravana.

Daksha performed Yagna here at Sangameshwara Teertha.
Srisailakhanda says, this mountain was earlier known as Mantharaparvata. Later, a woman called Vasumathi, performed a penance on this mountain for Lord Brahma. The lord, who was happy with her penance, gave her boon and after that she came to be known as Sri Devata. Only after this, the mountain is known as Srisaila.

Temples to visit at Srisailam
Arthanaareeshwara Temple
Parvathi Temple
Vridha Mallikarjuna Temple
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Bhramaramba Temple

Mahashivaratri brings a great festive season at the temple. In addition to the shivaratri day, the whole month is celebrated at the holy mountain.

How to go
There is regular Road Transport Corporation's bus service from Hyderabad, the state capital. However, all the parts of the state well connected to the temple. Those who can afford can also hire private four wheelers for reaching the place.

SRI KANAKA DURGA

Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh, is the sacred pilgrim centre housing one of the most famous and splendorous temples dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga.

Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, is the most visited pilgrim centre, with piligrims visiting the place to attain meritorious worlds and ultimately salvation, the goal of human life. Kanaka Durga temple is situated on the mountain named Indrakeeladri on the banks of the river Krishna.

Kaalika puraana, Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic literature have mentioned about Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as Swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.

The legend says, Indrakeela, a shaakteya devotee did great penance and when Goddess appeared, he requested her to be present on him. Then Goddess Kanaka Durga asked him to assume form of a mountain and after killing Mahishaasura, she resided on the Indrakeeladri.

On the request of the other Gods, Goddess Durga killed the demon Durgama. At that time she has been described to in the golden colour. So the Gods praised her as Kanaka Durga.

In Dwaapara Yuga, Arjuna, one among the Pandavaas, did great penance on this mountain (Indrakeeladri) for Lord Shiva in order to get the most powerful astra called Paashupataastra. Later, Lord Shiva appeared to fulfil the desire of Arjuna and called him as Vijaya (victorious).

The place came to be known as Vijayawada after Arjuna’s victory. Arjuna felt that he could get the astra called Paashupata only by the grace of Goddess Kanaka Durga and worshipped her and named her as Brahmaastreshwari. Arjuna is also known as Phalguna. Since he did penance here, this place is also called as Phalgunikshetra.

It is said that Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Agastya, Bharadwaaja, Markandeya, Paandavaas, Aadishankaraacharya, Sri Krishnadevaraya and many others worshipped the deity in Vijayawada.

Apart from Kanaka Durga, Lord Shiva is also worshipped here as Malleeshwara. The legend says Lord Brahma did penance for Lord Shiva and worshipped him with jasmine (malle) flowers, owing to which Lord Shiva is known as Malleshwara.

In Kaliyuga, Aadi Shankaraacharya, in order to pacify the furious form of Kanaka Durga, installed Shri Chakra and worshipped her. Many people visit this temple. The number of pilgrims goes up every Friday.

Every year on Chaitra Shuddha Pournami, Vasanta Kalyanam is performed to Goddess Durga and Lord Malleshwara. Brahmotsavams in the temple are performed in Vasanta Ritu and the kalyaana performed during the utsavams is known as Vasanta Kalyana.

To reach Vijayawada:
Vijayawada can be reached by train, road or airways. Devotees travelling by train should disembark at Vijayawada junction. Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation runs many buses from all the major bus depots to Vijayawada. From Hyderabad, it takes about six to eight hours to reach the place. There are flights from Madras and Hyderabad.

At Vijayawada, there are adequate boarding facilities and many other sites to complete the tour. The temple committee made elaborate arrangements to cater to the needs of the countless devotees who throng the temple everyday.