Jagannath Temple - Kanathur, Chennai

Temple: Jagannath Temple
Name: Jagannath Spirtual and Cultural Centre
Primary Deity: Lord Jagannath (Lord Vishnu or Krishna)
Place: Kanathur in ECR Road, Chennai
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station in Metro Railway Transport System. If you are from outside of Chennai, come to Chennai and book a cab and ask for ECR.
Bus Route: Get down in Kanathur bus stand in ECR Road. Opposite to Maayajal is a roadside fish market. Take that road and on the first right you will find the sign board directing to the temple.
Special Days: All Days
Additional Information: This temple was built recently. The structure is similar to the one in Puri and Orissa. The temple tower the flag reminds us of the main temple in Puri. The shrine is in wood as against the traditional South Indian stone carving.
Website: http://www.jagannathtemplepuri.com/ (Puri Jagannath Temple Site. I couldn't find the site of Chennai Temple)

History of the Temple

The temple was built recently and contains similar structure of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa. This is very near to the sea, constructed few hundred meters away from the shore. When you eenter the Jagannanth shrine using the few steps, you will be able to see the sea and the beautiful nature.

The people in South India especially the people in Tamil Nadu visiting Orissa is very difficult and hence this was constructed.

Information on Temple and Visiting

This is a replicate of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, India. Lord Jagannath or Lord Krisha is the main deity. The shrine is made of wood as against the traditional stones in South India.

Once you enter the temple, on the left water taps have been provided for washing your hands and legs before entering the sannadhis. Every sannidhi has been provided the walking path to avoid walking on the grass.

On the left is Vinayak shrine (Sannidhi). He looks different with the head slanting as if he is dancing. Opposite to his shirne is his father Siva's Sannidhi.

The Lord Siva's Sannidhi reflect Kasi Viswanath type. Sivan is also drawn on the wall which looks beautiful. If you look at the eyes, it conveys the blessing and shows the power of Lord Siva.

When you go around the any sannidhi you will few more deities are placed on the walls like Parvathi, Agni.

Then is the main deity, Lord Jagannath. Take the steps with the prayers. You are climbing up in your life to reach GOD is one of the messages I see here. Each step reflects various stumbles or opportunities we go through in the life to reach the GOD and we overcome those and reach GOD.

Pooja is done by the Pandit. The difference in the pooja is that, the Pandit gives you flowers after chanting the mantras. Keep them with you. After chanting mantra, he gives few more flowrs and water (a spoon of water) to wash your hands along with the flower. Then after chanting mantras he asks for your Gothram, Natchathiram (star), (Rasi) (sun sign), Name. He will do archana based on the details you have given him. After that, he gives you theertha prasadam and then flower and banana as prasadam.

The place is very silent and you can site there and meditate if ther is no one else. Go around the sannidhi. Do Namaskaram (lie on your stomach with both hands stretched above your head and the tips of each hands touching each other--for Men; You can bent on your knees and bow your head that it touches the grond.

Take your time to do prayers and come down with his blessings so that you can take it with you wherever you go.

Go around the sannidhi and on the back is Sannidhi of Anjaneyar (Baktha Hanuman). There are photogrphas of Lord Rama, Lord Jagannath and the used pooja items. The sannidhi is divided and the back of these photographs is Hanuman Sannidhi.

We sat in the hall for few minutes doing meditation. On the roof, you will see paintings of Krisha and other gods. On the frontside of this hall, you will find the panting describing the great epic Ramayana. With around 20 pictures, the entire Ramayana is explained.

Then is the Maa Vimala's Sannidhi. Here also you can see other deities when you go around the sannidhi.

Then is the Maa Lakshmi's Sannidhi. After you go around the sannidhi, on the left is the cultural academy.

Next is the Navagraha Sannidhi. Here all the Navagrahams--Sun, Moon, Chevvai, Budhan, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu, and Kethu, are kept in line as against the South Indian style of placing them according to their sides.

From here, the gopuram (tower) view is very good. You can take pictures and I did not find any objections.

They temple has basic amneties--water and rest rooms.

Sit for a while in the place alloted. Then you can come out of the temple.

Click here for Pictures including Ramayana Description using Pictures!

Parthasarathy Temple - Triplicane, Chennai

Temple: Parthasarathy Temple aka Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple
Name: Parathasarathy Thirukovil
Primary Deity: Parthasarathy (Lord Krishna), built by Pallavas
Place: Triplicane
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Triplicane Railway Station in Metro Railway Transport System
Bus Route: Get down in Ice House Bus Stand. Take opposite road of the school
Special Days: All Days
Additional Information: This temple was built many hundres of years back and belongs to 8th century. Sarathy means charioteer. Lord Krishna was driving the chariot with Arjuna on board during the Mahabaratha war between Pandavas and Gauravas.
Website: http://www.sriparthasarathyswamytemple.org/

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai. There are shrines for Sri Vedhavalli Thayaar, Sri Ranganatha, Sri Rama, Sri Varadharajar Swamy, the beautiful Narasimha (as Azagiyasingar), Sri Andal, Sri Anjaneya, Alwars, Ramanuja,Swami Manavala mamunigal and Vedanthachariar. There are separate Dwajasthambams (flag) and entrances for Lord Parthasarathy and Lord Narasimha. The gopuram and mandaps (pillars) are decorated with beautiful elaborate carvings, a standard feature of South Indian Temple Architecture. --Wikipedia

Information on Temple and Visiting

Lord Venkateswara promised King Sumathi that he would give darshan as Lord Parthasarathy and he did appear and give darshan.

Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. The Temple had an elephant at the entrance, which is not there anymore.


If you come by vehicle, there is a parking space available. Leave your chappell's outside with vendors. Buy your archana / pooja items.

Free and fee darshan are available and you can decide which one to pick. Currently, the tickets are sold at Rs.10/- and Rs.100/- per person.

Prasadam is sold inside the temple--Vada, Tamarind Rice, Chakra Pongal, Appam, etc.

Almst daily upanyasams are held and you can listen to them and spend some valuable time listening to spiritual stories and slogas.

This temple is said to have Buddha sculptured in one of the pillars inside the temple near Yoga Narasimhar Sannadhi.

There are shrines for Sri Vedhavalli Thayaar, Sri Ranganatha, Sri Rama, Sri Varadharajar Swamy, the beautiful Narasimha (as Azagiyasingar), Sri Andal, Sri Anjaneya, Alwars, Ramanuja,Swami Manavala mamunigal and Vedanthachariar. There are separate Dwajasthambams (flag) and entrances for Lord Parthasarathy and Lord Narasimha.

Prasadam

On most days, devotees are treated to prasadam (offerings to God) consisting of Chakkarai Pongal (A sweet South Indian delicacy made with jaggery, pulses and rice), Puliyodarai (Tamarind Rice) and Thayir sadam (Rice with yogurt/curd).

Hundred and Eight (108) Divya Dharisanams!

There are 108 Divya Desams in India and it is believed that everyone should visit these. Thought it is difficult to visit all the Lord in all the 108 temples, with will and proper planning it is very much possible.

In fact, in the form of human being, we will be able to see the 106 desams and the remaining two can be seen only after the death. So, as human beings, let us try to visit these places and get the blessings of God!

Divya desams in Chozha naadu(Present Tanjavour, Trichy districts)

The following six divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Tiruchchirappalli(Trichy).

1. Srirangam (arangam, thiruvarangam, Koyil)
2. Thirukkozhi (uRaiyuur, nikaLaapuri, uRanthai)
3. Thirukkarambanur(uththamar koil)
4. Thiru veLLaRai
5. Anbil
6. ThiruppEr nagar (koviladi, appakkudaththan)
7. ThirukkaNdiyur (Near Thanjavour)

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Kumbakonam

8. Thirukkodalur (aaduthurai)
9. kabisthalam
10. PuLLambUthangkudi
11. Adhanur
12. Kumbakonam (Thirukkudhanthai)
13. Oppli appan koil (ViNNagar)
14. Naachchiyaar koil (Thirunaraiyur)
15. ThiruchchErai

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Thanjavour

16. ThirukkaNNamangai
17. ThirukkaNNapuram
18. ThirukkNNangkudi
19. Nagaippattinam (Thiru nagai)
20. Thanjai MaamaNik koil (Thanjavour)

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Kumbakonam

21. Thiru nandhi pura viNNagaram
22. VeLLiyangkudi

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Mayiladuthurai

23. TherazhunthUr
24. SiRu puliyur
25. Thalaichchangkadu (thiru thalaich changa naaN madhiyam)
26. IndhaLur

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Seerkazhi or Mayiladuthurai

27. KaavaLam paadi
28. Seerkaazhi (thiru kaazhich cheerama vinnagaram)
29. Arimeya viNNagaram
30. VaN purushoththamam
31. Thiru semponsey koil
32. Thiru maNi maadak koil
33. Vaikundha viNNagaram
34. Thiru vaali Thiru nagari
35. Thiru Thevanaar thogai
36. Thiru theRRiyambalam
37. Thiru maNik koodam
38. Annan koil (thiru veLLakkuLam)
39. Parththan paLLi
40. Chidambaram (Thiru chithirak koodam)

Divya desams in Nadu naadu (Near Cuddalore)

41. Thiruvahendrapuram (Ayindhai)
42. Thirukkovalur

Divya desams in Thondai naadu(Madras,Kanchi areas)

43. Kachchi,Aththigiri (Kanchipuram)
44. Ashtapuyakaram (Kanchi)
45. ThiruththaNkaa
46. ThiruvELukkai
47. Thiru neerakam
48. Thiruppadakam
49. Thiru nilaath thungaL thuNdam
50. Thiru Urakam
51. Thiru veqkaa
52. Thirukkarakam
53. Thirukkaarvaanam
54. ThirukkaLvanUr
55. ThiruppavaLa vaNNam
56. Thirup paramEsvara viNNagaram
57. Thirup putkuzhi

The following divya desams can be visited while staying at Chennai

58. Thiru ninRavUr
59. ThiuvaLLur
60. ThiruvallikkENi
61. Thiruneermalai
62. Thiru idavendhai
63. Thirukkadal mallai (Maamalla puram)
64. Sholingur

Divya desams in North India (Vada naadu)

The following divya desams are in Uttar pradesh except Salagramam which is in Nepal

65. AyOdhdhi
66. NaimicharaNyam
67. Thiruppiruthi
68. ThirukkaNdam kadinagar
69. Badrinath (vadhari)
70. SaaLaggraamam (Nepal)
71. Madhura (Vada madurai)
72. Ayppadi (Gokulam)

Divya desam in Gujarat

73. Dwaraka (Thuvari, Thuvarapathi) A Pilgrim's diary

The following divya desams are in Andra Pradesh

74. Ahobilam (SingavEL kundram)
75. Thiru vEngadam (Thiruppathi, Thirumalai)

Divya desams in Malai Naadu

76. Thiru naavaay
77. Thiru viththuvakkOdu
78. Thiruk kaatkarai
79. Thiru mUzhikkaLam
80. Thiru vallavaazh
81. Thiruk kadiththaanam
82. Thiruch chengkunRanUr
83. Thiruppuliyur
84. ThiruvaaRan viLai
85. Thiru vaN vaNdUr
86. Thiru anandha puram

The following divya desams can be easily visited while staying at Kanyakumari

87. ThiruvattaRu
88. Thiru vaN paricharam

The following divya desams are located near Thirunelveli

89. Thiruk kurngkudi
90. Vanamaamalai
91. SriVaikundam
92. VaraguNa mangai
93. Thirup puLingkudi
94. Thiruth tholaivilli mangalam
95. ThiurkkuLandhai
96. ThirukkOLUr
97. Then thiruppErai
98. Azhvar thirunagari (Thirukkurugur)
99. Srivillipuththur
100. ThiruththaNkaal

The following divya desams are near Madurai

101. ThirukkUdal
102. Thirumaalirum sOlai
103. ThirumOkUr
104. ThirukkOshtiyur (near sivagangai)
105. ThiruppullaaNi
106. Thiru meyyam (near Pudukkottai)

Divya desams in out of this world.(a prapanna can only visit these divya desams after end of his present life)

107. Thirup paaRkadal
108. Paramapadham

Let us pray God that he gives us strength to visit him in all of these places in addition to our own heart and pooja room!!

Anjaneyar Temple - Nanganallur

Temple: Anjaneyar aka Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple
Place: Nanganallur
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Pazhavanthangal Station and ask for direction from Auto / Auto Rikshaw
Bus Route: Get down in Roja Medicals which is couple of stops away from Mount Railway Station.
Special Days: Thursday and Saturday
Additional Information: The Anjaneyar is 32 feet tall and looks beautiful. The temple also has Nagarajan, Ganapathy, Ramar-Sita-Lakshmanan-Anjaneyar, Venugopalan, and Saint Raghavendra sannadhi.
Website: http://www.anjaneyaswami.com

Being a strong devotee of Anjaneyar, I have been to Nanganallur Anjaneyar temple several times seeking his blessings. The temple is in a place called Nanganallur in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, Southern part of India.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

Sri Maruti Bhakta samajan trust, consisting of people with high spiritual beliefs, wished for this temple. with the blessings of Sri Ragavendra swami and Sri Kanchi Paramacharyar entrenched the 32 foot idol of Sri Anjaneyar in 1989 and consummated the Kumbabishekam in 1995. The distinguished factor of the 32 feet idol is that it was molded out of a single rock.

DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE

The Bhaktha Anjaneya temple at Nanganallur in Chennai is known for bestowing better health to the devotees. The idol of the central image is 32 feet in height making it one of its own kind. Sri Rama, Sri Lakshmana and Seetha with Sri Anjaneyar, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Ragavendra and Sri Krishna with his consorts Bhama and Rukmini are also indoctrinated here. The idol is believed to have special power and is considered a healer.

The website of the temple is: http://www.anjaneyaswami.com/index.asp Please visit this site and get updated on the regular and special events performed in the temple. You can also donote to the temple and the details are available in the site.

Information on Temple and Visiting

When you enter the temple, you can leave your footwear outside the temple or with the flower vendors.

You can buy archana items from the vendors. If you go on a weekday, you will not see too many people. If you go on a Saturday, you will see a lot of people because it is a special day for Anjaneyar. From 5 PM till 8 PM you can see the line coming out of the temple and standing still the next street.

Enter the temple. Please note that you switch off your mobile or put it in silent mode. Do not use still, digital or video camera inside the temple. No pictures using any camera (including Mobile).

First you will see Nagarajar Sannidhi (Snake God / King of Snakes) followed by Ganapathi (Pillayar or Elephone God)

Give your archana items on the way to the volunteers and get the token

You will come to Garudazhvar and then Rama-Sita-Lakshmana-Anjaneyar sannidhi

If you want to buy Ghee or Anjaneyar picture, buy it after you see Rama. The counter is next to the Sannidhi.

If you buy Ghee, put it in the Dheepam, which is already lighted. Put the empty bottle in the container.

Go round the Anjaneyar Sannidhi. Get the theertha prasadam. When you do your pradhikshinam, you will see the Yoga Anjaneyar. You have to do the sangalpam there. Then collect the archana items on the backside (on the pradhikshinam route)

You can site and do dhyanam / meditation. Make your sashtanga namaskarm in the place alloted.

Then you will be lead to Venugopala Swamy (Krishnan) Sannidhi. Go around the dhulasi madam and take the aarathi.

You will be lead to take kunguma prasadam. Then the prasadam.

Come out of the temple piecefully with an assurance and believe that Anjaneyar will take care of everything!

DOs inside the temple

Always think about the god
Say only god's name and talk only good things
Chant RAMA RAMA RAMA or your mantra until you come out of the temple
Come in the line and obey the rules set by the temple
Eat the prasadam outside the temple in a neat place, put the dhonnai in the container;

DON'Ts inside the temple

Do not enter the temple after taking alchoal;
Do not enter the temple with your footwear;
Do not wear 'lungi', one of the dresses used by Men
Do not talk anything other than chanting Lord Rama or your favorite mantra
Do not wish others inside the temple
Do not namaskaram others inside the temple regarldess of how senior they are;
Do not violate any rules set by the temple authorities; it is only for the good of us and others to see the god piecefully and get his blessings
Do not use mobile phones and cameras
Do not eat prasadam inside the temple;
Do not spill the Prasadam
---

Main Mantra

Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

----

Sri Rama Jaya Rama
Jaya Jaya Rama

Sri Rama Jaya Rama
Jaya Jaya Rama

---

JAI ANJANEYA!!!

Temples Visited!

I have listed below the temples I have visited so far either alone or with my family or friends. I have tried to provide as much information as possible based on whatever I have gathered through various sources such as internet, temple sources--pandits (the person who performs pooja in the temple), books, etc. Click on the temple and get benefited.

Venkatachalapathy Temple (Balaji / Perumal / Ezhumalayan) - Tirupathi
Anjaneyar Temple - Nanganallur
Eri Kattaha Ramar Temple - Maduranthakam
Then Thirupathi - Vaiyavur
Pandurangan Temple - Thennangur
Marundheeswarar Temple - Thiruvanmiyur
Saibaba Temple - ECR
Saibaba Temple - Mylapore
Kali Temple - West Mambalam