Pachaiyamman Thunai:
THIRUKADAIYUR TRIP
BHEEMA RATHA SHANTHI CELEBERATION:
Couples: Sri. M.Radhakrishnan – Smt. R.Prema
Date: 08 August 2007
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9.30am to 12.00 noon
We celebrated my Parents (Sri.M.Radhakrishnan – Smt. R.Prema) 70th birthday function at Thirukadaiyur Sri Amirthakadeshwarar sametha Abirami Amman temple on 08th August 2007. In Sanskrit, this 70th Birthday function is called as Bheema Ratha Shanthi. If the Husband’s age is 70, then in his Birth star (Nakshathra), this function has to be celebrated.
Thirukadaiyur is a small temple town along the East coast of TamilNadu. It is about 12 kms from Mayiladuthurai and 24 kms from Karaikkal. The shortest route to Thirukadaiyur is via Mayiladuthurai. I heard that the Amirthakadeshwarar - Abirami Temple of Thirukadaiyur was constructed in Chola regime in the 11th Century.
This is the place where you can see old couple perform the pujas and homams which is used in the Marriage. It is a sort of function where they get married again. It is a sort of remembrance of love and thankfulness towards each other.
The Amirthakadeshwarar - Abirami Temple of Thirukadaiyur is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami patter. When Devas and Asuras churned Thiru Parkadal to get Amirtham, they forgot to Worship Lord Vinayagayar, hence Lord Ganesh stole the pot of Amirtham and kept at Thirukadaiyur, it is believed that the Siva Lingam in this temple is made of Amirtha Kudam. Since the pot of Amirtham was hidden here, the lord Ganesh is called as “Kalla pilliyar”. Hence Lord Shiva in this temple is also called as Amirthakadeshwarar.
Markandeya, son of sage Mrikanduwas predicted to live for only 16 years. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped Amirthakadeshwarar in Thirukadaiyur, bringing the water from Ganges through an underground passage to the temple. On the destined day, Yama appeared with his noose, Kala paasa . Markandeya sought refuge in the Lord and embraced the Siva Lingam. The Lord warned Yama not to touch Markandeya as he was under his protection. Yama did not listen and threw the noose that bound Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by this act of rashness, the Lord kicked him with the left leg and held him under his left foot, making him inactive. Markandeya was blessed with ever sixteen. Abirami patter has sung 100 hymns about Goddess Abirami. This is called Abirami Anthathi. The last word of previous song will be the first word of the next song. It is known as Andhathi in Tamil poetic literature.
07.August.2007:
We started from Chennai (MKB Nagar) by 6.30am on Tuesday, 07.August.2007. All our close relatives around 50, accompanied with us in a private tourist bus. From MKB Nagar we went to Park town to pick up my in-laws family. From Park town we went to Chrompet to pick up my relatives.
Chengalpattu Vinayagar temple:
We reached Chengalpattu by 10.00am and visited Chengalpattu Vinayagar temple. We finished our breakfast Idli-chutney in the temple. From Chengalpattu we started our journey towards Veerappar (a small village nearby Panruti). On the way to Veerappar, we had lunch at Vasavi Vihar Woodlands Hotel, Villupuram (04146-222093). We reached Veerappar by 1.30pm to pick up my Grand Mother and Aunt. We started by 2.00pm from Veerappar.
Chidambaram Thillai Kalli temple:
We reached Chidambaram Thillai Kalli temple by 4.00pm. We worshipped goddess Kalli with flowers and lemon ghee lamp. Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 A.D. and 1278 A.D. We had snacks and coffee and relaxed for 40 minutes.
Chidambaram Natarajar temple:
We reached Chidambaram Natarajar temple by 5.30pm. It is a very big temple. We purchased fruits, flowers and garlands for the tomorrow’s function.
It is well connected with Chennai by a host of train and bus services. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is only about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. Chidambaram is literally the Northern gateway to the temple trough of Tamilnadu - the Thanjavur - Tiruvarur - Nagapattinam districts featuring hundreds and hundreds of ancient temples, which can be easily accessed from the towns of Mayiladuturai, Kumbhakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
Chidambaram is one of the foremost Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where Natarajar is enshrined in the Chitra Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), Water (Thiruvanaikaval), fire (Thiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). Chidambaram is always referred to as the first of the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalangal and is also regarded as the first of the Tevara Stalangal located on the Northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamil Nadu.
Vaideeswaran temple:
We reached Vaideeswaran temple by 8.00pm. We worshipped Lord Vaideeswaran, Goddess Thaiyalnayagi Amman, Lord Angaraghan and Lord Muthukumaaraswamy. It is called as Angaragha (Mars) Sthalam. If the Mars is weak in one’s horoscope then he/she has to definitely visit this temple and has to perform pooja in this temple.
The presiding deity, Sri Vaidyanathaswamy, is hailed as the healer of all ills. The Lord came here as a Vaidya and cured Angaraha’s leprosy.
Vaideeswaran Koyil or Pullirukkuvelur enshrining Shiva as the divine physician, is also well known for its shrine to Muthukumaaraswamy or Subramanyar. The Tamil name Pullirukkuvelur arises from the legend that Jatayu (a bird), Irukku (Rig Veda), Vel (Skanda) and Oor (the sun) offered worship to Shiva here.
Tiruchaandu Urundai is believed to be medicine (prasadham) for many ailments. This prasadham is distributed after being placed in the Ambal (Thaiyalnayagi) shrine.
We had our Dinner at Hotel Sadhabhishegam, Vaideeswaran Koyil (04364 – 279223)
Night Halt at Thirukadaiyur:
We reached Thirukadaiyur by 11.00pm and stayed at Hotel Bharath Mahal. We booked sufficient rooms for my relatives and they stayed comfortably. Address of the Hotel is:
Hotel Bharath Mahal,
29, Sannathi Street,
Thirukkadaiyur – 609 311
Nagapattinam district.
Phone : 04364 – 287880
04363 - 287780
Rooms were neat, clean and economic too.
Mangala Snanam (Nalungu Function) :
Morning we woke up by 4.00am and performed Mangala snanam to my Parents. Relatives applied Manjal, Kumkum, and Snana powder to my Parents and got their blessings.
Organizer of this function:
At this moment, I want to introduce Mr.G.S.V Ravi who organized this Function in a grand manner. He organized Pooja at temple, Breakfast and Lunch at his home Saravana Illam for us. His service was excellent and quality of the food, he supplied was very good.
His Contact details:
Mr. G.S.V Ravi,
Sri Saravana Illam,
6/9, Sannathi Street,
Thirukadaiyur – 609 311.
Phone : 04364 – 287821
Mobile : 9865847707
Breakfast:
We had breakfast by 8.30pm on 8th August 2007 at Saravana Illam. We took Ashoka Halwa, Pongal, Idli, Vadai, chutney, Sambar and Coffee.
Bheema Ratha Shanthi Function at Sri Abirami sametha Amirthakadeshwarar temple:
We went to temple by around 9.20am. Elephant welcomed my parents and our relatives with Garlands.
My Parents performed Gaja (elephant) pooja and Gho (Cow) pooja.
After sangalpam, following homams were performed by the priests in the temple.
They are
Ganapathy Homam
Mirthunjaya Homam
Ayushya Homam
Navagraha Homam
Nakshathra Homam
Dhanvanthri Homam
Bheema Ratha Devatha Homam
After the completion of all homams, Mangala arathi and Poornaathi is performed by the priest. Then scared holy water present in Kalasam was poured on the head of my parents by all the relatives.
After kalasa abishegam, my parents donated the old dress and weared new silk dress given by my Mother’s Brother Sri.Varadharajan. At the end of the ceremony, my Father tied Mangala sutra to my Mother. All the relatives got blessings from my Parents.
After good Lunch at Saravana Illam, we started our trip to Chennai. On the way we finished our dinner and reached Chennai by 11.30pm.
Our trip was successful and memorable and all our relatives enjoyed the trip.
Mr. Kumar took video and photographs:
He is an excellent person and took the video with our full satisfaction.
His contact address:
Mr. Kumar,
Golden Video,
Madavilagham,
Thirukadaiyur – 609 311.
Phone : 9360254837
9994729565
Kindly visit Thirukadaiyur temple 1 or 2 months before the function date and meet 2 or 3 gurukkals. You will get the clear picture of the function. Some of the good gurukkals are Ganesha Gurukkal, Vishwanatha Gurukkal, etc.,
Mobile number of Ganesha Gurukkal: +91-94420-12133
SUBHAM
