Hare Srinivasa
I have already posted Part1 which you can first read here and then please come back to this article to continue reading this Part2,
Every Temple will have a brief history followed by Google Map location and contact numbers.
I would like to submit this article in the lotus feet of Guru Sri Raghavendra Mahan,
Click on the below Sections to navigate accordingly,
Temples in Tirunelveli:
Pappanasam Siva Temple:
Pappanasam Rudra Temple is located about 50 kms from Tirunelveli. The main deity is Rudra devi along with his consort Parvathi devi, initially said to have concreated by Pandya king later renovated during Vijayanagara kingom during 16th century.
It was said Rudra deva along with his consort gave dharshan to Agasthya rishi in kalyana posture(marriage) since Agasthya could not see Rudra devas marriage at Kailasa. It is known that saint Agasthya stays still in the parvatha for many thousand years which is called Trikuta parvatha, which is close to this temple.
Thamirabharani River:
Pappanasam Rudra Temple is located near the banks of Tamirabarani river. Rudra deva does the dharshan of the river Tamirabharani , which has sannidhana of Lord Shri Harih who bestows mukthi.
Saint Vadiraja narrates the beauty of this river in his magnum opus work called “Tirtha Prabhanda”. When the rain water touches the outer shell(Chippi in Tamil) it will automatically create precious Pearl in it, and such is the power of holy Water which is flowing in the river Thamirabarani. When a nonliving(Jada vasthu) is becoming Pearl why cant a living(Chetana Vasthu) attain the holy feet of Lord Shri HArih?
The tatparya is taking a holy dip in the river will bestow Mukthi to the deserving souls as this river creates bhakthi on Lord, and there is no doubt in that. With the bhakthi one has to meditate the lotus feet of Lord and karunakara will surely bless all of us. One has to remember that just taking a dip in the water will never give any mukthi, and one has to create bhakthi by doing so and should meditate sincerely. Sripadarajaru says, one has to create bhakthi,virakthi to attain Lords abode.
Google Map Location:
Agastya Trikuta parvatha & Agastya Falls:
As the story goes, as per Bhagavatha purana when the pandya King Indradyumna was doing meditation in the Trikuta mountain(Agasthya mountain), the great rishi Agasthya entered the place but the King failed to respect the Rishi. As a result rishi did the curse that King would take birth as Elephant in his next birth, and Lord Sri Hari would protect him as a result. This is actually not a curse but a boon to any devotee, as he would get the touch of Lord Sri Harih. This is because the king Indradyumna was a greatest bhaktha of Lord, and hence the boon. This is the story of Gajendra moksha, and the place where Agasthya cursed the king is this place, as per my analysis.
From Brahmanda Purana:
As per orders of Lord Sri Hari, sage Agasthya had to come down to South(Trikuta mountain) and protected the Earth. Agasthya did severe penance on Lord and Lord fulfilled his desire by staying as “Anantha”. Rudra deva also agreed that he would give dharshan to Agasthya in marriage posture, thus it happened in Pappanasam Temple,as explained in the above section.
Taking holy bath in Agastya Falls doing meditation of Lord gives all the benefits. One may have to take proper permission from the Forest officials to enter Agasthya mountain, as it is dangerous because of presence of wild animals. Readers are requested to follow proper procedure, but one may go to Agasthya falls anytime to take the holy bath.
Shri Vadhiraja pays his respects to great Agasthya Rishi here, to bestow us the way to show the path of mokha marga to devotees.
Google Map Location:
Temples in Kanyakumari:
Sri AdhiKeshava Swamy – Tiruvattar
Temple is located about 100 kms from Tirunelveli. Lord Sri Keshava in sleeping posture facing the West direction, looking at his Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple. Idol was made up of 16,008 saligrama shilas, considered to be very auspicious. Lord is about 16 feet height, and devotees will have dharshan of his beautiful posture through 3 entrances, one for holy feet, stomach(where Brahma deva was born), and face which is more than 1000 times brighter than sun, same as Anantha temple at Trivandrum.
Shri Vadhiraja Swamin quotes this temple in his holy book, Lord who rests on the serpent(Shesha sayee), who has beautiful face like Chandra, O Aadhi keshava please show mercy on me! Show your Karuna to all your devotees.
This temple has more than 1000 year history, but was managed by Travancore King Marthanda Varma( who also managed our temple at Pallakkal Venkatathappan, see here to know more), and later by Vijaya nagara kingdom.
Sri Vadhiraja Swamin also narrates the beauty of Kruthamala(Tamirabharani) river which flows near the temple. Swamiji says that taking a holy bath here gives Gyana, with the anugraha of Keshava swamin.
Google Map Location:
Temples in Trivandrum:
Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple:
Temple is located close to 100 kms from Tirunelveli
Sri Vadhiraja Swamin in his holy book writes about the greatness of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy at Trivandrum. Similarly Jagadguru Sri Madhvacharya had also visited Trivandrum Shetra and worshipped Lord.
Sri Vadhiraja worships Sri Anantha, whose feet is worshipped by Sridevi,Bhudevi, who wears glittering jewels, who sleeps on sesha, Chaturmukha Brahma resides in nabhi(belly), who bestows all wealth to his devotees.
This temple is similar to design with Lord Sri Keshava at Tiruvattur, but Lord faces East direction in this temple. Temple has 3 Doors, dharshan of his lotus feet, nabhi(where Chaturmukha Brahma can be seen), and face.
These 3 Doors symbolizes Sravana, Manana and Dhyana. If one who does that sincerely in Meditation(samadhi state) attains vaikunta lokha, this is the tatparya. Thus mentioned in Taitreya Upanishad, Puranas etc.
Likewise, Sri Vadhiraja Swamin prays Lord Anantha to stay in his heart and protect him always. Importantly, Rajaru completes his magnum opus Tirtha Prabhandha by having dharshan of Anantha at Trivandrum temple.
Google Map Location:
Lord Sri Parasurama Temple
Lord Shri Parasurama was one of the avatars of Sriman narayaNa, he destroyed wicked souls and protected sajjanas.
This temple is said to be one of the popular shrine for Lord Shri Parasurama in South India (after the one in Udupi near the birth place of Acharya madhva. Click here). This temple is the only temple for Lord Parasurama in Thiruvallam,Kerala. Lord here looks majestic and beautiful. This temple was said to have built during 12th century situated just 2kms from Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple. One can see this temple on the main road from Tirunelveli <> Anantha Padmanabha Swamy.
Google Map Location:
Lodging/Accommodation:
In Tirunelveli:
There are many Hotels in and around Tirunelveli, if you are a Pure Vegetarian then you could choose to stay at Hotel Janakiram which is very close to Tirunelveli Railway Station or Old Bus Stand. They offer delicious Vegetarian food at decent price along with Accommodation. You can choose the room suite based on your requirement.
Hotel Bharani is also one of the other choice which is located next to this Janakiram. I would highly recommend going for both Accomodation and Food with Hotel Janakiraman, than the later.
If you do not prefer to take food outside and have it only at Temple/Mutt then you could contact Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Tirunelveli @+91-9600272411
In Ambasamudram:
If you are visiting temples in and around Ambasamudram you may go for Hotel Ambai Grand. Click here for Google Map location
Taxi/Cab services in Tirunelveli:
You can find many Travel Agencies who offer Cab/Taxi facility on Package basis. You could contact your Hotel/Accommodation who might also have tie up with Taxi services.
I preferred to go with Green India Travels at Tirunelveli. Mr. Iyyappan (Driver) was friendly and he guided us with many places and we enjoyed travelling with him. Please make use of this travel agency which will meet your expectation,
- Contact Mr.Iyyappan at +916374988817 or +919486898589
(If you want to prepare travel itinerary he will help you to do the same)
— continued
In the service of Lord Sri Harih
Venkatesh Rajendran
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