Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 77

Travel to Quepem in Goa

Shri Damodar Temple, Zambaulim Village, Quepem- Goa

The Portuguese inquisition

How can we ever forget? 

The torture, the conversions, and the deaths

During the turbulent period on 1565

Stood a temple of Prabhu Damodar

An incarnation of Prabhu Shiva

That was torn down to build

The Holy Spirit Church in Margo-

The pride of Goa standing on the ruins of another’s belief 

Source: Hindu Temples- India

The murti of Prabhu Damodar was saved

Moved to another location

By the Mahajans of Madgon;

Oh, not one or two

But all the local deities-

Source: Prudent Media

Shri Ramnath, Prabhu Damodar, Laxmi-Narayan

Chamundeswari, Mahakali, and Prabhu Mahesh

Carried in safety to Zambaulim;

Too intolerant aren’t we?

Not even allowing the invaders

To bury our faith forever 

Source: Hindu Temples- IndiaShri Damodar mandir belongs to the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins

Who have been caring for it for years

Inside the mandir are the murtis

Of Prabhu Lakshmi Narayana Devi Chamundeshwari, and Prabhu Shiva

Shigmo, a yearly festival

A celebration of Goa Hindu spring

Lasts for a week at this mandir

Colorful and bright, it spreads happiness and bhakti

Source: Swarajyamag*************Note: I would like to thank my school teacher, Lakshmi mam, and her husband for giving me insights to find more information about the temple. 

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Source: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_Damodar_Temple 

http://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/damodar-temple-zambaulim-goa.html

https://www.thegoavilla.com/goa/distanation/south-goa-damodar-temple.html

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If you want to know more about the Goan Inquisition, check this video: 

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The Path from Pattadakal Leads to Punnainallur Mariamman

Sangameshwara Temple, Pattadakal- Karnataka 

It’s the Chalukya kings again

Vijayaaditya Satyashraya in 733 AD

Built the Vijayeswara aalayam

Now called the Sangameshwara mandir

Source: Harsha- Twitter

Located between Virupaksha and Galaganatha

Sangameshwara mandir is the oldest in Pattadakal

Half of it lay in ruins-

Source: ManishjaishreeThe rangamadapa* with 20 pillars is no longer intact

The Nandi mandapa in the front has seen its share of damage

A few murtis survived, here and there on the outer walls

Displaying the glory of the history that was 

Source: Live History India***********Note: Rangamanapa- a vast open place in a temple where arts like dance are performed to please God. 

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Punnainallur Mariamman, Thanjavur- Tamil Nadu 

Flaunting the Dravidian and Maratha architecture

The 17th-century kovil* was built by a Maratha ruler

But years and years ago it started one night

When Mariamman appeared in the dreams of Venkoji Maharaja Chakrapathi

On his pilgrimage to Samayapuram Mariamman kovil 

Source: Rangan Gurupriyan- PinterestFind me in Punnai forest near Tanjore*, she ordered

The king ran to the place to find a huge white anthill

Standing tall and proud where the Amman murti was to be

Now, the king knew Mariamman resided in anthills

And built a kovil around it 

Source: Thanjavur.info

Years passed and then came Sri Sadasiva Brahamendar

Who carved Amman's murti from the anthill

And installed a chakra* to bring significance to the place 

Source: RVA Temples

Then came the Maratha king,

Spreading Amman's glory across the land

Amman’s murti, you know, is made of sand

And perspires in the hot summer sun

No one even today seems to find the reason

As Mariamman continues to bless her bhakts

Gifting them health and prosperity

 **************

Note:

Kovil- temple in Tamizh (Tamil)

Tanjore- Tanjhavur

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Source: 

https://www.nativeplanet.com/pattadakal/attractions/sangameshwara-temple/ 

https://www.trawell.in/karnataka/pattadakal/sangameshwara-temple 

https://thanjavur.info/thanjavur-tourism/punnainallur-mariamman-temple-thanjavur/ 

https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/thanjavur/temples/punnainallur-mariamman-temple.php 

http://www.findmytemple.com/en/amman-temple/t149-punnainallur-mariamman

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Say Om at Omkareshwar Temple & Reach Osian

Omkareshwar Temple, Indore- Madhya Pradesh

 

Omkareshwar Temple- Madhya Pradesh

Omkershawar mandir, one of the 12 jyotirlinga

Is located right where river Narmada and Kaveri come together 

On a scared island in the shape of Om (ॐ)

 

Vindhya, the deity of the Vindhya Mountains 

Created a geometrical pattern and a lingam

Made of sand and clay 

To atone for the sins he committed 

Prabhu Shiva pleased by his dedication

Gave him darshan in two forms- Onkareshwar and Amaleswara

Source: Temple Purohit

Another piece of history talks about 

King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku clan 

The same clan from which Bhagwan Rama descended

The king’s sons Ambarish and Muchukunda 

Served severe penance to please Prabhu Shiva 

 

There is one more story that comes 

Straight from the Hindu scriptures 

And talks about the great war between the devas and danavas*

Which was won by the demons and caused worry in the devas

They prayed to Prabhu Shiva, and he appeared 

To defeat the demons and restore the world 

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Note: 

Danava- demon

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Sachiya Mata Temple, Osian, Jodhpur- Rajasthan

Osian is the Khajuraho of Rajasthan

With the mesmerizing Hindu and Jain mandirs 

Dotting the desert land 

Source: Holidify

The Sachiya mandir from the 8th century

Was built by the Parmar king Upmendre

To please his kuladevi, Maa Chamunda Devi 

Renovate again in the 12th century 

To include two smaller mandirs for Maa Amba and Maa Chandi

The structure is intact, retaining its glory through the centuries

Source: Vedic Bharat

The bhakts today visit the mandir 

During the Nvatri season to pray to Mata Sachiya

Who they claim is none other than Maa Durga 

Source: Rajasthan Tour Planner

Back then, centuries ago

Buffaloes were sacrificed to please the Devi

Sri Ratna Prabh Suri, a Jain Acharya, 

Put an end to the custom and caused anger to Maa Chamunda

Yet, he refused to relent and change his decision 

Which pleased Mata, who began to accept lapsi* as offerings

The Acharya then renamed her Mata Sachiya

To mark the change in her 

Source: Royal Valley Tourism*************Note:Lapsi- A Rajasthani sweet dish

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Source: 

https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/madhyapradesh/omkareshwar.html

http://www.ajitbhawan.com/blog/attractions-in-jodhpur-sachiya-mata-temple-in-osian/

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Navlakha Temple and Nili Chhatri

Navlakha Temple- Gujarat

 

How did Navlakha mandir get its name?

Let me tell you this interesting story-

The Jetwa king in the 11th century 

Built a mandir for the Surya deva 

At the cost of nine lakhs 

And named it the Navlakha mandir  

Source: Jitu Jam- PinterestFlaunting the Solanki and Maru-Gurjana architecture  

The mandir stands amidst the ruins of the Solanki era in Ghumli

Earlier in the 10th century was first built

The Ghumali Ganesh mandir for Bhagwan Ganesha 

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

The mandir entrance has long collapsed 

Yet the sanctum stands tall, the three Shringar Chokis 

Flaunting their marvelous beauty with 

Eight-pillared mandaps on the sides

At the little distance away is a stepwell-

Vakai Vaav, the laregest in the Kathaiwar region

Built by Vakiaji, the Jethwa ruler Source: Gujarat Information- Twitter

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Nili Chhatri- New Delhi

An ancient temple with a blurred history 

The Nili Chhatri* mandir is at Salim Garh Fort in Yamuna river 

Famously called the Pandavalaya mandir

Source: ePuja

Local lore says that the mighty Pandavas 

Performed the Ashwamgha yagna* here

As it is one of the five temples 

Built by the Pandava kings in the city of Delhi 

Long, long before it became what it is today 

Source: Rgyan

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Note: 

Nili Chhatri- blue umbrella  

Ashwamgha yagna- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvamedha 

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Source: 

https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/navlakha-temple-at-ghumli-travel-guide-history-timings-how-005301.html

https://www.apnisanskriti.com/temple/navlakha-temple-ghumli-gujarat-3909

http://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/navlakha-temple-ghumli-gujarat.html

https://tours.sacredyatra.com/temples/neeli-chhatri-temple/

https://rgyan.com/en/temples/nili-chatri-temple

https://www.thedivineindia.com/nili-chatri-mandir/5948

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Meet Me in Tamil Nadu- Let's Travel to Kerala

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai- Tamil Nadu

 

An aalayam as old as the first century CE 

Built by Kulashekar Pandyan of the Pandyan dynasty 

Taking orders from Prabhu Shiva himself 

Who appeared in the King’s dreams 

 

A central majestic structure in the middle of the ancient city

The scholars in the 6th century met for discussions in the pious land 

Source: Travel Triangle

How we wish we saw its original grandeur 

Destroyed by the Muslim Sultanate in the 16th century 

Rebuilt it was by the Vijayanagara empire 

After defeating the invaders

Further expanded the aalayam was in the 17th century

By Vishwanatha Nayakar of the Nayaka dynasty 

And by Thirumalai Nayak, who followed the previous king’s footsteps 

Yet, destruction struck again

This time, in the form of the British rulers 

Source: Maria Adelaida Trujillo- Pinterest

The locals were determined to protect their heritage in 1959

Instead of praising the glory of the invaders 

And choose to restore the temple by collecting donations 

 

The story of Meenakshi is a fascinating one

A triple-breasted girl born out of the fire 

As a result of a yagna performed 

By King Malayadwaja Pandya and his queen Kanchanamalai

Confused they were at the gift bestowed upon them

When Prabhu Shiva assured them that things would be fine

Source: Vijay Hotels

Meenakshi’s third breast disappeared when she met her husband 

And the wedding took place in Madhurai

With Bhagwan Vishnu taking the place of Meenakshi’s brother 

And why wouldn’t he? 

When she was none other than Maa Parvati 

Marrying her beloved Prabhu Shiva 

The wedding ceremony is celebrated every year-

Chaithirai Triruzha known as Tirukalyanam 

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Maha Vishnu Temple, Thirunelli- Kerala

Chera king Kulaseheran, a bhakt of Bhagwan Vishnu

Built the temple during his reign AD 767 and AD 834

Propagating the Vaishnava order 

Proving his bhakti through the famous Sankrit work Mukundamaala 

Source: Kerala Tourism

Thirunelli, they say, comes from Nelli, a gooseberry

The fruit of the tree under which Bhagwan Brahma 

Found the murti of Prabhu Vishnu

 

A king from Coorg tried to renovate the temple 

Only for it to be opposed by the Vellattiri King

The remains of which we see even to this date 

Source: Kerela Travel ExplorerWater for the temple came from the Papanasini stream 

Until a drought caused the region to go dry 

The wife of Chirackal Raja of the Vaarikkara Nayanar Tharvad 

Came to know of the locals’ plight 

When she visited the temple for pooja 

Source: RVA Temples

She went back home to send materials 

To build a water supply to the temple 

From a water source, Varaham, somewhere in the dense forest

Open granite supported by pillars with murals carved on them

The structure even today brings fresh mountain stream to the Prabhu’s abode 

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Source: 

https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/meenakshi-temple.html

http://thirunellitemple.com/history.php

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Landing in Odisha

Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar- Odisha

One of the largest mandirs in the city 

As old as the 7th century, flaunting the Odissi architecture 

The Lingaraja mandir is devoted to Prabhu Shiva 

The 8-inch lingam is said to be a Swayambhu

Rising from the earth as naturally as the air we breathe 

Source: Native Planet

The mandir has yet another fame as a land of Hari-Hara

Bringing together the bhakts of 

Prabhu Shiva and Bhagwan Vishnu 

While gaining a mention in the Brahma Purana

Source: RVA Temples

An interesting piece of history adds charm to this land 

With a claim that Prabhu Shiva expressed 

His favoritism for Bhubaneshwar than the much revered Banaras

Maa Parvati was intrigued and decided to investigate 

Source: India the Destiny

She descended as a cattle girl in the city 

To explore its beauty 

Two demons blocked her path

Proposing their desire to marry her 

When her refusal failed to dent their eagerness

Maa Parvati vanished and went back home

And they say Prabhu Shiva created the Bindu Sagar Lake 

To give the place its importance in the space of the time 

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Lankeswari Temple, Mahanandi- Odisha

 

A small temple is located in the river Mahanadi 

It drowns during the floods and stands high again 

Year after year, as bhakts come 

And pray to Devi Lankeshwari in Sonepur 

Source: Bande Odisha- Facebook

Sonepur has another name- Paschime Lanka 

Denoting that the king Raavana from the Tretayuga 

Had controlled Sonepur as Dwitiya* Lanka 

And brought the murti of Maa Lankeshwari 

From Lanka to protect this land as his own  Source: OdiKala

Now it’s the local fisherman community, 

The Kaivarta’s who pray to Maa Lankeshwari 

To keep them safe as they sail the rough waters in the seas 

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Note: 

Dwitiya is second 

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Source: 

https://www.mahashivratri.org/shiva-temples/lingaraj-temple.html

https://www.thrillophilia.com/attractions/lingaraj-temple-bhubaneswar 

https://subarnapur.nic.in/tourist-place/lankeswari-temple/

http://www.indiamapped.com/temples-in-india/odisha-lankeswari-temple-sonepur/

https://www.ishtadevata.com/temple/lankeswari-temple-sonepur-subarnapur/

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Kolhapur to Khajuraho via Ellora

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho- Madhya Pradesh

Source: Mahashivratri

Built the Kandariya Mahadeva Mandir 

After Muhammad Mahmud Ghaznavi 

Attacked the Kalinjar fort again and again 

Only to fail and concede defeat 

Source: Remote Traveler

Dedicated to Prabhu Shiva 

The mandir from 1025-1050 AD 

Is the largest, tallest, and intricately carved structure in Khajuraho 

That complies with the rules of Vaastu 

And appears as a shiv ling to the aerial view 

Getting another name Chaturbhuj aalayam 

Source: Dreams Tiem Stock Photos- Pinterest

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Kailasha Temple, Ellora (cave 16)- Maharashtra

 

Krishna I, the king of the Rashrakuta dynasty 

Someone between the 8th and the 10th century 

Ordered the biggest monolithic temple in Ellora 

Source: Angela St John- Pinterest

The caves of Ellora spans centuries of marvels 

As each king continued the tradition

In the flourishing commercial center of the Deccan region 

Source: BritannicaImagine carving the tough basalt of the Sahyadri hills

With nay advanced technology except for skills 

Beyond modern-day comprehension 

The mandir stands stall in the Dravidian architecture 

Source: VedicFeed

Among more than 100 structures

The Kailasha mandir in cave 16 

Was built from the top, as the sculptors chipped their way down

Architech from Kokasa, the mastermind,  

Suggested this idea when the queen in her ill-health

Vowed to fast until she was the mandir’s shikara 

Let’s built the shikara first, the architect suggested

So that the queen would break her fast and continue to live 

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Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur, Kolhapur district- Maharashtra

Have you visited the masterpiece of Chalukyan architecture?

Located in Kolhapur, Kopeshwar mandir saw glory and destruction

Surviving enough to share its story with the coming generations

Some say it was built by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century 

Others say it was the Kalyani Chalukyas from the 9th century 

A few others declare it was the Shilahar kings from the 12th century

 

Source: Hermeticus Azalamb- Pinterest

The inscriptions on the walls in old Kannada and Devanagari 

Thankfully hold the clue to the origin 

Mentioning the Yadava Kings of Deogiri from 1204

As the ones, who renovated the structure 

To give fresh artistic additions 

Source: Ajay Pandey- Twitter

What do we even say about the Swarg Mandap 

A circular stone disc held high by 48 pillars

All carved to the minutest details, displaying art like no other 

The Grabhagriha or the sanctum is no different 

As every mesmerizes with the sculpting of the highest perfection

Source: Sid- the Wanderer

Kopeshwar mandir shares history with Maa Sati’s death 

As Prabhu Vishnu enters the scene to pacify the Eshwar 

To control his anger and save the world from destruction 

The mandir has two shiv lingams, one for each of them 

Marking the event forever in the pages of history  

Source: Story at Every Corner

Alas! The mandir lost a part of its charm 

When Aurangzeb, during his 1702 CE visit 

Destroyed the murtis and scattered the broken parts around 

The majestic 92 elephants, each uniquely carved on the outer walls

Are a testimony to the destruction caused by the Mughals 

With their broken trunks and leftover bodies 

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Source: 

https://greatancientindia.com/kandariya-mahadeva-temple-khajuraho/ 

https://www.livehistoryindia.com/amazing-india/2020/04/25/ellora-kailasa-temple 

https://www.inditales.com/kopeshwar-temple-khidrapur-maharashtra/

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Jageshwar Dham and Jwalamukhi ki Jai Ho

 Jageshwar Temple, Almora- Uttarkhand 

 

On the banks Jatganga river,

Surrounded by the encompassing deodars

Are 124 stone mandirs scattered in the town 

With lush green mountains in the background 

Source: Temple Purohit

Built by the Katyuri kings 

Sometime between the 7th and 11th century 

Prabhu Shiva, Jageshwar, Lakulisha, Kedareshwar

Maa Lakshmi, Maa Durga, Maa Chandrika,

Mrityunjay, Pushti Devi, and many more deities 

Call each aalayam their home

Jageshwar aalayam, the 8th Jyotirlinga 

Has a swayambhu linga, swami Nagesh Darukabane 

Source: About Uttarkhand

The Pandavas, they say, performed their last rites 

At Jageshwara, while on their Mahaprasthan

More than 25 inscriptions in Sanskrit and Brahmi

Adorn the walls and pillars of the aalayam

Belonging to different periods- Katyuris, Mallas, and Chands

Proof of their contribution to protecting and develop their dharma

Source: Uttarkhand Travel Tourism 

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Jawalamukhi Devi Temple, Kangra- Himachal Pradesh

One of the 51 Shakti peethas, the mandir is dedicated 

To Jwalamukhi- Devi of Light, known as the Flaming Goddess

Here is the place where Maa Sati’s tongue fell

After she sacrificed her life by jumping into the havan fire 

Source: ixigo

The mighty Pandavas worshiped the flame here

Glowing bright fire, a manifestation of Maa Jwalamukhi

Another theory says the flames come from the demon Jalandhara

The one who was crushed to death by Prabhu Shiva 

And each flame named after the Devis

Radiates life as the bell gifted by the Nepal king echoes in the hall 

Source: Native PlanetThe fire burns and burns and burns 

Without a break or a pause;

Why even the Mughal king Akbar 

Tried in vain to douse the flames 

Only to surrender and accept defeat 

Source: Myoksha

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Source: 

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/jageshwar-dham-in-uttarakhand-an-ancient-land-of-temples-and-gods/1661663/

https://almora.nic.in/tourist-place/jageshwar-dham-temples-almora/

https://www.india.com/travel/kangra/places-to-visit/temples-jwalamukhi-temple/

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Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple

Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple- Tamil Nadu

Irrukkankudi, the land where rivers Vaipparu and Arjuna meet

Is home to a temple more than 500 years old 

Maa Mariamman sits with her right leg folded,

A posture that’s the opposite of how she adorns the throne 

In the rest of her aalayas. 

Source: RVA Temples

Under the beautiful vimana of the aalyam

Lay the artha mandao and maha mandap

Nandeeswara and Kodimaram align outside

Vinayaka rests under the Arasa Maram 

Vazha Vandha Amma* and Rakachi Amman* sit on the west

Pechi Amman* and Muppdari Amman* have their shrines on the northwest

Kathavarayan* and Vairavamurthi* are at the east 

Karuppusami* has the southeast corner to himself

The bhakts worship the devas and devis in order 

None walking out of turn to change the tradition
Source: Maalai Malar

The story of Mariamman comes from 300 years ago 

When a poojari saw a woman 

Trying to lift a basket full of cow dung 

The poojari and others tried their best to help 

But the efforts went in vain until the woman called out

In a voice that wasn’t her own

Source: ePuja

In the ground below the basket 

Lay the murti of Mariamman 

Waiting to be dugout and cleaned 

To be built a proper abode in the village 

As she would sit guard and keep them safe. 

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Note: 

Vazha Vandha Amma, Rakachi Amman, Pechi Amman, Muppdari Amman, Kathavarayan, Vairavamurthi, and Karuppusami are local deities. 

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Source: 

https://www.templeshistory.in/2020/07/irukkankudi-mariamman-temple-timings.html 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariamman_Temple,_Irukkankudi 

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Hanamakonda Meets Halebidu

Thousand Pillar Temple, Hanamakonda, Warangal- Andhra Pradesh

What can one say about the Kakatiyas

Without mentioning art, music, and architecture

The Veyi Stambala Gudi is yet another example

Of the marvelous architecture of the glorious times

 Source: Sanskriti Magazine- Pinterest

Built by the great King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD

The Chalukya-style aalayam boasts 

Of a star-shaped design supported by thousand pillars

All with rich and intricate carvings, 

Competing with each other to flaunt their beauty

Source: History of India

The huge monolithic black basalt Nandi stands guard 

As Prabhu Vishnu, Bhagwan Shiva, and Surya Deva 

Reside in the inner sanctum, surrounded by mesmerizing pillars 

Source: Surya Prasad Raju- Pinterest

Note: 

Veyi Stambala Gudi- Thousand Pillar Temple

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Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu- Karnataka 

In the Old Town, Halebidu, sometime in the 12th century 

Rose a mandir deriving its name 

From the king Vishnuvardhana Hoysalaswara 

Source: Drive to Kerala

A world heritage site now

It was called Dwarasamudra, 

The capital of the Hoysala kingdom

A testimony to its glory 

Until the Delhi army of the invaders 

Looted and plundered the aalyam in the 14th century

Leaving it in ruins 

Source: Lost Temples

The mandir, built with funds from the public,

Has exquisite carvings in the form of thousand figures 

All depicting the epics, Ramayana and Mahabaratha 

Source: RVA Temples

The dancing Ganesha at the entrance 

And the 240 images in the aalayam 

Have intricate carvings like no other 

Creating a record for the world to see

Source: Manjunath BS- YouTube

How can we not mention the Garuda Sthamba 

A rare pillar built in those times 

To pay homage to the bodyguards

Who sacrificed their lives 

Upon the death of their masters 

The name Kuruva Lakshma is alive even today

With his story depicted on the pillar 

For the future generations to learn 

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Source: 

https://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/divine-destinations/warangal-urban/thousand-pillars-temple.html 

https://warangaltourism.in/thousand-1000-pillar-temple-warangal-hanamkonda 

https://www.truehab.com/holiday/thousand-pillar-temple-in-warangal-the-iconic-rudreswara-temple-of-the-kakatiyas 

https://www.karnataka.com/halebidu/hoysaleswara-temple/ 

https://www.livehistoryindia.com/photo-essays/2017/05/26/hoysaleswara-temple-halebidu 

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