Chidambaram Tillai Natarajar Temple - Amazing Facts and Notes- 29 Jan 2022

• The Chidambaram temple complex proudly boasts of being one of the oldest temple complexes in Southern India. 
• The most unique characteristic of the Nataraj Temple is the bejewelled image of Nataraj. 
• The temple has five main Halls or Sabhas namely the Kanaka Sabha, the Cit Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha.
• The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty, making it one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in South India.
  

This ancient temple in Tamil Nadu is one among the five holiest temples of Lord Shiva or Pancha Bootha Sthalas.

he temple town of Chidambaram is Tamil Nadu’s best kept secret. Situated in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram lies around 200 km from the capital city of Chennai. Synonymous with ancient temples and vibrant festivities, the town ranks high in terms of immense religious significance, rich culture and vital tradition. Speaking of its historical significance, the town was ruled by the Cholas, Pandyas, Marathas and finally the British and is currently thriving on religious tourism.

In the town, lies the Chidambaram temple, also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, which is literally the soul of Chidambaram. The magnificent temple is one among the five holiest temples of Lord Shiva or Pancha Bootha Sthalas. The temple is a mammoth structure and an architectural marvel – which you should visit at least once in your lifetime!

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Thillai Nataraja Temple is of immense religious significance for the followers of Shaivism making it an extremely popular pilgrimage destination in the South of India.

Normally, Lord Shiva is depicted in the form of a ‘Linga’ which is the classic and most commonly found form. However, here in this temple, the highlight is that Shiva is depicted in dancing form and is seen performing “Ananda Tandava”, which translates to “dance of delight”.

Interestingly, what’s more fascinating here is that, Chidambaram temple is one of the rare temples dedicated to both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities. Lord Govindaraja Perumal too is worshipped here.

Synonymous with rich history, the ancient temple has undergone several renovations during the reign of various dynasties like the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras and what stands tall today is the structure of 12th-13th century. It is definitely an architectural marvel!

The massive temple structure has nine gateways and four of these are adorned by “gopurams” or towers that are decorated with highly exquisite and intricate carvings. There are five elaborate halls in the temple of which the Raja Sabha or the 1000-pillared hall is one of the most splendid features of the temple. In Tamil, there’s a popular saying, “gopuram darisanam kodi punyam”, which translates to “sight of a temple tower is worth 10 million pious activities.”

How to reach Chidambaram?

• Chidambaram is very well connected by airways, railways and roadways.
• The nearest airports to the town are those located in Tiruchirapalli, 165 km away and Chennai, which is a little over 200 km away.
• The temple town is well connected by train with major South Indian cities and towns in Tamil Nadu.
• Meanwhile there are also a number of private and public buses that ply from major cities and towns of South India to Chidambaram.

Best time to visit

Travellers take note! The best time to visit the town is between November and February due to the pleasant weather and the annual temple festivities in the Shiva temple.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest - A Must visit greenland in Tamil Nadu - 29 Jan 2022 - One day trip from Chennai

The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscape and backwater cruises, but also another very rare sight] – the mangrove forest trees are permanently rooted in a few feet of water. 

Tamil Nadu Tourism: Pichavaram is one of India's rarest natural wonders, and it's one you shouldn't miss because it offers more than 400 water pathways for boating, fishing, and other leisure activities.

A haven for migratory birds such as snipes, egrets, storks and herons, the best time to visit the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is between November to February.

 A 4 hour boat ride entitles you to spend some time at the Pichavaram beach. At the beach there isn't much to see. You can see sea water and backwaters merging (if you can walk a lot), there're a few dried up coconut trees, bushes and of course the untouched beach

Pichavaram is safe and is well maintained by TTDC.

• FAST FACTS. ...
• » Mangroves protect water quality by removing nutrients and pollutants from. ...
• » Mangrove peat absorbs water during heavy rains and storm surge, reducing. ...
• » Mangroves provide nursery habitat for many commercial fish and shellfish, ...
• » Mangroves protect species that are the basis of a $7.6 billion seafood.

Is there mangrove in Pondicherry?

The Pichavaram mangrove forests, some 70 km south of Pondicherry and 15 km east of Chidambaram, is a scenic location deservingly celebrated in Malayalam and Tamil movies. This large expanse of greenery is the second largest protected mangrove forest in India

Trip 1/25 - Chenngalamma Paremeshwari Temple - Sullurpet, Andhra Pradesh - 16 Jan 2022

After 18 days of being home bound, in hospital recovering from Covid,  been in long term isolation and treatment,  finally we embarked on the first trip of 1/25 trips we planned this year in 2022, as Raghu and I will be completing 25 years of our married life.    What is the best way to break your quarantine than driving some 100+ kms to a serene Temple which follows all covid protocols,  less crowded ,  absolutely no human handshakes, but breeze through the calmness,  fresh air and greenary on the way.   

Initially our plan was to visit Europe for our 25th Anniversary this year, however, given the ongoing pandemic situation it is not ideal to even plan now and with all the protocols and masks on, I dont think we can enjoy.   So we decided, why not make 25 odd short trips, most of them for a day or 2 to the places we love to visit and not visited before.  We also wanted to do many road trips with both Raghu and Aishu being able to drive and also having ample space for our pet Rumi in our Creta.   Something we enjoy, we can plan-replan- realign as needed, no hard and fast rules, but lot of flexibility on weekend travels and long weekends.   Yes, we already missed 2 weekends and a long weekend, but however, as a family we spent the maximum together time thanks to covid.   So no regrets whatssoever! 

About Chenngalamma Paremeshwari Temple- Sullurpet - Andhra Pradesh

Distance from Chennai :   Around 90 kms  (from our home it was around 110 kms)

Time taken to reach the temple :  Around 1 hour 45 mins

Timings of the Temple :  

Wikipedia link on the Legend of the temple:

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

Contact numbers of the temple: 097008 48008 and 08623 242076

There are no big shops or hotels around the temple, unless you plan to go inside the town of Sullurpeta..so please carry the things you need, including water bottles, food, puja samhan etc as you may need.

Few pictures from our Trip 1/25....May the divine Maa Paremeshwari protect us all from all evils and guide us in the sense of truthfulness,  happiness and success.  May she protect us all from this pandemic,  and remove all health issues, financial troubles, relationship issues or any with which you are fighting with.   May Chenngallamma, embrace us with her love, care and protection!   

'The lease of new life is the gift of God in the New Year!". Thanking the guiding stars of my life! Now as a Covid Conqueror!

Every year, it is my tradition to write the first post of the blog about a favorite deity and this year is no different.    After my family and I had to take our first ride of the year in the Ambulance in the early  hours of 1 January 2022,  I had no thoughts.   There was an absolute blankness in mind,  but a firm faith in the God, that this too shall pass.   I did not even want to do a root cause analysis on the source of Covid that just caught us all at a time, with fullest of its new form variant symptoms and absolutely made us disoriented for a while.    The guiding deities of my life are my parents and grandmother.

As first Aishu drove us to the Rapid tests,  and our little puppy dog waiting eagerly in the car for us to come back,  the tests going positive, again going back home to pick our stuff and getting back in Ambulance to Kings, and the long queues of waiting and having no energy to even stand, we got back to Medway Hospital and took CT scans, needed hospitalization and as a family started our first 'outing' of the year in a very interesting way!

Today is my 10th day in hospital.  Recovering slowly and steadily from the 'Covid' after my family got back home last Friday, 7th Jan.   Yesterday, was my dad's 30th death anniversary.   I spent in silence, meditation and prayers sitting in my hospital bed.   I generally do lot of puja things at home, go to temple, do some food donations and feed cows etc.  This year, being 30th year, I thought few more things in his memory as it is also a Sunday.  But looks like he had different plans for me.  Most of the day, I spent in chanting, in his good old memories,  his guiding light and blessings all these years.   Just a week back, I went around the places where I spent most of my childhood with him.  Recalling those was the best part of the day.

Covid took the energy out of me like hell...fatigue like never before...longest stint of hospitalization,  weakening my heart and fluctuating my diabetic levels crazily like never before (Of course, I am a sweet person, I am loved!).    Cough, intermittent fever, severe cold, body-aches, headache like a rock on my head, tiredness (crazily sleeping 18 hours and feeling tired ugh),  pandemic did not spare us and the universe wanted us to experience this too!  

First time in many years, I spent a whole week gadget free,  away from internet, continuous conference calls, laptop and social media.   Phone was the only connect with loved ones who kept worrying about us.   It showed me how lucky I am to have my family backing me up...especially my sisters and families, and Raghu's sister and elder brother family and loads of friends, cousins and extended family who prayed for us.   Especially we will be truly grateful to Raghu's sister for taking care of our 4 month old Rumi with so much of love.   The strongest of my sisters crying every time seeing me having ups and downs being bed ridden, was a mixed emotion to experience.  My office, colleagues and friends in our Covid support team,  everyone wishing me well.  Sometimes,  adversities show you what you have earned in life.   The people who love you is what matters and in that way, I think I am absolutely rich!

Yes, we did have had a rough beginning to the year!   WE did have a scare of life.  We did experience the pandemic.   However, this did not deter our spirits.    

I may need some more time to get back to my active social life...but this whole experience had only strengthened my resolve.   I may upset my sisters who keep pushing me to be selfish and focus on my life, my health and family at least now.  Of course I will do that.  I will respect their thoughts for me.  I love to listen to them.   But same time, I will also surely listen to what my heart says.  What my calling is!  This time, I will not risk my health but will surely give back the way I still can.  After all, this is one life.   I will live my life to the lees!

Thank you everyone for making my journey meaningful.   Thanks to  my family, friends and all my colleagues, well-wishers and all those great experiences that sculpture me to be a better person!!

2022...Please be a bit kinder for rest of the year dear!   Every year is a new leaf in our lives where we take it is as it is and go with the flow.   With a full heart of gratitude and compassion,  thanking my parents who are my guiding stars and sharing with you all our deity Chengalamma Parameshwari. with you all!!!

Divine Light - Remembering my father Shri. N. Sampath Kumar on his 30th Death Anniversary 09-Jan-2022

 30 Years gone by

Yet the light shines

Cannot hear you again, 

but your words echo wise

Memories fade of your physical form

but your dreams don't die in us!

Cherish my 15 years of life with you,

Memories and Lessons are not few,

You have been my one constant

despite of people saying you died, 

Fire that I lit to your pyre

rekindles the first inside me too!

Who am I?  Just a part of you!!

an extension of one man with a smile!

You are the divine force that drives

The true Divine light that guides

Love you Daddy,...gone too soon

But never forgotten :-)