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Singavaram - Sri Ranganathesvara Cave Temple

Name : Singavaram - Sri Ranganathesvara Cave Temple Location : Singavaram is located about 41 km from Viluppuram and 4 km from Gingee and comes under Viluppuram district. Description : The 7th century Ranganatha Cave temple of Lord Ranganatha, the tutelary god of Raja Desingh is on a hill top with about 150 steps. It is a good specimen of South Indian type of rock cut shrine.

The idol of Lord Ranganatha, in a reclining posture, measures 24 ft. in length which together with the inner sanctorum, is carved out of a single rock. It is said to be bigger than that of the idol in Srirangam. Like Thiruvananthapuram Ananthapadmanatha Swamy, the head, chest and leg portions of this Perumal

have to be worshipped through 3 separate entrances. Mangalasasanam was done by Sri Ramanujar On the back wall of the shrine is a magnificent image of Vishnu as Anantasayana, which covers almost the whole wall. Vishnu is shown reclining on the coil of Sesha, whose five hoods are shown above the head of Vishnu such as to form a shade. Brahma, seated on a lotus, is shown issuing out of Vishnus naval. Vishnus left hand is in kataka mudra while the right hand is patting the coil of Sesha. Brahma is shown with four heads, three visible, and four hands. In his upper hands he is holding a akshamala and a vessel, while one lower hand is in vyakhana mudra and another hand is resting on his thighs. On right of Brahma is shown a flying gana, who could be one of ayudha-purusha, personified weapon, of Vishnu. His one hand is raised above, holding something, while another hand is pointing in the direction of the legs of Vishnu, where two demons are shown standing. On immediate left of Brahma is standing Garuda. His left hand is raised in suchi mudra, such as warning the demons, while his right hand is on his waist. His wings are shown behind his body. On Garudas left are shown two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha. One of them is holding a club while his another hand is stretched in the direction towards Vishnu, in suchi mudra . Another one is also holding his club but the club is shown resting over his thigh. It seems that both of them are planning how to attack over Vishnu. Seeing them planning and as Vishnu was sleeping, so Garuda is shown warning those demons. In meantime Sesha also sees the demons approaching so he spits fire from his mouth to move them away. However later Sesha realized that he has not taken permission from Vishnu hence he is ashamed over his act. However Vishnu taps his coil in order to show his approval for his act of spitting fire to move away the demons. The best description of fire and movement of the demons is depicted in Anatasayana panel of Thirumayam. Below the coil of Sesha, on southern side, are shown four figures sitting on ground. Three figures are shown wearing kirita-makuta and raising a hand in adoration. The fourth figure is of Bhu-Devi, who is shown near the feet of Vishnu. This image has been redone many times since the original image of Pallavas hence the original image attributes are not very much clear.

Durga There is a niche beyond the dvarapala niche on northern end. Durga is shown in this niche, standing in tribhanga posture over a buffalo head. This buffalo head represents demon Mahishasura, hence this mudra of Durga is perhaps just after slaying the demon. She has four arms, in upper right hand is prayoga chakra (discus) while upper right hand is holding a sankha (conch). Lower hands are resting on thigh and waist. She is shown with minimal ornaments, a characteristic feature of Pallava art. There are two devotees shown kneeling on the ground. Devotee on viewers left is shown piercing his palm/wrist with a knife in order to offer his blood to the goddess. In earlier article on Mahabalipuram, we have seen a more violent depiction, in Draupadi Ratha, of this sacrifice where the devotee is shown offering his head to the goddess. Another devotee is shown with one hand in kataka mudra, to hold a flower, while another hand is on his waist.
The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m, 94432 85923

How to Reach Singavaram is located about 41 km from Viluppuram and 4 km from Gingee and comes under Viluppuram district. This is a small village hence you might get proper and regular transport, so arrange a taxi from whichever town you plan to visit here. Athulya Nadheswara Temple, Arakandanallur

The beautiful sight of Athulya Nadheswara Temple from the entrance Arakandanallur, is about 2 kms from Tirukoilur(When you get to the Arakandanallur Police Station, turn right. There is a slight incline, and a signboard pointing to the temple can be seen. Take a right turn again and go up the inclined slope, to reach the temple.). It was originally called Araianinallur () Arai (Rock) Ani (Decorate) Nallur (Good Village). Seven tiered rajagopuram, seperate shrines for Arunachaleswara, and the goddess Soundara Kanagambikai Thirugnanasambandar feet Arunacheleshwara swamy installed by Thirugnanasambandar Two nandis in front of him, turning out on either direction. They are said to have turned away, to allow Thirugnanasambandar to have an unobstructed view of the Lord Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma with Aksharamala and Kamandalam, Goddess Sridevi in her unique form Bhairava is found here without his Vahana which is a rare occurrence Sani Bhagavan with one leg placed on top of his vahana - the crow. And Vishnu Durgai An idol of Ramana Maharishi at the spot where he experienced the Divine Light from the Lord, The idol of Thirugnanasambandar next to that of Ramana Pandava Cave, Going down the huge stone steps towards the Pandava Cave, A view of Bheema Theertham and the Draupadi temple over the rock The temple is open between 7 and 11 am and 4 and 6.30 pm.I was given these phone numbers as contacts for the temple - 93456 60711 and 99651 44849. Adhi Thiruvarangam

One of the oldest temples for Lord Ranganatha dating back to Kretha Yugam

Gigantic Ranganatha is bigger than the Lord at Srirangam Located about 60kms South West of Villupuram on the banks of the now completely dry South Pennai river is Adhi Thiruvarangam, an almost unknown and yet, one of the oldest temples for Lord Ranganatha. This temple dates back to the first Yugam (Kretha Yugam) and the first Avathaaram (Matsya Avathaaram). Hence, this Kshetram is referred to as Adhi Rangam. Lord Ranganatha is seen in a gigantic east facing sleeping posture and measures over 15feet, not seen in any other Divya Desam. Historical reference Reference to this temple is found in Skaantha Puranam Uthara Kaandam - 301306 athyayam under Uthara Ranga Mahatmiyam. The story

There are three stories that describe the significance of this temple. 1. The Devas, who lost the Vedic scriptures after being defeated by Asura Shomugan, approached Brahmma who in turn sought the help of Lord Narayana. Finding out the hide-out of the Asura under the sea, Lord Narayana took the form of Matsya and defeated the Asura and handed back the Vedic scriptures to Brahmma. It is believed that the Lord initiated the Vedic lessons to Brahmma in this Kshetram. One sees the Lord with his left thumb folded towards his fingers in a posture indicating this. Acceding to the prayers of the Devas, Lord Narayana is said to have directed his sculptor Vishwakarma to create an image of his similar to the one in Thiru Paarkadal. 2. In Kretha Yugam, a king by name Suratha Keerthi lived a prosperous life but he had one unfulfilled wish. He did not have a child. As suggested by Sage Narada, he came, with his wife, to the place where Lord Ranganatha was sleeping under Adhiseshan and undertook penance. Answering his prayers, he was blessed with four children. 3. Chandran, who showed love to only one of his 27 wives, was cursed by his other wives to lose his handsome looks. He came to Uthara Rangam, undertook penance in the temple tank to the South East of the temple and was liberated from his curse. Hence, the pushkarni here is called Chandran Pushkarani. Lord in a South North Sleeping Posture Lying in a sleeping posture from South to North, Lord Ranganatha has his head on the lap of Sri Devi-on his left, while his left leg is stretched towards Bhoo Devi seen at his feet. To his right is Garuda ever ready to be of service to the Lord. Prarthana Sthalam This is a Prarthanasthalam for: Good Education (as the Lord initiated Brahmma with the Vedic lessons) Progeny(as the Lord granted the wishes of the King who prayed here) and Ones overall well being as Lord Ranganatha himself directed that an image of his be created at this place

Quick Facts Moolavar : Ranganatha in a sleeping posture facing the East Goddess : Ranganayaki Thayar(separate sannidhi) Temple Time : 6am-8pm (does not close for lunch) Priest : Ranganatha Bhattar @ 94446 91885 or 04153 293677 S.Raja Bhattar @ 94429 83479 Villupuram Thiru kovilur- 40kms (Frequent buses from 330am from Villupuram new bus stand) Thiru Kovilur- Manalurpet - 15kms (Government and Private bus every half hour) Manalurpet- Adhirangam-5kms (mini buses- local buses ply here every half hourOne can reach the Northern banks of the temple and cross the Pennai river to reach the temple. There are also buses that reach the Southern side of the temple, in which case there will be no need for one to cross the river)------Thiru Kovilur Ulagalandha Perumal The first Divya Desam to be praised by the Azhvaars The story of Place for one to sleep, two to sit and three to stand Only Divya Desam with a Sannidhi for Durgai Quick Facts Deity : Trivikrama Ulagalantha Perumal East facing standing posture Goddess : Poongoval Nachiyar Utsavar : Ayanar or Gopalan

Azhvaar : 21 Paasurams Temple Timing : 630am-12noon and 430pm-8pm Priest : Prakash Bhattar / Kothandarama (Gopi) Bhattar Tel : 04153 252 552 or 90032 97798

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