Andal Devi (Godadevi)
Margazhi is an auspicious month, during which, the temples would get busily scheduled with numerous pujas, festivals and with spiritual discourses, and in some temples, dance and music events would also be organized colourfully, joyfully and wonderfully. Here is a detailed list of beautiful temples which are rich in art and architecture and active during the Margazhi month, which is situated in Chennai.
Those who are enthusiastic in visiting the temples during Margazhi month, let them have a look at the following temples, in order to cleanse their mind, and also to wash away their sins, since Margazhi is considered as the most auspicious month, and it was described as a “HOLY MONTH”, by Lord Krishna himself in his Bhagavat Gita.
Sri Panduranga Temple, Venkatachalam Street, Triplicane, Chennai
Though this is a small temple, yet the idols of Panduranga and Rukmayi (Rukmini) seems to be very powerful. As usual in other Panduranga Temples, in this temple also we can touch the lotus feet of Lord Panduranga and Ma Rukmini in order to shed our sorrows and sins into their purified feet.
Sri Vinayaka Temple, Big Street, Triplicane
There is a famous temple for Lord Vinayaka situated in Big Street, Triplicane. This temple is closer to the famous Hindu Higher Secondary School, Triplicane. Most of the teachers and students would visit this temple for improving their education career. Sundays and Shankatahara Chathurti days would be fully crowded, and we can see lot of Vinayaka Bhaktas who would be eagerly waiting for their turn to break up the Soora Thenkai(Coconut Breaking). Archanais, Alankarams and Abhishekhams would takes place regularly in this temple.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Triplicane
Address: TP Koil Street, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005.
This is a wonderful Mutt of Guru Raghavendra, and this temple is considered as equivalent to the Mantralayam Temple itself! This is called as South Mantralayam shrine of Guru Raghavendra, this temple is popular in Triplicane area, next to Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, and this temple is situated close to Parthasarathy Temple, just located half a kms distance only. We can see lot of Madhwa Brahmins and Hindus belonging to various castes during the early morning hours of Margazhi month, since during that month, special pujas would be done to our great Saint Guru Raghavendra Swamigal.
Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple
This is an ancient temple which was constructed during 8th century AD, dedicated to Lord Krishna, located at Triplicane. The temple is glorified in the great divine text “Divya Prabandham”, and is classified as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The name ‘Parthasarathy’, in Tamil, means the ‘charioteer of Arjuna’, referring to Krishna’s role as a charioteer to Arjuna in the epic Mahabaratha. It was originally constructed by the Pallavas in the 8th century by king Narasimhavarman I.
There is a famous Pezh Alwar street located nearby Parthasarathy Street, and it is believed that the great Alwar Saint Pezhalwar had lived at this place before few thousand years ago. Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt is also situated nearby this temple. Due to the location of this famous temple at this place, land rates have gone up, and it is very difficult to buy even a small piece of land at this famous Triplicane area.
It is also believed that those who sincerely observe fast and worship Lord Parthasarathy at this temple during Vaikunta Ekadasi would attain salvation after their death. There is a permanent endowment scheme for food donation, and devotees can pay the prescribed amount in the temple office for getting registered as permanent food donors. It is a very holy temple, where free food is offered daily to more than 100 devotees.
There is also a Nitya Archana Scheme, wherein at a chosen day, once in a year, Nitya Archana would be performed in our name, and puja Prasad items also would be offered to us. We can find lot of devotees hailing from various parts of Chennai during the early morning hours of Margazhi month, in order to refresh their mind and body by standing in front of the shrine of Lord Sri Parthasarathy Perumal.
The temple has shrines of five forms of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Chennai. There are shrines for Vedavalli Thayar, Ranganatha, Andal, Hanuman, Alvars, Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal and Vedanthachariar.
Kapaleeswarar Temple
The Kapaleeswarar Temple was built during 8th century AD by the pallavas. This is one of the oldest and famous temples of south India. It is located in the heart of Chennai city at Mylapore, and devotees from all parts of the Chennai visit this place. Foreigners are also visiting this temple, especially during the chill weathered Margazhi month. The 63 Nayanmars festival is considered as a very important festival in this temple, and it is celebrated in a grand manner every year. Daily free food is offered in this temple for more than 100 devotees.
Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Mambalam, Chennai
Located in the tiny streets of West Mambalam, the Kasi Viswanathar Temple is the place to be, if you’re looking to catch the performances of famous classical musicians during Margazhi. This temple has an elegant stage in its halls, where daily shows are scheduled for the people. We can see the displays of the schedules for performances in the temple premises. We can also feed cows and experience a highly spiritual feeling.
Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Adyar, Chennai
This temple was constructed by the King of Travancore in 1962, and this temple is located in the popular Adyar area. This temple houses an elegant idol of Lord Vishnu, on which regular sermons are performed. During Margazhi month, Devotees march to this temple to witness decorations and special pujas. The deities in the temple are located entirely indoors and the premises are air-conditioned.
“OM”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR