Thanthoni Malai Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy

8^th Century AD Rock cut Cave Temple bears similarity in Architecture to the Narasimha temple at Namakkal

Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried and the Childless

Located 4kms from Karur on the Dindigul highway is the 8^th Century AD historical Rock cut Cave temple of Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy in Thanthoni Malai where the 10feet Swayambu Lord is seen in a majestic standing posture facing the West. The temple tower has been constructed right at the top of the huge rock.

The wide sanctum of Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy has been carved along the cave out of the rock.

The Maha Mandapa and other Sannidhis at the temple were a later time additions possibly in the 12-13^th Century AD.

Similar to Thanjai Maa Mani Narasimha Sanctum

Inside the sanctum, that reminds one of Thanjai Maa Mani Narasimha Divya Desam both in terms of the huge size of the Moolavar Lord as well as the big sized Sanctum, there are 16 specially carved sculptures each of whom is seen playing a musical instrument.

Piece of Rock falls at Thanthoni Malai

When a fight broke out between the Serpant King Adhisesha and the Wind God Vayu as to whowas more stronger and who played a more important role, Lord Vishnu asked Adhisesha to hold on to the Tirumala Hills and Vayu to try and remove the hills from the clutches of the Serpant Lord.

An angry Vayu who could not remove from Adhisesha’s hold turned into a cyclone. Pieces of the rock from the hills fell in different places. One such piece is the rock we find here at Thanthoni Malai in Karur where Venkatachalapathy provides darshan as Kalyana Venkatramana perumal.

Another story goes that Susarma who did not have a child invoked the blessings of Lord Vishnu. He was asked to come to the rock here.  Pleased with his prayers, Lord Vishnu provided darshan as Kalyana Venkatramana Perumal and blessed him with a child.

Construction

Chola King Muchukunda, a Saivite devotee, was cursed to have the face of a monkey.  To liberate himself from the curse, he built several Vishnu temples including the two perumal temples of Karur- this one at Thanthonimalai and the Abhaya Pradhana Ranganatha temple in the city of Karur.

Later on, Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai contributed to the temple.

Historical Cave temple

The Cave Temple here at Thanthoni Malai was excavated in the 8^th Century AD. There is a similarity of this rock and the cave structure with the architecture seen at the Narasimha temple at Namakkal about 45kms from here though the Thanthoni Malai rock cave is a little bigger than the one at the Narasimha temple in Namakkal.

Prarthana Sthalam 
Those who offer their sincere prayers and present this slipper as suggested by Kalyana Venkatramana Perumal have their wedding wishes fulfilled.

Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is a special feature at this temple. On Shravanam Star every month, there is a special abhisheka performed for childless couples. There is a daily Thirumanjanam at this temple every day at 1130am for the Moolavar deity.

Festivals 

Two Brahmotsavams- One in Maasi and One in Puratasi

Pavitrotsavam in Avani

Navarathri Utsavam

On the third day after Maasi, Theppotsavam is celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.

There is a big temple tank on the Western side of the temple.

Chariot Festival on the Thiruvonam day in Puratasi and Magam day in Maasi

Puratasi 3^rd Saturday is a special occasion at this temple

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Venkatramana Swamy in a West Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar  : No Separate thaayar ( Mahalakshmi is seen on the chest of the Lord)

Utsavar   : Srinivasa Perumal

Time       : 6am-1pm, 3pm-7pm

Contact   : Harish Bhattar @ 98940 17928

How to reach

Chennai Egmore- Mangalore Express via Tiruchirapalli reaches Karur @ 630am

Direct Trains to Karur from Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore

From Karur Station, auto will cost Rs.70 to the temple

From Karur Bus Stand, auto will cost Rs. 50/-

Local buses and mini buses to Thanthoni malai both from Railway Station and Bus Stand

PS: This story has been edited, subsequently.

Sholavandan Janaka Narayana Perumal

5^th Century AD Inscription refers to Granite Construction

Azhagar of Maliruncholai and Perumal of Sholavandan used to visit Alankanallur every year in a special alankara

Located 22kms from Madurai off the Madurai-Dindigul NH is the Janaka Narayana Perumal temple in Sholavandan, where Sita’s father is believed to have undertaken penance invoking the blessings of Lord Narayana to find a bridegroom for his daughter. Answering his prayers, Lord Narayana is believed to have provided darshan here to Janaka. Hence, he is referred to at this temple as Janaka Narayana Perumal.

This place was earlier referred to as Janaka Puri. Moolavar deity Janaka Narayana Perumal is a Saligrama idol seen in a standing posture with Sri and Bhoo devi.

The Utsava deity is Rama seen along with Sita and Lakshmana. In earlier times, this temple was referred to as the Rama temple of Sholavandan.

In centuries gone by, on the same day that Azhagar used to get into the Vaigai at Thenur about 7kms from here, the Lord of Sholavandan too used to get into the Vaigai here at Sholavandan.

Also, in the past, Azhagar and Perumal of Sholavandan used to go to Nallur, a village between Thiru Maliruncholai and Sholavandan in a special alankara. Hence that place has come to be known as Alanka Nallur.

Inscriptions

There are many inscriptions inside the temple. An inscription on the Northern wall of the inner prakara makes reference to construction of a granite structure in the 5^th Century AD.

Prarthana Sthalam

This is a prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried and those without children. Those who visit this temple and offer their sincere prayers are likely to have their wishes fulfilled.

Festivals

10day Brahmotsavam in Panguni

Aadi Pooram

Pushpa Alankaram on Puratasi Saturdays

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Janaka Narayana Perumal in an East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar  : Janakavalli Thaayar ( Separate Sannidhi)

Utsavar   : Rama seen with Sita and Lakshmana

Time       : 630am-12noon and 430pm-830pm

Contact   : S Raghurama Krishnan Bhattar @ 93454 45554

How to reach

Nellai Express from Chennai stops at Sholavandan station (4.45am arrival)

Number of buses to Sholavandan from Periyar Bus stand in Madurai- will take 1hour

Auto from Madurai Junction and back will cost Rs. 400

When here, also visit Chitra Ratha Vallabha Perumal at Kuruvi Thurai, about 8kms West of Sholavandan

 

Vandiyur Veera Raghava Perumal Temple

KallAzhagar of Thiru Maliruncholai meets Veera Raghava Perumal every year on the Chitra Pournami day here at Vandiyur

Located 8kms East of Madurai off the Rameswaram Highway on the Northern banks of Vaigai is the Veera Raghava Perumal temple in Vandiyur, a temple that dates back to the 16^th Century AD and to the rule of Thirumalai Nayak.

Chitrai Festival from Thenoor to Madurai
In centuries gone by, Azhagar used to enter the Vaigai at Thenoor, a village west of Madurai near Sholavandan. It was during Thirumalai Nayakar’s period that this was moved to Madurai to coincide with the Meenakshi Thiruvizha as he wanted to make this the biggest festival of Madurai. Vaishnavite legend has it that the purpose of Azhagar’s trip from Azhagar Koil was to liberate Manduka Maharishi from Durvasa’s curse and provide him moksham.

KallAzhagar’s Vandiyur Trip

Thirumalai Nayak found the idol of Veera Raghava Perumal on the banks of Vaigai here at Vandiyur while on a trip to Kaalayar Koil and installed it here making KallAzhagar's visit to Vandiyur an important and integral part of  the Chitrai Festival.

Having made his way into the Vaigai at Madurai for the Annual Chitrai Festival, KallAzhagar goes further East along the Vaigai on his Horse Vahana to Vandiyur  to meet with Veera Raghava Perumal  here on the full moon day in Chitrai.

After staying here through the night at Vandiyur, KallAzhagar, adorned with necklaces, provides Ekantha Sevai the next morning at 5am after which he goes on a street procession mounted on his Sesha Vahana to provide darshan to devotees here at Vandiyur.

Also, here at Vandiyur, the idol of Manduka Maha Rishi is specially decorated in the morning. As part of enactment of the liberation from curse, he receives garland and parivattam from the Lord.

Later in the day, KallAzhagar gets back on his Garuda Vahana and bids goodbye to Veera Raghava Perumal for yet another year making his way to the Ramaraya Mandapa and then back to Azhagar Koil bring to end the Chitrai Thiruvizha.

Mandiyur

In memory of Manduka Rishi being liberated from Durvasa’s curse, this place was originally known as Mandiyur. In course of time, Mandiyur became Vandiyur.

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Veera Raghava Perumal East Facing Standing Posture with Sri and Bhoo Devi

Temple Time    : 6am-12noon and 430pm-830pm

Contact            : Sundararaja Bhattar @96775 46173

How to reach

Bus No. 4H from Periyar Bus Stand

Mini Buses from Maatuthavani Bus Stand

Auto from Madurai Junction will cost Rs. 75.

Theeyathur Sundararaja Perumal Temple

Several Inscriptions on the outer walls of the temple date back at least 500years

Located 15kms South West of Avudayar Koil on the Thirupannavasal Road is the Sundara Raja Perumal Temple in Theeyathur where Sundararaja Perumal is seen in a handsome standing posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi. There was a big Chariot at this temple centuries ago with the chariot festival being an important event of the year. Also indications are that Navarathri Festival was celebrated here in a grand manner.

However, the temple is currently in a state of ruins with broken outer walls and a high percentage of shrubs having dominating presence at the temple.

One time pooja is performed in the morning at this temple.

Inscriptions

 

Several inscriptions in the outer walls of the temple indicate that the temple is atleast 500years old and that many lands were donated to this temple in centuries gone by.

Festivals

Puratasai Saturdays

Margazhi Utsavam

Balaji Bhattar @ 99650 86642 performs pooja at this temple with sincerity every morning.

How to reach

One can reach Avudayar Koil from Trichy-Pudukottai- Aranthangi. From Avudayar Koil, one can take the Thirupanna Vasal bus (Mimisal route) to reach Theeyathur in 30minutes

 

Buses ply every half hour from Avudayar Koil. No autos at Avudayar Koil. Taxi to Theeyathur and Ponbethi will cost Rs.400 from Avudayar Koil.

Srivilliputhur Five Garuda Seva Utsavam

Peri Azhvaar provides Ethir Sevai to 5Lords on Garuda Seva Procession at the Vadapatrasayee Divya Desam

On Wednesday morning (July 18), Thiru Thangal Appan, the utsava deity of Ninra Narayana Divya desam at Thiru Thangal about 25kms East of Srivilliputhur began his day long trip a day to Srivilliputhur for the annual 5Garuda Seva Utsavam at the Vadapatrasayee Divya Desam making his way through the cracker town of Sivakasi. 

The next morning, Thursday (July 19) Peri Azhvaar who was to play a lead role on the fifth day of the Aadi utsavam had an early day out. After an early morning Alankara, he made his way through the Eastern Entrance of the Andal Temple at 10am to receive each of the five Lords.Over the next 5hours, Peri Azhvaar welcomed each of them by showering praise of them.

Vadapatrasayee Periya Perumal, the utsava deity of Srivilliputhur Divya Desam, was the first to receive mangalasasanam as he made his way through the 192ft high temple tower to the entrance of the Andal Temple. Peri Azhvaar welcomed him with ‘பருபததுக்  கயல்பொரித்த  பாண்டியர்  குலபதிபோல்’.

Sundararaja Perumal of Kaat Azhagar Temple located about 10kms from Srivilliputhur on the Western Ghats came in next. He was praised with Nachiyar Thirumozhi verse of ‘சிந்துரச்  செம்பொடிபோல்  திருமாலிருன்சோலை’.

At around 11.30am, Srinivasa Perumal of Thiruvannamalai Hill Temple was showered with another Nachiyar Thirumozhi verse – ‘சங்கமா  கடல்  கடைந்தான்’.

Well past noon, Thiru Thangal Appan made his way on a special flower decorated palanquin from East of Srivilliputhur where he had stayed the previous night.  Peri Azhvaar received him with Thiru Mangai’s Periya Thirumozhi verse of ‘பேரானை  குறுங்குடி  எம்  பெருமானை  திருத்தங்கள்  ஊரானை ’.

 Each of them, in a thanking gesture, presented their garland and parivattam to Peri Azhvaar. 

The events of the morning ended with Ghosti after the arrival of Rangamannar and Andal. After Thirumanjana and a few hours rest, a huge crowd gathered at the Andal temple for the much awaited event of the day.

Five Garuda Sevai

Beginning at 7pm, each of the deities and Peri Azhvaar prepared themselves behind closed doors for a special alankara and were decked up in the best attire, flower garlands and jewels for the Garuda Seva with each trying to outshine the other.

Four hours later, at 11pm, Peri Azhvaar on his Anna Pakshi Vahana led the procession from the Eastern Entrance of the Andal temple on to the Mada Street.

Over the next half hour, he was followed by Vadabadrasayee Periya Perumal, Sundararaja Perumal, Srinivasa Perumal, Rangamannar and Thiru Thangal Appan each of them in a special Alankara mounted on a beautifully decorated Garuda Vahana. They were also joined by Andal on her Anna Pakshi Vahana.

Peri Azhvaar’s Ethir Seva

For the next 7hours, Peri Azhvaar provided Ethir Seva as he proceeded around the four Mada Streets and the four Ratha Streets facing the Lords  that followed him on their respective Garuda Vahanas presenting darshan to thousands of devotees many of whom had lodged themselves on roof tops to witness this once in a year event at Srivilliputhur Divya Desam. 

Andal presents Garland

The next morning, the 6^th day of Aadi, back at the temple, Andal handed over her garland to Thiru Thangal Appan who on receiving bid good bye for another year and headed back to Thiru Thangal bringing to end the Five Garuda Seva Utsavam.

(While Andal’s garland is sent to Kall Azhagar  of Thiru Maaliruncholai Divya Desam on the occasion of Chitrai Festival in Madurai, to Srinivasa Perumal on the occasion of Puratasi Brahmotsavam in Tirupathi and to Vadapatrasayee every morning at Srivilliputhur, this is the only occasion where a Divya Desam Lord comes and personally receives the sacred garland worn by Andal)

Peri Azhvaar's Senni Ongu

Peri Azhvaar thanks Lord Narayana for taking care of the devotees 

பருப்பதத்துக் கயல் பொறித்த 
பாண்டியர் குல பதி போல்
 
திருப் பொலிந்த சேவடி என்
சென்னியின் மேல் பொறித்தாய்
 
மறுப்பு ஒசித்தாய் மல் அடர்ந்தாய்
என்று என்று உன் வாசகமே

உருப் பொலிந்த நாவினேனை
உனக்கு உரித்து ஆக்கினையே - Peri Azhvaar's Senni Ongu

In this verse, Peri Azhvaar's compares Lord Narayana planting his feet on the devotee's head with the success  achieved by the great Pandya kings.

Just as the Pandya Kings used to emboss the Fish Emblem on the high mountains after their victory in battles, so too Lord Narayana, who killed the asuras to protect the good ones,  has placed his lotus feet on the devotee's head, thus blessing him and granting all that one could ask for.

Just chanting the Lord's name repeatedly gives one great satisfaction and  a feeling that we belong to him and that He is there to take care of us.

Aushik Srinivas

Will Aushik be TN's best left arm spinner after S. Vasudevan?

One hopes Tamil Nadu under new head coach VB Chandrasekar will allow Aushik to play an attacking 'spinner' role

In February 1982, a 16 year old Vidya Mandir School boy bundled out a strong Delhi team comprising of  the Amarnath brothers, Gurusharan Singh and Kirti Azad for just 120runs (in the 2^nd innings) with a 7wicket haul to give Tamil Nadu a strong hope for a comeback victory after giving away a big first innings lead (It is another matter TN fell short in its run chase that could have made it one of the great come back wins even in Ranji Knock out).

Within 15months of this sensational Ranji debut, L.Sivaramakrishnan had made his Test debut against Clive Lloyd led West Indies at Antigua, against a team comprising of Greenidge, Haynes and Richards.

Close to three decades after that sensational spell of LS, another school boy spinner, this one from Sri Nehru Vidhyalaya School Coimbatore, came into limelight with a 7wicket haul this time against the other bigwigs of Indian cricket- Bombay. If LS had shot out Delhi for just over a 100, Aushik Srinivas helped trigger a collapse that saw Bombay lose 8 wickets for around 100 on the 4^th morning.

Based on that performance in December 2009, Aushik was selected for the Duleep Trophy to play for South Zone, where in the finals he came up against Yusuf Pathan and his blistering innings. Aushik’s performance since then has been more steady than spectacular.

It is another matter LS faded away within 4years of his debut season performance after peaking in 1984-85 and turning into a batsman for TN in the latter part of his Ranji career.

Aushik, who has now played almost 25Ranji matches, has not been able to capitalise on his early success and the Duleep Trophy exposure that he got in his very first season. Just over 50wickets and the 7for against Bombay being his only five wicket haul indicates that he has not been a wicket taking strike bowler for Tamil Nadu that one would have looked for, from him, after his early success. Slow wickets and defensive tactics
(from TN) are just two reasons for his below par performance after his 7wicket haul catapulted him into being just one step away (Duleep Trophy) from National reckoning.

Aushik began his cricketing career as a medium pace bowler. At a districts camp, Aushik tried his hand at spin and has stuck to it, since those school days. He plays league cricket in Coimbatore for Ramakrishna Mills. He was introduced to league cricket in Madras by R. Madhavan (Former South Zone Cricketer and Former Chairman of TN Selection Panel) when he signed to play for MCC. The next year, he moved into the first division to play for UFCC (T. Nagar). His immediate success in first division league got him a place in the team for the Buchi Babu Trophy and then into the Ranji Squad.  

Change in bowling action

One of the coaches who has worked with him for the last four years says there were a lot of changes made to his action by different coaches after Aushik’s success in his first year in Ranji Trophy ( especially after the Duleep Trophy) and that impacted his performance.

This comes as no surprise in Indian cricket as one of the first things to happen to a young spinner after early success is to ‘work’ on the spinner’s bowling action!!! One wonders why?

Role in TN team

With Tamil Nadu relying on fast bowlers last season, Aushik  has had to play a role that has now become so normal these days for spinners - ‘bowl tight’ and ‘contain’ from one end. Even in his own analysis, a year or so ago, Aushik has said that his role even in the league team was to ‘bowl tight’, this despite the fact that he has ‘flight’ as a key weapon in his armoury and is also a natural turner of the ball.

On his part, he has nodded in to the team's requirement of being a 'restrictive' bowler rather than show a little more confidence in asking for a field where he could go in for wickets. He has even expressed himself as going into matches without any expectations and sometimes even with a blank feeling and taking it as it comes.

Also, changing league teams within the first division league almost every year would have done his confidence no good ( though he has been within the India Cements fold since entering the first division league)- from UFCC to Falcon to Vijay ( this year). One again wonders as to why a bowler ( who has played Duleep Trophy) would be shunted across between league teams every year having  to work with a new captain and a new set of team mates.

The Chairman of TN Selection Panel B. Kalyanasundaram is of the view that Aushik is a good long term bet for TN and one will have to show patience and persist with him. Kalli believes that Aushik will have an important role to play into the future. For his age, he has performed reasonably well as a spinner in the last 2-3years. He believes that Aushik can only improve from here on.

In the current round of league matches in the first division- the fourth this season - Aushik, playing for Vijay CC, had a 7wkt haul, that is likely to give him a lot of confidence on the wicket taking front.

 

Given the right support by his captain and the coaching staff, now headed by VB Chandrasekar, Aushik has potential to develop into a match winner for Tamil Nadu from the ‘steady’ bowler he has been positioned to be in the last year or so.

It has been many years since Tamil Nadu has had a successful left arm spinner- S. Vasudevan and Sunil Subramaniam have been the only two of note in the last three decades with R Ramkumar being the other to feature in the team consistently over a period of time in the last 10years.

VB has been known to get the best out of his players and one would hope that Aushik will be allowed to don a more attacking role in the side this year as against the ‘run containing’ bowler he has been in the last two seasons.

On the academics front, Aushik has been able to achieve reasonable results in Class X as well in Class XII despite being on Ranji Trophy duty for most of that season. He came back to Coimbatore only 20days prior to his Class XII exam but thanks to support from his teachers, he was able to get through with good marks.  Currently, he is in third year of Engineering but his focus for now is all on cricket and making a mark here.

Within 3years, he has been able to cement (yes he plays for India Cements!!) his place in the TN Ranji team and has now become a regular in the team- an achievement this Coimbatorean spinner, who is not yet 20, can be proud of. 
 

Time will tell if Tamil Nadu will be able to leverage the best of this talented young spinner who for the moment seems to be the best bet after Vasudevan and Sunil Subramaniam. But for that to happen, the team think tank will have to be far more positive on the bowling front than they have been in recent times.