My Musings

KOILS in Tamilnadu Thousands of temples, small and large, abound in Tamilnadu. Times of India has highlighted some of these in today's (19 Jan 2012) issue. We will start with the 1000-year old temple of Thanjavur (Periya Koil). The Chola king Raja Raja Cholan built this Brihadeeswara temple in 1010. It is big in all respects - a gigantic stone Shiva lingam fills the Garbha Gruham, its tower (vimanam) is 216 feet tall.The temple's magnificence coupled with engineering marvel takes your breath. The structure has been built without using mortar.The Gopuram is unparalled for its geometric perfection, and masterly craftsmanship. The monolithic Nandi, the gigantic Dwarapalakas take your breath away. The inscriptions and the sculpture speak about the various karanams of Natya Shastra. You can read more about this temple, Raja Raja Cholan (Arul Mozhi Varman), his queen Lokamahadevi, and his sister Kundavai in Kalki's novels. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities ...

We went to Vaithisvaran Koil on 27th Oct 2011. This is our FIFTH visit since 2007. I, Vijaya, Arun, Ashok, Neeraja, Arvind, Sowmya, Aditi, and Sriram left house at 7 AM in a call taxi for Egmore. Gayathri and Krithika couldn't come.The train (Cholan Express) left at 0820 AM. Ashok had booked our tickets in 3 AC both ways and the travel was a pleasure.  Earlier, Vijaya, Krithika, Neeraja had prepared Idli, Lemon rice, and Thayir Saatham for our trip. We ate these on the way, and reached V-Koil by 2 PM. I had booked three rooms at Balambikai Lodge (500.00 per.) After refreshing ourselves, we went to the temple and performed archanai to all the five Deities - Vinayakar, Swami, Ambal, Muthukumara swami, Angarakan. Returning to the lodge, we slept after a nice dinner. Next morning, on 28th, after bath etc, we again went to the Koil and worshipped Lord Vaithyanatha Swami. Lunch at 1000, and then we left for station. The train arrived by 11-30 AM and we reached Egmore by 6 PM. Aru...

We two, Ashok and Neeraja went to Vaithisvaran Koil during March 2007. Earlier, we went to this koil on 23 February 2007 for the Mudi Irakkuthal for Sowmya and Aditi. Ashok and Neeraja couldn't join us then. So this visit. We four left Chennai on Saturday, 17 March 2007 , by Rockfort Express for Kumbakonam. Reaching KBK by 0720 the next morning (18th) we took a room there (Rs 250.00) After bath and breakfast, we hired a taxi for Rs 1300.00 to go to Vaithisvaran Koil and other places. We left KBK by 0915 and went to V Koil. Good darshan of Vaithiyanatha Swami. Archanais to all five deities there. Then went to Suriyana Koil (Sun God). And then to Sukranar Koil at Kanjanur. Then we returned to KBK by 2PM and had lunch. At 3-15 PM, after lunch, we proceeded to Karugavur and worshipped at Sri Garbha Raskshambikai Amman. There Ashok-Neeraja performed the படி மெழுகுதல் with ghee. From there, we proceeded to Pattiswaran Koil and then back to the hotel by 6-45 PM. Our return train was...