RE: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] 'valampiri sankhu'

May 11, 2005

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

Dear shri Balagopal,

I have tried to compose some information on the Valampiri shankha, which I collected from my relatives & fom the net. May be useful for you & to our group also.

The "Valampiri shankha" the most holy kind of conch shell used for the heraldic authority of the temple deity. Moreover, to have possession of a "Right-turned" conch-shell is considered good luck, and it is considered highly auspicious to just look at such a conch. Valampiri shankhu (Right turned conch) is being used to provide positive vibrations in Ayurvedam, representing the blessings of Sri Dhanwantri.

The story of Tirukkalukundram (Paksitirtha):

Tirukkalukundram means the “Hill of the Sacred Kite” (tiru—sacred, kaliki—kites, kundram—hill). It is 14km west of Mamallapuram, 60km southwest of Chennai, and 65km east of Kanchipuram. This place is famous because of two birds/kites that have come here to eat almost every day for hundreds of years. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came here 500 years ago. There is an interesting large Vijayanagar temple dedicated to Lord Siva at the base of the hill with huge gopurams. There is a tank called "Sangu-tirtha" (sangu means conch, in Tamil) at the southeast end of the village. Every 12 years there is a Valampiri (right-turned) conch-shell found in it that is then displayed in the Siva temple in the village.

Another IMP information to quote here is that the Valampiri Conch is one of the main item in the "Thiruvabharanam Box Procession" of our Sabarimala Ayyappan during the time of Makarvillakku darshanam.

Additional Info:

# - For the devotees and loyals of Shri Dhanwantri, the Hindu God of medicines, it was a day of miracle and pleasant surprise. Not many were aware of the missing Valampiri Sankh (conch) in Sree Dhanwanthari Temple in Nelluvayi near Wadakkanchery; and if at all somebody knew, it was a long forgotten mystery that remained unsolved ever since it was stolen 5 years ago. [http://www.nrilinks.com/news/n/8/9345.aspx]. Interested devotees can read this story. The report speaks that - "Hindus believe that the conch is made out of the five elements (land, water, fire, air, and ether (all prevading medium) or space and hold a special place in all religious ceremonies, worships and poojas.However, according to Hindu beliefs, if a Valampiri Sankh is not kept in high honour and is not worshipped regularly, it will have negative repercussions on the possessor. ...."

Most welcome if other members also wish to add on their useful contributions.

Thanks.

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On Behalf Of balagopal ramakrishnanTuesday, May 10, 2005 4:50 PMguruvayur Subject: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] 'valampiri sankhu'Hari Aum,A friend presented me a'valampiri sankhu' bought fromRameswaram while he was there last week.Though he was aware that it has some importance, hedid not know what exactly it was.It would be nice if someone can provide some info onthis.Aum Namo NarayanayahBalagopal______________________ India Matrimony: Find your life partner onlineGo to: http://.shaadi.com/india-matrimonyOm Namo Narayanaya: