Thirunelveli temple-tour

[Guest guest]

In Thirunelveli we stayed in Hotel janakiram and the

next day we took a taxi and went round navathiruppathis. The driver

rushed through because we had to see all before the temples close as

otherwise we had to wait four hours or so. Though we have had darsan

of all the perumals except inThirupperai where due to the utsavam

Perumal came back only in the early hours and the bhattar went to

sleep. Most of the places it was ekantha seva as there was nobody

including the bhattar in the temple due to Utsavam and Perumal being

returned in early morning. In Thirukkurugur it was thrilling to see

the puliyamaram where Nammazvar sat in dhyana and we had darsan of

Nammazvar also. Apart from that there are two places where I was

much impressed . They were Thirupulingudi, Perumal kaaisinavendan,

kidandha thirukkolam , the lotus stalk from His naval going and

joining brahma on lotus on the wall. Perumal is so long and feet

cannot be seen. But enna azagu! I lost my heart to Him . The second

one was Thirukkolur Vaitthamaanidhi perumal also kidandha kolam,

where you can see the nerves on His feet avvalavu thathroopam!

 

 

That evening the taximan said we can go to Thirukkurungudi but

he said that we could not see vattapparai in the evening and I said

in that case I am going only the next day since it is most important

to see Ramanuja in vattapparai. So we went to sanakaranar kovil and

saw sankaranarayanan

 

 

The next day was the best day in our tour when we went to

Thirukkurungudi which was famous for many reasons.We were told to

see the son of Jeer D.Ramanujam by the taxi fellow himself and we

went to his house and were welcomed warmly. He took us to the temple

and that day being the day of Garudaseva all the five nambis were

assembled in the main mandaopam and we could see them in one place.

Jeer was having his darsan and we were able to see the rituals

connected with it and I took photos of all the five perumals later

and also of one man who was tall and was wearing 12 thiruman in his

huge body and he reminded me of nampaduvaan and I took his photo

also.. We had the darsan of Thirukkurngudi nimbi and also kidandha

nimbi anfd irundhanambi. Seeing Thirukkurungudi nimbi who was also

vasshnava nambi and vaduganambi I could not help feeling the

exhilaration to think of His infinite mercy to His devotees and felt

the same ecstasy as when seeing Padmanabha and Guruvayurappan.

 

 

After that we went to see the Jeer and He blessed us and I took

photos of him with my husband.

 

Then we went to Ramanujam's house and he was talking to us about the

importance of the kshethram and late took us to see the vattapparai.

We had good darsan of Ramanuja and Thirumangai axvar of whom I took

photo. I did not go down to see Ramanuja on vattapparai as I did not

want to risk it but saw from above.I have a photo of the same

anyway. We could not see thirupparkadal nimbi for the same reason as

in Thirupperai, and also malai mel nimbi which was difficult for

us we were told. On the whole it was a very satisfying experience in

Thirukkurungudi

Earlier on the way we went to vanamamalai where due to recent rains

the whole temple was flooded but somehow with the help of the people

there we went in and had darsan. We also bought the thailam bottle

from ennaikkinaru.

In the afternoon we went to then thiruppathi thiruvenkatanathan

kovil. We tried to see the sculptures in krishnapuram but the place

was dark and it was a dissappointment. Especially when They did not

allow photos also. I took photo stealthily though which gives an

impression of the quality of the sculptures.

 

The next day I woke up with terrible pain on my left hip and could

not even walk Fortunately it was better on seeing a local dr. who

gave an injection and pain killer and the next day I even ventured

to Nelliappar temple as I could not possibly leave Thirunelveli

without seeing Nellai Govindan who is really a huge Perumal in

reclining position. We had archanas there for Perumal .

 

On returning to Chennai my hip pain returned and also shoulder pain

and I saw our doctor who said that it is due to out hectic traveling

and climbing the steps but nothing to worry about and it will take

sometime to come back to normal. In kerala especially everywhere we

had to climb numerous steps , whether it is a temple or a palace, to

say nothing of climbing up and down the trains four times in ten

days. In the end of it all the pain was terrible while returning.

Any way it is all worth it though but I think we should take care

not to have such a hectic programme in future. But we are getting

older every year and have to finish our travels before we become

immobile! At this age when we have time and means to travel the body

is not cooperating!

 

 

 

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