Visiting Divyadesams? Plan your travel well ahead!!

[Guest guest]

Swamin, I have heared from many Sevarthis that they experience difficuties in worshipping in Divyadesams and the most common complaint being that the Temple is closed by the time they reach. In this contest, as the one who has travelled widely, I offer friendly tips for Sevarthis future trips. As you know, there are 106 Divyadesams to be visited as a human being leaving the remaining 2 to for Gods grace after we leave this materialistic world. Now make convenient groups so that they can be visited with out difficulties. The 106 Divyadesams can be grouped like this: Group - 1 Divyadesams in and around Chennai that is Thiruvellikeni, Thiruneermalai, Thiruvidandhai, Thirukadalmallai Thiruninravoor, Thiruvellore. All these six Divyadesams can be covered in one day without difficulties.

Begin with Thiruvidandhai and Thirukadalmallai as these two Divyadesams open very early in the morning and then Thiruvellikkeni and Thiruneermalai in that order. In the Afternoon, go to Thiruninravoor and then to Thiruvellore. Group - 2. Kanchhepuram Divyadesams (14) , Thiruppukkuzi and Sholinghur can be covered in one day. Starting from Varadharaja Perumal Divyadesam, proceed to Yadodkari, Ashtabhujam, Thiruthanka, Thiruvelukkai, Thiruneeragam(4 Divyadesams in single Temple) and then to Thirukkalvanur and Nilathingal Thundam. The above can be

completed in the forenoon. After lunch proceed to Sholinghur and reach well before 3.00Pm. This will give sufficient time to climb the steps and ready for Seva when the Divyadesam opens for afternoon. After this proceed to Thiruppukuzi and then to Kanchipuram back to cover the remaining 3 Divyadesams ie., Padagam,Thiruppavalavannam and Thiruparameswara Vinnagaram. It is to be done in the same order inview of accessibility and Temple timings. Group - 3. Thirukkovilur, Thiruvahindrapuram,Thillai, Seerkazi, Thiruvali, Annankovil, Thalaichanga Nanmadiyam, Thiru Indalur and camp at Seerkazi. Day - 1. Thirunagari,

Parthanpalli Thirukavalambadi,Thirumanikkudam Thirunangur(6 Divydesms) and Thiruthevanar Thogai in the Morning and Thiruvelliangudi,Therazundur, Sirupuliyur, Thirukkannapuram and Thirunagai(camp). Day - 2 Thirukkannangudi, Thirukkannamangai, Thirucherai, Nachiyarkovil, Oppiliappankovil,Thirukkudanthai in the morning and go to Thiruvellarai, Uthamar Kovil, Anbil, Uraiyur Srirangam.(camp) Day -3 Thanjai Mamani Koil, Thirukkandiyur, Thirukkdalur,Koviladi, Kapisthalam, Pullaboothangudi and Thiru Adanur and back to Chennai day - 4. The remaining we will see in the next post. Now important points to keep in mind: The Divyadesams will open normally in the morning around 7.30 Am and close around 11 AM. So ensure your visits accordingly. Except some Divyadesams, which are open continuously (Thiruvali, AnnanKovil, Thalachanga Nanmadhiyam) others will open around 4.30 Pm and close around 07.30 PM. Hence ensure your visits accordingly. The period between 11.30 Am to 04.00PM should be effectively used for lunch and long distances. The temples in remote places lack patronage and normally do not attract visitors in the late evenings. Better avoid visiting

them in the afternoons. Temples in bigger towns are open till 08,00 Pm and better to be there in the evening. In remote places lunch will be a problem. To overcome this, offer one day Aradhanam and you will get sufficient prasadam to keep your self fit for next travel. Before starting have an idea about Temple Seva Schedules and routes. More in the next posting

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