Sri Nootreteeswarar temple at Chinna Kavanam near Ponneri

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Dear All,

Sri Nootreteeswarar temple at Chinna Kavanam near Ponneri at Chennai

http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/chinna-kavanam/

This several thousand years old

Shiva temple has two significances – Ankola tree and a Swayambu Vinayagar

Ankola Tree:

A 2500 years old Eranzhil tree (called Ankola in

Sanskrit) has a special significance that its seeds are getting attracted to

the tree itself like a magnet.

 

This tree has been

referred in the Sivaananda-lahari and following is the translation of the

explanation by Kanchi Mahaperiyavar, Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvathi

Swamigal:

Ankolam nija-beeja

santatir

Ayaskaantopalm soochikaa

(Sivaananda-lahari, 61)

"Just as: the seed of

azhinjil (or ankola) tree merges with the parent tree; the iron needle is

attracted towards the magnet; the creeper grows around the tree; and the river

merges with the ocean: Bhakti is the constant immersion of the mind in the

thoughts of the lotus feet of Pasupathi (or Siva).

It is stated that

there is a tree called Eru Azhinjil. Its fruit ripens, falls on the ground and

breaks open. Then the seeds from the fruit, attracted as it were by a sort of

force of gravity, move and attach themselves to the parent tree. Thereafter it

is said that these seeds form part of the latter and disappear from sight. We,

who have become separated from Bhagwan (God) should similarly gravitate towards

Him; and ultimately become one with Him."

Ankola Ganapathy:

Here

Agasthiar created a lingam everyday with the sand from the nearby Brahma Aranya

river and worshipped them for 108 days. But on the final day, all the 108

lingams merged themselves into a single Vinayahar for the simple reason that he

did not start the worship with a Vinayahar on day one. Then Lord Shiva gave

dharshan to Agasthiar in the form of Vinayahar.

The 108 lingams which got

merged into a Vinayahar is present under the Ankola tree as a Swayambu (sand)

Vinayahar in the name of Ankola Ganapathy. In spite of many thousands years and

in spite of sitting under the tree without any roof, the sand made Vinayahar is

still sitting pretty and looking great.

Note: Look at the amazing commonality of the two - 108 lingams getting merged

into a Vinayagar and the seeds of the Ankola tree getting attached to the

parent tree – in combination with the Kanchi Maha Periyavar's explanation that

"We, who have become separated from Bhagwan (God) should gravitate towards Him;

and ultimately become one with Him".

 

 

Regards,

Raju