ECR PRADHAKSHINA TOUR .....

ECR PRADHAKSHINA TOUR DIARY Our AALAYA DHARSHAN group of 13 members performed this one day tour on 10th May 2012 from 0600 HRS TO 2030 hrs This tour diary gives you a rough idea of time taken and distance covered detailing what we saw, where and how significant was it. We travelled by a Tempo Traveller and we had a very good cooperation by driver Sri Sebastian. Mention should be made of course of the delicious food items usually supplied by my friend Sri R.Janakiraman’s brother, a professional Caterer. 1. 0600 left from Thirumal Marugan temple as is our practice after prayers 2. 0630 Madipakkam Oppiliappan temple is not open at this time. 3 0700 Had a good dharshan of Lord Marundheeswarar at Thiruvanmiyur where abishekam was already in progress 4. 0715 Pamban Swamigal adhishtanam is very closeby. At 0715 hrs on May 10th 1925 the saint attained Mukthi. We were at the same time and day in front of the Saint-Poet Samadhi – What a strange coincidence!! 5. 0800 hrs We visited ISCON temple at Injambakkam. What a grand temple well planned with comfortable and safe approach roads facilitated with a lift for elerly devotees who cannot climb the stairs. The morning bhajans were in progress with ecstatic devotees dancing to the tunes. We had prasadam and our morning breakfast in the temple premises 6. 0845 hrs At Kanathur, the Poori Jagannath temple is a must to visit for anyone passing along the ECR. The temple houses Lord Krishna, His brother Balarama and sister Subadhra in a row bless the devotees. The Orissa accent of the slokas is a pleasant experience to hear from the Archakas. The temple houses Mahalakshmi, Anchaneya and Ganesa in separate sannidhis and the green lawns are well maintained. See the Dwajasthambam in photo on entering the temple. 0915hrs Shirdi Sai Trust has created an excellent temple of Bhagwan Shirdi Sai at Krishnankaranai village enroute Mahabalipuram, on the ECR. Don’t miss this temple when you are next in the area. All the statues and walls, of the sanctum sanctorum are in white marbles in a peaceful environment. The devotees pray to the divine feet of the Baba on either side of the main idol. 1015 hrs We were able to locate the ancient dilapidated temple of Kailasanathar – Vaikuntanatha perumal temple in Kovalam. The temple is under renovation and the main idols are placed in a covered area for devotees to have dharshan. See the photos below. The temple is about 1300 years old built by Pallava Dynasty. . The Garudalwar gives dharshan with His head turned slightly to right, in front of the Perumal. The idol is a grand piece of sculpture by the Pallavas. The temple is under care of the Archaelogical Dept who is renovating it and preserving the past for future. The temple is in acres of space with separate sannidhis for Thayar, Lord Ganesa, Muruga . 1145 hrs- We missed having the dharshan of Panduranga at Vittalapuram. The temple is in a secluded area not much visited by devotees as we were told by the petty vendors there. The temple is open between 0700 and 1030 hrs and again in the evening by 5pm for a few hours. The temple is an Archealogical Dept treasure and dates back to Krishnadevaraya period. Lord Pandurangan had been built by the local chieftain of the Krishnadevaraya, in the same style as worshipped by him in Karnataka. 1200 hrs. Nobody in the local area will tell you where Nathamedu is – but it is on the way to Kalpakkam Atomic Research centre in the main road. The small temples on either side of the road houses the sitting Ranganathar on one side and the huge Sivalinga on the other side. Careful crossing of the busy road is warranted. No one was in the temple but we could see the idols through locked doors.. . 1230 hrs We were in Shadras - don’t be surprised, in Dutch/English mouth the Sathuranga Patnam was distorted thus. The place is adjacent to Kalpakkam Atomic energy research centre. There is a great ancient temple for Malai mandala perumal hereThe temple bhattacharyar obliged us to have an excellent dharshan and prayer to the Lord . We considered ourselves fortunate to have our Lunch in the Thayar sannidhi outer space 1330 to 1530 hrs Siesta at a park in Kalpakkam Atomic Research Centre. The members of our tour had a good rest here in groups to get ready for continueing the schedule from 4 pm onwards. 1600 hrs. A hot coffee at Adyar Anandha Bhavan at Mamalla puram restored our enthusiasm and energy as well. 1700 hrs We visited the shore temple – Jalasayana Perumal in a dark cavelike temple in Mamallapuram. The temple had been devastated by the ferocious sea waves in the past and now safely restored ashore in a heightened spot. The Archaelogical Dept has done an yeoman service in collecting, unearthing and restoring the beautiful sculptures for public view in the cordoned area on a small fee of Rs 10 per head. A worthy welcome spot for photographing devotees visiting Mamallapuram. See some photos below of the beautiful enchanting shore temple which had withstood the rigours of the seas for ages since it was built by the great Pallava kings 1800hrs the visit to Sthalasayana Perumal at Mamallapuram is an unforgettable experience. This temple is one of the Divyadesam temples and the Lord has been personally seen and praised by Alwars with Thirumangai Alwar in particular who has sung 20 pasurams on the Lord. 1900 hrs. We rushed to Nenmeli which is about 10 km on the Chengalpattu – Thirupporur road. we reached the village and visited the famous Shraddha Lakshminarayana Perumal temple. The legend goes to describe how the Lord blessed an issueless couple that He would perform the annual ceremonies for them after their demise. He keeps His promises for all as well who seeks this temple to perform Thithi for their ancestors. 1920 hrs. We visited the temple of Agora Veerabhadrar at Hanumanthavanam. The area is a real dense forest on the road next to Thiruvidaisoolam to Singaperumal koil but the road has been laid recently. 1930 hrs we ended our tour and proceeded back to our respective homes in Nanganallur reaching happily with great memories by 2030 hrs. The tour had been successful because of the cooperation and assistance of all the 13 members and it costs only about Rs 406/-per head with coffee, breakfast, lunch, snacks evening coffee etc., the distance covered being less than 250 km a day. Tks brgds. J.K.SIVAN