Manju's Blog

Tyagaraja Temple is at Thiruvotriyur in North Chennai. The temple is said to be over 1300 years old. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Tyagarajar, Adipureeswarar and and Padampakka Nathar here. The Moolavar here (Aadipureeswarar) is a Lingam of earth, covered with a kavacam, removed only on the occasion of Kartikai Full Moon. The shrine of Goddess Vadivudai Amman attracts a large gathering of devotees on Fridays and full moon days.

Adi Sankaracharya the great religious leader is said to have visited this shrine. Ancient Pallava inscriptions are found in this temple. The temple main tower (Rajagopuram) is 120 feet height. This is a big temple with vast corridoors. A large number of people visit this temple.

Thiruvottiyur Temple Photos

According to mythology, this shivasthalam is considred as the first shivasthalam after the great deluge (pralayam). The pillars in this temple mandapam have inscriptions from the period of Chola Kings Parakrama Chola I and Uttama Chola. There are 108 sivalingams in this temple. The festival conducted during the Tamil month of Masi (February 15th to March 15th) is the main attraction of this temple.

Lord Siva forms a row a 27 lingas representing the 27 stars in this temple. Goddess Vadivudai Amman represents Gnana Shakti, the goddess who bestows knowledge and wisdom. Vadivudai Amman is also known as the Beautiful Goddess. Her Blessings will bestow one with knowledge, wisdom and divine beauty.

Kerala is aptly called as “God’s own country”. She is a beauty queen. When you travel from Ernakulam to Alappuzha by the National Highway, you can see Arabian Sea very close to the roads. Beauty of Kuttanad is breathtaking. One can see many Valloms and boats in the lakes and the lagoons.

Pictures of Kerala – Alappuzha District – Cheruthana

Again another district Kottayam also has a many lakes and lagoons. Kumarakom Resorts offer great luxuries for the tourists. Kavanattinkara Bird Sanctury also attracts many tourists.

Photos of Kumarakom Resorts and Lake.

Changanassery and Kottayam are the main towns in Kottayam district. Changanassery has some famous colleges like NSS Hindu College, SB College, and Assumption College. Changanassery is also the headquarters of Nair Service Society (NSS).

Pictures of Changanassery and Kottayam Town

Kottayam is the ‘City of Letters’. The town has the credit of being the headoffice of many Kerala daily Newspapers like Malayala Manorama and Mangalam.