Maha Kaala Bhairavashtami

Kala Bhairavar fully decorated

Today is Kalashtami or Maha Kalabhairavashtami. The eigth day after the Full Moon or the Eighth day of the Waning Moon in the month of Margsirsha. As it comes exactly in the middle of the fifteen days from the first day after the full moon to New Moon day, this Ashtami is also called Madhyashtami or the Centered Eighth Day. This day is sacred to a Hindu deity called Kaala Bhairavar. This deity is a personification of Shiva.

There are many stories about Bhairavar. Some say he came from the head of Brahma. But the more plausible tale is related thus in the Shiva Mahapuranam. Those were the ages when Brahma sported a fifth head atop his four. Steeped in arrogance Brahma remarked to Vishnu that he was the supreme  being superior even to Shiva. Angered by this Shiva manifested Kala Bhairava from between his eyebrows. Kaala Bhairava immediately proceeded to behead Brahma and removed the very head that had blasphemed Shiva. But in this process he became a sinner guilty of beheading a Brahmin. Brahma’s skull stuck to his hand. He had to wander everywhere before he got his reprieve.

Kala Bhairava is a resident of Kasipuri. He is also Kshetrapalaka and the keys of every Shiva temple are deposited in the Bhairava shrine at the close of the Rituals. 

Gopura Dharshanam Koti Punyam

These photos were taken during a recent visit to Tinneveli district.

Nelliyappar Thirunelveli

Sankarankovil

Tenkasi

Thiruchendur

Goats

Nagapattinam Diary IV

Kaaraikal Pulambal (Lament from Kaaraikal)

Left Nagapattinam for Karaikaal. Birthplace of Punithavati Ammaiyar a.k.a Karaikaal Ammaiyar. Yesterday they celebrate her marriage to Paramadattar  Chettiar. Today there is a Mango Festival (Mangani Thiruvizha) in Karaikaal. This is in memory of the miracle the lady performed by praying to Shiva and obtaining a divine mango.

Visited the temple of Kaaraikal Ammiyar. The idol was worth the wait in the queue. Beautifully decorated the divine lady is shown with arms cupped together seeking the divine mango from Lord Shiva.

The people of Nagai and environs like Thiruvarur and Karaikaal are outspoken to the point of rudeness. In fact they call themselves modumutti meaning reckless one. They are insensitive to the feelings of others and highly indisciplined. They ride roughshod over others and believe their forceful tone can get anything done.  But they are cowards at heart. As we stood in the queue patiently, many of the worthy citizens of Kaaraikal simply forced themselves in causing a congestion at the small door to the samctorum. This actually impeded people trying to come out and slowed the queue down. Repeated requests to join the queue bore some fruit and we passed into the sanctum sanctorum. May Karaikaal Ammaiyar make these people wise!

Nagapattinam Diary III

For a person who believes in Universal Brotherhood, Naagai has a great example.  All the three major religions of India are represented here.

In the evening I visited Velankanni. It was just a walk away as I stayed at VPN residency at Velankanni. 
It is a cluttered tourist spot; stuffy and hot. The shops cram every corner and shut out the view of the seahore which is a great beauty of Velankanni. 

Rear View of the Cathedral

 Naduthittu church where mother Mary appeared before lame buttermilk vendor boy

Nadduthittu Church

Nagapattinam Diary II

We next visited a series of shiva temples. The Navanitheswarar temple at Sikkal, the Agastheeswarar temple  and Kaayarogana swami temple at Naagai. We were informed that there are in all  twelve shiva templeas in Nagai.

The oldest amonst these is the Kaayarogan swami samedha Neelayadakshi temple.
Highlights:

• has the samaadhi of Aribadha Nayanar a Shivaite saint who was born in Naagai.
• Is one of the Sapthaidanga Shetram (Lit. Seven (holy) places) and has the famous Thyagaraja Swami idols. 

The temple also called Naagai Karonam in the Thirumurai is huge though not in the same league as Thiruvaroor or Chidambaram. 

Sikkal Temple

Kaayarogana Swamy Temple

Agastheeswarar Temple

Nagapattinam Diary - I

Some thoughts  I had and, of course photos taken during a recent visit to Nagapattinam district also known as Nagai.

Visited Nagoor dharga. This is the samaadhi of a muslim saint.

The Entrance to the Darga

The four minarets can be seen

The tower in front of the Darga