| CHURUTTAPALLI TEMPLE DETAILS, LOCATION MAP AND HOW TO GO? | |
 LORD SHIVA IN DIVYA DARSHANAM IN CHURUTTAPALLI |
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Many devotees had approached us to provide location map to go to this great temple dedicated to Lord Shiva - who is in reclined posture. When we searched from various sources for map - we could not get much information. We had decided to undertake a trip to find the location of this temple - situated near Andhra - Tamil Nadu border, near Chennai.
Our trip begun
from Chennai in a car and navigated through the roads. We
did not find it difficult to reach Red Hills and got the correct
road. To our surprise, we found the road leading to
Churattapalli was of international standards. The neat
three
Its a very old and small temple maintained by Andhra Pradesh Devasvam board. The priest took us to show the temple precincts and we had darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Few years back the temple was in a dilapidated condition, thanks to the donors and philanthropist, the temple is being restored to its glory. The temple do not still have Vrushabhavahanam for Lord Shiva, however, paintings and repair work carried out with donations made this temple glowing. Brief sthala purana Devas, in order to increase their longevity , decided to churn the milk ocean with the help of Vasuki the snake to extract nectar. Vasuki, unable to tolerate pressure vomited deadly poison. Fearing the poison, both Devas and Asuras approached Lord Shiva and prayed Him to save them. Shiva, transforming Himself as 'VishAbhakarana Moorthy' - consumed the poison. Fearing disaster, Parvathi - Lokamatha kept Lord Shiva's head in Her lap and gently pressed the neck and the poison remained static in His neck. Thus Lord Shiva came to be known as 'Neelakantan' and Goddess Mother Parvathi became 'Amudhambigai'. After this incident was over, Lord Shiva accompanied with Parvathi traveled to Kailas. On His way, its revealed that He rested on the lap of Goddess Parvathi for a while in this Sthalam (churattapalli). There is a mention of this story in 'Skantha puranam' and 'Shivapuranam'. PRADOSHAM BEGUN HERE The all time famous Pradosha Pooja is believed to have started here. Normally Lord Shiva is not seen in any temples dedicated to Him in India in reclined posture - whereas Lord Vishnu cane be seen in Sri Rangam, Sri Rangapatnam and Trivandrum. To arrest the uneasiness, He rested for a few seconds in the lap of Goddess Parvathi (again to show the world that nothing is achieved without tribulations and sufferings). He saved this world from destruction and gave nectar in turn, such is the beauty of His Sacrifice and its befitting to worship Him during Pradosha Punya Kalam. Benefits of Praying Him at this hour include peace, sakala sowbhagyams, spiritual tranquility, promotion, getting back lost wealth, clearing of obstacles in marriage proposals, union of separated couples etc. Who is who inside the temple Circumambulating the inside precincts of Shiva Lingam, we see the Valmeegishwarar as moolavar. The specialty of this temple is all Gods remain with their better-half. They are, Pallikondeeswarar - Sarva Mangalaambikai, Valmeegishwarar - Maragathambikai, Vinaayakar - Siddhi, Buddhi, Saasthaa - Pooranai, Pushakalai, Kuberan - Gowridevi, Sanganidhi and Padumanidhi - all of them are with their wives. Opposite to 'moolavar' - the main deity, 'Ramalingam' is present. Outside this temple precinct, instead of Dhwara palakas, Sanganidhi and Padumanidhi guards the gate. At the Maragathambigai sannidhi too, instead of Dhawaa Palakas, Kamadenu (got out of milk-ocean) and 'Karpakavruksham' protects the entrance. Specialty of Dakshinamoorthy Dhakshinamurthy gives darshan with His wife Taara. Worshipping Him on Thursdays bestows immense satisfaction and boons. He in a sitting posture with left leg slighted lifted in a stylish posture resting left hand on the left knees and another hand giving Abhya Mudra. Thambathya Dakshinamurthy's artistic beauty - cuddling His Wife - cannot be explained as one has to see in person.
Entering the main sanctum sanctorum, we find Lord Shiva in
reclined posture (6 feet). His Head is slightly slanted
and kept on the lap of Goddess Parvati, holding deer in one hand
and conch in the other hand, another hand in abhya mudra
surrounded by Margandeya
Mharshi, other Rishis, Sanagathi Munis, Nandikeshwarar with
Veena, Lord Subrahmanya, His Consorts and Lord Ganapathy sitting
down. TEMPLE TIMINGS Morning 6.00 am to 12.30 pm - evening 4.oo pm to 8.00 pm - temple doors are open Philanthropists can contribute to the temple by contacting the Deveswam board directly for the renovation of temple.
"Sri
Sarvamangala Sametha Sri Palli Kondeswara Swamy Devasthanam"
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lane Chennai-Kolkatta highway made our holy trip
smooth. We reached the Toll Gate in Karanodai and were
advised to take a left turn to Periya Palayam. This road
to Periya Palayam after the Toll Gate is a 2 way narrow
lane, but the road is not that bad. The one way travel
time took exactly one and half hour from 100 ft road, Vadapalani.