Road trip to Thirumoorthi Hills, Palani and Dindigul!

Our itinerary were as follows:

5th October 2019: Drive to Palani. On the way visit Thirumurthi Hills. Explore Palani 

6th October 2019: Visit Palani Temple, Thiruvaavinakudi temple,  Drive to Dindigul and visit Thadikombu Perumal temple,  Abirami Amman Temple and Dindigul Fort. Have Thalappakatti Biriyani. Drive back to Palani, take rest and then visit Periya Nayagi Amman Temple.

7th October 2019: Early morning drive to Kodaikanal. Visit Silver Cascade falls which is on the way. Visit Echo Point,  Pine tree forest, Green Valley View Point,  Pillar Rocks View Point,  Guna caves, Kodaikanal Lake.

8th October 2019:

Return to Cochin. On the way back visit Malampuzha dam and have Rawther Biriyani from 'NMR Biriyani House' Palakkad.

Thirumoorthy Hills:

Thirumoorthy Hills is about 20 km from Udumalpetta on the Highway from Palani to Coimbatore. There is a temple called Thirumoorthy Temple which is situated at the foot of the Thirumoorthy hills. The presiding deity is called Amanalingeswara.

On the way to Thirumoorthi Hills you could see the scenic beauty of the Anamalai hill range of Western Ghats. 

There is also a famous waterfalls called Panjalinka falls which is situated about three kilometers climbing over the hills. The pathway to this waterfalls covered with trees and you could get a good view of the cascading water to the Thirumoorthy reservoir. Monkeys will accompany you throughout the way. This place has been shooting location of many Tamil and Malayalam movies.

Palani :

Located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, Palani is a beautiful hill station, the hills of which are part of the oldest mountain range in India. The name of the town is derived from two Tamil words “Pazham” which means “fruit” and “Nee” meaning “you”.

Palani is a land with rich history. Palani was under the rule of the kings of Madurai and Coimbatore during different points of history. The architecture of the Goddess Periyanayaki Amman Temple shows the influence of both the Pandya and Nayaka kings. In the 18th century the place was under the rule of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, who in return of a nominal tribute let the Palayakarars of Balasamudram rule. It was then handed over to the British during the time of colonial reign.

Palani Temple view at night!

Palani is home to several temples including one of the most sacred shrines of God Subramanyan(also called as Lord Murugan), Palani Dhandayuthapani Temple. Palani Temple is also known as Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Temple. Periya Nayaki Amman Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati is another temple located at Palani. 

Festivals such as Thaipusam, Vaikasi Visakam and Thirukarthigai, which are celebrated in Palani with much glory manages to draw many tourists to this very place. Kavadi aattam(burden dance) is also celebrated during festive season. Kavadi aattam is a central part of the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage.

View from uphill

Thiruvaavinakudi temple is another temple in Palani which is located at the down hill. Local people believes that you have to visit this temple first before visiting the main shrine at the hill top. 

Thiruvaavinakudi temple!

There are many shops on the way to Palani Temple steps. Be careful as people may make a fool of you saying many devotional things and force you to buy something or other.  Don't let yourself fall into their trap. After the arch entrance you could see a small temple of Lord Ganapathy behind which lies the entrance to Palani Temple. From here starts the temple steps. The temple is located at the top of the hill and people have to climb the steps to get darsan of Lord Murugan. We started climbing the steps by around 5:10AM and reached the top by around 5:50AM. There are around 640 steps altogether. Six Poojas are performed from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. There are different queues available like a queue for free Darsan, a queue for amount Rs.10/- and another one for Rs. 100/-. We opted for Rs.10/- queue.

At the top of the hill!

By 6:00AM Pooja started and we didn't have to wait much to get the Darsan. On the way up you could see camphor being lighted in the steps which are being lighted by the devotees. Devotees were also garnishing the temple steps with a paste of Kumkum and Turmeric and flowers we being spread on the steps. You can also see people carrying Kavadi and a pot of milk (for Palabhishekam) to offer to the Lord. Devotees also shave their head as son offering to Lord Murugan. You could see some shops next to Saravana Poigai(which is nothing but a toilet) were heads of devotees are being shaved. 

Saravana Poigai(Toilet)

Exit

Temple steps!

There is also an cable car facility available, if people find it difficult to climb the steps they can always opt for this option. 

Panchamirtam is the main prasadam at Palani, which is made of five fruits. 

Temple Gopuram!

Even now you could see people travelling in Tonga at Palani. 

Jigarthanta is a famous drink in Madurai, Tamilnadu.

In and around Dindigul:

Thadikombu Perumal temple:

Soundararajaperumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is located in Thadikombu which is a village near Dindigul in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 

Abirami Amman Temple:

Abirami Amman Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Goddess located in the mid of Dindigul market. The lane to the temple is narrow so it's better to park your vehicle at some nearby spot and walk to the temple.

Bomma Kolu!

Dindigul Fort:

Dindigul Rock Fort is nearby Abirami Amman Temple only. You can get the view of the Fort from distance itself as it is located on top of the hill. Don't believe Google Maps to reach here: we just couldn't find the entrance even after taking a drive round the downhill. It's better to check with localites.

Thalappakatti Biriyani:

Thalappakatti restaurant was started in 1957. This style of Biriyani was founded by Mr. Nagasamy Naidu at Dindigul. He always wore a turban called THALAPA(a traditional head dress) which became synonymous with his brand and cooking style.

Their specialty is mutton Biriyani but all other varieties of Biriyani here like Chicken, egg etc.  are also yummy. 

Kodaikanal trip blog will be published soon. 

You can also view the vlog from below links:

https://youtu.be/E6FmeoUBJFo

https://youtu.be/gf62wQq-qdA

https://youtu.be/cy00inqBVLM

https://youtu.be/sK-eWsCIfwE

Temples in and around Ernakulam!

Ernakulathappan temple/Shiva temple:

Ernakulathappan temple is a famous Shiva temple located in the heart of the city, Ernakulam. This is one of the temples where deity is facing towards west. The 8 day long annual festival usually falls during January/February ( corresponding to the Malayalam month Makaram).

There are 3 temples in this temple premises
- a Shiva temple built by brahmins
- a Murugan temple built by tamil brahmins
- a Hanuman temple built by kannadigas

The history of the temple is as follows. Arjuna, who is a pandava performed asceticism to get Pasupathasthram. Pleased with Arjuna's devotion Shiva accompanied with Parvathi set out from their abode at Kailash to meet Arjuna. Shiva disguises himself as "Kiratha" before appearing in front of Arjuna. Just as Shiva appears before Arjuna he sees a wild boar charging towards Arjuna and shoots an arrow at the boar. Arjuna, who is an accomplished archer, also shoots an arrow at the boar. The boar who was in fact a demon named Mookasura in disguise is killed and his original form is revealed. However, a dispute arises between Arjuna and Kiratha as to who is the real killer of the animal. A battle took place between the two, ultimately resulting in Kiratha's victory over Arjuna.The vanquished Arjuna, unable to even stand up makes a Shiva Linga out the earth and performs a pooja offering flowers. To his surprise, he sees that the flowers he offers over the Shiva Linga is falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then realises that Kiratha is none other than Lord Shiva. Shiva, in his true form, along with Parvathi appears before Arjuna and blesses him. He also gifts him the divine arrow, the Pasupathastram.

Location:
Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam

Chottanikkara Devi temple:

Chottanikkara Devi Temple is a famous temple of goddess Lakshmi Devi known as Bhagavathi. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, Kochi. This is one of the most popular temples in the state. 

Lakshmi is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara along with Lord Vishnu. Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple in three different forms.  As Maha Saraswati in the morning, draped in white.  As Maha Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson.  And as Maha Kali in the evening, decked in blue. The other idols worshipped here are Lord Shiva,  Ganesha and Ayyappan.

The temple has two shrines which are known as Keezhkavu and Melkavu. Melkavu is the main shrine which houses the Mother Goddesses and Keezhkavu is dedicated to Bhadrakali which is located next to the temple's pond.

Devi is well-known for healing powers related to mental illness and disorders. People suffering from mental illness are brought here. Those cured of possession by demons and evil spirits drive a nail into the tree.

"MAKOM Thozhal" (worship on the Makom day) is the most important festival of the temple which is celebrated in the month of Kumbham. (Feb / March) It is believed that Bhagavathy in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darsan to the devotees in her special appearance.

It is believed that Shankaracharya who realised that there were no temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi in Kerala, headed straight to Chamundi Hills in Karnataka and began to meditate for the goddess to appear before him.  Pleased by his devotion, the goddess appears before him and enquirers about what he needs. Shankaracharya ask her to come to his home town in Kerala, so that the aged people can avoid travelling to far off places to worship.

After a lot of convincing, the goddess agreed to follow him wherever he went by foot on one condition that he should not to look back to check if she was following him or not. In case he happens to do so, she would stop there and would not move any further. Shankaracharya agreed and they begin walking, as they were walking down Kodachadri hills, the goddess decided to test Shankara and stopped the tinkling of her anklets.

The tinkling of the anklets was the only indication given to Shankaracharya that Goddess was following him. Shankaracharya waited for sometime and when he didn't hear the sound of her anklets he turned around to check on her. Disappointed the goddess stopped right there which is the present Kollur Mookambika Temple.

Realising his mistake, he apologises to the Goddess and repeatedly pleaded with her to go with him. After a long time the goddess comes to a compromise, she says that she would come to the Chottanikkara Temple in the early morning hours and bless her devotees and would return back to Kollur in the afternoon. Since then, the sanctum doors of Chottanikkara Temple open earlier than the Kollur Mookambika Temple and the Goddess is worshipped as Saraswathi clad in white.

Poornathrayeesa temple:

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple is one of the eminent temples in Kerala. Thripunithura is known for Poornatrayeesa temple. The presiding deity of this temple is Maha Vishnu, which is worshipped in the form of Santhanagopala Murthy. Here, Santhanagopalamoorthy means "savior of Infants" and the Lord Vishnu is found here in a sitting posture under the shade of five royal hoods of the divine serpant, Ananthan, whose folded body itself acts as the throne for the God. It's a unique posture which is completely different from other Vishnu temples where the Lord is usually found in a recumbent posture on the divine serpent. This is supposed to be the only temple in South India where one gets to view the ‘Poornatrayeesa’ form of lord Vishnu.

An old structure outside temple premises!

One of the attraction of the temple during festive season is the “pancharimelam,” which is a traditional temple art form accompanying the procession, with instruments like Chenda(is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala), Elathaalam(is a metallic musical instrument which resembles a miniature pair of cymbals) etc. Pancharimelam is famous in temples located at the southern part of Kerala.

Aarattu (the holy bath of the diety) after the annual festival of Sree Poornathrayeesa takes place at the temple pond of Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple, nearly half a kilometer North-East to Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.

There is a lamp called "Valia Vilakku” situated in front of the idol. Devotees consider the evershining “Valia Vilakku” was lighted by Arjuna. Burnt oil of this traditional lamp possesses great medicinal value. 

Location:

Poornathrayeesa temple, Kottakakam road, Thripunithura, Ernakulam 

Thrikkakkara Vamanamoorthi temple:

Thrikkakara Temple is  one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana. Lord Vamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The legend is closely linked with the story of Mahabali and Lord Vamana. Thrikkakara is considered to be the capital of Mahabali’s Kingdom.

The traditional festival of Kerala - Onam historically too related with this temple. The 10 day long annual festival in this temple is held in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Augest - September). The festival begins with kodiyettu(flag hoisting) on Atham day and ends with arattu on Thiruvonam day. Athachamayam at Tripunithura is a triumphant march from Tripunithura to the Vamana Temple at Thrikkakara to attend the kodiyettu ceremony. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja would head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple. The Onasadya or the Onam feast will be held on Thiruvonam day in a grand manner in the temple. Another celebration called Pakalpooram is a grand procession held on the  9th day of the celebration. 

In this temple there are two seperate sreekovils for Lord Vamana and Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in this temple is believed to be worshiped by Mahabali himself and is situated on the southern side of Vamana shrine. Devotees must visit the Shiva shrine before visiting Vamana shrine.

The temple pond in the northern side is called Kapila Theertham and is considered holy. Only the temple priests are allowed to enter into this pond compound. 

The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Location:

Edappally - Pukkattupady Road, Vidya Nagar Colony, Thrikkakara, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala

Aluva manappuram Mahadeva Temple:

Located on the banks of Periyar river, Manappuram Mahadeva Temple or Aluva Shiva Temple is one of the famous Shiva temples in Kerala. During rainy season the water reaches till the roof top of the temple and idol will be submerged in water. 

Karkidaka Vavu Bali, is the sacrificial ritual performed in memory of the departed souls of ancestors. On the day of vavu or Amavasi (no moon day) in the Malayalam calendar month of Karkidakam (which falls in July- August), Hindus gather on the riverbanks and beaches to offer Bali. 

Another famous festival is Aluva Sivarathri festival during which time there be many stalls set up and there will also be many adventure rides for kids. 

It is believed that a swayambhoo idol emerged out of Periyar in Treta Yuga. The river branches into two at the point where the idol surfaced. According to the legends, Lord Rama and Lakshmana did the last rites to lord Jatayu, the master bird that died defending Sita from the hands of Ravana, here. While they were performing the rites, Lord Siva appeared as the swayambhoo idol and said that his presence will always be here on the banks of Periyar

Edappally Ganapathy temple:

Mahaganapathy Temple is one of the famous Ganapathy temples in the state visited by devotees from all over the state. The temple is part of Edappaly Kottaram. The deity here is the patron deity of the Edappally Royal Family. Visiting time in the morning is between 5.00AM to 7.30AM. The members of Edappally royal family worship after these hours, since it is their family temple. During the evening time also the temple is kept opened. 

Lord Ganesha is believed to be an elephant-headed god who is the remover of impediments.

House of Doves inside temple premises !

No enormous celebration is connected with Edappally Mahaganapathy Temple. The Udayasthamana Pooja in this sanctuary is exceptionally popular.

Koottappam is a famous offerings in this temple which is nothing but a sweet made of rice and jaggery which is deep fried in ghee. You have to book well in advance to get this offering. We waited for 3 months to get it.