Sunday, March 22, 2009

Temples - Trichy-I

We had been to Trichy (Thiruchirappalli) for two days, to visit some temples. Because of the exam season, we did not face too much crowd and the darshan went on smoothly.

First we went to Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple.

The deity of this temple is Sri Ranganathaswamy who is in a reclining posture, with his wife near his feet. It is said that as soon as we enter the garbhagruha, we should first see the god's feet. During the Vaitkuntha Ekadashi day, they open the Swarga Vaasal (Door to Heaven) and the crowds barge in through this door. If we want to see the whole temple, it might take at least ten days.

Now, to the interesting thing! The temple has got a beautiful young elephant. She is 25 years old and her name is Andal (Andal is to Vishnu, like Meera to Krishana - she has got a sannidhi in the temple). Her skin is very clear without any white patches (like we see in older elephants). She keeps on moving her feet which looks as if she is dancing! No chains were there. She has got beautiful anklets, the mahout said. He said that she never eats anything here in the temple complex, except the prasadams of the god, that too on particular days. She never dirties the place she stands. Goes home to pass urine also! Takes bath in the morning and the evening at the river Kaveri. She understands the language of the mahout and follows to the letter. No trouble at all. The temple celebrates her birthday grandly - special pooja is conducted in her name! Huh, I just wanted to stand there and watch her. Had some problem with my camera - but imagine the IDBI advertisement - the playful young elephant with a naughty look! This one is a bigger version!

The official website of the temple is here.

7 comments :

Destination Infinity said...

I always wanted to go to this temple in Srirangam. I have gone to Trichy more than a couple of times, but since on official tours, was not able to see this. Once when I was coming back in KPN Bus, they announced that it was Srirangam and I turned my head backward and was amazed!! It was a huge temple indeed. Anyways, I recently saw the temples in Kancheepuram and hope to see others also soon :-)

Destination Infinity

Sandhya said...

Destination Infinity: Srirangam temple is a huge and old temple with beautiful architecture. One thing I did not like this time...they have painted the gopurams with multi colours. It looks cheap.

They have official guides. You may need one or two days at least to see some important parts of the temple. If you go that side, visit Akhilandeshwari temple at Thiruvaanaikkaaval also. The architecture of these temples are mind boggling!

Sandhya said...

Sai Charan: I did a mistake again ..feeling embarassed..I had posted the Temple I blog twice, so I deleted one and your comment had gone with that.

Thanks Sai, sometimes if I don't like the crowd in the temple or the behaviour of the temple Archakas or something, I get distracted and start watching other things. And I love and admire elephants, wherever I see them - in temples or in TV!!!

R. Ramesh said...

Thanks 4 yr wishes dear friend and wish u 2 all the best..cheers

Sandhya said...

Ramesh: Thank you!

Unknown said...

The deity of this temple is Sri Ranganathaswamy who is in a reclining posture, with his wife near his feet. It is said that as soon as we enter the garbhagruha, we should first see the god's feet.You can visit there through bus and you can book Bus Tickets in online.

Unknown said...

The deity of this temple is Sri Ranganathaswamy who is in a reclining posture, with his wife near his feet. It is said that as soon as we enter the garbhagruha, we should first see the god's feet.You can visit there through bus and you can book Bus Tickets in online.

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