Tamilnadu- Kooduthurai (2015)
The album covers our first visit to Kooduthurai (2015)
Description to be added later.

Kooduthurai is 10 miles from Erode in TamilnaduIt is called Prayag of South due to the confluence of Bhavani, Cauvery and mythical Amutha rivers

Kooduthurai has a famous temple- Sangameswarar Temple which also contains a Perumal complex within the same campus.

Five Storey (tier) construction

Raja GopuramNorth Entrance to Temple

Temple is in the good books of Nayanmar (Thirugnanasambandar, 7th century A.D.)

Philanthropists have been active since 1640 to take care of this Siva-Vishnu Temple; late Mr. Pollachi N Mahalingam took an active role

Temple Renovation: 1640-1967

Temple Renovation: 1973-2000

Parts of a Gopuram

As you enter thru Rajagopuram, Adhikesavaperumal Temple complex is on your right (west)

Perumal Sannidhi

Soundharavalli Thayar and Adikesava Perumal are at two ends; in between Narasimhar and Venugopalsamy deities

Temple top has various Gods

Lakshmi

Two of the Ten Avatars:Vaamana and Parasurama

Two more: Rama and Balarama

Temple Car storage

Sun shines early on Vedanayaki Amman (Bhavani))

Amman Temple has a bed room (Palliarai); an ivory cradle was donated by a British collector to Bhavani Amman in 1804 for saving his life miraculously!; interesting sculpture in the MantapaamThiruponnoosal - swing songs are sung by devotees during prayer time

Notice the smiling statue on your right and a cry woman in the left pillar (hidden in dark). When water or milk poured on the head, one smiles and the other sheds tears!

The woman looks like smiling when water is poured

The damsel in close up

What a smile!

Inscription on 1804 curious incidentA little girl (Bhavani Amman by legend) saved the life of a British Collector in 1804; The collector presented a cradle made of ivory to Amman and watched prayers from outside the compound

Holes in the outside compound wall for the non-Hindu British collector to see Bhavani Amman!

Shanmuga Subramaniar- praised by Arunagirinathar (15th century) in his Tiruppukazh

Shanmuga Subramaniar

Actual Sangameswarar Temple

Sangameswarar - Nayanmar hailed the templeThirugnanasambandar called it Thiru Naana in Pillai ThamizhSins do not approach (naanaathu) you when you pray here

Parvati and Eswarar with their sons Vinayakar and Murugan

View of Sangameswarar and Vedanayaki templesFront lamp post for Amman and one behind is for Eswarar

Sangameswarar- flag, lamp post and pali peedam

Looking at Sangameswarar from flag and lamp post side (east)

Eswarar (Utsavamurthy) is taken in a palanquin from Vedanayaki Sannidhi to his abode. Note the handheld torch for light and simple musical instruments and chanting of hymns (last year photo)

Procession proceeds to Sangameswarar Sannidhi(last year photo)

Procession enters the main temple

Procession ends in Sangameswarar sannidhi. A delightful experience.(last year photo)

One side of surrounding Compound (Prakaaram)

Plenty of Space- Veli-Ambalam for devotees to relax

Another side of Prakaaram to walk around

In one side, Temple Elephant shelter and book store are located

Visiting the uncrowded temple at uncrowded times (early morning and late night) and participating in various prayers in the nayanmar style is pure joy-

Third side of Prakaaram contains the temple tree (Sthala Viruksham), Ilandai

The tree gives fruits at all seasons which is offered to the temple Gods daily

Triveni Sangamam of SouthConfluence of Bhavani-Cauvery- Amutha RiversKeep the site clean- message is largely ignored by public!

Bhavani from other side

Cauveri comes from one side

Meeting Place of two real rivers with imaginary Amutha(elixir) riverSevere vortex forms during high water flows; a wall separates the area for safetyAncestor rites are done here for loved ones....