Pasupatinath yatra continued

Visted Khatmandu Jalnarayan and Pasupatinath.  Wanted to chant Rudram. But the group thought that the 20 to 30 minute chanting was too long and were worried about missing the 2:30 pm flight.
My husband let thongs go, chanted the Rudram and started walking barefoot to the Hotel. His shoes were left in the car. He came out of the Temple through a different door than the one that they originally entered. Crossed the road to find the way. God's ways? The van with all the people in the groupstopped in front.
The flight to Khatmandu/Pokkara was at 2:50 pm. Arrived Pokkara at 3:30 pm.

These are small planes, could hold 27 people hand luggage was checked.
We found out that the flight to Jhomsom was at 7 am not 6 am  in spite of trying to sort out issues, the Rep could not do anything. One family was quite worried. Tried to give them positive thoughts. Kapit, the agent was very pleased that they were comforted. He took my husband for a walk and told him about how his clents are all of different kinds. He gave his phone number and asked him to communicate if neccessary.

Goal is Muktinath - it is a long path from Hyderabad, India

Flight to Delhi was at 4:45 a.m. The main problem was the transportation to the Airport.
Decided to take a bus. No Taxi came. No Auto in the vicinity to go to the Jubilee Bus stand which was closest to the residence. Finally, decided to walk. Stopped a man going on a scooter. He gave a ride to the Bus stand. No reliable help from family either. I would accept all this as a general tendency in India.

 Finally, took the bus and it arrived at the Airport close to 4:45 a.m.
Thank God, did not miss the flight.
BUT, Indigo guys did not book the baggage to Kathmandu. So, had to go to terminal 3 with baggage.
Checked in for Kathmandu. Passport was checked. The Sree travels did not show up. Tried to call.
The personal phone did not work. ISTD was used to make the call. Finally, Sree travels representive Aggarwal came within 20 minutes. He had a different itenerary. No one to receive. No food on Indigo. Met a few  -  Sampath, the head priest from Srirangam. The others are all mostly Senior citizens.

This is the first step. The next post will give specific details of the yatra to Muktinath.

Muktinath and Pashupathinath temples

These are not accessable to travel for the elderly and those with physical limitations. I know that if there is a will, there is a way. Last year, I could not join my husband in this yatra. He planned a long trip to stay in India. Also with the natural disturbance in Nepal area, i was nervous to travel in September 2015. But, with the blessings of the Lord, my husband had blissful and comfortable journey. His total trip was three and a half months long.
He made some notes of his experiences and in my nextt post I want to write all those details. I have been lazy writing in my blog. Hope the readers make comments on my previous posts.
Any feed back helps improve my writing. Thank you all.

NAKSHATRA TEMPLES

I found this very interesting. This is posted by one of my nephews in India in the Facebook. I copied and pasted it here. This list covers only Tamil Nadu Temples. I wonder whether there any such Kshetras in other provinces of India. I will be doing more research on this. In the meantime, if any of my readers have information, please post them in the comment section.

Nakshatra-Kshetra

NAKSHATHRA TEMPLES/BIRTH STAR TEMPLES FOR A BIRTH STAR.
( A Collection of temples with the contact number from email)

In this compilation for each star two temples are told. Introduction Birth stars are as important as the celestial planets in Astrology.
Like it is important to visit the temples dedicated to the Navagrahas or celestial planets, it is also important to visit temples dedicated to ones Birth star or Janma Nakshatram.
It is said that visiting the temple corresponding to your Birth star at least once a year removes obstacles and ensures happy life.
The full list is as follows. For each star two temples are told, the convenient one can be chosen
1. Ashwini or Aswathi or Ashwathi or Asvini Piravi Marundeeswarar Koil Situated in Thiruthuraipoondi which is about 30 Kms from Tiruvarur. 04369-222392, 94438 85316 Dharbaranyeswarar temple Situated at Thirunallar about 6 Kms from Karaikal

2. Bharani or Apa Bharani Agneeswarar Koil. This temple is at Nallaadai, situated 20 Kms from Mayavaram on Nagapattinam Route. It is about 3 Kms from Poraiyar. 04364-285341, 97159 60413, 94866 31196 Vadaranyeswarar Temple This temple is at Thiruvalangadu, 45 Kms from Chennai on the route to Arakkonam.

3. Karthigai or Krithika Gaathra Sundareswarar Koil This is at Kanjanagaram, at a distance of 8 Kms from Mayavaram on Poompuhar road. 04364-282853, 94874 43351 Naganathar Temple Nagapattinam

4. Rohini Pandava Dhootha Perumal Koil Situated in the lane opposite to Ekambareswarar Koil at Kanchipuram 044-27231899 Sivayoginathar Temple Thiruvisanallur

5. Mirugaseerisham or Mrigashiras or Mrigasira or Mrigashirsha Adi Narayana Koil at Enkan. Enkan is very famour for the Murugan temple. Enkan is near Tiruvarur on the road to Thanjavur via Koradacheri. 04366-269965, 94433 51528 Vana Durga Devi Temple situated at Kathiramangalam at a distance of 5 Kms from Kuthalam & 16 Kms from Mayavaram.

6. Thiruvadharai or Arudhra Abhaya Varadeeswarar Koil located at Adhiramapattinam at a distance of 12 Kms from Pattukottai in Tanjore District. 99440 82313, 94435 86451 Agneeswarar Temple Thirukollikkadu near Tiruvarur

7. Punarpoosam or Punarvasu Athitheeswarar Koil Vaniyambadi in North Arcot District. 04174-22652, 99941 07395 Abathsahayeswarar Temple Alangudi

8. Poosam or Pushyami or Pushya Akshayapureeswarar Koil. This temple is at Vilangulam. Vilangulam is situated at 20 Kms from Peravurani, in Tanjore District. From Pattukottai on the ECR towards Rameswaram this is at a distance of 30 Kms. 97507 84944, 96266 85051 Karkadeswarar Temple Thirunandudevankudi is about 2 Kms from Thiruvisanallur and 8 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudhur

9. Aayilyam or Ashlesha Karkadeswarar Koil Thirunandudevankudi is about 2 Kms from Thiruvisanallur and 8 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudhur. 0435-2000240, 99940 15871. Subramanya Swamy Temple Thirupurankundram

10. Magham or Magha Mahalingeswarar Koil This temple is at Thavasimadai 25 kms from Dindugal on the road to Nattam. 95782 11659, 93624 05382 Thillai Kali Temple Chidambaram

11. Pooram or Poorva Phalguni or Purva or Purva Phalguni or Poorvaphalguni or Pubba Hari Theertheswarar Koil Situated at Thiruvarangulam, which is 10 Kms from Pudukottai on the road to Pattukottai. 98651 56430, 99652 11768. Sri Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple Thirumanacheri about 6 Kms from Kuthalam which is on Mayavaram-Kumbakonam route

12. Uttiram or Uttara Phalguni Mangalyeswarar Koil Edaiyathumangalam is on Trichy-Lalgudi route. Just after Valadi you will find an arch to your right, take a right turn there and the road will lead you to this village. 0431-2544070, 98439 51363 Kucchiamman Temple At Poovalur situated at a distance of 20 kms from Trichy and 3 Kms North of Lalgudi on Trichy Ariyalur road.

13. Hastham or Hastha or Hast or Hasta Kripakupareswarar Koil This temple is at Komal, which is about 6 Kms from Kuttalam, which is on Kumbakonam Mayavaram Route. 95002 84866 Thyagarajaswamy Temple Tiruvarur

14. Chitirai or Chitra Chittirairatha Vallabha Perumal Koil Situated at Kuruvithurai about 23 Kms from Madurai and 8 Kms from Cholavandan. 94439 61948, 97902 95795 Thyagarajaswamy Temple Tiruvarur

15. Swaathi Prasanna Kundhalambika and Tantreeswarar Koil Sittukadu about 10 Kms from Poonamallee on Pattabiram route. 93643 48700, 93826 84485 Jambukeshwarar temple Thiruvanaikaval is on the outskirts of Trichy near Srirangam

16. Vishaka or Vishaakha or Vishakam Kumaraswamy Koil Thirumalai about 7 Kms from Shenkottai and 15 Kms from Thenkasi. 04633-237131, 237343 Pralayanathar Temple Cholavandhan, 26 Kms from Madurai

17. Anusham or Anuradha Lakhmsipureeswarar Koil. This temple is at Thiruninriyur about 6 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil on the road to Mayavaram. 04364-320 520 Mahalingaswamy temple Thiruvidaimarudhur

18. Kettai or Jyeshtha Varadaraja Koil Varadaraja Koil is at Pasupati Koil, 12 Kms from Tanjore on Kumbakonam route. 97903 42581, 94436 50920 Angalaparameswari Amman Temple Situated at Palladam, 35 Kms from Coimbatore

19. Moolam or Moola Singeeswarar Koil At Mappedu about 40 Kms from Chennai 044-27608065, 94447 70579, 94432 25093 Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

20. Pooradam or Purva Ashadha or Poorva Shada or Poorvashaada Akasapureeswarar Koil Kaduveli near Thiruvaiyar. 94434 47826, 96267 65472 Bhakthajaneswarar Temple Thirunavalur is on Ulundurpet – Panruti route at a distance of 16 Kms from Panruti.

21. Uttiradam or Uttara Ashadha or Uttara Shada or Uthrashaada Brahma Pureeswarar Koil Situated at Keezhapungudi in Madurai district on the on the Melur – Sivaganga Road. 99436 59071, 99466 59072 Dharmapuram Durga Temple Mayavaram

22. Thiruvonam or Shravana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Koil This temple at Thiruparkadal is 4 kms from Kaveripakkam on the Chennai – Vellore route. 04177-254929, 94868 77896 Rajakaliamman Temple Chetpet in Chennai

23. Avittam or Shravishtha or Dhanista or Dhanishta Brahma Gnana Pureeswarar Koil This temple at Korukkai is 5 Kms from Kumbakonam on the Patteeswaram – Muzhaiyur road. 98658 04862, 94436 78579 Magudeshwarar Temple Kodumudi is situated on Erode Trichy Highway, it is 26 Kms from Karur and 38 Kms from Erode.

24. Sadayam or Shatabhisha or Shatataraka Agnipureeswarar Koil Thirupugalur about 10 Kms from Nannilam towards Nagapattinam. 04366-236 970 Ardhanareeswarar Temple Thiruchengode

25. Pooratadhi or Purva Bhadrapada or Poorva Bhadra Thiruvaneswarar Koil Ranganathapuram about 3 Kms from Thirukattupalli in Tanjore District. 94439 70397, 97150 37810 Adishesha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

26. Uttiratadhi or Uttara Bhadrapada or Uttara Bhadra or Uthrabhadra Sahasra Lakshmeeswarar Koil Theeyathur about 15 Kms from Avudayar Kovil in Pudukkottai District on Thirupunavasal route. 04371-239212 99652 11768 Panchanatheswarar Temple Thiruvaiyaru

27. Revathi Kailasanathar Koil Karukudi about 2 Kms from Tattayangarpettai and 1.5 Kms from Mettuppalayam in Musiri Taluka of Trichy District. 97518 94339, 94423 58146 Pranavavyaghrapureeswarar Temple Omampuliyur

The Thousand pillar Temple of Warngal, Andhra Pradesh

This is one Temple that I want to see. But, do not know when.

The Thousand Pillar Temple was built by the kakatiyas. It stands out to be a masterpiece and built  by the ancient kakathiya vishwakarma sthapathis. King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD had built it and is a specimen of the Kakatiyan style of architecture of the 12th century.

It was destroyed by the Tughlaq dynasty during their invasion of South India. There are one thousand pillars in the building and the temple, but no pillar obstructs a person in any point of the temple to see the god in the other temple.

Currently, the  engineers have taken out all the pillars from the building. After they lifted all the pillars they encountered a huge mass of sand. It took nearly two weeks for them to take away all the sand. It was wet sand, because of a pipe connection from the nearby water from Bhadrakali Cheruvu.

No Yatras planned for the year 2015 yet

I know that there are plenty of sacred places we still have to visit. Somehow, after the last one in 2013 I am exhausted mentally to vist India.  Soon, I would like make a list of what I want to see. That might help. If any of you have suggestions, please write in comments.

Another set of exciting places to see in the Northern part of India

Again, this is a collection that I felt was very useful as a guide. I remember much about these places. Joyful, it was!!!!!

Mansa Devi Temple: Situated on the Vilwa Parvat, it can be reached through the ropeway.

Rishikesh : Located on right bank of Ganges at its confluence with Chandra Bhanga stream. According to the legend times long past, Sage Raibhya Rishi did hard penance to please God. He was adorned Hari Rishi and the place was Imed after him. Lord Rama and his younger brother Lakshman also came here and stayed at banks of Rishikesh and scussed for killing Ravana. Today, Rishikesh has become a centre of learning in Yoga and meditation.

Lakshman Jhoola : 5 Kms. North of Rishikesh is the place where Sri Lakshman is said to have performed tapa. Sri Lakshman Temple was built in his memory. It is a suspension bridge with a span of 140 mts. constructed in 1939 across the river Ganga popularly known as Ganges.

Agra : Agra city is one of the five biggest towns in Uttar Pradesh, is famous allover the World for its celebrated monument -Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. It was built by Emperor Shahjahan in 1653 in memory of his beloved wife Queen Mumtaj. It took 22 years to complete this beautiful mausoleum. Taj Mahal, situated on the Inks of River Yamuna, stands on white marble platform of 22 feet with a height of 243 feet.

Mathura : This was considered to be the birth place of Lord Krishna. The temples of International society for Krishna consciousness (ISKCON), Dwarakadeesh and Geeta Mandirs are famous.

Allahabad : It acquired its present name during the rule of Mughal emperor -Akbar, known as Prayag since ancient nes. Located as the sangamam, the confluence of the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. It is of the holy cities for hindus. It is the birth place of the first Prime Minister of Independent India pandit Jawaharlal ehru, born and brought up at Anand Bhavan, his ancestral house. Allahabad is site for famous Kumbh Mela, which held once in 12 years.

Varanasi : An ancient city and a centre of learning for over 2000 years is one of the temples for times immemorial. The 3 famous Kasi Viswanath temple, on the banks of river Ganges is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims. The Shivalinga at the swanath Temple is among one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is a gold-spiraled temple rebuilt in 1776 A.D. by Rani Ahillyabai Dikar and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Varanasi is seat of Hindu religion and the ancient Indian language Sanskrit. The st wish of every ,Hindu is to have a visit to Varanasi once in a lifetime.

Sarnath : Just 10 Kms from Varanasi, was the place where Lord Buddha revealed to his first disciples the essence of philosophy, which became one of the world's greatest religion Buddhism. The emperor Ashoka erected magnificent upas and buildings at Sarnath, making it an important place of pilgrimage. It is a major centre of Buddhist studies.