Madurai trip

Ranga's second cousin's son was to get married in Madurai. I found a perfect opportunity in this to visit not only Meenakshi Amman, but if possible two of the Arupadai veedus close to Madurai namely Thiruparamkundram and Pazhamudhircholai.

Of course. as usual I left it to HIM to give darshan in whichever possible temple!

Reaching Madurai on Tuesday morning, we attended the vratham which is the first function usually conducted the day before the wedding. Waiting for Ranga's favourite aunt Swarnam Chitti to arrive we sat through the vratham gossiping about many things. As their vehicle from Gobichettypalayam was delayed and Chitti did not arrive at the scheduled time, we booked an Ola to visit Thiruparankundram. As usual, HE decided where we go first because the OLA booked for Thiruparankundram was ready to take us to many temples changing the trip to rental package. I suggested we visit the farthest temple first and we proceeded towards Azhagar Koil - the temple which was not even on my agenda. I am so happy not to have missed it.

Our unexpected visit to Azhagar Koil:

Entering the temple through an arch with Narasimhar on top, we proceeded to the main sannidhi, Sri Kallazhagar Soundararaja Perumal standing majestically with consorts on either side. We had a good darshan of the Lord and came out. The temple is like a maze and we came out the wrong way ending in Sri Andal sannidhi. The bhattacharyar described about Sri Andal and told us we had come out the wrong way and guided us to Thayar sannidhi. The hall in front of Andal sannidhi has beautifully carved pillars leading to a small mandapam in which we could see the statue of a king (think it is Thirumalai Nayakar).

We then prayed at Sundaravalli Thayar sannidhi and proceeded to pray at Lord Krishna sannidhi. This hall is filled with sacks full of unhusked rice namely nel, being donations given to the temple by devotees. Next was Chakrathazhvar sannidhi. A fairly big idol, I was hoping to see Narasimhar behind, but it was just the wall behind the sannidhi.

By the time we came out of the temple, we almost ran as our bare feet could not take the heat. We could see many of our ancestors all around the temple. Though the driver had warned that we should be careful with our belongings I personally felt they were quite calm, eating the pori flown from the many porikadalai stands around the temple

Our next visit was to Pazhamudhircholai Murugan temple - one of the Arupadai veedus:

This is on the hill above Azhagar temple and the OLA driver suggested that we push the car windows down to inhale the herbal air, as many medicinal plants have been planted all around. Halfway up, he stopped to show us the Jambu tree where Murugan had asked Avvayar if she wanted "sutta pazham or sudatha pazham". There is a small hoarding mentioning this incident near the tree. The tree is considered that old. We could see Lord Ganesha under the tree. We prayed there and proceeded further. After my many questions, the driver warned me that this arupadai veedu is quite small in size. With just a single gopuram and entrance it is pretty small in size. We bought special darshan ticket and proceeded. We prayed at Pillayar sannidhi adjacent to the main sannidhi. The special darshan ticket got us space to sit in front of the main sannidhi and we had a very satisfying darshan of the Lord with his consorts - Valli and Deivanai. There is one more sannidhi adjacent to the main sannidhi on the other side which has a Vel. It was written Adhi Vel above this sannidhi but I could not get much info about this there. Later, I read on the net that this is a wooden Vel covered with silver kavasam and considered very powerful.

We came out and decided to call it a day as it was already quarter to one and we were doubtful if Thiruparamkundram will be open by the time we reached. A nice heavy lunch awaited us at the wedding hall and after relishing the same, we retired for an afternoon nap. 

In the evening, we dressed for the wedding and decided to go to temple. I had to buy a few last minute decorative things for vilayadal items for the wedding and went in search of same in that same road where we stayed. Ranga had booked OLA and after my purchases I got into the cab. After 12-15 min ride, I saw a huge gopuram. I asked the driver “koil malai mela illaya?” Both Ranga and the driver were shocked! I was under the impression we were going to Thiruparankundram whereas Ranga had booked the cab for Meenakshi temple!

Finally recognising the gopuram, I got down. We went straight to a small hotel to have coffee and then proceeded towards the temple. I thanked God that we took a photo of the gopuram then as beyond that point they said we were supposed to deposit our mobile phones as per new rule after the fire accident a few months earlier. We entered the temple and we recalled our last visit when we could take many, many photos inside the temple. The potramarai kulam and the corridor running along its side, reminded us of the scene where Nagesh runs in search of Sokkan in the movie Thiruvilayadal!

We stood in the queue for Meenakshi Amman darisanam. After praying at the most benevolent meen vizhiyal sannidhi, we came out to mukkurini Pillayar sannidhi. We saw a rishabham and an elephant in procession before the God and Goddess in Rishaba vahanam. We could see this procession all through our time in the temple but still I was ignorant of the fact that it was Pradosha ooravalam. Don't know what kind of punniyam we had done to see this procession three times there!!

We prayed at Sokkanathar sannidhi and then went to Kalyana sundarar which was closed with grill. We could see the Kalyana kolam from outside. We then circumambulated around the Navagraha sannidhi and did one more complete round of the temple seeing the various sannidhis there. 

Very happy with this temple visit we came back to the wedding hall right in time for Nishayadhartham. 

As only Thiruparankundram visit was due, we thought we will visit this temple the next day afternoon before wedding reception. Here again Lord changed the decision for us. Post muhurtham we were sitting bored and took a cab to the temple.

The structure of the entrance to this temple reminded me so much of Rameswaram temple. The walls and pillars were full of sculptures and with no restriction for mobiles here, we had our fill clicking everywhere!

Armed with a special entrance ticket, we stood in a small queue. The narrow steps leading to the sannidhi reminded me of Tirupathi. We reached the sanctum which has sannidhis for Pillayar, Durgai and then Lord Murugan's thirumana kolam with Goddess Deivayanai with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu present in the same sannidhi. We had very good darshan and stood in awe looking at the sculptures. 

Happy to have covered more temples than expected, we went back to the wedding hall for lunch. After relaxation at the hotel and short reception, we boarded the train, thinking of the upcoming pilgrimage tour with our friends group.