Devanathaswamy Temple, Cuddalore

Devanathaswamy temple or Thiruvanthipuram Kovil in Thiruanthipuram, a village in the outskirts of Cuddalore in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwarsaints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Devanathaswamy and his consort Lakshmi as Hemabhujavalli.

The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the Medieval Cholas, with later expansion from Pandyas, Hoysala Empire and Vijayanagara Empire. The temple has fifty inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120), Vikrama Chola (1118–1135), Rajaraja Chola III (1216–1256), Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251–1268), Vikrama Pandya, Vira Pandya III, Vijayanagar king Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542 CE) and Koperunjinga.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower has five tiers and raises to a height of 60 ft (18 m). Though the presiding deity is Devanathaswamy, the temple is known for Hayagriva, the horse faced avatar of Vishnu. The temple is the only historical temple in South India to have a shrine of Hayagriva.

Devanathaswamy is believed to have appeared to Adisesha (the sacred serpent of Vishnu), sage Markandeya and Hindu god Indra. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

History

This temple is held in high esteem and veneration by devotees because of the special association of the great Vaishnavite Acharya SRI NIGAMANTHA MAHA DESIKA born in 13 th century. Sri Desika chose to stay here for about 40 years magnetized by the divine beauty of the Presiding Deity of this ancient temple and the place. It was here in OUSHADAGIRI (HILLOCK) Sri Desika performed penance to invoke GARUDA for initiation into HAYAGRIVA MANTRA when the scholar flourished to full divinity to become the peerless NIGAMANTHA MAHA DESIKA. It is the glory of this place that there is a temple to Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva (Mahavishnu with horse face) in the Hill which is not found anywhere else in the country . The Lakshmi Hayagriva is the Lord for Gananam.

Arulmigu Desikan, the Kandaavatharam of Thirivengadamudaiyan appeared in Thoopul near Kanchipuram. There is a belief that Arulmigu Desikan, lived in Thiruvanheedirepuram for 40 years. Hayagrivar Archamoorthy, the Garuda bhagavan gave the required things and blessed him. Arulmigu Hayagrivar appeared before Arulmigu Desikan and thought the all Vedasasthirams in Oushadagiri (hillock). Even now we can see the Lord Hayagrivamoorthy, the God that Maha Desikan worshipped in Arulmigu Devanatha shrine. We can see the Thirumaligai of Maha Desikan and the well made by lord Desikan in this temple. Maha Desikan was known as Sarvathanthira Suthathirar by arguing with the sculptor Rajan and made his own sculputer. Every year during the month of Puratasi (September-October) a festival is conducted for Maha Desikan. During this festival, Maha Desikan is taken to the Lord Hayagrivar shrine on the day when the Lord Hayagrivar appeared before Maha Desikan and this day was known as Thiruvona day.

During the war between Rama and Ravna, Anumar took a part of Sanjeevi Mountain and when he saved the Deavars, a part of sanjeevi mountain fell down on a place and this place was known as Oushadagiri. Oushadagifi was also known as Sanjeevi Mountain and there is a temple in the foot of this mountain. The Anjeneyar in this temple was also known as Sanjeevi Rajan. In the top this montain Thirumal with Thirumagal are blessing the devotees as Hayagriver (with the face of the Horse). Lord Hayagriver had also advised Goddess Sarasvathi, the god of education regarding the manthras. Hayagrivar was also known as Vidyamoorthy.

The Hayagriver temple in this mountain is the oldest one. There are 74 steps in the path to the temple from the bottom. In the recent year ‘Paddi festival' is clebrated on the independence day of India(August 15th).In the year  of 1998 Kumbabhisegam was performed in Arulmigu Hayagreeva Temple.
H.R.C.E conducted Kumbabhisegam.

Vadaloor Ramalinga Adigal has sanctified the Lord Raman in this temple as ‘Vevvinai' Theertharulhindra Rama' in his hymns.

Specialities of the Temple

Thiruvaheendirapuram the Sacred Abode of Lord Devanatha, is one of the ancient-vadakalai. Vaishnavite temples and also one of the 108 Vaishnavite shrines sanctified by the visit of the great Alwars and Acharyas, held in great reverence by the devotees. Thiruvaheendirapuram is the 72 shrine out of 108 Vaishnavite shrines. The Alwars who has sung about this celestial place is Sri Thirumangai Mannan, otherwise known as Sri parakala. This place is one of the two Nadunattu Thirupathis. 

Sanctum Sanctorum

Here the Lord gives Darsan in standing posture as Devanatha , in sitting posture as Ahindrapuranatha and in Sayana Tirkolam (Lying posture) as Pallikondanathar. There are separate shrines within this temble for Sri Rama Sri Rajagopalan, Sri Venugopalan, Sri Andal, and Sri Chakraathalavar, Sri hayagreeva and also for Alwars and Desika.

In scripts: This village played no mean part in Indian History. The Hindu and Vijayanagar periods are represented in the inscriptions in this temple. From the inscriptions here we learn the fluctuating fortunes of the Chola Pandia and the Pallavas. There are inscriptions of Kulothunga-1, Vikrama Chola, Raja Raja III and Sundara Pandia about the gift of lands, money and sheep etc, to the temple and also about construction of Gopuram (Tower) in the regime of Kopperanjingadeva. It is learnt that in the middle of 18 th century the English and french were at war within the reaches of this village and at the time of Gurudotsavam in the temple.

Holy Theertham & Sacred Tree

This ancient temple is situate in between the sacred (OUSHADHAGIRL(HILL) and GARUDANATHI (river Gadilam), which is considered to be as Holy as River Ganges as it flows towards North in this sacred place, befitting its name UTHARAVAHINI.

Sthala viruksha in this place is Vilva Tree. Vimanam-Suththa Saththuva Vimanam.

Car procession

In the Chithirai month, on Chirthirai New moon day Car procession is conducted to Devanathan.

On this day thousands of devotees participate and get the blessings of Lord Devanathan.

Devotees come here with their grievances and prayer. If the devotees put milk,in the “theerthakinaru' namely SHESHA THEERTHAM. Thier needs wills be fulfilled. The Graruda river flows in the west of this temple.from south to north called "UTTHARAVHINI" If the devotees take a dip in this river. It is equal to a person taking a dip at the Holy river Ganges .

Legend

The temple finds mention in Brahmanda Purana, Naradiya Purana and Skanda Purana. According to the accounts, a group of sages wanted to have a sacred view of Vishnu and went all the way to Thiruparkadal, the Ocean of Milk. They could not view Vishnu there and went all the way to Vaikunta, the heavenly abode of Vishnu. The guardians there stated that they could meet Vishnu only in a place close to the seashore north of Kumbakonam, south of Tirupathi and west of Kanchipuram. When the sages reached there, they found sage Markandeya and his daughter Bhudevi were doing penance. They could view Mahavishnu in resplendent form with his weapons Sudarshana (wheel), Panchajanya (conch) and Kaumodaki gracing his arms.

As per another legend, Vishnu handed the job of obtaining the pure water of lake Vraja Theertha located in the nether world to Garuda, the eagle vahana. Garuda reached the nether world and secretively obtained the water from the lake, without the knowledge of the sage, who established the lake. The sage came to know about it and cursed the water to turn impure. Garuda then pleaded with the sage indicating the orders of Vishnu. The elongated transaction delayed the proceedings and Vishnu established a tank with water from other sources. Garuda was highly aggrieved and felt for his guilt. Vishnu appeased him saying that he would establish a river, which is believed to be the Kedilam river. A ceremonial bath is celebrated annually to commemorate the event.

Festivals

Chitirai(April-May) month -  The Full moon day is taken as 10 tth day festival to Devanathan promotsavam Car Festival

Vaihashi(May-June)month - To Devanathan a 10 days Vasantha festival is celebrated

Aani(June-July)month - On full moon day Nellikuppam Thoppu Ursavam is conducted

Aadi(July-August)month - Aadi pooram or Andal Tirukalyana Ursavam is conducted

Avani(August-September) month - Thiruvona natchathiram as the 10 th day to Hayagrivar 10 days Taking urchavam is conducted

Puratasi(Seprember-October)month - Navarathiri festival to Thayar, taking Thiruvona day as the 10 th day to Sri Desikan promotsavam is conducted.like sri devanatha promotsavam and car festival  is conducted. On the 10 th day in the early morning on Owsha Giri Arulmighu Desikan will give his blessings in Hayagrivar shrine special pooja is conducted

Iyppasi(October-November)month - Dolai Festival for Rama Perumal&Desikar

Karthikai(November-December)month - Vishnu Deepam is conducted

Markazhi(December-January)month - Dhiyana Urchavam is celebrated. Before and after Vaigunda Ekadesi 10 days festival is celebrated. On Bohi festival Arulmighu Tharangamuhanandhini Thirukalyana Urchavam is celebrated

Thai(January-February)month - Pongal and Mattu Pongal Urchavams is celebrated. God Devenatha is taken to Pennai river (Nanthapattu Thurai) for Theerthavari

Masi(Februar-March)month - Masi maham fesival is celebrated at Bay of Bengal

Panguni (March-April)month - On Taking 10 day Navami as the last to Arulmighu Rama navami-Arulmighu Ramam Urchavam is celebrated. Yukathi Festival is conducted, Panguni Uthiram is also celebrated. On other weeks, Paksha, Masa, Ayana, Vishu festivals is also celebrated. On festivals “Alangarapiriyan” is seen in this Thirupathi

Silver Beach, Cuddalore

Silver Beach is a beach on the southeast coast of India. It is located 2 km (1.2 mi) from downtown Cuddalore, the headquarters of Cuddalore district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Silver Beach, however, is untouched by the busy life of the city. It is the second longest beach on the Coromandel Coast and one of the longest beaches in Asia. The 57 km-long stretch of beach faces severe seafront erosion.

Silver Beach, in Devanampattinam, is situated in the eastern side of Cuddalore and is visited by a number of travellers. The beach provides tourists an opportunity to indulge in various activities such as horse riding and boating. Moreover, the beach also houses a boat house and a children's play area.

It is an extremely popular tourists spot for holiday makers from all parts of the world. Silver Beach is one of the picturesque beaches located on the southeast coastline of India. The vast stretches of endless sea and soft sands on the shore add to the natural beauty of the place. Silver Beach is an awesome destination to enjoy holidays in a coveted tranquility and friendly ambience. Besides being a famous recreational spot there are pristine temples and mesmerizing sceneries around the beach that adds to the charm of this place.

 Location 

Silver Beach is located under the Cuddalore district in the Tamil Nadu state in India. The latitude of Silver Beach is 11.7393⁰ N whereas the longitude of Silver Beach is 79.7865⁰ E.

Situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from district headquarters, Cuddalore city, it is also major location nearby the administrative headquarters of this district. The beauty of this beach remains main attraction that has hardly been spoiled by any type of pollutants—and of course busy lifestyle hasn’t touched it yet.

Temperature & Weather

Summer season from April to June is extremely hot at Silver Beach. The temperature during this time ranges between 23⁰C to 40⁰C. This time is not suitable to visit the beach is mostly avoided by tourists. During the monsoons, Silver beach experiences heavy rainfall that is characteristic of the place. It starts from July and continues till October. Most of the water activities at the beach are suspended due to incessant rains.

The month of November brings winter season to the Silver Beach. Temperature falls during this time, with minimum temperature being recorded at 12⁰C and maximum temperature reaches up to 30⁰C. The temperature is ideal to enjoy the beauty of the place. The best time to vacation in Silver Beach is from the months of October to March.

Family Vacation

Silver Beach is a perfect holiday spot with family and close friends. The place is packed with recreational activities for all age groups. Adventure and water sports facilities at the beach side draw outdoor enthusiasts to this place.

Travelling Requirements

Indian citizens can travel to Silver Beach at their convenience. However foreign nationals require taking visa permission from the Indian government. Only after visa application is accepted they can holiday in Silver Beach. Yet foreign tourist must always keep their valid passports and other essential travel documents with them.

 Activities

Silver Beach at Cuddalore greets its visitors with ample attractions. Tourists visiting this beach love exploring the beautiful surroundings of the place. The appearance of Silver Beach makes it look like a separate island, even though it is not so. The natural beauty of this beach is truly mesmerizing. The Silver Beach is renowned for its water sports facilities. Tourists here enjoy boating and the boats are also available on rents for adventurous sea explorations.

Silver Beach welcomes its guests with ample attractions. In fact all tourists have much to explore during visits to this wonderful beach in whose vicinity is located the unique South Cuddalore Bay area in southern portion. Its appearance is truly mesmerizing because it looks as if a separate island is located while the case is not so. Different types of water sports are common in backwater that easily separate the main beach from the structure looking like an island. It remains safest place for adventure activities for which tourists are augured to rent boats for exploration.

Other attractions at Silver Beach are dense forests and lighthouse reminding past century. Tourists spend good time in sandy beach for sunbathing and so do they visit various monuments especially forts for great exploration. Tourists involve in multiple sports activities while in Silver Beach. Their common involvements are to enjoy various adventure sports from boating to horse riding or water sports. Usually summer festival is unique celebration that literally enlivens this beach from April to May months.

Besides enjoying the usual beach activities, at Silver Beach the tourists here also love visiting the lighthouse and dense forests that reminds of the past century. After the thrill of the water sports, some lie relaxing in a sunbath whereas the adventure one set out for exploring the forts and other monuments of the temple. Horse riding is also provided at the beach side that is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

Water sports

To the south of the beach the South Cuddalore Bay area appears as if it is a separate island. The backwater separating the main beach from the island-like structure is a safe place for water sports. Boats are available to rent.

Mangrove

To the west a river flows into dense mangrove forests teeming with birds. On the coast there is century-old lighthouse. A few resorts have sprung up in the area. Most of these are sponsored by the state government for promoting tourism.

Forts in the beach

Silver Beach is also the location of Fort St. David, which has a long history as one of the three important forts built by the British Empire. An arts college, Periyar College of Arts and Science, is situated near the beach. There are summer festivals celebrated in Silver Beach yearly during April or May.

Fort St. David was a British Fort that the Britishers took over from the Maratha rulers in the year 1960. This fort was used as headquarters during the rule of East India Company. Most part of the fort is in ruins but it is still visited by large section of tourists.

Nightlife

It is an undeniable fact that nightlife is one of the key attractions in Silver Beach as it has much to offer to tourists. They indulge in the activities like partying, drinking or simply walking to great shopping exploration during evenings and do continue till late nights. Perhaps such aspects are most notable ones and make it easy for beach tourists to involve in activities for great fun during nighttime.

The nightlife at Silver Beach is a biggest draw especially for foreign tourists. Holiday makers love drinking, eating, partying or simply walking on the soft sands after sunset. The party at Silver Beach continues till late nights and the fun factor increases with the passing hours.

Connectivity

It is well connected to Cuddalore Bus Stand, Railway Station & Well connected to Pondicherry also. Nearest Air port is Pondicherry.

Thiruvathigai Temple or Sri Veerattaneswarar temple, Panruti, Cuddalore

The Thiruvathigai Temple or Sri Veerattaneswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is situated at Thiruvathigai Village which is about 2 kilometres east from the town of Panruti. Veerattaaneswarar is the presiding deity.

The place and the temple are closely linked with the history of Saint Tirunavukkarasar.  Though born to Saivite  parents and brought up by his Shiva devotee sister Thilagavathy, Marul Neekiar – that was his baptism name – embraced Jainism and rose to Guruhood there with the name Dharumasenar.  His sister, a staunch Shiva devotee, dedicated herself to the service of Lord Shiva by maintaining the temple, prayed to the Lord seeking her brother’s home coming to Saivism.

Lord Shiva caused a severe stomach pain to Appar.  None in the Jain camp could cure him.  He came to sister Thilagavathy, fell at her feet for relief.  The affectionate sister took the brother to Veerattaneswarar shrine, chanted the Panchakshara-five letters-Na Ma Shi Vaa Ya – and put the sacred ash on his forehead.  Appar also consumed the ash and was miraculously cured instantly of his deadly stomach pain.  Out came spontaneously Appar’s first hymn called Kodhil Neediya Tirupathigam beginning with the line “Kootru Aayinavaru Vilakka hileer”. Pleased with his poetic skill, Lord Shiva honoured Appar with the title Tiru Navukku Arasar-Tirunavukkarasar meaning king of tongues.

Devotees seeking the grace of Lord Veerattaneswarar are relieved from the three basic evils glued with humans – viz. Aanavam-arrogance, Kanma, that which follows birth after birth and illusion.  Devotee visiting this temple reaps the benefit of seeing the Lord in His abode Kailash.  Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.

Lord Shiva of this temple is also praised as Sri Samharamurthi (Tirukedilavanar).  It is also believed that Lord Ammai Appar is praying Himself in the sanctum sanctorum.  Mother is also praised as Sri Tirupurasundari.  Lord Vinayaka is worshipped as Siddhi Vinayaka.

Other Sacred springs of the temple are Shoola theertham, the well in the temple, Chakkara Theertham, a tank and River Kedila.

History

The Thiruvathigai Temple was originally built as a Jain temple by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the 6th century AD. However, on his conversion from Jainism to Hinduism, Mahendravarman demolished the existing temple and built a temple to Shiva in its place. The temple contains some remaining Jain artifacts.

There is also another Shiva temple and a Vishnu temple nearby believed to have been constructed from the remains of the demolished Jain temple.

King Raja_Raja_Chola_I is believed to have stayed in this temple for a long time to study the architecture before building Brihadeeswarar_Temple.

Legend

According to the legend Thirugnana Sambanthar was glorified by the cosmic dance of Shiva. Appar's sister Thilakavathiyar settled here during her later years and devoted her lifetime service to Shiva. Afflicted by a painful illness, Thirunavukkarasar prayed for relief at this temple where his sister Thilagavathiyar served and was cured. Legend holds that this temple is the place where Shiva destroyed three rakshashas and the three cities created by them. Saranarayana Perumal, another name of Vishnu, is the one who gave the arrow to Shiva for killing the demons. The Saranarayana Perumal temple is also located in Panruti.

Festival

10 day Vasanth Utsav festival during Panguni-Chithirai Tamil months covering English March to May with Lord gracing from the Mandap; Chithirai (April-May) Sadayam star festival on Saint Appar Salvation event; 10 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June with Panchamurthi procession on silver vahan; 10 day Aadi Pooram; 10 day Manickavasagar utsav in Margazhi, 1 day Margazhi Tiruvadhirai with Theerthavari etc.

Pichavaram, Cuddalore

Pichavaram is a coastal village located on the shores of Bay of Bengal near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The Mangrove forest found on the back water of Pichavaram is second largest forest in the world. This Mangrove forest is spread across of around 2800 acres on the back water with a group of small islands.

Pichavaram mangrove forest is located between two prominent estuaries, the Vellar estuary in the north and Coleroon estuary in the south. The Vellar - Coleroon estuarine complex forms the Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves.The backwaters, interconnected by the Vellar and Coleroon river systems, offer abundant scope for water sports such as rowing, kayaking and canoeing. The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscape and backwater cruises, but also another very rare sight - the mangrove forest trees are permanently rooted in a few feet of water. There are more than 400 water routes available for boating.

Introduction

Pichavaram the second largest Mangrove forest in the world, near the temple town of Chidambaram, is one of the unique Eco-tourism spots in South India. The backwaters, inter connected by the Vellar and Coleroon river systems, offer abundant scope for water sports, rowing, Kayak and canoeing.

The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscape and back water cruises, but combines another very rare occurrence - the mangrove forest trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water. The Pichavaram mangroves are considered among the healthiest mangrove occurrence in the world.

Pichavaram (MadBoon) has a well-developed mangrove forest. Pichavaram consists of a number of islands interspersing a vast expanse of water covered with green trees. The area is about 1100 Hectare and is separated from the sea by a sand bar.

Boating in Pichavaram Forest

The Tamil Nadu tourism department operates paid boating services for the visitors to go around Mangrove forest for sightseeing. There are both motor boats and row boats available for rent. We choose row boat and luckily it became a wise decision since the row boat is friendly enough to paddle across the narrow Mangrove bushes where the motor boat cannot reach. It’s really awesome to see the dense Mangrove trees amidst the water bodies while you travel in boat. Since Mangrove trees are dense and found in water bodies there are many birds found in this place, both native and migratory birds are commonly seen. These birds built nests on these trees and feeds on the fishes living there.

The Pichavaram mangrove biotope, consisting of rare species like Avicennia and Rhizophora presents a special attraction, with its peculiar topography and environmental condition. It supports the existence of many rare varieties of economically important shell and finfishes.

The Pichavaram mangroves attract an appreciable bird population of residents, local migrants and true migrants. Amongst others, one can view birds like snipes, cormorants, egrets, storks, herons, spoonbills and pelicans. At the mangroves, so far, 177 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 families have been recorded. The season for birds is from September to April every year. Peak population of birds could be seen from November to January. This is due to high productive nature (in terms of prey organisms) of the ecosystem and coincidence of the time of arrival of true migrants from foreign countries and local migrants from their breeding grounds across India. The availability of different habitat types such as channels, creeks, gullies, mud flats and sand flats and adjacent sea shore offers ideal habitat for difference species of birds and animals.

The season for birds is from September to April every year. Peak population of birds could be seen from November to January. This is due to high productive nature (in terms of prey organisms) of the ecosystem and coincidence of the time of arrival of true migrants from foreign countries and local migrants from their breeding grounds across India.