QUES ANSW DIVINE 68

Dear friends,

These are informationposted by members compiled as QA by me in 1998’s-2008’s 
and stored in mycomputer. At this date I have no information of the members 
posted.

BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE  ERRORS.

 Sincerely,

R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, Former  AGM Telecom Trivandrum  dated 08-12-2021

Q1 What is the prathal at vaikkam temple?

A1 Nevertheless, offering of food or'prathal' as it is called is still a 
favourite vazhivadu to the Lord. As the food offered isconsidered as prasad, 
everyone, from pauper to prince, partakes Nay, the foodis even said to possess 
curative powers in ailments like stomach-ache, ulcer,etc. Vaikkam

Itis the ashes of this kitchen on the northeast corner ofthe nalambalam that is 
served as Vibhuti to devotees visiting the temple.

Even the cutting of vegetables hereis an art. It is a task undertaken 
hereditarily by a group of sixteen Nair families

Oncethe saint Vilwamangalam came to Vaikom for darshan. He could notfind 
Bhagawan in the sanctum. He therefore walked around and found him havinghis 
meals on the raised platform on the northern side of the garbhagriha. Noneother 
than Parvati was serving him. 

This spot is still hold sacred, called Manyasthanam, wherea plantain leaf is 
laid with all dishes served during feasts and a lamp lit.

Q2 What are the attributes ofTiruvangad temple?

A2Sage Sweta did tapas at Tiruvangad (Tiru-van-kad, literally the sacred 
bigforest) and the place was named after him as Swetaranyam (aranyam 
meaningforest). 

Itis said that the Siva installed by Sweta was very fierce. To temper its 
furyanother Siva temple has been constructed just opposite

ThomasHarvey Baber even turned a staunch devotee of the deity andbecame a 
regular visitor to the temple. It is said that once Baber was passingthrough 
the- temple galloping on his horse. 

The horse suddenly stopped in its course and would neithergo back nor go 
forward. Baber realized that that happened because he wasindifferent to the 
Lord. He made amends and thus became a devotee of Sri Rama. 

It was he who constructed the massive outer wallsof the temple as is revealed 
by the following inscription: "The wall around this pagoda wasconstructed under 
the supervision and patronage of T.H. Baber esq. in1815."

Q3 What is sahasra kalasamvazhipadu at Vaikkam temple ?

A3 It is well known that Siva is abhishekapriya-lover ablutions. 


Parashurama, during his worshipof the I here, is believed to havebathed the 
deity with Sahasrakalasam or a thousand pots of holy water accordingVedic rites 


 Now this is a regular form ofoffering ranging from ordinary people to the 
Prince of Travancore.

 It is a costly offering though, the expenses amounting to nearly Rs.10,000/-. 
It is a ten-day function, each day an offering of 101 Kalasam or potsof holy 
water being made-100 pots of silver and one of gold at do centre--allfilled 
with water and surcharged with mantras recited by learned Brahminsseated on the 
Mukhamantapam.

 

 These are emptied on the deity,the golden pot- Brahmakalasam-being the last 
one. There are grand feasts atnoon on all the ten days. 

Q4 what is the Sandhya vela vazhipadu at Vaikkam temple?

A4 SandhyaVela is another ritual specially conducted at  Vaikom particularly 
during the 40 dayspreceding Ashtami. Themain ceremony is recital of Vedas by 
learned Brahmins sitting on the mandapam.Then there are siveli or procession in 
the morning, of course afeast at noon and vilakku (Laksha deepam) at night.


Q5 Do Krishna is another name forVishnu?

A5According to Adi    Sankara's commentary,however, Krishna is the57th name of 
Vishnu    andalso    means the "Existence ofknowledge and Bliss."

Q6Everybody would have visited kalahasthi temple en route to Tirupathi.What 
arethe information about the temple?

A6 Kalahasti isa town in the Chittoor Districtof Andhra, and it is a Railway 
Station on the Renigunta-Gudur section.It has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, 
and is famous throughout Andhra as asacred place and a place of pilgrimage

The Vayu Lingais said to be installed in this Kshetras. In proof of the above, 
it can be seenthat in the Garbhagriha ofthe temple there is a light which to 
this day is flickering even though thereis no loophole for the air to enter the 
temple.This is said torepresent the Vayu element from which the temple is 
derived. 

Thebeginnings of the temple are lost in immemorial times. We have reference to 
Kalahastiin the Skanda Purana where Arjuna is said to have visited the place 
during hisTirtbayatra, worshipped Kalahastiswara. 

The namekalahasthi has its orgin from the worshippers-The name of the spider is 
'Sri',the serpent is called 'Kala' and the elephant is called 'Hasti'. Hence 
thesethree forms combined into one goes by the name, Srikalahasti which is held 
tobe one of the Panchabhutalingas of the South

Q7 Which are all the Panchabhooha sthalas?

A7 The Pancha Bhuta Kshetras are 

Kanchipuramrepresenting Prithvi or earth, the Jambukeswara representing Appu or 
water, Arunachala representing Tejas or light, Sri Kalahasti representing 
Vayuor air, and Chidambaram representing Akash or ether.

Q8 Which is the only pilgrimage templedevoted to Goddess parvathi built by sage 
Parasurama?

A8 Kollur is one of the seven pilgrimageswhich were created by Parashurama. 
Itis is situated at the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika. While 
theother pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, 
LordSubramanya and Lord Ganesha, thisis the only one devoted to goddess 
Parvathi.  

It is a belief that an eagle (Garuda)called Suparna performed penance on the 
banks of the river and attainedsalvation hence the name Sauparnika

Q9 Is there any estimating about the nagaidols in Mannarsala?

A9According to an estimate there are some 4,000 stone idols or nagakals in 
thegrove MANNARSALA

Q10 Which are the temples in Kerala where themain Pratishta is Siva but the 
importance is for Bhagavati?

A10 Thereare other shrines in Kerala like Thirumandamkunnu, Kodungallur and 
Panayannar kavu where themain Pratishta is Siva but the importance is for 
Bhagavati other thanChengannur

Q11 what is the legend behind Chengannur?

A11 Duringthe time of marriage with Parvathi Lord siva summoned sage Agastya 
andrequested him to proceed to the south to maintain the balance to the 
shakingKailasam.

SageAgastya felt sorely disappointed, as he would miss the celestial 
wedding.Parameswara understood his feelings. He assured him that he would 
seeeverything through divine sight. Further, He promised that after the 
marriageceremony He with his consort would come to the South and grant him 
darshan.  

Accordinglysage Agastya journeyed towards the south and selected that part of 
the Sahyadricalled Sonadri for his meditation. True to his word, Siva went 
there withParvati and blessed Agastya. While being at Chengannur  the Devi had 
her menses. The divine coupletherefore stayed here for-twenty-eight days after 
the purificatory bath. 

It is awonder of wonders, that even today the idol which is cast in Panchaloha 
getsher Periods, a phenomenon which is not heard of in any other temple. "In 
olden days it used tooccur regularly, every month now only three or four times 
a year," saidShri Madhavan Nambudiri, the melsanti or the head priest of the 
temple speakingto this writer.

Q12 It is told a lot ofdiginataries have have bought the menses Udayada of 
chengannoor devi. Who arethey?

A12Among the dignitaries who bought chengannur devi udayada bleededwith, We are 
told, are the late SirC. P. Ramaswami Aiyar  diwan ofTravancore and 
ex-President Shri V. V. Giri. 


Q13 What is sade sathi cycles?

A13 Sade Sati consists of 3 cycles of 2 1/2 yearscalled Dhaia

 IST CYCLE: - Inthe first cycle, when Saturn transits 12th house from moon for 
2 ½ years, theevil results are felt by the parents

 The health of grand mother will be affectedand may result in her death. Saturn 
here puts extra expenditure. If in a birthchart Saturn is passing through the 
last phase of life may force native to getsanyas

2ND CYCLE: - During this cycle Saturntransits the moon sign for 2 ½ 
years.During this period, it affects the native himselfin domestic and 
professional fields Also denotes ill health and death of somerelations, fear 
from enemies, journey to distant places and separation fromrelations like 
brothers, sisters, wife or family etc. May cause imprisonment,miseries, loss of 
wealth, fatigue and general debility, loss of friends,Obstructions and delay in 
undertakings, failure in attempts and increasedexpenditure.

3RD CYCLE: - Saturn when transits in 2nd house fromMoon, third cycle of Sadi 
Sati starts.It affects one’s health, children and may even cause death if it 
come in latelife During this transit, loss of health, happiness, loss of 
position,increased expenditure, financial stress and physical weakness might be 
felt

 My note- Third cycle is most crucial.During this period most might get health 
problems which may lead to death

Q14 Do the ill effect of kalasapayoga will be felt life long?

A14the majority of the ill effects of Kalasarpa yoga are felt by 36 years of 
age andthereafter the person progresses well in life.

Q15 Who consecrated Attukal temple?

A15 Theconsecration ceremony of this Exalted Being was performed by no less a 
personthan the highpriest of the Badarinath Temple. The Attukal Bhagavathy 
Temple, one ofthe ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as 
Sabarimala of the Women,as women form the major portion of devotees.

Q16What is the speciality of Udupi Krishna temple kedavilakku?

A16 Even the lamps burning by the side of Krishnahave a history of centuries. 
The lamp lighted by Sri Madhvacharya are kept burningeven to this day and well 
protected. It was never allowed to get extinguished

Q17 It is told Guruvayur templewas kept closed once .What are the details of it?

A171932 - Temple remained closed for 12 days without pooja, because of 
Guruvayur Satyagraham.The famous Guruvayur Satyagraham was started by the 
Gandhians in 1934, led byLate Shri. K Kelappan. 

Theyadvocated the need for throwing open the temple for worship by all 
Hindusincluding the Dalits on an equal footing. This gave national attraction 
toGuruvayur temple. But soon Mahatma Gandhi intervened and the fast was 
calledoff. The temple remained closed for 12 days and poojas were suspended. 

Ittook another 15 years for the objectives of the movement to be realised and 
theright to temple entry declared

Q18 What is the orgin ogf name Neeleswaram?

A18The place where sage Neelaperformed penance became Neeleswaram, which is 
known for its Siva temple 

Q19 What is the relation withPandavas for Kedarnath temple?

A19 The Pandavas are given creditfor building the temple of Kedarnath. It is 
said that the Pandavas ontheir last journey followed the Manadakini to its 
source and Yudhisthira, theeldest prince, finally ascended into heaven from 
where the temple now stands

Kedarnath As winter dawns in the month of November, the holystatue of Lord 
Shiva, is carried down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath. 

The idol is reinstated at Kedarnath inthe first week of May 

Q20 What is the relation with Sankaracharyafor Kedarnath temple?

A20 Behind the Kedarnath Temple lies the samadhi or the finalresting place of 
Guru Adishankara charya. It is believed, after establishing the four dhams 
inIndia, he went for his samadhi when he was just 32 years old.

Q21 What is the merit ofGaurikund devi temple?

A21 Gaurikund is an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati.Legend has 
it that Parvati meditated here for a long time to win Shiva as herconsort. 
Finally, she succeeded, and the cosmic couple finally wed at Trijuginarayan.

Located 2 kms from Kedarnath, Chorabari is also called the GandhiSarovar. It is 
asmall lake, which has floating ice on it - an amazing site to behold. It is 
believed thatthe eldest of the Pandava brothers, Yudhishtira departed to heaven 
from thisplace. 

Q22 What is the merit ofUkhnimath Siva temple?

A22 This is the winter home of thedeity of the Kedarnath temple, where He rests 
from November to late April, andlocated 60 kms from Kedarnath.

 Situated at an altitude of 3, 581 meters inthe Himalayas, the climate here 
remains cold during the day and chilly at nightin the winter months from 
September to March. 

Insummer, from May to August, it's pleasant and cool during daytime and gets 
coldat night

Q23 Where do we have the highestShiva shrine in India?

A23 Tunganath is 90 kmsfrom Kedarnath. It is at an altitude of 3680 meters and 
isbelieved to be the highest Shiva shrine among the Panch Kedars. Here, 
LordShiva is worshipped in the form of his arms.

Q24 What are the detailsof Vaishno devi cave temple?

A24 Situated at a height of 5, 300 ft., the site is located inside acave in a 
hill. in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) 

This cave temple is at a distance of 61 kms from Jammu The temple ofVaishno 
Devi is dedicated to Vaishnavi, the human manifestation of GoddessShakti . 
Within the temple is the deity in the form of a five and half feettall rock 
with three Pindies or heads 

For the devotee the trip to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi commencesat Jammu. 
Indian Airlines operates daily 50-minutes flights from Delhi and20-minutes 
flights from Srinagar.

Theroute- Jammu- katra 48 km by taxi/bus- by foot another 13km up  a steep 
path. For the convenience of theyatris the road has been tiled and is well lit 
by electricity. Mules areavailable for hire to those who are ill or physically 
unable to cope with theclimb. 

At Katrathe yatri has to buy a Yatra ticket. Only upon showing this ticket can 
one gofor darshan (visit to the temple).

 Each one has to enter the cave alone as thetunnel to the shrine is very narrow 
and has to be negotiated with care. 

Once inside it widens out to provide darshan of the goddess. The returnis via a 
different route that takes the devotee to the shrine of Bhairon andthen back to 
Katra. 


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