Golden Temple, Jala Kanteswar & Ratnagiri Murugun Temples

 Golden Temple, Jala Kanteswar & Ratnagiri Murugun Temples:

Today we planned to visit the Golden Temple of Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple near Vellore.

We started early at 6pm from Arunachalam and reached vellore at 8 AM. 

From here had arranged an auto to take us to Golden temple, Jala Kanteswar Temple & Ratnagiri Murugun temple and drop us at Katpadi Railway station. 

Golden Temple of Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple in Sripuram.

Its in star shaped pathway and also some say it in Srichakaram shape.

Reached vellore temple at 8:30 and took 100 rupees darshan tickets. This had helped to cover the temple in 2 hours. There isnt much rush and in 30 minutes we are near the golden temple. 

Its very majestic and the Goddess status is very wonderfull. We said our prayers and took blessings of Maa Laskshmi.

This golden temple grandeur is feast to eyes in the evenings with all the lighting and its reflections in water.

Golden Temple in SriPuram had been opened in August 2007. 

We can perform Abhisekham to 70 kg golden Laskshmi statue. There is a bit of rush here and it took another 1 hour here. 

This temple had been built by Narayani Amma(Swamiji)

We had visited the Vinayaka Temple and Wonderful Venkateswara Idol and way out.

Historic 16h Century Vellore fort.:

We had started for Vellore Fort. This fort looks awesome from outside with large outer walls. It is surrounded by water in which crocodiles used to be grown, for security of the fort.

This fort had a lot of History, Tipu family members are prisoned here. The last ruler of srilanka had been prisioned here for 17 years and died here. The famous Shivaji Maharaj generals had laid sieze on this fort and captured it.

The fort's ownership passed from Emperors of Vijayanagara, to the Turko-Persian Bijapur sultans, to the Marathas, to the Carnatic Nawabs and finally to the British, who held the fort until India gained independence. 

This fort houses the Jalakanteswarar temple. Its a majestic stone marvel Architecture facinated me a lot. The Golden Chariot of the temple.

The Gopuram stands tall with all marvel withering the good and bad times it witnessed.

I will let the pictures speak of the marvel of the sculptures present here.

The stone jali work, on wood its bit easy to carve this style but on rock it needs a maste sculptur with lots of patiece to make this master pieces.

Though this temple had been destroyed by muslim rulers, the remains are still wonderfull examples of Stone Architecture.

There are four mandaps on each side which are treasure troves of our culure. They stands as witness for the craftmanship of our Ancesters.

Had spent time in these marvels and captured few on Camera for memories.

Common One head for Elephant and Cow!!!

Had the Darshan of the Lord Shiva and recieved tasteful Murukulu as prasad.

We came out of the temple at 11.30AM as clock is ticking on our schedule.

We hurried to Ratnagiri Murugan temple which is 14 Kms from vellore as it closes at 1 PM.

This temple was built in the 14th century by Saint Arunagiri Nathar          

                                   

We had a soulful dharshan of Lord Murugun.

 We were also fortunate to see the Sree Balamurugan Adimai Swamyji.

                

He is the one who had shaped this temple to the present glory. Earlier this temple had been in a dipilated state.  

In his 27th year, he visited this temple and got his calling. He took a sacred vow not to leave until the temple was restored to its former glory.  He dressed himself in a loincloth and communicates only through writings on slate.

More details can be found below

https://ratnagiri.org/adimais-own-story/

The golden plated Dwaja Stambam of the Temple. 

                                   

           

From here we reached vellore, had lunch with the famous tamilnadu sambar 

Reached the Katpadi railway station and started the Journey back to Home.

I had to thank my Better half who had accompanied me and beared me with all the excitment talks while visiting these places.

Here ends my 3 days trip of the enchanting temples. 

Till next opurtunity, Sivoham.

Chiranjeevi

chiru.nvv@gmail.com