Temple Visits in Tamil Nadu

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Dear All,

 

On 25th and 26th of April, we visited various temples in Kumbhakonam and Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Kumbhakonam is approx. 375 kms and Tanjavur

is approx. 322 kms from Chennai. There are huge and famous temples in

both cities. Today I shall give a few details about Lord Shiva's famous

temple in Tanjavur - also known as Tanjavur Big Temple. Words like massive,

gigantic and titanic are inadequate to describe the size of this temple.

This temple is huge in every sense of the term and possibly the biggest

temple in India. A visit to this Temple is a must for Lord Shiva's devotees.

Google "Tanjavur Big Temple" and you will get a lot of information.

 

Just after entering this temple you will see a huge Nandi in black granite.

The Nandi is 12 ft high, 19.5 ft long and 18.25 ft wide. The weight of

the Nandi is approx. 25 tons.

 

The majesty of the Shivalinga in the sanctum sanctorum is to be seen to

be believed. The Lingam is 9 ft in height and 23.5 ft in circumference.

 

This temple was built by the Chola King, Raja Raja Chola in 1010 A.D.

in a period of 6 years. He was a just king and a great Lord Shiva

devotee.

 

There are also various other shrines of Goddess Varahi, Lord Subramanya,

Lord Ganesha, Devi Bagawathi etc.

 

The temple is an architect's delight with carvings all over. Please note to

set aside at least 2 hours if you decide to visit this temple.

 

Kumbhakonam and Tanjavur are connected to Chennai by railways and

road transport is excellent. The highways and transport facilities all

over Tamil Nadu is excellent.

 

It is always better to stay in a Lodge or Hotel in Kumbhakonam since it

is cheaper than Tanjavur. Please opt for an AC Room as the heat could

be oppressive. A good AC Room with colour TV for 4 would cost you

anything between Rs.800 to Rs.1200 per day. Please remember these

are pilgrimage centres and you can do some good bargaining at the hotels.

An AC Tata Sumo which can comfortably accommodate 6 to 7 people

would cost Rs.1900 per day for upto 200 kms for 12 hours. If you exceed

the kms it would be Rs.8.00 per km. You can also hire it for 6 hours and

negotiate the rate accordingly. When you get inside the vehicle, please

do note the km reading and make sure the driver knows, otherwise he

is likely to cheat you. If there are only 4 members, then you can hire

an AC Indica for 12 hours for Rs.1300/-.

 

I shall next write about the Uppliappan Temple, where the beauty of

Lord Narayana is really incredible.

 

Regards

Ramesh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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