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| Nov 07, 2007 2:55 pm |
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re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Thread:Indian Heritage A |
| Shobha(usha) gowri
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Azhagar-the handsome
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu visited Madurai taking the human form of "Alagar" to give away his sister Meenakshi in marriage to Sundareswarar.(Shiva-also means beuatiful/good looking/handsome) But He then storms out of the city at the perceived insult by the city, which did not throw a formal welcome in his honor.
Ever since, Meenakshi Kalayalam (Meenakshi's Marriage) is re-enacted every year as part of the Chithirai festival in the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple. The Kallalagar (Alagar comes in a disguise of a bandit through the forest) procession also takes place to re-enact Alagar crossing Vaigai river to attend his sister's marriage. The Mahabharata says that this temple was visited by both Yudhisthira and Arjuna.(Wiki)
The marriage is a great event-for it brings together Gnanam(knowledge), sakthi(power-energy), Beauty, Bhakti and wealth all joined together in the same place.
situated atop a hill the Kalazhagar koil is another stunner-you can got here any number of times and not be bored
surrounded by forests with a temple for Lord Muruga(the nephew of Vishnu!!)it should be seen around dusk-eerie and simply unbelievable and beyond(not for the faint hearted)this temple is a must if you are in Madurai
See it during the day to see the architecture
Also the great divide of Shaivism and Vaishnavism-so obvious say in Kancheepuram and Tiruchi-thins out here with Shiva and Hari in the same temples
another unique feature is the navagrahas here-a no-no in Vishnu temples
to be cont.... Private Reply to Shobha(usha) gowri (new win) |
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